In Ruggie’s dream of Book 7 Leona is a beloved second prince (“The younger generation here likes Second Prince Leona way more than First Prince Falena”) who has established multiple schools, including at least one with a hyaena-majority student body, and spelldrive teams all over the country.
As Ruggie has never met Leona in his dream the team struggles with how to awaken him. When Ortho recommends “sharing an unforgettable anecdote” Idia asks Jack for ideas, but Jack responds, “Ruggie doesn’t like talking about himself…it’s hard to think of any.”
After Ruggie has been awakened the students of darkness assure him that by staying in the dream he will never go hungry again and point out that they have a good connection with the king. Ruggie responds, “That sounds nice. But I’d rather decide for myself who my king is.”
After hearing the details of their situation Ruggie declares, “Malleus is definitely gonna fold…to Leona!,” and, “Guess it’s time to refocus and wake up our king.”
A dream version of Ruggie appears in Leona’s dream as a ringleader at a protest of citizens standing up against Leona’s rule. Ortho explains that is version of Ruggie crafted from Leona’s imagination. Jack wonders if a similar character from Leona’s imagination—Kifaji—is acting in Leona’s perception of him and Ortho observes, “maybe in these dreams, accurately representing the dreamer’s perceptions—or wishes—takes priority,” It is fascinating that Leona’s perception of and/or wishes for Ruggie and Kifaji are possibly that they will stand up against him.
After an explanation from Idia on what it is that may be happening in Leona’s dream to make it so different from the rest it is Ruggie who guesses why it is that Leona chose failure, saying, “I bet he did it BECAUSE he knew better,” and comparing Leona’s dream to the guilty pleasure of a midnight snack.
Twisted Wonderland Reference Note 