Twisted Wonderland: The Phantom Bride - Love at First Fright

Chapter 17: A Poem in Your Honor

Knowing that it's his turn, Riddle says, "I swear my loyalty to you! Come what may, I promise I will never doubt you, nor will I hurt you. For you, I would do anything in my power. Would you give me your hand in marriage?"

That makes the ghost surprised, "Oh... My goodness... How convincing. I do believe my heart STIRRED for a moment."

"No kidding. That was so cool!" Epel says, amazed.

"Pretty earnest yourself there, Housewarden," Ace says.

Riddle feels flustered, "... C-cut it out, guys."

"All three of you were merveilleux! And now it is my turn," Rook says, stepping forward.

"Those are quite tough acts to follow. It'll take more than some halfhearted words to set my heart aflutter!" The ghost says.

And with that, Rook says, "Mon trésor, I implore you to allow me to be your eternally devoted love. I know of the centuries you've spent in solitude, so I have composed a poem in your honor. Ill-fated princess of yore... Lo, how you make my heart soar. Oh, your cold face streaked with tears. Vibrant warmth, I'd share for years. Eyes of azure, misty, yet strong. You'll find I'll dry them ere long. Once I've caught your clear-eyed gaze... Undying love, yours always."

Epel is surprised, "Whoa..."

"Dude, just hearing that made me feel like I was gonna blush," Ace says.

"Oh my," Briar says.

"Awww," Sereia says.

"That's really romantic," Tanzanite says.

"Sappy if you ask me," Jasper says.

"You said it," Grim agrees.

Trinket actually blushes with a smile.

Riddle remains silent and soon realizes, "...Ah! Guys, try putting the first letter of each line together!"

"The first letters?" Epel questions.

"You think I memorized that whole spiel?" Grim asks.

"I should've written it down. What an oversight! Well, I can still do it for you. When you put the first letters together..." Riddle says, still shocked, "They spell 'I love you'!"

Everyone exclaims in shock, "WHAT?!"

"That didn't even occur to me!" Tanzanite says.

"Oh my," Briar says, surprised.

"Exactly. I'm pleased you noticed, Riddle," Rook says.

"I'm a crossword expert, as it happens," Riddle says.

"How is that relevant?!" Ace says.

And Grim says, "These Pomefiore guys are all weirdos, if ya ask me."

"'All'? Let's take it easy now," Epel says.

"Oh, was that not enough for you? Then allow me to proffer my next composition!" Rook says, and soon begins saying, "Alas, in my chest's a hole. Left from when my heart you stole. Would that I could turn back time, And escape this love sublime. Yet there is no other way, Save going further astray..."

But the ghost quickly says, "Okay, enough already! You're wild about her! I read you loud and clear! I grant the four of you are nothing like the feckless oafs who came before."

"Thank you," Jasper mutters.

Mainly because he doesn't know how much longer he can hear those poetry stuff, especially Rook's poems.

"We've passed your test then? Great. You'll let us through now, right?" Riddle says.

But the Ghost says, "However... There is one small matter."

"What's that?" Riddle asks.

"You. You're too short,' The ghost says.

Riddle remains silent about it.

"Uh oh," Sereia says.

"Housewarden, stay cool!" Ace cries out.

Even Briar tries to say, "Riddle, please, try to stay calm. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"...How..." Riddle says.

"He doesn't appreciate what a swell guy you are! Talk about a rube, am I right? Ha ha ha..." Ace sheepishly says, trying to calm him down.

However, Riddle is not pleased, "How dare you..." And shouts in full rage that his face turns red, "HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY! OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

"Riddle don't!" Briar cries out.

But it's too late, Riddle has the ghost collared.

"Pardon?!" The ghost exclaims in shock.

And Riddle angrily says, "You shall burn, you insolent fool!"

And uses his fire magic on the ghost.

The ghost screams, "OUCH, THAT'S HOT!"

And soon disappears.

"Magnificent flames, Riddle. They engulfed the ghost straightaway," Rook says.

Riddle continues ranting in anger, "How long must I endure these jabs?! Men grow well into their 20s! I've got time left!"

"Sounds like you looked up that factoid yourself. Has this been bothering you?" Ace asks.

"Not at all! What bothers me is people who judge others by their appearance!" Riddle says.

"Sure, I get that. But if you use loud, flashy magic..." Epel says.

Briar looks ahead, "I'm guessing you get the other ghosts' attention."

"That's right, how do you..." Epel asks.

Briar points ahead. Epel turns to see more ghosts have appeared.

The ghost appears, 'What's all this commotion?!"

"That's what I was afraid of. The ghost retainers are coming!" Epel says.

One of the ghosts asks, "Did you all do this? We must capture the interlopers forthwith!"

And begins conjuring their own magic and fires their magic at them.

Grim cries out, "Criminy! These ghosts are bustin' out magic now!"

"So much for proposing on horseback," Epel says. Then turns to the horse, "You should get back to your stable before things get worse."

"Neigh!" The horse agrees and takes its leave.

"That horse is the least of our problems. Your magic just sent Operation Proposal up in flames!" Ace says.

"Sorry... I already felt pressured by the time limit, so when I got angry, I just..." Riddle apologizes.

"Exploded," Jasper says.

Riddle blushes with a nod.

"You're the lousiest suitor out of anyone who's come so far!" Ace says.

Now Riddle feels bad, "Urgh... What have I done?"

But Rook says, "It's fine, Roi de Roses. You bristle like a hedgehog when angered. It's quite beautiful in its own right. I'm sure even the ghost you burned away is giving you a standing ovation."

"Most definitely not," Ace says.

"I don't think we have time for arguing, the ghosts are coming right at us," Briar says.

Soon, one of the ghosts says, "Her Highness's wedding is upon us. We won't let anyone ruin it!"

"Fine, if that's how it's gonna be... We'll just do this the hard way!" Ace says and fires his magic at the ghosts.

Riddle, Briar and the others fire their magic at the ghosts and force their way through.