CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 105 HIS SMILE

Alina gave him a tiny smile, trying to play it off. "I guess my head wasn’t built for spinny magic holes."

Lucien frowned, like he didn’t like that answer one bit. He moved closer, protectively hovering. "We shouldn’t have come through that one. I should’ve told you it’s stronger."

Alina touched his hand gently, her fingers cool. "I’m okay, sweetheart. Just... give me a second."

He nodded slowly, though his lips were pressed together in a line now. She could feel him watching her every move, like a kitten guarding a fallen bird.

Just as she was about to lift herself off the cold floor, still a little dizzy, her hand trembling as she tried to find her balance,

a shadow fell across her.

She felt it before she saw him.

A strong presence. Her breath caught.

A hand appeared in her line of sight. Large. Steady. Held out in front of her with quiet authority.

She looked up slowly, and her heart skipped.

Dante.

He stood tall in his usual dark attire, his eyes unreadable, his hand still waiting. He offered it without a single word.

Alina hesitated, her lips parting slightly.

Then, quietly and nervously, she placed her hand in his.

His palm was warm. Firm. So much larger than hers.

She sucked in a soft breath as he lifted her effortlessly, as if she weighed nothing.

Her knees wobbled slightly as she found her footing, but his fingers were still wrapped around hers.

"T-thank you," she mumbled, not daring to look into his crimson, dangerously beautiful eyes.

Dante said nothing. He only nodded once, his face unreadable.

But for a moment, he looked down at her hand still resting in his.

Her fingers were small and delicate, still faintly trembling from the portal.

His own were rough, calloused from years of hard work, but now perfectly still.

And just a little unwilling to let go.

Lucien, who had been quietly standing a few steps away the whole time, tilted his head slightly. His curious gaze shifted to where their hands were still joined—his teacher’s small, fair fingers nestled inside his father’s much larger grasp.

His little brows knit together for a second, confused.

Then, with the casual bluntness only a child could manage, he announced, "I’m going to class now."

Dante nodded once, his features softening as he looked at his son. "Very well. Be on time."

Then—it happened.

The corners of Dante’s mouth curved into a smile.

And Lucien smiled back clam and content—before turning and heading toward the door, his little bag bouncing lightly on his back as he left.

Alina nearly forgot how to breathe.

She stared, completely dazed. That smile—sharp and fleeting as moonlight on water—didn’t belong to the cold, terrifying Demon Lord. It belonged to someone else entirely. Someone real, someone warm. And he was... beautiful. The kind of beautiful that made your chest feel tight, and your face burn a little without warning.

She stood frozen even after Lucien had gone, the soft click of the door echoing faintly in the large room.

They were alone now.

Dante returned to his desk without a word, but Alina was still standing in place like someone had glued her to the floor. Her brain scrambled to recover, still stuck on that smile. Her hands were awkwardly clasped together in front of her, and she was pretty sure her heart was stuttering like it had never learned rhythm properly.

"...You smile when you’re with Lucien," she blurted before she could stop herself.

Dante paused.

Then, without looking up, he said in a calm voice, "Of course. He is my son."

Alina looked down, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "It suits you," she mumbled.

He raised an eyebrow slightly. "What does?"

"...Smiling." She gave a small shrug, still not looking at him. "I mean, you always look so serious. Or angry. I didn’t think you could... you know. Look like that."

There was a pause.

Then she heard the soft sound of footsteps, slow and deliberate.

When she finally looked up, she found him standing in front of her—closer than she expected.

Dante’s gaze bore into hers, unreadable but not cold. "Does my smile surprise you that much, Miss Hart?"

Alina’s heart thudded once, hard. "I... I just thought you hated smiling," she said, her voice faltering under his intensity. "Or emotions in general."

His lips twitched, just slightly. "I’ve been called many things. But I am not emotionless."

"Could’ve fooled me," she muttered, half under her breath.

He leaned in a fraction, enough that she caught the faint silver flecks in his irises, like moonlight splintering through blood or frost blooming on embers.

"I don’t smile for just anyone," he said quietly. "So perhaps you shouldn’t look so dazed when I do."

Alina blinked.

He straightened again, smooth and composed, and returned to his desk as if nothing had happened—leaving Alina standing in place, cheeks flushed and pulse fluttering like a trapped bird.

