Once in a Blue Moon (RevisionEdit in progress)

by HeroProject39

"Don't chase the dreams. They'll lead you to nowhere, just an abyss you'll never be able to wake up from." She delves deeper into the mysteries of Twisted Wonderland and its inhabitants...until she may never wake up from a world that blindfolds her gently from the reality waiting beyond the road. (OC) REVISING. Main story ON HOLD.

15. EVENT: Ghost Marriage

Events will not be split into parts so have everything in one chapter (23k words).

Synopsis: In which Strix should have asked Crowley for his ghost transformation potion from the prologue to bitch slap a ghost herself.

~Ghost Marriage~

"Ugh, please no~! I don't wanna scrub the dumb floors~" Grim whines, begrudgingly wiping the wooden floorboards with a rag.

Strix was working on the other side of the hallway and said as a matter of fact, "We already decided over Rock Paper Scissors, Grim."

He bounced upright to raise one claw, "One more time, let's just do it one more time! I won't lose aga..."

"HEY!"

Both Ramshackle residents jolted at the source.

Three ghosts float into view. "You filthy rats! What do you think you're doing here!"

"What's this, you're not... The usual ghosts? You all, like, look different." Grim remarked, squinting. Though they have similar figures and faces, their attitudes and attire are completely different. Instead of the black and blue top hats with gray capes, they have white uniforms and hats akin to a marching band.

Aside from appearance, there's no way the Ramshackle ghost trio would take that rude tone with them. The same ghosts that helped (indirectly) cheer Grim up with Magift and showed concern during winter break? These ghosts are certainly not the ones they know.

Strix's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"This estate is our princess' reception hall. Outsiders are strictly forbidden entry!" One of the ghosts replied.

"Princess? Reception hall?" Grim echoes, confused.

Strix frowns. "...I have no idea what you're talking about. This is our dorm. You are guys are the outsiders, not us."

"Nonsense. This estate has been the property of our country since long before you youngsters were even born!" One ghost scoffed at the human.

"If you refuse to leave, we will cause you great trouble."

Before they could protest, a gang of ghosts suddenly phased from the lower floor and seized them from behind.

They flailed and tried to resist as they were lifted off the floor and led to the foyer.

"If you do not wish to be hurt anymore, get out of here without further fuss!"

Thus the two were thrown out of the dorm almost quite literally.

Grim yelped before rolling across the ground. He sits up and shakes off the impact. "Ou-Our dorm got stolen... What the hell was up with that?! Hey, Strix! Let's go to the headmaster and get him to chase them out!"

Strix gets to her feet, strips her apron and cloth and lets Grim hitch a ride on her shoulder. "That deadbeat bird better."

They soon bursted into Crowley's office and explained the situation to him.

"The dorm was taken over by ghosts in white hats?" Crowley echoed.

"That's right! They suddenly showed up and started going on about how the dorm was their's! And they were going on about some princess, and a bunch of other stuff I didn't get." Grim said.

"A princess..." His expression lights up in realization. "Ah, I see! Since the building was unoccupied until last year we were leaving it alone, but... It does appear that that time of year has once again arrived."

"Once again?" Strix repeated inquisitively.

"The ones who forced you are the vassals of the ghost bride." Crowley answered.

Grim cocked his head. "Ghost bride? What the hell. Is she supposed to be cute or creepy or what."

"Either way, she's the princess of a long-fallen country. Her dream was to get married to a wonderful prince. Before her wish could be granted, she unfortunately lost her life. However, even as a ghost, she still hasn't given up on marrying 'the ideal prince'... And around this time of year, she brings her search to Twisted Wonderland. The Ramshackle Dorm is designated as the princess' base of operation when she is in our world."

He nods to himself, "Considering how many ruins exist, for ghost royalty to select ours above all others... It's indeed an honor."

"This ain't the time to start bragging! Hurry up and get those annoying ghosts out!" Grim intervenes.

"I think you'd find getting them out would be the most annoying par..." Crowley mumbles before clearing his throat once again. "Ahem! Surely, you must feel sorry for them."

"No. No I don't." Strix said in a heartbeat without a shred of sympathy weighing her heart. "They kicked us out of the dorm when we were the ones who fixed it to perfect condition! If they really own the dorm they should have taken good care of it." She then grumbles lowly to herself, clearly upset by the treatment. This is like the whole incident with Octavinelle, except worse! At least Azul and the Leech brothers played around all gentleman-like.

Crowley continues patiently, "Let's leave them be. After all, the princess is merely continuing her search for a bridegroom that can't be found."

"Can't be found? Why not?" Grim asked.

"You see, the bridegroom she desires, the 'real prince' is..." The masked raven breathes in...

"Taller than 180 centimeters! A slim body with no muscle! Beautiful skin overflowing with freshness! Slim, long eyes! A charming smile! Hair that shines brightly from the cuticles! Lips that leave one begging for a kiss!"

As he listed the traits, Strix was finding it difficult to compare a visual out of anyone she met. Grim squinted dubiously with her, sharing the sentiment.

Crowley then stated, "...And above all of that, a MEGA! Handsome kind of man."

They deadpanned. Strix dully replied, "Well that's a no brainer."

"You'd never find such a man that meets those expectations, even if you searched the entire world. Hahaha!" Crowley laughed.

"How can the headmaster of an all-boys school with about 700 students be so confident?" Strix gave a flat look. He just set up a flag.

"The only only sacrifice each year is the Ramshackle Dorm. If we wait a few days, the ghosts will give up. Stop with any pointless resistance, and ask any of the dorms to stay in a guest room for two or three days." He waves them off dismissively.

"No way..." Strix sighed and shook her head. Guess she'll have to ask Scarabia for the private guest room they were once imprisoned in. Those were fun times.

Grim bristles. "Acting like this isn't your problem...!"

Suddenly the door slammed open.

"Headmaster!"

"Oh, Ortho Shroud of Ignihyde. Whatever is all this fuss about?" Crowley gestured to the panic visible in the boy's eyes.

Ortho hovers in frantically, accidentally bumping into Strix who caught him by the shoulders before either would topple over. "It-It's an emergency... Brother!"

"Your brother? Has something happened to Idia Shroud?" Crowley asked.

Strix looks down at him in concern for both the reasoning and Idia's safety. "Ortho?"

"Brother's... He's been kidnapped by ghosts!"

"What?!"

Strix's jaw slacked. "Kidnapped?!"

"That's right! Look at this footage! It's a recording from the college's CCTV, taken this evening."

"Hang on a second! You shouldn't just go hacking into our security system all willy-nilly!" Crowley squawked.

Ortho stammered, "B-Be quiet! I'm starting it!"

Static noises from the footage plays.

Idia appears. ["I can't believe it... I pre-ordered the newest volume of the manga I love, the special edition with the extra mini print attached. But it's release day and it didn't even come! I'm a disgrace of a nerd, not being able to get it on the first day. Well, there's no sign of anyone around, so I'll just go to the store to..."]

["...nd you..."]

He looks around. ["Huh? Was that someone's voice just now?"]

["I've finally... found you..."] A female ghost in a white wedding dress materialized behind Idia with a gleeful smile.

["MY PRINCE!"]

Idia's shriek was the last thing heard before the camera cuts. Static noise replaces the dreadful silence looming over everyone's heads.

"What is this, this is like straight out of a horror movie..." Strix mumbles.

Grim pales after seeing the video. "...Don't tell me, that ghost is..."

Crowley despairs, "Ah... How could this have happened... It appears the ghost bride has found her ideal bridegroom!"

Strix lifts a fist to her chin. "To think Idia would be chosen out of all the boys here..." Not that she doesn't doubt his appearance. It's more of his introverted personality, but the princess wasn't looking for character traits. That aggravated her.

"That guy is not a 'prince'." Grim began. "He's all lanky, and the sun never touches his face 'cause he stays in his room all day, and he's got a weird look in his eyes all the time, and his smile is so weird..." As Grim rambled, he blinked and came to a stop. It seems he was answering his own question. "...Huh?"

"Tall, slender, skin that's never seen a single UV ray, slim eyes... One could say a charming smile. And shining, or rather flaming, hair. The color of his lips is certainly memorable." Crowley notes.

"And he's handsome to boot." Strix half-heartedly added as a sarcastic reminder that didn't need to be spelled out.

"Putting it like that, he's certainly the ghost bride's ideal." Crowley concludes.

Ortho nodded. "Yeah. My brother is so cool no matter how you look at him. Those damn ghosts, they've got good eyes!" His eyes squeezed shut as he clenched his fist, conflicted whether he should view the ghosts as either enemies or likely allies.

"I'm really not seeing it..." Grim muttered.

Strix curses under her breath. "Damn, if only he didn't leave on that day, I'd get to keep my dorm sooner...!"

"Either way, this has become a serious situation. To be chosen by the ghost bride means, in other words..."

Before Crowley could finish, someone from the hallway screamed, "It's an emergency!"

"Goodness, it's frightfully noisy outside."

Everyone steps out of the office and into the interior hallway.

"What on earth is all this ruckus!" Crowley cried.

Ace looks to them. "Headmaster... Oh, and Grim, and Strix, too! We've got a situation!"

"A ton of unfamiliar ghosts showed up, yelled 'we're claiming this as the wedding venue!' and took over the cafeteria. Of course we resisted them, but every time we knocked them down they got back up again..." Deuce explained.

"They are ghosts..." Strix said. And quite stubborn, too.

From down the hallway, two students were running on their heels to their direction. It was Lilia and Sebek.

"Stop right there!" A ghost screamed, flying for their tails.

"We just wanted to have a little banter with them, but to think they'd get this angry... How narrow-minded." Lilia muttered.

"Guh, it's the Diasomnia guys! Why the hell did you let the ghosts chase you here?!" Ace exclaimed in dismay.

"Oi, how dare you bare your fangs at Lilia-sama. I'll eliminate you!" Sebek boomed at the ghostly pursuer before dishing out magic to ward the ghosts away.

After some resisting, the ghosts finally relented and fled the hallway.

"Hmph. How was that? Got no fight left?" Sebek puffed his chest.

"Hey, this isn't the time to be gloating! The next ghost is gonna appear any second!" Ace cried.

"There'll be no end to this. Everyone! Evacuate from this area at once!" Crowley ordered.

Everyone relocates to the sports field. It seems many other students thought the same as a large group had already gathered when they arrived.

Crowley looks behind their trail. "The ghosts shouldn't follow us this far."

Meanwhile Ace was heaving deep breaths, wheezing through them, "I've got a stitch..."

Familiar faces approached their circle.

"If it isn't Ace and Deuce. Did you also come here to take refuge?" Riddle asked.

"I'm glad to see you're okay, Strix." Azul smiles.

The girl nodded. "Yeah..."

"Some ghosts showed up all of a sudden and forced us out of the lecture hall. It sucks because we finally managed to get together to study~" A disheartened Kalim shakes his head.

"Kalim. I believe it's rather that we were 'helping you to study'." Azul corrected.

"Just a little bit more and Kalim would have got the answer...!" Riddle clenched his fist.

Strix sweatdropped. "That's unfortunate..."

"We were in one of the classrooms, and some strange ghosts told us 'this is the bride's room' and locked us out." Vil said.

"It's such a shame. I wished I could've heard more of Vil's fashion lecture." Lamented Rook who raised his hands helplessly.

Epel's glassy blue eyes creased as a frown settled on his lips. "No matter how many ghosts we went up against, more kept coming..."

"They chased me out of the laboratory as well and yelled 'do not enter the family waiting room!'" Cater said.

"Well, I was walking down the hall and they started trying to fight me." Leona growled. It was a hassle with the countless number of ghosts swarming the area that he didn't bother clearing the path when it meant to no avail.

"So everyone that was forced out of the college has gathered around here, then." Grim noted.

"These ghosts in white seemed to have somehow hijacked the entire school." Deuce remarked.

"Headmaster, what the hell is happening!" Demanded Ace.

Ortho steps forward. "Please allow me to explain. You see, yesterday Brother was..."

~Intermission~

Riddle nodded once. "I understand now. You're saying that the 'ideal prince' the ghost bride has been searching for was... Idia-senpai."

Everyone digests this with straight faces.

Until the sports field bursted into laughter.

"Idia-senpai, the ideal prince...Pfft! You can't be serious!" Ace laughs.

"That bride, she sure has taste!" Cater snickers.

"Of all the times for Idia to finally get out of bed, that's truly hilari... unfortunate." Azul feigns trying to pretend catching his tongue from slipping. He was still smiling.

"Wow, I feel bad for Idia even more now." Strix says as she looks over them. Not a shred of pity from anyone.

"This is no laughing matter!" Crowley squawked, silencing the fit of giggling and laughter. "You're not yet aware of what it means to be chosen by a ghost bride, everyone?"

Everyone finally acknowledges the dire situation posed by the man.

"What's wrong, headmaster. You're making a scary face." Deuce remarks.

"Marriage to a ghost. In other words, to become entwined in such a contract that means you'll be married to the dead forever. So if you were to become her bridegroom..."

"YOUR SOUL WILL BE STOLEN, AND YOU'll CROSS OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE!"

"Whaaat!"

He then admits, "Having thought there was no such person befitting of the princess' ideals, I was unfortunately rather careless."

"No kidding." Strix dryly spoke.

Dread creeps up to Ortho. "B-Brother is gonna get turned into a ghost...?! We can't let that happen! Please, headmaster, you've got to save Brother!"

"Of course. A friend's life is in danger. And I know the wonderfully kind students here will save Shroud..."

"Nope/No."

"What beautiful harmony." Strix wryly commented. The one time everyone agrees in this damned chaotic school.

Ortho was baffled. "What, why? You've gotta help me!"

"He's always avoiding people, and only appears when there's a problem to be solved. You're asking too much." Vil told him.

"This is your 'brother's' problem. Do something about it yourself." Leona said apathetically.

Strix frowns at them, to which they avoid meeting. "You guys..."

Ortho's eyes narrowed. "... I see. Fine, ugh. I'll be okay by myself."

Kalim tries to stop him from going off on his own. "Hey, wait, it's obvious you can't just save him alone..."

He faces towards the direction of the building. "Simulating: Idia Shroud recovery pattern. Condition: prioritize speed of rescue operation. ...Simulated operation successful. Now executing actual operation. Now loading dark magic. Target locked: Set on Night Raven College, Main Building."

Wait what.

"Time until dark magic beam fire: Five seconds. Four... Three... Two..."

"STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Shrieked the headmaster. Fortunately Ortho complied and ceased the countdown.

"You actually intend to blow our school, with hundred years of tradition, into smithereens? Dark magic beams are forbidden!" Chastised the raven.

Ortho turns to face him sadly. "Well no one was prepared to help, so this is all I could do."

Strix crouches before the boy. She gently chided, "Obliterating the building is dangerous and wouldn't solve anything. Idia could also be held captive inside there, so let's not get extreme here, okay?"

