Chapter 181.1 - Why should I

Outside the infirmary, the evening air was crisp, carrying a faint chill that made Irina's fiery hair seem even more vibrant under the fading light. She walked alongside Astron with a spring in her step, her hands clasped behind her back as she hummed softly to herself. Her amber eyes sparkled with satisfaction, with her mood noticeably lighter. 

'That went better than expected,' she thought, her lips curling into a triumphant smirk. 'She didn't say it outright, but I could see it in her eyes—she hated every second of that.' 

Irina's steps were light, almost skipping as they moved down the cobblestone path. Her hum carried a cheery tune, and she occasionally glanced at Astron, whose expression remained unreadable, as usual. 

"Good day, isn't it?" she said, breaking the silence with a playful lilt in her voice. 

Astron raised an eyebrow, his sharp purple eyes flicking to her briefly. "You seem… unusually cheerful."