The morning air carried a hint of spring as Aurelia stepped out of the car in front of the university gates. Students gathered in groups, some chatting, some rushing to class, all unaware of the shadows that followed her life.
Aurelia inhaled deeply.
A new chapter of her life was beginning—college, freedom,
No guards swarming around her.
No mafia politics.
Just Aurelia Valente, a normal young woman.
Or at least, she tried to be.
She adjusted her bag and took a step forward—
until she heard footsteps behind her.
Heavy. Familiar.
She froze.
No way… He wouldn't.
Turning around slowly, she saw a tall figure walking toward her with calm, unhurried steps.
A black backpack slung over one shoulder.
White shirt, fitted jeans, hair slightly messy in a way that shouldn't have looked good but somehow did.
Eren Kael.
Her eyes widened.
He stopped just inches in front of her, hands in pockets, expression unreadable.
"Morning," he said casually, as if this was the most normal thing in the world.
Aurelia nearly choked on air.
"Eren—why are you here?!"
He lifted one brow. "To attend class. Same as you."
"What class?" she demanded, panic starting to rise.
He pulled out a folded schedule.
The exact same schedule she had.
She snatched it from his hand.
Her jaw dropped.
"This is my class! My major! My section!"
"Yes," he replied calmly.
"Why?" she whispered.
And then she remembered yesterday's conversation with her grandfather.
Don Valente's voice echoed in her mind:
"Aurelia… from now on, Eren will watch over you more closely. You're entering a new world, and I won't risk your safety. He will be your shadow."
Her stomach dropped.
"You… enrolled yourself?" she asked.
Eren shook his head. "Your grandfather did. I just followed orders."
Of course he did.
Don Valente moved mountains when it came to her safety.
"But Eren, you can't just—this is university! It's different! People will think—"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"That I'm your classmate."
A slow, infuriating smirk.
"Which I am."
Aurelia's cheeks burned.
"That's not the problem!"
"Then what is?"
"You—"
She stopped.
How was she supposed to explain the flurry in her chest?
How was she supposed to explain that seeing him here—looking like a normal student—felt strange and overwhelming at the same time?
Eren watched her silently, waiting.
And then she whispered the truth.
"…You surprised me."
His expression softened, just slightly.
"I meant to. I didn't want you to worry all night."
Aurelia looked away, flustered.
"W-well, I'm still shocked!"
Eren leaned slightly closer.
"Shocked in a bad way?"
Her breath caught.
Those dark eyes—steady, focused, impossibly intense—never looked at anyone the way they looked at her.
"N-no," she mumbled.
Before she could say more, a group of students passed by, whispering.
"Whoa, who's that guy?"
"He's hot."
"Is he new?"
"Are they dating?"
Aurelia's face turned crimson.
Eren didn't even blink.
He simply placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her toward the building, effortlessly protective.
"Let's go," he said. "We'll be late for our first class."
"We?" she echoed weakly.
"Yes," he said with a hint of amusement. "We."
And just like that, he walked beside her—
not as the feared mafia heir,
not as the boy who once promised to protect her,
but as the young man who was now choosing to stay close.
Whether she was ready or not.