The face of the major professor who stared at students with an expression as if wondering how it was possible for them not to understand passed through her mind. Although it was a long time ago, the expression he made while contemplating whether he was really teaching adults who had completed their formal education or if he was just making futile efforts with amoebas that had a single cell…

“Can someone who couldn’t endure the university students teach a seven-year-old? That’s my concern.”

“In his words, he actually said that it’s better to teach a young child. Probably because they don’t have useless prejudices yet. When grown-up students start showing off, saying, ‘I see through the truths of the unknown world,’ I want to dunk them in a swimming pool, but it’s natural for a child to think that way.”

He was more severe than she had thought… Meiana thought. If it were the era of anonymous professor evaluations, he probably would have swallowed unheard-of curses and lived for a thousand years.

“So, you don’t have to worry about Ash.”

“Seeing how he treats the lady, it seems like I don’t need to worry about that aspect. But for others, it’s a bit…”

“Impolite.”

It was an overly diluted expression, but Meiana nodded silently.

“Wouldn’t it be better not to do that?”

“You won’t listen to me. In fact, no one will. I have a friend named Clophra, and she knows Ash too. She even calls him a lunatic, a lunatic who won’t come out twice in El Blyuen’s history.”

“It’s so fitting that it’s moving.”

Sediloi almost spat out the drink, but he quickly covered his mouth. When Meiana handed him a clean handkerchief with a calm expression, he forced himself to wipe his lips and touched his forehead for a moment. It was clear he was desperately trying not to laugh.

“You must have thought that too. Ash would find it very interesting if he hears about it.”

“You’re not planning to tease him, are you?”
Sediloi, who tilted his body slightly, unexpectedly displayed a rare mischievous smile.

“It seems like even someone like you, who seemed to have no fears, has an adversary, huh?”

“Fear is not the issue. The problem is that you were using curses I’ve never heard in my life.”

“Well, the old man who passed away suggested you fall into a teacup and die? Should I go and say hello?”

Meiana looked at Sediloi with her mouth agape.

“Has such talk become a trend in the capital without my knowledge?”

“No way. It’s a phrase from page 230 of ‘Ash Lauren’s Ingenious Curse Dictionary.'”

“That’s an enormous number of pages.”

“Probably around 800 pages. Updated every day.”

Sediloi, who said that, chuckled softly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll ask Arianthe not to teach her those words.”

“You won’t listen to the Duke’s words?”

“Well, I’ll at least listen to his request not to teach my daughter bad words. Being rude to others… It’s definitely not a good habit. I’ve told him to adjust his attitude several times, but he doesn’t listen. You know, Meiana? Ash hates people. Especially those who have aged without discrimination. It’s almost at the level of disgust.”

“But children are fine?”

“Children are fine.”

Whether he had human compassion or not, it was becoming more confusing as she listened.

Meiana said, “I… I don’t know. Since you are the Duke’s friend, and I’ve already seen how you treat the Duchess completely differently, I just hope that the Duchess gets along well with him in the future and receives useful education.”

“Understandable that you’re concerned. But when Ash teaches Arianthe, just leave it alone. He’ll cherish her like his own daughter.”

Hearing that, Meiana suddenly became curious about something. Pretending to be indifferent, she asked while pretending to sew with a new piece of fabric.

“Why did he get divorced?”

Sediloi, who was tilting his glass, moved only his eyes to glance at Meiana.

Was it a mistake to ask? At the moment Meiana had that thought, Sediloi, who had put down the glass, spoke.

“The woman who married Ash was rumored to have many lovers even when she was unmarried. When Ash said he was going to marry her, everyone, including his friends, was surprised. Ash not only disliked noisy parties and gatherings but… he was also skeptical of forming a family with someone. Despite that, they were getting along reasonably well, but a few months ago, a problem arose.”

“What problem?”

Sediloi, who had been silent for a moment, cleared his throat.

“His wife had a child with a lover, but she hid that fact from Ash. If that was the only issue, they might not have divorced, but… the problem was, she sent the child away for adoption without telling Ash about the birth. When Ash found out about it later and questioned her, she said she had no intention of raising the child but instead questioned why it was a problem.”