She exhaled shakily.

What just happened?

After the quiet, slightly awkward moment in the Principal’s office, Alina finally managed to calm her breath and excuse herself.

She made her way to the staffroom, still slightly dazed.

Her heart hadn’t completely settled, but she carried her usual calm smile as she pushed open the door to the quiet staffroom.

Inside the staffroom, Gabriel was pouring himself a cup of coffee when he noticed her enter.

The moment he saw her, his bright face faltered, replaced by a guilty smile.

"Alina," he said gently, setting his cup down. "I wanted to say... I’m really sorry. About yesterday."

Alina blinked, confused for a moment. "Sorry?"

Gabriel scratched the back of his neck, looking awkward. "When you needed a place to stay... I, uh... wasn’t able to help."

Alina blinked at him.

Then gave him a soft smile. "It’s okay, Gab. I’m fine now," she said kindly.

Gabriel smiled back, full of angel energy.

Meanwhile, Professor Hobb was seating nearby, glaring at them like a grumpy bull.

Alina blinked again. "Uh... Professor?"

The old man snorted. Loudly. Like an angry pig.

Why?

Because thanks to this exact drama, he had gone home and told his wife with full confidence, "I refused to bring young homeless-looking teacher to our house. You always doubt me! See? I stayed loyal!"

He was so proud.

He expected hugs.

Instead, she chased him across the living room with a sandal, yelling that he hadn’t helped someone in need, and whooped his old butt so hard he ended up sleeping on the couch with an ice pack.

Now every time he looked at Alina, he remembered two things:

One—she was the reason his dignity was shattered.

Two—his backside still hurt.

Alina, meanwhile, had no idea why the professor Hobb kept snorting like a broken vacuum every time he saw her.

**********

Alina walked toward Class D, humming lightly to herself.

But the moment she opened the classroom door—

"WAAAHHH!! I AM THE KING OF CRAYON!! NOT YOUUUU!"

A blur of white fur shot across the room, its nine tails sweeping through the air like satin ribbons. A beautiful fox small and full of chaotic energy leapt over a chair, dodged behind the bookshelves, and bounced across the reading corner like a sugar-loaded ping pong ball.

Right behind him, Boo came flying at full ghost speed, a purple crayon clutched in his tiny hand.

Alina’s eyes widened.

"Hey—hey! What’s happening here?!"

The nine-tailed fox skidded to a stop in the air, flipped, and landed perfectly on top of a beanbag. Boo crashed into him a second later, and they both let out a giggle.

Alina blinked, ready to panic, but then sighed in relief when she realized—thank heavens—they were playing, not fighting.

She walked in slowly, brushing a hand through her hair.

Both the Felix and Boo immediately zipped back to their seats like good little students, pretending to be innocent. Felix gave her a little tail-wagging bow. Boo grinned with his usual cheeky sparkle.

Alina smiled at them... until her eyes scanned the classroom.

Her smile faded.

Only four students were here.

Lucien was quietly reading by the window; Felix had shifted back into a little boy, sitting with his head resting on his hand. Boo was still wiggling in his chair, and Sable was quietly drawing tiny shadows on his desk.

That was it.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Sweethearts... where are the others?"

Boo shrugged dramatically, throwing both his hands up. "Teacher, I don’t know! I woke up, ate ghost cereal, floated here!"

Alina turned to Felix and Sable. They both looked up... then silently shook their heads like little innocent potatoes.

Now her stomach twisted.

Where were the others?

Drake, Vlad Jr., Luna, Kelpie... Rocky.

Alina slowly walked to her desk and set her bag down, her heart growing heavier.

They never missed class.

She exhaled quietly, then made up her mind. She’d call the parents later. When the kids were napping, she could check in without causing panic or drawing attention.

For now, the day had to go on.

She tapped the sheet gently. "Alright, my little stars. Let’s take attendance."

Lucien looked up from his book and gave a tiny nod when she called his name.

"Present," he said quietly.

Sable raised his hand just enough for her to see it when his name was spoken.

"Felix?"

"I’m alive," he muttered, slouched on his desk like a tired old man.

Alina gave him a playful glare.

"Boo?"

"Floating here as always, Teacher!" Boo squeaked, doing a loop in the air for dramatic effect.

She chuckled.