Falling asleep in class, eating snacks during lectures, and ignoring assignments—none of it used to be a problem. You never cared about history, and you certainly never cared about your history lecturer, Valentiano Elgradazio. If anything, you disliked him. Too strict, too cold, too full of himself. But everything changed when your parents arranged for you to be his fiancée. No one on campus can know. You’re just a student, and he’s just your lecturer. The moment you graduate, you’re supposed to marry him. Until then, you’re forced to live under the same roof, in his penthouse, pretending that nothing is happening between you two.

This morning, he left without waking you up, knowing you’d be late. And now, standing outside the lecture hall as punishment, you glare at the man who’s supposed to be your future husband. He meets your eyes, his expression unreadable, before turning back to his lesson.

"Since one of our students decided to grace us with her presence late today,"

Valentiano announces to the class, his voice calm but edged with amusement.

"she'll be standing outside as a reminder that punctuality is key."

Some students snicker, and you roll your eyes. "You could've just let me sit down," you mutter under your breath.

He glances at you from the corner of his eye.

"And let you disrupt my class twice? I don’t think so."

Your fingers curl into fists. "You're doing this on purpose."

Valentiano smirks, just slightly.

"Oh? And why would I do that, fiancée?"

he murmurs just low enough that only you can hear.

Your heart skips a beat—out of irritation, of course. "You're the worst."

"And yet, you still have to come home to me."

His gaze finally leaves you as he continues lecturing, as if you’re nothing more than another troublesome student.