Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(152) PoD: Desired Requirements for the Bridegroom

The headmaster barging into a room wasn't something foreign for Riddle. There were times when Crowley would fly through the window just to "check on the students" in the middle of Trein's class. But seeing him bursting into Sam's shop in such haste was something he rarely see. "Sam!" he screamed. Even though the shopkeeper was standing there with fidgety fingers. And if Riddle would've look up, he would see a hole on the roof.

"Crowley!" Sam took off his hat without looking at Crowley. It was the first moment Riddle even saw the eccentric shopkeeper looking like a terrified puppy. "I am very sorry. The ghost managed to get both of them."

Crowley sighed and put a hand on Sam's shoulder. "You did your best," he said, no real heat. It made Sam look up, slightly surprised but relieved as well. "But right now, we need to find a way to get them back." Crowley turned back to the students. "Any suggestion?"

Kalim hummed lightly, scratching his chin with his index finger. "Maybe we could start by having a heart-to-heart chat with the bride?" His eyes lit up and he slapped his fist into his palm. "We could host a banquet too! If we're proper about explaining the situation, she might let them go."

"What a splendid proposal, Roi d'Or!" Rook said, but the dramatic flares disappeared as soon as they came. "However, do you think it would be so easy to convince her? She has finally found her ideal bridegroom, after all." He let out a low chuckle. "If it were me, I'd never hand over the person I love."

Leona crossed his arms in front of his chest. "So basically, the only way we can split them up is by force."

"You've seen yourself how they would fight back," Vil said, hand on his jacket to smooth it. "It'll be better if we avoid further direct conflict with them."

"This is a hard situation." Lilia hummed. He glanced at Sam. "I be guessing thou hast something for spiritual situations thus? Knowing thy issue line."

Sam nodded. "I have it in stock." He ran behind the counter and ducked.

Leona raised an eyebrow. "He actually has something?"

Azul tilted his head, fingers on his chin. "Truly an exemplary assortment of stock," he muttered and Riddle has to stop himself from rolling his eyes.

Sam stood up again with something red in his hand. "This is the Ring of Severance." He put the small red box on the table. As he opened it, everyone could see a white ring with a small black gem on it. "Bride and groom ghosts are very common problems, especially those who sought the same soul as their loved lost one in a tragedy. Which leaves a lot of humans worrying about them. Thus, if you wish to get rid of the ghost bride, use this. Provided you say the phrase 'as long as you're living, I vow to love you forever' and put this on their left ring finger, their unfinished business will be forcefully destroyed and you can make them pass on."

Lilia approached first, taking the box to inspect the ring closer. "I see. Hence 'tis a way of saying 'I do not crave aught to try with thou once thou art dead'," he chuckled.

"But how are we actually going to get that ring on her finger?" Epel asked.

"Maybe give it to her as a present?" Jack suggested, "Say it's a gift from the heart and hand it over."

"Unless she's an over-the-top simpleton, I doubt any woman, or any normal person, with the right mind would allow some strange person to give her a wedding ring on the spot," Vil said.

Cater mused, "But what if the one giving it is her ideal prince?"

Deuce turned to him. "But the ideal prince is dead, isn't he? And either Jonah or Idia has the soul?"

"Maybe. But maybe if we can convince her that there are other potential options, she'll let loose?" Cater shrugged unsurely.

"Oh, we're stealing bride now?" A teasing smile pulled on Lilia's lips. "How dramatic."