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The carriage’s wheels trudged quickly along the snowy road. Dark Choco sadly gazed out of the window, watching the falling snow glide toward the snow-piled ground. A heavy hand was placed on his shoulder, and Dark Choco shifted his attention to his father, who looked down at him with a hint of sadness in his eyes. Dark Choco felt his heart drop a bit. He knew he wasn’t being abandoned– the situation was for precaution, his father said that he would rather bear having to be apart from him than to have to live with the possibility of his future heir being injured to an unknown degree. Although Dark Choco tried with futile attempts to convince his father that he was strong enough to defend himself if he did find himself faced with a threat, his off balance when he picked up a sword had his father chuckling yet shaking his head sadly.
“Remember, Dark Choco. I will be back for you in no more than a week’s time. I must leave you in my dear friend’s care for not only your own safety, but for my peace of mind.” Dark Choco nodded sadly, his head turning toward the window once more. Dark Cacao frowned, “Think of it this way, my dear son. In a way… you are helping. Your safety gives me more strength than thousands of warriors. The more assured that I am of your safety, the faster I can return to you.” Dark Choco nods at his father’s words, inching a bit closer to him. Neither of them mention it to each other as they bask in each other’s presence.
Somewhere along the lengthy carriage ride, Dark Choco nods off, and before he even realizes it, he’s awakened by the sound of the carriage door slamming shut. Opening his eyes quickly out of alarm, he’s shocked to find himself in the arms of his father– who is glaring at the carriage driver who was likely the one to slam the door shut in the first place. Reeling back his harsh glare, Dark Cacao directs a far kinder look toward his son, who blinked up at him in confusion.
“It’s… good to see that you are awake Dark Choco. I apologize, but I wanted to let you sleep for a bit longer… I noticed that you hadn’t been sleeping too well when I had told you that I may have to leave you with one of the other ancients.” Dark Choco yawned before nodding slowly. He clutched his father’s chest as their carriage drivers unloaded some of Dark Choco’s belongings into a cart to wheel into the Vanilla Kingdom’s castle.
Slowly unclenching his fists from his father’s attire, Dark Choco surveyed the Vanilla Kingdom’s scenery with wide eyes. It was… a pleasantly warm place, almost hot due to Dark Choco’s familiarity with the cold. The bushes were trimmed politely with small, cookie-like mistakes visible. Flowers bloomed in sporadic places around the kingdom, and cookies were everywhere, bustling around with their day to day activities. Dark Choco peaked behind his father, past the carriage, only to see no further land. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, looking up at his father who looked back down at him as if he could read his mind.
“Ah, yes. I may have forgotten to inform you, Dark Choco, but the Vanilla Kingdom is a kingdom of the sky. One of the many things that make me feel assured in its security.” Dark Choco’s eyes shoot open and he clutches his father’s attire once more, causing the king to laugh. “How… How is this place in the sky? Why isn’t our kingdom in the sky?” Dark Choco questions, ignoring the booming ask of ‘will the kingdom maybe plummet to the floor while he is staying.’ He knows the answer is no, as this place was so prosperous that there was no way it hadn’t been up in the air for centuries. Dark Cacao adjusts his hold on him as the carriage drivers alert the king that they’ve sorted out all of Dark Choco’s belongings, and they are ready to move in toward the castle. As he begins to walk with Dark Choco in his arms, he replies to his previous question.
“Well, I’m not exactly sure of how or why it’s in the sky. But the Vanilla kingdom… is one of the most secure and peaceful lands I had ever seen, to which I envy the king’s prosperous rule. Our kingdom isn’t in the sky because we are more than just our kingdom. We are connected to several smaller kingdoms nearby who we help through trade. If our kingdom were in the sky– then we would be unable to help our neighbors.” Dark Choco hums in understanding, turning away from his father’s chest to face the kingdom. He feels a bit embarrassed at being carried at his age– but given the fact that in moments, he will have to be separated from his father, he ignores his embarrassment and focuses on the environment of the kingdom rather than the people looking at them.
The roads, houses growing with height as they grow closer and closer to the kingdom– Dark Choco is suddenly aware that they are getting frighteningly close to the castle. He shrinks in his father’s arms, and Dark Cacao doesn’t look down at him when he lightly squeezes Dark Choco in response, comforting his distressed son as the guards open the gates to the castle.
