Chapter Text
Her Radiance had been spacing out lately.
Her movements had become slower than usual, eyes darting everywhere, and distant at the same time. Even when she's invited down for breakfast or dinner by the Cheezbirdz, she'd stare at her food with a bored expression—something he had definitely seen before on someone else's face, whom he doesn't even want to mention since it leaves a bitter taste on his tongue—and played with the food using her fork, stabbing it indignantly.
‘Unsure of what to think, eyes looking solemn yet troubled at the same time,’ said Smoked Cheese. He'd been seeing the same kind of haze in the Golden Queen's eyes—a little dull than usual—almost the same dullness and haziness he remembered back when she had a panic attack as she almost lost to the Beast of Destruction. Perhaps it was related to that?
Smoked Cheese shook his head and grumbled to himself as he pinched the bottom of his lips with his thumb and forefinger, wondering when Her Radiance would share her troubles with him. But alas, there was no use of guessing. And sulking. Though, he can't help but really feel curious this time. What could possibly be troubling Her Radiance?
Oh, and did he forget to mention? That monster of a Beast was taken to her digital kingdom for whatever purpose. Why, you may ask? Well, let us recall what happened a week ago.
____
“I am pretty confident that the Beasts can still be redeemed, and that we are capable of helping them discover their purpose once more,” Pure Vanilla spoke kindly, gleaming with happiness and confidence as he conversed with the other Ancients.
Pure Vanilla had previously proposed a project where the Ancients will be the ones that will be responsible for the rehabilitation of the Beasts. Shadow Milk didn't seem to approve of it, but he certainly liked his Vanilly's company, so he might as well just comply with him. He also was the only Beast paying attention to him, while still messing around with his former companions and Ancients.
One thing Shadow Milk can say though is that Hollyberry is pretty chill to hang around with. He doesn't mind her company. In fact, she even challenged Shadow Milk to a drinking contest—whereas he lost and is still pretty bitter about it—to which Eternal Sugar huffed in disapproval. She doesn't support the alcoholism of her arch nemesis! If anything, she could offer her own juice for Holly—
Dark Cacao was a little hesitant with Pure Vanilla's idea. There are many possible ways everything could all go wrong all at once. And yet, he found himself glancing at the room where she… the Beasts were, watching as the soft rays of the sunlight of the setting sun streamed through the curtains, bathing the room in warm light.
He found himself staring at Mystic Flour—who was meditating in a corner—a little longer than he should. But he couldn't help it. Who knew that a Beast is capable of having an ethereal beauty, like she holds? Gorgeous and modest, his mind described as he observed how the soft streams of sunlight caressed her fair skin and veil, highlighting the delicate softness of it, making her seem to glow as she meditated in silence.
She seemed peaceful.
A beauty who could rival the Moon's. No offense to Moonlight, though.
But this is wrong.
He was admiring a beast who tortured him mentally—even for a short period of time—with illusions that almost made him lose his sanity and crumble, and to realize that everything is futile. Futility, Apathy, Resolution…
…As a ruler, who once embodied the definition of Kindness, Empathy, and Generosity…
The Hero of Volition.
He forced himself to strip his eyes away from her, as hard as it was, and shifted his attention back to Pure Vanilla, who continued to explain his idea with lots of consideration from other Ancients, as well as from the Beasts. He really seemed passionate about this. Another trait of his that Dark Cacao admires.
And no, he certainly is not a masochist. Maybe that title belongs to Golden Cheese.
That woman had agreed with her arch nemesis to have a weekly spar that most of her people would disapprove of, even the other Ancients.
Why would she agree to spar with someone who was cruel enough to rip her wings off brutally? Who almost killed her? A true masochist right there.
Well, she almost killed him too, but he's not going to dwell deeper into that.
Well, they are enemies—were enemies, rather.
