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HEARTSLABYUL DORM - LOUNGE

Riddle stood like a porcelain figure sculpted in precision and rage, his arms rigid at his sides as his crimson gaze locked onto the trembling student before him.

RIDDLE:"The Queen of Hearts's rule 249: 'Flamingo caretakers are to don pink attire.'It was your turn to feed the flamingos today. Why aren't you wearing pink?"

Heartslabyul Student (voice shaking):"I-I'm sorry, Housewarden. My pink clothes were in the laundry... Please, sir, not the collar!"

RIDDLE (tone sharpened like a blade):"This is your second rule violation. I cannot forgive a repeated offense.Off with your head!"

A blinding flash of red. The collar clicked shut around the student's neck, magic flaring like an executioner's blade.

HEARTSLABYUL STUDENT:"GAH! Sobs... But—"

RIDDLE (his voice brittle with something deeper—resentment? Obsession?):"Do you think I enjoy this?! You're the one who broke the rules.As much as I wish I could overlook it, I must enforce the standards.It's for your own sake... for the dorm's sake... for (Name's) sake.Understood?"

His voice cracked on that last part—just a little.

Trey and Cater exchanged glances, lips drawn in tense lines.

TREY & CATER (in reluctant unison):"...Yes, Housewarden."

RIDDLE:"Trey. Cater. Escort him out."

As the student was dragged away, Riddle's eyes drifted to the ornate window... where the faint memory of (Name)'s laugh echoed in his head. His jaw clenched.

⸻

LIBRARY

The dusty sunlight filtered in through stained glass windows as the group cornered Trey near the shelves.

DEUCE:"Trey."

TREY (startled):"You four!"

ACE:"Yeah, we knew you'd come back here to return the tart cookbook.We need to talk. About Riddle."

TREY:"sighs I figured you'd say that..."

ACE (arms crossed):"So, word is you've been enabling him since you were kids.You're childhood friends, right?"

TREY:"Who told you that?"

DEUCE:"A guy who called himself Che'nya."

TREY (half-smirking):"Of course... Che'nya. Should've known."

GRIM:"What I don't get is, aren't you older than Riddle? Why haven't you told him off yet?!"

TREY:"I have. When it matters."

ACE:"Then why not now?"

TREY (quietly):"Because... these rules made Riddle who he is."

A hush fell.

TREY (tone somber):"His parents were famous healers. Big names. His mom... she was harsh.Everything in his life was scheduled. His clothes, his food, his hobbies—if he even had any.All set by her 'program.'And Riddle followed it, blindly. To please her."

ACE (softly):"That's messed up."

TREY:"He mastered his signature spell at ten. Became the top student in every class.But it was all out of fear. Fear of disappointing her. Of failing."

GRIM:"That ain't living..."

TREY:"Now he thinks fear and rules are what make people strong.He's not trying to hurt you—he thinks he's helping."

ACE:"But that's not helping. It's just trauma on repeat."

TREY:"..."

ACE (anger bubbling):"So it is your fault.You knew this was bad, but you didn't stop him. You let it fester.Just like his mom did."

TREY (taken aback):"I..."

DEUCE:"Ace, man—"

ACE:"No! Riddle didn't choose this life, but he is choosing to make us live it.And you're letting him.That's not friendship, that's cowardice!"

CROWLEY (suddenly appearing, dramatic as ever):"YOU THERE! Be quiet! This is a LIBRARY!"

GRIM:"You're yellin' louder than us, old man!"

CROWLEY (clears throat):"Ahem! Yes, well. My apologies.Let us maintain a scholarly environment, yes?"

DEUCE:"...Sorry, Headmage."

CROWLEY (fixing his cloak):"Indeed. Now, what brings you all here with such... grim expressions?Surely not more unbirthday drama?"

TREY (murmurs):"...You could say that."

CROWLEY:"Well, well, I am working hard researching methods to send you back home, after all.And not checking out the latest romance series, no sir.But since we're all chatting—what troubles you, my students?"

DEUCE (sighs):"...It's Riddle, sir. We need to stop him before he goes too far."

⸻

Meanwhile...

Back in the Heartslabyul lounge, Riddle stared at a photo—one Cater had snapped earlier of the group. His fingers lingered over the image, eyes locked on (Name), smiling in the background, oblivious to the way Riddle's thumb traced their face like a prayer.

