CHAPTER 321: YOU ACTUALLY SEEMED... EXPERIENCED

The last few bites of fruit were still on the plate when Ethan leaned forward, reaching for one of the apple slices.

But before he could grab it, Everly beat him to it, popping the piece into his mouth with a smug look like she’d just won something.

He blinked, chewed slowly, then gave her a sideways glance.

She grinned and leaned her head against his shoulder, acting like nothing happened.

Evelyn, quiet as always, held out his cup of water with one hand. He took it without saying anything, gave her a small nod, and drank.

She shifted against him, curling up more comfortably on his lap. One of her bare legs brushed his as she pulled her knee up, letting it rest across his thigh.

They weren’t dressed for the day. Still wearing his oversized shirts. Still warm from sleep. Still so close that the idea of personal space felt pointless.

No one said anything for a while. The table was mostly cleared, but nobody moved.

Then Everly mumbled something into his chest, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt.

"What was that?" he asked.

"I said I hope today’s a rest day," she repeated, louder this time.

He let out a slow breath. "It’s not."

She groaned and pulled back, squinting at him. "Seriously?"

"Checked last night before bed. Mandatory class today."

"Didn’t someone say Astralis was all flexible and self-paced?" she muttered, sitting up straighter. "Wasn’t that part of the whole pitch?"

Evelyn reached over to the side console and flicked through the system menu. Her tone stayed calm, but there was a quiet sigh behind it. "That’s only for second years and above. Here."

She turned the screen toward them.

[Notice: First-year students are expected to attend all foundational courses in person. The flexible attendance system activates after Year One completion.]

Ethan tilted his head. "Makes sense. Most people show up here with no clue how the world works.

It’s probably just to stop anyone from accidentally blowing themselves up or wandering into restricted zones."

Everly let out another groan and dropped her head against Ethan’s chest. "So we’re babies again."

Evelyn followed her lead, resting against his side. "First-year treatment. Hand-holding included."

He chuckled. "You two don’t exactly give off responsible energy."

Everly rolled her eyes. "And you do?"

He didn’t even blink. "I made breakfast."

"That just makes you our househusband," Evelyn said softly, lips close to his neck.

He raised an eyebrow. "You’re proud of that?"

"Very."

Everly started drumming her fingers lightly on his chest. "So what time’s the class?"

Ethan glanced at the screen again. "We’ve got two hours."

Both twins sighed in sync.

Everly stretched her arms above her head, her shirt lifting up higher on her thighs. She didn’t fix it.

"We could’ve skipped."

"They track attendance," Ethan reminded her.

"So?"

"You’re the one who nearly passed out last night," he said, calm but amused.

Evelyn’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn’t argue.

Everly picked up the last piece of toast, broke off a corner, and popped it into her mouth. "Still not fair. You didn’t even look tired."

He gave her a slow blink. "Pretty sure that’s a compliment."

Evelyn looked at him properly now. "Yeah... about that. You didn’t look like someone doing this for the first time."

Everly nodded. "You actually seemed... experienced."

He didn’t answer right away. The air didn’t go stiff, but it settled. Just a little.

He looked between the two of them, then down at the table.

"That’s because I’ve done it before."

Everly tilted her head. "With who?"

He met her eyes. "Seraphina. And Lilith."

There was a short pause.

Neither of them reacted much.

Evelyn’s fingers stayed relaxed against his arm. Everly’s brows lifted a little, but there wasn’t any edge to it. Just quiet curiosity.

"You’re serious?" Evelyn asked.

He nodded once. "Yeah."

No one spoke for a moment.

Then Everly leaned in again. "Honestly... that tracks."

Evelyn nodded slowly. "They’ve always been close to you."

He didn’t explain more. And they didn’t press. Not yet, anyway.

He didn’t bring up Liliana. Or Isabella. Or Elowen.

Not because he was hiding them. Just... waiting. The bond with the twins wasn’t fragile, but it wasn’t ready to carry everything yet.

Everly poked his cheek. "You could’ve told us."

"You didn’t ask."

She gave a half-smile. "Fair."

Evelyn rested her head back against him. "But maybe next time... warn us before trying to break us."

Ethan let out a low laugh. Both girls joined in.

The tension, if there ever was any, slipped away completely.

The kitchen stayed messy. Crumbs on the table. Empty cups. A few leftover stems from the fruit. But no one moved. No one rushed to clean.

Evelyn’s voice was quiet. "I like mornings like this."

"Yeah," Everly added, nudging his leg gently. "More of these, please."

He didn’t answer. Just leaned back slightly and let them rest against him. His chin brushed the top of Evelyn’s head. One arm draped around her waist, the other around Everly’s shoulders.

They didn’t talk for a while after that.

The earlier notification still hovered on the side screen.

[Tutor Arrival: Expected Today — Afternoon Slot Reserved. ETA: 3:20 PM.]

Ethan glanced at it but didn’t open the profile.

No rush.

If Astralis had handpicked someone, it meant they were serious. But whoever it was could wait a little longer.

Right now, both twins were still in his lap. The table was still a mess. The light from the windows was getting brighter, spilling across the tile floor and brushing over their bare legs and tangled limbs.

Soft background music played from the house speakers. Something slow and gentle. Probably selected by the system to match the stillness in the room.

Everly shifted slightly but didn’t move away. Evelyn had already closed her eyes again.

Ethan brushed his fingers through Evelyn’s hair. Warm. Smooth. Still carrying the scent of sleep.

Everly’s hand found his. Their fingers tangled lightly on the edge of the table.

No one needed to speak.

There was nothing left to say right now.

Eventually, they’d get up. Clear the table. Get ready. Go to class.

But that wasn’t now.

Right now, the moment was still here.

So he stayed there, eyes closed, heart quiet, just listening to the way their breathing matched his own.

And for a little longer, that was enough.