"Riddle!"

When I came to, I opened my eyes to see the gardens were a mess. Everything...was ruined!

Riddle gasps as he awakens, now back to normal.

"His eyes opened."

"Thank god! We were agonizing over whether you'd wake up or not!" Cater sighed.

Riddle sadly looks around surveying the damage he caused, and lowers his head stifling his sniffles. "What... have I...?"

"Thank goodness! He's back to normal!" The headmaster smiles.

"It's okay. Don't think about it, just rest." Trey kneels beside him.

"Ugh, of course he goes on a rampage after getting a teeny bit mad if you're coddling him all the time!" Ace spat. " The garden is a disaster and we're in so much trouble!"

"It was a crazy situation..." Deuce mutters.

"But seriously: Bottling up all that stress isn't good for you." Grim muttered as well.

I walk up and kneel beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Are you..."

He looks at us with empty eyes. "...You know...I really wanted to eat that mont Blanc..."

I nod to urge him to keep talking.

"The roses are fine being white. And the flamingos are fine pink.... I like putting honey in my tea more often than Sugar cubes...and I prefer milk tea over lemon..." he whimpers. "A-and I.... I want to talk with everyone while we eat.... I wish to spend more time with Trey and the rest of you..."

His eyes had filled with tears and before I knew it, he started to cry.

I smiled sadly before hugging him, cradling him gently. "Shhh...it's okay...let it out....we're here for you...don't forget that..."

"Unbelievable...Riddle's actually sobbing!" Cater murmurs.

"Stop it! You're not forgiven just because you're crying!" Ace scoffs.

"You really need to read the atmosphere..." Deuce shakes his head.

Riddle dries his tears as I release him from the hug. Trey places a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry as well. Even though you were suffering, I pretended not to notice. But I will say this Riddle: your way of doing things is wrong. You have to properly apologize to everyone."

Sniffling, he manages to say, "I'm sorry.... I'm so sorry..."

"Y'know, there's something I wanted to say to you if you apologize for everything that happened...." Ace nods his head, but he frowns as he screams, "Words won't fix this mess! I'm not forgiving you just like that!!"

"You're actually saying that right now?!"

"Ace, are you ASKING to get punched?!" I shouted.

"No, I'm not! And why shouldn't I?! He caused a lot of trauma!! And still chucked that Mont Blanc we put all the time and effort into making! I'm not letting him off with that tear-filled apology!"

"That guy holds a grudge worse than I do..." Grim whispers.

"Yeah, he's pretty petty..." I agree.

"Then...what should I..?"

Ace looked like he was about to have an aneurysm, but then calmly replied, "... my birthday's not for a while."

"What are you getting at?" Deuce pesters.

"I demand that we have a revenge unbirthday party! We didn't even get to take part in the last one! And this time you have to make the tart! No getting help from Trey, either! It's only you! And if you do that....I'll see if I forgive you or not..."

"You're seriously not letting that go, are you Ace....?" I roll my eyes.

"Outsiders don't get a say!" He points at me, but I flip him off instead. "Got it?"

"....Yes. I understand."

"Do you see? This is the beauty of compromise! The issue is now settled!" Crowley closed.

"Well then! Let's get started on cleaning up the garden!" Cater smiles, but it falters as he wails, "Our photogenic garden: in ruins...I'm so sad..."

Trey smiles, "Don't worry I'll help you."

" I think it's best if you take Riddle to the infirmary. He DID overblot. He should be looked at by the nurse just in case." Cater suggests.

"Diamond is right. I shall escort you there." Crowley offers.

"....Okay. Thank you again." He slings one of Riddle's arms around his shoulders and carefully, they walk off, Crowley beside them.

"I'm starving from using up so much Magic..." Grim claims. Until he spots a black something on the ground, and picks it up with both paws. "Hmm? What's this?" Upon closer look, "This is the same as the black magic crystal we found at the Dwarf's Mine!"

"Hey, you're right!" Deuce leans closer to inspect it. "Where did it come from?"

