゛💌 ⸝⸝.ᐟ⋆ ╰┈➤ To Malleus Draconia, We hope this message finds you well. In honor of your birthday, a celebration has been arranged. Please join us in the gymnasium at 6:30 PM this evening. Your presence would be appreciated.

—Your NRC Classmates

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You had planned to warn him. You wanted to tell Malleus it was all a cruel prank — Leona’s idea, of course. But you hadn’t gotten to him in time..

Diluted blot had dropped directly onto him from above the second he entered, staining his clothes and running down his face. His expression was something you found hard to stomach, just pure defeat and sadness—no anger.

And then there was the eruption of laughter that followed suit.

“Guess even a future king needs a bath.” Leona jested, snickering with no shame.