𝒲𝒾𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒲ℴ𝓃𝒹ℯ𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹： 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓌 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℱ𝓇ℴ𝓏ℯ𝓃 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑈𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑠： 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 38

*
"Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared. Be prepared!"

**
Savanaclaw Dorm

"All right, boys. Knock it off," a deep, unmistakably familiar voice growled out.

Everyone turned, tension crackling in the air, as Leona Kingscholar stepped into view, looking utterly unamused, with Ruggie right behind him. The shift in energy was immediate—more than a few Savanaclaw students flinched.

"Housewarden Leona! And Ruggie's here, too!"

"These guys were over here steppin' on our turf," the fox beastman said defensively.

"So we gotta show 'em what's up!" added another.

"I only see the sky that's up..." Y/n murmured from Isfrid's arms, her voice as flat as ever, gaze blankly directed upwards.

The silence that followed was broken only by the stifled laughter of Vanitas, Isfrid, Ruggie, Cater, and even Noé—though he tried to hide it behind a polite cough. Ace and Deuce looked like they weren't sure whether to laugh or panic, while the Savanaclaw boys stared in growing annoyance.

"That's not what I meant!" one snapped, face flushed.

"Enough," Leona growled, his sharp green eyes flicking toward them with disgust. "Is this how men should treat a noble lady? Even a princess?" His tone darkened, and several of his dormmates visibly shrank under his gaze. "If I remember correctly, she's not only your fellow Savanaclaw, but a royal guest in every dorm. That makes her all of our responsibility." 'If only she chose us instead...then those lizard bastards won't stand a chance,'

Vanitas tensed beside Noé, his gaze not leaving Y/n for a second. "Mine more than anyone else's," he muttered under his breath, the possessiveness in his voice laced with dangerous sweetness. "Though I don't mind sharing her with dear Isfrid... if only to keep her safe while I'm busy." His fingers twitched as if resisting the urge to reach for her.

Noé sighed, noticing the gleam in Vanitas's eyes. "You're doing it again."

"What, being honest?" Vanitas replied without looking at him, still watching Y/n like a hawk. "She's too delicate for this world, Noé. That's why she needs me."

Ruggie, blissfully unaware of the obsessive undertones thick in the air, scratched his head. "Ah, I believe we met earlier, at the cafeteria,"

"Ah! It's you!" Grim pointed dramatically.  "It's the Grilled Cheeseburglar!"

"Whoa, whoa, let's not get carried away with such delicious-sounding nicknames," Ruggie pouted, gesturing to himself. "I have a proper name befitting my manly stature. It's Ruggie Bucchi. Don't wear it out,"

"Ugh. I'd rather not." Vanitas grumbled.

"Rubbie Bughi...?" Y/n mumbled with her usual expressionless tone, trying and failing to pronounce it.

Ruggie physically recoiled. "It's Ruggie! Ru-gg-ie Bu-cchi!" he said it slowly, pointing at himself with exaggerated flair.

Isfrid, without a word, lifted Y/n more securely in his arms from where she'd been perched on his shoulder. His grip was firm, protective—possessive. His cold gaze flicked to Vanitas briefly. A warning. Stay in your lane.