Callista's POV:
It started slowly. At first, I thought I could manage it.
One of the maids would rush over to adjust my seat when I so much as shifted my weight. Another offered a golden tray stacked with snacks every five minutes. One tried to hold my phone for me while I texted. While I texted.
I refused, of course. I had hands. I was a functional human being.
But it didn't stop there.
In the morning, they would literally fight—fight—over who got to brush my hair.
When I tried to walk to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, no less than four people blocked my path, each holding out a crystal goblet of spring water as if I were dying of thirst in a desert.
And when I sat down to study for my exams? Instant disaster.
Someone massaged my shoulders.
Another one fanned me.
Someone else sprinkled rose petals over my open laptop for "good luck"—and completely crashed my essay document in the process.
"Please, please, I'm begging you," I cried out, burying my face into my hands. "Let me live like a normal person!"
The staff froze, looking genuinely offended. One of the maids even sniffled like I'd personally crushed her life's purpose.
Aurelius, of course, watched from a distance, arms crossed, his expression that of a man thoroughly entertained by the chaos he had unleashed. He didn't even pretend to be sorry.
In fact, he made it worse.
"I did warn you," he said in a maddeningly smug tone. "Royal treatment, remember?"
I shot him a deadly glare, but he only chuckled, walking over to the couch where I was trying to hide from the avalanche of luxury.
"You know," he said, kneeling in front of me, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face, "you make the cutest expressions when you're overwhelmed."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he didn't give me the chance.
Gently, without asking, he took my tired hands in his, massaging them with slow, deliberate movements. His touch was firm but careful, easing the tension in my fingers, my palms, my wrists. The chaos around me seemed to melt away in an instant.
"You don't have to fight so hard all the time, Callista," he said quietly, his thumb tracing lazy circles over my skin. "You're allowed to be cared for. To be spoiled. Not because you're weak..."
His eyes met mine, deep and serious now.
"...but because you're precious."
My throat tightened. I hated how easily he could make my walls crack, how those stupid, soft words found their way into places I thought I'd locked up forever.
I looked away, cheeks burning. "You're ridiculous," I muttered weakly.
"And yet," he murmured, his voice a low, teasing whisper, "you're still here."
I bit my lip, fighting a losing battle against the small smile tugging at my lips.
Maybe... just maybe... being pampered wasn't so bad.
If it was him.
I slumped over the giant study desk, textbooks and notes sprawled out in front of me like a battlefield. My brain felt like it was melting, and my heart weighed heavier because reality hit me:
I turned twenty last week. And my new beloved exam was still clinging to me like a curse.
With my head barely lifted, I glared at Aurelius, who was lounging lazily on the couch nearby, flipping through one of his thick business books like it was light reading. Meanwhile, I was dying over here. Literally dying.
I jabbed my finger in his direction, mustering whatever threatening aura I had left.
"Hey. Don't you dare disturb me this time. I have an exam next week—and it's not just any normal exam!" I warned, narrowing my eyes.
Aurelius slowly looked up at me over the rim of his book, a smirk playing at the edges of his mouth.
"Oh? Not a normal exam? Should I be trembling in fear?" he teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I scowled. "You should. It's the 'will-destroy-my-future-if-I-fail' type of exam."
He chuckled softly, closing his book with a thud and rising from the couch. In three strides, he was by my side, leaning down close—too close. I could feel the heat from his body, the overwhelming presence he carried so effortlessly.
"I wouldn't dream of disturbing you," he murmured with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Then, with absolutely no shame, he brushed his knuckles under my chin, tilting my face up.
"But just so you know..."
He grinned, wicked and beautiful.
"...you're very cute when you're stressed out."
"Aurelius!" I shrieked, swatting at him.
He dodged easily, laughing under his breath as he backed away, hands raised in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll behave. For now."
But the way he said it—with that mischievous sparkle in his eyes—told me I was in serious trouble.
A few hours later, after frying my brain with endless studying, I heard the sound of chaos thundering through the front doors.
I didn't even have to guess.
It could only be them.
Sure enough, in barged Phelia, Simon, and Xavier—my so-called best friends—who acted like they owned the place from the moment they stepped foot inside.
Phelia immediately flopped dramatically onto the velvet couch like a queen claiming her throne, tossing her shoes somewhere in the air. Xavier whistled, hands on his hips, admiring the marble floors like a tourist at a museum. Simon, ever the quiet one, was already exploring the kitchen, popping open the fancy fridge like he paid for it.
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
I knew it. They didn't visit me out of kindness—they came to mess with me and live like spoiled brats for a day.
But... I let them be.
After all, these weren't just any friends. They were LUMENN's own—saved, trained, and raised by the secret organization my mother had built.
Phelia, once a street beggar barely surviving the winters.
Xavier, sold out by his own father without a second thought.
