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“What do you mean she’s dating someone?!” Riddle startled as the fae before her slammed his hands on the table.
“I’m sorry? I thought you knew!” Blush furiously covered the Heartslabyul housewardens face, this was not good. She had just revealed her club mates secret! To be fair she hadn’t known it was a secret, but still! She would have to apologize immediately, it was incredibly uncouth as well as a breach of the trust built between the two of them!
Goodness.
“Lilia, I apologize but I’ll have to ask you to forget what you’ve heard. I never meant to-“
“Dating! Sebek of all people! And she never told me?! Who is it? I must find out right this moment!” Riddle winced as Lilia got off his seat and started pacing around their table, dropping his chair to the floor with a small bang in the process.
“Lilia please! Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic about this? Its perfectly natural to have a highschool romance at her age. I see nothing wrong with it.” Lilia paused and looked at her, expression slowly turning from- whatever that face was, to a small smile.
“Right. My apologies Rosehearts.” Riddle sighed in relief as Lilia grabbed his chair and sat back down, thank the Sevens. Maybe Lilia would calm down and then everything would be fine.
“So,” a sharp set of teeth flashed on his face, the redhead almost thought she was looking at one of Trey’s fae mouth models, (that was not the best way to call those silicone models of teeth in his room but it would have to do until she researched them properly). “When did she tell you?”
“Ah, straight to interrogation I see.” Nevermind, the fae was just fishing for information. Well, it wouldn’t work! Riddle was already so sorry for the initial screw up, no way would she say anything more. “I will absolutely not answer! Lilia this is very rude. Sebek probably has her reasons for not telling you and you have to respect that.”
As Riddle spoke, Lilia nodded along, hands holding up his face, still smiling. “Of course not. I’m sorry for that lapse in judgement. I’ll wait for her to tell me about her- ah, what was it again?”
“Her girlfriend.”
“Yes. That. Thank you very much! I’ll have to head out now!” Riddle nodded, satisfied now that she knew that Sebek wouldn’t be bothered about this.
But wait..
“I never told him it was a girl!”
Thunk
Dang it.
Riddle dropped her head into her hands.
He got me!
All she could do now was warn Sebek about the incoming storm and apologize profusely.
_________________________
A girlfriend. That cut out the options by quite a bit. From the start, there had been ten possible options. Everyone that Sebek was remotely close to was on that list, excluding Riddle for obvious reasons and the third years for his own sanity. And obviously he wasn’t going to count the other Diasomnia members. Or Ortho, that was a moral dilemma he didn’t want to think about.
That left ten people. The second and first years. And considering that the mystery partner was a girl..
Here was the list:
- Ace Trappola - first year Heartslabyul student. A member of Sebek’s close friend group. Personally, Lilia thought she was a fun, feisty little lass. But as a potential prospect for one of her kids..let’s just say she didn’t make the cut.
- Deuce Spade - another Heartslabyul first year and close friend of Sebek. She tried very hard to be polite but it seemed her personality was a bit spunky. Nope, not a good match.
- Jack Howl - First year Savanaclaw student, part of the first year group. Such a headstrong, stubborn girl like that wouldn't match well with Lilia’s little crocodile. Not that she was bad, just incompatible.
- Azul Ashengrotto - The less said the better. If Sebek was dating her.. Well Lilia would have to pay a visit to that child.
- Kalim Al-Asim, a very nice friend and good person, but her family had a trend of gathering a Harem and she seemed to be following it, (with how Leech and Bucchi were chasing her around), so no. His girl deserved a partner that would love only her. Devoted like she was!
- Jamil Viper - Second year Scarabia student, Kalim’s vice, that girl didn’t seem like the type to have that kind of relationship with anyone. Besides, Lilia heard what happened over the break and Sebek didn’t appreciate disloyalty, even if this was a special circumstance.
Six possible girls and Lilia couldn’t see Sebek liking any of them like that! He would need some help with this..
“So you need help to snoop into Sebek’s love life?” Silver asked, sounding tired already. Malleus was nodding his head beside him, looking a little amused.
