Chapter 201: Chapter 201 Evil principal
Next morning Alina went to staffroom. As always, she greeted everyone politely, her voice warm.
"Good morning," she said to Professor Hobb and Miss Kelly. Both of them looked up from their papers, their usual sternness softened, and for once they returned the greeting with small nods and faint smiles. It made Alina’s own smile brighten.
"Good morning, Lina," Gabriel’s voice came from nearby, gentle and steady. When she turned toward him, she found his eyes already on her, holding a smile that seemed to stretch from his lips to his gaze.
"Good morning, Gabs!" she replied cheerfully, setting her bag down at her desk. As she did, a few strands of her long chestnut-brown hair slipped forward, brushing against her cheeks.
Before she could tuck them back, Gabriel leaned forward slightly and with unhurried care tucked the strand behind her ear. His touch was light, respectful, but it made her pause for just a moment.
"Thank you," she murmured softly, glancing up at him with a small smile, and his smile deepened as he nodded, his gaze lingering longer than usual.
But far away, in the quiet of his office, Dante stood before the magic mirror. He had only meant to check in to ensure his staff were doing their duties as they should, to make certain nothing was amiss. Yet the scene reflected before him made his jaw tighten.
There she was. Miss Alina. Smiling brightly...too brightly at Gabriel. Her laughter softened the air around her, her presence warm as sunlight. And Gabriel... he had dared to touch her hair.
Dante’s eyes darkened, a storm flickering in their depths. His lips pressed into a hard line as his hands clenched at his sides. He told himself it didn’t matter. That he only observed her for the sake of the children, to be certain she was managing them properly. Nothing more.
But still... why was she smiling so much at him?
His jaw locked, his red eyes narrowing. He had told himself again and again that he only kept an eye on her for the children. For their safety. To ensure she managed them well.
That was all.
But seeing her smile like that... seeing another man’s hand touch her hair...
The magic mirror trembled faintly under the intensity of his aura, shadows gathering behind him like a storm. His claws lengthened against his will, the tips scraping faintly against his desk. He drew in a deep breath, but it wasn’t enough to cool the inferno building in his chest.
********
"I will get going," Alina said gently as she lifted her bag, slinging the strap over her shoulder. She walked out of the staffroom with her usual bright smile, but her steps faltered when she saw Dante standing just outside.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted softly, her lips curving politely.
His crimson eyes lowered to hers, and for a moment there was silence. Then he replied, his voice cool and even, "Good morning, Miss Alina."
Something about the way he said it—so formal and clipped made her hesitate. She nodded and started forward, her heels clicking lightly against the floor. After a few paces, she realized the faint sound behind her wasn’t fading. She turned slightly and saw him following, his long strides measured, his expression unreadable.
"Sir... are you also coming with me?" she asked, her tone hesitant, not quite meeting his eyes.
"Hmm." He only gave that low sound, but it carried enough weight to make her throat dry. He moved to her side, his tall frame commanding the corridor as easily as if it belonged to him.
Alina adjusted her pace, trying not to walk too quickly. But then she noticed—he had slowed his steps too, deliberately matching her rhythm. It made her heart beat a little faster. The air felt heavier, as if his presence alone was crowding into her personal space, brushing against her like shadows.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, and she tried to distract herself by looking ahead. Still, she could feel him beside her, steady and quiet, every move of his radiating authority. She swallowed softly, forcing a smile.
Why was he walking with her now?
"Sir, are you coming to talk about the trip?" Alina asked carefully as they walked together.
Dante gave a short nod, his expression unreadable.
"Sir, I already told them about the trip yesterday," she continued, her voice gentle, "and they all looked so excited. Though... it would be better if you told them in more detail yourself, with the date. I also have the permission draft ready, so we can give it to the babies and get signatures from their parents. That way, everything will be settled."
Dante looked down at her as she spoke, listening quietly, his tall shadow stretching over her smaller frame. His gaze stayed a second too long, and Alina felt the back of her neck warm before she quickly looked ahead.
They reached Class D, and before she could even touch the handle, Dante moved forward and opened the door first.
The classroom exploded.
"BOOO!" Boo and Drake shouted at the top of their lungs, leaping up together to scare their teacher.
But then their little faces froze, their eyes going wide when they saw who had stepped through the doorway.
"Oh my ghoooost!" Boo shrieked, his voice echoing as he flipped upside down in shock. In a flash, he darted under his desk, clutching banana plushie like a shield.
Drake’s wings flapped in panic as he scrambled backward. "AHHHH—TEACHER IS EVIL, SHE BROUGHT THE PRINCIPAL!!" he cried, diving headfirst onto his desk and hiding behind his notebook.
Dante paused in the doorway, his cold red eyes flicking over the scene. His lips twitched ever so slightly, the closest thing to a smirk.
Behind him, Alina slapped her palm against her face. "Really? Of all days..." she muttered under her breath, her cheeks heating with embarrassment. She peeked between her fingers at the two troublemakers, half wanting to laugh and half wanting to scold them.
"Nooo... nooo!" Boo whispered from under his desk, clutching his banana plushie with both tiny hands. His round body trembled as he peeked out upside down. "The evil principal is here... he’s going to eat Drake!!"
"WHAT??" Drake’s jaw dropped as his little chubby body started shaking. He hugged his notebook tighter and crouched down on his chair.