AHEIAID Chapter 13: This Is Not Love!
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"I got kissed."
"I got kissed."
"I—I—"
【Oh, come on! It was just a kiss!】
The system groaned, feeling like its teeth were aching from hearing Joey repeat himself.
【Which pet owner doesn’t kiss their fluffy little pet? Besides, have you already forgotten your promise? You said you’d sacrifice your dignity if it meant survival.】
"No way!"
Joey, now fully in nagging old lady mode, widened his eyes.
"Dignity is important too!"
【Oh~?】
The system cast a glance at its so-called principled host—who was currently curled up in Garius’ arms.
【Then maybe take your hands off his abs first? And while you're at it, maybe pull your feet off your so-called poop-shoveler dad’s legs?】
"Nope. My feet are cold. My hands are freezing." Joey refused without hesitation.
The system rolled its eyes so hard they almost fell out of their sockets.
Pfft, yeah right. Saying “no” with your mouth, but when you’re cold, you cling harder than anyone else!
This shameless mutt won’t even sleep unless his feet are warmed by Garius, but now he’s getting all flustered over one little kiss? Disgraceful! Absolutely disgraceful!
Seeing that the system had gone silent, Joey couldn't help but start grumbling at it again.
He used to be a night owl, never sleeping before dawn, but now, after that unexpected kiss, his nerdy little heart was in complete turmoil.
He tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Just as he was about to chat with the system some more—
Garius woke up.
With his forehead ornament removed, his wavy golden hair was scattered across the pillow, creating a messily elegant look.
Even in sleep, the deep hollows of his eyes cast distinct light and shadow across his face.
Lying on the smooth, luxurious blue silk sheets, he looked like a slumbering archangel in a royal sarcophagus—majestic, mysterious, and untouchable.
Then—
His eyes suddenly snapped open.
Those sharp, elongated golden-green pupils flickered with the cold, murderous intent of a warrior roused from slumber!
Joey, who had just been about to whisper, immediately clamped his mouth shut.
Oh sht.*
He shrank back, afraid to make a sound.
But in the next second—
When Garius realized that the only ones in the room were himself and his tiny pet, his tense, battle-ready eyes softened again, gradually closing.
Without a word, he tightened his arms, pulling the soft little human closer.
His raised collarbone accidentally pressed against Joey’s cheek, and before Joey could react—
His lips brushed against the smooth skin of Garius’ neck.
Joey froze.
Completely.
A deep, husky voice murmured, slightly hoarse from sleep.
"Nightmare? Go back to sleep."
"O-oh…"
Joey dumbly nodded.
Still flustered, he hesitated for a second before resting his head against Garius’ chest, separated only by the smooth, loosened fabric of his shirt.
His face burned.
He didn’t even dare to breathe too hard, afraid his breath might tickle Garius’ neck.
The system clicked its tongue twice, watching its nerdy little host’s face turn red like a monkey’s butt.
Yep. This guy’s completely done for.
Satisfied, the system entered sleep mode.
It took a long while before Joey dared to move his stiff body even slightly.
Immediately, Garius responded with gentle, rhythmic pats on his back.
Pat. Pat.
There was none of the sharp, dangerous aura from earlier.
No sudden defensive reflex to shove him away.
Just the perfect balance of firmness and care—
Like the way parents comfort their children, lulling them into sleep.
A warmth that made Joey feel… safe.
Like he actually mattered to Garius.
Like he was special.
Cough, cough…
Joey suddenly felt embarrassed.
But—
He didn’t think of it as love.
Not even close.
He knew very well that to Garius, he was nothing more than an expensive pet.
If he were seen as an equal, someone of the same status—
He’d never have been allowed this close.
He’d never have been accepted, let alone held in Garius’ arms.
Hell, he wouldn’t even have had the chance to meet him.
I mean, it’s not like you can just casually go meet the president of a country, right?
Dream on!
Because of everything that had happened before, he had gained Garius’ favor.
He had been judged as too weak to be a threat—
Which was why Garius had accepted him so quickly.
Why he was even letting Joey sleep beside him.
To this alien poop-shoveler, he was a national treasure.
A rare and exotic creature.
Something the revered Ottoman people worshipped.
But beyond that…
There was nothing more.
As his heart gradually cooled down, Joey’s initial excitement from earlier in the day faded.
The blush on his face disappeared.
What I should be thinking about is going home!
I refuse to mistake this owner-pet dynamic for love!