Unknowingly for him, Mystic Flour felt quite a disturbance in her own, personal bubble as she sensed a pair of eyes settling on her for too long while she minded her own business. She felt the familiar weight of Dark Cacao's gaze being lifted as he shifted his attention back to Pure Vanilla, and in that moment, she allowed her eyes to flutter open once more, her gaze already setting on his face, raking over his facial features.
One thing she certainly knows, for sure, is how she missed the feeling of his face making contact with her cold palm as she tilted his head upwards as to force their eyes to meet, pained ones meeting her cold ones. The way she felt a sliver of satisfaction as she relished the sight of his pained and horrified expression the moment she inflicted illusions of his people dying from the Pale Ailment. ALL of them returning to flour…
She twitched as she recalled the memory, the sudden movement catching Shadow Milk's attention, in which she calmly, though hurriedly, went back to meditating. Like she did not have those thoughts moments ago. Apathy, apathy, apathy…
She kept her expression neutral, face schooled into a mask that betrayed none of her thoughts. Yet the blue jester seemed to have an idea as his eyes narrowed…
As for the other Beasts—Silent Salt sitting near Mystic Flour, with Eternal Sugar just sleeping soundly on their lap, who earned a small chuckle from Hollyberry. ‘Devil in disguise of an angel,’ she thought. The silent knight had been running their fingers through the angel's hair, waiting for the dismissal of the Ancients' meeting.
Burning Spice, who had been silent since the start of their meeting, was sulking in the other corner and away from the Ancients' sight, having his arms crossed that seemed to flex his biceps as the poor wall became a victim of his enraged gaze. And what might have happened to him?
Well, he and Golden Cheese were in the middle of their weekly spar, exchanging punches and kicks powerful enough to cast a shockwave strong enough to crack sandstones. Their fight was just starting to get intense, veins filling up with adrenaline as they subconsciously summoned both of their weapons with wide grins on their faces, Golden Cheese wielding a gleaming and golden spear, clashed weapons Burning Spice, whose eyes were flaming with determination and delight as he engulfed his axe with flickering flames.
“C’mon, little bird! Is that all you’ve got?!” he called out, chest rumbling as he spoke, voice dripping with mockery. Golden Cheese only laughed at his taunt, a melody in his ears.
Aggressive blocks and swings were thrown, leaving a trail on the sandstones that took every impact of their sparring, leaving trails of marks in their wake. Yet how much he tried to focus on their sparring he could never stop his eyes from trailing over her form, mesmerized by her grace and her golden wings that he once tore off her body—a reminder of his previous victory over her. He still remembered the look of anguish on her face as he discarded her wings on the ground, lifeless. The sight of them now, watching them extend gracefully as she fought with all her might, filled him with mixture of emotions—pride, triumph, and a strange sort of longing, as if he yearned to see her soar in the sky once more.
That woman will soon be mine!
He swung his axe against her spear and pushed her back with the use of his weight, twisting it to make her lose her balance, catching her off guard as he flung her spear somewhere.
An opening for him.
Before he could claim his victory, a portal appeared just as he tackled her down onto the ground, her back hitting the marbled floor roughly as Burning Spice followed, almost crushing her with his weight. Fortunately for her, he was quick enough to react, hands slamming against the marbled floor on each side of her head, knee in between her legs as he tried to support his own weight despite the impact of their fall and their fight making him a little wobbly.
Then he remembered—she fell on her back! His gaze immediately fell on her wings, releasing a small breath of relief as he found them still intact. No signs of any injuries…
Her beauty caught his attention, and only then did he realize their proximity. But he couldn’t get off just yet. A part of him doesn’t want to, captivated by the sight of her sweating, breathless, and tense underneath him.
Wide, golden pair of eyes stared back into his unreadable ones.
Hold on, what happened…? Weren’t they sparring just a minute ago? Hold on—
Did they just suddenly warp to Pure Vanilla's council hall?!
“Um, m—my dear friends… Did we interrupt something?” Pure Vanilla asked weakly, glancing down at Golden Cheese's wings twitching as it laid flat on the ground.
Yes! Yes, you did! Burning Spice wanted to say, yet he can't seem to let a word slip out as he found himself lost in her eyes.
