My gaze drifted toward the very patch of earth where she had once crouched, weeping in silence. I remembered vividly how many eyes had watched me with intimidating glares while I struggled to keep the crimson fluid from drenching the soil.

I let out an involuntary chuckle. From the corner of my eye, I saw Claire steal a brief, fleeting glance at me. "Do you remember how long you spent crying in this exact spot?"

"You wept for so long that every menacing stare in the vicinity was pinned directly on me. I was the victim, yet I suspect everyone who saw us took me for the primary culprit"

I finished with a light laugh, which finally drew a somber look from Claire as she at last deigned to turn her face toward me.

"Speaking of which, I promised to buy you whatever you wished if you escorted me to the clinic. So, is there anything your want?“ 

Claire was still hesitant to speak, but the gloom on her face was beginning to lift. She began to walk ahead of me, just as she had when we moved through the woods.

The street was alive with merchants crying out their wares in that distinct, melodic cadence I remembered from the capital. Claire's mood seemed to fully recover with every few steps, someone would greet her with a wide smile, just as Madam Aria had done.

The midday bustle continued under a sky where the sun was completely veiled by heavy clouds. Autumn was asserting itself, the wind gusting hard enough to swirl dried leaves around the trees and across the city streets.

Claire finally came to a halt in front of a small bookstore, nestled between residential buildings and flanked by other shops across the way.

A bell chimed as we pushed the door open. The unmistakable, comforting scent of old paper and ink rushed to meet my senses.

The atmosphere inside was warm, the shelves packed with a vast array of titles. 

Claire finally broke into the wide, brilliant smile she had been withholding from me all day. She darted back and forth, much like she did when hunting for new arrivals in her family’s library.

 I stood by the door, observing her while my eyes scanned every corner of the room with quiet appreciation. "Goodness, miss Claire! It has been quite a long time since you last visited" an elderly man called out, emerging from a small back room behind the service counter. 

Claire’s smile grew even wider.

"It has. Mother won't let me come to the city center without an escort, so it’s been difficult to find the chance to visit after all this time"

The old man turned his gaze toward me, pointing with a hand that trembled slightly from age. "And who is this? Your new guardian? I don't believe I've seen him before"

"H-he is..."

I stepped in, feeling it wasn't necessary for Claire to introduce me. It was a task I should handle myself. "Good afternoon, sir...“ I trailed off, allowing the old man to introduce himself.

"Jeff. Just call me Jeff"

"Very well. Good afternoon, Mr Jeff. My name is Harrie Smith. I am Miss Claire’s temporary private tutor"

Jeff offered a friendly smile and shook my hand, his grip slightly shaky. "A pleasure. It is an honor to meet a teacher such as yourself, mr Harrie"

I returned the handshake with a subtle smile. "Thank you"

Jeff released my hand and turned back to Claire. "It seems you’ve finally found one, haven't you?"

My brow furrowed. "pardon?"

Jeff looked at me and let out a soft laugh. 

"A tutor. For years, she claimed there wasn't a single teacher capable of instructing her properly"

"Nearly all of them gave up and resigned because of Miss Claire's... spirited nature. She did exactly as she pleased"

"Even the Countess was so mad and make Claire—who was only thirteen then—ran away and stayed in this shop for an entire week”

My eyebrows shot up. "Miss Claire? Really?"

I instinctively looked over at her. She was pretending to be deeply engrossed in a book, though I caught her glancing at us before she quickly fixed her eyes back on the shelf. Surely she could hear every word?

I must admit, I was startled to hear that she had gone through so many tutors. It wasn't just me, But many others had felt the weight of her personality before I ever arrived.

no wonder Countess Winston placed such high hopes in me. This wasn't just about turning Claire into a mature and graceful lady, there were other interests at play—interests I preferred not to dwell on.

Jeff nodded with a warm smile. He stepped out from behind the counter and approached Claire, who was still maintaining her facade of ignorance.

I couldn't hear their conversation clearly, but I could tell they were discussing something pleasant. The warm smile on her face was proof enough. Jeff chuckled and left Claire for a moment to retrieve something from beneath the counter. 

She followed him with small, eager steps.

With careful, aged hands, Jeff pulled out a book. It was bound in red, with a beautiful maple leaf pattern decorating the cover.

"Here. I kept this, just for you" As Jeff held the book out, a spark of pure joy lit up Claire’s amber eyes. 

"No way? The book that's out of print. You can't find this in any shop!“

Claire stared at Jeff in disbelief. "How did you get it?"

Jeff chuckled. "Are you joking, Miss claire? I have it because I once sold it in this very shop"

"I purposely set aside the final copy to give to you whenever you returned"

Claire’s eyes welled with tears. She stared at the cover as if she couldn't believe her luck before throwing her arms around Jeff in a tight embrace.

She didn't sob, but the tears tracking down her cheeks were evidence of a happiness that words or a simple 'thank you' could never capture.

“Oh, jeff—” 

Claire hugged Jeff the way a granddaughter would hug her grandfather. “thank you” 

I didn't know the story behind that book or why it meant so much to her, but as a writer, I knew the weight of a precious volume held in one's hands.

…

Claire finally said her goodbyes, waving a hand to Jeff as he waved back from the doorway.

I offered a respectful nod and followed behind her. She was still clutching the book to her chest, cradling it like a treasure.

Time had slipped away from us. the afternoon was already beginning to fade. 

My gaze remained on her as she held Jeff’s gift. He had given it to her for free, refusing even a single cent. Claire had tried to offer something in return, but Jeff had been adamant that it was a gift, not a transaction.

I exhaled and tried once more to speak with him"Miss Claire" I called out, hoping she would turn and answer.

Claire stopped and looked back, arching an eyebrow. "What is it?" she asked, finally breaking her silence and showing a willingness to speak to me again.

A surge of relief washed over me, though I knew it was too early to assume I was fully forgiven. "Is there anywhere else you would like to go?"

Claire’s brow remained furrowed, still not quite following my meaning. 

"The payment for the clinic. I didn't actually buy that book with my own money. Therefore, I am offering to buy you something else—or take you wherever you wish”

Claire looked up at the sky, thinking hard about what she might want now that she had her book. Her eyes wandered until they landed on a shop swarming with people—commoners.

Claire pointed at the shop with sudden excitement. "There"

I turned my head toward her choice. The sweet, intoxicating aroma of toasted bread and warm butter immediately filled my lungs.