Twisted Wonderland | Mickey's Print

Ghost Marriage (IV)

According to the plan, the other suitors were already near the school entrance when Yukiko and Riddle went there.

"Ah, you're finally here!" Grim exclaimed upon hearing them arrive.

"It's about time. Have you finished your proposal, dorm leader Riddle?" Ace questioned, noticing something different about him. "Oh, is that one of the roses from the garden?"

"Correct. You have a good eye for recognizing elements from our dorm," Riddle nodded approvingly as he gently stroked the petals. "Malleus paid us a visit to the gardens to give me advice and placed this rose on me to give me a more dignified bearing as a prince."

"Oh, did you run into Tsunotaro?" Yuu asked as he looked at the rose.

Yukiko nodded and raised her fists excitedly. "You should've seen it! Malleus recognized Riddle's worth as a dorm leader, and it was as if he'd been decorated," she added.

Rook gasped. "Really? That must have been marvelous! A prince recognizing a person's worth must have been something wonderful to witness. My sincerest congratulations, Roi du Roses!" he exclaimed excitedly.

Ace gulped; he wouldn't have known how to react if that dorm leader who gave bad vibes suddenly appeared in Heartslabyul like that.

"Oh, really? I'm so happy for you, Leader Riddle!" he stammered before taking a closer look at the girl. "Hey, you look different too, Yuki."

"Malleus also helped her look more presentable for the Ghost Bride, even if it's just to escort us."

"Let me see," Yuu asked, looking at his sister's new hairstyle from the front and back. "You look beautiful! Is that the rose Epel gave you?"

"Yes, it was Malleus's idea," she replied with a smile. "He said I'd look better like this, since I don't have fancy clothes like you guys."

"How thoughtful of Roi du Dragon! The hairstyle is simple, yet elegant and eye-catching for the occasion. And the white rose is the perfect complement to your beautiful dark hair! I'm sure Monsieur Crabapple will be delighted," Rook praised her.

Riddle grew serious and looked around. "Speaking of Epel: he's running late. It's almost the time we agreed to meet... You said he was finishing his proposal, right, Yuki?"

"Yeah, he should be here any moment now."

"Could he have chickened out at the last second?" Ace wondered aloud.

Yukiko gasped indignantly. "He'd never do that!" she defended him.

"I agree, he's not that weak," Rook replied calmly, trusting his student's conviction and effort. "I'm sure he'll be here soon..."

"Guys!"

Just at that moment, they heard Epel's voice from afar.

"Oh, you're late, E... pel," Ace muttered, widening his eyes after turning around to receive him.

"Something's running this way at full speed!" Grim shrieked nervously.

That something was of considerable size and kept running until they could make out a majestic white steed being ridden by Epel. "Sorry I'm late! It took me a while to get ready," the young boy exclaimed after pulling on the horse's reins to stop him.

The horse, whose immaculate hide seemed to gleam in the moonlight, reared up on its hind legs and whinnied softly before calming down. Epel smiled and stroked the horse's neck.

"Why are you on a horse?!" Ace squealed. After spending an entire day being chased by unstoppable ghosts, watching his friends and classmates get paralyzed with slaps, and dressing up as a groom for a fake proposal, seeing someone riding a horse at a time like this was out of the question.