Her voice dropping to a low, hungry growl.

I just need you. You’re mine, Lucian.

I love you."

For a while, Lucian couldn’t say anything. His face remained neutral — all these emotions, this confession... everything was new to him.

Then, slowly, a deep crimson flush began to crawl up his neck and across his cheeks.

A girl?

He remembered clearly how much of a geek he was in his past life, and in this life too, after eight years of being treated like trash nobody, now not just one but two girls — and not just anyone, but the main heroines of the story — had fallen for him within a month.

Processing all of this was too much for him all at once. Still, he remained calm and realized he couldn’t show immaturity at such a sensitive moment.

He took a long breath, and after thinking for a few seconds, his lips slowly tried to form words.

"Elira..." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Mmm?"

You know everything about me. You just wanted to earn my trust, didn’t you? Because you thought... After whatever Marcus plot you pulled off, I wouldn’t see you the same way anymore.

That’s why you told me all of this.

Elira’s breath caught.

"Let me tell you something, Elira." I’m not mad at you, nor do I harbor any hate for you. I know you didn’t have any intention to hurt me. This obsession of yours — still about love...

I want to be honest with you — I can’t respond to this right now... For me, understanding love is a bit..."

He was just about to continue... When Elira released the hug, Both of her hands moved up, gripping his jaw firmly, Pulling him in, she brought her lips close to his, and gave him a slow, lingering kiss.

Suddenly, Lucian felt a jolt like electricity. Yet a moment later, a wave of lightness washed over him, and he finally let his body relax into the sensation.

Elira’s tongue tangled with his... her saliva mixed and melted into Lucian’s. Lucian was rubbing his tongue back as well — both of them were kissing passionately.

Slowly after having a few moments, Lucian’s hand slipped inside Elira’s still-loose uniform and tightly gripped her belly, while his other hand braced against the bed behind him for support.

Elira leaned into him possessively. She pressed her crotch against his, her breasts crushed heavily against his chest. An intense, feverish heat radiated between their bodies.

Leaning heavily over him, she began to grind against him. She devoured his lips, her fingers running wildly through his hair, forcing Lucian to lean further and further back onto the mattress.

But then, Lucian’s hand shifted from her stomach to her waist. Tightening his grip, he suddenly pushed back, breaking the kiss and pulling himself free.

Elira’s lips parted from his. Her half-lidded eyes were completely intoxicated with lust, staring hungrily at his mouth.

A deep pinkish blush spread all across her face — an expression she had never shown before.

Lucian knew this wasn’t the right time. If they went all the way right now... what about Sera? The thought of her suddenly pierced through the haze in his mind.

Elira leaned forward again. Lucian gently placed his hand against her chest, creating a small gap between them. He spoke tenderly, desperate not to hurt her feelings in any way.

"Elira..."

She didn’t stop leaning in. Her gaze was still fixed on his lips.

"Come on... just this once. Let me do this a little longer..."

Lucian gently brushed his thumb against her cheek.

"If I do this with you right now... I don’t think I’ll ever be able to face Sera again."

Elira’s half-lidded eyes blinked once, twice, before snapping completely wide open, the heavy fog of lust clearing from her mind.

A quiet moment passed. Then, she gave a slow, understanding nod.

"Lucian... no matter who else you love... Please, just don’t abandon me."

With those fragile words, she rested her head against his chest and quietly closed her eyes.

...

..

.

An hour later, Lucian took a bath, slipped into his academy uniform, and got ready to head to class. Elira had already left. Right before she walked out, Lucian had caught a specific expression on her face—one that gave him a strong gut feeling. Today was either going to be incredibly lucky or an absolute disaster, depending entirely on his perspective.

Upon arriving at the classroom, Lucian made his way to his usual seat. It was still early morning, so the room was mostly empty with students taking their time trickling in.

It had been forty-eight hours since Lucian had gotten a proper night’s sleep. Fighting off a continuous string of yawns, he eventually gave in, resting his head on the desk and peacefully drifting off to sleep.

Shortly after, a group of female students walked into the room. Their eyes immediately landed on Lucian, who was sleeping soundly on his desk.

"Hey, is it just me, or does Lucian really stand out lately?" one of them whispered.

"Right? I’d say after that whole incident with Marcus, he’s looking like the total package," another replied.

"Yeah... he looks so cute sleeping like that," a third girl chimed in. "He always used to look so skinny and awkward. But ever since he taught that arrogant Marcus a lesson, he’s become so charming."

"I know, right? Why not go talk to him?"

"Yeah, let’s do it! You’re completely right, girl. Let’s go try talking to him."

Those three girls approached Lucian’s desk. Just as one of them reached her hand out to wake him from his slumber, Elira materialized from nowhere, appearing directly behind Lucian. She placed her hand on his sleeping head, her fingers gently threading through his hair.

Her ice-blue eyes glowed with a faint, chilling light as her gaze locked onto the three girls. The warning was absolute and crystal clear without a single word being spoken.

’This one is mine.’

For a split second, an illusion flashed before the girls; Elira’s calm, serene face seemed to be splattered with terrifying bloodstains.

Their smiles instantly turned wry and forced, and they immediately took a hasty step back.

"U-uh... come on... let’s talk later..."

"Yeah... maybe he’s sleeping... we shouldn’t disturb him."

Muttering their awkward excuses, they hurriedly retreated and moved toward other seats as far away as possible.