Ortho wilts but nodded understandably. "Okay. I'm sorry..."

Crowley was silent before he faces the boys. "...Everyone. Was it really okay for you to simply refuse outright? If you're all so prepared to abandon Shroud, then..."

"What's wrong? You can't just intimidate and threaten us..." Ace spoke up.

Upon his voice, Crowley suddenly slides to the first year and cried, "'Ah, here's one now! A Night Raven College student!'"

Ace was taken aback. "Wha-What are you doing all of a sudden?"

"'I'm a reporter from TBC News! You are a student of Night Raven College, yes?!'" He held his key staff to the redhead as though wielding a microphone.

"Huh? Um, I mean, yeah I am, but... Hey, back up, back up! You're too close, headmaster!" Ace leaned back uncomfortably from the proximity.

"'Is it true the academy has been occupied by ghosts? Please answer my interview! Ah, I'm after a photo to publish alongside tomorrow morning's report, if you please. Click, click!'" Crowley mimics a camera sound effect while flashing the glaring light reflecting from the golden head.

Ace shields his face. "Ugh, my eyes!"

"'Is the kidnapped student here? Did you abandon him!'"

"He's in a completely different dorm to me! I don't know anything!"

"'So you abandoned him because you two weren't close? Have you no soul! This simply must be compiled into a special feature... [Shocker! The dark side of a prestigious academy revealed!]'"

"Uwah, I told you to stop! Don't take any more photos of me."

Crowley makes rapid clicking sounds. Ace protests loudly, "STOP IIIIT!"

Crowley ceases the "camera roll" and reverts to his character upon standing straight. "...And so, if Idia wasn't to return, the mass media will come calling, hassling you around the clock. I do not want to see my precious students haggard with anxiety and worry. After all, I am kind."

"If you guys don't help me, I'll hack into a TV station and broadcast pixelated pictures of your faces. And then I'll put a caption underneath saying 'The students that abandoned their friend'!" Ortho threatens.

"Having an older brother like that will make the younger this wicked, it seems." Azul pushed his glasses upwards.

Riddle spoke, "If a scandal was to occur at the academy I believe it's the headmaster's duty to take responsibility, however..."

"But he does have a point. If my mum saw this on the news, she'd cry." Deuce frowned upon the possibility.

"As someone in the entertainment industry, gossip would bring down my image. I can't have that at all." Vil'a fair visage hardened once his career was at risk.

"I suppose there's nothing for it but us to help out. Malleus... If the next in line to the Valley of Thorns' throne was unable to save one mere human, the spread of scandal would be unbearable." Lilia mumbles.

Sebek nodded. "Indeed. Exactly as Lilia-sama says!"

"In that case, everyone! We shall save Shroud from the hands of the ghost bride together! Ah~! All my students are so unbelievably kind, I'm truly a happy man~" Crowley swoons.

Strix and Grim gave the blankest deadpan stare at the masked man. There was so many things wrong with what he said.

"That is such a fake smile!" Grim retorts.

"Let's think of a way to save Brother together!" Said Ortho.

"Maybe we could start by having a heart to heart with the bride? We could host a banquet too! If we're proper about explaining the situation, she might let Idia go." Kalim suggested.

"What a splendid proposal, Roi d'or." Yet Rook's eyes narrowed at the naivety of the plan. "...However, do you think it would be so easy to convince her? She has finally found her ideal bridegroom, after all. If it were me, I'd never hand over the person I love."

"So basically, the only way we can split them up is by force." Leona concluded.

"Have you already forgotten? It was precisely because we couldn't fight them that we all ended up retreating here." Vil stated.

"Very true. The ghosts cannot be 'defeated' if being fought head-on. Therefore, they are a dangerous kind to antagonize. We should strive to the utmost to avoid direct conflict with them." Crowley said.

"Ghosts...Hm." Lilia hummed. "Young Sam is good with spiritual stuff like ghosts and souls and the like. How about we pay him a visit and see what he has to say?"

"'Young Sam'... Don't tell me you mean the Sam who runs the school store?" Deuce slides an inquisitive look to the ancient fae.

"I do. I was once acquainted with his great great grandfather." He says so casually like they were neighbors.

Cater smiles albeit uncertainly. "There you go again, I can never actually tell how much of what you say is a joke... Lilia."

"Well then, let us hurry to the school store!" Crowley announced.

Everyone arrives at Mister S' Mystery Shop.

The shopkeeper sprouts into view from the entrance. "Hey, it's the headmaster and some little devils. What have we come in droves to purchase today?"

A knowing smirk replaced his smile. "...As if. I already know. This is about the ghost problem, isn't it?"

"You've really got your finger on the pulse. I see you already know exactly what we're here for." Riddle mused.

Sam chuckled. "Well you see, I have a secret ally who imparts me with information."

His usual cheerful disposition was replaced with a grave face. "...But this has really gotten dangerous. You see, ghosts are creatures attached to this world via a strong feeling of 'unfinished business'. It's possible to temporarily destroy them with magic, but before long they'll reform again. Until their 'unfinished business' is taken care of, they're unable to pass on."

"Huh. So that's why the ghosts at Ramshackle kept coming back when we defeated them!" Grim spoke.

"Indeed! That's exactly it. It's difficult to go up against a ghost."

"So then, how on earth are we supposed to save Brother?" Ortho asked. "It's not like there's a perfectly convenient ghost-problem-solving item just lying around..."

"IN STOCK NOW!"

"God, he actually has something." Leona's eyes widen by the convenience.

"Truly an exemplary assortment of stock." Azul praised.

"A bride's always been the type to get caught up in tragedy. They do often have unfinished business and become ghosts. Which leaves a lot of humans worrying after them. This, the abundance of provisional items. If you wish to get rid of the ghost bride, use this." Sam produced a small box whose velvet lid opened to reveal a ring.

"It's a 'ring of severance'! Provided you say the phrase 'as long as you're living, I vow to love you forever', and put this on her left ring finger... Her unfinished business will be forcefully destroyed, and you can make her pass on!"

"I see. So it's a way of saying 'I don't want anything to do with you once you're dead'." Lilia summed up.

"Damn, that's a pretty useful item." Strix remarked.

"But how do we intend to actually get that ring on her finger?" Vil asked.

"Perhaps we could give it to her as a present? Say it's a gift from the heart and hand it over." Rook suggested.

Vil shook his head. "I think suddenly receiving a ring from a man one doesn't know is rather scary. And letting us just straight up put it on her left ring finger? There isn't a single woman in existence that'd allow that. Isn't that right, Strix?"

All eyes land on the female.

Startled by the shift in attention, she uttered, "Eh? Y-Yeah..." She suddenly forgot she was the only female student in the student body until now.

"It would have been natural to get our bridegroom Idia to do it, but he's already been caught~" Cater sadly mused.

"In that case, a suitable partner from among ourselves should be the one to do it." Azul proposed.

"A suitable partner?" Deuce echoed.

"I'm talking about a fiancé. The fiancé is always the one to put an engagement ring on their partner's finger, correct?"

"But she's already chosen Idia-senpai as her partner, though." Ace said. "If anyone was to try and become her fiancé now..."

"It would be like stealing someone's lover!" Lilia giggled. "Hehe, this talk of stealing brides. It's rather dramatic. Very interesting."

Crowley mumbles, "So first proposing to the princess, putting the ring on her finger... and then taking Shroud back... I name this plan... 'Operation: Propose'! This shall be the mission I assign to you all. Now, how to ensure the plan's success... I've got it!"

He turns to Strix. "Miss Noctowl. I will have you assemble the following students."

"Everyone's here, correct?" Crowley lists the following: Trey, Jack, Jade, Floyd, Leona, Vil, and Sebek.

"The ghosts chased us out. Looks like everyone's found refuge here." Trey noted the familiar faces crowding beside Sam's shop.

"It's a relief we've all found each other." Jade smiled.

"...Headmaster. What exactly do you want with the seven of us?" Vil asked after narrowing his eyes at the summoned students.

"I am going to have you all propose to the ghost bride for me." Replied the masked raven.

Jack's long wolf ears stood straight, baffled by the request. "Wha...?! Wha-What do you mean!"

Riddle steps forward. "Please, stop there for a moment. It would be an abandonment of duty for me as the dorm leader to allow my vice to attempt the plan while just sitting there and watching. Headmaster, I too will be participating!"

"Rosehearts, you can't."

"Huh?"

"There is a characteristic that all seven students here share, you see. And that is... EVERY ONE OF THEM IS TALLER THAN 180 CENTIMETERS!" Crowley boomed. An arrow impaled Riddle through the chest cleanly that Strix cringed. Overkill much?

"...So you're saying... that I'm too...short?!"

"Aha! Goldfish, you're too small. What a shame~" Floyd taunted impishly. "Want me to give you a bit of my tail fin, huh?"

"No, thank you." Riddle curtly declined and shoots him a glare. "The marriage partner chosen is based on height, then? So you're saying that as long as someone's tall enough, even a dunce like Floyd will do? That is absolutely ridiculous!"

"It's fine, Riddle. Your height is just one part of the whole picture." Trey placates.

"Yeah, height is not everything." Strix attested.

His frown was not relieved. "I get that already."

"Yeah, yeahhh~ Even if you're small, Goldfish, it's okay... Wha? Where did Goldfish go? Did he disappear?" Floyd looks around with peeled eyes.

Strix paled. Oh no.

"Huh? What are you talking about Flo..."

Heterochromatic eyes land on the redhead and widen a fraction. "Oh, there you are. You were so tiny I couldn't see youuu."

Strix was quick to hold back a feral red-faced Riddle from pouncing on the eel. Trey blocks Floyd from the dorm leader's view and tries to help calm him down.

Strix tossed a stern glare to Floyd. "Don't be mean."

The eel's mean-spiritedness said he had no remorse.

"The ghost bride has always stuck to her conditions while searching for her ideal prince." Crowley began. "Her requirements cover many aspects, from looks to body shape, however... On the whole, each aspect is somewhat vague. And amongst them, the only one that's actually specific is 'taller than 180 centimeters'."

He patiently said, "I value your enthusiasm, Rosehearts, but I am only trying to ensure the success of our plan. Please don't get the wrong idea."

The vivid color slowly leaves Riddle as he finds his composure. Once Strix was sure Floyd wouldn't take the chance to provoke him again, she released her hold from the boy.

She pats his shoulder. "Everyone has their tastes. Some fish out in the sea would love someone of your height. I honestly don't have a height preference so you're not excluded, Riddle."

Riddle glanced to her, feeling a bit at peace. She didn't say that to make him feel better; she really doesn't favor towards taller or shorter people. Even he has a chance to have a special place in her heart...

"Even Shrimpy's a better choice over Goldfish, though..." Floyd nonchalantly mumbled audibly enough for everyone but Riddle -whose ears were firmly covered by Strix herself- to hear. Thankfully the redhead doesn't know how to read lips so he couldn't detect a word as he stood awkwardly with Strix looming behind him.

"Do you want to be spoon fed with mushrooms, Floyd?" The girl threatened lowly. The moray eel pouted but wisely decided to hold his tongue, for he knew she would definitely carry that promise out no matter how imposing he could be.

"If height is such a specific thing, then what about Malleus? He's really tall, but he's not here." Vil inquired.

"It's true that Malleus is a prince, in both name and substance. The plan would be an instant success if he was to do it." Lilia said.

He frowns, however. "...But even as a bluff, we can't let the next in line to the Valley of Thorns' throne go around proposing to ghosts. It would be a disaster for international relations. Sebek will do it instead, so please just overlook it for now."

"It is the utmost honor to be able to stand in for the young master!" Sebek's posture stands straight and tall.

Leona rolled his eyes in distaste. "Ugh. Acting all cocky, like he's gonna be chosen by the princess just because he's Malleus' replacement."

Sebek turned his nose up. "Hmph. Malleus is a matchless example of male beauty. There is no way he would not be chosen! YOU WRETCHES COULD NOT HOLD A CANDLE TO HIM!"

He was slapped upside in the head. Strix had done the deed so casually with a straight face to the point it was an almost unnerving sight. Not a single speck of remorse is found in her blank eyes. The thin line of her lips revealed nothing in particular.

Sebek whipped his head to her, "Human-!"

Strix clamped a hand on his mouth since merely using a finger to shush him would not be enough.

Locking eyes with the man, she patiently says, "You always add oil to the fire when you say stuff like that, Sebek. We're here to get rid of the ghost bride and save Idia. Save the talk for when this is over."

She removes her hand from the now silent but internally seething Sebek who understood the situation but still had the urge to defend his young master's name. He huffed and crossed his arms begrudgingly.

Strix then looked to the smug Leona. "And you should save your spite another time."

Leona huffed. "We don't need Malleus, 'cause I'm here."

Vil stepped forward. "I will make this plan succeed, even if no one else can't."

"I'LL WIN 'OPERATION: PROPOSE'." Both of them declared with fire in their eyes.

Crowley hummed, pleased. "Very good. I am glad to see both of you approaching this with such vigor."

Strix has a distinct feeling it's not for the reasons Crowley might be thinking.

"We'll be monitoring the progress of the plan on the security cameras." Ortho tells them.

"The chosen one will definitely be Vil! I cannot think of a single more beautiful bridegroom in existence. Don't you agree, Epel?" Rook looks to the Pomefiore first year.

"Me? Um, yes, of course..." The petite boy whispers to himself, "Proposin' n' love words is super sickly an' makes me feel gross though..." He then beamed, "I think you'll be the one to do it, Vil!"

"Epel, I can hear everything you're saying."

"Vil! We're all waiting to see the moment your good looks shine brightest!" Rook roots.

"As long as one of you guys woo the bride, it doesn't matter." Strix tersely spoke. "I get locked out of Ramshackle for however many times, and I haven't had my sleep last night. I'm really pissed..."

Not one of them won the bride's heart. In an attempt to meet her outrageous standards, their failure earned them a paralyzing slap to the face. A literal paralysis that won't fade for as long as the ghost bride had lived as an astral being for 500 years. Until she ties the string with Idia, that is.

Leona -despite being an actual prince- couldn't sing along with her. Vil followed up but was apparently missing a dog to come at a prince's beck and call. Jack doesn't have swordsmanship and uses fists instead. Sebek just talked about Malleus (unsurprisingly). Trey's singing were not-so flattering compliments about her. Floyd blatantly called her annoying and wanted to "squeeze" her. Strix appreciated hearing him say that but at what cost?

Jade came close until Floyd played the petty sibling and called him out on his poisonous plants he offered as flowers deemed appropriate for a ghost. Damn it, take your pettiness somewhere until after the mission!

Not only did the sacrifices lose, everyone else has to find another way to save not only Idia but also the 180 plus centimeters club perpetually frozen in the wedding venue.

"I can't believe our group of tall people was wiped out that easily..." Crowley moaned.

