Siod, having finished his business in the Dragon Valley, heard through rumors that there had been a grand birthday party for William while he was away.

‘Would it have hurt to tell me about that in advance?’

However, all he could do was quietly submit an application to the Academy with the letter of recommendation Guinevere had given him.

Feeling guilty, he headed to the Academy without a word and easily obtained a temporary lecturer position thanks to Guinevere’s backing.

In the Department of Magic.

But William was in the Knight Faculty. If he wanted to see his face even once, he’d have to travel from one end of the Academy to the other. Still, since he was already there, he approached to at least try to speak to him…

“What is it?”

William’s gray eyes flashed.

‘Does he know me?’

Siod was taken aback by William, who stared at him warily without him even revealing his identity.

“I believe I said I wasn’t interested in magic.”

‘Did Vera already tell him about me?’

Contrary to Siod’s confused thoughts, William was simply annoyed. Ever since entering the Knight Faculty, professors from the Magic Department had all come to see him at least once.

“Excuse me, William Rodante?”

William, having been constantly bothered by them, thought this time was obvious too, just seeing the Magic Department professor’s robe Siod was wearing.

“Please don’t come looking for me.”

“No, that’s not it. I’m…”

William left, leaving a cold breeze in his wake. And so ended the first meeting between Siod and his son. Siod rubbed his arms against the chilly feeling and muttered.

“Cold-hearted brat.”

I wonder who he takes after. The tender feelings that had grown after hearing about the unfortunate past were about to be extinguished like a candle flame in the wind.

‘I wanted to give him a birthday present.’

Siod sighed.

*

Siod’s next target was Larisa. Instead of breaking through the barrier and teleporting to Guinevere like last time, he boldly entered through the front door.

However, it wasn’t Guinevere who came out to greet the guest, but Hedel. Siod felt slightly annoyed seeing a handsome young man sitting in Guinevere’s house as if it were his own, greeting guests like the owner.

“I’m here to see Vera.”

Hedel responded just as coolly to Siod’s blunt tone.

“Veronica?”

Siod started to feel more heated seeing Hedel pretending not to know, but he held it in.

“I mean Guinevere. Tell her I’m here.”

Hedel then said with a sneer.

“Do you think my master is someone who comes and goes at anyone’s beck and call?”

‘I’m a dragon, though…’

“I thought you might have something to say since you came from the Academy, but from now on, don’t visit without an invitation.”

Hedel said coldly as he stood up. How many people had come seeking Guinevere’s fame?

If he didn’t speak so sharply, these magicians were the type to try and cling on.

“Wait, I’m Vera’s…”

Siod couldn’t finish his sentence. While he was conflicted, Hedel closed the door and left. Siod sighed.

‘Lover… not really. Ex-boyfriend… not that either.’

He suddenly felt melancholic about his situation. Siod pondered for a moment. If he broke the barrier again, Guinevere wouldn’t let it slide.

He pretended to walk out the front door while casting an invisibility spell and headed for the garden. Then he circled the building and jumped up to the window of Guinevere’s study.

Knock knock knock.

Clearly, he could sense Guinevere’s presence inside, but there was no response.

Knock knock.

There was a barrier on the window too. Why put up double and triple barriers even at home? Should I just make a small hole? As Siod was contemplating, the window suddenly flung open.

“Ow.”

Siod groaned as he hit his head on the window frame.

“What is it.”

“What do you mean ‘what’? I’m your husband.”

“You lunatic.”

Guinevere closed the window. Siod, who had been turned away at the door for making one joke, felt pitiful.

Knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock.

“What.”

“I came because I have something to say, but some guy downstairs chased me away. Can’t I come in?”

When Siod acted all pitiful, Guinevere stepped aside. In fact, she just needed time to hide the rubbings of the time reversal magic, but Siod thought his act of pity had worked and decided he should act pitiful more often in the future.

“By the way, who’s that guy with glasses? I’ve never seen him before.”

“Disciple.”

“You had a disciple?”

She did. When Siod met her, Hedel had been studying at the Academy, so they had never crossed paths. Instead of bothering to explain, Guinevere just nodded.

“What did you want to say?”

“Ah, it’s nothing much. I just got curious about that girl, Larisa.”

“Why you?”

Siod felt a surge of emotion.

“Because of the strange vow you made, you’ll die if that girl dies early, or becomes unhappy, or if you don’t do your best.”

“Don’t worry. I’m doing my best.”