"You better not eat this one!" Ace points.

I roll my eyes. "He's not gonna listen Y'know..."

"But I'll never forget the flavor! Don't mind if I help myself!" In one gulp he swallow the rock.

"He already ate it?!" Ace asked.

"I told you so!" I butt in.

"Uh, Grim, are you sure it's OK to eat that?!" Cater said worried. But Grim started to coo about how it tasted sweet then bitter the rock tasted, a different taste than the first one.

"You sure your stomach can handle it?" I ask.

"He's technically a monster so his stomach must be built differently than ours..." Ace sighs.

"I still don't think that eating stuff off the ground is alright..." Deuce warns.

"The lawn's actually got a very refreshing flavor to it if you try it!" Grim said with a mouthful of weeds.

"Hey! Spit that out right now!" Deuce chases Grim around, trying to get him to stop.

"I can't..." Cater laughs. But I could clearly hear him utter a soft 'thank

you' to us. But when Ace asks, he brushes it off.

——————————————

Trumpets sounded once more. Signaling His arrival.

"Presenting our great leader! The Crimson Ruler, Riddle Rosehearts!"

"Long live Riddle Rosehearts!"

"Once again the roses are red and the tablecloth is white. A perfect unbirthday party." He nods firmly. "Is there a sleeping mouse in the-" he stops himself, and corrects, "Nevermind, it's fine without."

"You don't have to change everything right away." Trey consoles. "Instead of putting Jam on the Mouse's nose, try putting it on a scone instead. And why not use 'it would be nice to have' instead of 'it's worthless without'?"

Riddle pauses, considering his assistant's advice. And ushering a small true smile, he nods. "You're right."

Ace, Grim, Charlie, Cater and Deuce are all talking in a circle with one another.

"Ugh, In the end, we had to handle getting the garden cleaned up and do all the prep work." Ace whined.

"Calm down. Riddle back to normal with a full recovery is more important." Deuce chides.

"And the garden looks more photogenic than ever before!" Cater squeals.

"All in all it's a job well done!" Charlie smiles.

"Yeah! I'm ready to eat more than anything!" Grim's mouth starts watering, eyeing all the perfect looking desserts.

"Alright! Now let's go to-"

"Hold it!" Riddle raises a hand. "Those white roses..." his gaze is direct straight towards a tree full of white roses.

Cue the shock on everyone's faces.

"How did we miss those?!"

"Hehehehe....Ace, Deuce... you said you painted them all!"

"Ooh~ you're in trouble now, you two!" Charlie teases.

"How is this our fault?!"

"Riddle, please...."

'Here we go again...'

But as soon as Riddle considered yelling, his scowl turned upside down as he closed his eyes.

"...I'm kidding. I won't punish you just for one or two roses."

"You mean it? You've become so lenient!"

"It'll go faster if we work together."

"You still want them painted!?"

"No sweat." Trey smiles. " but I must say: you really have changed for better, Riddle."

Charlie smiles as she sits at a nearby table. Watching as the Four and Riddle started to paint the last of the roses.

"Well done, Charlotte. You're starting to make better friends starting with these five."

'Yea. It's crazy...'

"But I will tell you, this is only the beginning. Things will become more rigorous as time goes on. And there'll be more enemies to face. Which means you'll need to start growing your power."

'I understand, Ophelia.' I responded as I watched Riddle color the roses a bright red with a touch of his scepter.

"But for now, enjoy your time with the others. I shall see you soon."

'Okay.'

"Also don't eat the tarts Riddle made. Goodbye~!"

"Let the festivities begin!"

"So how'd the apology tart come along?" Ace questions.

"I-I baked it, don't worry! They're strawberry flavored." He brings out a tier of picture worthy pastries.

Ace inspect them. " The shape needs a little work. But nice work on coating the strawberries in nappage to bring out the shine."

"Great job for your first time baking."

"And there's the doting attitude! No let's try them!"

