A/N: Here's the chapter I promised this weekend! It's nothing much since it took me a few hours to write but it was something in the back of my mind for a while so I decided to write it. Will fix it when I have time! We have about...2 or maybe 3 more side stories before I start on Book 5 and let's just say, I'm thinking really hard on how to write the characters and well...some of the chapters in it so it's taking a bit of a while to plan them ahead of time. Still enjoying my break but will still keep you updated. The next side story should hopefully be ready either a little before or after Christmas (guess I should start writing now huh? 😓) but as I said in the last chapter, my friend is here for a short while before she gets shipped off so I might be a bit lagging on posting. Anyway, hope you guys have a good Christmas prep week! (12/17/23)
"Yes mom, I know," Deuce sighs. "Don't worry, I'll bring you gifts for the holidays...Huh? Yes, everything is fine. Just getting last minute assignments done...N-no, everything is fine! I promise...Okay, I'll see you soon." He hangs up the phone, sighing in relief. "Man, it's getting more nerve wracking to hide the things I've did so far from my mom. I don't want her to worry, but after everything I did so far this year, if I told her, she would be concerned even more." He looks down at his lap, seeing papers about. "Maybe I should knock out some assignments first before doing anything else. I told her that I'm going to be an honor student, and I'm not giving up now!" He determinedly exclaims.
"I'm sure you know it's against the rules to shout in the courtyard unless it's an emergency," a voice speaks and Deuce jumps in surprise. He turns around to see Riddle glaring at him.
"H-Housewarden Rosehearts, sir!" Deuce exclaims. "It's only to motivate myself! I promise!"
"No need to raise your voice further. If you plan to motivate yourself, do it quietly, without bothering other students," Riddle states with a sigh. "People come to the courtyard to relax, and yet, I would hope that you're getting your schoolwork done before the break starts."
"Yes, sir! That's the plan," Deuce says. "I'm not giving up to be an honor student, so I was planning on doing that now."
"Hm..." Riddle hums in thought. "You said that you are planning to be an honor student for your mother, correct?"
"Yeah," Deuce smiles. "I want her to know that I'm doing well at school. Trying my best to not get in trouble and to get good grades."
"It seems that you have a long way to achieve that dream," Riddle states.
"Y-yeah..." Deuce scratches the back of his head. "So far, it hasn't been good, but I am trying my best!"
"I would admit that. Though the events so far in the school year have been unbecoming, I can admit that you have been trying your best."
"For grades, I've been getting help from you and Angel when you have time, so I would like to thank you again for helping me." He bows.
"No need. It's the upperclassmen's job to help their underclassmen. Besides, having you as a student is a rewarding experience," Riddle smiles.
Deuce fixes himself back up, looking at Riddle, hesitating his next words. "Um, Housewarden, can I ask a question?"
"You may, if it's appropriate."
"Um, don't you have a goal for your time at Night Raven for your mom? I know that your circumstances is, well, odd, but my goal is driven by my mom to be a better person, so I was wondering if you had a specific goal to achieve."
Riddle look at him with eyes wide. "I...I've never had really thought about exactly what my goal is," he says as he looks down in thought. "I have always followed what my mother expected of me, always to achieve her expectations, be what she wanted to me to be, but never had a personal goal to change like you do. It must be...a nice change of pace," he quietly says.
"I mean, I want to do it so she wouldn't be worried about my life in the future," Deuce states. "My mom basically raised me all on her own, and by being an honor student, It's basically my way of repaying her for all her hard work." He smiles. "I want her to know that there is nothing to worry about and that the son she raised has a good life."
"You're love for your mother runs that deep?" Riddle asks in confusion.
"Of course! I'm proud to love my mom. Who doesn't love the person that raised them? Don't you love your mom, Housewarden?"
"I-I do!" Riddle says with a blush. "Despite everything she did, I do love and respect my mother. Though she did prevent me from other things, I do respect what she does and what she taught me. Without those lessons, I might have not been as magically gifted as I am now. She pushed me to my limits, and I am grateful for everything."
