A fairytale of a beautiful maiden, the beloved Frost Flower Princess was supposed to be staying in the comfort of her castle masquerading as a cage to protect her from the dangers outside, imprisoned by her own brothers.
That is, until a mysterious...
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The group had finally arrived at the base of the Bell Tower.
"We've finally reached the bell tower." Azul said with a breath of relief, straightening his cravat. His gaze, however, lingered on Y/n, as though making sure they hadn't taken a single unnecessary step away from him.
"Indeed. Now we have but to make our way to the top floor." Malleus said, his tone low but carrying that subtle warning edge he reserved for moments when someone might think of taking Y/n from his sight.
Vanitas sighed, tilting his head back to take in the dizzying height of the structure. "Tch... figures. A climb." His voice carried annoyance, but his mind wandered elsewhere. The tall spire reminded him of sitting high above Paris after the Bal Masqué... with Y/n—his Y/n—still tasting of his blood on her lips. He pressed a hand over the exact spot where this world's Y/n had bitten him, fingers curling as he shivered at the memory.
"......" Idia hadn't spoken in a while, his hood shadowing his face.
"Idia... are you alright?" Y/n asked softly, the genuine concern in their voice drawing the faintest tremor from him.
"Idia's been pretty quiet for a while now," Silver noted.
"Ever since reading that diary, he's ceased his grousing for some reason. It's a welcome change." Sebek commented with a self-satisfied nod.
"All four of them read Rollo's diary..." Silver mused. "I wonder what affected him so much," he pondered in thought.
Y/n blinked, recalling, 'What was even in the diary again...?'
"......" Idia's frown deepened, fingers twitching near his device.
"What's the matter, Shroud?"Malleus asked, his gaze sharp. "We've finally reached Flamme's base of operations, yet you're still frowning. Is your heart not in it? If so, then step aside now before you slow the rest of us down,"
"...Idia," Azul adjusted his glasses, the faintest glimmer of a smile crossing his lips. "Whatever your thoughts on the matter, you must know that Rollo is still our enemy. And yet you still hesitate?" His voice was calm, but there was a possessive emphasis on our that left no room for misinterpretation.
Vanitas smirked faintly. "If he's going to drag his feet, just leave him. More time for the rest of us to deal with Flamme... and then..." His gaze flicked toward Y/n, feverish and unblinking, imagining the way their mouth might stain again with his blood when the danger was over.