“Really Lilia, Sebek is a smart child. She can take care of this matter herself.” Lilia raised a brow, “Alright, then give me back my list.”
With how the paper was snatched back so quickly, the fae knew the two were invested. He smiled, “Right. So any guesses boy’s?”
Silver blushed and Malleus sat up straighter, good, they shouldn’t have acted so high and mighty before if they knew they were just as invested. Golly! They were acting like he hadn’t seen them chase off kids at the Valley that they thought weren’t good enough to play with their little sister. The poor girl grew up with only Silver as a friend around her age.
“Father, I think we should take Kalim off the list. Like you wrote here, she’s in a relationship with Jade or Ruggie.”
Malleus looked confused, “Or? Do you mean and? Are they not all dating each other?”
Silver shook his head slightly, “No, I knew that Kalim was dating someone, and when I asked her if it was like that she laughed and called me silly. Then when I asked which one of them she was dating, she laughed harder.” He furrowed his brow, “I still don’t understand what was so funny..”
When it looked like Malleus was about to ask more questions, Lilia clapped his hands together, “Children, children. Let’s talk about that later, yes? For now, let’s cross off Kalim and look through the other options!”
“Apologies.” The Draconian looked thoughtful before adding, “I suggest taking Viper and Ashengrotto off the list. I saw them out the other night on what looked like a date.”
“Really? I’d have never guessed, Jamil always told us she hated Azul.” Silver’s eyes slightly widened, putting a hand on his chin. Really, his kids were such gossips! Where did they get that from? Certainly not him!
“Well, I suppose it’s a good thing we can take Ashengrotto off. I wouldn’t know what to do if she was dating Sebek.”
Malleus nodded, eyes flashing green as he spoke, “It’d be in her best interest to remember not to touch anyone in our dorm. Especially not one of my retainers.”
“I’ll let her know.”
Privately, Lilia thought that was unnecessary of his sons. The Octivinelle housewarden clearly got the message the last time he visited her dorm.
Also, huh. It seems like he judged the Scarabia Vice romantic inclinations wrongly.
“Right! The Heartslabyul firsties, I added those two in because it made sense logistically, the little first year group and all. But, during club time, Cater told me they have something between them as well.” Lilia snickered as he spoke, perhaps Riddle was right about dating being natural for people their age, he’d have to let her know about this immediately.
“It seems quite the number of people on this list are dating each other.” Malleus hummed, “How intriguing. Isn’t that right, Silver?”
Silver nodded passionately and Lilia was almost sure that those two had some sort of secret club for all the scandals they found about their classmates. How cute, he’d have to check that out! Or maybe let them know if he ever hears anything interesting during his spying leisure time. Maybe even get them connected with Hunt for a fun day of watching!
“Well that just leaves…Jack Howl.”
They all looked at each other.
“The Savanaclaw student?”
“Now now, I know how it sounds but I put her there for a good reason.”
Silver didn’t look convinced.
“The two of them have the same friend group, which means a lot of meetings by association. They both like working out and ‘training.’ They’re both quite passionate people and I have heard Sebek mention her more than once in my presence.”
Malleus frowns, “Lilia, here you wrote that they wouldn't suit each other. Why the change of heart?”
“Not a change of heart, you silly boy.” The fae sighed mournfully, “I still think Sebek would be better off not dating her. But out of everyone on the list, she is the most realistic option.”
“I suppose so..but I do not think she’d be with someone in that dorm.” He huffed and crossed his arms. Really, it was cute how much faith Malleus had in his retainer's defense of him. To so firmly believe that she’d even reject the love of Howl because her housewarden was rude to him.
Silver shook his head hesitantly, the prince’s eyes widened, “I..I also think that might be the case. Those two are very close and Sebek goes over to her dorm every weekend morning for a run. I thought they were just getting along but putting everything into perspective? It makes sense they would be dating.”
“Silver, don’t fall for Lilia’s bad judgement. That can’t possibly be it.” The dragon fae stood up, looking at them expectantly.