"Did you see that? The ghost didn't even hesitate when slapping Floyd! I knew that choosing the marriage partners based on height was the wrong decision!" Riddle had the most satisfied smirk on his face when he saw it happen that it was practically devious. Karma hit Floyd hard, and Riddle thrives off it.

Let him have it, let him have it, Strix thought to herself sparing sympathy for the redhead.

Meanwhile Ace was tearing up. "Wasn't Trey-senpai's singing, like, so bad~?! Calling it basic is still too much of a compliment! That was amazing. Hahaha!"

"Hey! Ace, stop it. You're being rude..." Deuce tried to scold him but an infectious grin crept up his lips. He giggles. "It's no use, every time I remember it... Pfft!"

"Oh, Vil! Autumnal colors so engraved on your transparent cheek! It's an unbearable tragedy, seeing your beauty suffer. Such a painful sight." Rook woefully cried his sympathies, as theatric as he was shedding tears.

"That, that's...right..." Epel whispers to himself, "Vil's face when he...got...slapped...! Pfft!" His cheeks puffed.

Strix was silent throughout their fit of giggling of the candidates' rejection, an unreadable expression shadowing her.

From beside her, Ortho looks up in concern. Activating the scanner in his eye, he detected that her vital signs are abnormal. She was suppressing her beating heart, but she needs to let the oxygen flow to stabilize her pulse...

He grasped her hand. Strix now noticed his worry and mustered a small smile that couldn't reach her dim eyes.

"Now is not the time to be laughing!" Crowley told them. "This is not a game. Shroud's life is at stake! Ahh, what on earth should we do next..."

"There is no need to worry!"

Kalim looks at them in surprise. "Huh?"

Azul placed a hand to his chest. "I apologize for Jade and Floyd's carelessness. Honestly, that was no way to treat a woman. Yours truly, Azul Ashengrotto, shall put the 'ring of severance' on her finger without fail."

Cater playfully waved a finger. "Nah nah, if you need someone to approach a cute girl, the first one you should be asking is me!"

"Diamond-senpai, you're really feeling this." Deuce remarked with raised brows.

"Huh? Well, it's 'cause I'm super confident about it~" Cater gasped. "That's it! Deucey, you come, too. The more people around me the more I'm gonna get fired up!"

"M-M-Me?! No. I'm no good at this kind of stuff. I've got no idea about women's feelings...!" Aqua blue eyes glanced to the only female student tepidly.

Having sensed his gaze, Strix looks over her shoulder only to see that Deuce was avoiding her eyes and blinked owlishly.

"Huh? You're really thinking of abandoning Trey-senpai?" Ace asked.

"Abandon?! N-Not at all!" Deuce spluttered.

"Then you should go, too. I'm pretty sure he's waiting for you to come save him." Prompted a sly Ace.

A pause. Deuce's eyes solidify in determination. "...You're right. The younger years have gotta get even for the older years."

"Yeah yeah! You show 'em the best proposal you've got!" The grin plastered on Ace says something else, though Deuce is rather oblivious to see through it.

"Right then... Diamond-senpai! Let's crash that wedding venue!"

Cater saw through Ace's act and hides his knowing smile. Deuce played right into his hands.

"In that case I shall go, too." Lilia volunteered. "I can't call myself a master if I can't manage Sebek's carelessness."

Epel's eyes are wide with glittering awe at the upperclassman. "So, so cool...!"

Lilia smirked confidently. "Hm. Leave it to me."

"Lilia, this isn't your curtain call! It's gonna be Cay's spotlight!"

"Oh, no. Allow me to show you my skill." Azul intervenes.

Strix stares from the sidelines. "I want to root for them but I'm losing faith after what we just saw..."

Strix should've placed a bet on this. She'd be rich.

"That's group two down..." Crowley shook his head. Should they be surprised at this point?

Ace cackles shamelessly. "Did you see how weird Deuce was acting?! He went dead silent as soon as he gave his name! Of course he couldn't do it! That's hilarious~!"

On the other hand Strix didn't find it as amusing. She jabbed his arm with her elbow, ignoring the wince and look earned. "Don't be mean to the poor guy."

"We said this is no time for laughing! The wedding is this evening?! If this carries on Brother is going to be taken to the land of the dead!" Ortho cried.

Ironically Idia is inspired by Hades, the lord of the dead. Would he be living the double life in that case? Strix would have laughed dryly at this if things weren't so grave.

"There's barely any time until midnight... We can't waste another minute in making the plan a success!" Said Riddle.

"Hey Strix, can't you do something with your Dream Eaters? Just have them rescue Idia-senpai and we'd be solid." Kalim suddenly suggested.

All eyes fell on the girl.

"That's right, how could I have forgotten? Miss Noctowl, you must have a familiar suitable for the task, no?" Crowley asked.

Strix pursed her lips and twirled a strand of her hair. "I've thought of it too, but the ghosts will make me pry him off their dead hands. It won't be the end of it until the ghost bride is finally gone."

"So it's come to this... We must scrape together the remaining candidates!" Crowley announced.

"So in the end, we managed to gather... No one!"

"They were wise to not come, in all honesty." Strix shrugged, unsurprised. Ruggie didn't want to clean up after Leona and Jack (at least without a fee), Jamil made very good points regarding his and Kalim's status and wouldn't risk it, and Silver is the only guard left to protect Malleus.

"There is no need to worry. We are here!" Rook announced.

"You'll help out?" Strix asked.

"Of course. Helping each other is a beautiful thing. Not only that, but I can't bear to see Vil's good looks be insulted any longer. Epel is also full of vigor!"

"Yes! I'll save our dorm leader and make sure he sees how powerful I can be!" The first-year whispers to himself, "If I can do that, then maybe...!"

"So that makes only two people in group three." Ace began, "And well, normally I don't want to get dragged into annoying st..."

Riddle stepped forward. "I shall also go."

Ace shot him an incredulous look. "What, why?! Because you want to save Trey-senpai and the others?"

"Naturally there's that, too. The failings of Heartslabyul students are my responsibility as dorm leader. But there's something even more vital than that. Ace. Haven't you forgotten something important?"

"Something important...?"

"The Queen of Hearts' rules. Number 703. 'The individual who ranked second in the croquet tournament must serve the queen tea the next day.'"

"And why should that matter..." Ace's red eyes widen. "Ah! Y-You're right! Cater-senpai...placed second in the croquet tournament yesterday!"

Riddle nodded. "Cater must get back to the dorm before tomorrow! He must serve tea to the queen... in other words, me, the dorm leader!"

Strix sweatdropped. "That's a peculiar reason to rescue someone."

"Huh~?! But we're kind of in an emergency situation here?! Why do I have to take his place to serve some freakin..."

Before the heart-marked boy would rant further, Riddle cuts in, "No, no. Ace, yesterday you came below tenth, didn't you. In order to uphold the Queen of Hearts' rules, we must have Cater back at the dorm by midnight."

Ace drawled a sigh. "There goes the rule-demon again... Well, he's gotten better than before, and this has nothing to do with me, anyway. Whatever!"

"Then we're sorted. The next ones to propose to the ghost will be myself, Rook-senpai, Epel...and Ace. That makes the four of us." Riddle said affirmatively.

Ace swerved to his dorm leader. "Wait, me?! Why do I have to go, too!"

The redhead raised his brow. "Oh. You'd prefer not to come?"

"Of course not! Why would I want to put myself through all that. I am saying no." Ace crossed his arms defiantly.

Riddle tipped his chin up with a passive gaze. "Fine, then. In that case, go back to the dorm and take care of the hedgehogs. I'll do just fine if Epel's with me."

Hearing his name mentioned, Epel looks up in surprise. "Huh, m-me?"

Riddle nodded. "Indeed, Epel. You're actually brave, unlike Ace."

Ace's brow twitched once. "...Huh?"

"Our first years are such cowards. Unfortunately, they've got less spirit than you have a single strand of hair." Riddle shook his head in disappointment.

Double eye twitch. "...Huh?"

He continued, "I suppose it would be more trouble than it's worth to bring weaklings along. Being free of such a burden is, on the contrary, rather unfortunate."

"HUH~~?! It's none of Epel's business or your business whether I choose to go or not!" Ace barked impulsively.

Riddle meets the first-year's explosiveness with a coy smirk. "Oh? Is that so?"

"Heck no. I'd steal the princess' heart with the most awesome proposal, anyway. Just you look on all jealous while I get her to fall in love with me!" Ace proclaims with exaggerated gestures pointing at everyone before jabbing a thumb to himself. He was clearly provoked.

Strix had watched this exchange with a knowing straight face. This school is teaching her the moral lesson of how to use underhanded tricks to get people into doing things. Lovely.

"...But the make-up of our group's worrying me~ Rook-senpai aside, Dorm Leader and Epel are smaller than the princess..." Ace says as his eyes landed on the two short boys.

Slate gray eyes flared. "Ace. Do you want your head chopped off?"

Said boy flinched. "I said nothing!"

Ortho watches them bicker. "I thought this was going to be a solid group, but they're already fighting... We've only got four hours until she kisses Brother and makes him take the vows."

He turns to the girl. "Please, Strix Noctowl. Go with them and make sure they don't argue!"

"I would go, but I'm a girl. I don't think the ghosts will let me in." She frowned.

"That's not a problem, Mademoiselle Hibou (Miss Owl)."

Suddenly Rook appeared beside Strix, "You will make a splendid groom candidate regardless of gender."

"Wait, I'm part of the group now?" Strix spoke incredulously.

"Have we gotten this desperate to bring Strix into this operation?" Said Ace with flat eyes.

"If that ensures the slightest chance of success, then we will take it." Crowley attested.

"If that's how it's gonna be, I'll come, too!" Grim said. "I can't lose my capable henchman to some ghosts."

"Thanks for the leap in faith," Came the sarcasm. "If you're willing to join then I won't go against it." Strix shrugged. Everyone knows there's no way the bride will choose him, after all.

"Considering the amount of time we have left before the ceremony, this is our last chance. If the next 'Operation: Propose' is a failure... Shroud will lose his life." Crowley states.

Everyone gulped at the prospect.

"The ghost was angry that no one was 'dressed properly'. Let us tackle this concept of the 'ideal prince' more attentively."

And so, Crowley spent the college expenses for groom outfits the groom candidates are trying on in separate changing rooms. Weep.

While inside her personal changing spot in the back room of the shop, Strix fiddles with the necktie clumsily, a vexed visage pulling her face. "I don't know how to properly tie a tie..."

She thought she wouldn't need to and just sticks with bow ties. But a tie would appeal to her masculine side a little more than a ribbon...

Strix gave up upholding her pride for something trivial and opened the door to Sam's shop. "Hey, can someone please help me do my necktie? I've never done a tie before."

It was Crowley who approached. "If you'll allow me, I shall help, since I'm so kind."

She tilted her chin up and lets Crowley work on the lavender tie. A playful grin lifts her lips. "Thanks, dad."

He feigns a tearful expression. "To think I'd see the day my dear student transition to adulthood... It moves me to tears!"

She chuckled. "Don't start crying before I even make my proposal."

The masked raven pulls her tie and straightens her black and white-trimmed folded collar. "Is it too tight, Miss Noctowl?"

"No, it's fine." Strix smiled gratefully and buttons her plum violet waistcoat before buttoning her long livid jacket of dark blue on top of it.

A trill sound belonging to one of her Dream Eaters appears from behind. It was the jester spirit, Jestabocky, holding out a purple rose brooch for her to take.

Thanking the spirit, she attached it to her glossy navy blue lapel and pulls on her light gray gloves snugly. She smoothens her royal blue pants and tapped the toes of her simple black dress shoes on the floor.

When Strix looked up, both Sam and Crowley were grinning. The former pulls out a full body mirror from the side for her to examine her reflection.

Strix had three-fourths of her bangs swept to the side while the rest was clipped back along with her side fringes with white hair clips making crosses. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail deliberately made with spiky ends and of volume.

Half-lidded blue eyes blinked. "Wow, I can't believe this is me..." She brushed her bangs with her fingers.

Grim climbs atop her shoulder for a closer look. "Whoa, totally! Hard to believe you're a girl in that getup."

Ortho's yellow eyes glimmered. "You look really handsome, Strix Noctowl!" From behind, Jestabocky twirls into the air gleefully.

Crowley smiled and nodded. "Indeed, you make a convincing groom, if I do say so myself. I am the one who paid everything..."

Strix sheepishly smiled, absentmindedly rubbing Jestabocky's head. "I'm glad I can make it work, then."

"Little she-devil, would you mind waiting back inside for the big reveal?" Sam grinned, vivid magenta eyes twinkling mischievously.

Strix acknowledged the message behind them and complied willingly with a knowing grin herself.

After waiting some time, she was summoned to make her entrance.

When she did, the sight before her had sparkled. The boys were dressed sharp in their tuxes. To think a small section of Riddle's hair tucked behind his ear could create a drastic change. Hell, what took the spotlight was Ace.

"Wow, you guys look handsome! Especially you, Ace. Clothes really do make the man." Strix stared at the boy. His bangs were clipped back like Cater, and he sported a red plaid tux. Can't go wrong with the plaid.

Ace shyly looked away from her peering gaze, doubtful. "Yeah, yeah. Sounds like either way I can't pull off this kind of stuff like Rook-senpai and Dorm Leader can."

He took another look at the female before grinning. "Looking sharp."

Strix smiled before zeroing on the blue and gold rosette pinned on his lapel and raised a hand over the lower half of her face. A glimmer of amusement lights up her eyes. "'The Groom Ace'?"

Ace spluttered, a light blush dusting his cheeks. "Shut up! Sam put 'em there with magic, not me."

Strix simply hummed in response, though the grin says all. What a dork.

"You look dashing, Mademoiselle Hibou." Rook then goes on praising, "Fair skin translucent as the moonlight, eyes glimmering like sapphires, and hair reminiscent to the blue of the midnight... Surely even the ghosts will be convinced you're a ghost prince of a neighboring country!"

Strix did hear something like that from the Ramshackle ghosts once before. They could have mistaken her for a ghost, especially if she wore all white. She's not sure if that was a compliment to take to heart, but in this case she'll take it, even if it sounds embarrassing to hear.

"Exaggerations aside, the colors are appropriate for you." Riddle commented, the deep blue reminiscent of a blue rose. By comparison, the glossy crimson red suit and gold accents of his waistcoat are befitting of the Queen of Hearts. Standing next to each other brings out the bold colors.

He stepped forward and readjusted the rose brooch from being crooked.

Riddle steps back before nodding upon her attire. "That's better."

"Wow, I almost thought you were a guy from first glance." Epel marveled. If someone like Strix can pull off a masculine look, then he should as well.

Strix smiled. "You look handsome, Epel."

The boy smiles shyly. He was used to being called cute or pretty or any other compliments often leaning to the feminine side. To hear the word "handsome" provided a boost in confidence for him. "Thank you..."

Sam grins amiably. "What you're all currently wearing are clothes imbued with ancient magic. A 'proposal tuxedo'! Humans wearing one will become very attractive in the eyes of a ghost."

