Radiant Dawn's Daughter

🌹 CHAPTER 9

Mary found a bulletin board near the shaded reading area while making her way to the library. Her curiosity was piqued by seeing snippets posted there showcasing Magift short for Magical Shift, a kind of sport widely played not just at Night Raven College but also in the competitor schools.

Her emerald green eyes lit up with cheerful familiarity seeing Leona on a couple of photos. "Wow, Leona is a pro! He is so cool!" Then there was another being highlighted that Mary didn't see yet but...for some odd reason, she felt a strange pull from this elusive horned male in the pictures.

"That is our dorm leader, Prince Malleus Draconia." A voice weaved with nonchalance, firmness and also sleepiness spoke behind.

Mary got startled and lets out a gasp because the person was standing too close on her back she swore she felt his body heat when he spoke. Turning around, Mary was met with a tall boy—short silver hair and lilac eyes that didn't waver. His uniform vest was green and on the side of his waist hidden by the coat, Mary saw a wand or something resembling to a weapon.

"I beg your pardon?" She was too baffled to retain his statement earlier, it was mortifying.

He stood beside her now and pointed at the bulletin board. "Malleus Draconia, Diasomnia Dorm Leader." His explanation remained in that bored, sleepy tone. "He and Leona are always at par with each other in magift."

The immediate shift in Mary's reaction pertained the realization finally settled on her. "Ah!" As if a light bulb appeared on top of her head. "Sebek always talks about him. He doesn't talk to me but I just hear him because he talks loudly." That was probably it, this guy's uniform was same with Sebek—the tall classmate who didn't bother hiding his disdain towards her.

"Sebek is rather exaggerated, for most part albeit he meant well." The boy shrugged, turning to look at Mary. "You are not hard to spot, you're the odd one out here."

His blunt observation didn't make things feel lighter, "I'm not trying to cause trouble or something..." Mary frowned.

"I didn't say that, I only said you stand out." He countered in that same no-nonsense tone. "My name is Silver, I'm a second year from Diasomnia."

This boy was just as tall as Sebek and had this air of mystical around him. Yet, despite the elusiveness, Mary felt drawn. "I'm Mary, nice meeting you, Silver."

From afar, unbeknownst to the two—it wasn't only the students staying at the reading area who noticed them conversing. A pair of stormy gray eyes had been watching them in a distance and seeing sheen of black with red blotting his vision whenever he focused his gaze on Silver.

Riddle was behind a pillar, holding onto it tight to the point of painful yet his anger was toppling over the rest of his senses. 'I haven't seen you in weeks top, you have the nerve to defy me and be unfaithful! How dare you openly commit such rubbish actions behind my back!'

"Oy, Riddle." The voice who called his name momentarily pulled the red-haired Heartslabyul Dorm Leader from reveling in jealousy.

But it was from the least expected being he wanted to see. Riddle felt his annoyance went twofolds again. "I did not ask to see nor talk to you, Grim."

The creature didn't budge, he maintained eye contact with Riddle and knew he was already acting irrational. The air around them was sharp as a blade and strain.

Brief second, Grim gave a sideward glance to where he could still see Mary continuously chatting with Silver.

"You are starting to behave freakish it borders to improper." The fiery blue-eyed raccoon-like magical creature gave an unfiltered remark, unfazed by how it seemed to pierce through Riddle and made him twitch a brow. But Grim was never one to hold back, nope. "Stop bothering and tailing Mary, leave her be." Grim sensed his statement was not received well by the recipient but he didn't care, "She doesn't owe you anything for you to order her around."

---

Heartslabyul Dorm always uphold to its core visions and tradition that even those seemingly senseless was regarded with importance. Like this weekend turned to be busy for everyone as they made sure the venue in the garden was flawless for the Unbirthday Party. From the tables and chairs, utensils, decorations, food and outfit theme, nothing should be incorrect. The smallest of details would still be seen by their dorm leader..

Speaking of which, Riddle's mood did not improve for the past days so they were mostly in edge.

"Wasn't his set up with Mary fake?" Ace asked in a shush tone, helping prepare the tart they made in the kitchen.

Deuce looked around, ensuring Riddle wasn't anywhere nearby. "Yes it was, they both made it clear. Grim also confirmed after knowing the whole truth from Mary."

The tart they prepared had a light brown crust lining and the middle filling was a deep shade of brown topped with chopped chestnuts and also swirled cream.

"Cute freshmen, quit with the chattering, teehee." Cater Diamond stood in between them, grinning and playfully pinched their cheeks. Like the rest of the members, he was also garbed in an outfit aligned to the event. "Let's get your homemade mont blanc out there to ease our Riddle-chan's mood."

Trey Clover came, arms crossed and had a knowing small smile. "There might be a different turn for today and I am hoping to witness it"

The two freshmen exchanged a confused glance.

"What do you mean by that, Trey-senpai?" Deuce asked.

---

"A dress?" Mary spoke first.

Then followed by Grim, "A ribbon?"

And in unison, they said, "A letter?"

This was a weekend so it was supposedly a chill day and for them to catch up or for Mary to spend time customizing Ramshackle more to her taste—Grim didn't mind, though he would NEVER in his life admit this loud but he found it serene and nice in the chest to help the redhead with redecoration and gardening. She was already happy doing those things.

But their routine had been halted after the ghost announced a box was left in front of the porch. It was wrapped in a deep royal red with a white ribbon, there was no doubting by its design that it came from Heartslabyul.

Now, even the ghosts trio were intrigued after seeing the contents of the box.

The tallest ghost inquired, a finger under his chin. "Odd, ain't it? Their dorm leader was erratic and temperamental the past days and suddenly he sent you a dress?"

"Maybe it's a peace offering?" The shortest ghost shared.

Inside the box laid this modest yet gorgeous knee-length dress with a ribbon. Its detailed designs showcased the four suites symbol of Heartslabyul and the primary colors. There was also a headband with roses on it. For Grim, there laid a collar or tie to put around his neck—it was also aligned to the Unbirthday Party theme.

Grim was not pleased, "Does he thinks we'll give in to bribery?"

"Why would he bother...?" Mary shared her companion's doubts. She reached out for the letter, this was the last thing she assumed Riddle would do.

The rose-scented stationary was opened, Riddle's perfect cursive writings came to view.

'I wish you will allow me to see you, Mary.' - Riddle Rosehearts

Short message yet it went straight to Mary's heart.