CHAPTER 83: A SILENT MOMENT BETWEEN MY TWO NOBLES

the faint scent of soap and her perfume still hanging in the air. When he finally lay back, the soft mattress welcomed him with quiet warmth. He exhaled, a low, contented sigh escaping his lips as his eyes drifted to the dim light seeping through the window. The night felt still, almost sacred with the faint whisper of the wind brushing through the curtains.

Moments later, the sound of water droplets against the wooden floor broke the silence. Selene stepped out from the bath, half-dressed, her skin glistening beneath the silver light. Every curve of her body caught the moon’s reflection.. soft, flawless, dangerously inviting. She moved toward the bed with that teasing grace of hers.

"Well, I guess you sure won, Eran," she murmured, voice low and sultry, her half-lidded eyes glinting as they met his.

He only smiled calmly, watching her every movement with quiet admiration.

"I feel sleepy right now," she said in a whisper, her tone softening. "I just want to feel warm..."

Without hesitation, she leaned closer and pressed her body lightly against his, settling into a soft, languid cuddle. The warmth of her skin met his chest, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, painting their forms in pale silver, shadows and light blending across their bodies like a quiet spell.

Selene’s breath slowed, her fingers tracing faintly against his chest until her voice faded into the calm. "Mmm... warm..."

Her eyes fluttered shut, and she drifted into sleep within Eran’s arms—soft, serene, and utterly at peace.

Eran stared at the ceiling for a while, listening to the rhythm of her breathing. It was steady... softly rising and falling against his chest, almost hypnotic in the way it echoed through the quiet room. His gaze slowly drifted toward her again.

Selene was already deep in sleep, her face calm, touched by the silver hue of the moonlight. The faint musk of her nobility lingered beside him... elegant, pure, and warm. Her curves, perfectly sculpted beneath the thin sheet, formed a silhouette no man would dare to gaze upon without losing himself entirely.

Eran’s hand moved quietly, brushing along the soft line of her hip, his fingertips grazing the warmth of her skin. A calm smile curved his lips as he murmured under his breath, "All for me..."

His gaze lingered there, drinking in the peaceful beauty that lay before him. Then, leaning closer, he pressed a gentle kiss against her parted lips... a touch soft enough not to wake her, yet full enough to claim the moment.

The wind outside shifted, cool and light, whispering through the curtains like a lullaby. Eran drew the sheet up over them, covering their forms beneath its soft weight. The warmth of her body settled closer to his, their breaths finding the same rhythm.

He closed his eyes, the scent of her hair lulling him deeper, and soon the quiet night carried them both into sleep... two souls wrapped beneath the moon’s silent gaze.

The night passed quietly. Leaving Only the calm whisper of wind and the slow rhythm of their breathing filled the space.

***

A new dawn arrived as the morning light spilled in softly, the scent of the early air lingering through the room.. carrying the scent traces of warmth and the quiet aftermath of their night before. The golden hue stretched across the sheets, brushing gently against Selene’s bare shoulders as she stirred quietly beside Eran.

Eran stirred first. His lashes fluttered open to meet the dim morning hue. For a long moment, he didn’t move—just watched her. The way the sun touched her face made her look ethereal, fragile even, though he knew better. She was strength wrapped in beauty, a storm hidden beneath serenity.

He reached out quietly, brushing a strand of damp hair away from her cheek. The touch made her murmur calmly, half-asleep, her lips parting in a soft breath.

"Still sleeping?" Eran whispered, his voice low and faintly amused.

Selene blinked slowly awake, her lashes fluttering as she turned toward him with a sleepy smile. "You’re already awake?" she murmured.

Eran smiled warmly, his tone smooth and low. "Sure, as always. How do you feel now?"

She took a long, deep breath, her chest rising softly as her lips curved into a warm smile. "I had a cool night’s rest... It was because of you," she said, her voice tender with meaning. "You make it pleasing."

Eran’s eyes softened at her words, a quiet amusement dancing in them.