Strix sweatdropped. As if they weren't as they are?

"And to all patrons of my proposal tuxedos, you get these as special perks. Here you go. Each a 'soothing bouquet'." He distributes each groom a bouquet.

Strix received a bouquet of vivid blue roses with a pastel pink satin ribbon. As she had worked as a florist in her home world, she knew most of the flower language.

Blue rose: something that is impossible to achieve; something that is unattainable that will only remain in a dream that can never be realized. It can also mean caution and new beginnings.

A dry chuckle left her lips. How befitting.

This did not went unnoticed by Riddle, who was peering at her behind his crimson red bouquet. The melancholic smile crinkling her eyes was surrounded by the blue roses. A sight he beheld in awe and wished to burn into memory.

He too knew the symbolism behind the flowers. How beautifully tragic, he thought with a slight solemn frown.

"Oh, wow. There's so many colors, very sweet." Rook breathes in the aroma of flowers.

"These bouquets are special." Sam began, "They bloom when given negative emotional energy. Meaning that they can drain away the source of a ghost's power, which stems from sadness, or hate. You can give it to her as a present, or hit her with it. For you little devils it's like hitting two birds with one stone!"

Strix was admiring the roses when she blinked. "Wait, hit her?"

"If all we need is this ensemble then taking the bride's heart will be a piece of cake!" Ace grinned.

Epel's eyes lit up with hope. "I think...that somehow this is going to all work out well...!"

"Swag, swag, swag! ...But don't forget, my little devils. The only thing capable of making the bride pass on is that 'ring of severance' I gave you earlier. Your success is riding on whether or not you get that on her finger." Sam said.

"And with the ceremony getting sooner and sooner, the retainer ghosts will be on lookout. If you don't manage to convince them that you're 'ideal princes', then they won't let you inside to see her." Crowley said.

"It won't be a problem. We'll make use of the time we have left to practice how to act princely..." Riddle assured. "I'll prove to be the bride just how suited I am to be her prince!"

"I, too, will serve to her words of love. If I speak with sincerity, I'm sure my feelings will get through to her." Rook spoke.

"I am going to make sure I capture the bride's heart!" Epel said confidently.

"Yeah. Let's get this proposal over and done with!" Ace said.

"Let's make 'Operation: Propose' a success!" Grim cheered.

Strix nodded. The soft mutter was barely above a whisper, "Yeah..."

For the next hour until it was three hours before midnight, everyone had split up to practice their proposal.

Yet...

Grim's eye twitched.

"Oi, don't go to sleep!"

Strix didn't go far when she moved to the bench beside Sam's shop and laid on the spot, much to Grim's chagrin.

"You should be practicing winning the bride's heart, y'know!"

Strix sighed, unwilling to peek her eyes open. "Grim, look, I've been in a bad mood since we got kicked out of Ramshackle. Let me clear my head for a bit..."

She hears him grumble under his breath. "Fine, I'll wake you up when it's time."

"Thanks..."

Soft footsteps leave into the silent night. Despite the moon being up and about, the night owl didn't rise like she proudly does until this day.

The wedding... It dampened her mood even more, honestly. The impulsive decision brought on by the ghost bride (though Idia was also to blame for speeding up the marriage to midnight), the rejection of the boys who tried to woo the princess' absurd standards to save the school...

Barely anything today relieved her from the twist and churns in her chest.

Her brother's wedding had replayed countless times. Up to their meeting where she had ran away like a coward after having reunited since seven years. She thought she managed to suppress the shameful memory, but all this talk about brides and grooms revived the episode as clear as day.

Strix doesn't understand this disgusting emotion swelling from within. Why is she so upset when she watched the boys get slapped? Why did she feel like slapping the bride herself? Her heart felt a twinge of anger upon hearing the boys proclaiming to win the princess' heart. Even though it's supposed to be fake.

Despite these turmoils, she kept them silent; passive beneath her poker face.

If the sun is a passionate ball of turbulent emotions, the moon is the candle flame that doesn't burn in size, retaining a minimal size slowly melting the wax away. Many may assume the moon is related to water as a sign, but it is in fact fire just like its day counterpart.

Strix told herself she was feeling grumpy from the lack of sleep. She never got to catch a break to doze off. Before nightfall, she had already consumed a whole bottle of konpeito, her reliable sugar ration to keep her brain functioning.

She massages her eyes growing heavy from the stress. Though her eyes have been half-lidded to convey the slimmer eyes a man would have, they were actually struggling to avoid getting shut-eye in front of everyone.

Strix shook her head. She can't be pessimistic right now. She has to practice her proposal befitting of an ideal prince in order to enter.

Her hand produced a velvet blue box adorned with a silver bow from her pocket.

Right... How do you sway the heart of a lady?

Strix could only extract knowledge from romance films. Even then they were not her cup of tea. So her experience is slim to none.

She tries to replace herself in the bride's nonexistent shoes. What would make her fall in love?

Behind her closed eyes, Strix imagined the person proposing sweet words to her, bouquet in hand.

It was embarrassing -even cringe worthy- to imagine Caelum kneeling and holding a ring with the color of the morning sun to her. Though she can't visualize herself as the lucky woman he's proposing to, but his bride. Somehow Strix can see how the proposal was planned out. Was he nervous that day? She would never know.

What would she want to hear from a potential fiancé bold enough to propose to her? To declare the fiancé as her partner for life on the spot?

Strix walked between the real world and dream realm as she formulated a speech befitting of a loyal fiancé.

Before she knew it, it was already time to gather in front of Night Raven College.

Riddle was the first to point out her sluggish mannerisms. "Your posture is slacking. Stand straighter, shoulders back, chin up. No bride would accept a groom with that stature."

Strix mumbles out an apology and stretched her muscles. One hour flies by in a flash. It's not enough to replenish some energy.

"Don't tell me you spent the past hour sleeping?" Ace dared to ask.

"I did, but I also put some thought into it while I slept." Strix replied.

"Oh? To think the night owl is not looking alive while the moon is high..." Rook's slim green eyes behold another implication that Strix couldn't dare to meet. The hunter is too damn perceptive for his own good.

"Forget about me, Epel's late. Has anyone seen him?" Strix tersely said.

"Maybe he got too scared and chickened out?" Ace inquired.

"Non, non. Monsieur Princess Apple is no weakling. I'm sure he'll be here soon..."

Speak of the devil, he's heard from the distance. "Everyone!"

"Hey. You're late, Ep...el...?" As Ace looks to the direction of his voice, he noticed something unusual.

"There's something coming towards us that's, like, crazy fast." Grim remarked.

"Sorry I kept you waiting! It just took a little time to get ready."

The clip clop of hooves clicked on the ground, followed by a neighing.

"Why the hell are you on a horse?!" Ace exclaimed. Epel is straddled atop a pure white horse, just like in fairytales.

"Huh. What do you mean 'why'... Princes are supposed to arrive on horseback... Right?" Epel tilted his head.

"You think there are princes that ride around on horses in this day and age?! Dorm Leader, Rook-senpai, you agree this is crazy, right?!" Ace looks to them for confirmation.

"Epel... This imagination, effort, energy, and this preparation! It's all extremely très bien!" Rook praised.

"Not to mention, out of all the horses at horse-riding club, this is the one that's hardest to handle. You've made a splendid point. Your riding ability is second to none." Riddle said, respect in his gray gaze.

"You're so dashing, Epel! How could the bride reject this?!" Strix inputted eagerly, looking up at him with dazzling eyes.

Epel bashfully smiles at their positive comments. "Hehe. Thank you very much."

However Ace protested, "No no no. Really, I know we're focusing on appearance, but..."

"Ace, how long do you intend to keep on mumbling to yourself?" Riddle throws a look his way.

"Epel knows what he's doing, Ace. I approve of the glamorous entrance." Strix told the redhead dismissively.

"There are three hours until the wedding ceremony. Sorry to cut you off, but we should enjoy chatting after the plan is done." Rook politely cuts in.

"What, I'm the one in the wrong?!" Ace squawked indignantly.

"Right then... Let's go! Giddy up!"

A ghost standing guard by the entrance notices the group of smartly dressed young men approach. "Hmm?"

Rook smiled. "Good evening. We have come humbly in the hope that the beautiful bride will choose us as her partner."

"More suitors... We've had nothing but rude people here all day, so the princess is currently in a state of great anger. I am under orders not to accept any more visitors. Bid you leave!" He shoos them.

"Are you okay with that? If you make me go home, you'll regret it." Epel smirked.

The ghost quirked a brow. "Excuse me? You seem to be quite the confident fellow."

He silently stared at the group. They were not going to leave by his words. "...If you're so sure of yourself, then I shall make judgment. Pretend I am the princess, and try proposing to me! If you can convince me of your seriousness towards the princess then I shall allow you to pass."

Everyone huddled close.

Ace whispers, "We need to get inside asap, so I guess we've gotta do what he says."

Riddle whispers back, "You're right. If we mess this up, he'll force us to leave and we'll fail the mission."

"T-Then I'll go first." Epel volunteers.

He claims to make the princess happy because he's the prince on a white horse who will run any length to save his lover when they're in trouble. He swears he'll never give up, and to protect her from anything that tries to hurt her.

The ghost sensed his earnestness, all while sat astride a horse all princely like, much to Ace's bafflement.

The ghost assumed Ace was Epel's valet but then permits him to make his proposal.

Ace promised every day will be fun with him. Of course, there will be times when they fight, but when that happens, he'll be the first to apologize. He'll hold his partner through the sad times and the hard times. He'll make sure the one he loves is smiling.

The ghost acknowledges how he has conveyed how he'll always be thinking of his partner and admits he was rude to call him a valet.

Riddle whispered to Ace, "That was a very good proposal."

"Could you stop it with the actual commentary? You know I'm just pretending!"

"You say that, but I'm just telling you what I actually think?" Riddle quirked an inquisitive brow at his sudden shyness.

"Nya-haha, Ace is showing off." Grim snickered, Strix chuckling along and mumbling "dork" under her breath. It didn't went unnoticed.

"Shut up!"

Next was Riddle's presentation. He vows to never doubt nor hurt the one he loves, and would do anything within his power for the sake of his spouse.

The ghost admits to being a little flustered by such trustworthiness. Everyone else admired how cool he was, much to the redhead's burning embarrassment.

Then came Rook's turn. He recites a poem that made Ace feel embarrassed and awkward from just hearing. Riddle made a shocking discovery that once you imagine his poem vertically, it spells "I love you". For some reason Riddle's specialty with crosswords had to do with the discovery...

The ghost retainer stopped Rook from reciting another verse of the poem after having already showed his passion.

"And lastly, the gentleman in blue...?" The ghost squints at Strix who held a polite, innocent smile.

"Oh no, I'm simply their retainer. I am entrusted to remain loyally by their side for their safety." She spoke in her low octave voice that hinted a feminine pitch beneath. All while hiding her not-so obvious bouquet behind her back.

Ace whispered, "Strix, what are you doing?!"

"How do you expect me to follow up after Rook-senpai?!" She harshly whispered back.

"Ah, true... How do you go above that?" Anyone after him would be underwhelming.

The ghost's pale white face lit up in acknowledgement. "Ah, a fellow vassal, I see. Very well, I shall allow you to also pass, since I can accept that you're all prepared unlike the ones that came before."

"Looks like we passed your test, then. Could you hurry up and let us inside, please." Riddle urges on.

He hesitates. "However... I mean, your height..."

"Huh?"

"You're rather a bit too small."

Silence deathly still and spine-chilling weighs against the atmosphere.

This is it. They're screwed.

"How dare you... How dare you say that to my face! OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

"What?!"

"Flames! Burn this insolent creature to the ground!"

The ghost howls in agony while dyed in scarlet flames of hell.

"Riddle, your magic is rather vivid." Rook remarks after the ghost disappeared.

Riddle was furiously grinding his teeth they could almost fall off. "Every single one of them... It is said that a man doesn't stop growing until they're eighteen! I still have a year left to go!"

By that logic Jack, Sebek, and the Leech brothers who are all above 180 centimeters are still growing as well, though Strix kept that to herself.

"Dorm Leader, you really put some research into that... Has it always bothered you?" Ace asked out of concern.

"It doesn't bother me! I just cannot allow people who judge others based on their appearance!" Riddle retorts vehemently.

"You'll have to file your complaints to the princess, then. He was just doing his job." Strix told him, sparing just an ounce of pity for the retainer who disappeared into the night. Just an ounce.

Several ghosts appear at the scene. "What on earth is this ruckus!"

Epel cursed. "Argh, I knew it would attract more retainer ghosts!"

"Was this your doing? Prepare to capture these suspicious individuals!" A ghost barked the orders and flung spells at them along with the rest of the ghosts.

Grim squeaked, "Uwah! They just started launching magic attacks at us!"

Everyone tries avoiding getting hit by them.

"At this rate I can't bring the horse with me to the proposal..." Epel dismounts the white horse. "It's dangerous here, go back to your stable."

He pats the horse. With an affirmative neigh, the horse gallops away from the scene.

"Forget the horse, this whole 'Operation: Propose' has gone south!" Ace cried.

Riddle bit his lower lip. "I-I'm sorry. I was feeling frustrated and angry because we were running out of time, so I just...! Ugh, what have I done..."

Rook placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's fine, Roi des Roses. You're simply as a hedgehog is — you express your anger with your whole body. It's truly beautiful. I'm sure even the ghost you roasted to a crisp is giving you a standing ovation."

"No way he is." Ace deadpanned.

"This isn't the time to be bickering!" Strix tells them.

"The princess' wedding is almost upon us. We will allow no one to interfere!" The ghost said as many more begin to swarm the entrance from entry.

Strix clicked her tongue and tugged at her gloves as she stepped forward to the front lines. "On my signal, rush in. Ghostabocky!"

A ghost Dream Eater spirit wielding a fork and knife donned a nightcap, long yellow tongue hanging.

Ghostabocky snickered eerily before opening its mouth wide. It breathes in. The ghosts are being sucked in by the Ghost Vacuum attack!

"Go!"

Everyone runs past them while Ghostabocky kept them at bay Kirby/Ghostbuster-style.

Ace, playing the straight man, exclaimed, "Isn't that considered cannibalism?!"

"Don't know, don't care!" Strix shot back, "Just run!"

They race through the interior halls and make a beeline for the cafeteria-transformed wedding ceremony.

"You shall not pass!"

They skid to a stop. They're surrounded!

Strix's eyes roam across them until they widen. She points to the direction of the courtyard. "Look! Isn't that the princess?"

"As if! The princess wouldn't be out here!"

A ghost spots a familiar figure floating by the well in the middle of the courtyard. "No, over there, look!"

All ghost retainers swerve their sights. The ghost bride was actually there!

"Princess?!"

"Protect the princess from the ruffians!"

