“What do you mean, you’re getting married?”

Vera’s first reaction to the news was of pain. It felt like something was squeezing her heart, like something inside was wilting. She had known this was an inevitable occurrence, but hearing it so soon was crushing.

Then she realized who he had spoken of as being his partner, and that pain was gone. Rather, it was replaced by a headache. A human as his wife? That could never happen. Much less some weak woman like Ms. Moon.

“Well the deal is basically just me participating in an annoying sports festival type of thing in exchange for having my way with the headmistress,” Damien explained, low enough that only she could hear “But on the off chance I get her pregnant, I’ll have also bagged a wife. She’s kind of a gold digger, but we all have our flaws.”

To be honest, it was almost a disappointment that he was able to get her so easily! Almost. Well, she had been acting a bit more honest lately though. Maybe he had just worn her down? He’d been pretty much flaunting his wealth at every chance he got, knowing damn well she had a ravenous hunger for money only a passionate researcher could possess.

“I see.” Vera chose not to even worry about it. Yes, someday he would have to find a suitable marriage partner. Likely, she would be every bit as arrogant and cruel as Muriel herself. Vera knew that it would not be a very happy marriage if it was like so. But what could he, or anyone, do about it? Damien was destined to carry the fate of his entire species on his shoulders. What he wanted didn’t matter.

Vera understood she was incapable of helping him, either.

Even so, at least he still had a bit more time with his freedom.

“I do hope that works out well for you, then.” She continued on mildly. “Well, I actually hope it all blows up in your face. But that’s not very polite to say.”

“Then why did you have to say it anyway?” The boy rolled his eyes. He yawned just then and stretched out. Several of the young ladies in the classroom watched him with keen interest.

“I exist to bring you discomfort and misery, Young Master,” Vera told him in reply.

His lips arched in a way that seemed to make several of the onlookers swoon. “Oh? But I was quite comfortable and happy the night of our date. You’re so nice to hold onto, you know.”

Vera’s face burned. “I told you to erase that from your mind!” She glared at him.

“Not gonna.” He refused cheekily.

To explain, that night after Vera had gotten drunk and fallen asleep on him Damien had also chosen to have a few drinks or a dozen. From there, he’d made his way back to his room while carrying a still-sleeping Vera and had passed out on his bed while holding onto her.

Unlike Dolly, who always clung to him instead, Damien had found himself being the one to wake with his arms around her. She was just so small and warm. Her slow, even breaths had felt very calming and he’d went back to sleep again as soon as he’d woken up.

It was a rather pleasant experience. 10/ 10, would recommend.

“Do you have no sympathy for my eligibility for marriage?” Vera wanted to hide in a hole. Although she acted more nonchalant about it than not, she recoiled in shame each time she remembered that night.

She’d been drunk, but not so much so that she’d forgotten her actions. Taking a seat on his lap and sucking on his neck had been on her mind constantly the day after.

She considered again the life of a hermit. She’d make friends out of stick and vine, living somewhere no one could find her. Vera actually had run away and started that, even. She’d thought, “This is it. This is the end of life as I know it,” packed her bags and teleported herself to a cave several hundreds of miles away.

Except, she was weak. She’d kept coming back. For the first few days, she’d only come to check on the Young Master.

Vera had decided to never let him see her again! She couldn’t stand the thought of his gaze after such an embarrassment on her part.

Then she peeked into the classroom and realized Damien’s clothes were slightly wrinkled and that he’d even forgotten his lunchbox. Vera despaired at the sight of it.

What am I doing? He’ll never survive without me, She realized, and reluctantly returned.

Damien, in the present, laughed at her dismay. “Eh, don’t worry. I’ll find you someone nice in that case. How about Jacob?”

Vera scrunched her nose momentarily. Jacob was one of his friends, a Noble. He was of a similar age to Damien and was quite popular himself. Nice enough, but Vera only had lukewarm feelings for the boy.

“Isn’t the usual response, I’ll take responsibility?”

