Irene found it less burdensome than she had feared to report to Carlos every day.

Talking about what she had learned in class was like reviewing.

Zerdin rarely spoke of anything not related to class, and when he did, it was nothing more than self-praising, trivial talk, so reporting it was not difficult, although somewhat embarrassing.

Carlos’s reactions, whether furrowing his brow as if incredulous or clicking his tongue, were somewhat entertaining whenever she reported Zerdin’s nonsense.

“Ah, really. Teacher, you’re too much.”

“Isn’t it you who’s too much, making unreasonable requests without considering the circumstances?”

One of the reasons Irene felt less burdened was that Carlos and Zerdin didn’t seem to be on bad terms.

However, Carlos insisting that she report everything Zerdin said probably had other reasons.

Perhaps, it was some aristocratic matter that she wasn’t aware of.

Irene felt completely relieved of her worries, thinking there was no other reason Carlos and Zerdin would get along so well.

“You could allow it just once!”

“That’s not possible. If you keep insisting, just go back to the palace.”

…They were still fighting.

Irene shook her head. While it was impressive that Carlos denied her pleading requests, it was also impressive that Zerdin kept insisting.

Had it been me, I would’ve agreed the moment Carlos said it wasn’t possible.

But why were they fighting?

When Irene arrived here, they were already fighting, so she hadn’t heard why.

It seemed to be about an object, judging by their conversation… Could Jesse know the exact reason?

“Do you happen to know why His Grace the Duke and the Crown Prince are fighting?”

“Because of the mareng.”

Jesse responded immediately.

“The Crown Prince is making an unreasonable request for the mareng, that’s why my master is so angry.”

“I see.”

Irene didn’t know what mareng was, but considering Carlos absolutely refused, she thought it must be something important.

“AC, just let it go.”

Zerdin was the one to eventually surrender in the heated back and forth with not an inch given.

“That’s why you’re disliked, teacher.”

Of course, he didn’t give up without some harsh words.

At this, Carlos incredulously raised his eyebrows.

“Who’s disliked by whom?”

“Obviously, by Irene.”

Huh? Me?

Surprised at the sudden mention of my name and met with both of their gazes, Irene looked down awkwardly.

The sound of footsteps came closer, stopping in front of her. Swallowing a dry gulp, Irene lifted her head.

The moment a large hand touched her head, Irene’s eyes widened in surprise.

Carlos nonchalantly picked a fallen leaf out of her hair.

I didn’t know something was stuck there. If he had told me, I would’ve removed it myself.

Blushing slightly, Irene touched her hair.

The leaf drifted away from Carlos’s hand.

Absentmindedly following the drifting leaf, Irene suddenly realized the surrounding trees were bare.

It meant a lot of time had passed.

Irene’s lips parted in sudden realization.

‘I’m still alive, somehow.’

She had thought she’d die soon, but found it amazing she was still alive.

“…”

At the same time, she wondered how much longer she could live.

They said they needed me, but why? I hadn’t heard a reason even as the brightly colored autumn leaves had all fallen.

‘When will they tell me?’

Could it be the reason they couldn’t tell me?

If that was the case… it couldn’t be good. If it were good, there would be no reason not to tell me.

Maybe their kindness was also because of that.
I apologize for the inconvenience. It appears that the translation got cut off. I will go ahead and reattempt the translation.

Irene found it less burdensome than she had worried about reporting to Carlos every day.

Talking about what she had learned in class was like reviewing, so it wasn’t too difficult.

Zerdin hardly ever talked about anything unrelated to class, and when he did, it was usually useless bragging. Still, reporting it to Carlos was slightly embarrassing but not difficult.

It was somewhat amusing when Carlos would make faces or click his tongue in reaction to Zerdin’s nonsense.

“Ah, really. Master, you’re too much.”

“Do you not think it’s you who’s asking for too much and overstepping your bounds, not me?”

The fact that Carlos and Zerdin didn’t seem to be on bad terms was one reason Irene felt some relief.

But if Carlos had told her to report everything Zerdin said, there must be some other reason.

Something to do with the affairs of nobles I don’t know about.

Irene had fully dismissed her concerns about that part, thinking there was no way Carlos and Zerdin could get along so well otherwise.

“You could give it to him just once!”

“It’s not possible if it’s not possible. If you’re going to be stubborn, go back to the palace.”

…The two are still fighting.

Irene shook her head slowly. While it was impressive that Carlos was not giving in despite the pleading, it was also remarkable that Zerdin continued to insist.

If it were me, I would have accepted it as soon as Carlos said it was not possible.

What are they fighting about?