Siod laughed dryly. After all, a vow was a commitment made with words, so it was open to interpretation. And that interpretation depended entirely on Guinevere’s conscience.

If Guinevere felt she was doing her best, she wouldn’t die, but if one day she suddenly thought, ‘I wasn’t doing my best,’ and blamed herself, at that moment the vow would tighten around her neck.

Moreover, since the one who made the vow had died, the vow couldn’t be canceled. Siod sighed. For him, Guinevere was now in a mirage-like state that could disappear at any time. It was terribly unsettling.

“Anyway, I want to see that kid. Can you arrange something? Like an excuse or something.”

Guinevere looked at him blankly and said.

“What exactly can you do on your own?”

“Ah, why? I did everything you told me to. Come on, do me a favor. And if possible, make it so I can come and go comfortably in this mansion.”

Guinevere sighed.

“Why do you want to see Lala?”

“I want to do my best to make sure she can live happily for a long time too.”

“Why you.”

“Why? Because I don’t want you to die.”

Guinevere frowned as she looked at Siod’s nonchalant face. There had never been a man in her life who approached her so directly.

And it was this bastard who left without looking back as soon as she got pregnant. Guinevere, pissed off again, grabbed Siod’s collar for no reason. And threw him out the window.

*

“A tutor?”

Larisa was surprised by the sudden news.

“Wasn’t I supposed to go to elementary school?”

“You can go or not go.”

Guinevere’s answer didn’t resolve Larisa’s questions at all. Larisa looked up at Siod with round eyes.

The beautiful man who didn’t look like he should be doing something like tutoring smiled and greeted her.

“Hello? My name is Siod.”

“Ah, hello. I’m Larisa.”

Larisa blushed.

Seeing this, Guinevere felt a moment of bewilderment and hit the back of Siod’s head.

“Ow, why!”

“Just because.”

Guinevere hid her hand that had moved without her knowing in her sleeve and looked away. Even though she knew the child was just being shy, for a moment she had needlessly worried.

“Oh, really.”

Although he grumbled, Siod couldn’t say anything to Guinevere. He thought she was still angry about him leaving without a word. Watching the two of them, Larisa thought.

‘They must be close.’

It was the first time she had seen someone interact so casually with Guinevere. Larisa relaxed a little at Siod’s informal demeanor.

“Anyway, so you’re Larisa. I’ve heard a lot about you. From today, I’ll be your teacher. Please take care of me.”

“…Yes.”

Unlike when his face was expressionless, when he smiled, he had quite a friendly impression. Larisa shook hands with Siod while keeping an eye on Guinevere.

“Well then, since it’s our first day, shall we talk about something fun instead of studying?”

“Something fun?”

“Yes. Just a moment.”

Siod smiled brightly and turned around. Then he said to Guinevere, who was standing quietly.

“What are you doing? Weren’t you busy?”

“What are you going to talk about?”

“Well. We’re just going to play today. If you’re not busy, why don’t you join us?”

Guinevere turned around with a dubious expression. Siod waved goodbye to Guinevere, and as soon as he confirmed she had left, he cast a barrier to prevent sound from leaking out.

Then he crouched down in front of Larisa and asked.

“Larisa. Are you happy now?”

“Pardon?”

Larisa asked back with a scared face.

“No, no, don’t be scared. I’m just asking. You’re not unhappy right now, are you?”

Larisa was confused because she didn’t understand the intention of the question, but seeing Siod’s worried expression, she thought for a moment. It was sad that her mother had passed away, but objectively speaking, her current situation didn’t seem to be only unhappy.

“No. I’m okay.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. I’d appreciate it if you never tell Vera, I mean Guinevere, that you’re unhappy or sad or anything like that.”

“Yes.”

Siod was a bit surprised by the obedient answer.

“You’re not going to ask why?”

“It’s because you don’t want Mother to be sad if I say I’m unhappy, right?”

“Uh… That’s right.”

Not just sad, but dead. He couldn’t say such a thing to a 7-year-old child. Siod patted the precocious little one’s head and said.

“You’re very smart, aren’t you?”

“But what am I going to learn?”

“Well. What do you want to learn?”

After thinking for a bit, Larisa said.

“Then I’d like to start with reading and writing.”

“Can’t we play today?”

He was a strange teacher.

“Children should play a lot. If you’re thinking of studying hard to impress Vera, forget about it. At your age, playing a lot is what makes you happy.”

“Ah, yes…”

He was a little, quite, very strange.