Forcing himself to ignore the tiny pang of disappointment in his chest, Joey slowly drifted off to sleep.
The Next Day
Joey fully embraced his clingy little cutie persona, lazily sticking to his poop-shoveler dad’s leg like a useless little lump. He opened his mouth wide—"Ahhh"—like a spoiled pet, waiting to be fed with a spoon.
The special meat stew, enriched with nutrients and seasoning, was absolutely delicious. Joey’s little paws clung to the edge of the table as he happily kicked his legs under it, savoring every bite.
Garius was feeding him a little too slowly for his liking, so Joey impatiently pawed at his hand, earning a deep chuckle and a soft nuzzle from the man’s chin against his curly hair.
They look just like…
The system secretly sighed in awe.
This scene—this whole dynamic—it was exactly like those videos of doting pet owners feeding their greedy little kittens!
"Mmm, I want another bite! Another one! Awoo~ It’s too good! Hurry, Daddy, give me more—"
Joey wasn’t fluent in Ottoman's language, so when he got anxious, he simply called out "Garius!"
Garius listened as the little creature mumbled in his arms, short and clumsy attempts at calling his name while its soft little paws nudged his arm.
The heart, once carved from ice, melted into a puddle at its affectionate pleading.
"Joey, swallow before you speak."
"Garius! Garius!"
"Be good."
Garius held the spoon just out of Joey’s reach, letting him get all flustered before finally rewarding him with a bite.
"Awoo~ You big meanie! Hmph! You’re the worst!"
Joey whined, teary-eyed, stuffing his cheeks with two big mouthfuls to make up for his suffering.
His grumbling, self-pitying expression was so comically dramatic that both Garius and the butler, Lucian, chuckled.
Joey, hearing their laughter, looked up—intending to glare at his annoying poop-shoveler.
But then—
He locked eyes with him.
Garius was looking at him.
His unique golden-green pupils, ringed with a faint red, were half-lidded in amusement.
The contrast between his sharp, sculpted features and the soft, round-eyed little human in his lap was striking.
His lips—softly tinted like a delicate ombre effect, from deep to light—were usually pressed into a serious line. But when he smiled…
It was breathtaking.
Joey’s heart skipped a beat.
Twice.
He quickly averted his gaze, flustered.
No, no, no—this is NOT love. Absolutely not!
It’s all that stupid poop-shoveler’s fault for being too good-looking!
"Are you full?"
When Garius tried to feed him another bite, he noticed the little human’s flushed cheeks and the way he was pushing his hands away.
Smirking slightly, he wiped Joey’s mouth and lifted him off his lap, settling him onto a chair beside him before finally beginning his own meal.
Lucian, always keeping an eye on the fragile and precious national treasure, made sure Joey didn’t fall off his seat.
He also stole a glance at his master, noting how relaxed he looked.
With a knowing smile, he commented, "Ever since the human arrived at Heine Manor, you’ve been eating more during breakfast."
Garius chuckled and nodded.
Lucian, watching as the little creature tried to climb back onto his master’s lap, continued, "But this little one is quite clingy. Since you're heading to District 13 today, won’t he throw a fit? I heard you only brought him back because he was refusing to eat."
For a moment, the sound of utensils cutting through food paused.
Silence filled the dining hall.
Lucian turned to look at his master’s profile.
Finally, after a long pause, Garius spoke.
"I’ll bring him with me. Lucian, prepare human food and any necessary supplies."
Lucian smiled. "As you wish, sir."
Joey, feeling satisfied and confident that his only responsibilities in the manor were eating, drinking, and waiting for his poop-shoveler to send him home—
Was suddenly grabbed and carried away.
Outside, a massive starship—large enough to rival a small house—hovered over the manor grounds.
The sheer force of its descent created powerful gusts of wind, causing the grass on the lawn to sway wildly.
Standing beneath its massive shadow, Joey craned his neck so far back he thought it might snap.
His wide, awestruck eyes stared up at the sleek, intricate mechanical underbelly of the ship.
The blinking indicator lights resembled scattered stars in a cosmic sky—absolutely mesmerizing.
Joey, eyes sparkling like actual stars: "Wooooah—so cool!!"
The system, unimpressed: 【Look at you acting like you’ve never seen a spaceship before. It’s just a standard starship.】
Joey: "Wooooah—so amazing!!"
The system: 【Our system tech is way more advanced than this…】
Joey: "Woooooooah——"
The system: 【…】
My host is a low-level simpleton. I’m logging out.
T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi page, thank you🍊🍊🍊
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