Half of the retainers flew to guard the princess. Meanwhile, Strix summoned Ghostabocky again to scare the other half from blocking their path and ran ahead.

"Stop! Don't let them proceed!"

"But the princess...!"

When the remaining ghosts revert their attention to the princess, an uncharacteristic blue smirk was plastered on her lips, eyes unreadable. Before they could ask what was wrong, the ghost bride lifted her chin.

Under the white veil were a pair of black four-pointed compass eye sockets baring mirthfully yellow pupils.

A massive mouth unrolled a bright sunset orange to pink tongue, spooking the surrounding ghosts from the offending image that dared to mimic their princess.

"You! You're not the princess!"

"An imposter?!"

The imposter reveals their true form to be a colorful polka dot clown. Jestabocky giggled mischievously at their shocked expressions before closing the distance with a long tongue...

Meanwhile Strix and company were progressing forwards until another swarm of ghosts manifested behind them and delivered magic spells at their way.

"Ah. Look out!" Riddle deflects their attack from striking the first years.

"How impudent! You scoundrels dare to get in the way of our princess' wedding? We're going to capture you!"

"That's a bold claim for a bunch of ghosts who're unfairly using our school." Riddle coolly said.

The ghosts inch away. "Th-That redhead. He's so small, yet his aura is so impressive?!"

"Don't be afraid! We'll teach him just how scary ghosts can be!" One of them bravely spoke.

They surround Riddle.

The dorm head assures the gang, "I can handle them. You lot keep going and make sure this plan succeeds."

"What, but how can you take all these opponents on alone...!" Epel said.

"It turned out like this because of what I did before. I'm taking responsibility." Riddle placed a hand to his chest, determination unwavering in his eyes. "There's no need to worry. Who do you think I am?"

"He's right. This is no big deal for our dorm leader." Ace reassured.

Epel hesitates. "But still..."

"Let's believe in him." Strix told him.

Riddle nodded once, confidently smiling. "Yes, that's it. I'll see you later."

Meanwhile in the cafeteria...

"Ahh, the aisle I've seen so many times in my dreams... Finally, I shall be bound to my ideal prince!" Eliza the ghost bride dreamily sighed.

Meanwhile Idia was cowering in place, mumbling gamer quotes desperately in need of a rescuer.

A chubby ghost named Chubby expresses happiness for the princess, though there was strained joy that belies sadness in the droop of his eyes.

Suddenly a vassal bursts into the ceremony hall and reports that intruders are scattering their forces and heading straight for them, much to the bride's anger.

The ghost lists: A small man with red hair, a man with a heart-shaped mark on his face, a man with a cute face, a man with a blond bob cut, and a man with bright blue eyes.

The boys recognized them as Riddle, Ace, Epel, and Rook, but a man with bright blue eyes...

"Strix ended up pretending to be a bridegroom, huh." Azul said. It was more of a statement, really.

"Heh~ Shrimpy was gonna propose~? I wanna see that~" A grin was on Floyd as he imagined the funny sight of the girl kneeling and proposing for the bride's hand in marriage.

"I bet that old bird Crowley was that desperate to gather candidates." Leona huffed.

"Ooh, I bet Strixy's looking totes cute in a groom outfit. If only I could move my hands and take a pic... Boohoo." Cater feigns a tearful expression.

"I suppose that's one good thing to come out of this." Jade spoke.

If everyone could move their heads they would have unanimously nodded in agreement.

Idia looks on with wide eyes. "My life is at stake here, yet you're all engaging in some friendly chit-chat?!"

Back to the rescue crew...

"Wait right there!"

Epel looks behind to see a teem of ghosts gradually crowding the stairway. "There are more ghosts coming...!"

"It's because they're just as determined as us. They've been waiting for this wedding for five hundred years." Rook said.

Ace wards them from coming closer with his magic before speaking back, "Could you quit it with the talk! It's unnecessary!"

"Unnecessary... Perhaps so. But don't you think their passion is commendable?"

"Commendable? You really think now is the time to be speaking so leisurely?" Ace questioned.

"Everyone has things they cannot yield. That feeling of doing whatever it takes to hold onto it—I understand. I'm sure..."

Rook reaches out to pull Strix to his side, surprising her. With the flick of his magical pen, magic makes contact with a ghost behind from where she once stood. A ghostly shrill scream ensued.

"It's the same as the protectiveness I'm feeling for you all now."

"Wha, he got our bowman!" A vassal cursed.

"Even though we hid all traces of ourselves and were waiting for our chance to grab him... He still knew we were here!"

Judging by the scowls aimed at Strix before moving to Rook, she assumed they were targeting her first until Rook stopped them in their schemes.

Rook meets their eyes with a confident yet composed expression. "Of course I did, monsieur. There is no one that can hide from me."

He then released Strix who thanked him for the save. The blond smiled before his eyes narrowed into slits. Without looking away, he asked, "...Everyone, would you mind going on ahead?"

Ace shot a bewildered look at the third year. "What?! Even if you're as strong as my dorm leader, still, there's no way you can..."

Epel interrupts him by grabbing his sleeve, "Ace, let's go!"

He staggers a little. "Whoa, you were quick to make up your mind this time?!"

The boy looks to Rook. "...Ace, look at him. Look at the expression on his face."

The rest of the first years echoed, "Expression?" before resting their eyes on the hunter.

Rook chuckles eerily under his breath. "I've always been so curious! How does one hunt a ghost, hm. They have no real body, but if I was to use magic, would they freeze? Or perhaps they're more akin to fog? Can one bottle them up?"

The ghosts back away fearfully from the dangerous glint in his green eyes. "B-Bottle is up?! That's frightful talk!"

"Ah, being in front of unknown prey sends my hunter's blood into uproar!" The blond cried gleefully.

The white astral beings tremble, squeaking out, "Ge-Get no closer...!"

The first years watched with deadpanned eyes.

"...Saying that he felt protective of us was just a front. He's seriously enjoying this right now." Ace stated duly.

"Yeah. Rook's going to be fine. He's...annoying, but he's far stronger than either of us." Epel acknowledged.

"Strong or not, I don't want him anywhere near me." Said Grim.

Strix gave a weak sheepish chuckle as the ghostly shrieks filled the staircase. "I'd hate to be his enemy."

"Rook-senpai sure is weird..." Ace remarked.

"Let's keep going before we get attacked." She ushered.

Rook spoke, "Strix, I leave those two in your hands. These ghosts and I shall enjoy a waltz together."

Parting from Rook, they arrive at the second floor of the exterior hallway.

"Without Riddle and Rook we're left with just Ace and Epel... So that means there's no one you count on now but me." Grim puffed his chest. Strix has her Dream Eaters but she doesn't remind him that.

"I... I've got this! Ace. Let's show them that first years can do this, too!" Epel said.

"Right. Looks like we're almost at the cafeteri..." Ace finished his sentence with a scream as he barely evaded a magic attack.

"Tch. So you managed to escape. Quite the smart ones!" Another wave of ghosts appear.

"Are you all right, Ace?!"

Ace rubbed his nose. "As if that basic-ass magic could've hit me."

"There's more ghosts coming this way!" Grim alerted.

"Get back! I'll take them dow..." Epel was about to fight back when the ghosts were still. "...Wait, what? The ghosts...aren't attacking? Is there something on my back?"

"My princess, please run!" A ghost suddenly cried.

They look around for the ghost bride. There is no sight of her.

Epel along with the others were confused. "Princess? But where is..."

"That beautiful figure... You are the princess from our neighboring country, here to attend the wedding, yes?" The ghost was looking at Epel as he addressed him.

Ace blew a raspberry. "Pfft! No way... You think Epel's a princess!"

"How pretty do you have to be to fool others into thinking you're an entirely different specie?" Strix wondered aloud albeit duly. That's a whole different league of beauty.

Epel visibly trembled. "Who... WHO ARE YOU CALLING A PRINCESS!"

The ghosts were taken aback by the drastic change in demeanor.

Grim gave a start. "He's a completely different person?!"

After confirming Epel is a boy with his masculine voice from the outburst, the ghosts draw in closer to capture Epel.

"You guys, get out of here!"

"Huh?! There's no way you can win against all these ghosts by yourself!" Ace protested.

"I will not stand there and let them call me 'feeble'. I've gotta give them what they've got coming for them." Epel clenched his fist.

"Ace, we can leave this to him." Strix told him.

Ace sent a knowing smirk to the boy. "Haha. You won't be beaten, huh."

Epel meets his eyes with a grin. "Okay Ace, time to go! To the bride!" He then faced the ghosts surrounding him, scowling. "You bastard ghosts... I'm gonna make you regret ever calling me a princess!"

Now there was only Ace, Strix, and Grim left running to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria door is within sight. Strix makes the last stretch and slammed the door open. Her voice booms across the room, "I object to this wedding!"

From the end of the venue, hope reignites in Idia's eyes. He shamelessly broke into a wide teary grin. "Strix-shi! Ace-shi!"

Eliza swerved to the entrance. "A woman's voice? But you have bright blue eyes... And that man with the heart-shaped mark on his face! You're the intruders I was warned about?! Don't you dare get in the way of my precious wedding!"

Strix glared icy blue daggers from beneath her lashes. The ghosts shivered from the intensity burning in the dim wedding hall. Her beady black pupils were almost lost in the sea of blue.

Though the boys weren't on the receiving end, they could still feel the chill from the other side. Strix is utterly livid.

Meanwhile Ace and Grim stood by the sidelines away from Strix's wrath, internally glad to not be directly affected by her passively scary rage.

Her voice grew a few octaves lower when she spoke, "What the hell do you mean by precious wedding. Nothing is precious about kidnapping people into forced marriage. You've just been going around doing whatever you want. Kicking me out of my home and hijacking the school... I've been in a hissy mood thanks to you lot."

Her heels click across the floor as she slowly approached down the aisle. The retainer ghosts quickly move to shield Eliza from Strix's sight.

"Not to mention you've messed with my idiots with your nonsensical standards. You insult them, you insult me."

Ghostabocky and Jestabocky are summoned to either of her side. A maniacal shadow crossed their sneering eyes, egg-shaped bodies shaking in anticipation to unleash their chaos unto the wedding hall by their master's command.

Strix pulls at her gray glove before clenching it into a tight fist ready to pound some ghosts in. "Let go of Idia."

"Y'know, that sounds cool and all but you're still going off like a supervillain..." Ace offhandedly remarks. She looks like a bad guy right now.

"Keep your hands off our princess!"

"My princess, we shall deal with this."

"Please hurry and seal your vows with a kiss!"

"I shall!"

Strix cracks her knuckles and her neck with satisfying pops. She finally got rid of the stiffness since this morning. "Ace, Grim, you distract the retainer ghosts. I'll save Idia."

"Yes ma'am." The two meekly answered.

Ghostabocky flies into battle with fork and knife in hand, serving as a wall between the ghosts and the bride.

Before Eliza would seal the vow with a swift kiss due to time, Jestabocky used binding magic on her, pinning her arms to her sides and locking her in place. The jester spirit then swoops in to carry the frozen Idia above its head and flies away.

"Princess!"

"Tch, they caught the groom!"

Unfortunately for the retainers they were outnumbered. With Ghostabocky, Ace, and Grim holding them down they couldn't chase after Idia nor rescue the princess.

Eliza squirms in vain while her two flame companions hover around her helplessly. "You! What's your relationship with Idia-sama!"

Idia was crying tears of freedom when he was then passed onto a pair of arms. A blush colors his pale cheeks as he registered being carried princess style by the girl dressed in her groom outfit. She's so close! The moonlight shining on her pearly white skin and long lashes look really attractive from this angle.

Strix smiled with unkind eyes at the bride. "One beyond your shallow love based on delusions. I've simply come to reclaim what's mine."

The blush furiously burns. If only Idia could move to cover his face right this moment. This is like a scene from a dating game!

"Oya, Strix is certainly bold tonight..." Jade bemused, all too intrigued by this interesting turn of events.

"It's like watching a play." Lilia commented.

"We're stuck in the middle of the crossfire though..." Jack spoke up. They're beyond the front row seats of this fight.

"Oi, ghosts! You saw how much Idia-senpai really doesn't want to do this. I know you guys think the princess is wrong in doing this, too!" Ace told the retainers. Strix had set Idia down on a chair.

The ghosts paused in their attacks as they fell quiet. Their fists clenched.

One of them by the name Baaya spoke, "...Everything we do is for the princess. We have always been by her side watching over her, ever since she was young. She was so gentle and bright. The whole country looked forward to her future. And yet..."

"We were suddenly invaded by our neighboring country, and everything was destroyed overnight. But she never once blamed us for failing to protect her, and always kept smiling. 'It's fine.' 'Don't worry.' 'It's okay.' 'I'm sure one day...' she'd never stop saying." Another called Jiiya stated.

"We cannot stand to have those sad things said in front of us! She dreamt for five hundred years that she'd meet her prince, yet that wish remained unfulfilled... She has spent countless years in despair." Baaya said.

"All of us retainers simply want to grant our beloved princess her one single wish. Our...poor, precious princess..." Jiiya's hollow complexion droops sympathetically.

"Even so, you're causing a lot of people grief." Strix stated firmly.

The ghosts blinked. "What?"

"Strix is right! No matter the circumstances, that gives you no reason to cause others grief. And firstly, the princess' 'ideal prince' simply doesn't exist." Ace told them.

"What? He doesn't...?" Murmured Eliza.

"There's never going to be anyone that fits exactly to your ideals. It's obvious when you stop and think for a second." Ace flatly said.

"How- How dare you speak to the princess in that manner!" Baaya seethed.

"My princess, do not listen to him! Without a doubt, Idia-sama is your ideal prince..." Jiiya says.

"It's exactly because you keep giving her false hopes that she keeps searching for a partner that doesn't exist!" Ace retorts. The ghosts jolted.

Ace continued, "I feel like I've seen this kind of thing happen before, but... Just because you feel sorry for her, doesn't mean you gotta treat her like glass! It isn't a way of being thoughtful to her! In the end, you're just avoiding the actual problem and taking the easy way out!"

"My ears hurt..." Trey wished he could move his hands now. Cater chuckled weakly.

Ace then said, "You need to give it to her straight! What's important about a bridegroom isn't just their appearance."

"Then... Other than his looks, how do I choose a prince?" Eliza asked.

"Like I'm saying~!" Ace stresses, "First of all, leave the prince part out of it. What makes an ideal marriage partner..."

"A person who'll cry and laugh along with you. Someone that'll try their best with you no matter how rough it gets... Something like that. Don't make me say embarrassing stuff! Shouldn't you ghosts have already taught her this? You've been by her side for five hundred years... You say it's all for her but you haven't done a single thing!"

The ghosts were speechless, realization registering in their eyes all too late.

Strix was staring at him with newfound respect. Her heart was touched by the words of wisdom he surprisingly possessed. It somehow sounds like he has experience.

The door opens.

"Ace is right."

Everyone looks to the source.

"Dorm Head Riddle!"