Burning Spice's hair fell around them like a curtain, as if trying to save them from further embarrassment and humiliation, covering their expressions from the several pairs of eyes witnessing and judging the situation. It was rather an interesting entrance for the both of them, but he was too annoyed to give a fuck. They warped them without warning, and even worse, in the middle of their sparring!
Pure Vanilla was concerned. White Lily was shocked. Dark Cacao seemed horrified. Hollyberry was just confused. Silent Salt was looking at the scene curiously, as Eternal Sugar only grinned mischievously.
“Lookie what we have here!” Shadow Milk cackled as he floated towards the two, hands joined together as he circled around them. He felt a vein almost pop as the jester pissed him off even more.
Burning Spice doesn't even want to talk about what happened after that. Just one thing, Shadow Milk almost went blind partially.
Back to the topic.
Hollyberry was the first to agree. She didn't mind spending time with Eternal Sugar, as she barely caused any trouble. She would just sleep on Hollyberry's bed. She doesn't know why, considering that she already provided Eternal Sugar her own room with a comfortable bed, yet still preferred hers, and only woke up when it's time to eat. She thought that maybe Eternal Sugar wasn’t used to sleeping alone, and finds that thought a little adorable.
Pure Vanilla's answer was already obvious, of course. He had become Shadow Milk's therapist, but he didn't mind. As long as it meant helping him improve his mental health and redeem his values.
Shadow Milk was grateful. At least now, two of the Ancients consider him as their friend. Surely they won't deceive him, right…?
Dark Cacao was still hesitant as he glanced towards Mystic Flour's direction, who was already looking at him. It seemed as though she didn't mind, yet with a stoic expression like hers, it was hard for him to read.
But Shadow Milk had been observant. He saw the slight change of Mystic Flour's gaze. He couldn't point out what it meant, but it certainly meant that she was slowly warming up to her arch nemesis, to which Shadow Milk rolled his eyes, finding it cringe. As if he wasn't also like that with Pure Vanilla.
Yet in the end, Dark Cacao agreed. But it looks like he'll be staying up tonight to draft a plan for Mystic Flour's rehabilitation. Perhaps start with Jambounding?
White Lily seemed to be the only one who refused and expressed herself as to why she disagreed to cooperate with Pure Vanilla's plan. It seems risky, she said.
But the silent knight was secretly looking forward to it. They felt a little disappointed. They had been less hostile, and they were curious about White Lily.
But alas, that's just how things are.
____
And of course, as foolish as the queen always was, agreed to Pure Vanilla's idea (as expected), even though all of the kingdom—including her—were uncertain of the outcome. Heck, Smoked Cheese might even find her dead in her bedsheets, drowning in her own blood, with the Beast just grinning and giggling creepily like the devil he was.
Fortunately for the Golden Cheese Kingdom, none of that happened, even with how many times Burning Spice had bypassed the security just to go to Golden Cheese's room. What does he do there every night, exactly?
Sleep. He couldn't sleep unless there was a close companion nearby, which he got used to with Nutmeg. He hates it, though.
Speaking of that, she never saw what his sleeping face looked like. She'd always find his hair trying to drown him or something.
That's why Golden Cheese is not surprised to find a black mop of hair near her bed. Her bed was spacious enough to even fit three people, yet he never even bothered to join her? She didn't expect that from him, though.
Knowing his arrogance, he would've invited himself into her bed, and even claim it as his. Or maybe take it as an advantage to strangle her to death.
Smoked Cheese still couldn't believe it when he saw that sight. Her Radiance curiously observing (watching) Burning Spice sleep against her bed like a creep. In his own perspective.
And of course, her annoying orders regarding Burning Spice. They now always had to put up with his annoying ass. But much to the kingdom's relief, he was sent off for an expedition to gather spices for the Kulfis, ordered by the Queen herself, with a few minor complaints from him.
Finally, a moment of peace.
Or so they thought.
