Sefina’s brow furrowed the moment she heard the word “compensation.”
The girl sat there obediently like a harmless cat, a gentle smile on her face. She knew her student too well.
Despite the calm exterior, the occasional flicker of sly light deep in those ice-blue eyes made Sefina cautious.
Along with the “Little Demon” thoughts revealed in past diary entries, she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
She could almost imagine that beneath Versie’s tranquil surface, she might be quietly plotting some “bad idea.”
Perhaps she’d seize the chance to make an irresistible request, or set a verbal trap…
However, to Sefina’s surprise, Versie didn’t ask for anything excessive.
She simply stood up slowly, her steps light as she rounded the small round table and came to stand before Sefina.
Stopping in front of her, Versie opened her arms, tilted her face up, and looked at her with those clear, innocent eyes. Her voice was incredibly soft:
“Hug.”
Sefina: ????
She was completely stunned, her mind going blank for a moment.
A hug?
That… that counted as compensation? Just… that simple?
Compared to the complicated, probing, and potentially risky “compensation” scenarios she had imagined, this request was as pure as a child’s.
Seeing Sefina only widen her eyes slightly without reacting, Versie’s delicate lips pouted just a little. A hint of grievance and disappointment appeared perfectly on her face as she whispered in complaint:
“Teacher, can’t you even satisfy such a small request? It’s just… it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I just wanted to feel that you’re still by my side…”
Versie’s almost-tearful expression struck the softest part of Sefina’s heart.
Sefina quickly shook her head. The lingering doubts and wariness in her heart nearly vanished at that moment.
“No, it’s not that…”
Hesitating for only an instant, Sefina eventually opened her arms, albeit with a bit of stiffness.
Versie’s eyes instantly lit up with surprise, like stars falling into a frozen lake.
She immediately stepped forward and threw herself into Sefina’s embrace without a second thought.
Wrapping her arms tightly around Sefina’s slender waist, she seemed to want to merge herself into the other’s body.
In her “Holmes” form, Sefina was slightly taller than Versie.
During this embrace, Versie was just able to bury her cheek deeply into Sefina’s neck and chest, feeling the warmth of her body through the fabric, along with a reassuring softness.
Versie greedily breathed in the faint, cool fragrance of her teacher, letting out a satisfied, clinging murmur. Her voice was muffled but clearly reached Sefina’s ears:
“Teacher… I missed you… I really missed you…”
This whisper, filled with longing and dependence, brushed against Sefina’s heart like a feather, causing it to tremble slightly. A wave of intense guilt washed over her.
How could I have doubted her like that… I’m so terrible.
Sefina harshly scolded herself internally.
She remembered Versie’s background—losing her mother at a young age, and as the sole heir of the Duke’s family, she had to maintain the image of a flawless Noble Lady in public at all times, without any slip-ups.
At home, facing her stern father, who was always busy with official duties, she probably didn’t want to easily show her vulnerable side, fearing it would worry him.
And she, as Versie’s closest teacher who had spent the most time with her, might truly be the only person Versie could let down all her pretenses with and act like an ordinary girl.
She was just… too dependent on me.
Besides, one thing didn’t negate another. While Versie’s diary revealed some emotional inclinations that crossed the boundaries of teacher and student, that didn’t erase the deep bond between them, nor did it mean that this hug was necessarily ulterior.
As a teacher, she should guide her, help her sort out those confused feelings, and recognize the proper boundaries between them.
Not run away and suspect her like this, which was surely a dereliction of duty.
At this moment, reunited after a long separation, Versie’s heart should only be filled with pure longing and the joy of rediscovery. How could she harbor any other malicious thoughts?
What a terrible, irresponsible teacher she was…
With this self-reproachful and compassionate heart, Sefina’s initially stiff body gradually relaxed.
She raised one hand and gently stroked Versie’s ice-blue hair, as smooth as glacier silk.
Her other arm tightened the hug, trying to dispel any loneliness and unease in her student’s heart with the warmth of her embrace.
A mix of responsibility, guilt, and the faint relief of reunion flowed quietly within Sefina.
This hug seemed to smooth out some of the creases in Sefina’s own heart caused by her earlier avoidance.
After a long, quiet hug, the two finally separated slowly and returned to their seats.
The atmosphere seemed much softer than before, carrying a tranquil warmth.
Versie’s face bore a contented blush. She picked up a small, delicately crafted box she had prepared earlier. Opening the wrapping, it revealed an adorably shaped cream cake.
“Teacher,” Versie said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, “I made this cake. It might not be as good as yours, but… could you try it?”
Sefina looked at the cake, which clearly took effort, and her heart softened again.
She nodded slightly, picked up the small silver fork beside her, carefully stabbed a small piece, and brought it to her mouth.
The cake had a very fine texture. The cream was sweet but not cloying, the sponge was soft and moist, and the tartness of the berries perfectly balanced the sweetness. The layers of flavor were rich.
To be honest, the skill was quite impressive… almost catching up to her own level.
It seemed Versie had indeed practiced a lot.
Sefina forced a smile as warm as possible onto her face—which had become a bit “stiff” from long-term disguise—and said in a much softer tone than usual:
“You did very well, Versie. The taste… is really good.”
Upon hearing this, a brilliant, heartfelt smile bloomed on Versie’s face:
“I’m glad teacher likes it!”
But just as this warm atmosphere settled, Versie suddenly leaned forward again, closing in on Sefina’s face.
Sefina tilted her head slightly, confused by the delicate face approaching her, and asked:
“What is it?”
Sefina subconsciously held her breath.
But Versie didn’t answer. She just extended her slender, pale finger, gently nearing Sefina’s lips.
The next moment, Versie’s fingertip brushed ever so lightly across Sefina’s soft lower lip.
Then, Versie withdrew her finger and gave Sefina a faint smile, explaining:
“There was a little bit of cream on your lips.”
Looking at Versie’s exquisite face so close, feeling the fleeting coolness of her fingertips…
This intimate gesture made Sefina’s heart inexplicably skip a beat. A strange sensation quietly passed through her heart…
But was there really cream on Sefina’s lips at that moment?
The answer was no.
It was a lie.
This was merely a “trick” Versie used to legitimately touch her teacher’s lips.
After finally meeting her beloved teacher, how could just a hug be enough?
Seeing that her teacher seemed unaware of anything unusual, a mischievous curve rose in Versie’s heart.