Following suit were Rook and Epel. All three suffered minor scratches and look worse for wear, bouquets reduced to stray stems and petals.

Vil narrowed his violet eyes at his residents. "Well aren't you two a bit late."

"My apologies, Vil. We got caught amongst many distractions found on the way to your lost light." Rook said.

"Yeah. Rook had a lot of fun defeating the ghosts... Maybe?" Epel added questionably.

Deuce looks to Riddle with light in his eyes. "Dorm leader, you've come to save us, right! Thank you so mu..."

"Cater!" Riddle suddenly shouted and asked, "What time is it?!"

The ginger blinked. "Huh? Um... The clock on the wall says it's 23:35."

Riddle's eyes widen. "There is little time before tomorrow...! Let's hurry up and deal with these ghosts!"

Question marks float around Cater. "Um, what? What did he want me to check the time for?"

"Right then! The tuxedo troupe are all here altogether... It's about time we carried out our duty. Let's chase these ghosts outta school." Said Ace.

"Ghosts. This is your chance to make things right. You don't want to let your darling mademoiselle become an evil ghost that takes the lives of humans, I'm sure?" Rook inquired.

Eliza's wide blue eyes blinked. "Evil ghost? ...Are you talking about me? I... I never intended to be evil, I just...!"

"You need not listen to them, my princess. You've done nothing wrong." Chubby assures gently.

"Chubby..."

"Are you actually still saying that after all this!" Ace fumed. He even ranted a whole speech about it!

"Do you still not understand that you're in the wrong?!" Epel tells them.

"It does not matter whether I am right or wrong or anything. Even if the whole world were to become my enemy, I want to make the princess happy. That is my unfinished business... It is my wish!"

The cafeteria rumbles as Chubby grows bigger in size. Everyone watches dreadfully as the size gradually towers them.

Riddle gaped at the sight. "Don't tell me... This is the embodiment of power from five hundred years of unfinished business?!"

Rook's eyes narrowed. "I can feel power from him completely unlike any ghost we fought before... This is dangerous. Everyone, get back!"

"I believe we have told you that we can't move." Vil reminds flatly.

"Oh, right yes. In that case... Epel, Strix. Right now they're all basically equivalent to sleeping logs. Roll everyone to the walls of the cafeteria!" Rook ordered.

"Got it!"

"Huh?! Who're you calling a log!" Leona growled.

"How rude, human! I am one of Malleus-sama's vassals! I will not allow you to roll me along the floor!" Sebek barked.

"Yes yes, we're in a hurry here." Strix dismisses their complaints and rolls the boys to the side alongside Epel.

"...Everyone evacuated?" Riddle asked.

"Yes. We can start any time!" Epel affirmed.

Ace scowled. "How much more grief are these damn ghosts gonna cause... Let's finish this quickly!"

Chubby's voice reverberates the wedding hall, "I will...protect the princess...to the very end...!"

Strix stared up at the huge ghost. "Can't say I don't relate to the sentiment." She'd do the same for her brother and grandfather without thinking twice.

"But those five hundred years will vanish tonight. Dwindle him down with magic! He needs to be weakened before I use my plan." She ordered.

"And that plan won't take long, I assume?" Riddle asked.

Strix allowed a smirk to quirk her lips. "It'll be over in an instant."

They rained magic spells on Chubby who resists and tries to protect Eliza throughout it all. After he suffered enough damage, Strix deemed it appropriate to execute the ghost Dream Eater's special attack.

"Ghostabocky, use Ghost Vacuum."

Ghostabocky eerily laughed before widening its mouth. A vacuum sucks Chubby in. His white hat was the only remnant of him once he disappeared inside the black void of the spirit's mouth.

Eliza and the ghosts gasped loudly, the former crying out for him with a shrill voice and tears in her eyes.

"...He's not actually eaten, right?" Epel dared to ask, sweating nervously along with the others who fear for the dark turn in this event.

Strix sighed softly. "I'm not that cruel. I had ordered Ghostabocky to not swallow any of the ghosts from the beginning."

The bloated Ghostabocky's tongue rolled open to spit the retainer out.

A slobber-drenched Chubby is now reduced to his normal size and laid limp on the floor. Moans were heard signaling he was still alive (in his ghostly way) but weakened.

"Oh yeahhh! We finally got him!" Ace and Grim cheered triumphantly.

"There's no more retainers left to protect the princess. Looks like we can put the ring on her finger now." Riddle said.

"Let's get this done before she goes crazy!" Epel ushered.

Eliza watched with horror. "You can't..."

Ace stepped forward. "Now. Do you have any last words? Maybe some parting words for your beloved Idia-senpai..."

"Chubby!"

Everyone blanked. "Huh?"

She throws herself over the retainer. "Chubby, ohh... Why did you do this...! I was so scared! Look at you, all beaten up and bruised from protecting me from these villains..."

"I'm going to smack a ghost." Strix suddenly said, gravely serious. Where was the ghost transforming potion Crowley once used when she needed it?

Ace firmly placed his hands on her shoulders before she pounces. "Hold it hold it hold it-!"

Chubby weakly reawakens upon hearing her cries. "Please do not be sad, my princess. Your smile is my happiness..."

"Chubby? Why is your body getting fainter and fainter..." He was slowly fading from existence, teetering between the real world and the other side.

"Somehow or other, it appears that I used up all my my power when fighting. My princess... I beg of you, please never stop smiling. From the bottom of my heart, I wish for your happiness. Live a long, happy life with your prince..." He smiles faintly.

"No... No, don't go! You've always cheered me on so kindly, and chased my dreams with me no matter how hard it was. I need you here with me!"

"Princess..."

Her eyes become wet with tears. "...Ah, I see. I finally understand now. My true prince... It's you, Chubby!"

Everyone's jaws dropped (at least those who could). "WHAT?!"

His eyes beheld the bride in endearing light. "My princess... Eliza. I too, cherished no one but you when we were alive."

"Chubby... I love you." Eliza kisses him.

Sparkles surround Chubby. Eliza pulled back in surprise, gasping.

He blinks in bewilderment and examines his ghostly body retaining its opaque form. "...Huh? M-My wounds are healing!"

"It must be the true power of love. The power of a true love's kiss... It saved you!" Eliza exclaimed joyously.

The other ghost retainers cried in relief. Meanwhile confusion and lost was written on everyone's faces.

"Um? Wha...? What is happening? Am I the only one who is not following this at all?" Ace asked.

"No matter how you look at it, we've become the bad guys..." Riddle muttered.

Strix hates to admit it, but yeah. They were painted in the wrong here.

Eliza floats to Idia. "...Idia-sama."

"Uh, yes?"

"...I'm sorry!" She bows her head apologetically.

He blinked profusely in bewilderment. "Huh?"

"I completely disregarded your feelings. I deeply apologize... You are a wonderful person. So, someday, I'm sure you'll find someone better than me."

She turns to face the general audience. "Everyone, please listen! I shall get married... to my true soulmate! Chubby!"

The ghosts cheer and whistle. They congratulate the couple and wish nothing but happiness for them. A round of applause rumbles in the wedding venue.

Crowley and Ortho arrive at the front doors.

"True love, finally found after five hundred years of hoping! My goodness, this is moving. In the end, it's about love! Not the success of the proposal! Love is what's important! Yes, indeed!" Crowley said affirmatively.

Strix was more surprised there would be a lesson like this in a school of villains. Or maybe that's exactly why? Whatever, what matters is that Idia didn't have to depart to the afterlife now.

"Brotherrrr!" Ortho comes hovering in and tackling Idia in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay...!"

Meanwhile the Ignihyde dorm leader was confused. "No... Yes... I'm... Fine...? It's all right to not be fine even though someone asked me to marry them? That's just fine, that's, yeah?" He mumbles a string of words before saying, "...Yet why does it feel like I got dumped even though I received no confession?!"

Rook placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be okay. I'm sure there is an even finer individual awaiting you in your future. Feel free to cry all night tonight, and then start moving forward tomorrow."

"You don't have to go that far to make me feel better, okay?!" Idia tearfully cried.

"Good grief. What a palava we got ourselves caught up in today." Lilia was walking to their circle. Everyone can move!

"Finally, we're able to move our bodies again." Azul stretches his stiff limbs.

"Everyone, are your cheeks okay?" Strix asked in concern.

"Don't make me remember that!" Vil nearly hissed, the shame of being slapped still burning in his mind.

Floyd suddenly throws himself over Strix. "My cheek still hurts, Shrimpyy~! Kiss it better for me?"

The girl weakly chuckled. "Next time don't be too honest in front of a girl's face unless you're asking for a slap."

Floyd pouts slightly. "But it's true. Unlike her, you're not annoying. I don't wanna propose to someone like her at all, fake or not."

Her eyes soften. She pats his broad back. "I know, I know."

The eel man rubs his cheek (the one that Strix remembered was slapped) against hers. He giggles. "So soft and smooth..."

"Floyd! Release Strix this instant!" Riddle barked. He's getting too touchy and handsy as usual.

Said boy slips from Strix to tease and provoke the redhead instead. While the bantering continues, Strix notices a certain lion who was silent since he was able to move.

Standing from a distance away with crossed arms was Leona. His tail was flicking back and forth occasionally with flat ears. While he may seem apathetic at first glance, his bright green eyes glared at the floor. The grouchy overgrown kitty is grouchy.

She approached him and leans to the side to get an angle of the brunet's face. He inclines his head away as she did.

The blue-haired girl peers up before smiling knowingly. "The ghost bride missed out on a good catch."

Leona glanced back to meet her honest blue eyes. A smug grin curled the corners of his lips. "I'm way out of her league, anyway."

She stands up straight. That's the Leona she knows.

A soft tuft of dark fur stroked the side of her jaw from behind her shoulder. Her breath hitched from the feathery touch.

He leans forward and mutters huskily for her ears only, "There's someone worthwhile, after all."

Her lips pursed into a flustered line.

Leona smirked and walks away with his tail now trailing behind him as someone comes up to her.

"Strixy! You're looking super handsome in that getup! Marry me~" Cater winked before whipping out his smartphone for a selfie group pic in a flash. He must've been itching to get on Magicam after a day of paralysis.

After he lists hashtags, Strix quirked a smile albeit tired. "I knew you'd say that, Cater-senpai..." Ever the flirt, but that was part of what makes him Cater.

Cater was then ordered by Riddle to make haste to Heartslabyul with him so he would serve tea to the queen before tomorrow arrives, lest the rule will be broken. The two run in the name of the Queen of Hearts and her 810 rules.

"Everyone... We caused a lot of bother." Chubby frowned apologetically as he and his fiancée float to the group together.

"Because of you all I realized who my true love was. Everyone, thank you!" Eliza smiled gratefully.

"You guys were real trouble..." Ace then shrugs with a smile. "...Well, I guess it's okay. We managed to end this without interfering with your unfinished business."

Strix silently huffed to herself. At least she understood the precious things are close by like Chubby's loyalty and love for her.

Eliza beamed with a nod. "Indeed. We shall now freely head off to enjoy our honeymoon."

"With that, you'll finally be at peace." Ortho smiled.

Idia pales. "Ugh, no more. I'm sick of this. I'm gonna get ghost phobia..."

To Strix's surprise, Eliza approached her without fear or disgust. Instead she was smiling kindly.

The human frowned. She casted her gaze away shamefully from the guilt nipping at her heart and tries to play it nonchalantly by rubbing the back of her neck. "...Congrats. I'm really, really sorry about my behavior. I must've scared you..."

Eliza's expression soften. "I've hurt your friends out of my selfish pursuit for happiness. You have every reason to be upset."

As she spoke, her two little flame companions had return carrying an arrangement of azure blue roses from one of the tables meant as decoration. Eliza holds the flowers in her hands.

By her quizzical brow, the ghost princess continued with a wide smile, "I've always wanted to do the bouquet toss. Will you please?"

"Huh? Wait, what?!" A flustered Strix stammers over her words while looking around frantically. Everyone, both the living and the dead, were watching the scene unfold curiously. She's the only female in the field, after all. The pressure is real. This is even more embarrassing!

"You can do it, Strix Noctowl!" Ortho cheers on enthusiastically, recording this exciting tradition for women into the album.

"You got this!" Jack shouted from the sidelines.

"Don't get cold feet now!" Ace cheers on, snarky grin plastered on his face.

Her shoulders trembled. "You guys...!"

Meanwhile the excited Eliza floats at a distance far enough to toss the bouquet behind her. "Ready? Here I go!"

She outstretched her palm in vain, "Wait-!"

The bride flung the bouquet over her head.

Strix looks up. Her body automatically moves back along the bouquet's trajectory while aware of her surroundings.

A hand catches the bouquet with ease, followed by a round of applause reverberating the wedding venue.

Strix bored her eyes blankly at the bouquet now in her possession. She did it. Why does she always get roped into doing stuff in the end?

"May you find happiness," Eliza spoke happily as she approached. Her eyes twinkled at the sight. Blue roses look lovely for Strix.

"Every girl makes a beautiful bride." She then whispered for her ears only, "In an all-boys school, I'd be surprised if you didn't find 'the one'."

Strix choked on air. "What-?!"

Eliza giggled; she finally made eye contact with her. They are truly a stunning color rivaling the blue moon.

Upon returning to Chubby's side, she chirped, "This time next year you'll be able to meet our baby! Look forward to it, okay!"

"DON'T COME HERE AGAIN!"

Sending their farewells, the ghosts fade away from Night Raven College. The peaceful silence of the night returns.

After scanning the room for any lingering ghosts, Crowley released a puff of air. "Well, that was quite an action-packed day. In any case, we can put this to bed now..."

"Please wait a moment, headmaster. Do you not have any more suitable last words for this occasion?" Rook inquired with a knowing grin.

The masked man paused. "...Oh! Yes, rather I do." He clears his throat and continued with a smile:

"And so, the two of them lived happily ever after. The end."

~~~~~~~

Special: The Aftermath

~~~~~~~

"Wait, now we're left cleaning up after the mess?!" Ace exclaimed indignantly, gesturing wildly at the wedding decorations and setup.

"What are we going to do with this 'ring of severance'? I don't think we can ask Sam for a refund..." Epel mused.

Without a word, Strix returns the makeshift bouquet back to the table where it belonged. The anger she had harbored towards the ghosts and the bride dwindled after they found their happy ending, but the flame was still burning. Where was she going to direct that anger now? She never said she forgave the bride for causing grief, after all.

While everyone's eyes was not on the girl, Strix couldn't keep her strength together now that the school is rid of the ghosts.

Just when Strix turned from the head of the table, her body swayed until she took a knee and falls forward. Jestabocky caught its master before she would face-plant to the floor.

The boys look to where Strix once stood.

"Strix?!"

Without lifting her head, she held up a hand before they would assume the worse. "I'm... I'm just tired, that's all."

