"Teacher... what's wrong?" The boy looked at the somewhat strange woman and asked in surprise.
"Teacher is fine." The woman's voice was calm and gentle, but her trembling shoulders betrayed her.
The boy keenly noticed something was wrong with her. Though she had been forced to marry his uncle, in his heart, she would always be his closest and most cherished sister and teacher. Even the slightest pain she suffered felt as though it pierced his own heart.
"Teacher, tell me. What happened?"
"Teacher is really fine." Her smile remained warm as moonlight.
"I know! It's because I'm useless! You must hate me, don't you?" The boy, normally somewhat timid by nature, finally erupted in rare fury and roared, "I was stupid back then! I should have taken Teacher away from the academy sooner!"
"It has nothing to do with you..." The woman shook her head and sighed. "This is all fate—my fate, destined from the moment I was born. Even if Teacher hated everyone else, I would never hate you, little Arthur. You are the person closest to Teacher... the only one. Leave. Don't see Teacher again. Teacher is an ill-omened person. Anyone who comes close to me will suffer misfortune."
"I don't believe in any misfortune! I'll take Teacher away right now! Away from this damned cage! Even if I have to give up everything!"
"Everything... hate everything, destroy everything." The woman's shoulders shook even more violently, and an icy murmur, deep as an abyss, escaped her lips involuntarily. "Bear the greatest hatred. Leave no flaw in the heart!"
"Teacher, what are you saying?"
"You... hurry and leave!" The woman swayed unsteadily, and even her breathing became heavy.
"Teacher..." The boy hurried over and supported her.
The woman took a deep breath, and her body gradually steadied again.