Max walked through the castle hallways beside the drow in an awkward silence that somehow felt longer than necessary.

Or maybe it only felt that way because every second near that woman was strangely uncomfortable.

It wasn’t fear exactly.

Nor rejection.

And it definitely had nothing to do with her being a drow.

Max knew perfectly well that dark elves carried a terrible reputation throughout most of Eldoria. Between prejudice, exaggerated stories, and centuries of conflict, they practically grew up with a social target painted on their backs.

But that wasn’t what bothered him.

It was something else.

Something about her simply didn’t fit.

Maybe it was the way she walked—too confident.

Maybe the way she observed everything through those glasses as though analysing every detail.

Or maybe it was that strange sensation, as if her mere presence put slight pressure on the air around her.

Thara walked with absolute elegance, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.

Her slightly open white shirt revealed a rather generous neckline, which probably explained why Dorian had temporarily lost all brain function back in the throne room.

Which, honestly, was not particularly difficult.

Max kept his eyes forward.

’Okay. Just take her to the classroom and leave.’

Simple mission.

In theory.

It was Thara who broke the silence first.

"I heard something interesting earlier."

Max glanced at her.

"Hmm?"

She didn’t turn to look at him.

"You are the princess’s fiancé."

She paused briefly.

"But you are also her pet."

Max felt that absurd combination somehow sound just as ridiculous as ever.

"Yes. Technically."

Thara adjusted her glasses slightly.

"And how do you think that appears to everyone else?"

Max frowned faintly.

"I haven’t really thought about it that much."

"It shows."

Her tone was so dry that Max turned to look at her.

"Excuse me?"

Thara finally glanced at him from the side.

"If you truly intend to become a princess’s husband, you should care more about how your position is perceived."

She looked forward again.

"Your image matters."

Max exhaled through his nose.

"I don’t really care what other people think."

"Then you do not understand what it means to be engaged to the heir to the throne."

Max stared at her for a few seconds.

"This is my first time meeting a princess."

Thara gave a slight nod.

"Yes."

She adjusted her glasses again.

"That also shows."

Max felt a small vein pulse in his forehead.

He didn’t respond.

Because honestly, starting a diplomatic argument with his fiancée’s new politics teacher sounded like an exceptionally stupid idea.

They kept walking.

Turned a corner.

And right then, a familiar figure stepped out of one of the classrooms carrying several books in her arms.

Seraphine.

The mage looked up and smiled when she saw Max.

"Max."

Her expression softened slightly.

"I was beginning to think you’d disappear again on another suicidal mission."

"I’m considering turning it into a hobby."

Seraphine let out a small laugh.

Then she noticed Thara.

Her smile became slightly more formal.

"Ah."

She adjusted one of the books against her chest.

"I assume you must be the new teacher."

She stepped forward slightly.

"Seraphine. The princess’s magic instructor."

She paused dramatically before adding:

"Also known as the Wand of Eldoria."

Max could have sworn Seraphine puffed up a little with pride while saying that.

Thara slowly looked her up and down, lightly holding the frame of her glasses.

"So you are the famous Wand."

Her tone was perfectly polite.

And yet somehow sounded as if she were evaluating merchandise.

She extended a hand.

"Thara. The princess’s new politics instructor."

Her smile was minimal.

"Thank you for lending me your classroom."

Seraphine took her hand.

And smiled as well.

A smile so obviously fake it was almost impressive.

"It’s a pleasure."

Max immediately felt that both of them were faking politeness with almost professional intensity.

And for some reason, that was even more unsettling.

Seraphine let go first.

Max decided to intervene before the atmosphere got any stranger.

"By the way."

He looked at Seraphine.

"Did you know Neros is going to train Moonlight with a sword?"

Seraphine blinked.

"I had no idea."

Her expression shifted to one of genuine surprise.

"That’s interesting."

She smiled slightly.

"Moonlight has tremendous potential."

She looked off to the side, thoughtful.

"I hope my ex-husband has patience."

Max let out a small laugh.

"He’s going to need industrial quantities of it."

Before they could continue, Thara cleared her throat in a very artificial way.

A very obviously fake cough.

Both of them looked at her.

The drow smiled with measured politeness.

"I hate interrupting charming conversations."

She did not sound charmed.

"But I am late for my class with the princess."

Max sighed internally.

"Right."

Seraphine observed Thara for a few more seconds.

Then looked at Max.

"We’ll talk later."

Her tone carried a strange implication.

Max didn’t entirely understand what she meant, but nodded anyway.

"Yeah."

They said their farewells and resumed walking.

Thara continued forward as though nothing had happened.

Max followed a few steps behind.

’Why did I end up as the tour guide for the most uncomfortable woman in this world?’

Eventually, they arrived in front of the classroom.

The door was slightly ajar.

Max knocked softly.

"May we come in?"

A familiar voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Max opened the door.

And there was Elanor, sitting elegantly at one of the desks with several books spread open in front of her.

The moment she saw him, her expression brightened slightly.

A small smile.

"Hi," he said, trying to sound normal.

Elanor smiled a little wider.

"Hello."

Then she noticed Thara standing behind him and immediately stood up. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The princess adjusted her dress and performed a flawless small curtsy.

"Lady Thara."

She lowered her head slightly.

"I greatly appreciate that you travelled from so far away to teach me."

Thara smiled for the first time in a way that was somewhat warmer.

"There is no need for a princess to bow to me."

She stepped into the classroom with elegant poise.

"It will be an honour to teach you."

Then she turned slightly toward Max.

And said, in a perfectly polite tone:

"You may leave now, pet."

Max blinked.

Looked at her.

Then looked at her again.

’Wow. She’s not even trying to seem friendly.’

He smiled with impressive falseness.

"Of course."

He looked at Elanor.

"I wish you luck."

’She’s going to need it.’

Elanor tilted her head slightly.

"Thank you."

Max took a deep breath.

"See you later."

"See you."

Max stepped out of the classroom.

The door closed behind him.

Leaving Elanor alone with the least friendly woman in all of Eldoria.