I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!-Chapter 509 Parents meeting (3)

Finally, the three of them sat together at the table.

Alina tried to focus on the papers in her hands, on the neat rows of marks and comments she had written before, but it was harder than it should have been. Strangely, she had not felt this nervous when Luna’s parents arrived, or Rocky’s, or even Drake’s loud, overwhelming family energy. But now, with Dante sitting there, calm and composed like he owned gravity itself, she felt every small movement of her own body.

His gaze was too strong to ignore.

She finally glanced up and gave him a small glare, subtle enough that no one else would notice, silently telling him to stop staring at her like that in front of everyone.

Dante only gave the smallest shake of his head, completely unbothered, like he had no intention of obeying her silent order.

Her heart betrayed her by fluttering anyway. She forced herself to look away before her face heated more.

Relief softened her shoulders when movement near the door pulled her attention elsewhere.

Kelpie had arrived.

He came in bouncing lightly on his heels, his eyes bright with excitement, his hair slightly damp at the ends like he had been playing with water just before coming. Walking behind him were his parents, both carrying the calm, quiet authority of old power.

Alina immediately stepped forward, warmth returning to her smile naturally this time.

"King Corvus. Lady Maris," she greeted gently.

They both inclined their heads in acknowledgment, dignified but not cold.

King Corvus’s presence felt deep and still, like the ocean floor where sunlight never reached but life still thrived. Lady Maris stood beside him, graceful and fluid, her eyes soft but observant, missing nothing, a small genuine smile resting on her face.

Alina turned her smile to Kelpie.

"Hello, Kelpie," she said warmly.

Kelpie beamed so brightly it almost felt like he brought sunlight into the room with him.

She guided them toward the table.

As he walked past the other chairs, Kelpie shot Rocky an excited grin.

Rocky, who was sitting very straight beside his parents, immediately turned pink and gave a tiny, shy wave back, his fingers barely lifting before he tucked them back into his lap.

Alina caught it and felt a quiet, soft happiness bloom in her chest.

"Mom! Slow down!" Felix shouted from the hallway, his voice half embarrassed, half resigned, like this was not the first time he had chased his mother through a public place.

Alina raised her brows and turned toward the entrance.

Felix came in first, his ears slightly pink, seven tails swishing behind him in uneven, annoyed flicks. Behind him, moving with dramatic, unhurried elegance, came his mother.

Aine.

Today she was dressed in flowing white, the fabric soft and layered like drifting clouds. Her hair fell down in a long, pale waterfall almost to her knees, strands catching the light every time she moved. Behind her, nine large golden tails swayed in slow, graceful motion, each one plush and radiant like sunlight woven into fur. Fine golden ornaments rested along her neck and ears, and her wrists were wrapped with soft, fluffy ribbons that moved when she lifted her hands, like tiny living decorations.

Beside her walked Felix’s father, tall and composed, with long white hair tied loosely at the nape of his neck and calm silver eyes that held quiet depth, like moonlight over still water.

"Hello, teacher," Aine said warmly, her smile bright and playful rather than formal.

"My mom wanted to meet you officially today," Felix muttered under his breath, clearly exhausted. "She woke up at four in the morning and tried like ten dresses. I got tired just watching."

Aine’s eyes widened in mock shock and she lightly tapped the top of Felix’s head with two fingers, careful but dramatic.

"Hey," she said, feigning offense, though her lips twitched. "Image is important."

Then she turned back to Alina, her eyes sparkling with mischievous humor.

"You know," she said conspiratorially, leaning slightly closer, "when we go somewhere important, we must see what looks good on us. What if destiny is waiting somewhere and we show up looking average? That would be tragic."

Felix groaned softly. "Mom..."

Aine waved a ribbon wrapped hand dismissively.

"I told him," she continued cheerfully, "what if today I meet someone who will gossip about me for the next hundred years? I must give them quality content."

Felix covered part of his face with one hand. "She does this everywhere."

Felix’s father cleared his throat softly, though the corner of his lips lifted faintly, clearly used to this.

Aine straightened and smiled again at Alina.

"I wanted to meet you properly. Last time we did not meet properly," she said. "And Felix talks about you a lot. Not with many words," she added, glancing sideways at him, "but with comfortable silence. That is rare for him."

Felix’s ears turned even redder.

Aine leaned a little closer to Alina again, her voice lowering playfully.

"And also," she added, her eyes glittering, "anyone who can manage this class without losing sanity deserves my full respect."

Felix’s father finally spoke, his voice calm and smooth. "Thank you for taking care of him."

Felix shifted awkwardly. "I can take care of myself."

Aine immediately patted his head again. "Of course you can. You are a terrifying apex predator who needs reminders to drink water."

Felix groaned louder.

Aine laughed, bright and musical, then gestured toward the table. "Come, come, where do we sit? Before I embarrass him further and he pretends he is adopted."

Felix muttered, "I wish."

Aine gasped dramatically. "You wound me."

And even Felix’s father let out the faintest amused breath.

Finally, when Alina got her chance to speak, "It’s really nice to finally meet you properly," she said gently, her voice steady but warm, her hands folding together in front of her in a natural, respectful gesture rather than anything overly formal. "Felix is very special in class. He is quiet, but he notices everything. And he helps others more than he thinks he does."

Felix froze slightly beside his parents, clearly not expecting that.

Alina glanced at him with a small, reassuring smile before looking back at Aine and Felix’s father.

"And I understand what you mean," she added softly, a tiny shy laugh escaping her. "About wanting to look nice for important occasions." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Her fingers lightly adjusted the edge of her sleeve.