Dark Choco distracts himself with the beautiful lush nature surrounding the path toward the castle. Naturally bright, flourishing shrubs and beds upon beds of flowers– white, yellow, blue flowers repeating with, a bit farther from the front, a bed of dark purple flowers. He glances up at his father, as he walks up the steps of the castle’s entrance. Dark Cacao opens the door casually, and for a moment Dark Choco is alarmed by how casually he did this– given that this isn’t their kingdom, and he is unsure of how well he knows the ruler. Dark Choco is suddenly reminded of the nerve racking fact that he had never met the King of the Vanilla Kingdom– and had only heard stories of him from his father. A sudden, deep feeling of fear washed over him. What if he made a bad first impression with the king? What if he would accidentally ruin his agreement with his father? He shuddered, promising himself that he would try to be on his best behavior for the sake of his future kingdom. Dark Cacao held the door for the servants who wheeled in Dark Choco’s belongings. While the drivers bustled in, Dark Cacao announced his presence with a shocking leisure.
“Pure Vanilla, we’ve arrived! Come and meet my son, your guest, won’t you?” His voice echoed through the pristine halls of the castle. Dark Choco’s face flushed a bit at the mention of himself. He squirmed a bit in his father’s arms before the king leaned down, placing Dark Choco on the sugar tiled floor as footsteps swiftly clicked their way. Dark Choco glanced to the right hall, seeing a white, ethereal appearing figure quickly approaching. Dark Cacao smiled lightly as Pure Vanilla greeted them warmly.
“Ah! Dark Cacao, my dear friend!” The foreign king took a step forward, meeting Pure Vanilla in a quick hug of greeting. Dark Choco stared up at the two with awe. He had never seen his father act so leisurely with someone foreign to the Cacao Kingdom. When the two kings parted from their greeting, Pure Vanilla directed his attention toward the drivers, who stood at attention near the door, awaiting instructions. “Hello warriors, thank you for assuring their safe travels to my kingdom, the little prince’s room will be in the right wing, up the stairs. There’s a sign on the door for ease of navigation.” The assistants nodded curtly, beginning to wheel off Dark Choco’s belongings as Pure Vanilla looked down at Dark Choco, a smile on his face.
“Why, hello there, little prince. I’ve made preparations for your room in hopes that I can help make the temporary transition here a bit more comfortable,” he held out his hand in greeting, and Dark Choco gingerly reached out to shake it. Compared to the cold feel of the Cacaoian’s dough, Pure Vanilla’s hands were far warmer. his hand enveloped Dark Choco’s in warmth, politely shaking it before releasing his hand. Slowly, Dark Choco moved to stand near Pure Vanilla to which the two rulers smiled. Dark Cacao looked back up at Pure Vanilla while the ruler slowly rested his hands on Dark Choco’s shoulders.
“I’m aware that I had already apologized in our exchanged letters– however, I feel the need to apologize once more… I’m aware that this must be an inconvenience to you, but regardless I thank you for the offer you proposed. I trust in the security of your kingdom more than any other.” Pure Vanilla smiled calmly at Dark Cacao, shaking his head slowly, “Please, spare the apologies, Cacao. We’re old friends. I’ve done far more to help you once upon a time. Watching the little prince to calm your mind is far more of a pleasure. I’m excited to get to know your son. Be assured by my words as well, he will be safe with me.” Pure Vanilla rubbed his hands on Dark Choco’s shoulders as Dark Cacao sighed in his reply, “I owe you once more, friend. Thank you truly.”
Leaning down to address the anxieties of his son once more, Pure Vanilla lifted his hands off Dark Choco’s shoulders as Dark Cacao held his son’s forearm. “Dark Choco, please stay out of conflict to ease my friend’s burden.” Pure Vanilla silently shook his head in disagreement at the foreign king’s words. Dark Choco nodded in compliance, “Father… I’ll miss you. I know that– warriors are supposed to be strong–” Dark Choco’s brave facade rapidly crumbled as tears silently welled up in his eyes. Dark Cacao’s stern expression softened as he enveloped his son in a hug.
