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...
* "But they dote and swoon and fawn on a lady who's withdrawn. It's she who holds her tongue who get's a man."
-Time until Azul's contract expires: Two days-
** Exterior Hallway 2F
-Lunch Break-
The group had gathered in the hallway, unpacking their lunches as Jack explained everything Leona and Ruggie had told him. Vanitas, as always, sat close to Y/n, dabbing at the corner of her lips with a handkerchief when the ghost pepper sauce clung stubbornly. She nibbled at her noodles like a bunny, unfazed by the spice.
Vanitas froze, staring at her. The sight twisted something sharp and sweet inside him, his fingers tightening on the handkerchief.
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How unfair... how unbearably cute she was. If he leaned forward just a little, he could steal a kiss, sauce, and all. Even if it burned his lips, it would be worth it.
"Finding a way to tear up an unbreakable contract?" Ace mused aloud, leaning against the wall. "Sweet! It's def underhanded, but hey."
"That approach does seem like it would have a far better prospect of working," Deuce admitted reluctantly. "I have to agree with Ace here, though."
"I can't believe you all managed to convince her to agree to such a ridiculous scheme," Vanitas muttered, scowling as he set the handkerchief aside. "Honestly—anything's better than letting her stay chained to that damn octopus." His gloved hand hovered near hers, twitching as if resisting the urge to take it.
"Aw, shaddup!" Grim snapped, tail bristling. "If we stick to our morals, we'll be stuck with morays!"
"Azul isn't any better anyway," Y/n said bluntly, her tone flat, though her gaze stayed on her half-eaten lunch.
"In fact, he's worse," Vanitas shot back instantly, his voice darkening as his eyes glinted. "You don't know what he's planning for you... But I do." His fingers brushed her wrist possessively, just for a heartbeat, before he drew back as if it hadn't happened.
"You're the only one who thinks that," Noé spoke up, chewing his food calmly before swallowing. His lavender gaze shifted from Y/n to Vanitas. "All three of them are equally bad. You're just louder about it."
Ace raised a brow at the back-and-forth. 'I mean, they both have a point...'
Deuce winced, recalling the ordeal in Octavinelle. 'I really don't want to deal with them again...'