RIDDLE (whispering):"You understand, don't you, (Name)?They mock me... they break the rules...But you would never betray me like that.You see the order in this chaos.You'll see that... I'm doing all of this for you."

His knuckles turned white around the picture frame.

RIDDLE (gently):"I'll make you proud...Even if it means silencing every voice that dares turn you against me."꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚૮꒰˵•ᵜ•˵꒱ა‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷LIBRARY – CONTINUED

Crowley adjusted his monocle with a dainty flick, voice as smug as ever as he addressed the collar-clad trio.

CROWLEY:"Ah... I believe I understand the situation now.You are resistant to the idea of apologizing, but unable to devise any alternative method to persuade the housewarden to remove the collar."

ACE:"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up."

CROWLEY:"I see. In that case... if reconciliation with Mr. Rosehearts is off the table, you do have another option.You could... transfer."

DEUCE:"Huh?!"

CROWLEY (calmly dramatic):"Indeed. However, let me remind you that the Dark Mirror chose your current dorm based on the essence of your very soul.To relocate would require an extensive and arduous process... complete with a new ritual, fresh approval, and of course, an ungodly amount of paperwork. Tragic."

ACE (grimacing):"Ugh. A transfer? That'd feel like I was just runnin' away with my tail between my legs."

CROWLEY (a sparkle in his eye):"Then... why not challenge Mr. Rosehearts for leadership of the dorm?"

ACE, DEUCE & GRIM:"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"

CROWLEY (flicking open a book, completely unfazed):"Lower your voices, if you please. This is a library."

ACE:"But what you said was... INSANE."

CROWLEY (turning a page):"There is nothing insane about it. That, in fact, is precisely how Mr. Rosehearts became housewarden himself."

DEUCE (blinking):"Wait—what's the actual process for becoming a housewarden at NRC?"

GRIM:"Didn't Trey say Riddle got the job within his first week of being here?"

CROWLEY (nodding with amused superiority):"Yes, yes. There are a few methods. You could be appointed by the previous warden...Or you could duel the current housewarden and emerge victorious."

ACE:"Uh, wait a sec—isn't fighting with magic against the rules?"

CROWLEY:"Generally, yes. But this would be a formal duel, conducted with the headmage presiding. Entirely within regulations."

TREY (arms folded):"I'm pretty sure dueling rules don't allow for opponents to be collared going in, so...this might be your best shot to get those off without apologizing."

CROWLEY (smirking):"Exactly. The right to challenge a housewarden is granted to all students at enrollment."

CROWLEY (looking directly at Ace):"So what do you say, Mr. Trappola? Will you challenge Mr. Rosehearts?"

ACE (grinning):"Heh. Sure, I'll give it a shot!"

DEUCE:"Then I will too!"

GRIM:"Me three!"

CROWLEY (wagging a finger):"Ah, alas. I'm afraid you, Mr. Grim, cannot challenge the housewarden of a dorm you do not belong to."

GRIM:"Myah?! Then how'm I s'posed to get this buzzkill collar off?!"

ACE (winking):"If I become housewarden, I'll just order Riddle to take it off! Problem solved."

GRIM:"Hmph! But how's anyone gonna know how tough I am if I can't show 'em in battle?!"

TREY (raising a brow):"You sure about this, Deuce? Didn't think you were the type to get involved in this kind of chaos."

DEUCE (with a determined fire in his eyes):"I think every man's gotta make a grab for glory at least once.And if we're going toe-to-toe with the housewarden, I wanna be the one running the show!"

ACE (groaning):"Oh great. This again."

DEUCE:"Huh?! What's that supposed to mean?!"

CROWLEY (ignoring them):"I'll begin the paperwork. A duel must be properly filed and scheduled.That gives you the evening to prepare... unless you'd rather give up now?"

ACE:"Nah, let's do this! I may not be the world's greatest mage, but I'll find a way!"

DEUCE:"That's the spirit!"

GRIM (crossing his arms):"My head's literally on the line here—don't mess this up!"

TREY (watching them quietly, a faint smile tugging his lips):"You guys..."