With that same serene grace, Selene slowly pushed herself up from the bed, her long hair cascading down her back as she stretched. "I’ll go take my bath and dress up now," she said gently. "Soon, Nyssa and I will be heading to the committee council for the duel result list, just as I’ve said earlier."

Eran nodded calmly, his gaze lingering on her as he replied, "Yes, how would I forget? And perhaps... I know my Selene definitely has a score for me too in the results."

Selene chuckled under her breath, her laughter soft yet filled with noble confidence. "Of course, Eran. What do you expect? You have me."

The air lingered in quiet amusement between them for a brief moment, before she turned toward the bathing room. The faint sound of water soon followed, blending with the distant hum of morning outside.

Eran exhaled calmly, letting his head sink back into the mattress in amused thoughts, the sheets still carrying her scent. For a moment, peace.

Then...

Knock! knock!.

A sudden rap echoed through the door.

Eran’s eyes opened slowly, his calm demeanor slipping into mild curiosity as he turned his head toward the sound.

His gaze lingered on the door for a long, startled moment. It wasn’t as if any other noble would come knocking at his door—a commoner’s residence. Perhaps Nyssa, arriving to meet Selene for their trip to the committee council.

Or Miyu.

Though that seems unlikely... He recalled Miyu hadn’t been around for a week, not since the day of signing at the disciplinary committee headquarters when she had insisted her presence was required.

Before his thoughts could conclude...

A soft, familiar voice called out from outside the door.

"Eran"

The sound struck him like a ripple across still water. He froze instantly. ’That voice... unmistakable. Miyu.’

For a brief moment, his thoughts tangled, trying to analyze the situation. Selene... she was still in the bathroom, water still running softly behind the door, and Miyu here. The realization sank into him like a quiet storm: Professor and a student... who would have thought?

He moved toward the door in slow, deliberate steps, the air thick with tension. His hand reached the handle, fingers curling lightly as he turned the lock.

The door opened with a quiet click.

Standing there was Miyu.

She looked radiant, poised as always. Her calm expression framed by the morning light spilling through the hallway behind her, her soft, clingy fabric tracing every elegant curve of her body.

"I’m back," Miyu said softly. Her eyes lifted to meet his, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.

Eran smiled calmly at her, though his mind still raced from the suddenness of it all. He wasn’t sure what expression he wore—half amused, half confused.

"I didn’t expect you today," he said, keeping his tone light. "It’s been a week since you left. And perhaps seeing you just yesterday in the duel makes me smile, remembering what those violet eyes of yours read, Miyu."

He ended with a low tease, lips curving slightly.

Miyu chuckled quietly under her breath. "Always the same, Eran. It’s as if you read every thought of mine. You never change."

With slow, deliberate grace, she stepped farther into the room. Eran closed the door gently behind her; the soft click echoed calmly.

Upon entering the quiet room, Miyu paused for a moment, her gaze flicking around as if taking in something unseen. The faint trace of warmth, the lingering musk in the air. Then, wordlessly, she took another step and settled lightly on the edge of the bed, turning her eyes toward him.

"Eran, I feel..."

But her words faltered immediately as the bathroom door clicked open.

Selene stepped out, her damp hair trailing down her shoulders, the soft scent of soap mixing with the air that already carried her warmth from the night before.

For an instant, the room froze.

Both women’s eyes met—shock flickering in their gaze.

"P–Professor Selene...?" Miyu’s voice trembled slightly, her noble composure wavering.

Without hesitation, she stood up, forcing a warm, immediate, measured acknowledgement. Eran’s eyes widened, watching Miyu’s swift deference despite herself and the heavy, unspoken words that suddenly hung in the air. The reality of the complicated scene—Miyu on the bed, Selene emerging from the shower—had just landed

Selene blinked once, equally startled, though her poise returned almost instantly.

"Miyu..." Selene finally breathed, her voice low but steady.

Both women’s eyes turned toward Eran. For a heartbeat, he felt the air tighten between them. Selene’s emerald gaze found his first, an unspoken question flickering there—then Miyu’s violet eyes followed, sharp and searching, as if reading every inch of his silence.