"Are you okay, teacher?"

Avy didn't bother answering Clari's question and gestured for her and her brother who was standing next to him to sit on the couch across her which the two did without any words needed. Not too long after the incident, the young lady started to treat her better, or to be precise, started treating her like how Clion does. Although the sudden change of attitude didn't bother her that much, On the other hand, being called 'teacher' is a different topic.

Should we leave for today?

Clion's worried face peeked from behind the notepad that he was using to communicate as Avy stared at the gray cat who was drawing painfully heavy breaths while lying on a pillow on top of the small table between the chair where she was sitting and the couch that the twins occupied.

"You don't look good, teacher," Clari added, the same bothered eyes looking at her directly.

Avy stood and picked up the cat, cradling it gently in her arms. "It's fine, put your things on the table," she told them before walking towards her bed to place the feline to rest.

Ares, who has been walking around the mansion the past few days constantly reminded her that the cat will reach its end soon and the surprise will be able to show itself then. And no matter how much she asked, the servant just sneers at her and disappears, refusing to answer any question. Avy eventually got tired of squeezing him for answers and just let him be for the mean time, pouring her attention on teaching the children who has been staying too close, much to her dismay.

"Teacher what are we learning today?"

Teacher this, teacher that. She soon learned to accept the new nickname that she was bestowed upon after having herself forced to be an unpaid tutor for the twins. She strolled towards the two with a sigh and sat across them to then proceed on telling the story of how the empire was found, the knowledge she has been gathering by reading books ever since she entered her new body finally found its use.

If she were to be honest (which she wouldn't do for obvious reasons), she didn't dislike teaching and explaining things to the two children. They somewhat reminded her how Lucy listened to her theories and never ending ramblings on how absolutely beautiful and terrifying it would be if technology replaced the government. She saw the same innocent admiration that her bestfriend held in her eyes although often admitting she could barely understand what she says, still looks at her with obvious interest and engagement. She liked the feeling of being seen as a whole.

"You're the prettiest when you explain things, teacher."

Avy paused on reading when she heard the statement while the two kids were on a short break. She lifted her gaze and met a pair of identical eyes shining with awe.

"You think so?" she asked, amused, almost surprised.

Clion and Clari nodded their heads.

Like you know everything there is to know.

Avy's eyes lingered on every word that was written on the piece of paper that the boy held up. She didn't see any hint of malice on their faces.

"I hope our brother could see you like this, because you weren't the bad person the people painted you to be."

She smiled and let out a laugh. Putting her book down before looking back at the children.

"It doesn't matter how he, or anyone sees me as. Others' opinions don't contribute to my life," she leaned back on her chair as she paused. "Besides, I don't like your brother that way. You don't need to worry about it."

After hearing the last statement of hers, the two children looked at her in horror as if she said something horrible. Confused, she raised a brow and looked at them questioningly.

"Y-you're not going to marry brother anymore?" Clari asked, stammering, her eyes reflecting the worry that also hinted in her voice.

"Well, yes. My family is not the type to force marriages anyway, it wouldn't be a problem in the future if that's what you're thinking-"

"Then we're not going to be sisters anymore?!" the girl cut her off with a shout causing the boy next to her jolt in surprise. Avy's brows furrowed for a moment before it turned into almost shock when Clari's eyes started to water.

"Is it because I was bad that you stopped liking our brother?" she sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she talked. Clion who was beside her frantically fished out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his sister's face, his mute panic telling so much.

"What? No. Of course not," Avy interjected rising from leaning on her chair. "I stopped liking him long time ago. It's not because of you," she added, her voice somewhat defensive but nevertheless, kept her composure.

"But I really wanted to be your sister too..."

"There won't be any difference even if I marry your brother, to be honest."

Avy sighed in retreat having no idea how to make the little girl feel better. She resigned, leaning back on her chair and letting Clari cry her heart out. But instead of cries, her ears were greeted by an unsettling silence.

Until Clari spoke once again.

"What if you marry Clion instead?"

"What the f-"

***

Avy sent away the children, exhausted after a long argument with Clari as she force her to make peace with the fact that she cannot be married to their family. The little girl was really serious about the impossible marriage that she was proposing but nevertheless, still accepted that Clion is too young to be Avy's husband. In the end, Avy had to promise that she would invite the twins over to her mansion once the summit is over.

She could feel her energy being drained faster as days go by, and of course, she was not ignorant of the reason why. She really did not have anything she could do about it either since she was instructed to wait for someone to take her to the palace once it was time for her to show herself and she is not close enough to the prince to suddenly call him over like they are in an intimate relationship.

She just brushed off her exhaustion, thinking it would just suck her energy faster if she slept during the day. She decided to focus on the scraps of metal and materials she bought before coming to the Harrington estate, hoping it would clear her mind and ease her tiredness.

She drowned herself on work until she was finally snapped back into reality when she heard knocks on the door.

"This is Mariel, Mi'lady."

Avy, without lifting her attention from the scraps in her table just told the maid to come inside. The sound of the door clicking was heard before the maid spoke once again.

"Young master Zachary has came back from the Palace, Mi'lady."

With a tiny bit of interest, Avy paused for a second. "Did he, now?" she lifted her head and glanced sideways at her servant. Maybe she should go and greet him, after all, she had matters to settle with the guy.

"Should I prepare a dress for you to change into?" Mariel asked.

