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Poposi Academy for Girls
A renowned private academy, it aims to cultivate outstanding female leaders in various fields. The rich and famous all sent their daughters here to receive the best education. The students here live up to expectations, and each one has the potential to be a leader.
However, it seems that the students here are in a state of restlessness these days.
“That's because Valentine's Day is coming.”
Su Jung calmly types on the keyboard, processing the student council's documents. As the student council president, she remains calm even in this love-dovey atmosphere. She has no intention of preventing these students from dating, but she is always reminding the girls that they must balance their studies and love life.
“Hehe, I was thinking, how many chocolates will you get this year?”
“Don't tease me, Neelam. Do you want to try eating chocolate for a whole week?”
“Sounds scary, so let me refuse the offer. However, I am curious, do you want to send chocolates to Alexis?”
The typing sound stops.
Su Jung looks at Neelam, her face flushed with a shade of a pink. "A, A, Alexis? I, I don't know either, can you give me some opinions on what type of chocolates to give?I wanna try making them myself, but I am busy lately, and I don't want to opt for buying chocolates…”
Seeing Su Jung becomes flustered, Neelam feels interesting. She is thinking, if she were to take a photo of Su Jung now and spread it out, what would the girls who admire her think? Will they change their opinion of this normally stern president?
There was a knock on the door. Gina comes in through the door, followed by Carla. "Pardon our intrusion, do you need our help with anything?"
"Not yet, but you two can help Su Jung to think of what chocolates to give!”
“Neelam！”
Hearing the word chocolates, Gina suddenly falls into her thinking mode: "Valentine's Day...So that day is finally approaching...”
Carla asks in confusion “What's wrong Gina? You look serious, something you need to do on Valentine's Day?”
“Yes, this is a life-threatening matter, because if the decision is not made correctly, my brother and Ciel will fight to the death! !”
Oh……
Gina holds her head out of frustration “If my brother gets the chocolate first, Ciel will get jealous. And if I give the chocolates to him first instead, my brother will cause havoc at his dorm. One person's chocolate cannot be more luxurious than another's, otherwise they will kill each other！”
“How about you send both chocolates at the same time? Just choose the same type of chocolates, but with different packaging colors.” Neelam tries giving her advice.
“At the same time? I think it's possible, thanks, Neelam! I will find a time where both of them are available. "Gina holds Neelam’s hand gratefully.
And we all will pray for you, Gina.
“How about you, Carla? Anyone you want to give chocolates to? ” Neelam looks at her junior gently.
“I think I will only give it to my brother, I guess? But it will be different from Gina's. And…” Carla replied promptly.
“If the next word that pops out from your mouth is Charles, I forbid it. I don't want to see you getting sad because of his teasing again. " Su Jung looks at Carla sternly.
“But...”
“How about this, Carla? You can give the chocolates to him, but if he said something hurtful to you, please tell us, okay?”
Neelam comforts Carla gently. There's a limit where you can act in a duplicitous manner. If Charles treats Carla like this again,
Then let him gives an explanation in front of Su Jung’s Taekwondo.
“How about we go buy chocolates together? You too, Su Jung. Don't just stay in this room all day, come with us!” Gina takes Carla and Su Jung’s hands, and the trio walks towards the student union room's door.
“Wait, I can’t. Unlike you, I have things to do ”But before Su Jung can continue, Neelam pushes her softly from behind.
“Relax, my dear president. I can finish the rest. Please take some time off and go have fun.” Neelam even gives a wink towards Su Jung.
Su Jung heaves out a breath of relief.
“Thanks, then I leave it to you. I will come home with something nice for you.”
Before Su Jung walks out of the door, she asks Neelam one final question:“By the way, Neelam, don't you want to give chocolates to anyone？”
“I think not, can’t think of anyone at the moment. I would just give friendship chocolates to the princes at least.”
“All right then, see you later!”
After the door is closed, Neelam resumes writing her report. At that very moment, she suddenly thought of him. The teenager with tanned skin and hair as white as snow.
Anubis.
The pen stops, and the girl stares towards the blank ceiling, with the pen tapping lightly on her chin.
“Chocolates, huh...”
