The month of april had come to a close, ushering in the gentle warmth and blooming skies of may.
Yet despite the passing of time, the issue regarding Ico's lodging remained unresolved—suspended in limbo, overshadowed by the chaos that erupted when Clarisse suddenly assumed the role of homeroom teacher.
And so, by circumstance—or perhaps fate—Ico was still sharing Zack's bed.
The arrangement was anything but simple.
Hades House, after all, was a male dormitory. Strict rules, unwritten and otherwise, governed the space. It wasn't built to accommodate girls—much less one like her.
.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.༄
First-Year Advanced Class—Final Period.
As the final bell neared and the late afternoon sun spilled golden light across the windows, a lazy, almost dreamy atmosphere settled over the classroom. Books were closed, chairs creaked, and chatter began to buzz softly as students prepared to leave.
That's when Rayleigh sauntered over to Zack's desk with his usual cocky grin.
"Yo, Zack. Since we're finally free, how about we hit the town? Maybe check out that new café near the plaza? I heard the waitresses wear really short skirts."
Zack leaned back in his chair and stretched. "Tempting, but I can't. I've gotta stop by the student council office."
Rayleigh blinked, then raised a brow. "Student council…? Wait—what for?"
Zack rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact. "Uh, President Roderika asked me to drop by. Something about a follow-up. It's been, what… a week since she first mentioned it?"
Rayleigh's eyes widened with mock drama. "Whoa… The Roderika Steinert summoned you? Man, what did you do? Break a rule? Commit a scandal? Touch a forbidden artifact—or just touch Ico inappropriately?"
Zack groaned. "It's nothing like that. I think she just has questions about Ico and the pact stuff."
But Rayleigh wasn't about to let it go.
"Questions? Please. I bet she's gonna interrogate you, tie you to a chair with a whip in hand and go all, 'Tell me everything about what you've done in that bed!'" Rayleigh let out an exaggerated moan. "Haaa… Haaa…"
Zack shot him a glare. "I seriously have nothing to say to you."
Rayleigh leaned in, his grin turning devious. "But seriously—how's it going? With Ico, I mean. You two are sharing a bed every night, right?"
Zack stiffened just as Rayleigh whispered the next words with perfect timing.
"You're not… teaching her in bed, are you?"
Silence. Utter silence.
Every single student within earshot stopped mid-motion. Pens dropped. Conversations halted. Heads turned.
All eyes were now fixed on Zack.
Whispers began bubbling up.
"Isn't that the guy with the dragon girl?"
"She's living with him, right?"
"I heard she only sleeps in a shirt…"
Zack's face turned scarlet. "D-Don't say things that'll get me arrested! She's a dragon, you idiot!"
Rayleigh only smirked wider. "Sure, sure… A dragon with a figure like that? I bet she's been crawling into your bed with those silky panties and asking you to explain how human biology works. I mean… she does need to learn, right?"
"Shut up!" Zack hissed, banging his desk. "You don't even know what you're talking about."
But Rayleigh wasn't done. He leaned in closer, his voice low and teasing.
"Or maybe… you're the one being taught. Ico strikes me as the aggressive type. Wouldn't surprise me if she had you tied down while whispering 'Be a good boy, Zack...' in that breathy voice of hers."
Zack froze.
The image was too vivid—and far too close to the truth.
Rayleigh's smirk said everything.
"Bullseye?" he asked, raising a brow.
"...Shut up," Zack muttered, unable to deny it without sounding even guiltier.
Rayleigh burst into laughter while the rest of the class murmured and chuckled in varying shades of disbelief and jealousy.
As Zack covered his face with his hand, he made a mental note: next time, kill Rayleigh before he opened his mouth.
.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.༄
The student council office sat atop the academy's central tower, nestled at the very peak like a throne room surveying the kingdom below. The corridor leading to it was silent and immaculate, the polished floor reflecting the midday sun that filtered through the stained glass windows.
Zack stood frozen in front of the grand double doors, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple. His throat felt dry.
Roshar's student council wasn't just symbolic—it wielded real power. From internal academy affairs to influence over the city's political council, the authority of the student council president was said to rival even the mayor's. Rumors swirled that Roderika Randall, the current president, held more sway in the region than anyone short of royalty.
He raised his hand to knock—but before his knuckles touched the wood, a cool, commanding voice echoed from inside.
"Come in, Zack."
His heart skipped a beat. She'd sensed him before he even knocked.
"H-Hello... Sorry for the intrusion," he muttered as he opened the door and stepped in.