Avy stood up from her seat and wiped her hands clean. "No need. I'm fine with this dress," she told her and walked towards the door. Her servant, who she caught sporting a confused look on her face followed. She must've been aware of the lady's former obsession hence the offer, but Avy will change that opinion soon.

For the sake of her peace, she decided to just come into neutral terms if not friendly with the future ruler of one of the most influential families in the empire. She really can't have him thinking that she would try to ask for his hand every time they see each other, can she? She wanted to resolve the problem as soon as possible to avoid any complications later on that would put her into a difficult situation. She doesn't want to be entangled with the main characters' drama later on since she have big plans for herself. Maybe taking over a country or something. But definitely not a love obstacle.

They walked through the hallway of the big mansion, only their footsteps could be heard as none of them started a conversation. Avy had her two servants behind her as usual until they reach the grand staircase where Clari's voice could be heard clearly already despite the distance.

"-and lady Avy taught us that too!" her voice sounded proud and cheery and full of joy, expressing her eagerness to talk to the other person.

"That is really great," another voice replied. It was deep and relaxed, but anyone could guess that the speaker spoke without any hostility. It was warm and gentle, contrary to how Avy imagined the male lead, Zach conversed with everyone.

The novel described him as someone who spoke roughly despite being an heir to nobility of a high standing. He was not rude to the female lead but definitely not a warm person either.

Avy knew that his sole weakness are the two children he kept safe ever since he lost the only woman he loved in his life. His mother.

Hearing the footsteps of the newcomers, everyone at the foyer of the mansion looked in the direction of the sound, at the top of the stairs where Avy and her company were. Avy could feel Zach's eyes that she boldly met with her own, her pair of reds stared into a pair of blues.

It was almost like a scene in a fairy tale where the prince waited for his princess to descend. But instead of warmth, Avy was received with curiosity. With wonder. They were almost doubtful.

They were not the same cold eyes she thought would be burning holes through her.

"Thank you for letting me and my servants stay. It is really appreciated."

Avy greeted with a courtesy. She made herself knowledgeable of how everything worked as to not embarrass herself in any way although she still couldn't address anyone with titles since it sounded funny in her head.

"It is not a problem at all. I do hope you're faring well."

Avy expected a snarky response, but instead she got a respectful one. She slightly narrowed her eyes at the young master, he has his hands full with his siblings' own clinging on them.

"And if it is not a burden to the lady, I would like to invite you for some tea," he added, surprising everyone, including Mariel and Clerivan who stood behind Avy who sported a calm mask, unwavering.

"Not at all, it would be lovely," she replied with a small smile. Great. She didn't have to ask him herself.

***

The two of them sat across each other, in front of them was a table with various appetizing snacks waiting to be devoured along with two tea cups. They were alone without anyone around.

Avy instructed her servants to leave and same goes with Zach. It seems like both of them had the same goal in mind. It was to talk in private, free from ears listening to their words.

"It's nice to see you doing well."

It was not. Avy was just playing her role, acting like the Avy she had to be. She put on a smile, although not genuine, still looked dazzling on her nonetheless.

"Likewise."

Avy laughed at the young lord's response.

"Lie," she said. "I am not ignorant of the fact that you do not have a good image of me."

Zach's brows contorted at this. There. It was the face she imagined him to have while looking at the girl who chased him around like a dog, demanding his attention.

"I would be changing that image now," she started, shifting comfortably on her seat.

"I no longer desire your affection."

Zach stared at her in surprise with the sudden declaration. He looked at her unblinking and Avy returned it with complete resolution. The young master was silent for a while, but he soon broke the ice and spoke.

"I see..." he said, it was Avy's turn to be surprised as he smiled with nothing but relief painted on his face. He didn't give her a look of disbelief, his facial expression did not show any hint of doubt, only a smile expressing his feelings.

"I want to trust you," he told her. "I heard from Craye about what you did a couple of days prior, and you..."

Avy raised her brow as the young heir's voice trailed off. "I what?"

The man sitting across her didn't answer right away but instead looked down as if he was hesitating to say what was in his mind that exact moment, but after a while of impatiently waiting, Avy finally got an answer.

"...he said you have been vomiting every morning after you took all the excess mana from Clion."

What?

Avy was completely caught off guard by that statement that she was in daze for a moment before she snapped out of her thoughts. It was true that she has been barfing her stomach out every morning ever since that incident, but it wasn't because of her actions that day. She started her mana training by releasing her magic slowly since she couldn't run around another family's mansion and she has been doing it before sunrise so that she'd still have time to recover before breakfast.

She was even careful not to be noticed by the people in the house with only her two servants knowing about it, but it seemed like the mansion's butler-in-charge has his own way of knowing things.

But instead of getting annoyed that she was caught barfing by the said butler, Avy inwardly smiled mischievously. It's not that she was the one who forced a misunderstanding to happen, it would not be that bad to ride on that false interpretation, right? After all, it was an easy way to use the young master's guilt to erse evn a tiny bit of distaste he feels towards her.

"Having you trust my words is enough, you need not feel guilty about what had already happened." she sported the friendliest smile she could muster.

She knew how much Zach treasured his half siblings, but she didn't relize that they were more important than his pride. Love truly is terrifying that it could cripple someone who stands sturdy as a mountain.

It never crossed her mind that she was also an object of that kind of affection.