“If you really want to know, we shall ask Jack Howl ourselves. But only because you two are so insistent.”
Lilia looked at Silver, who was looking back with a straight face.
“Alright then! Let’s get going and have our Prince prove us wrong.”
_______________________
“Um, so you’re here for what?” Jack was sitting in her room with the school's most frightening dorm and students. Along with her own housewarden and vice who she assumed joined in less out of worry for her and more for the entertainment.
“It’s simple really. A yes or no question, are you dating Sebek.” Draconia stated with a look that suggested this was not a simple question. If she said anything other than what the man wanted to hear she might die. If she said yes, she might be deemed a threat and killed. She’s seen how much these people coddle Sebek. On the other hand, if she said no and it turned out that Sebek thought they were, (she doubted that, she was pretty sure the girl only saw her as a friend and that feeling was reciprocated. But she didn’t want to take any chances), then she would be killed for breaking their youngest daughter’s heart.
She was in a lose-lose situation here.
There was another option but Jack was sure that if she told the boys it was none of his business the green haired girl in question might materialize and then she’d die from whatever happened when you bleeded out of your ears.
She looked over at where Ruggie and Leona were sitting, a pleading look in her eyes. Just this once, please.
Ruggie locked eyes with her and nodded before whispering something into Leona’s ear. Her housewarden looked at her, really looked at her and for the first time, when he opened his mouth, she felt hope.
“Yeah frosh, are ‘ya dating the croc?”
Ruggie snickered, "Don't be shy, we won’t judge! In fact, this could be our first ‘meeting the in-laws!’ “
Jack blamed herself, she should have never had hope in these deadbeats. She looked back at Vanrouge-senpai’s innocent smile, then at his twitching brows and Silver grip on his pen next to him, and decided that she’d rather go out on her own terms.
She jumped. Jack got up from her seat and before anyone could do anything, she jumped from the open window in her dorm room. It was a two story jump but it would be okay, at least she thinks it’ll be okay. No way of telling. Maybe she’d get lucky and twist an ankle, or maybe she’d get luckier and break her neck.
“What the hell?!” Jack thinks she hears Ruggie say, and yeah, that’s what he gets for hanging her out to dry. Damn this dorm.
Just when she thinks she’s going to hit the ground, a pair of strong arms catch her.
“Sebek?”
Oh no.
“Let me go! Now!” Jack hurriedly tries to get out of the half fae’s arms but they refuse to budge.
The girl in question looks horrified, “Howl! What in Wonderland was that?! Where did you come from?! Jumping from such a high place like that- that is incredibly dangerous! You could have seriously injured yourself!” And maybe later Jack would appreciate how much her friend cared about her. Later, when she wasn't being chased down by a trio of overprotective overpowered ‘sis-cons’ as Ortho would put it.
“Sebek please. If you don’t put me down I could die.”
And wasn't that a funny look on the other girl's face, she looked so confused and offended. But now was not the time.
Finally, finally, Sebek loosened her grip and tried to let her down slowly. Tried being the keyword here because as soon as that hand eased its way down, Jack jumped. She wasn’t trying to feed into whatever delusions Diasomnia had.
“Thanks for the catch. I gotta go-“
“Going somewhere?”
She was going to die. Sebek would be the only witness to her incredibly gruesome death. Maybe the girl would tell her friends she fought valiantly, maybe she’d say Draconia ended it in a second with his overwhelming strength. It was a coin toss.
A firm hand was placed on her back and Jack genuinely started regretting not breaking a bone during her fall. Maybe she’d have been spared from this.
“Come on~ Are we that scary? Why’d you run?”
“Uh, Lilia-sama? Silver? Why are the both of you here?”
Yes! Jack had almost forgotten, they wouldn’t do anything around her. At least I think so..
Now to clear up the misunderstandings.
“Wait… If you two are here, who’s watching over my liege!?”
“Sebek, there you are. With.. Howl.” The man in question appeared, looking over at her, “Your housewarden would like to talk to you. Your little stunt didn’t go over so well with them.”