“Remember, my son. Sometimes confronting and accepting your emotions is the most powerful thing a warrior can do. In order to move past something, you must overcome it,” he rubbed his child’s head endearingly, “be strong, Dark Choco. I will return before you realize.” Dark Choco sniffled, blinking away his tears, “Yes father.” He whispered in order to avoid his voice cracking due to his swelled throat. Dark Cacao’s head tilted up at Pure Vanilla, nudging in a silent request. Pure Vanilla slowly knelt down to join the father and son, his hands grazing Dark Cacao’s arms as his healing magic gleamed inconspicuously, casting a small calming effect on the child.
“Stay safe, my dear friend. Remember that the protection your blade brings expands even farther than just your kingdom alone.” Pure Vanilla said, tilting his head and resting his forehead against Dark Cacao’s. Dark Cacao smiled, although no eyes could see it, Pure Vanilla could feel it in his words. “I shall. I hope that I’ll see you two soon.” Dark Cacao stood up slowly, his hands on his knees supporting his slow rise. He smiled at the two of them once more before turning away. The drivers rushed down the stairs, joining his side as they exited the castle. The heavy door slowly closed behind them, and Dark Choco felt a dim loneliness spread through him. He sniffled, bringing his sleeve up to rub at his nose. Pure Vanilla began to slowly card a hand through his ruffled hair.
“It’s alright to cry, little prince. No one needs to know about your tears but me.” Pure Vanilla smiled down at Dark Choco who turned to look up at him. “Now… how about we cure those tears with some sweet vanilla ice cream? Or, would you prefer chocolate?” Dark Choco rubbed his arm hesitantly, “Ice cream sounds good but… father said warriors shouldn’t have sweets because it corrupts the body and the mind,” Dark Choco explained regretfully. Pure Vanilla cocked his head to the side, “Well, isn’t it fortunate that you’ll be the little price of the Vanilla Kingdom for this short time? Come now, let us get you some.” He held his hand out and Dark Choco grabbed it, already comfortable with the warmth that his hand provided.
“After, I can show you your quarters. Then, perhaps you would like to assist me with some of my duties as king? After all, in no time at all, you’ll be doing the same in the Cacao Kingdom.” Dark Choco nodded vigorously in agreement. His father had let him sit in with him while he completed his papers, but he had never understood any of the regal business or words stated in said paperwork. Maybe Pure Vanilla would explain without Dark Choco having to ask.
Pure Vanilla guided Dark Choco seamlessly toward the kitchen, walking at a slow enough pace so that the child would have the chance to capture the scenery he was not so conspicuously trying to see. By the way that Dark Choco would squint his eyes, Dark Cacao’s suspicions were correct. Pure Vanilla smiled. Once they’d arrived at the grand kitchen, Pure Vanilla leaned down and picked up Dark Choco, seating him on the counter as he turned and reached into a cupboard to grab a glass for the young prince’s treat. Placing the glass near the prince on the counter, he then opened a large freezer compartment entirely separate from the fridge.
“What flavor would you like, little prince?” Pure Vanilla asked, stepping aside so Dark Choco could peer into the fridge, “We have many flavors, dare I say all of them!” He smiled as Dark Choco blinked at the freezer for a few moments. “Didn’t you say I could have vanilla ice cream?” He questioned as his eyes shifted to the king. Pure Vanilla nodded in confirmation, “Well, yes, but that was a mere suggestion. You could have whatever flavor you’d want.” Dark Choco rubs his fingers against their respective hands, “...Vanilla’s my favorite flavor… don’t tell my dad I said that.” Pure Vanilla chuckled a bit at his additional statement as he grabbed the vanilla tub from the freezer. Closing the door, he set the rub on the counter before turning back to the cabinets, and opening a drawer to grab the ice cream scooper.
“I would never think of telling! After all, Dark Cacao would be in no place to judge… as he favors the strawberry flavor.” Pure Vanilla smiled at Dark Choco before removing the lid from the tub of ice cream and beginning to form scoops. Dark Choco gasped quietly, “What? I was sure that chocolate would be his favorite! He’s always buying it!” Pure Vanilla hummed as he tapped the scoop of ice cream into the dish, “Perhaps he was under the impression that it was your favorite flavor, little prince?” Dark Choco pondered over it for a moment as Pure Vanilla closed the ice cream tub and returned everything to its respective places.
