Grim paced near your feet, his blue-flamed ears twitching with irritation. “We need answers, and we need them before I lose my mind.”

You exhaled shakily, feeling the weight of the night pressing against your chest again. Your patience had finally reached its limit, and without warning, you stepped forward and dropped your entire weight directly onto Leona’s body. His emerald eyes snapped wide, and the prince was at a loss for words. Jack, who was now leaning against the fireplace, stiffened before moving his eyes away, his cheeks turning a faint red. Ruggie paused mid-bite, unsure of whether to snicker, ask if you had a death wish, or suggest getting a private room.

You rested your head on his shoulder, using him as your mattress, and faced him with an unwavering gaze. “I am not getting off this sofa until you tell me everything you know about what happened tonight.”

Leona stared back at you, still trying to get his mind to wrap around your courageous move. You could feel the heavy thrum of his heartbeat against your chest, but he didn’t push you off, though his tail gave an annoyed flick.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve, (y/n),” he growled.

“Answer the question,” you countered.

Leona shifted slightly, though he seemed more resigned than angry. He let out a heavy sigh that ruffled your hair. “Riddle is awake. He was discharged from the infirmary and sent back to Heartslabyul about thirty minutes ago.”

You scrambled off him so quickly you nearly tripped over the coffee table. Jack stepped forward to catch you, but you regained your balance and beelined for the door, Grim tailing close behind. Leona slumped back into the sofa with a grunt of annoyance, mumbling about idiots who didn’t listen. Jack and Ruggie exchanged a long look, but neither of them dared to say a word.

The run to the Heartslabyul portal felt like an eternity, but when you reached the rose gardens, you saw Riddle standing alone in the center of the courtyard. His posture was rigid, and his hands were curled tightly by his sides.

“Riddle,” you called out in a breathless voice.

He turned sharply, his red eyes flashing with a defensiveness you weren’t expecting. “(Y/n). What are you doing here at this hour?”

The relief that surged through you was quickly overshadowed by the coldness in his tone. He looked pale, but he was undeniably upright.

“I heard you were back,” you said, trying to catch your breath. “I was so worried. Crowley asked me to investigate what caused you to collapse, and we were afraid there was foul play or some kind of curse.”

The moment the word investigation left your lips, Riddle’s expression shifted from irritation to horror.

“No,” he sharply said.

Grim flinched, and you blinked, taken aback by the finality of his voice. “Riddle, we just wanted to make sure you were safe.”

“Stop the investigation this instant,” Riddle ordered. “I am perfectly fine. There was no foul play, no attack, and certainly no reason for the Headmage to send you scurrying around the school like a common messenger.”

Grim frowned, his tail whipping behind him. “But you were out cold! We’ve been all over the place looking for clues!”

“There are no clues to find because nothing happened,” Riddle snapped. He looked desperate to end the conversation. “I am the Housewarden of Heartslabyul, and I tell you there is nothing wrong. You will return to the Ramshackle Dorm and get some rest. That is an order.”

Before you could protest, before you could ask about the rumors Rook had mentioned or the conversation with Azul, Riddle turned on his heel. He marched toward the dorm building without looking back, his cape whipping behind him. You and Grim stood speechless in the empty courtyard.

“Well,” Grim muttered, his ears drooping. “That was a warm welcome.”

You didn’t answer as a dull ache began to fill your chest. Wordlessly, you turned and began the long walk back to Ramshackle. When you returned to the fire, it had burned down to a low, orange glow. Ruggie had dozed off in the chair with his head lolling to the side. Jack remained by the hearth and looked up with a questioning glance as you entered. Leona hadn’t moved from the sofa.

“Back already,” Leona noted, his eyes tracking your slumped shoulders.

You sank on the edge of the other sofa, staring into the flickering flames. “He was angry and told me to stop everything. He acted like I was being a nuisance for even caring.”