"Hang on! I need to get a pic of this tart ! Hold it...and...okay!"

"Charlie, you want one?" Deuce asks.

"Oh, no thanks! I already have something else in mind..." she lies. Deuce shrugs but takes a piece, as they all bite in.

Suddenly, their faces went sour.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"They're..."

"Salty!!!"

"Wait, what?!" Charlie looks up. The four spit out their treats.

"Ugh, shit! It's like tasting a mouth full of ocean! What the hell did you put in this?!"

"I followed the instructions when getting the supplies during and before baking! There shouldn't be anything wrong...." Riddle taps his chin thinking carefully until his eyes widen in realization. "Was it because I maybe added too much oyster sauce?!"

Deuce choked out while coughing, "Don't tell me you're referring to Trey's joke about the walrus seal of approval?"

"Trey claims that all good tarts contain it even if it's not included in the recipe! It's more of a secret ingredient..."

'So that's why Ophelia told me not to eat the tarts...'

"Bleh, there's no way! If you stop and think for a moment, you'd realize."

"Not to mention, this goes way beyond secret ingredient. How much did you even put?"

"N-No one should divulge in their trade secrets. I couldn't precisely figure out how much to add..."

It was at this moment that all of a sudden the other looked over to see Charlie wheezing on the ground and Trey snickering at their antics.

"Dio mio...siete degli idioti!!"

"I never thought there'd be someone who'd take that joke seriously!"

Riddle chuckled, "That was a pretty dumb move.."

"It's so bad it made you laugh!"

"Just a little laugh off!"

"But now that you think about it, it's actually good in it's own way!" Grim chortled.

"You got that right! Not as bad as you think!"

"Then your palette's as crazy as Grim's, Cater!"

"I wouldn't put it like that..."

"The tart's good because it's not sweet at all?"

Cater looked at Trey.

"That's cause you hate sweets, Cater." Trey claims.

"And if what he's saying is true..." Charlie walks up to him, eyebrow raised. "Why did you come try the Mont blanc that day?"

"Trey, what are you implying? I've never told anyone about my aversion to sweets!"

"Whenever we eat cake, you always bring my 'Doodle Suit' magic up to change it. The truth may not show in your facial expression, but I just had a hunch you didn't like them to begin with."

"Ah... so I've been found out..." Cater sighs dramatically. "It's so embarrassing... but I'll admit: your habit of 'I noticed but decided not to say anything' isn't helpful."

Trey pats his shoulder did reassurance. "I'll cook up some quiche for the next unbirthday party."

"I appreciate it. And make it just as photogenic as a cake, OK?" Cater winks.

"But again, Trey's sweets are always pur-fect~!" A familiar voice twitters.

They turn to see a familiar cat-human hybrid sitting on a chair, nibbling a sweet without a care in the world.

"Che'nya! What are you doing here?" Riddle asks.

"Oh, just came to celebrate the unbirthday party, Riddle~! Congrats!"

"The birthday party is a Heartslabyul tradition." Riddle crosses his arms. "You don't have anything to do with it!"

"Neither do those two, don't they~?" Che'nya wiggles a finger towards Charlie and Grim.

"Watch it, Cat boy!" Charlie warns aggressively.

"You're the guy from before with all those cat puns!" Grim accused. "Which dorm are you from, anyways?"

"Che'nya isn't even a student here to begin with." Trey answers. "He's from Night Raven College's long standing rival: Royal Sword Academy."

"What?! He's from a different school?!"

"Freakin Royal Sword Academy?!"

"So there's other magic school..." Charlie muses. "Better look into that eventually."

"Did he just say Royal Sword Academy?"

"One of those stuck-up assholes is here!"

"Where are they?! We'll kill 'em?!"

"I guess that's my cue to leave! Time for meow to go home~!" Che'nya vanishes into thin air.

"Oi! He got away!"

"Find him!" A handful of student scatter to search for the culprit.

"They got murderous all of a sudden..." Grim sweatdrops.