“You can tell him once he returns what your favorite flavor is. However, I have my work to attend to,” Pure Vanilla’s hands hovered near Dark Choco as if he was unsure if he should pick up the prince or not. Dark Choco held his hand out for a moment before pulling it back, allowing Pure Vanilla to cement his decision in picking him up. “Let us go now, shall we? It’s been a long while since I’ve had a royal advisor, and I would truly appreciate your input.” Dark Choco smiled meekly at the king as he kicked his feet, clutching his glass containing ice cream. As he was taken up the stairs, Dark Choco perked up at the chance to take in new scenery. He drank in the appearance of the simple, tall tables that lined the walls with flowers contained in vases. He smiled at the paintings of not only Pure Vanilla, but also of his friends, with each friend having their own painting near a room. Dark Choco gazed at the large painting of his father with a golden frame, holding his sword proudly. Pure Vanilla slowed to allow him to analyze it in closer detail.
“You know, little prince… the room that you’ll be staying in for the extent of your stay, is the same place that your dad stays when he’s residing in my kingdom.” Dark Choco’s eyes lit up as he looked back at Pure Vanilla, who gestured toward a near door with “Cacao” etched into the wood, with a small hanging sign under it reading ‘and Choco.’ Smiling at the child’s joy, Pure Vanilla slowly turned away from the door. “You’re free to accustom yourself to your room, if you so wish, I’ll be in my office if you’d want to instead assist me later,” Pure Vanilla offered Dark Choco, who shook his head slowly, not ready to be alone quite yet. The king lit up at the response, “Wonderful! Watch, now little prince. My office isn’t so far from this area.” Portraits of White Lily and Golden Cheese were passed, along with a few empty doors and windows before they finally reached Pure Vanilla’s office. Its importance was made evident by the intricate designs in the door frame, another tier compared to the average quality of the other doors. As if sensing his thoughts, Pure Vanilla smiled bashfully at the extravagant appearance of his office entrance.
“Ah… please disregard the flamboyant appearance of my office… I hadn’t expected the construction cookies to put such an effort into such a plain concept of my office!” He murmured as he pushed open one of the office doors. Despite Pure Vanilla’s bashfulness over the remarkable appearance of his office entrance, the entrance perfectly melded with the unique appearance of his room. Plants were hanging near the windows, potted flowers on and near the desk. Golden trinkets littered the desk and shelves. Books and folders neatly arranged in the shelves, but a few papers and open folders astray around the room. A stray jacket was carelessly strewn on a plush light blue couch. A coffee table in front of the sofa had a pair of glasses and a coaster with a small stack of papers.
“Forgive the unprofessional appearance of my office. It’s been home to many memories throughout the course of its use…” Pure Vanilla gently releases Dark Choco, who wanders near the coffee table. He carefully picks up the glasses, his fingers ghosting over the initials embedded into the glasses, “D.C.C.” Dark Choco noted that the glasses were undoubtedly too small for his father, yet he knew of no one else who shared these initials with him. Pure Vanilla walked up behind him, resting a hand on his head.
“Your father could tell that you had poor eyesight. Once you got your check-ups, he consulted me, and together we attempted to create a prototype to help you see better.” Dark Choco flushed a bit at the thoughtfulness of his father before opening the temples of the glasses. He held them gingerly between his fingers before sliding them onto his face. The world that he had known to be blurry suddenly became far clearer than he ever knew it could be. He gaped silently, looking around at the office, then finally up at Pure Vanilla who ran his hand across his face, brushing his bangs away from his face. After a few moments, Dark Choco felt his eyes strain, so he removed the glasses and carefully set them down on the coffee table once more. Following Pure Vanilla to his desk, the king sat in his seat while Dark Choco attempted to peek over the desk’s edge. Pure Vanilla chuckled before lifting the young prince up. There was an open folder with papers, alone with two stacks of papers on his desk, one being noticeably bigger than the other.