Her Radiance started acting a little immature as her patience went thinner.
“Maybe it's related to her conversation with Mozzarella earlier… What could she possibly have asked that got Her Radiance acting like that?” he whispered to himself, brows furrowing as he headed towards the gate where Burnt Cheese was, as it was almost the time the Beast would arrive from his expedition. Goddamnit.
He let out an annoyed sigh as he stood beside Burnt Cheese, earning a suspicious look from him.
Anything for Her Radiance, I guess.
____
Somewhere in the kingdom, the golden queen moped around places, pacing from her room to the balcony as she couldn’t ignore the feeling of restlessness and irritation that was also laced with worry. She'd been catching herself huffing and glaring at things that had nothing to do with anything she was currently dealing with right now.
Oh, what could've caused this behavior of hers? That question had been lingering in almost everyone’s heads already.
But her mind, once again, recalled her conversation with Mozzarella just an hour ago—the very main reason why she became more insufferable.
”Are you, perhaps, growing attached to the said beast?”
Mozzarella's words had been ringing inside her mind for a while now. Not sure if she regretted letting her in her room (she did), and even giving her permission to ask a few questions out of concern, said the ‘always sweet’ Mozzarella.
Golden Cheese rolled her eyes as she finally realized what that mischievous twinkle in Mozza's eyes were for.
She scoffed at Mozzarella's question, finding it ridiculous. Yet her body language told Mozzarella otherwise. Eyebrows twitching as they furrowed, shifting her weight onto one hip as she tapped her foot impatiently, slightly turning away as she crossed her arms. Not to mention, her wings moving restlessly—an indication that she either flustered or annoyed.
Mozzarella doesn't even know if she's going to cringe at Her Grace’s actions or tease her further about their topic. 'In denial, as always,’ thought Mozzarella, chuckling to herself.
“Utterly ridiculous, I must say!” Golden Cheese replied with the influence of her ego and pride, as if silently implying that nothing will ever swerve her thoughts regarding this matter. But oh, is she challenging her favorite bug fixer?
“Then why is Her Grace always checking her balcony, hm? Is Her Grace, perhaps, waiting for something? Rather someone?” Mozzarella continued to tease her, chuckling softly to herself as she brought her fingers up to her own mouth, her hair ringing the bells softly. “You keep on checking the time as well…” she added as she glanced at the clock before looking back at Golden Cheese, who had her brows knitted together, finding her reactions quite cute and amusing.
That seemed to irk Golden Cheese even more. Foolish as she was, took the bait.
“I am not waiting for Burning Spice's return!”
“You didn't even think about the Kulfis? How would they react if they heard this? Even him?” replied Mozzarella, snickering to herself as she saw the faint tint of pink on Her Majesty's cheeks.
She only realized it too late that she took the bait. But of course, she also had to chew on it. And gulp it down.
“I certainly do not miss him,” she huffed, crossing her arms as she turned her back to Mozzarella, to which she sighed exasperatedly in return.
“Oh, I remember I didn't mention that you miss him? But alas, Smoked Cheese was right. You should be diagnosed with severe In Denial Disorder,” Mozzarella muttered, loud enough for Golden Cheese to hear, to which she reacted exaggeratedly.
'Advanced apologies and prayers to you, Smoked Cheese,’ she snickered.
Somewhere in the kingdom, a loud sneeze was heard.
“He what?! Oh, that annoying… nitwit!” she growled as her hands folded into fists, feeling even more embarrassed.
Mozzarella had to pause for a bit as she blinked at Golden Cheese, caught off-guard. Was that a growl she heard? Huh, he really is rubbing off on her, and it's only been a couple of weeks…
And to be honest, she found their development rather interesting. As one of the first-hand witnesses.
“How dare he! Speaking ill behind my back... utterly shameless!” huffed Golden Cheese, already thinking of ways on how to make that nitwit suffer. Causing intentional bugs in the kingdom would be fun.
And no, Mozzarella is not safe either.
Mozzarella only chuckled at her outburst as she stepped out of Her Grace’s room.
