Riddle and Malleus

When Vil asks about Leona and Riddle being lenient about Malleus’ poor attendance at Housewarden meetings the previous year Leona says, “You have NO IDEA how much I suffered last year,” but Riddle follows with, “I was the one doing the actual suffering” and explains the different ways that the previous year’s housewardens had tried and failed to get Malleus to attend. 

When Leona asks, “Why should the rest of us put in a ridiculous amount of work when Malleus won’t?,” Riddle again follows with, “Again, it was I who put in the ridiculous amount of work…ahem. The point is, l’ve exhausted every avenue available to me. At this point, the burden falls upon Malleus.”

In Book 5 Riddle says, “Malleus is an extremely capable mage, but he’s never been the most punctual fellow,” and when Crowley notices Malleus’ absence in the Prologue Riddle responds, “I mean, you must admit, he’s not exactly the easiest person to strike up a conversation with.”

When Ace comments “It’s So weird getting rung up by Malleus of all people. It’s doing a number on my heart…” during a New Year’s event where Malleus is working at the school store Riddle replies, “Don’t be rude. I do get where you’re coming from, though.”

(Malleus: “Consider it an honor. You will likely never have another occasion to receive customer service from myself.”)

Riddle comments on Noble Bell College students being “intimidated by Malleus” in a Glorious Masquerade voice line, saying, “His dignified bearing befits someone from our school,” and Riddle himself seems to be unintimidated by Malleus, even during Spectral Soiree when the students believe that they are battling ghost-possessed Malleus and Lilia: When Rook asks if he is afraid, he responds, “The Queen of Hearts would never back down before a foe, no matter who they were! I behead ALL rulebreakers, without exception!”

In Book 7 Riddle joins forces with Idia to stand against an overblotted Malleus. During their battle Vil commends, “I’d so love to glimpse the haggard look on his face before he composes himself,” and Riddle replies, “I’ve certainly never seen that before. After hearing you say that, I’m rather looking forward to seeing him in person myself.”

When asked where he what dorm he would transfer to Riddle responds, Diasomnia, explaining,

“Diasomnia is home to a great many students with outstanding magical prowess, Malleus being the obvious example. So I would fit neatly among their ranks, wouldn’t I? I’m sure their housewarden and vice housewarden being from such a magic-rich realm as Briar Valley has something to do with this, but, Diasomnia students all use magic more regularly than students from other dorms. So if I stayed there, I might gain new magical insights.”

During the Master Chef event Silver tells Riddle, “I think someone as capable and magically proficient as you would take to Briar Valley like a bird to the air, honestly.”

Azul asks if Riddle would “still aim for the seat of housewarden even in Diasomnia” and Riddle responds, “Malleus is a formidable foe, but that makes him worth challenging in my view. I certainly wouldn’t get any other opportunities to face off against one of the top five mages in the world. I’ll continue to apply myself so that I might hold my own even against Malleus at his best.”

When Riddle asks Malleus the same question, Malleus says that he would “be housewarden of any dorm (he) joined and tailor the environment there to (his) liking. That includes Heartslabyul, of course.”

Riddle replies, “So you’re saying that if you chose my dorm, you’d challenge me and take the position of housewarden?,” and Malleus answers, “Yes.”

Riddle says, “I’d welcome the challenge. If I used my signature spell to behead you, it would earn me great prestige as a mage,” and Malleus replies, “Bold of you to assume you’d win against me. But it would hardly be entertaining otherwise.”

During Glorious Masquerade Malleus says, “It took some courage for me to enroll at Night Raven College. I grew up in a castle. I’d never experienced living in a place with so many people before,” and Riddle responds, “I have some idea of what your upbringing must’ve been like,” possibly in reference to his own childhood.

Riddle is Malleus’ second birthday vignette interview and presents him with a glass ice cream dish and matching spoon, having been told by his clubmates Silver and Sebek that Malleus enjoys frozen treats.

Riddle explains, “I spoke with the vendor Heartslabyul gets its tea party tableware from and ordered this. ‘Preparing good food is only the first step. Food can be appreciated even more when presented on a fitting dish.’ …that’s from a manual on setting tables l’ve read. I hope my gift is to your liking.”

Malleus seems to like the green color and “elaborate flower carvings,” telling Riddle that he has excellent taste. When Malleus comments on looking into acquiring more tableware of himself later, Riddle offers to provide him with a catalogue.

When looking for equestian-related gifts for Sebek and Silver during the Eternity Float event Malleus confers with Riddle, saying that both students “hold (his) horsemanship in high regard.”

Riddle recommends a brush for Silver, telling Malleus about Silver’s interest in wanted to put extra effort into hoof care for his next competition, and a thinning comb for Sebek, who wants to be able to braid his horses mane (“And I’m sure Sebek would love it even more if the comb came from you”).