ACE (clapping his hands together):"When I'm housewarden, I'll make Riddle admit he was wrong—make him apologize!And no one in the dorm will ever have to follow any of those nutty rules again!"

⸻

MEANWHILE... AT HEARTSLABYUL

Riddle stood in the dark hallway of his dorm, one hand resting on a rose-engraved window as moonlight spilled through the glass. He wasn't listening to his dormmates' chatter anymore.

He was thinking about (Name).

How lately, (Name) hadn't smiled at him as much.Hadn't sat beside him in the garden.Hadn't come by to say good morning with that soft, kind voice that used to stir something strange—something fragile—in Riddle's chest.

RIDDLE (to himself):"They're slipping away... They're forgetting the rules.Forgetting me.But I'll fix it. I'll restore order. I'll... remind them."

He closed his eyes.

His hand trembled.

He whispered your name like a spell—delicate, dangerous, and cursed.:♡.•♬✧⁽⁽ଘ( ˊᵕˋ )ଓ⁾⁾*+:•*∴

HEARTSLABYUL DORM – ROSE MAZE – DUEL ARENA

The tension in the rose maze was thick enough to cut with a blade. Crowds of students buzzed with excitement and disbelief. A challenge against Housewarden Riddle? Unthinkable—until today.

Ace and Deuce stood at the center of the arena, heads high despite the nervous sweat on their brows. Grim and Yuu hovered nearby, eyes darting between their friends and the crowd of Heartslabyul students.

Meanwhile, (Name) stood out effortlessly among the onlookers, not just because of his Promeire uniform catching the sunlight just right, but because nearly everyone in the crowd stole glances at him. Whether it was whispers of his beauty, his magic, or his mere presence, the effect was always the same: a ripple of admiration... and envy.

Some of the Heartslabyul boys fidgeted, caught between supporting their housewarden and glancing longingly at (Name) from behind the hedges. Riddle noticed.

Riddle always noticed when it came to (Name).

He was standing on the far side of the arena, arms crossed tightly behind his back, expression cold and precise—but his eyes kept drifting. Not toward his challengers. Not toward the crowd. But toward (Name).

The air around him seemed to snap with a sharp crack of restrained emotion.

Cater: "You're saying Ace and Deuce are challenging Riddle for the housewarden's seat?! Please tell me you're kidding."

Trey: "I tried to stop 'em..."

Cater: "Of all the stupid ideas... I just hope this doesn't make everything worse."

Behind them, Crowley cleared his throat and raised his arms with theatrical flair.

Crowley: "We are about to commence two official challenges for the position of housewarden of Heartslabyul! The first challenger: Ace Trappola. The second: Deuce Spade. And the current housewarden is... Riddle Rosehearts."

The crowd murmured, glancing between the duelists, the staff, and—

Riddle: "Remove their collars. They shouldn't need training wheels for what comes next."

Ace (stretching): "Ah! Finally, I can breathe again."

Riddle (glaring, but his voice softens when his eyes flicker to (Name)): "Enjoy it. That freedom won't last long."

(Name) felt that look crawl across his skin like ivy wrapping around a column. The intensity in Riddle's gaze made it feel as though he were the only person standing in the garden.

Yuu shifted protectively beside (Name), stepping subtly in front of him. Riddle's glare twitched but didn't waver.

Deuce (nodding): "We're not backing down."

Riddle: "Then let's finish this quickly. I do have a tea to attend."

Cater (checking the time): "It's already past 3:30..."

Riddle: "All the more reason to end this. I'll face both at once."

Trey: "...!"

Grim (to Yuu and (Name)): "Myah, this guy's way too confident. I got a bad feeling..."

Ace: "At least we've got a plan!"

Across the garden, Heartslabyul students chanted Riddle's name in unison. But many of their eyes darted toward (Name), their voices faltering as they caught sight of him. Some faltered mid-cheer, fixated on his expression, his stance, or just the gentle sway of his locs decorated in Promeire charms. It was no secret. Nearly everyone wanted him—but Riddle would never allow them close.

Crowley (raising his hand): "When the mirror I cast shatters upon the ground, the duel will begin. Ready... GO!"

Shatter!

The duel began.