_________________________
“So, which prince would you want to give the chocolates to？”
“Definitely Prince Gion, he's cool and handsome! But I heard that he only received chocolates from his sister Gina.”
“And he has a good looking personal assistant too！”
“Livio? Good choice, but I still prefer Prince Shintarou.”
“Oh, so you like the silent type, huh? I understand the sentiment, but I like the cute and lively Prince Felix even more！”
“Speaking of Prince Shintarou, Prince Leon is also my type！”
“So no one will be giving chocolates to Prince Albert right？Oh yes, now I have less competitors！”
“Men who can play the piano are so attractive ~But I like blondies such as Prince Charles！”
“Yes yes yes，blondes are the best! Prince Ciel looks so elegant and pretty, too bad he's now Gina's boyfriend ！”
“Ah, I am so envious towards Gina, why does she has two handsome men by her side?”
“Do we forget someone ？”
“Erm...”
“Oh Yeah, there's also the student council president Alexis. Although he looks cute, he actually has a cool side！”
“Look, I understand that you all are excited, but now that you've signed up for the chocolate-making course, why don't you all put aside the conversation for now？”
Su Jung’s stern glance sweeps through the entire baking classroom.
“We, we are sorry!”
And everyone focuses back to the course.
Weird, why's no one mentioning him? Neelam then remembers that Anubis had just entered the academy, it's no wonder that no one knows him.
But, what just happened to me when I felt the short burst of joy hearing that no one mentions his name?
The course is enjoyable, as Neelam is able to learn on how to make various kinds of chocolate confectionery during the class. In the blink of an eye, the course has comed to an end.
“Alright class, that's all for today's course. Do you have any questions?” The instructor asks while cleaning the table.
A student raises her hand.“ You see, madam, I am worried that my handmade chocolate ends up bad, so is there anything I can do to make the chocolate more delicious ？”
“ There is one method, to put your feelings and love into the chocolate.”
“ What kind of answer is this~" The students start to get rowdy.
“ I am not wrong. It's great that you are willing to put in the effort to make the chocolate yourself rather than buying them. Infuse your feelings that you want to tell the person into the chocolate. I believe the person receiving the chocolate will feel the emotions that you have conveyed.”
“Well, if I don't have time to make chocolates, does buying chocolates make me more inferior compared to others?”
“ I don't think so either. Buying chocos, making chocos, buying flowers, making handicrafts, a date, et cetera. Whatever methods you all use, they all are ways to express your love.”
The instructor smiles looking at the students who are now discussing with each other.
“ My dear princesses, Valentine's Day is not only for lovers, it's a day to celebrate love and affection all around the world. The bonds between family and friends are also worthy to be celebrated. May you all be able to convey your love on Valentine's Day, and may the recipient cherish the love that you give.”
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Neelam looks at the recipes that she had learned from the course. She remains silent, instinctively feels that he will not like these. Recalling the previous conversation on the texting app, she thought to herself: Why is there such a tough individual to speak with in this world?
I am gonna get driven crazy because of him…How about I tackle it from another perspective?
Oops, did he get upset when his brother was mentioned?
Oh, thank God he replies!
Dates, huh…
Neelam searches on the internet, looking for traditional Egyptian desserts.
“Yes, I think this is the one, and seeing the storage time for this, I can make it earlier.”
She jots down the recipe, and looks for the video to get the basics first.
“For chocolates, let's see, this recommended video seems interesting …yes…oh…”
Making two sweets for Valentine's Day? Isn't it too rushed? There's also the friendship chocolates for the princes!
But there is a voice in her heart, encouraging her, saying that everything will go smoothly.
I want to send out my feelings, I can do this!
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With the approaching Valentine's Day, the academy's baking room is on high demand. As she has to take care of the student council's affairs, Neelam could only grab the night time slot. She's actually happy with this, as the room will be quieter at night , enabling her to focus more amidst the silence.
Su Jung who had just helping her to carry the ingredients looks at the empty baking room. She asks Neelam:“ I'm going back to the dorm first, please call me if you need anything. Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?”
“Thank you, but I prefer to be alone. After I finish baking, you will be the first one to taste it.”
“I'm looking forward to it. When my chocolate is ready, please help me taste it too. By the way, what are you going to do with so many dates?”