“The stack on the left is of papers I have yet to complete, while the right one has all the papers I’ve completed today.” Dark Choco blinks as he takes a spoonful of the ice cream into his mouth. He felt unable to not mention the notably far larger stack of the incomplete papers as he glanced at them a noticeable amount. “Hm, yes, I haven’t completed much today… I’ve been excited for your arrival, I can’t deny.” Pure Vanilla beamed shyly, “I haven’t seen you since you were but an infant… your dough was so soft, I recall, that your father was hesitant to hold you in his arms as he was fearful that he may hurt you. I had to teach him how to hold you, and accompany him for the first few months of your childhood… it was comforting.” Dark Choco kept silent, occupying himself with eating his ice cream. He didn’t want to cut short memories of his earlier childhood from an outsider’s perspective. Pure Vanilla held the prince’s hand as he wrote with his left.
“Your eyes… when you were first born, they were more of a lovely purple, somewhat seeming plum… your father was sure you’d keep them as you grew older, but I could see the tint of a red similar to Jellyberries… your eyes grew to be beautiful, I must admit I envy them.” Pure Vanilla’s voice trailed off as he focused on writing replies to letters, signing contracts, and stamping policies with approval or disapproving stamps. Dark Choco watched this with interest, listening eagerly when Pure Vanilla would explain some of the simpler policy requests to Dark Choco, and the process of creating policies which may turn into laws in the future. After minutes of silence, Dark Choco asked a question that had been floating in his mind.
“You’re writing a lot… but, I thought you were blind? How are you writing and reading so quickly?” Dark Choco questioned hesitantly, hoping he hadn’t offended the king. Pure Vanilla replied kindly to the question, “Well, I’m not entirely blind, little prince, but I do have considerably poor eyesight. It’s simply easier to say that I’m blind, given that my sight is so poor I may as well be. As for how I write and read so clearly, I have had much practice. Since I was baked, I’ve had terrible eyesight. After centuries of living with it, it’s become considerably easier to write and read as if I were a normal person. However…” A staff, with a flower atop, made a sudden entrance. Dark Choco tilted his head to the side, unintentionally mirroring Pure Vanilla’s previous actions. Pure Vanilla rotated the staff to allow the front to face the prince, and he gasped at the sight of the large eye looking back at him.
“Don’t fear, child. This is my orchid staff. It allows me to see through it when it’s in a certain proximity to me.” Dark Choco nodded slowly as Pure Vanilla placed the staff back down. He continued to work on his paperwork. Dark Choco watched for a few more moments once he had finished his ice cream. Leaving the glass on the desk when Pure Vanilla had reassured him he would put it away later, he slipped out of the king’s lap in order to explore the room.
Over the course of a few hours, he carded through bookshelves and flipped through folders. Any trace of his father, such as pictures and old exchanged letters, were reread and or stared at for an extended amount of time. Dark Choco felt more and more comfortable in Pure Vanilla’s company as he began to understand the extent of the ruler’s friendship. Pure Vanilla was like his father’s “rock.”
After a few hours, which the young prince hadn’t noticed due to his focus on exploring the room, Pure Vanilla stretched and cracked his joints, standing up from his seat, “Ah… I’m growing weary. I’m going to do some light reading on the couch for a while, alright?” Dark Choco nodded, not yet tearing his eyes away from the incomplete scrapbook he had found. Pure Vanilla smiled at the young prince’s curiosity as he stood up from his chair, his dress flowing around himself as he removed his hat and dual layered cape. He placed them on the edge of the coffee table, bringing his legs up to lay on the couch as he picked up a book from the bottom compartment of the coffee table. His staff leaned against the back of the touch, peering over his shoulder to have a clear view of the book’s words. Dark Choco and Pure Vanilla were engrossed in their own books of choice, however, once Dark Choco completed the scrap book, he slowly closed it before slotting it back into its rightful place on the bookshelf full of other memories and adventures between Pure Vanilla and his friends.
He slowly stood from his place on the floor, shaking off the feeling of swelling numbness in his doughy limbs due to how long he had been sat in that same position, delicately flipping through all the images and scrawled messages. He made his way toward Pure Vanilla, who smiled a bit more but paid him no mind. Dark Choco gently touched Pure Vanilla’s layered cape, and when the king gave him a casual nod, he popped his head through the opening in the layered cloth and then equipped the large hat onto his head. He spun around slowly due to the large amount of dragging excess fabric. “Do I look like royalty?” He smiled up at Pure Vanilla who closed his book, nodding in confirmation. “Very royal… one might begin to think that you’re the ruler of the Vanilla Kingdom in my place, little prince.” Dark Choco grinned at that, picking up the fabric bunched around his legs and removing the hat from his head in order to readjust it.
