Chapter 69: Ai Ting is really mean

The next morning.

Aiden’s biological clock woke him gently and precisely from his sleep.

What greeted his eyes was not the familiar ceiling, but a stunningly beautiful face just inches away, along with a pair of deep blue eyes as clear as a pristine lake, staring at him unblinkingly with focused attention.

He could even distinctly feel the warmth of her breath, carrying a faint fragrance, softly brushing against his cheek.

At first, Aiden was stunned, his drowsiness instantly fading away.

Then, he immediately realized that Seles had woken up at some unknown time and was quietly watching him like this.

Out of an instinctive awkwardness and unfamiliarity, he reflexively tried to sit up and put some distance between them.

However, just as Aiden moved, a cool and soft hand gently tugged on the corner of his shirt, stopping him from retreating.

Only then did Aiden belatedly notice how intimate their current posture was.

One of his arms was naturally draped around Seles’s neck, the other resting on her waist, while Seles was nestled completely in his embrace, her cheek nearly pressed against his chest.

This was the kind of close sleeping position only lovers deeply in love would share.

“Just lie down a little longer… Aiden classmate… it’s still early…”

Seles’s face still carried the lazy, contented flush of just waking up.

She seemed reluctant to let go of this feeling, her voice soft and coquettish as she softly pleaded.

Aiden turned his head to look at the Magic Clock on the bedside; indeed, there was still some time before their usual wake-up to get ready for school.

But maintaining this posture, feeling the warmth and dependence of the girl in his arms, made his ears burn slightly, the atmosphere delicate and awkward.

He could only try to find a topic and quietly ask.

“When… did you wake up?”

“Aiden classmate, take a guess.”

Seles blinked, not answering directly but playfully responding with a question.

“Then… why didn’t you get up after waking?”

Aiden smiled helplessly and switched to another question.

“It’s just… I wanted to watch you sleeping a little longer…”

Seles’s cheeks immediately deepened in red, embarrassed as she lowered her eyelids, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

She felt as if just looking at Aiden’s sleeping face could fill her heart with sweetness and reassurance.

“How… did you sleep last night?”

Aiden felt a bit shy from Seles’s straightforward yet bashful words, his ears slightly reddening, and he instinctively cleared his throat.

“Mm! It’s been a long… long time since I’ve slept so soundly, so peacefully.”

At these words, Seles’s face blossomed into an incredibly bright and satisfied smile, radiating relaxation and joy from within.

She nodded vigorously, her voice light and cheerful.

“Thank you, Aiden classmate… meeting you has truly… been wonderful.”

This was Seles’s most genuine and heartfelt sentiment at this moment.

She dared not imagine what she would have become if she hadn’t met Aiden at that crucial moment — perhaps already on the path of darkness with no return, or completely consumed by despair…

The very thought was unbearable.

Ten minutes later.

Aiden stood in Seles’s bathroom, absentmindedly brushing his teeth with a toothbrush in his mouth.

Ruby floated nearby, struggling to hold a tiny toothbrush with her little hands, seriously mimicking the act of brushing her teeth, bubbles frothing at the corners of her mouth.

[Master, Ruby really can’t understand! Last night was such a perfect opportunity, Seles was so proactive, and you actually didn’t do anything? Are you even a man?]

Ruby mumbled this unclear question while brushing.

[Do you think only beasts ruled by their lower bodies qualify as men?]

Aiden heard this and rolled his eyes at the tiny figure beside him through the mirror, a bit annoyed.

[Isn’t that true?]

Ruby lifted her bubbly little face, looking innocent.

[You’re not… one of those men-hating types, are you?]

[But! A peerless beauty like Seles actively threw herself into your arms, and you didn’t react at all — that’s just not normal! Could it be… you actually like men?!]

Ruby shook her little head and continued her “logic.”

Aiden was thoroughly done with entertaining this little creature.

This one always found an opportunity to urge him to “make a move” on Seles.

He honestly had no idea what was going on inside that tiny head of hers.

After finishing their morning routine, they ate a simple breakfast of toast and milk that Seles had prepared before heading out together for Saint Dierce Academy.

The journey was silent, and once they arrived at the classroom, Aiden sat at his desk, idly twirling a Feather Pen between his fingers, one hand supporting his cheek.

He watched many classmates—especially those who had previously kept their distance from Seles—now crowding around her seat, chattering as they checked on her.

“Seles classmate, were you feeling unwell yesterday when you took leave?”

“How do you feel now? Are you better?”

“Make sure to rest well!”

Seles simply responded with a polite but distant smile to each inquiry.

“Thank you all for your concern, I’m fine now.”

Watching this scene, Aiden couldn’t help but silently marvel.

Becoming a Star member really made a huge difference…

This warm reception was hard to imagine when, not long ago, Seles had been someone they regarded with caution and exclusion as a Witch Candidate.

It wasn’t until the clear ringing of the class’s pre-lesson bell that the students reluctantly dispersed from around Seles and returned to their seats.

Seles watched the crowd thin out and let out a barely audible sigh, rubbing her slightly furrowed brow.

A faint trace of fatigue showed on her face, as if she wasn’t very good at handling such overly enthusiastic situations.

After all, she had been isolated and bullied as a child.

Even after regaining confidence with Olivia’s help, she had only become more independent—never having experienced such star treatment.

“Isn’t this good? You’ll get used to it eventually. This is just part of being popular.”

Aiden, watching her reaction, chuckled softly and lowered his voice to say.

Seles immediately puffed out her cheeks like an angry little hamster, turning her head to glare at Aiden.

This guy knew better than anyone how much she disliked being the center of attention and struggled with social scenes like this, yet he still made sarcastic remarks.

Really, the whole reason she had fought so hard to win that “Star” position was for whom?

She really hoped this key person involved could have just a little self-awareness.

At this moment, Seles’s slightly puffed cheeks flushed with a hint of pink, like early spring petals kissed by morning dew.

Her deep blue eyes looked at Aiden with mock annoyance, her gaze shifting without any real anger.

The corners of her mouth twitched into a somewhat grudging smile, her voice soft and tinged with a little grievance as she murmured.

“Aiden classmate… you really are mean-hearted…”