Malleus is Ridde’s judge for the Master Chef event, commenting that Riddle’s cabbage rolls are “so lopsided next to each other, it’s like a parent and their tottering child” (Riddle: “Your assessment is as biting as it is accurate, I’m afraid”).

Malleus says that, while it is edible, “This is a meal prepared by Riddle, the student with the highest marks in the entire sophomore class. I was prepared to be blown away by a masterful display of technique. But the flavor and plating are both entirely pedestrian. Perhaps I expected too much.” 

Riddle thanks him for his honest feedback.

When Riddle asks Malleus who he would take with him to a deserted island, Malleus says that he would take Riddle himself. Riddle says, “My only experience with the outdoors is club training camps. I’m not certain I’d be of much use…” and Malleus responds, “You would decline my nomination? How sad it would be to get snubbed by a fellow housewarden.”

Riddle says, “You look like you’re enjoying teasing me. It wouldn’t actually matter who came with you, would it?,” which Malleus confirms.

Malleus and Riddle overlap in the Eternity Float event where Jade instructs them in boating practice under strict instructions to obey everything he says while they are out on the water. Jade then lets them sit backwards in the boat without correcting them and orders them to shout while they row, making sure that the spectacle is being recorded (Grim: “It’s scary seein’ ’em yell with those serious looks on their faces…”), and then decides they will sing a song.

Malleus and Riddle later realize that Jade has only taught them how to row in a straight line, and, approaching open water, both of them drop their oars. 

During the main event Riddle and Malleus’ boats collide, only to then strike against Rook’s together, capsizing it. After their own boats are turned over Malleus and Riddle return to land together, with Malleus carrying Riddle under one arm.

When Malleus compares Riddle to having looked like “an ant clinging to a leaf in a muddy stream” Riddle points out that it was Malleus’ magic that caused the problem in the first place. Malleus responds, “Forgive me—| acted impulsively. I’ll dry your clothes to make it up to you.”

Riddle observes, “That does keep me from running afoul of the rules, so I appreciate it, I suppose…” possibly in reference to Queen of Hearts’ rule 124: When you get soaking wet, you must dry off with a run in the ocean.

Riddle and Malleus overlap again during Phantom Bride: standing against a regiment of 50 ghost guards on his own Riddle reflects, “If I don’t stop them, they’ll pose a threat to Ace and the others. But even I have my limits…,” only to notice a rose petal that falls from his jacket, transitioning to a conversation he had with Malleus earlier in the event where he greets Malleus in the Heartslabyul garden with, “To what do I owe the pleasure? I hope you’re not here to send a frost upon our flowers. The poor roses are cowering in fear,” as though teasing him.

Malleus reveals that he actually wished to thank Riddle for going to the rescue of the students kidnapped by Eliza, as Lilia and Sebek are a part of the group. Riddle responds, “I’m not rescuing Lilia and Sebek for your benefit. The Heartslabyul housewarden is expected to show initiative during campus emergencies. I will expend all my efforts to find a solution. Why would I flout tradition?”

Malleus calls Riddle “rather mature for someone hardly older than a newborn babe,” and Riddle explains that he is simply honoring the precept of “Those with power and status have a duty to aid the weak, proportional to their station.”

Malleus asks if Riddle might judge him, as from Riddle’s perspective his conduct is unbefitting a leader, and Riddle responds, “I don’t think that at all. Your position as prince of your land must come before your position as housewarden. Though you may wish to fly to your retainers’ rescue, you are constrained by circumstance.”

Malleus explains that he has been troubled by the thought that there is nothing he can do to free Sebek and Lilia, which Riddle interprets as Malleus offering advice as he must think Riddle to be “rather incompetent,” but Malleus responds,

“I’ve witnessed firsthand how you care for your vassals and your determination as a leader. I assume you’ve received no royal tutelage, yet you have the bearing of a king all the same,” adorning him with a pruned rose from the Heartslabyul garden: “When adorned upon you, this simple rose carries more weight than any medal…If you are king of this rose garden, you must carry yourself with a rose’s strength and nobility.”

Riddle responds, “I swear upon this rose, I shall fulfill my duty and rescue all the captured students. You can sit back with some tea and enjoy the show,” and back in the present moment Riddle recalls, “That’s right. I made a promise. Malleus wanted to be here, but couldn’t. So he entrusted me with his retainers’ safety…It’s my duty to hold the line, and so I shall. Not a single one of you will pass!”

Back at Diasomnia Malleus reassures a concerned Silver with, “We have but to relax and drink our tea, and Lilia and Sebek will return in short order.” Silver says, “Riddle’s certainly capable, but | admit I’m surprised at how much faith you have in him,” and Malleus responds, “Faith? I am merely acknowledging the truth. After all, he is…” – Riddle: “…the king of Heartslabyul!”