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Pure Vanilla arrives at the château ten minutes late. He's been so very busy, as one would be when tasked with overseeing a kingdom, and afflicted with the tendency to prioritize others above their own needs and wants. He needs a break, and he wants to see his friends. Every few months or so, they make time from their busy schedule to meet up for cakes and ales. The location rotates between their kingdoms. Last meeting was hosted in the Golden Cheese Kingdom and now—Hollyberry. He is running late, but he wouldn't miss it for the world. Who knows when they will see one another again, if ever?
Pure Vanilla navigates through the labyrinth to his destination. A gardener – a young cookie with dirt stained hands and dewy eyes – offered to accompany him. He declined. His all-seeing staff shall guide the way. Slowly but surely, the gazebo appears into view past the trimmed hedges. The distinct silhouettes of his companions huddled underneath its shade, sitting around a small table. Even at this distance, Pure Vanilla can see that its surface is taken up by more than just trays of desserts and beverages. There are a considerable number of boxes in all sorts of geometric shapes, stacked onto each other as if to perform a gravity-defying stunt. There are quite a few arrangements of flowers as well; bouquets, wreaths, and the likes.
Curious. He wasn't told to bring anything. In fact, Hollyberry insisted not to. She was adamant on providing everything as a good host must. Yet...
"Took you long enough!" Hollyberry yells as he approaches. Her booming voice carries for miles, reaching him before he even steps into the gazebo.
Pure Vanilla grins. "Kept you waiting, hm?"
"Smug bastard. I almost sent a search party after you," she says with a hearty laugh.
"My sincerest apologies. I came as fast as I could." Pure Vanilla looks up to her. "You look well, Holly. I've missed you."
"So have I." Her eyes gleam. "Come 'ere, buddy. Give momma holly a hug!"
Pure Vanilla isn't offered much of a choice—Holly pulls him into her embrace as soon as he is within reach. Her muscular arms hold him tight, crushing, one hand slapping his back hard enough to crumble. She only lets go when he starts wheezing, though not before she plants a kiss on each of his cheek.
"Hey! What about little ol' me?" Golden Cheese stands up from her chair. Never one to be excluded. She wraps him in a hug as well, though mercifully with less force.
Dark Cacao and Pure Lily remain seated; she's reading a letter, eyebrows furrowed, while he looks almost bored. Distracted. Neither of them acknowledge him until the sound of his chair interrupts their concentration.
"What is all this?" He asks, nodding at the assortment of gifts on the table.
Golden Cheese is barely able to contain her giggles. She answers before Lily can look up from her letter. "Dark Cacao is being courted. "
Pure Vanilla blinks.
"Oh?" That's all he can say amidst his confusion. Then he realizes that is not the reaction others are expecting of him. "Oh!"
He forces a smile, then laughter. Too little, too late, Cheese is already looking at him with suspicion. Fortunately, Lily – who is aware of the juvenile crush he has been harboring – is still distracted by the letter.
"Congratulations, Cacao. This is very exciting indeed," he says. He wishes he sounds more… not even happier, just more sure. Perhaps make a joke? No, the opportunity has passed.
Dark Cacao grumbles. "There is nothing to celebrate. This is nothing but a nuisance."
"Don't be such a spoilsport," Hollyberry huffs. She pours Pure Vanilla a cup of tea, then herself. "You should be flattered!"
She sets the teapot down hard enough to shake the table. Cacao doesn't flinch, steadfast in his disdain for courtship and other such frivolous pursuits, as he calls them.
Holly is a warrior first and foremost, a fighter who is drawn to the thrill of battle. However, while she would not hesitate to rip her dress apart and charge into the jungle, she also enjoys the songs and dance within the palace. A quality which reflects in the rich culture of Hollyberry Kingdom. Now that she is with child, her role in the court is that of an observer, less so a participant. It's clear that she misses 'the good ol' days' and Cacao's blasé attitude rubs her the wrong way. Even though she is not saying it out loud in so many words.
"Why should I be?" Dark Cacao asks, as if receiving tokens of affection from all over Earthbread is not flattering enough in and of itself.
"Honestly," Golden Cheese agrees. "Most of these are perishable goods! Flowers, desserts.. what's up with that? You should feel insulted."
She rummages through the boxes until she finds something of value. A pearl necklace. It looks pretty to Pure Vanilla, but Golden Cheese isn't impressed. She holds it up above her head, frowning at its iridescent shine like it offends her.
"Lame," she concludes. The necklace is dropped into its box without regard. She moves on to a chocolate box instead, prying it open and popping one truffle piece into her mouth.
"Should you be eating that?" Vanilla asks, sheepish.
She's already chewing on a second piece. "It's fine! That's why Cacao brought them here, yes?"
Cacao nods. "Please. I have no use for any of this."
Hollyberry looks between them and rolls her eyes. "There is no use convincing you two, is there?"
"Marriage is for politics and babies," Cacao mumbles under his breath.
"Yeah, yeah, what he said." Her voice is barely audible over the muffled chewing sounds.
Holly tilts her head to the side. "You believe this to be politically driven then, huh?"
He shrugs. "Isn't it always?"
"Not necessarily," she says. "You already have a successor, after all."
There is an abrupt moment of silence before he answers. "No, I do not."
Golden Cheese sits up straight suddenly. "WAIT, WHAT?!"
This time, Cacao does flinch . Pure Vanilla believes it has nothing to do with the volume of Golden Cheese's voice. "He's still a child. He's not ready. He may never be ready. I wouldn't hold my breath."
