"Do I look good today, honey?" Alina asked her dear husband, who was lazily reading a book about war strategies early in the morning.
The morning light was soft and golden, streaming through the tall windows of their chambers. Dust motes danced in the air. Sowhere outside, birds were singing. It was the kind of morning that felt peaceful and unhurried, like the world had decided to slow down just for them.
Dante lifted his eyes from the book.
He was sitting in his favorite chair by the window, one leg crossed over the other, his dark hair loose and falling over his brow. He had been reading for the past hour, completely absorbed in whatever battle tactics were described on the yellowed pages.
But now he was looking at her.
She was wearing a light pink dress, soft and flowy, with sleeves that ended just below her elbows and a skirt that swayed when she walked. Her hair was open, falling in gentle waves past her shoulders. She wasn't wearing any makeup. Her face was fresh and clean, her cheeks naturally rosy from sleep.
She looked young, soft, and beautiful.
"You look good in anything you wear, little dove," Dante said. His crimson eyes traveled slowly from her face to her dress and back again. "Even without any clothes."
He winked.
Alina's face turned red.
"Shaless old man," she said, glaring at him.
Dante smiled widely.
Ever since he had told her his true age, after a month of marriage, she had started calling him old man. Every chance she got.
He couldn't bla her.
"You're not allowed to tell my age to anyone," he said seriously, setting down his book.
"Anyone?"
"Anyone."
"Not even the readers?"
Dante's eye twitched. "Especially not the readers."
Alina rolled her eyes and picked up her pink handbag. She slung it over her shoulder and walked to the door, where Lucien and Sable were already waiting. Sable was bouncing on his heels. Lucien was checking his collar.
"Ready?" Alina asked.
"Yes, Mom," they said together.
They left for kindergarten.
The staffroom was buzzing with energy when Alina walked in. Miss Kelly was organizing papers. Professor Hobb was sipping tea. Gabriel was lounging in a chair, looking far too relaxed for soone who was about to take over her class babies.
"I am so jealous of you," Alina said, glaring at Gabriel.
Gabriel blinked innocently. "? Why?"
"You get to spend the year with my babies. My wonderful, chaotic, impossible babies. And I have to spend the year with—" She gestured vaguely toward the door. "Whoever my new batch is."
Gabriel grinned. "Don't worry. I'll take care of them. It's going to be so fun with Boo and Drake!"
Alina glared harder.
Gabriel's grin didn't waver.
"Don't worry," Professor Hobb said mysteriously, setting down his teacup. "Your new batch is going to shock you."
Alina turned to look at him. "Shock how?"
He just smiled.
Miss Kelly shook her head. "He's been saying that all week. I don't know what he ans, and he won't explain."
"Surprises are better when they're unexpected," Professor Hobb said.
Alina crossed her arms. "I don't like surprises."
"Then you're going to have a very interesting day."
Alina sighed and picked up her bag. She had a new classroom to prepare. New children to et. New chaos to manage.
She missed her old class already.
She walked toward the door.
"Good luck, Alina!" Gabriel called.
She didn't turn around. "Don't let Boo float too high."
"I make no promises!"
She smiled.
And then she went to the principal's office to report for her first day.
The door was slightly open, and she could see Dante sitting behind his desk, his crimson eyes scanning so docunts. His glasses were perched on his nose, the sa glasses he had worn on that long ago day when he had first taught her class. He looked serious, professional, and handso.
She stepped inside, and he looked up.
His eyes softened imdiately. The docunt was forgotten. He set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"Mrs. Nightshade," he said.
"Mr. Nightshade," she replied.
He tilted his head. "The new batch arrived?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
"Then you should be in your classroom."
She didn't move. "I should."
Instead of leaving, she walked closer to his desk.
He watched her co.
"You're distracting ," he said.
She placed her hands on her hips. "I'm not doing anything."
"You're breathing."
She laughed. "That's not distracting."
His voice dropped lower. "It is to ."
She stopped in front of his desk and placed her hands on the polished wood. He reached out and covered her hands with his.
"Teacher," he said, his voice low, "I am going to miss you."
She raised an eyebrow. "You saw half an hour ago."
"That's too long."
"Your office is forty steps from my classroom."
He smiled. "Forty three steps."
She laughed.
He stood up and walked around the desk. His hand found her waist. He pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
"How long until your first class?" he murmured against her skin.
"Five minutes."
He pulled back slightly. "That's not enough ti."
She looked up at him. "For what?"
He didn't answer. He just smiled.
She pushed his chest lightly. "I have to go."
"Stay."
"I can't."
"Stay."
"Dante—"
The door burst open.
"TEACHER!"
Boo floated inside. His silver eyes were wide, and his hands were waving frantically.
"Teacher, I am going to miss you so much!" he shouted. "So so so much! Like mountains of missing! Oceans of missing!"
Behind him stood Vlad Jr., dressed neatly, his posture perfect, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked calm and composed, but his eyes were warm.
"We ca to say goodbye," Vlad Jr. said. "Before you go and teach our juniors."
Alina's heart lted.
She pulled away from Dante, who looked slightly annoyed, though he tried to hide it, and knelt down to hug them both. Boo's cool body pressed against hers. Vlad Jr.'s small arms wrapped around her neck.
"I'm going to miss you too," she said. "Both of you."
Vlad Jr. nodded seriously. "We'll visit."
Boo bobbed up and down. "Every day!"
Alina stood up and smoothed her dress. "I have to go. My new class is waiting."
"Good luck, Teacher," Vlad Jr. said.
Boo waved frantically. "Don't forget us!"
Alina's voice caught. "I could never."
They left quickly. Boo floated backward and waved until he pretended to bump into the doorfra. Vlad Jr. grabbed his hand and pulled him away.
Dante was annoyed that they had co without permission, though he didn't say anything, knowing they were the apple of Alina's eye.
The door closed. Alina looked at Dante. He was watching her with soft eyes.
"Go," he said. "Before I keep you here."
She smiled and walked to the door.
"Good luck, little dove," he called.
She looked back. "I don't need luck. I have you."
She stepped into the hallway. The corridor was quiet. The morning light stread through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the floor.
She looked at her watch. Two minutes.
She walked toward Class D.
Her footsteps echoed softly. The walls looked the sa. The doors looked the sa. It felt like déjà vu.
She rembered her first day, walking this sa hallway, nervous and uncertain.
She reached the door.
Class D.
She put her hand on the handle, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
And then she froze.
When did Class D install an AC and beco so cold? Her breath misted in the air. The lights dimd. Sothing rustled in the ceiling. A shadow that was not her own stretched across the floor and curled around her feet. Then she felt sothing wrap around her knees, small and weightless and impossibly cold, and she heard the loudest cry of a baby. A cry that made the walls tremble and the windows frost over.
—THE END—
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