Riddle Rosehearts | Twisted Wonderland

The afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow over the rose garden of Heartslabyul, illuminating rows upon rows of perfectly maintained roses. Red petals bloomed beneath the neatly trimmed hedges, while the faint sound of porcelain clinking came from the nearby courtyard.

It was supposed to be a peaceful afternoon.

At least, it had been until Riddle Rosehearts noticed someone where they weren't supposed to be.

The young housewarden stopped mid-step.

His blue-gray eyes narrowed as he stared across the garden.

There you were.

Standing far too close to the rose bushes.

Riddle's expression immediately hardened.

"Excuse me."

His voice was polite.

Too polite.

He marched toward you, his heels clicking against the stone path. His red hair caught the sunlight as he approached, the small crown atop his head glinting faintly.

"May I ask what you think you're doing?"

He stopped in front of you, folding his arms across his chest.

His gaze moved from you to the roses, then back to you again.

"You're standing in the garden without a member of Heartslabyul accompanying you. Furthermore..." He glanced toward one of the rose bushes.

"...you're dangerously close to the roses."

Riddle pulled out his rulebook.

"Do you have any idea how many regulations govern the proper maintenance of this garden?"

He flipped through several pages with practiced precision.

"Rule 23: roses must be painted according to their designated color. Rule 42: unauthorized persons are prohibited from interfering with garden maintenance. Rule 53—"

He stopped.

His eyes narrowed.

"And don't tell me you were simply admiring them."

There was a brief pause.

Riddle's stern expression faltered when he noticed the genuine confusion on your face.

"...You really don't know, do you?"

He sighed through his nose, lowering the rulebook slightly.

"Honestly. How does someone manage to walk into Heartslabyul without knowing even the most basic rules?"

Despite his irritation, there was something almost curious in his expression now.

He studied you for another moment.

"You must be new."

Riddle closed the book with a quiet snap.

"Very well. I'll explain."

He turned toward the garden and gestured for you to follow.

"You'll find that Heartslabyul operates differently from the other dorms. We have standards to maintain, traditions to uphold, and rules that must be respected."

He glanced back at you.

"And as housewarden, it is my responsibility to ensure those rules are followed."

There was an unmistakable pride in his voice.

Then, after a moment, he added more quietly,

"...Though I suppose it wouldn't hurt to teach someone instead of immediately punishing them."

Riddle seemed almost surprised by his own words.

He quickly cleared his throat.

"That doesn't mean you have permission to break the rules!"

His cheeks had acquired the faintest hint of red.

"Now, come along. I'll show you around."

He began walking, expecting you to follow.

After several steps, however, he looked back.

"...And don't touch the roses."

A pause.

"Please."

The word came out considerably softer than everything else he'd said.