"That's good to know," Deuce says. "No offense housewarden, but I don't really like people who doesn't respect their mothers. It really grinds my gears when people say that they're mothers are terrible people."
"I would agree with that statement as well," Riddle nods. "Many people do not understand the lengths mothers go through for their own child. They have to sacrifice their time and energy to raise their child, and then have to nurture them until there are old enough to go on their own."
"Yeah, exactly!" Deuce says. "People really don't know how much mothers care about them. If their own mothers saw how some of the students acted now, no doubt they would be disappointed in them. Taking her love for granted to be rotten to the core..."
"Hi guys," Angel says, getting Riddle and Deuce's attention. "It's rare to see the two of you together."
"Hello, Angel," Riddle greets. "Me and Deuce were just having a conversation."
"Oh? What about?" Angel asks curiously.
"Well, we were talking about our moms and how much we respect and love them," Deuce responses.
"Oh!" Angel giggles. "From the way you two were nodding and agreeing with each other, you guys really love them, huh?"
"We sure do!" Deuce happily says. "We wouldn't be anything without our moms after all, so they deserve all the love and respect-" Riddle clears his throat, stopping Deuce. He looks to him and sees Riddle moving his eyes to Angel, confused about the interruption. Realization hits Deuce. "Oh...right," he says quietly, confusing her more. "Your mom...I keep forgetting that you don't have any memories about your family..."
"Oh, it's fine," she says with a smile. "I'm content hearing about you guys' family instead."
"Angel," Riddle calls. "Don't you miss your family? I'm sorry if it brings up unfortunate memories, if you can remember them, but don't you worry about your family?"
"I do worry about them," she says. "But, I'm sure they're looking for me, wherever they are, or wherever they think I am. Besides, I'm not alone here."
"Because of your friends?" Deuce asks.
"Oh no," she says bashfully. "I have family here."
The two look at her in confusion. "You...do?" Riddle asks.
"Oh, right...I'm not supposed to tell..." She says in slight surprise. "But, I trust the both of you enough to tell you, as long as you keep it a secret." They nod. "Well...Professor Crewel is my adoptive dad while I'm here," she says quietly.
The statement shocks the two. "What?!" Deuce exclaims.
"Hush!" She quickly says. "Don't tell anyone!"
"But, how?" Riddle asks.
"Well, when I first arrived here, he helped me out with a lot of things to help me adjust and well, I started to see him more like a father figure and well, he asked me if I could be his daughter while I'm here so I wouldn't be alone and have some kind of family..." She quietly says.
"You know, now that you mention it," Deuce says, thinking. "You do talk to Professor Crewel a lot after class..."
"And he has been in a good mood recently. Even more compared to last year," Riddle states.
"It could explain why some students in our class complain about getting chewed out by him for certain things...Now that I think about it, doesn't it relate to you?"
"H-hush..." Angel says in embarrassment. "He's only looking out for me. Saying something about 'naughty dogs' or...something...?" She says in thought. This girl really don't know he's being protective of her... Riddle and Deuce think, surprised by her naivety. "Oh, and don't worry, he's not playing favorites. He treats me the same as everyone else when dealing with schoolwork."
"Yeah, I could see that," Deuce says. "He does get angry at you when you fail to bring in ingredients for class."
I-it's only because the plants I grow keep dying for some reason!" She quickly retorts. "But either way, I love and respect him like you two do with your moms, so it's all good," she smiles.
"I believe those are two separate things," Riddle states.
"Then we're in the same boat!" She happily says.
"Well, either way, glad that we all share the same page," Deuce says. "I have to prove to my mom that I'm doing good at school, so I need to catch up on my assignments."
"Need some help?" Angel asks. "I got some time to help you, if you need to."
"As do I," Riddle adds. "As housewarden, I want to make sure that your assignments are correct and complete. Surely you would like assistance with that?" He smirks.
"Uh..." Deuce says as he looks at the two in front of him. Angel giving him a hopeful look and Riddle giving him a devilish smirk. He sighs defeatedly. "S-sure..." he says, making the two smile. I can never say no to either of them, but both of them together is worse. And here, I thought we were bonding... He thinks as they head to the library.