“You can't deny it anymore, Your Radiance. You miss your little beast.”
Golden Cheese shook her head furiously as she tried to forget the conversation, making a few strands of her hair smack her face, some sticking onto her lip gloss. She swatted those strands of hair away.
She'd been trying to keep her mind off of things related to him. Yet no matter where she looks, nor does, almost everything reminds her of him! It was as if he casted a shadow—a mark—in every corner of her kingdom! Not even her room was spared!
Or maybe, just maybe, she was overreacting. Just like what Smoked Cheese said with a deadpan expression.
“You're overreacting. I wouldn’t even care if someone stuck spices up his ass. He can manage himself alone.”
He'd been trying to keep up with her antics, yet he seemed like he was on the brink of giving up and hiding away from Her Majesty, not wanting to hear anymore of how much she misses her beast, even if she kept on denying it hundreds, if not thousands of times. Yet her body language told them otherwise, as always.
And her conversation with Mozzarella certainly did! Not! Help! At all!
Both the conversation and him kept messing with her mind, always popping up suddenly and interrupting her train of thoughts that were unrelated to that… ugly Beast!
A small part of her digressed with her insult.
She let out an annoyed groan as she floated towards her bed, plopping herself onto the mattress as she grunted, brows knitted together as she glared at the coffered ceiling of her room, which was also holding one of her greatest creations—a golden chandelier that held every one of the most important treasures of each Cheezbirdz that helped her design the final structure of the chandelier.
She remembered Burning Spice's words as he saw the enormous chandelier hanging above her bed for the first time.
“I can do better than that.” Like she cared!!!
Staring at it as she took deep breaths would always calm her nerves down, yet why is it not working?!
“There is no way an ounce of me misses that… that fat demon!”
“Like you weren't just ogling him a few days ago,” She imagined Mozzarella replying to her thoughts. And because of that, her thoughts are now suddenly filled with his biceps and big (breasts) pecs.
The image made her roll onto her stomach and let out a scream into her pillows that strangely smelled like spice, wings fluttering as she kicked the mattress, flustered. It made her so annoyed!
“Ugh, what on Earthbread?! What have you done to me?!”
___
Out of her annoyance and boredom, she finally let her childishness and impulsiveness win her over, causing minor yet annoying troubles around the kingdom. Several bugs and glitches over here and there, forcing Smoked Cheese, who was assigned to guard the gates with Burnt Cheese, and Mozzarella to attend to them.
It wouldn't hurt to become a menace for once, Golden Cheese thought, trying to justify her own actions.
Bugs that disrupted the traffic, causing chaos within the roads. Glitches frightening children which made them run back into their homes, acting like dogs that had their tails between their legs. Fortunately, none were injured.
Her Radiance had been acting insufferable. Too much headache for the whole kingdom to the point they started thinking that someone must’ve taken their golden queen and replaced her with an imposter. Burning Spice is immediately considered as the only suspect.
Even Smoked Cheese had to lecture her for 30 minutes, explaining why she had to stop causing these problems and stop being reckless. He felt like crying. Because why the hell is Her Radiance acting so immaturely?
It annoyed Smoked Cheese so much to the point he was also praying so hard to the Witches for Burning Spice's early return. Even the Cheezbirdz! They've been chirping so much he just wanted to rip his hair out.
Mozzarella only let out a sigh out of exhaustion. To be honest, the behavior of Her Radiance is making her grimace.
“I hate that this is also making me wait for the Beast's return impatiently…”
It should've been peaceful without that Beast! Yet why does everyone have their head in their hands?! Or wings?! Including Her Radiance?!
“Oh my Witches! I can't bear it any longer!” Smoked Cheese wailed as Mozzarella flinched, watching him deflate onto the ground.
____
Finally, he and the Kulfis reached his little thief's kingdom. It was rather an annoying expedition, considering that the Kulfis—who were once his followers—had become a pain in his ass. Yet he enjoyed it making them suffer a little, to say the least. He kept bossing them around, chuckling to himself as he kept his expression smug, watching as the Kulfis struggle with the weight of the cargo.