She pressed her weight onto the jester spirit acting as her crutch and leaned her forehead on its head while hugging it from behind for comfort. The adrenaline and endorphins are leaving her weak in the knees.

Ghostabocky floats around her head and hovers to her eye level, the faintest curve of concern shaping its thin yellow pupils. Strix tilts her head up to acknowledge the spirit and rubs both Dream Eaters' heads. They drink in her affectionate touches.

"Thanks a lot you two. Good work today."

Relieved smiles spread among the circle of students.

"You were pretty badass out there, Strix." Jack told her when she had dismissed the spirits and slowly stood to her feet.

Halfway to her rise, Grim spoke, "Yeah, but you've been out of it since 'Operation: Propose' began."

Her expression was unreadable. "What're you talking about."

"I mean, you couldn't sleep a wink since the ghosts showed up, right? You got super grumpy after the ghost bride's slapping spree."

"I just ran out of caffeine and sugar, that's all." Was her curt answer.

Grim placed his paws on his hips. "I know you long enough to tell. You're jealous, aren't ya?"

Her lips twitched into a frown. "Jealous? Me? Of what? Of who? You're getting ahead of yourself."

"I bet it's because we were 'proposing' to the ghost bride of all people." Ace offhandedly presumes with a snarky grin.

Blue eyes finally makes eye contact; they were twisted with livid darkness. A mine, he thought dreadfully; he just stepped into a minefield.

"So what if it was?!" Strix shouted, startling everyone by her outburst. "I just couldn't stand seeing her slap you guys! Most of you didn't deserve that!"

Leona elegantly raised a brow. "'Most of us'...?" He has a distinct feeling he's not part of that, but his pride is not willing to accept that possibility.

Strix continued ranting, "The bride was unbelievable. So rude to strangers who are only in high school. Even if the proposals are fake, you guys shouldn't get slapped for not meeting her stupid standards. The audacity! It was too extreme that it was plain abusive. I wasn't laughing the whole time, you know! I wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine and slap her myself!"

Trey tries to placate her, "Strix, calm down now..."

"I mean...!"

"She couldn't see the lineup of wonderful husbands right in front of her! It's a shame!"

Stunned silence.

Strix was a second too late in realizing what she had blurted out. Her eyes swerved to the boys for their reactions, only to dilate at the sight.

All students carried a tint of color in their cheeks, ranging from a soft pink blush to vivid red. Some were avoiding eye contact and staring elsewhere with great interest, others too stunned to even breathe.

Seeing the flustered reactions from them caused the blood to rush to her face as well.

"I... I, uh..." She was reduced to a stammering mess. Her eyes are spinning. For some reason she couldn't play it off coolly. Why isn't anyone saying anything?!

"I just...got really upset... Because I care about you guys..." Too much, she couldn't say. They're her idiots she came to adore despite their egotism and chaos that bring her more headaches than a peace of mind.

Why couldn't she keep her negative emotions under her skin? How immature and selfish did she sound? Why is she so stuck-up about this?

Strix sinks to the floor and curled up into a ball, hiding her red face wedged in her crossed arms. A whimper leaves her as she dies of embarrassment. This endearing, adorable side of Strix who usually has something to follow up with her sharp tongue only made the boys' hearts race faster.

'That's so cute!'

The first years gather around the female and look down with fond smiles.

Epel bends on his knees and softly giggled. "Your ears are so red."

"Shut up. Leave me alone." Came the weak comeback.

"You were really amazing out there, Strix. You came this far into the school year, after all. Huge-ass ghosts are nothing compared to you and your familiars." Jack praised.

"I agree," Sebek stiffly began, "Your bravery and valor as a human without magic is to be noted. Something a knight must wield as well... Good work."

"You came through for all of us even after what we've done. Thank you." Deuce said smiling gently.

"Stop."

Ace laughed. "We're idiots, but we'll always be your idiots."

They embrace her.

"We wuv you~" It was Ace that said it.

"... Pfft..." Strix breaks into a fit of giggles. "What the hell... I couldn't take that seriously now... I was going to cry, you know... Ahaha, ha... I can't breathe..."

From the sidelines beside his brother, Ortho smiled. Strix finally cheered up after what was a horrendous day. What a relief.

After Strix calmed down and the gang gave the female space, Deuce asked, "So what did the ghost bride spoke to you about? She seemed happy about something."

"It's a secret between girls." Was what she replied. Ah, the one kind of reasoning men wouldn't be able to pry an answer out of.

It had to be something intriguing though, especially when Strix spluttered over her words after Eliza whispered something to her. What was it that had made her flustered? That's something they won't hear an answer from the girl any time soon.

Ace spoke, "Oh yeah, you never did get to make your proposal, Strix. I wanted to see what you came up with to swoon the bride."

Strix was too physically drained to even jolt at the attention now centered on her. She doesn't look up when mumbling, "I forgot."

"C'mon~ Who was the one most excited out of all of us in a tuxedo? I know you wanted to try it~" The orange-haired male eggs her on.

"I'd like to hear it, too," Epel piped, an encouraging smile on his lips.

Hearing this, Floyd perks up. "Shrimpy's gonna propose? I wanna hear!"

"I, too, wish to listen. It will make our prolonged paralysis and aching muscles worthwhile." Lilia said smiling.

Azul smiled in anticipation. "I look forward to your presentation."

Strix looks at them bewildered. "You guys are serious?"

Rook eagerly announces, "Before we retire for the night, listen to the sweet honeyed words from our beloved supervisor, Strix Noctowl! Let the hearts soar into the sky!"

She internally rolled her eyes despite biting through a shaky smile. There's no getting out of this one. "Okay, okay. This is going to be embarrassing though..."

Clearing her throat, she kneels. Placing a hand over her heart, a charming smile begins to pull at her lips as she said:

"I don't need pretty flowers or witnesses. I won't make promises anymore, those are for making others happy. What I say now isn't second-hand. It's not a promise, but an oath. I can't return to when I was a liar. This very day without lies and falsehood, without past or precedence, is an ideal day for our eternal oath. Please let me stay by your side forever."

Note: The proposal lines are taken from Utada Hikaru's "Chikai" aka "Oath" English lyrics with a few adjustments and rearranging for dialogue purposes.

I'll leave the boys' reactions to your imagination. It's getting too lengthy by this point. Imagine the ending is sort of breaking the fourth wall lol

Below is something I did for funsies. Pretend her card is an R here and for the rest of the events (since SR and SSR have additional Groovy lines).

Strix Noctowl Dress-up Bridegroom

Voice Lines

Unlock Card

"Do you think I look less feminine in these clothes? At an angle I look convincing as a boy, right?"

Groovy

"I can get used to playing the male role, not going to lie. When do you ever get the chance to be a groom?"

Home Setting

"To think I'd dress up as a groom... It's actually kind of fun seeing the look on everyone's faces."

Home Transitions

"Excuse me, you dropped this (ring) ...Heheh, how's that? Bet you didn't expect that from me."

"I feel like attending a wedding is becoming a sour experience every time for me. My first wedding invite is...not the most pleasant memory to look back on."

"I don't know how to woo someone apart from my knowledge from movies. I have zero experience when it comes to intimate love, after all."

Home Transition (Login Greeting)

"I'll prove to be less of a disaster than the boys at proposing, at the very least."

Home Tap

"Purple roses express love at first sight. They primarily stand for enchantment, a deep magnetism and charm that makes the recipient almost irresistible is what's conveyed. I don't believe in 'love at first sight', though."

"If I were to pick a ring, I'd like the color as the morning sun. It would match with my partner, too. ...What's with the surprised face? 'Too romantic for me'? What are you trying to imply?"

"Everyone looks sharp in formal wear, it's amazing how clothes make the man. Ace was definitely a huge gap; that idiot cleans up nicely for once. I have faith he can play the groom, with his acting and all."

"Rook-senpai went over the moon about how romantically poetic my proposal speech was. Everyone else agreed they were moved, too. I honestly don't know how I had a way with words; I suppose they came from the heart?"

"Every girl dreams of being a bride. That's when they're the most beautiful, because of their overflowing joy and love to be together with their lover. I wonder if I'll ever see myself become that beautiful one day..."

Ace Trappola SSR Dress-up Bridegroom

Personal Story

"Goodness... Today was a really difficult day." Crowley began. "The cafeteria has been redecorated into a 'wedding hall' but the ghosts have already gone. How irresponsible. At this rate, we will not be able to dine in the cafeteria tomorrow. First years. Before returning to your dorms please clean up the 'wedding hall'."

Said group gaped at the headmaster in astonishment.

"First years... Surely Epel, Strix, and I from the tuxedo team are exempted from cleaning up right?!" Ace asked, gesturing an arm to the troupe.

"Of course not, I meant all the first years. After all I am a teacher who treats all students equally!" Crowley says with a smile.

Epel shook his head. "I can't believe this..."

"Give me a break... I already tried my best today, I'm beat." Ace slumped his shoulders.

"The plan was certainly a great success but... that is that, and this is this. Now you energetic young men! Please be quick about it!"

Meanwhile Strix and Grim were slowly slipping out of the cafeteria before Crowley would notice. However, without glancing back the man called to them, "That includes you two as well!"

Strix didn't bother hiding her audible groans. Today sucks.

...

"Ugh... No matter how many ribbons I remove from the wall there seems to be no end in sight." Epel said.

"When I try to remove the lace decorations they get stuck on my nails!" Grim whined.

Ace attempts to move a chair. "What a rough chair... Where did they get this from... Wait, if you look closely it's actually a gravestone! Scary!"

The redhead shuddered before raising his voice, "Oi, Strix! Can't you have one of your Dream Eaters make everything return to normal?"

Strix was collecting the silverware when she replied, "They're not exactly made to clean up after people's messes, Ace!" much to his chagrin.

It was then Ortho hovers in. "Everyone, I've come to help so cheer up!"

"Thanks, Ortho. Would you mind collecting the utensils for me?" Strix asked.

As Ortho eagerly obliged and joined the girl in clearing the tableware, Ace was frowning at the tasks he would have to fulfill as a first year.

"...Ahh. Ugh! Even after I did my best! How much more trouble do those ghosts want to cause for the living before they're satisfied? 500 years right? They spent that much time obsessing over 'love'. Isn't that too persistent. I was angry at the ghost vassals but..."

Ace heaved a sigh. "I don't think I'll ever understand that princess for my whole life. If she just gave up on marriage and lived happily in the other world I wouldn't be suffering like this..."

Epel was listening to his griping until he spoke, "Ace, don't you have a person that you like?"

Ace swerved to the Pomefiore resident. "Ha?! What's with that suddenly?"

" 'Too persistent' or 'I'll never understand' that sort of thing... I thought it was unexpected coming from you. Somehow I thought that you'd be more knowledgeable about love." Epel admits.

"In other words, you're saying that I seem like a flirt?" Ace looks at him blankly.

Epel's cerulean blue eyes widen. "T-That's not what I meant."

"Even if Epel doesn't mean it, I'd say that's the case." Strix spoke up. "I can list off all the things you've said to me. In chronological order. It all started from the night you came over with Riddle's collar on and-"

"I get it I get it!" Ace interrupted before huffing. "So I'm a bit of a flirt. Big deal."

Grim scoffed. "Asking Ace about love would be pitiful. There's no way he'd know anything about it. There's no way such a twisted and mean guy would be popular."

"Maybe you'd like to stop feeling sorry for yourself?" Was what Ace quipped before continuing, "Back in middle school I used to go to amusement parks and the cinema together with my girlfriend."

"W-What?! Ace is being cheeky?!"

Strix pauses in gathering the plates to exclaim, "Girlfriend?! I never would have guessed." earning an indignant "Hey!" from Ace.

Ortho perks up. "Amusement parks and cinemas? I looked up those places in my manual and no matter what era those are the top date spots!"

"Talking about love stories... It's very high school boys like! And? What happened next?" Epel asks eagerly.

"Then... Well girls, they're scared of extreme rides. So the only rides I could go on were either the Merry-go-round or the Ferris wheel. She'd go 'It's so cute!' and take photos with Magicam but I still don't get what was so interesting though. Then with movies it was all either about romance or animals, action and horror were all 'Don't want to!' Being together with them was pretty boring so I eventually lost contact with her and kept my distance."

"Is that so. That ended a little abruptly...?" Epel was a little disappointed how anti-climatic the breakup was.

"So, the troublesome part starts here. What do you think would happen when you keep your distance?" He recalls the memory, "...One day I was suddenly called by a group of girls whose names I didn't even know..."

Ace then feigns a girly voice, 'Why don't you contact her?' 'So pitiful!' 'That girl has always been crying you know!' 'You monster!' ...I was scolded a lot! What was that even about, some kind of feeling of solidarity between girls?"

"You did ghosted her, after all. Hah, how appropriate." Strix laughed by the nose.

Ace rolled his eyes at the joke before continuing, "It was at that time that I realized, love is just a pain! Hanging out with guy friends is way more interesting."

"What about me?" Strix points to herself and blinked owlishly.

Ace grinned. "Compared to her, you're definitely more fun. We watched horror movies together, remember?"

Strix reciprocated his grin evenly. "Yeah, I'd rather watch action and horror over romance any day. Ugh, can't relate. And I like extreme rides, too. I rarely ever get exhilaration in life, after all." Well, up until she came to Twisted Wonderland that is.

"Right? Some girls just don't get it, but you do! Where were you my whole life?" He slung an arm over and playfully nudged her shoulder.

Strix sheepishly smiled. "I think you just had bad luck to stumble on a girl like her. From what you said, it sounds like this person..." Her eyes fell flat, "is really weird. Even though I'm a girl, I don't understand girls of that spectrum."

After watching the boy, Grim flatly states, "Ace is pretty childish."

"I don't wanna hear that from the one who seems to have the least experience with love." Ace shot back.

He removed himself from Strix. "...Actually! Rather than me, I think they're the ones who'd have the biggest problem."

The rest of the first year gang look up inquisitively. Deuce and Jack approached.

"Ace, what have you guys been talking about ever since a while ago?" Deuce asked.

"Ugh... It's already past midnight, I'm already really sleepy. Let's hurry up and get this over with." Jack grumbled.

"Not to sound rude but, you guys were just laying around on the floor the whole time." Ace told them before looking to Grim, "Think about it carefully Grim. Compared to me, those who failed at the mission are more childish."

"I guess...? Deuce who froze up in front of the bride was super lame." Grim smirked mirthfully.

"Right~! I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe."

Deuce indignantly squawked, "Wha...I-I can't help it! I'm not used to talking to girls, and Strix is the only girl here. I was thinking what if I say something that hurts her feelings I wouldn't know what to say after..."

"Didn't you go to a co-ed middle school? Weren't you popular? I thought for sure your bad boy image would have the girls squealing for you." Ace said.

"Squealing?" Deuce furrowed his brow before saying, "...No, no one ever came to talk to me. The only girl who did was my mother... Actually, even boys didn't. Everyone I met eyes with would immediately start running and disappear."

