Aurelia had always believed she understood Eren Kael.
His habits, his moods, his silent ways of protecting her.
But lately…
everything felt different.
He watched her differently.
He walked beside her differently.
He touched her differently.
And her heart reacted in ways she couldn't control.
Today, the sky was overcast as they exited their last class. Students spilled out of the building, chattering loudly, but Aurelia barely noticed any of them.
She was too aware of the quiet presence walking beside her—
too aware of the way Eren's fingers brushed hers every time their hands swung a little too close.
She kept looking straight ahead, pretending she didn't notice.
But she noticed everything.
After a moment, Eren spoke.
"You didn't eat lunch today."
Aurelia blinked. "You were watching me?"
"I always do."
Her heart fluttered. Always?
"I wasn't hungry," she said quickly.
"You're lying." His tone was flat, certain. "You avoid food when you're stressed."
She nearly tripped. "I do not."
He shot her a sidelong look. "You do. Since you were ten."
Heat crept up her neck. "Can you not expose my weaknesses out loud?"
"I'm only stating facts."
"Well, stop."
"No."
Aurelia glared at him, but Eren's expression didn't change. He simply continued walking, tall and silent, as if protecting her was written into his very DNA.
They passed through the campus gates and reached the black car waiting at the curb.
One of Don Valente's men stood beside it, opening the door respectfully.
Aurelia climbed in first, Eren sliding in after her.
The door shut.
Silence filled the car—
not uncomfortable, but thick.
Heavy with all the things they weren't saying.
Eren's knee brushed hers.
She almost jumped.
He didn't move away.
Aurelia swallowed hard. "Eren… about earlier—when you held me…"
He turned his head slowly, meeting her gaze.
Her courage wavered.
She looked down at her hands. "You didn't have to hold me like that. People were staring."
"They can stare all they want," he said quietly.
"I only care about whether you're safe."
"But you were… very close."
Eren's jaw flexed slightly.
"Aurelia. When someone pushes you, I'm going to catch you. Always."
"That's not what I meant," she whispered.
His eyes narrowed just a little.
"Then say what you mean."
Her breath hitched.
I mean that I felt your heartbeat. I mean that it scared me how warm you were. I mean that I didn't want you to let go.
But she couldn't say those things.
Instead, she murmured, "You've been acting strange lately."
He leaned back, crossing his arms. "Strange?"
"Yes. You're… different."
"How?"
"You look at me weird," she confessed, cheeks burning. "And you're more protective than usual. And you—"
She stopped when he shifted closer, his thigh brushing hers with intention this time.
His voice lowered, almost a whisper.
"Aurelia… I'm only going to tell you this once."
Her pulse pounded.
He tilted his head slightly, studying her like she was the only thing in the world worth looking at.
"You're not a child anymore," he said.
"And it's impossible for me not to notice that."
Her lips parted in shock.
Eren continued, voice steady and dangerously calm, "You've grown. Everyone sees it. Why shouldn't I?"
Aurelia's heart flipped.
"I— I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything."
The car slowed as they approached the Valente estate. But neither of them moved.
Eren leaned in, his breath brushing her ear.
"But don't accuse me of acting strange just because I finally see you clearly."
Her cheeks turned crimson.
Then he pulled back, expression unreadable.
The car door opened, breaking the moment.
But Aurelia stayed frozen in her seat, her heartbeat wild, her thoughts crashing.
She had come to university excited to start a new life.
Instead, her old life—
Eren Kael—
was becoming something new.
Something terrifying.
Something thrilling.
Something impossible to ignore.
And deep down, she knew one thing for certain:
Whatever was happening between them…
…it was only just beginning.