"Students of Night Raven College turn hostile towards Royal Sword Academy with high probability." Riddle explains.

"After losing for 100 years, you can't blame them..." Trey shakes his head.

"Hey, now! No more sad talk! We're celebrating a party! And Riddle! Why don't you let Charlie sing for the festivities?" Cater asks.

"Cater! What're you doing?" She whispers fiercely.

"You sing?" The redhead asks approaching her.

"W-well, yea! I can, y'know, sing for you if that's all right?" She confirms, unsure. He stares at her before showing a small smile.

"Let me hear then." Riddle nods. She blushed as she stands before the others, deeply breathing before closing her eyes. Suddenly, the sound of an orchestra fills the area. (SONG AT THE TOP)

We are the lucky ones

We shine like a thousand suns

When all of the color runs together

I'll keep you company

In one glorious harmony

Waltzing with destiny forever

Dance me into the night

Underneath the moon shining so bright

Turning me into the light

Riddle smiles gently as he heard her sing. She sounded so beautiful, like a angel...no, a maiden among the roses! Beautiful, strong yet caring. The four smiled watching, but Cater recorded her on his phone.

Time dancers whirling past

I gaze through the looking glass

And feel just beyond my grasp is heaven

Sacred geometry

Where movement is poetry

Visions of you and me forever

Dance me into the night

Underneath the moon shining so bright

Turning me into the light

Small spheres of light, like fireflies, began to light the place, floating ever so lightly like balls of cotton. It made the garden look so...enchanting, with the music that flowed through the air. The trees swayed with the music, carrying its ethereal melody with the wind.

Dance me into the night

Underneath the full moon shining so bright

Let the dark waltz begin

Oh let me wheel, let me spin

Let it take me again

Turning me into the light

When the last note faded, Riddle clapped with the smile still on his face. A true smile, not his usual cocky smile.

"That was wonderful." He takes her hand in both of his. "And Charlotte...words cannot express the guilt I feel for berating you that day. And...if it hadn't been for you, I would've likely been lost...so to compensate for it, I will work alongside you to help you hone your magic. ALL of us will. And on my word, I shall never let another soul know about it."

"Not even the Headmaster?" She asks nervously.

"Not even the Headmaster." He confirms. "And I will not stop until I have recieved your trust and forgiveness. Please..?"

Charlie looked at the Four behind him, and they nodded encouragingly.

"If you're willing to change your strict ways.... then I'll let you help me." She smiles gently.

"Thank you." Riddle smiles, before bringing out his scepter. "Please Kneel." She does so.

"Charlotte Luchessi, for your actions of not only helping me find a better path in life and-" he taps her left shoulder. "-for letting each other be forgiven-" then her right, and lastly her head. "It is with great honor to commemorate our new beginning as allies, that I name you the Rose Maiden of Heartslabyul!"

She felt a sort of positive wave pass through her body as she looks up in surprise. But all Riddle gave her was a smile. "As our ally of Heartslabyul, live up to your namesake!"

Her lips tug into a gleaming smile as she stands and bows gracefully. "As you wish...." she looks up coyly. "...Your Highness." Together, they walk with the other to enjoy the rest of the party.

—————————

Over at Savanaclaw, Ruggie leans over the balcony railing of his upperclassman's bedroom, watching a celebration go down next door.

"I'm so jealous... those Heartslabyul guys are having a party over there with a huge feast! Too bad Savanaclaw doesn't have any stomach bursting traditions..." he smiles lazily.

Over on the bed, Leona sits back, with his arms behind his head, resting. His eyes are closed but they open as soon as he hears what the second year said.

"Tch. What's so phone about a party where all you do is stuff yourself sick full of sweets? Disgusting." He scoffs. Then, he sits up as he looks at his underclassman. "That aside, how's that thing coming along?"

Ruggie turns to face his dorm leader with a small smirk. "Don't worry! I've got this! Things will run smoothly as planned..." he laughs. Leona smirks in response to his answer.