“I tried to tell you,” Leona said, stretching his arms over his head. “He was acting strange. He wanted to be left alone, even more than he usually does when he’s throwing a tantrum. Listen to what I have to say before running off next time.”

Jack shifted his weight, his brow furrowing. “He can be childish when his pride is wounded. Maybe he’s just embarrassed that he collapsed.”

Grim shifted his gaze to you and whispered, “Should we just call it? We can tell Crowley tomorrow that Riddle shut us down and that there’s nothing left to look into.”

You stared at your shaking hands as you thought about the burnt roses, Riddle’s behavior when he left Heartslabyul without telling anyone where he was going, the shady ledgers in Octavinelle, and the cryptic warnings from Lilia. Most of all, you thought about the way Riddle had looked at you as if your concern was a burden.

“No,” you firmly said.

Grim blinked and tilted his head. “Huh?”

“This isn’t just about Crowley’s orders anymore,” you said, looking up at the group. Your frustration had hardened into cold resolve. “I spent the entire night exhausted and stressed because I was genuinely worried about him. I put myself through too much because I thought Riddle was in danger. I am tired of being blown around like a leaf by everyone in this school. If Riddle is hiding something, I’m going to find out what it is. Now it’s personal.”

Leona watched you with a blank expression, but your eyes were unusually focused on your face. There was a glimmer of respect in his gaze, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

“If you’re going to be that dramatic about it, do it after you’ve slept,” Leona said. He settled deeper into the cushions. “I’m not leaving tonight. Walking back to Savanaclaw will be a pain.”

Jack stepped forward, clearing his throat. “If the offer still stands, I would like to use one of the spare rooms. I’d rather be here if things get…complicated tomorrow.”

“Go ahead, Jack. Third door on the left upstairs,” you said before heading back to your room.

You lay in your bed, staring at the cracks in the ceiling, but sleep was miles away. Every time you closed your eyes, you saw Riddle’s defensive stance, but your thoughts were disrupted by a light knock on your door. You sat up as the door creaked open, revealing Leona’s silhouette.

“You’re still awake,” he stated, staying by the doorframe.

“So are you,” you countered.

Leona sighed and looked at you with an unreadable expression. “You need to learn how to stand your ground. You let that crow of a Headmage walk all over you.”

You let out a dry laugh. “I don’t exactly have a choice, Leona. Crowley expects me to handle everything because I’m the only one who doesn’t have magic to fight back with. If I don’t play along, I lose my roof and my food.”

Leona didn’t tease you this time, nor did he offer a snide comment or a lazy smirk. He studied your dark circles and the way you were gripping the edge of your blanket.

“Go to sleep,” he said, in an unusually soft voice. “And next time you decide to make a point, don’t use me as a bed in front of Jack and Ruggie.”

“What? You mean I should only do it in private?” You teased as a small smile tugged on your lips.

Leona froze, and for a second, the cool, untouchable King of Savanaclaw vanished. You would have sworn you saw a faint, dark flush creep up his neck. He turned away so quickly he nearly clipped the doorframe. “Go to sleep.”

You smiled to yourself as he shut the door. The tension in your chest finally eased enough to calm your mind and give in to sleep.

The next morning, the sun broke through the dust motes in the lounge. You walked downstairs to find Leona and Jack already awake and waiting for you.

“We’re coming with you,” Jack said.

You blinked, not expecting to hear such determination from him first thing in the morning. “Both of you? Why?”

“It’s the weekend,” Jack said, clearing his throat. “I have nothing better to do.”

Grim squinted at them as a playful smile curled on his lips. “You guys are worried about the (y/n), aren’t you?”

“In your dreams, furball,” Leona drawled. “I just want to see how this disaster ends.”

“Where to next? You’ve hit almost every dorm,” Jack continued, not wanting to get sidetracked from the main objective.

You exhaled, mentally checking off your dorm list. “Scarabia and Ignihyde. Those are the only two left.”

“Then where would you like to go?” Jack asked.

“Ignihyde it is,” you replied, looking at the electric blue portal.