“That's a secret.”
Su Jung doesn't pry any further, she gives Neelam an encouraging smile before she leaves the room.
“ Neelam, you can do this .” Neelam motivates herself in her heart.“I know you and I are of different religions, but Saint Valentinus, please help me make this work!”
When making the sweets, she remembers what the instructor had said.“ To add a pinch of your love and feelings , that's the secret ingredient, don't forget to add it.”
My love and feelings？
I realize that everytime we met, the event was unexpected.
That ball, that time we were stranded on the island, that time we were at the theme park, watching the White Desert together.
In this story of the Demon King, there is always a princess by his side.
The princess knows that whatever she says, the Demon King will act on his own will.
You are a loose cannon.
This is really annoying.
But the princess hopes that one day, the Demon King's heart will accept her.
Anubis.
May the younger brother in your story will finally have a happy ending.
May that wandering dandelion can find its own sanctuary eventually.
“DING！”
Looking at the final product, Neelam takes one for a taste test.
“...It's good.”
But will he like it?
I don't know. Maybe he will hate it?
But I hope those emotions can be conveyed to him.
I like you.
And that's undeniable.
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Doesn't he know about Valentine’s Day? Now that I remember, when he said he forgets his birthday before, I celebrated my birthday secretly with him.
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And there was still no reply from him even until now, that jerk!!!!!!
Neelam looks at the phone, the ‘Read’ reciept is indicated clearly below her last sent text. Now she is suppressing her anger while chatting with her friends. The four princesses have arrived at Momos Island early on Valentine's Day, now waiting for Alexis and the others.
“Neelam, are you ok? I feel like you are in a bad mood today.”
“I am fine Carla, thanks for your concern!”
It's okay, that guy always does this, what else did I expect!
“Oh, here they come！”
Su Jung sees the approaching princes and waves her hand.
The chocolate giving session went extremely smoothly. Alexis and the others are happy that they get chocolate cookies from Neelam. Especially Felix, who's eyes are basically sparkling with the many delicious chocolate desserts he got on this day. Neelam doesn't ignore Gion's group who are absent, and she had already delivered the chocolates to their dorm in advance.
Since she has no upcoming schedules, after some brief exchange of greetings, Neelam bids goodbye to the princesses and princes and returns to Poposi Island first. On the ship, she looks at the things still remaining in her bag and sighs softly.
“So in the end, I still didn't meet him...”
“Meet who?”
Neelam turns around to see Anubis, who is leisurely looking at the blue sea.
“When did you get on the ship！？”
“Just now.”
“Why？For what matters do you need to do at Poposi Island？”
“I am bored. Besides, I don't wanna see those idiots getting lovey-dovey over there.”
Neelam wants to reply back, but she is suddenly reminded of the unreplied text, and her anger is rekindled.
“So, why didn't you reply me？”
“You look scary today.”
“Of course, who's the jerk who didn't reply back, pray tell?”
Facing the girl who is still smiling sweetly, Anu feels a fearful aura surrounds her. If he deals with it nonchalantly like before, who knows what his end might be. He stutters in response ：
“I ，I am sorry.”
“Oh my, I didn't hear it clearly just now, can you repeat it again？”
“I apologize for my mistake. I had seen the text message, but I was too busy to respond. I am terribly sorry for this.”
After hearing the apology, Neela feels a bit more relieved.
She just can't win with him.
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Poposi Island Park
At a quiet corner, a couple is sitting on a bench.
“This is for you.” Neelam takes out a gift bag. Anu reaches inside the bag and takes out two metallic boxes, each tied with an brown-coloured ribbon.
Just like his eyes.
“Open it.”
Inside the box, there lies a type of sweets. Seeing the sweets, Anubis's eyes widened.
“Ma'amoul?”
He looks at the golden-coloured cookies and takes one of them. He bites it, only to be welcomed by the date fillings inside the cookie, which has the scent of cinnamon in it. The cookie dough brings a unique aroma to it. He recognizes immediately that it is mahlab，a special spice made from cherry pits.
“ I followed the recipes on the internet. I am not sure whether it is authentic, but I want you to taste them. ”
Neelam doesn't know Anubis's reaction towards the cookies, but she sees him gobbling up the cookies one by one.