“You’re starting to sound like Ms. Moon now. And isn’t that the same thing? Matchmaking isn’t easy, yet here I am doing you the favor. What, you don’t like him?” “Why would you think I do?”

“I don’t, but beggars can’t be choosers and he’s a good choice anyway.” He seemed to suggest Vera should be grateful.

“Nevermind. I’ll never be so out of options that I’ll need you to set me up with people.”

The boy only shrugged. “Just as well, you’re mine anyway.”

Oh, look at that. Her heart was having an attack. How dangerous.

“Rather, you can’t marry. You have to take care of me.” “So I’m a babysitter, then.”

“Lucky you, eh?” He smirked.

Vera was about to reply when a sharp voice interrupted them. “Do you two think my class is a place where you can flirt at your leisure?”

Vera was quite disgruntled by this word choice. But she didn’t bother to deny any flirting, as would be the normal response. Instead, she met the woman’s gaze head-on.

“What, jealous?”

The room turned dead silent. Ms. Everic glared at her from across the room. “Miss Vera, meet me after school.”

* * *

Half an hour later, Vera was standing at the front of the class as the other students trailed out. Damien had already left, showing some slight concern, but otherwise didn’t seem to think too much of the whole thing. It was the last period, so he’d probably go get a cup of coffee and a snack before heading to his dorm.

As the last of the children exited the room, the minutes ticked on. Vera waited patiently, staring down at Ms. Everic with her usual expressionlessness.

The woman didn’t even bother to acknowledge her presence as she worked on some papers on her desk. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she asked, “What is the nature of your relationship with Mr. Claybrook?”

Vera was immediately incensed. “That’s none of your business.”

Ms. Everic looked up at that. “If it concerns my students, it concerns me.” She stated bluntly. “You’ve always been a

confrontational one from the beginning, but Mr. Claybrook, on the contrary, has been an exemplary student.”

“Your point?” Vera’s tone could make even ice feel warm in comparison.

“My point, Miss Vera,” Ms.Everic replied evenly, “Is that it would be a shame if you were to disrupt his educational process.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that if you continue your current behavior, I will be forced to separate you two.” The woman warned.

Vera looked at her and wanted to laugh. “Really?” She mocked. “Is that the excuse you’re going with here? That I’m a bad influence? Please.” Vera sneered. “Save your concern for your husband. Rumors are bound to happen if you

continue to involve yourself in the personal affairs of your students.”

“Be that as it may, he is my student. As a teacher, I have to take his best interests to heart.”

Vera snorted. “You say that, but you’ve never shown so much attention to your other students. What, did you think no one’s noticed how much time you spend with him? The way your eyes were glued to him during the ball a few days ago?” She scoffed. ” Admit it already. You didn’t keep me because you’re worried about any bad influence on him, you just can’t stand seeing him with someone else.”

“What are you getting at? Such nonsense.” Ms. Everic folded her arms and dismissed Vera’s words entirely. But she didn’t sound as sure as she probably hoped, and Vera caught that.

“What a bitch, ” She shook her head. “Already married, but pining after a boy half your age. How low-class can you

get?”

Ms. Everic stood in a rage and slammed her hands down on the desk. “Enough!” She snapped. “I won’t stand here and have some unruly upstart like you throw such ridiculous accusations!”

The anger didn’t phase Vera at all. “How’s the dress he bought you?” She asked instead. “Does your husband like it? Or did you not tell him you went on a date with another man wrapped in the clothing he paid for?”

Every word was poised like a weapon.

The female teacher faltered. “That was...it was a class outing, nothing more.”

“You wore his colors and still dare say it wasn’t a date?” Vera was incredulous. “But how strange, you two were nowhere to be seen with the rest of the class that night.”

Silence.

Vera pressed on. “It must be nice to have such an open- minded husband, even willing to share his wife with other men.”

Ms. Everic’s jaw tightened noticeably. “You’re vile.”

Vera wanted to smile. “Not as much as a wife who lets herself get touched by her own students.”

With that, she walked out of the room.

The look of guilt and hate that ran through the other woman’s eyes just then had been more than satisfying enough.