Better that than this. Jack nodded, ready to bounce. Then someone caught her wrist, again. Damn it.
“Wait! Before you go, I’d like to invite you to have lunch with me and a special friend next weekend! I’ve invited the other first years via the group chat but you haven’t RSVP’d yet so I decided to tell you directly!”
“You’re the only person who’d call texting back an RSVP.” Jack huffed before realizing what the girl said.
A special friend..?
Oh.
Jack smiled, crossing her arms, “So they finally wore you down huh?” Sebek huffed, affronted.
“It’s not like that! I merely decided that it would be beneficial for you all to finally meet her. It would be a blessing to-“
“To our ears for sure. Ace wouldn't stop complaining when she heard you made another friend.” Sebek didn’t deny. But she did bring up some very important information that would have been helpful to know about five minutes ago.
“Not a friend.”
“Yeah, lone wolf, I got it. Just an acquaintance-“
“Girlfriend.”
Wait what?
Jack looked around, was she hearing things?
“Wait. You’re not dating Jack?”
Oh.
Oh sevens, was that why they were interrogating her? Because they heard that croco-girl had a girlfriend and decided it was her? Why her?! Because they worked out together sometimes? That was just because it was more effective to have a workout partner. Because when they had sleepovers together at Ramshackle they slept in the same bed? That was only because the others slept weirdly! Not because they were close. She just didn’t want to be hit by Deuce or cuddled by Ace or Yuu. And Epel refused to share a bed with them because of some weird code he had. Sebek was just the best option!
Also, the other freshman should not look so offended at that question.
“Wha- Of course not Silver! What kind of a question is that?! What ever made you think I would date someone from this dorm of heathens! Have you lost your mind?”
Jack would ignore the dig in favour of getting away from whatever mess this was gonna turn into.
“Yeah, I’m going inside. The housewarden wants to talk to me. I’ll make sure to check the chat soon.” Jack nodded and left, hearing a last ‘hey, don’t be rude.’
This was too much trouble. Jack decided as of now that she was never going to date. Ever.
Also that she was going to have to vet whichever girl Sebek was dating. If she ended up dating a weakling, they wouldn’t be able to handle Diasomnia, really this was for the girlfriend. Not because of anything else.
***
So, this was awkward. They were definitely going to apologize to Jack for the trouble after this.
Malleus looked smug for about five seconds before frowning and Silver knew what he was thinking because he was thinking the same thing.
Who was Sebek dating?
If it wasn’t any of the first or second years on the list, then who was it? Did they miss someone, or did Sebek just get close to another classmate without them noticing? That was probably it, considering the other members of her friend group didn’t know this mystery girlfriend.
Malleus snapped and they were all surrounded by a familiar green fog before appearing in Sebek's bedroom. It looked like it was time for a talk.
“Sebek,” Malleus’ voice rang out and everyone straightened, “what’s this I hear about a girlfriend?”
There it was. A direct question. Silver had no idea why they didn’t just go to Sebek first, this all would have been over much quicker. Probably because Malleus wanted to see Leona-senpai. It was why he stayed behind a while before coming down when Jack jumped. For some reason, Malleus got a weird enjoyment talking to the beastman. It made it all the weirder that he didn’t want Sebek to be dating Jack.
“Waka-sama! I assure you that this romantic endeavour won’t come in the way of my duties or studies! In fact, she encourages me in my quest to be the best retainer I can!” Father raised a brow, looking half ways amused and half ways annoyed.
“Well we know that much, seeing as how we didn’t even notice you were dating someone until we were told so by another party.” At that, Sebek wilted, Silver almost felt bad.
Almost.
“I- I heard! Apologies for not telling the news sooner. When Riddle-senpai told me she let it slip, I decided to set up a meeting time for my partner to meet everyone!”
Ah, so that was why she was looking for Jack. She probably wanted confirmation that the first years would be there as a buffer in case anything got heated. Or she just wanted to have a dramatic introduction, Sebek was like that sometimes.
Malleus hummed, “So you are inviting us to an introductory party?”
