#One more chapter for today #
Amelia couldn't believe her ears.
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides as she stared at the dean, her lips parting in disbelief.
"Why would we be the only ones to have a third roommate when every other room has just two people?" she asked, her tone laced with irritation.
The dean sighed, clearly expecting resistance. "There's been a little mishap, so I've decided to add a third roommate to your room and another. Don't worry, it'll be adjusted soon."
Amelia bit her tongue, resisting the urge to snap. Is it because of the new girl who decided to waltz in after almost a month?
"There's no need to do anything," the dean added, his voice unnervingly calm. "I'm sure the person's things are being moved in as we speak."
Amelia clenched her jaw, her patience hanging by a thread. Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the office, her nails digging into her palms.
In Damien's Room,
The rich scent of searing butter filled the kitchen as Damien effortlessly sliced through an onion, the sharp steel of his knife gliding against the wooden board with practiced precision. The rhythmic thud of the blade echoed in the space, each movement fluid and deliberate.
Perched on the kitchen counter, Cora propped her elbow against the shelf, watching him. Her dark eyes, hidden behind her lashes, tracked the way he handled the knife—smooth, confident, as if even the simple act of cooking was something he had mastered to perfection.
Damien smirked as he caught her staring. He placed the knife down and tilted his head slightly. "Do you even know how to chop onions, little bird?" His voice was teasing, laced with amusement.
Cora's lips parted in mild offense, but before she could retort, Damien continued, his smirk deepening.
"Not that it would matter," he mused, eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'll always be here to chop them for you."
A faint flush crept onto Cora's cheeks. She quickly masked it with an eye roll before stepping closer to him. She picked up an onion, grabbed a knife, and began chopping.
"I never thought you knew how to handle a blade with those delicate hands of yours," Damien remarked, his gaze drifting over her slender fingers.
Cora didn't look up. "I know how to stab, too."
Damien let out a low chuckle, his amusement only growing as he watched her struggle against the sting of the onions. Her lashes fluttered when her eyes watered, and she bit down on her lower lip, clearly refusing to surrender.
Then, her phone dinged.
Pulling it out, she glanced at the screen. It was a message from Amelia.
We'll be having a third roommate, and I'm so pissed.
Cora frowned.
As if students didn't already avoid her like the plague, now she had to deal with another presence in her personal space?
"What's wrong?" Damien asked, stepping closer.
Cora sighed. "We have a new roommate."
Damien arched a brow, his eyes dark with something unreadable. Then, his lips curved into a slow, smug smile. "We could share my room if you want."
Cora shot him a glare. "No."
His smirk only widened. He reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her skin. "I really wouldn't mind, you know." His voice was low, teasing. "In fact, I think I'd rather enjoy it."
Cora's breath hitched, but she quickly masked it with a scoff.
"You're impossible," she muttered, turning away.
Damien chuckled, clearly satisfied with himself, and returned to preparing the food. Once he finished, he set the dish in front of her.
"I have a collection of books in my library about the sea. I'll go retrieve them while you enjoy your meal," he said smoothly, his gaze lingering on her for just a second longer before he turned and strode out of the room.
Damien's warm, teasing expression vanished the second he stepped outside. His usual arrogant smirk returned, and his golden eyes turned cold, calculating.
As he walked toward his personal library, his sharp gaze caught sight of a familiar blonde-haired girl in the distance.
Roseline.
She was walking with two other girls, her posture exuding confidence, but Damien had always been able to see through facades.
His gaze narrowed.
As if sensing the weight of his stare, Roseline suddenly turned to him.
Her eyes brightened with recognition, her lips parting slightly. Without hesitation, she took a step toward him—
Only for Damien to walk right past her, completely ignoring her existence.
Roseline froze, her cheeks tinging pink in embarrassment. Before she could react, a firm hand clamped around her wrist.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
The voice belonged to Taylor,one of the girls beside her.
Roseline's eyes flashed with irritation. "And who gave you permission to touch me?" she snapped, yanking her wrist free.
Taylor merely smirked. "I'm just trying to save you from public humiliation."
Roseline scowled but didn't push the matter. Instead, she turned her gaze back toward Damien's retreating figure, her expression unreadable. Then, with a deep breath, she continued walking, her two companions following closely behind.
Inside Damien's Library
Books lined the grand shelves, their leather-bound spines gleaming under the dim golden light. The air smelled of aged paper and rich mahogany.
Maximilian and Leonard were already inside, lounging in their usual spots.
Maximilian leaned back in his chair, crossing one ankle over his knee. "I didn't get to ask last time, but what were the results after you visited the witch?"
Damien, who had begun scanning the shelves for a book, didn't turn around. "Nothing significant."
Leonard arched a brow. "No clue at all?"
Damien finally turned to face them, his golden eyes glinting. "None."
Maximilian frowned. "That's a first. What the hell could she be hiding?"
Damien smirked, slow and knowing. "I told you before—leave her to me. If I find out anything, I'll let you know. But until then…" His gaze darkened. "Stay away from her."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
The message was clear—Cora belonged to him, and anyone who crossed the line would suffer the consequences.
Maximilian let out a slow exhale, shaking his head. "Noted."
Leonard, however, was distracted, his expression shifting at the mention of Roseline.
Maximilian caught the look and smirked. "Speaking of distractions… I just got a text from Roseline." He tilted his phone toward Damien. "Looks like she's finally decided to enroll here."
Damien didn't react, but inside, his suspicions solidified.
Roseline's sudden presence wasn't a coincidence.
Was she the one his crow had warned him about—the girl his mother had been arranging a possible alliance with?
His jaw clenched slightly before he masked the reaction with a lazy, arrogant grin.
"Well," he drawled, running a hand through his dark hair, "this just got interesting."
Maximilian chuckled. "You always did have a thing for playing with fire."
Damien smirked. "That's because I never get burned."
He turned back to the shelves, his fingers gliding over the spines of the books.
But deep inside, he knew—this wasn't just another game.
And whether he liked it or not, the pieces were already moving.