"I'm sure things are different after the phase," Strix began, "Right now you look like a pretty boy who is very serious and intelligent... Except that last part."

An arrow pierced Deuce.

"Ah, I see... It's the 'He's too scary I should stay away' pattern..." Ace sweatdropped. "Jack was also instantly rejected. I guess guys who look scary aren't popular."

"Mind your own business, I don't really care, I don't have to be popular." Jack said coolly.

"Oh? What's this, sour grapes?"

"That's not it. Our kind only decides to cherish one person for our entire lifetime. My parents and grandparents have always been together. From the moment they wake, up until they go to bed... Even during walks and meals they're still together."

"When the time comes for me to fall in love, I also want to spend the rest of my life with them is what I thought. That's why I don't need to be popular." Jack states affirmatively.

"T-That's...really heavy!" Ace exclaims, "You're still just a student and you're already thinking about things like 'spending the rest of your life'. Aren't you thinking about love too seriously!"

"In the first place, is it okay to assume getting married when we're not even sure about getting a job?" Deuce mumbled.

"What a pain! I would absolutely never want to go out with Jack." Grim said.

"This has nothing to do with you guys!"

Meanwhile Strix was gazing at the wolf with round eyes.

"Jack... You're such a good boy! I'd give my life for you in a heartbeat! I'd hide a dead body for you any day! Just say the word!" She says tearfully.

His ears stood rigid, genuinely concerned by the exaggeration. "Don't say that!"

"There it is, Strix's doting on Jack again..." Ace sweatdropped as Strix gives him head pats to ease his worry. "As I thought the popular type would be someone like Epel. The not scary-looking, pretty boy with a promising future!"

"Eh, oh...Me!" Epel's eyes widen by the mention of his name.

"You asked us first, so now it's your turn to tell us your story! Did you have someone you liked back in your hometown, Epel?" Ace asked.

Epel hesitates. "Um..."

"What's this~ Don't try to hide it~ We're tuxedo buddies, right~?" Ace wiggles his brows while prodding the Pomefiore student's arm with an elbow.

"What an ill-mannered approach. Why do you keep on wanting to hear people's love stories anyway?" Deuce asked.

"I bet that he's thinking that it's be great if everyone else finished cleaning up while he's busy talking." Jack crossed his arms with a pointed golden yellow gaze.

"That makes sense. That deviousness does seem pretty Ace-like." Deuce attested.

"You guys were also interested in the stories though!" Ace retorted.

The two track team members did not make eye contact. "That's..."

Ace turns to Epel eagerly, "Have you been confessed to? Do you have a person you like? Are you dating someone?!"

Epel pursed his lips while the three leaned forward in anticipation. Strix rolled her eyes at how they're like middle school girls pressuring their friend to spill the tea. This may as well be a sleepover party.

Epel fidgeted before silently sighing. "...You guys are really excited so it's kinda hard for me to say this... There was only a few people in my hometown and the only ones who were around me were really old. It was only when I entered Night Raven College that I got to talk to people of the same age... Farming...was mostly what I did to help with my family's business so there's no exciting story to tell..."

"So even you don't have a love story to tell." Ace wilts.

"Sorry for not meeting your expectations." Epel lowered his head.

"Compared to the data I have on boys your age, everyone's 'youth' is extremely lacking." Ortho giggles.

Strix was trying so hard to suppress her laughter as she hides her grin behind her hand, however her body was visibly shaking as she said, "That's a roundabout way of saying 'you guys are a bunch of virgins', pfft!"

"Shut up! I bet you're no better!" Ace retorted.

"That doesn't matter with me if I'm a virgin." Strix lifted her hands and shrugged, not willing to be fazed by any potential provocations. "Virgins unite!"

"Stop calling us virgins damn it!"

It was then Sebek stomps over to their circle, "Oi! You humans over there! You haven't been working at all ever since a while ago! IF YOU HAVE THE TIME FOR IDLE CHATTER LINE UP THOSE CHAIRS INSTEAD!"

"And he's here. Today's number one hopeless man." Ace tossed a sly smirk at the Diasomnia student.

"How disappointing of you." Jack said.

Sebek tipped his nose up. "Hmph. You all keep talking about such trivial topics like falling in love. We are students. If you have time to spare why don't you use it to study harder instead!"

"Don't act so cocky! Especially for someone who was instantly rejected!" Grim shot back.

"I was not rejected! I was the one who rejected her! I'm already too busy training everyday in order to protect Lord Malleus. I have no time for love now."

"You keep saying such things but, what if your type suddenly appears what would you do? Are you also just going to keep on talking about Malleus-senpai to them too?" Ace said, already predicting that would be the case.

"There will be no mistakes. Master Lilia has already taught me what to do." Sebek then boomed, "...FIRST OF ALL I WILL WRITE A LETTER!"

"A letter?! Like exchanging letters?! That's like our grandfather's and grandmother's generation!" Ace exclaimed in bewilderment. This boy's from a different era!

"Why not use Magicam, or at least email." Deuce muttered, shaking his head.

"As for why, Master Lilia said that 'Fountain pens and stationery are your swords in love'. Next, write down your feelings and once every three letters send a photo of yourself smiling. That process should be repeated up until the 25th full moon comes. Then when you've exchanged enough words... You go to the bench in the Central Park of the Valley of Thorns. Then you sit next to each other with enough space in the middle for another person."

Strix couldn't take it anymore. She clung to the last bit of her self-control as she was doubling over holding her aching ribs from breaking, trying not to howl in the middle of the night. He said all that nonsense with such boastful confidence that it was literally killing her.

"Pfft, hahahaha... Stop! I can't breathe! Hahahaha..." Strix is going to choke at this rate.

"He was definitely making fun of you..." Is what Epel states. Knowing Lilia, he was totally toying the first year.

"What?! A mere human doubting Master Lilia, what insolence! And stop giggling, woman!"

Ace drawled a sigh. "Like I said your voice is really loud. This conversation is getting too long, let's end it here!" He sighed. "Hah...but I guess there's some sense in what Sebek is saying."

"You're also gonna write letters?" Jack snickered teasingly.

"Yeah that's right, I'll write the words 'I love...' in cursive on a white stationery..." Ace quickly shook his head, "Wait, that's not what I meant! This time Epel and I were both saved by Dorm Head Riddle and Rook-senpai, right?"

"...That's true. If the two of them weren't there I don't think we could have gotten this far." Epel said.

"When I saw our dorm head take on that many ghosts alone, I thought of this. 'Isn't dorm head pretty cool?'" Light of respect and admiration shone in Ace's eyes.

"I also want to get better at using magic. Right now I'm sure I'm no match against either the dorm head or even the other seniors but... One of these days I'll show off my real abilities then go 'How's that!' Just imagining the seniors looking at my incredible magic in awe, isn't it already exhilarating? And in order to do that... I think I'd have to study a bit more seriously before focusing on love."

"...Yeah. That's right. I think so, too!" Epel spoke up.

"Hmph. So you understand it after all don't you." Sebek said.

"Ahhh, we really have to study harder." Said Deuce.

"Being told that by Deuce who only gets failing marks adds even more weight to the words." Jack remarked.

"That's true."

"Don't agree with each other only at times like this!" Exclaimed the spade boy.

Strix giggled.

"...Ugh, in the end everyone got so caught up talking that we haven't made any progress in cleaning up! Getting told some pretty harsh things by the ghosts, and now being made to work overtime... We're all so lame. There wasn't a single good thing today." Ace laments.

"That's not true!" Ortho said.

"Eh?"

"The headmaster and I were watching the video of Ace Trappola's entrance to the wedding hall... Rushing in with a bouquet yelling 'Wait a minute!' with a serious expression. It really looked like a movie. Ace Trappola who was desperately trying his best for the sake of my brother...was really cool!"

"Ha? I wasn't really desperate or anything like that. That was just because I was running from the ghosts. You know, just the 'flow' of events." Ace mumbled.

Ortho was not convinced. "No. The Ace who bursted into the wedding hall was serious. The words that you said to the bride and her vassals were also your true feelings, right?"

"There's no way Ace is that pure. I'm sure it's just his usual way of throwing around empty words while he's talking." Grim said.

Ace nodded stiffly. "R-R-Right! Grim gets it."

"Based on my thermography mode at the time, rise in body temperature, volume of voice, and pupil dilation... All data shows that Ace was 'serious' at the time." Ortho smiles. "...You don't have to hide it. You're a very shy person aren't you!"

Deuce stares. "Then..."

Sebek began, "The things you said about what makes an 'Ideal Marriage Partner' to the ghost bride..."

"They were Ace's real feelings!" Jack concluded.

"Yup. There's no doubt about it. It's wonderful that Ace already has an image of his 'Ideal Marriage'." Ortho said.

"Ha?! That's not-! There's no way! I just said those things to be able to convince the ghosts!" Ace tells them.

Everyone held sly smirks at the reaction. "Oh?"

"You're really flustered though~?" Grim wiggles his brows.

" 'I think I've fallen in love with Trappola!' is what the headmaster said. Based on literature and statistics, if you confess with the same amount of passion as today... There's no doubt that anyone would fall in love with Ace!" Ortho concludes.

"There wasn't any passion. That wasn't a confession! ...Stop looking at me with those grins!"

"You put in that much effort... Ace's cool appearance. I also want to be able to see it properly, if I could?" Epel inquired. He did miss out when Ace gave his speech to the ghosts.

"Leave it to me! It's properly recorded. I'll send it to you later." Ortho said.

"DON'T RECORD IT!"

Deuce smiled. "Oh, that's great. When we finish cleaning up let's watch it all together at the Ramshackle Dorm if that's all right?"

"Watching the actual scene will be fun. I'm not sleepy anymore." Jack perks up to life after hearing the suggestion.

"I will also grade your performance! You called me today's number one hopeless man. I will make sure to thoroughly judge you to prepare yourself." Sebek smirked.

"DON'T HOLD A WATCH PARTY!"

Strix smirked wider. "Don't be shy."

"That's right! Ace Trappola who has given the ideal marriage so much thought is surely... The most wonderful groom!" Ortho beamed.

It was then Ace sinks to the floor, ducking his head from embarrassment. "...Ahh, geez! I-I already told you... I-I wasn't really serious or anything okay!"

"Uwaaa. Ace's ears are bright red!" Grim remarks.

"Haha, it's true. That's pretty rare." Deuce chuckled.

"Oi, Ortho. Take a video of this, too." Jack told the cyborg.

"Take a photo with the ghost camera as well, Strix!" Grim added.

"Already ahead of you." Strix had had a Dream Eater bring her the camera left behind at the dorm and snapped a pic. One can practically make out devil horns and tail out of her as she laughs at his expense.

Ace glares at them, though it came out to be an angry pout instead. "Everyone keeps toying with me... Seriously give me a break already~!"

"Hahaha, it's only the beginning. This is for making me use up my heartbeats on you!" Said Strix.

Deuce was contemplating before he spoke up, "Hold on... We haven't heard your love life at all, Strix."

Strix stopped hovering over the crouching Ace to meet his eyes blankly. "Huh?"

Ace suddenly recovered from his flustered state and sprang to full height, surprising her. The subject has changed! "This is perfect! We saved the best for last, so spill it!"

"I thought you guys established you don't want to focus on love now!"

"After you share your piece like everyone else!" Ace said dismissively.

Strix's eyelids fell flat as she replied flatly, "I don't have a 'love life'. Discussion over."

"No! I refuse to take that answer. There's no way you didn't have secret admirers." Ace shot back. "You're known as the 'cool beauty' who is smart and also a badass that saved lives. All without magic! Pretty much everyone respects you thanks to your reputation. You definitely have some in this school, I know for sure!"

Strix sweatdropped. "I think that would have been inevitable being the sole female of an all-boys school..."

"That's it! You're surrounded by guys 24/7! You can't attend this school this far into the year without developing some kind of feelings."

"Yeah, I feel exasperated and tired of your antics, that's what." Strix deadpanned.

"You know what I mean! Do you have someone you like? Any crushes? Are they in this school?!" Ace was shaking her by the shoulders at this point.

A dull flicker flashed in her blue eyes. Her lips pursed into a thin line as she glanced elsewhere and closed her eyes.

"..."

"...zzzzz..."

"Oi, don't sleep your way out of this!"

Strix pouts. "...Tch. Fine. I'll confess, I did have a crush on someone. They're from my world, though, not in this school."

Ace cocked a brow. She said she "did" have a crush, using the past tense. "But?"

"But... They were way out of my league, in lots of ways. My 'crush' was several years older than me, after all. Before I knew it, they had found a fiancée and got married."

Everyone's eyes widen. "Ehhh?! Married?!"

"Wait, could it be that... the whole wedding and talk of ideal marriage partners brought back unpleasant memories?" Epel asked, eyes creasing in concern. Was that the reason why she was in a bitter mood?

Strix rubbed the back of her neck and didn't make eye contact. "After today, I feel like I have bad luck with weddings..."

The atmosphere fell quiet if not awkward. Damn.

Strix shrugged her shoulders. "Well, it was more of adoration than love, though. I considered them a crush at one point, but I grew past that phase. I've put them away as a beautiful memory." She placed a gloved hand on her heart and spoke lightheartedly in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Jack began tersely, "...Then, your proposal speech..."

Strix looks to the boys. They were gazing at her with sympathy and something else she can't pinpoint what it is, exactly. Faith? Newfound realization? She did keep most of her life a secret, or rather no one really asks.

"...What you said... Was that something you imagined hearing your old crush say to propose to you?" Deuce finished.

Doe blue eyes stared blankly. It was then they bulged open after registering the words. "Wha-! Ew! Don't say something embarrassing like that! That's so cringe-y!"

"Just like with Ace Trappola, I detected passion behind your lines, Strix Noctowl. Why hide it? There's no need to be shy." Ortho said.

"I'm not being shy. And I wasn't thinking of my crush proposing to me. I just tried placing myself in the bride's shoes, that's only natural." She says as level as she could make her voice appear, thought it's almost borderline shouting. The suggestion just threw her off. She didn't think it can be interpreted from that cringeworthy perspective.

Ortho was quiet as he examined her reaction. "...She's not lying."

"Thank you!" Strix breathed out.

However, Ace was quick to cut it short, "Oh, I get it! Your proposal is actually from you to your crush, not the other way around! Aren't you a girl with words."

A ravaging red blossomed in her cheeks. Strix bit her quivered lower lip when a strangled sound formed from her throat. She hides her warm face with her hands. "I regret making that proposal now..."

"So that's how you felt... I'm sure your old crush would have said yes in a heartbeat if things played out differently." Deuce said sincerely.

"Ortho, did you also record that proposal?" Jack asked.

"How could I not? I'll send it to everyone afterwards."

"Ortho?!"

"All right! Let's get this cleanup over with and get on with the viewing party!" Though Ace was the one to have profusely denied it, he was now on board as long as he wasn't alone in being teased.

"I officially hate today."