“Yes Waka-sama!”
“I accept. We will be there to make sure this girlfriend of yours is worthy of you.” Sebek nodded eagerly and father didn’t even bother stifling his laugh.
“Wait- but Sebek?”
“What is it now Silver?!” So rude, Silver scrunched his face. Why was she so angry at him?
“Well? Are you going to make another absurd assumption about me and my friends? Hmph!”
Oh, yeah. He was the one that brought that up. But it wasn’t his idea in the first place, he looked towards his father who smiled and gave a thumbs up, that was never good..
“Oh Sebek, let’s be kind! I’m sure Silver was just being a gossip! You know how he is with romance.” Wow, okay then. And why was Sebek nodding? Silver was not a gossip nor was he overly concerned about other people’s romantic relationships.
He just liked seeing people happy, and Malleus liked to be in the loop.
“Alright then. I suppose that’s fine. State your question Silver!”
He’d have to ask what mental image they had of him later, “Why did Riddle know before us?”
Malleus seemed to be paying attention again and father leaned in, “Oh right, I was confused about that. Tell me, my boy, do you only trust Rosehearts enough to tell her? How sad..” Father sniffed over dramatically, though Silver was curious.
What made him even more curious was when Sebek flushed a bright pink. How odd, that was usually reserved for when the half fae was really happy yet embarrassed about something.
“Of course not Lilia-sama! I trust you all with my life! It’s just that.. I needed a certain type of advice that I wasn’t sure anyone here could give! And I didn’t want to bother my liege with such unimportant matters!” It took a while for the words to click through her yelling but Silver realized they’d just been called single.
It probably wasn’t an insult which made it all the worse. Sebek had to ask for romantic advice from Riddle because the rest of them were all hopeless at relationships. So if they had just been a little more reliable in that area, Sebek would have asked them and this whole talk could have been avoided.
“I asked for advice regarding an outing I had to plan between the two of us. Usually she initiated our dates, but I just couldn’t let that go on and decided to plan one instead! I went to Riddle-senpai because she mentioned having read romance novels before-“ ouch, they were beaten by novels? “and she recommended I take my partner on a picnic after a nice horse ride!"
Actually, that sounded really sweet. Silver doubted any of them would have given such an idea.
“We got permission to use my horse for the night from senpai and we had a wonderful night! My partner enjoyed it very much.”
“That’s very sweet Sebek, but next time just ask me!” Father got closer and pat her shoulder, “I’m quite the expert at those things, you know?”
The way Sebek’s eyes widened at that almost made Silver burst out laughing, and he was sure he could see Malleus’ shoulders shaking at her next words, “Really? I had no idea! I mean grandfather had told me you were hopeless at love and would die alone! I should have never doubted you Lilia-sama!”
“Urgh-!” Father flinched like he’d been hit, “so blunt. And you believed him?!”
Sebek nodded eagerly and this time Silver couldn't hold himself back, it was just that his fathers offended face and Sebek’s completely genuine expression that left him unable to retort..that was a ‘combo attack’ as Idia would put it.
“Alright alright, settle down boys. Let’s not have too many smiles poking fun at me!” Father sighed and leaned back on the bed frame, “Well, what’s this mystery girl's name Sebek? Do we know her?”
Sebek nodded and excitedly replied, “Yes! I’m sure you know all about her!” Huh, someone they knew that wasn't in the list? Who did they forget? It couldn't actually be one of the third years could it..? No, Sebek said the first years would be meeting this girl for the first time so probably not. Maybe another Diasomnia student or a fellow fae-
“Her name is Skully J.Graves! The most sophisticated and beautiful Queen of Halloween! As well as my girlfriend and future wife!” Sebek flashed out a clean silver ring attached to a string from under her uniform.
…
What?
Sebek looked around, confused, before seeming to realize something, “Ah, don’t worry Lilia-sama! I followed all the rules of courting you gave me before we made it official! Skully quite enjoyed the pictures of my smiling visage! She asked me to thank you for that!”
Five seconds later all hell broke loose.