"But he's your son," Pure Vanilla interrupts. He regrets it immediately. He doesn't enjoy speaking up against his friends – even when at times where he must.
Cacao glances at him from the other side of the table, unimpressed. "Does that mean he should inherit my throne as soon as he is of age, even if he is unfit to rule?"
"That is not – " Pure Vanilla stutters. Cacao's gaze never fails to make him squirm. "Why so little faith, my friend? Does he deserve such skepticism? He is still a child, as you said. With you by his side, I am certain he will be more than ready when the time comes."
Dark Cacao doesn't say anything in turn. The implication there is obvious— it's your obligation as a father to prepare him for his duty. If he is not ready by then, well. Whose fault is it? That's how he presumes Dark Cacao hears it anyway. He's always been rather… sensitive, when it comes to his family. Reassurance can very well be interpreted as accusation.
"As far as others are aware," Lily speaks up. Her voice pierces through the tension. "The firstborn child inherits the throne. Unless you have voiced your reservations to the public or hid a bastard somewhere?"
"Of course not," Dark Cacao scoffs.
Lily doesn't look convinced, but she lets it go. "Good."
"I thought you of all people would agree with me that this is nothing but a political ploy," he says, almost sounding disappointed.
"It always is," she agrees. "But you may be overestimating the true extent of it. For one, all of your suitors are male."
Golden Cheese giggles, which earns her a scowl that can turn cookies into stone. She pretends not to notice, too busy shoving more chocolate treats into her mouth.
Holly splutters–good thing she hasn't taken a sip of her tea yet. "Bah! Why would that matter? Cacao's former—"
"If you say that name, I am leaving," Dark Cacao cuts her off.
Cheese is laughing uncontrollably now, choking and punching herself in the chest. Holly just looks incredulous. "Oh, come on! It's been years. Get over it!"
"I am not getting over anything. Do not tell me what to do."
"Stubborn prick. It was you who drove – "
"Dark Cacao kingdom can only have one king," Lilly changes the subject before the conversation is derailed further. "His husband would become the prince consort. A title that does not grant him the right to rule or succession to the throne, even in the event of Cacao's passing."
"What, not even as regent 'till little Choco is all grown up?" Golden Cheese asks, though she addresses the question to Lily rather than Cacao. Not trusting him to give a satisfactory answer.
"No. Dark Choco is to rule regardless of his age."
Golden Cheese whistles, long and low. "Damn. You better be nice to your kid, Cacao. One day he might just snap."
"He is not a threat," Dark Cacao snaps and then, to reiterate, he adds, "He's five."
"Five years olds are vicious, know this!"
He ignores her and turns to White Lily. "What do you make of… this, then?"
Dark Cacao gestures to the letter in her hand. Lilly has been awfully quiet – even for her – since Pure Vanilla arrived. He assumes there must be something to decipher, meanings to read between the lines. It might even be written in some long forgotten languages. That's why she's been concentrating on it so much. He is proven wrong. The content of the letter is far more mundane, same as the true purpose of courtship.
"I have been afflicted with a terrible disease, your majesty. Sickness of the heart, and the mind. For I have been dreaming of you ever since that fateful night—in my waking hours, with both eyes opened..."
Lilly's voice is utterly monotonous. She may as well be reading a weather report. Holly smiles a little smile, despite herself, while Cheese is too taken aback to come up with any remark. Pure Vanilla's grip tightens around his teacup. His stomach flips, or turns into knots, or something. He can't describe the symptoms, and he certainly can't explain why they only just occur to him now at this moment.
"...I have never seen a man so tragically beautiful..."
Realization dawns on him; its crushing weight threatens to push him off the chair, crushing him beneath its heel. Yes, of course, politics play a part—it's inevitable given Dark Cacao's influence. However, beneath the intricate webs of kingdom relations, there is another underlying fundamental truth as true as his power. He's beautiful and men desire him. That's all there is to it. Before the war, it's all there ever was.
Pure Vanilla isn't prone to jealousy, but he is. Jealous. It's an ugly feeling. He should feel joy when he looks at his friends, not this bitter resentment. Dark Cacao deserves to be showered with praises and presents. Pure Vanilla should be happy for him, and he is, but —
He has been so content, being Dark Cacao's friend. He considers it an honor, a privilege even, settling into the role with pride. His healer, his companion, his confidant. He never wanted more because it doesn't feel like there can ever be more – especially not while Dark Cacao was betrothed to someone else – but there is. There always has been. Others are becoming aware of it too, of the vacant spot beside Cacao and within its heart. Now that Pure Vanilla knows, it's the only thing he can think of. His tea is cold. He can't stop wanting.
Dark Cacao listens attentively. He doesn't look flattered per se, but he doesn't look put off either. He doesn't tell Lily to stop.
Pure Vanilla never even… attempted anything, in all the time they had known each other. No, instead no less than ten strangers from across the land are making their moves before him. He lets opportunity pass him by time and time again. Maybe one day. Maybe in another life. Maybe when the war is over. Maybe when his son is older. Maybe, maybe, maybe..
Maybe it's too late.
Dark Cacao sighs when White Lily Cookie finishes reading the latter. "He doesn't even know me."
Yes, but Pure Vanilla does. That has to count for something.
"Are you going to write back?" Hollyberry asks.
Dark Cacao looks at him. Pure Vanilla looks down to his teacup, ashamed of himself, what he wants. His reflection is pale, distorted by light.
"Maybe."