Chapter Text
The faerie prince was eager for the next supply request from the Realm of Knowledge. He couldn’t help it, it was the only time he got to see his favorite cookie in all of Beast-Yeast.
Silverbell Cookie was devoted to his kingdom and his duties. He was studying to be a Silver Knight, his father taught him the politics of the Virtues and their realms, and he took his job as ambassador between the Virtue’s disciples and the Silver Kingdom very seriously.
Mostly because it gave him an excuse to see his favorite cookie, but also because it was one of the few political duties his father allowed him to have.
Speaking of, today the shipments to The Flour Peaks of Transcendence and The Realm of Knowledge would be leaving. Silverbell made sure to pack his very best uniforms. It would only be a three day trip, but he needed to look his best while representing his home and his kingdom.
Silverbell excitedly fluttered around the castle, looking for his father before his trip. He didn’t want to just leave without saying goodbye.
“My prince, I believe he is in a meeting with The Saint of Solidarity.” One of the Silver Guards informed him.
Silverbell thanked him with a smile and flew off towards his father’s meeting room. He was eager to get on the road, so the sooner he said his goodbye, the better.
Unfortunately, that meant having to possibly see and handle The Saint, which Silverbell always did his best to avoid.
The larger than life Saint of all cookies had always terrified him.
So, imagine Silverbell’s surprise when he rounded the corner to his father’s quarters and found The Saint cupping his father’s face in one armored hand. His father looked torn between relief and disgust.
But that wasn’t even the shocking part.
Silverbell had never seen The Saint without his helmet on. Right now, his helmet was held by his side, and his stoic face was out for him to see for the first time ever.
As if sensing him, The Saint turned, locking his coal red eyes on the young faerie prince.
Silverbell squeaked and ducked back around the corner. He hadn’t meant to see him so…vulnerable? (Could a cookie like The Saint even be vulnerable?)
He could hear his father’s low voice saying something quickly and quietly to The Saint. Then he heard the familiar, heavy clink of armor grow closer. Silverbell pressed himself flat against the wall, his heart hammering in his chest as The Saint came to the end of the hall.
His helmet was back on his head.
“Prince Silverbell.” The Saint’s voice was low, melodic.
Terrifying.
“S-saint…sir.” Silverbell kept his head bowed. He didn’t want to look at the black, pearlescent armor any longer than he absolutely had to. The swirling colors reflected the bright lights of the Silver Kingdom and made him feel nauseous.
He stayed pressed against the wall, his chin tucked to his chest, arms crossed around himself as if he could make himself so small he’d disappear. Even as The Saint’s armor clinking grew softer and farther away, he didn’t move until his father’s hand landed on his shoulder.
“Father!” He gasped, not realizing he’d been holding his breath for so long.
“What were you thinking,” His father’s voice was stern, “Coming here and…” He stared in the direction The Saint had gone off in, “Did he say anything to you?” He turned back to Silverbell, now concerned.
Silverbell shook his head quickly, “No, sir.” He swallowed hard.
His father sighed, his silvery wings dropping in exhaustion, “What did you need, son?” He asked.
“I…I was just coming to say goodbye. The supply convoy is to leave today.” Silverbell's mouth was still dry, and his heart hadn’t fully settled.
“I see…apologies for being so…alarmed.” His father chose his words carefully.
“Father?” Silverbell hated seeing his father so drained and tired, “Why do you let him —?”
“One day you will understand that a king must do what is necessary to protect his kingdom.” His stern voice returned.
“Yes, sir.” Silverbell didn’t want to argue or further upset his father.
“Now,” His father straightened his uniform and smiled at him, “You be safe on your trip. Have you got everything packed?”
He nodded, “Yes, sir.”
“Your bow?”
“Packed.” Silverbell nodded.
“Good.” His father smiled, “I’m proud of you, son. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed.”
That got Silverbell to smile again, “Thank you, father. I will not let you down.”
Elder Faerie smiled at his son and walked him to the southern border, where the convoy was patiently waiting for him. He hugged his son tightly goodbye, even though it would only be for three days, and waved to the convoy until it was out of sight.
“Be safe, my son.” He whispered to the wind.
Silverbell would claim, in the name of unity, that he did not prefer one Virtue’s realm over another.
In truth, he liked one particularly more than the others, but each of them had something he liked.
For example, the Spicelands had the tastiest food and the warmest weather (which felt lovely on his fragile wings).
The Gooey Coast had the most gorgeous flora on all of Beast-Yeast, and everything always felt so calming and relaxing (even if his guards told him to beware the sticky sweet syrups that had calming effects on any cookie who ingested too much).
The Salt Flatlands were…quiet…peaceful(?)...He enjoyed visiting White Lily Cookie, she was always so sweet to him. It was a shame she had to live somewhere so...hostile.
The Flour Peaks of Transcendence had gorgeous peaks and valleys, not to mention some of the kindest, most selfless cookies on Beast-Yeast.
But his most favorite (aside from his own kingdom) was The Realm of Knowledge. It was, after all, home to one of his most favorite cookies on all of Earthbread.
Black Sapphire Cookie.
Silverbell sighed and rested on the back of the convoy’s cart.
For as long as he could remember, Black Sapphire had been The Fount of Knowledge’s disciple. No other cookie. Just Black Sapphire.
They were close in age, so it was shocking to Silverbell to learn Black Sapphire had been in service of The Fount since he was ten years old.
But then again — Silverbell blushed and covered his face with his hands — Black Sapphire was just so charismatic and sweet and reliable and wonderful and handsome and smart, and his hair was so soft, and his purple-blue eyes were so sharp, yet so kind, and he was so good with the littles in his realm, and his hands were always so gentle, even if they told a silent story of a hard life, he was always so gentle with Silverbell, and…
Where was he going with this?
Ah, right, it was no wonder The Fount took the young boy under his wings.
He was perfect.
Silverbell giggled to himself.
He was so excited to see him, even if it would only be a brief moment, he treasured each brief moment dearly.
He just had to get through the first day and a half of traveling to the Flour Peaks and then to the Realm of Knowledge before then, and he could remain a respectable, diplomatic faerie until then.