The office was spacious and bathed in sunlight, with a refined elegance that bordered on royal. Velvet curtains swayed gently, and fine rugs softened each footstep. But Zack barely noticed the decor. His eyes locked onto the figure by the tall arched window.
Roderika.
She stood with her arms crossed, gazing out toward the horizon. Her long crimson hair shimmered in the sunlight like molten rubies, cascading down her back in soft, elegant waves. Her uniform was perfectly tailored—but even it failed to conceal her voluptuous figure. Her curves were unapologetically feminine, her posture exuding confidence and.
When she turned to face him, Zack felt a jolt in his chest.
Her features were breathtaking. She had the kind of beauty that sculptors failed to capture, with violet eyes that pierced straight through him and full lips curled in an unreadable smile. There was power in her gaze—magnetic.
"You're finally here," she said, her voice as smooth as silk.
"Y-Yeah... Sorry it took me a while," Zack mumbled, trying not to stare too obviously.
Roderika Randall—the Ark-Dragonborn. Not only was she renowned throughout Roshar, but her fame stretched across the entire Knight Country. Of the elite Holy Dragonborns of Steinert, barely one in ten ever earned the title of Ark-Dragonborn.
Zack swallowed hard.
"Come. Sit," she said, gesturing to the luxurious sofa.
"Y-Yes, ma'am," he stammered and quickly took a seat—right on the edge of the cushion like a student awaiting punishment.
To his surprise—and dread—Roderika didn't take the opposite sofa. Instead, she sauntered over and settled down right beside him. So close he could feel the heat of her skin.
She smelled divine—like freshly bloomed jasmine mixed with something subtler... something sexy.
Zack's back straightened. His nerves were on fire.
"U-Uh…"
"What's wrong?" she teased, turning slightly to face him. Her skirt shifted, riding a little higher as she crossed her legs with practiced elegance. "Surely you're not this stiff around every woman."
"It's not that, I just—"
"You know," she purred, her fingers brushing the side of his arm, "if you want to truly connect with someone, sitting side-by-side like this is essential. It's basic dating strategy."
"D-Dating…?! I-I've never even—"
"Oh?" Her lips curved into a smirk. "So young… so innocent. No one's discovered your value yet?"
Zack flushed deeply. "I-I don't think there's much to discover…"
"Hm…" Roderika leaned in, her ample chest nearly brushing his arm. "Well, I haven't made up my mind about how valuable you are. Yet."
Her sudden shift in tone made his stomach flip. Just as quickly, she straightened her back, returning to a composed expression.
"But let's set that aside for now. I wanted to speak with you about Ico. Specifically—what arrangements have you made for her while you're in class? She's not still wandering around the male dorms, is she?"
"O-Of course not! Shanon has been helping with that. She agreed to look after Ico during the day."
He exhaled, trying to sound confident. After the recent kidnapping incident, he had confided in Shanon about his concerns, and she had offered—no, insisted—on keeping Ico company. Since she had free time while Silva attended her classes, it worked out perfectly.
The only thing Zack had feared was whether Ico would accept the arrangement… but to his surprise, the dragon girl had taken quite a liking to Shanon. In fact, she acted unusually composed around her.
"Hm. Shanon?" Roderika nodded, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "If it's her, I suppose that's acceptable. She's no ordinary maid."
Zack gave a sheepish chuckle. "Yeah, I was kind of underestimating her at first…"
"You're not alone," she said with a sly smile. "When the Paladin sent Princess Silva here, she was accompanied by a hundred attendants. But in the end, Silva refused them all and brought only Shanon. That should tell you something."
"Wait—seriously?!"
"Very seriously."
Before Zack could respond, her tone shifted again—sharp, pointed.
"But back to the real issue… you."
"M-Me?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Just how close are you to Shanon?"
Zack blinked. "Wait, what?"
Roderika leaned in again—closer this time. Her fragrance surrounded him, and her eyes locked onto his like a hawk ready to strike. "You've been hiding something from me, haven't you?"
"H-Hiding?! N-No way!"
She gave a soft laugh, though there was no mirth in her gaze. "You're not foolish enough to think I'm some naive girl, are you?"
Zack's pulse pounded in his ears. Her proximity… her scent… her lips mere inches away. He could feel her breath against his cheek.
"F-Fine! Just… promise me you won't tell anyone, okay?"
A satisfied glimmer flickered in her eyes. "I suppose I can grant that."
With a graceful motion, Roderika leaned back again and reclined on the sofa like a queen retreating to her throne. The playful edge returned to her smile.
"Good boy. Now… tell me everything. From the beginning. About the kidnapping—and about Ico."
Zack took a shaky breath.
And then, he began to speak.