“You know… when you were an infant, and on the days you felt particularly fussy, we would bundle you up in… many silly, miscellaneous swaddles of fabric. My hat having been one of the most common.” Dark Choco pulled the hat away from his head, staring at it quizzically.He quickly shuffled off the rest of Pure Vanilla’s attire before attempting to slip into the hat. When he found that he could only really fit his legs in, he furrowed his eyebrows, wondering how he could’ve been so small as to casually and repeatedly fit into the king’s hat. “Huh… I can barely just fit my legs in!” He exclaimed, pulling his body out of the hat and holding it in his hands. Pure Vanilla laughed, “Well, yes. You were far smaller back then. A little drop of dough, dare I say.” Dark Choco flushed at the words while Pure Vanilla laughed once more.
“Well… as silly as this is, you should be getting to sleep, little prince. It’s nearing 9:30.” Dark Choco sighed childishly, but nodded nonetheless. Placing his book down, Pure Vanilla grabbed his attire and slipped it back on before grabbing the hat the prince offered up to him. Grabbing his staff, he motioned for Dark Choco to follow him out of his office. As they began the slow descent down the hall, the prince pondered over his relatively peaceful day.
“Hey… what do your citizens do all day? Training?” Dark Choco inquired. Pure Vanilla hummed softly in confusion, “Training? Whatever would that be necessary for?” He replied. “Training their swordsmanship? Strength?.. How do your people fight if they don’t train?” He questioned, seeming to be genuinely confused at the lack of defensive preparation in the Vanilla Kingdom. The Healder furrowed his eyebrows before replying, “Well, if necessary, my kingdom has made great technological innovations that would allow for machines to fight for them, if the conflict was inevitable. My people are primarily pacifists, though. I don’t like the constant fear of war and violence to loom over my people.” Dark Choco processed his words for a moment before quietly asking yet another question as they passed White Lily’s room.
“If your people don’t fight… then what brings them honor and purpose in their lives?” Pure Vanilla went silent for a moment, promising to berate Dark Cacao for allowing his child to believe that fighting gives people purpose in life. “My dear, fighting isn’t for everyone. Some people are better, and prefer other things. Whatever you enjoy doing most is someone’s purpose and honor… I, for example. I’m a decent warrior, but I highly prefer to be a healer as it makes me feel more useful. It helps me ensure the safety and good health of everyone around me that I care about. Would you say that I have no purpose nor honor, because I chose to not fight unless absolutely necessary?” The eye of his orchid staff looked down at Dark Choco who paled quickly.
“What! No! You do have honor! It’s just… different? It’s… it’s not weird in a bad way, but it’s weird in a good way… no one has to get hurt here, and if they do, it doesn’t have to be for long because you can heal them…” Dark Choco trailed off thoughtfully as they finally stopped in front of his father’s portrait, near his room.
“I like that, I think. That you don’t have to fight to still save lives…” He turned around, looking up at Pure Vanilla who smiled down at him, glad that he helped him realize the error in his father’s philosophy. “You have a lot of honor… I hope that one day, I can have as much honor as you and my father do…” Pure Vanilla rubbed his head affectionately with reassurance. “You don’t have to hope, because I know that in due time, your honor will exceed both ours. Good night now, Dark Choco. If you need me, I’ll be in my office.” Dark Choco nodded, hugging Pure Vanillla’s legs for a moment before bounding into the room. Pure Vanilla, momentarily taken aback too late to react, smiled sweetly. Closing the door completely, he started back toward his office to finish up his paperwork before checking up on Dark Choco and following suite with sleeping.
As his father, Dark Cacao and Pure Vanilla had said, the week had flown by. Dark Choco had done so many different things, and had met so many different people, that every day was its own story. He tended to the gardens, learned how to swim, cooked his first meal, saved a girl from drowning, and named one of the horses of the kingdom. He had met many of the children of workers in the Vanilla Kingdom, and had playdates in parks and grand gardens. He’d gotten to learn a lot about the culture of the Vanilla Kingdom, and also a lot more about the king. Not to mention, he’d met two other ancients! Both White Lily and Hollyberry had visited for a few days for a small meeting due to two companies in the Vanilla Kingdom and the Hollyberry kingdom wanting to merge their business remotely. Dark Choco had felt exposed to the world, in the best way possible.
