𝒲𝒾𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒲ℴ𝓃𝒹ℯ𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹： 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓌 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℱ𝓇ℴ𝓏ℯ𝓃 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉

𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔： 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 29

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"Kyrie eleison...God of mercy on me..."

**
Noble Bell College

"Say, I don't see Professor Trein. Where is he?"

"He stayed up for quite a while taking care of things in the aftermath, and I'm certain his back still hurts." Malleus replied, voice calm but carrying that faint edge of authority. "We can let him sleep."

Five distinct sets of footsteps clicked across the marble floor, announcing the approach of Malleus himself, a composed Azul, Vanitas with his habitual air of casual insolence, a half-asleep Y/n leaning into him, and Idia trailing behind with a look that said he'd rather be anywhere else.

"Man, I wish that were me..." Idia muttered under his breath, jealousy sharp in his tone at the idea of avoiding all this social interaction.

"Oh, are we the last to arrive?" Azul adjusted his gloves with an apologetic smile. "Sorry if we kept you."

"Mmmm..." Y/n gave a soft nod, stifling a yawn.

"Try to stay awake for the ball, Mon Ange," Vanitas murmured into her ear, his voice brushing warm against her skin. His arm around her tightened just a little too much, drawing a sharp, disapproving glance from Isfrid.

"My liege! You're majesty! Did you guys rest well?" Sebek's voice cut through the tension, earnest and loud as always.

Isfrid was at his twin's side the moment her lashes fluttered open, his cool forehead pressing against hers in a silent, instinctive check. The faint curve of relief on his lips was at odds with the sharp force he used to shove Vanitas back with one hand, sending the human stumbling.

Vanitas caught himself with a low, almost feral growl, already moving to lunge again—only for Noé's firm grip to hook into the back of his collar, holding him in place.

"Her fever's broken," Isfrid murmured, the chill of his breath curling like frost between them. "A full day in a properly frigid room worked as intended." His pale gaze slid to Vanitas with quiet venom. "And a certain pest was kept out."

Vanitas's fingers twitched toward his coat pocket—whether for a weapon or a vial, no one was sure—but Noé's hold only tightened. "Don't," the Archiviste warned evenly. "You'll just make him worse."

"Yes. I'm feeling fully recovered." Malleus's deep voice rumbled from where he stood, the faintest edge of satisfaction in his tone. "Both my stamina and my magical reserves are restored."

"Mine too..." Y/n's voice was quiet, though the way she looked up at Isfrid made him rest a hand lightly on her shoulder, possessive even in tenderness.

"I am glad," Noé said warmly, though his free hand still anchored Vanitas in place. He knew the human's temper too well and the peril of letting him loose in the same space as the frost prince.

"You two recovered fully in a DAY?" Jamil asked with a strained smile. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised someone with your guys' massive reserves can replenish them quickly..."

"It is swift when we rest in the cold," Isfrid replied with a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I-I see..." Jamil's polite laugh faltered under the oppressive atmosphere.