And just like that, sparks flew — in the air, in the garden, and especially behind Riddle's eyes, locked obsessively on (Name) even as the first spells launched toward him.HEARTSLABYUL DORM - ROSE MAZE

The tension crackles like a live wire in the air. The challenge has ended, but the fallout is just beginning.

Riddle: "Off with your heads!"

Deuce & Ace: "Bwaaaaah!"

The magic collars snap into place around their necks once again. The sting is immediate.

Ace: "Urrgh... Not again. I didn't even get to finish my spell!"

Deuce: "He shut us down like it was nothing... That was fast! It was all a blur!"

Crowley: "Visualization is key to spellcasting. The better your magical precision, the stronger the spell. Mr. Rosehearts has clearly mastered that skill."

Grim: "Myah... They didn't stand a chance."

Riddle: (smirking) "Hmph. You didn't even last five seconds. You thought you could challenge me? You must be utterly humiliated."

Name steps forward from the crowd, his Promeire uniform glinting under the sun. Students part instinctively for him—his presence is like a beacon. Every pair of eyes clings to him, Riddle's most of all.

Name (calm, but sharp):"That's enough, Riddle."

Riddle freezes, lips twitching slightly.

Riddle: "...Name."

Name: (tilting his head)"You're not proving a point by tearing people down. You're just proving you've lost control."

Riddle's face burns crimson, and not from embarrassment.

Riddle: "They broke the rules! I am the housewarden—I am the rules!"

Deuce (wincing): "We agree that rules should be followed. But forcing people to follow nonsensical ones like yours? That's tyranny!"

Riddle (pointing dramatically): "Then you agree that breaking rules is wrong. And in this dorm, I decide what's wrong and right!"

Name (voice steel beneath velvet):"Then maybe you're not fit to lead. If fear is the only thing keeping people in line, you've already lost them."

The other students shift uncomfortably. Whispers stir like wind through the leaves.

Riddle (snapping):"What sort of pitiful education have you all received? Clearly, your parents lack the magical capability necessary to raise proper students!"

Ace (livid): "You shut your spoiled little mouth!"

He lunges—and bam!—delivers a solid right hook to Riddle's face. The garden goes dead silent as Riddle stumbles back in shock.

Cater & Trey: "Riddle?!"

Crowley: "Mr. Rosehearts?!"

Heartslabyul Student A: "He just punched the housewarden...!"

Grim (snorting): "Boom! Right to the face!"

Deuce (gasping): "Ace?!"

Ace (furious): "That's all I can take. I'm done."

Riddle (touching his cheek): "You... punched me?"

Ace:"You're not a trophy, Riddle. You're not your mother's project. And you're not some red sovereign either. You're just a brat with power and no clue how to lead."

Riddle's breath comes faster, the tips of his ears glowing with rage. His eyes flick wildly to Name.

Riddle:"Do you agree with him, Name? You... You think I'm a brat?!"

Name (gently but firmly):"I think you're scared. Of being wrong. Of being vulnerable. But you don't have to be perfect to be respected. You just have to be kind."

Riddle shakes his head violently, heart pounding, magic sparking like firecrackers at his fingertips.

Riddle: "Shut up, shut up, shut UP! My mother was right—and that means I'm right too!"

Trey (stepping forward): "Riddle, please. The duel is over."

Crowley: "The challenger was disqualified due to physical contact. If you continue, you'll be violating school policy."

But it's too late. An egg sails through the air—splat!—against Riddle's cape. He stands in stunned silence.

Riddle: "...Who did that?!"

Heartslabyul Student B: (quietly) "...Me."

Riddle (laughing maniacally):"You say you're fed up? I'm fed up with all of you! You break the rules and laugh about it? Then none of you deserve your heads!"

Riddle: "OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!"

Dozens of collars snap into place. Chaos erupts.

Heartslabyul Students: "Run!""He's lost it!""Get out of here!"

Grim: "Myah! Name, we gotta bounce!"

Deuce (shielding Name): "Stick close!"

Name (resolute):*"He's overblotting..." (eyes narrowing)"Get Yuu. We'll stop him together."

Red rose petals spiral around Riddle, now floating like daggers. His eyes have gone dark, drenched in shadow. His voice no longer sounds human.

Riddle: "Now do you see? This is what happens when rules are ignored! This is JUSTICE!"

The roses fly.