“ Slow down, no one's getting the cookies from you. And doesn't your throat feel dry from eating those cookies? Do you need me to buy some drinks?”
“No need, there's some.”
Anu stops eating, and takes out two cups and a thermos flask from his backpack. He pours out some hot tea and gives one cup to Neelam before he resumes eating.
“Take this.”
“The fragrance, is that？”
“It's Darjeeling.”
The hot tea warms Neelam’s body after she drinks it. The unique muscatel scent fills her throat.
“That's a good tea. Thank you.”
“Where're the cookies？”
“Wait what，you already finished them already！？”
“I need more ，do you have some left？”
Anubis looks at the already empty box with sadness. He even shakes the box, hoping that he can find more cookies.
Is he a cat?
Neelam smiled helplessly: "I'm sorry, I didn't bring more cookies. But there is another box, why not open it and take a look?”
Anubis pouts while opening the second box. Inside it, there are a lot of chocolate dates. With one bite, the bitterness of the dark chocolate and the sweetness of the dates combine into a wonderful harmony. The dates are filled with roasted whole almonds, and different nuts are sprinkled onto the chocolate dates, such as pistachios and hazelnuts. Compared to Ma’amoul, the chocolate dessert brings out various flavors into one.
“This is okay.”
“So you don't like it？”
“I want the cookies.”
“Geez, fine, I will make the cookies when I got time. Give me back the box.”
Neelam reaches out to take back her box but is blocked by Anubis
“I want both.”
“But didn't you say the chocolate dates are okay only?”
“Because you made both of these for me.”
Hearing this, Neelam's eyes sparkles.
So does this counts as a success? Do I manage to leave a mark on his heart?
Am I able to make him remember the cookies and chocolates that I made?
As time passes, the cookies and chocolate dates are finished between cups of hot Darjeeling tea. Anubis even licks his mouth, trying to savor the last of them.
“So, do you like these or not? It's hard to tell when you say ‘it's okay’.”
“It's okay.”
“.......You！”
“Because if I have a favorite food, they might poison it; If I have things or a person that I like , they will ruin it or take it away from me. Inversely, they will know not to use things I don't like so I will not be fooled. So absolutely no one should know my preferences.”
Neelam is speechless. She knows what he has been going through.
“Don't look at me with those sympathetic eyes.”
Anubis takes out a spray bottle.
“Take it.”
“What's this?”
“Poison.”
Looking at Neelam's startled gaze, Anubis smiles slyly.
“For self-defense. Use this to spray someone, and that person will fall into a deep sleep.”
“ Are you sure this won't hurt them？”
“ Need me to add this effect? It's only a simple tweak.”
“Noneedthankyou.”
Anu takes out an intricate tea caddy from his backpack.
“The tea leaves of the Darjeeling just now. Second flush.”
He takes out a jewelry box. Inside, there are a pair of ankh-shaped earrings. The earrings are made of platinum, with rose quartz embedded on the center of the earrings.
“Good, it seems like you are not wearing any earrings today.”
His hand gently brushes across Neelam’s face, the warmth speeds up her beating heart. He helps her wear the earrings, as gentle as possible. After putting it on, the earrings shone among her luscious ebony hair, like a lone star in the night sky.
“It suits you.”
“Thanks.” Neelam touches the earrings, her joy showing on her face.
“This is my return gift for the chocolates and cookies.”
“How long did it take you to find all these?”
“Who knows？”
Wait, so that's the reason he forgot to reply?
Neelam looks at Anu, who is yawning now.
This enigma…
“Do you like me or not?”
“I am okay with you.”
As expected.
“I can't lose another person that is important to me.”
“I know.”
“So I am okay with you by my side.”
“I understand.”
And that answer is enough for me.
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“Neelam, so did you go anywhere during Valentine's Day ？”
“Don't you feel lonely？”
Facing her friends’ questions, Neelam replies with a smile:“ On Valentine's Day, the princess gives her offerings to the Demon King.”
Seeing others with a confused look and even more pressing questions, Neelam doesn't give any further explanation.
Let it be a story, just for the princess and the Demon King.
(END)