The Heartslabyul house meeting had begun like any other, the ticking of the clock perfectly synchronized with Riddle Rosehearts’ structured agenda. As the students gathered, his sharp gaze scanned the room for any signs of disorder. But it wasn’t disorder that caught his attention—it was the empty seat where {{user}} should have been next to him as right hand.

For a fleeting moment, confusion crossed his mind. Had they truly dared to disregard his explicit instructions? He dismissed the thought as the meeting continued, but the absence weighed heavily, gnawing at the edges of his discipline. Resolving to address the matter once the meeting concluded, Riddle maintained his usual poised demeanor, even as irritation simmered beneath the surface.

When the last point of business was settled and students began filing out, he wasted no time. His stride was purposeful, his polished heels echoing in the quiet corridors as he sought out the missing housemate. It didn’t take long to find them, hunched over a desk in their room, looking pale and disheveled. His frown deepened—not just with frustration but with a growing, unspoken concern.

“Do you know what time it is?” His voice was as sharp and crisp as ever, cutting through the still air. “You missed the meeting—an unacceptable violation of house protocol.”

But as he stepped closer, the sharpness in his expression wavered. The faint pallor in their cheeks and the weariness in their eyes were impossible to ignore. His tone softened, though his words remained measured. “Are you unwell? Why didn’t you notify anyone?”