When Pure Vanilla woke him up in the morning with his favorite flavor of tea, ironically the same as the king, telling him that his father would be on the way to pick him up, Dark Choco hadn’t expected to find himself beginning to cry. As much as he missed his father, he would miss the warmth of the Vanilka Kingdom much more. Not only the warmth of the sun on his dough and the warm steam of food brushing his face, but the warmth of the citizens, the kindness of the king and his advisors.
Pure Vanilla held him in his arms, as if he already knew why he was crying. He always knew everything, without Dark Choco having to say anything. The Healer told him it was because he and his father were very similar. With mannerisms and worries, secrets and likes. Pure Vanilla could read them both like open books as a result of it. Dark Choco was more happy about it, than anything. He liked how he didn’t have to explain his feelings, because Pure Vanilla could just tell.
The king helped him pack his things. He let him keep the mug he had always drank his morning tea with. He let him keep a miniature version of his own layered cape with the crest of his soul jam embedded in it. He traced his fingers over the protruding stitches and smiled at the healer who returned the gesture. They spoke in the large dining hall with the sunlight bursting through the stained glass windows. He tried his hardest to remember how the colorful light reflected onto the glass vases full of flowers, and how the color splayed onto the wall artistically. He tried to remember the warmth of the sun, and the warmth of the touch of the kind king. And when Dark Cacao arrived, opening the doors, before he got the chance to announce his arrival, he heard Dark Choco’s giggles as he played with Pure Vanilla. The foreign king slowly walked to the left hall, smiling gently when he saw the light beaming on the two figures. Dark Choco was holding Pure Vanilla’s hand, his smaller foot on top of the healer’s as he leaned back haphazardly, although there was no real danger with the Vanilla ruler. “Catch me! I’m going to fall!” Dark Choco exclaimed, falling back slowly as Pure Vanilla pretended to squabble toward him out of panic.
“Oh no! My little prince! I’ve got you!” He exclaimed as he swooped Dark Choco into his arms, holding him up and spinning him around. Dark Cacao leaned against the wall, his worries soothed by the domestic scene between his two favorite cookies. ‘My boys…’ he thought to himself affectionately. When Dark Choco caught sight of him, his face lit up as he gasped.
“Dad!” He exclaimed. Pure Vanilla quickly set the prince down as he raced toward his father. Dark Cacao chuckled deeply as he swooped Dark Choco into his arms. “My son! I’m sure you’ve had the most wonderful stay with my dearest friend, yes?” Dark Choco nodded enthusiastically, it was clear to anyone that he was bursting with stories and adventures he wished to share with his father. “Wonderful. When we return to the carriage, you’ll tell me all about them, yes?” He questioned. “Yes!” The prince exclaimed in agreement. Dark Cacao redirected his attention toward the healer.
“My dear friend… come here, join us in this goodbye.” Pure Vanilla smiled sadly, “He was such a lovely guest to have… a wonderful trial prince for my kingdom, dare I say.” They tipped their heads together. Pure Vanilla opened his eyes as they gazed at each other affectionately. Dark Choco smiled as he looked between the two. “I hope to see you soon, my dearest… friend. It’s been far too long since you’ve stayed in your quarters here in my kingdom. Your bed’s been cold.” Pure Vanilla said quietly. Dark Cacao huffed playfully, “Your quarters have been the same, my dearest. Your bed is as cold as the raging winter of my kingdom. If you come, you shall bring spring. I hope to see you in our kingdom.” Pure Vanilla smiled, bonking his head playfully with the king’s before rubbing Dark Choco’s head for the last time.
“It’s been wonderful having you here, my little prince. Feel free to visit, any time. My doors are open to you both, no matter what.” The foreign royals smiled, the king reciprocating the accepting statement as they exited with Dark Choco’s belongings. Pure Vanilla watched them leave from the window nearest to the door. He pursed his lips, wishing he had someone to take residence in this large estate alongside him. He wondered when he would next see them, not knowing that the only times they would interact after would be during the creeping war.