As you stepped out of the Octavinelle portal, Grim’s ears drooped, his usual cheekiness replaced by weariness. You didn’t need more clues – you needed silence. Your gaze drifted to the portal that glowed a deep, eerie green.

“Are we really going to Diasomnia?” Grim whispered, sticking close to your ankles.

“Yes,” you sighed. “They usually keep to themselves. It’s the only place on campus where no one will ask us for a favor or a contract…hopefully.”

The green light pulled you into the mystery-shrouded quiet valley of thorns. The air felt heavier here, yet had a sense of much-needed calm. A familiar figure stepped out from the shadows of a towering pillar and stared with wide, bluish-purple eyes. “(Y/n)? And Grim. It is quite late for a visit. Is everything alright?”

You rubbed your eyes with the back of your hands. “Not in the slightest. My head is spinning, Silver.”

Grim nodded emphatically. “We’re officially rebelling. Our brains are mush…”

Silver’s expression softened as he studied the two of you with concern. “You shouldn’t be standing out here in the cold. Come inside.”

You followed him through the winding path and quiet halls, giving him the details of the night and your investigation from the scorched roses in Heartslabyul to the cryptic warnings in Pomefiore, and the aggressive standoff with Azul in Octavinelle.

Silver listened with a steady, grounding presence without interrupting or offering theories. The conversation continued until you reached the lounge.

“So you came here to hide,” Silver said softly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I find that rather sweet. I’m glad you feel safe enough here to let your guard down.”

You only nodded as you were too drained to find a witty response. Silver led you into a room where Lilia sat cross-legged on a satellite chair, his face illuminated by the neon glow of a handheld gaming device. The electronic beeps and chirps felt surreal in the gothic setting.

Without looking up, Lilia chuckled. “Oh, look at that. Our favorite little trouble magnets have arrived.”

He finally glanced up, his crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. “You look like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backward.”

Before you could speak, he flicked his wrist, tossing a gaming controller in your direction.

“Sit,” Lilia chuckled, gesturing to the space beside him. “You need a distraction before your mind fractures.”

You sank into another satellite chair beside his and started to follow Lilia’s lead in the game. Behind you, Silver sat on Lilia’s bed, leaned back against the headboard, and instantly gave in to his drowsiness. Grim didn’t hesitate to take advantage of Silver’s warmth and curled into a ball against his side.

After several rounds of silent play, Lilia broke the silence without shifting his gaze from the screen. “You’re completely drained. Who do I need to go out and jump scare?”

You let out a long, ragged breath. “Everyone. I’ve spent the night hearing one lie after another.”

“Night Raven College is never short on drama,” he said, laughing softly. “You certainly chose a stressful night to play detective. I suppose you’ve already had a pleasant chat with Azul?”

Your head snapped in his direction. “How did you know we went to Octavinelle?”

“Some students are simply easier to track than others. Azul is a spider who enjoys the center of his web, but he’s been more active lately. I’ve heard whispers that he’s been planting seeds of doubt throughout the dorms,” Lilia playfully replied. “But I’m certain you will provide more details.”

You summarized the investigation again, the frustration returning to your voice as you mentioned Azul’s suspicious behavior. Lilia listened with an intensity that suggested he was reading between the lines of every word you said.

“Do you know what he’s planning?” you asked, leaning in.

Lilia smirked, his eyes flickering with a hidden light. “I am truly flattered that you think I am the fountain of all knowledge. But I am not a gossip queen who keeps a ledger of every secret. I simply keep my ears open.”

You narrowed your eyes. He was hiding something; the deflection was too smooth…way too practiced, but before you could press him, the door was flung open with enough force to rattle the decorations on the wall.

“(Y/n)!” Sebek stormed into the room, causing Grim to yelp and tumble off the bed.

Sebek pointed a finger at you, his voice louder than before. “Explain your presence! Have you no concept of the hour? Younger master requires his rest, and your late-night wandering is a direct affront to the sanctity of this dorm!”

You winced, your headache returning with a vengeance, but before you could say anything, a shadow cast over Sebek.

“Sebek,” Malleus quietly commanded. “Lower your voice. You are the only one disturbing the peace.”

Sebek froze, his face draining of color. “My deepest apologies, young master! I was merely protecting your privacy!”

Malleus ignored him, his green eyes shifting to you with a look of mild curiosity. “I do not mind their company. In fact, I quite enjoy spending time with the child of man.”

Your face heated up, while Lilia chuckled. Grim, now fully awake and grumpy, stared at the sleeping Silver in disbelief. “How is he still out? Is he dead? He’s gotta be dead!”

Malleus gestured toward the hall with a graceful hand. “Walk with me for a moment.”

You stood on shaky legs and followed him out into the night. Malleus walked with his hands clasped behind his back as he glanced down at you.

“What brings you to Diasomnia this late?” he asked. “Do you suffer from insomnia?”

You let out a heavy sigh, feeling exhausted at the thought of having to once again repeat all the events of the evening, but Grim beat you to the punch. He began a rapid-fire explanation of the entire night, from finding Riddle to the Mostro Lounge.

“Is Rosehearts alright?” Malleus asked when Grim finally paused for air.

“He’s stable, but he hasn’t woken up,” you softly replied.

Malleus nodded, his gaze lingering on the dark horizon. He didn’t press you for more details, seemingly sensing that your capacity for conversation was at its limit. Instead, he led you toward the path to Ramshackle Dorm.

“You look as though you might collapse at any moment,” Malleus observed as you reached your dorm. “You must sleep.”

“I’m going to,” you promised.

Malleus stopped and turned to face you with a dead serious expression. “If you do not sleep, I will be forced to take matters into my own hands. I shall throw you over my shoulder, carry you back to my own quarters, and take you to bed myself.”

Crickets. Your jaw dropped, and a heat more intense than any fire spell rushed to your cheeks.

“I…” you stammered, your brain short-circuiting at the thought of Malleus taking you to his bed. But you didn’t wait and sprinted toward the front door of Ramshackle. Your heart was ready to hammer out of your chest. Grim scrambled after you, shouting for you to slow down, but you didn’t hear a word.

Malleus stood alone at the gate, looking bewildered. “Did I misspeak? But Lilia said I should say those words…”

You burst through the front door of Ramshackle, thinking you could run to your room; instead, you found Leona draped across the sofa, Jack stood by the fireplace, his arms crossed and his tail twitching with nervous energy, and Ruggie sat on your favorite armchair, happily munching on a bag of snacks you had kept for yourself.

Grim’s eyes went wide. “HEY! Those are our snacks!”

Ruggie grinned. “You really shouldn’t leave your stash in such obvious places.”

Grim growled and charged at him, but your focus was on Leona. “What are all of you doing here?”

Leona cracked one eye open, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. “A little bird told me you’ve been running all over campus playing detective tonight.”

“Did you come here to help me?” you asked with a raised eyebrow.

Leona let out a short, dry laugh. “Help? No. This mess is your responsibility, not mine. I’m just here for the show.”

Jack stepped forward then, his ears flattened slightly in embarrassment at his Housewarden’s attitude. “(Y/n), if you truly need assistance, I can help you. It’s unfair that you have to do this alone.”

You looked at the three of them, then at your stolen snacks, then back at the door. Your break was officially over.