𝒲𝒾𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒲ℴ𝓃𝒹ℯ𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹： 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓌 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℱ𝓇ℴ𝓏ℯ𝓃 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑈𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑠： 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 43

*
"A great creator once said it's much more art than science. As long as you believe you only need the right appliance. A bit of blessing and caressing with a lot of work, and in due time my dears you all will see the perks"

**
Outside of the Infirmary

Riddle began outlining the plan with precision, every word deliberate and calculated. The group listened closely, the weight of the situation making them more attentive than usual.

Vanitas leaned against a nearby post, arms crossed, a smirk curling across his lips. "How intriguing. A little bloodless, but clever nonetheless."

Ace raised his brows, nodding along. "Huh. That's actually not half bad, dude."

"This is quite the plan, Housewarden Rosehearts!" Deuce added, standing straighter with admiration. Beside him, Noé nodded once in agreement, his gaze drifting to Y/n to check if she was keeping up with the explanation.

Y/n gave a subtle nod, her expression unreadable but clearly impressed. She remained nestled in Vanitas's arms like a delicate doll, her presence oddly quiet—though her mind was clearly calculating.

"Sounds like 'ol Cay-Cay has a lot of prep work to do before the big day!" Cater chimed in with his usual grin, adding levity to the tense mood.

"Thank you, Cater. Take care not to raise any suspicions." Riddle warned, eyes narrowing.

"You got it, bossman," Cater said with a two-finger salute.

Isfrid stood slightly behind them, covering his mouth with a gloved hand to hide the satisfied smirk growing on his lips. He had to admit—Riddle's cunning matched his own expectations. For once, someone else was thinking several moves ahead.

"So, H-B-U, Jack?" Cater asked, looking to the wolf beastman. "You heard Riddle's plan. Are you in? Or out?"

Jack crossed his arms, his expression unreadable for a moment. "There's nothing cowardly about it, at least. I suppose we can work together this one time."

"Really feelin' the trust there, Jack." Grim snorted sarcastically.

"Cool beans. Let's all get back to our dorms for today. I know I'm about ready to keel over." Ace yawned loudly.

"Yeah, and I'm starving!" Grim whined, tail twitching.

"Me too..." Y/n murmured, gently rubbing her stomach. Her voice was small, almost childlike, which only made Vanitas tighten his hold slightly and chuckle to himself.

"Still wrapped around me like a doll, and you want food? How precious," Vanitas teased lightly, brushing her bangs aside as if straightening a porcelain figure.

Just as they began turning to leave, Riddle raised his hand. "Hold on a moment, freshmen."

Everyone froze.

"Because of the information it yielded, I am going to overlook your flagrant violation of rule #6: 'No fighting on campus.' But rest assured that if it happens again, it will cost you your heads." His blue-grey eyes sharpened. "Are we clear?" he sternly asked.

"Yes sir, Housewarden Rosehearts."  everyone replied in unison, albeit some more nervously than others.

"...Yeah." Jack nodded solemnly.