Simon, passed from orphanage to orphanage until LUMENN took him in.
Now, they were college students, giggling and posting selfies all over Instargram like normal people... because they finally could be.
I smiled, feeling a soft pride in my chest I hadn't realized was there.
But before I could sink too deep into my feelings, I noticed something else—
They weren't alone.
Right behind them, two small figures peeked shyly around the corner.
Aurora and Lucien.
The twins.
My heart melted instantly.
"Awwwww, look at you two!!" I gushed, rushing over and kneeling down to their level.
Aurora wore a soft pink dress, her hair tied into two puffy buns, her big blue eyes blinking at me like a curious kitten. Lucien, in a tiny little suit jacket, clung to her hand, his expression wary but brave.
I turned around sharply and shouted to Aurelius' multi-purpose army of bodyguards, who were already lined up by instinct.
"You guys! Treat the twins like royalty too, you hear me?!"
At once, the men and women saluted (I wasn't kidding—they actually saluted) and sprang into action.
Within seconds, the twins were swept away into a world of gentle pampering.
Aurora was carried to a mountain of plush stuffed animals and a tea party setup, complete with pink porcelain cups. Lucien was escorted to a mini battle arena built out of foam swords and soft castle walls.
The twins' eyes sparkled with wonder, their earlier shyness melting away into laughter and excitement.
Phelia, snapping pictures for Instargram, leaned over and whispered conspiratorially in my ear, "You're so gonna make a great mom someday, Callie."
I choked on air.
"A WHAT—?!"
I whipped around to glare at her, but she only grinned evilly and skipped away to steal macarons from the tea party table.
Meanwhile, from across the hall, Aurelius watched it all unfold with a rare, soft smile on his face—the kind that made my heart do very dangerous flips if I wasn't careful.
Maybe... just maybe...
This place was starting to feel a little like home.
I turned back to my study room, praying—begging—that I could actually get some studying done this time.
The second I stepped in, I let out a long sigh.
The huge mahogany desk, the neatly stacked books, the crisp notes... it was all still there, untouched, waiting for me.
At least someone respected the sacredness of this space.
I sat down heavily, brushing my hair back, and opened my laptop again.
Alright. Focus, Callista. Focus. You have an exam next week that's basically a death sentence if you screw it up.
I started typing out a summary of one of the chapters, trying to ignore the distant giggles and shouting of my friends outside, the happy laughter of the twins, and the sound of something heavy crashing (probably Phelia doing something stupid again).
I clenched my teeth.
I can do this. I can—
KNOCK KNOCK.
I froze.
Slowly, slowly, I turned my head.
Standing in the doorway was one of Aurelius' multi-purpose bodyguards—holding a golden tray with a tiny cake and a cup of tea.
"Ms. Valemont," he said solemnly, bowing slightly. "A study snack to keep you energized."
I stared at him. Stared at the cake. Stared back at him.
Another guard peeked from behind him, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Fresh roses to refresh your mind, Miss."
Behind that one, another woman appeared, holding what looked like—was that a mini foot massager??
I slammed my forehead onto the desk with a groan.
I should have known better.
"JUST PUT IT ALL ON THE FLOOR!" I shouted, not even lifting my head.
There was a flurry of "Yes, Miss!" and the sound of a hundred footsteps shuffling away.
Peace... for now.
I exhaled slowly, cracked my knuckles, and got back to work.
At least I had tea and cake now.
And maybe... just maybe... this insane, chaotic new life of mine wasn't so bad after all.
Just when I thought I could finally study in peace, I heard it again—the chorus of voices outside the door.
"Good luck with your studies, Ms. Valemont!"
I snapped my pen down, stood up, and marched to the doorway like a woman possessed.
Swinging the door open dramatically, I glared at the line of overly enthusiastic bodyguards still bowing like they were in a royal court.
"I'M. NOT. VALEMONT. YET!" I barked, hands on my hips. "I am—and will always be until further notice—the one and only Callista Evangeline Moreau!"
They blinked at me in unison, as if trying to reprogram their brains.
One of them hesitated before saying stiffly,
"Good luck with your studies, Ms. Moreau!"
"Better!" I huffed, crossing my arms.
Behind me, I heard snickering.
Of course, when I turned around, there he was—leaning casually against the wall, arms folded across his chest, that infuriating smirk playing at his lips.
Aurelius.
Loving every second of this.
"I think they just want to get used to your 'future title'," he said, voice rich with amusement.
I pointed a threatening finger at him.
"Don't you start!"
He just chuckled under his breath and pushed off the wall.
"Fine, fine. Ms. Moreau it is."
Then he winked.
"For now."
I felt my whole face burn as he casually walked away, leaving me fuming and flustered at the same time.
I groaned and slammed the door again, locking it this time for good measure.
Study first. Murder Aurelius later.
End of chapter 21.