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Chapter 11: What a Hindrance
Pilea sat quietly on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Lucin stood before her, his voice low yet filled with frustration.
"If only I had noticed it earlier," he said, his tone laced with guilt, "I would've protected you."
Pilea lowered her gaze, her long lashes trembling slightly.
"But… aren't you afraid of being implicated because of me?" she asked softly.
Lucin's eyes softened as he stepped closer. His entire gaze was fixed on her, his handsome face glowing with sincerity — the kind of look that could make any girl's heart flutter.
"What's there to be afraid of?" he said calmly.
"Besides… humans ought to help each other."
Pilea's eyes widened slightly, startled by the warmth and honesty in his tone. His eyes shimmered with a kind of light she couldn't quite understand — one that made her chest tighten.
Then his expression turned serious, almost as if warning her.
"They won't give up easily," he said in a low voice. "So… stay with me for the time being."
"Eh?" Pilea blinked in confusion. "Stay… with you?"
He didn't answer, but his gaze said enough.
✦ ✦ ✦
Later that evening, the two of them walked together through the school grounds. Just as Lucin predicted, every eye turned toward them. Whispers rippled through the air like wind in dry grass.
"Going after a disciplinary committee member now? After hitting on His Highness?" one voice sneered.
"Look at the way she walks," another said, deliberately loud. "She really thinks she's something."
Pilea's hands clenched tightly around the hem of her skirt. She tried to ignore them, to keep walking, but the hateful glares pressing against her back were like daggers.
"She thinks walking beside the disciplinary committee will protect her," someone muttered mockingly.
"She's really shameless."
Though she told herself she didn't care, the weight of their words pressed heavily on her heart. It was suffocating to be hated by everyone.
Lucin glanced down at her. Seeing the sadness on her face, he gently placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair slightly.
"Don't bother with those gossips," he said kindly, smiling softly. "They're not a big deal."
Pilea looked up at him, startled by his sudden warmth, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Senior… thank you."
"Just call me Lucin," he said.
"Ah… I'll try," she replied shyly, her voice small. "But for now, it still feels a little strange."
✦ ✦ ✦
High above, on the top floor of a tall building, Androsen watched them silently. His crimson eyes narrowed as his hand tightened into a fist. His cold expression didn't reveal his thoughts, but the air around him seemed to chill.
When they were out of sight, he turned away and left without a word.
Not long after, Pilea and Lucin stopped in their tracks. Androsen stood ahead of them, his gaze cold enough to freeze the air. The atmosphere shifted immediately — heavy, suffocating.
All around them, students froze, whispering in awe.
"Look, it's His Highness Androsen…"
"What's he doing here?"
Pilea's heart skipped. His eyes were unreadable, yet she could feel the anger radiating from him.
Before she could speak, Androsen stepped forward and seized her hand.
"Come," he said curtly.
"Ah—wait—" But his grip was firm. She hesitated, but in the end, she followed reluctantly, glancing back once at Lucin, who stood silently as he watched them disappear.
✦ ✦ ✦
That night, the room was quiet — too quiet.
Androsen's eyes glowed a deep, blood-red as he pushed Pilea gently but firmly onto the bed. His gaze pierced straight into her soul, his aura darker than usual.
Pilea's breath caught. She'd seen him like this before — the night he saved her — but this felt different. His eyes burned with something she couldn't name.
Gathering her courage, she whispered, "Why did you bring me back?"
Androsen smirked faintly, his expression unreadable, yet dangerously alluring.
"Why?" His gaze deepened. "It's my right to treat my blood servant however I wish."
Her heart pounded wildly. He was calm — too calm. That was more terrifying than when he was angry.
He reached out and grasped her chin, tilting her face upward. His eyes bored into her hazel-green ones.
"I treated you a little better," he said quietly, "and you already forgot your place."
She said nothing, only met his gaze steadily.
"No shame at all," he murmured, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. But when he saw the faint bruise on her cheek, his brow furrowed sharply.
"Who hit you?" His voice dropped, dark and cold.
Pilea's shoulders tensed. She turned away, hoping he wouldn't notice, but it was too late.
She sighed quietly. "Thanks to you, everyone on campus is targeting me now," she murmured, her tone calm yet heavy. "Just like you predicted."
Androsen's jaw tightened. "Damn it." His voice trembled with frustration.
Pilea blinked, surprised. Why does he look… angry?
But before she could speak, his expression shifted back to that unreadable mask. He leaned in closer, his hand cupping her cheek gently. His touch was surprisingly soft. Then, without warning, his lips brushed her neck.
A shiver ran through her entire body. Her breath hitched, and her eyes closed instinctively. The kiss was light — too light — yet it sent tingles from her neck down to her toes.
Androsen pulled back slightly, studying her face. Her flushed cheeks, closed eyes… she looked so vulnerable, so breathtaking.
"The face full of anticipation is really nice," he murmured with a faint, crooked smile. His voice was low, teasing, dangerously intoxicating.
Pilea's eyes snapped open, flustered. "I—I'm not—"
He silenced her with a finger, tracing slowly from her chin down the length of her neck.
"Looks like…" he whispered, eyes darkening, "…I should punish you well."
Her breath caught. His hand was gentle yet commanding, gliding slowly as if savoring every inch of her skin. Her heart pounded so hard she thought he could hear it.
For Sam… I have to bear with it… she thought desperately, biting her lip.
His fingers paused at the first button of her uniform. His brows furrowed.
"What a hindrance," he muttered.
Then his eyes lifted to hers, burning with control.
"Take it off."
Pilea froze. "What…?"
His gaze sharpened. "What? Do you want me to help you?"
Her hands trembled violently. She sat up slowly, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her breath was shaky as she reached for the first button.
Her fingers brushed the fabric once… twice…
They refused to move.
Androsen watched her quietly, his crimson eyes half-lidded with amusement. He leaned back casually, resting his chin on his hand, observing her struggle.
Normally, he would've been impatient — but tonight, he let her hesitate.
Finally, with trembling hands, she unbuttoned the first one. Her breath hitched again as she reached for the second…
But before she could continue, his breath brushed against her ear.
"Never mind," he whispered, his voice deep and close. The warmth of it sent shivers through her body.
Pilea's hands dropped instantly. She exhaled in relief, her shoulders trembling.
"This time," Androsen said slowly, his voice low and calm, "it's only a small punishment." But his eyes gleamed with warning. "If you dare entangle yourself with another man again…"
He leaned in, his lips grazing the shell of her ear.
"I won't spare you."
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