After Xylia's encounter with Aciel on the rooftop, she found herself constantly watching him.
At first, she thought it would disappear after a few days.
But two months had already passed, and she still caught herself unconsciously searching for him everywhere.
Chelsea noticed it immediately but chose to remain silent, believing Xylia's feelings would eventually fade on their own.
Unfortunately, they did not.
Even Aciel's friends had begun noticing how often Xylia stared at him.
"You like him, don't you?" Chelsea finally asked one afternoon.
Xylia sighed softly before nodding while looking toward the other side of the cafeteria where Aciel sat together with his friends.
Her friends froze in surprise.
None of them expected her to admit it so easily.
They exchanged worried glances with one another.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the cafeteria, Aciel was also being questioned.
"Hey, Aciel," Simon teased while grinning mischievously, "I think the Antonov princess likes you. She's always staring at you. Honestly, it's becoming obvious."
Aciel smirked faintly before glancing toward Xylia.
The moment their eyes met, Xylia immediately turned her face away.
That reaction only amused him more.
"So?" Simon continued. "Do you like her too? She's basically the perfect girl for you."
At the same time, Chelsea crossed her arms and looked at Xylia seriously.
"Why do you even like that guy?" she asked. "He has a terrible reputation, and he's definitely not good for you."
Xylia looked at Aciel once more and was startled to find him still staring at her.
Her heart skipped slightly.
She knew her friends were only worried about her.
But what was she supposed to do?
She could not stop herself from liking Aciel.
He was far from perfect.
He was rebellious, intimidating, and surrounded by rumors. His piercings and tattoos alone were enough to make most women avoid him.
People feared him.
But strangely—
none of those things mattered to her.
She liked Aciel exactly as he was.
Xylia slowly looked into Chelsea's eyes before answering honestly.
"I don't know," she admitted quietly. "Maybe I like him because he's imperfect."
On the other side of the cafeteria, Simon waited for Aciel's answer.
Aciel lazily leaned back against his chair before scoffing softly.
"No," he replied coldly. "I hate her because she's too perfect."
The moment he finished speaking, Simon burst into loud laughter.
The sound echoed throughout the cafeteria, instantly catching everyone's attention.
Students turned toward Aciel's group curiously, but the boys barely cared as they continued laughing among themselves.
Naomi frowned in irritation.
"Xylia," she called out, "do your job as student council president already. Aciel and his friends are disturbing everyone's break time."
Xylia's expression immediately became serious.
Without hesitation, she stood up and walked toward the boys' table alongside the other student council members.
"Please lower your voices," Xylia said firmly. "I understand this is a cafeteria and not a library, but you're still disturbing the other students."
Even though she liked Aciel, she refused to show favoritism.
Rules were rules.
And she would never ignore them simply because of her feelings.
Xylia did not even glance at Aciel again before turning around and leaving with her friends.
Chris blinked in surprise.
"I thought she liked you," he commented. "Guess not."
Before Aciel could answer, another voice suddenly interrupted them.
"I think that annoying bitch really likes you, Aciel."
Aciel frowned slightly before turning around.
Standing there was Heather Spade.
Another spoiled rich girl who acted as if the university belonged to her.
Aciel immediately lost interest.
He planned to ignore her completely, but Heather boldly walked toward their table and sat down beside them without invitation.
"Wanna make a bet?" she asked confidently.
Aciel immediately grimaced inwardly.
He could not stand her overwhelming perfume.
Without another word, he stood up and left the cafeteria, ignoring the conversation entirely.
He had no interest in stupid games involving himself and Xylia.
As usual, he headed toward the rooftop to be alone.
But while passing by the student council room, he noticed the door slightly open.
Inside, Xylia was standing on her toes while trying to arrange books on the top shelf of a bookshelf.
Her back was facing the door, so she did not notice him.
Aciel's eyes unconsciously traveled over her figure.
And annoyingly enough—
he had to admit she looked beautiful.
She struggled to reach the top shelf while balancing several books in her arms.
After silently watching for a moment, Aciel eventually walked toward her.
Xylia gasped softly when someone suddenly appeared behind her.
Before she could react, Aciel already took the books from her hands and effortlessly placed them on the shelf.
For a brief second, it almost felt like he was holding her hand.
"T-Thank you," she whispered softly.
When she turned around and realized it was Aciel, her eyes widened in shock.
He stood only inches away from her.
Too close.
Close enough to make her heart race uncontrollably.
Xylia slowly lifted her chin and found him staring directly into her eyes.
One of Aciel's hands rested against the shelf beside her, making it seem as though he had cornered her completely.
"Your eyes…" he suddenly muttered.
Xylia froze.
"They look like emeralds."
Her breath caught slightly.
"Are they… bad?" she asked nervously.
Aciel shook his head slowly before a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"No," he answered quietly. "They're beautiful."
Xylia instantly blushed.
Receiving a compliment from him felt strangely overwhelming.
"T-Thank you," she whispered again.
Aciel said nothing more afterward.
He simply returned the remaining books onto the shelf before quietly leaving the room.
Xylia stood there speechless long after he was gone.
She bit her lower lip, desperately stopping herself from smiling too much.
"What happened to you?"
Xylia jumped slightly after hearing Chelsea's voice.
She had not even noticed her best friend entering the room.
Chelsea narrowed her eyes suspiciously after seeing Xylia staring blankly into space while trying to hide a smile.
"Did something happen between you and that jerk?" Chelsea asked immediately.
Xylia hesitated for a moment before finally sighing.
She did not want to hide anything from Chelsea.
Taking her best friend's hand, she pulled her toward the couch before explaining everything that happened on the rooftop weeks ago—
including Aciel's compliment just now.
Chelsea looked horrified by the end of the story.
"Xylia," she said seriously, "I really don't like him for you."
She crossed her arms tightly.
"He clearly disliked you before, and now he suddenly comes in here just to tell you your eyes are beautiful? I don't trust that at all."
Xylia sighed softly.
"I know you're worried about me," she replied gently. "But you don't have to be."
She looked down briefly before continuing.
"Yes, I like him. But I'm not planning to be in a relationship with him."
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
"It would never happen anyway. Like you said… he dislikes me."
Chelsea still looked unconvinced.
"Are you sure?" she asked quietly. "I'm sorry if I can't support your feelings for him. I just don't trust Aciel."
Xylia tilted her head slightly.
"And why not?"
Chelsea hesitated for a moment before answering honestly.
"I don't know," she admitted softly. "There's just something strange about him."
Her expression darkened slightly.
"Something dangerous."
She looked toward the door unconsciously.
"I feel like he's hiding something dark."
Outside the room, Aciel silently stood near the doorway after overhearing their entire conversation.
A slow, malicious smile appeared on his lips before he finally turned around and walked away.