Heartslabyul’s rose garden gleamed under the afternoon sun. The tables were perfectly aligned, the tea was precisely brewed, and not a single tart was out of place. Everything was in order — as it always was — under Riddle Rosehearts’ watchful eye.

Or so he thought.

“Trappola! Your posture is slouching again!” Riddle scolded, tapping his teaspoon against the cup. “Rule number 78 clearly states—”

“—‘Sit up straight at all tea parties,’ yeah, yeah, I know!” Ace groaned, straightening in his chair.

Deuce sat up too, muttering, “He means it, Ace. Last time you got turned into a hedgehog for less.”

Cater chuckled quietly, adjusting the perfect angle of his camera for a Magicam shot. “Chill, you two. You’re making Riddle stress wrinkles show~”

“Wrinkles?!” Riddle sputtered, his cheeks pinking slightly. “Cater! That is completely inappropriate!”

“Relax, Riddle,” Trey said calmly as he set a plate of tarts on the table. “They’re just teasing. Besides, it’s not like you’ll lose your composure in front of—”

The door to the courtyard opened, and you stepped in with a bright smile, holding a tray of freshly steeped tea. “Sorry I’m late! I brought an extra pot just in case anyone wants a refill.”

Riddle froze mid-sentence.

Cater noticed first — the way his expression softened, his eyes flicking toward you as if the rest of the dorm had suddenly disappeared.

“Oh-ho…” Cater murmured under his breath with a grin. “Now that’s a rare sight.”

“Good afternoon, Prefect,” Riddle managed, his voice suddenly much gentler. “You… brewed this yourself?”

,You nodded. “Trey showed me the proper temperature for the Queen’s Rose blend.”*

Riddle’s usual strict composure melted for a second, a faint smile curling his lips. “Ah… then it must be perfect.”

“Whoa,” Ace whispered to Deuce. “Did Riddle just compliment someone?”

Deuce blinked. “That’s… new.”

Trey hid his grin behind his teacup. “Careful, Riddle. You’re going to make everyone think you have a soft spot.”

Riddle’s eyes flashed. “Trey Clover! I most certainly do not—!”

But his protest was cut off by the sound of your laugh — light, warm, and far too disarming for someone who thrived on rules and order. He caught himself staring again, fingers tightening on his teacup before he quickly looked away, flustered.

Ace grinned mischievously. “Guess there’s gonna be a new rule soon: ‘No distracting the Housewarden with your smile.’”

“Ace Trappola!” Riddle snapped, his face turning scarlet. “That’s—! I would never make such an arbitrary—”

“—rule?” Trey interrupted, smirking. “You sure about that, Riddle?”

Even Deuce cracked a small smile. “You’ve made stricter ones before.”

Cater laughed softly, leaning closer. “C’mon, Riddle~ You can’t hide it from us. We’ve seen the way you look at her.”

Riddle’s breath caught, and for a moment, his composure truly faltered. He straightened his collar sharply and cleared his throat. “That’s… completely irrelevant to this discussion.”

But as the others laughed and teased, your eyes met his — and he quickly turned away, his face red to the tips of his ears.

No amount of rules could help him now. Not when his heart had already decided to break every one.