“Come now, you useless pieces of rubbish. Are those spices too much for you?” he taunted, showing off his signature grin. Yet, despite his teasing, he began to load up the two heaviest cargo onto his shoulders with ease, effortlessly carrying them to the Golden Cheese Kingdom.
He did cause problems though, and even challenged an arrogant Spiceling into a fight.
The Spiceling was hospitalized due to severe injuries.
It seemed like the Kulfis still looked up to him, but they developed the courage to disobey him, though. But he could care less.
Recognized by Burnt Cheese and Smoked Cheese—who was sweating and seemed strangely relieved as he saw who they were. “Welcome back,” Burnt Cheese greeted them flatly as he let them pass the gates first before helping the Kulfis carry the rest of the cargo inside.
He almost wanted to hug the Beast for returning earlier than expected, but the thought of hugging him almost made him gag and shudder in horror and disgust.
Smoked Cheese suddenly lost his appetite.
Burning Spice set the two cargos aside, huffing and grumbling as he realized that Golden Cheese will boss him around again. It was fun seeing more of her personality as he taunted her continuously, though.
A sudden golden sparkle lit up from the kingdom above, catching his eyes.
He stood there from the gates, watching her soar from the balcony of her kingdom, flying into the sky as her golden wings unfurled gracefully. The setting sun casts a warm, golden glow on her form, bathing her in luminous bronze. It was breathtaking, to say the least. But he won't admit that.
Yet the way her wings caught the rays of the setting sun, the way hair danced gracefully in the wind, the way the fabric of her dress swayed with her movements.
She, who embodies the definition of elegance and grace.
Truly breathtaking.
The way she had a fierce look on her face as she flew at such a speed towards his direction—
Wait.
He's not seeing this right, is he?
Que boss battle music.
Where did that even come from?
Was—was he the target?!
She crashed into Burning Spice, creating a huge explosion of smoke and spice around them, making Smoked Cheese and the other Kulfis cough as they inhaled.
“My eyes!” cried Smoked Cheese. Burnt Cheese was unbothered, thanks to his headpiece.
The smoke slowly cleared as she waited for the others to see her standing over his body, while trying to hold back her sneeze. But she inhaled too much spice, making her nose feel itchy. She couldn't hold it back any longer. But it's for the sake my of my ego and pride!
"Achoo!" she sneezed and sniffled before regaining back her composure as she glared down at Burning Spice, who was already smirking up at her, as if he was taking in the sight of her stepping on him. Oh damn.
“What delayed your arrival?” she asked as her eyes narrowed, to which his grin only widened. She clicked her tongue as she crossed her arms, brows furrowing.
Your Radiance, whatever do you mean? They only took a few hours! An average expedition would take 7 hours minimum! complained Smoked Cheese, but he was too busy trying to see with the spice making him tear up.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“He hospitalized a spiceling!” A young Kulfi snitched, which earned a few shushes from the other Kulfis, and an eyeroll from Burning Spice.
“It started it first,” he huffed, his hand slowly wrapping around her ankle. She noticed it, of course, and quickly got off him before he got to do whatever he was planning. The Beast only grumbled in disappointment.
“We must fix that temperament of yours. I will not tolerate such childish behavior here in my kingdom! You will learn how to show proper respect and refinement!” Golden Cheese spoke, turning around as she walked back towards the kitchen.
Oh, Smoked Cheese wanted to comment so bad. But the glare Golden Cheese shot him as soon as he opened his eyes made his mouth shut. Damn it…
“Transport those cargo inside. I will not be hearing any complaints.”
Burning Spice only groaned as he got up, patting away remnants of dust and spice.
“And you, Burning Spice,” she turned back around to look at him, earning all of his attention immediately. “Head to my royal chambers. You will be taking a shower immediately! The stench of spice on you is unbearable!”
In her royal chambers? Her room?!