Chapter Text
This place was nothing like home.. It was cold and harsh. It was a wonder anyone could live here. Though desperation is what had brought her here, staying on Beast-Yeast was not an option, she would have been found eventually. Crispa gave her a bit more of a chance, all she could hope for was that who she was had not yet carried over here. If that would even matter as she might freeze to death in this storm before she can even try and begin a new life here. Unfortunately for her escape plans, she had come during a harsh blizzard. She wasn’t able to bring much with her, so she hugged herself tight. Trying desperately to keep herself warm enough to at the very least find shelter. Her hope had dwindled to near nothing long, long ago. However she knew that if she did not hold onto what little hope was left, she would truly die out in the snow. As a no one.. Though perhaps, it would be better than returning back home and being who she was…
…
Being caught out in this storm was something Dark Cacao and his soldiers hadn’t been planning. Perhaps he should study weather patterns more like his father said he should… Either way they are not too far from the kingdom. They will be cold, but they will survive. Arm held out and over his face to block some of the oncoming snow he sees a ghostly figure through the fog. His other hand finds its way to the pummel of his sword. At first, he believes he is seeing things due to the sea of white but no.. There truly is a young woman, about his age. She damn near blended into the snow entirely. “You there!” He calls out, the woman stops looking around before spotting him. The closer he gets the more he sees how underdressed for this kind of weather she is. What on Earthbread is she doing? “Ma’am-” Before he can even finish his next call she collapses into the snow. The young Prince picks up speed, startling the soldier besides him. Falling to his knees beside her he quickly checks her over. She’s still breathing but far too cold.
Dark Cacao does not know how long she has been out here, he cannot waste any time. Ripping off his cloak he wraps the ghostly pale women in it and scoops her up.
“My Prince-!” One of his soldiers exclaims. Dark Cacao merely returns back to his original course, now with more haste.
“No time, now hurry.” He barks, the cold is unforgiving. Castle gates fall open once the Prince and small group of soldiers come into view. The Prince only hopes it isn’t too late for the stranger..
…
Mystic Flour has been sick before, but she has never felt this horrid.. The moment she stirred it felt like she had been hit by a stray from one of Burning Spice’s and Silent Salt’s spars… Everything felt heavy, her fingers and toes still felt like ice despite the room around her feeling warm. She managed to force her eyes open, looking around through blurry vision at the room she was in. Pushing herself up into a sitting position she rubbed the blurriness from her eyes. She appears to be in some sort of infirmary, one she does not recognize. Looking at herself she’s dressed in warmer robes, over her is a thick fur blanket. Her hair is tangled from the harsh wind outside, her bun and hair tassels have long since fallen out. There’s a loud gasp and small clattering. Drawing her attention from herself to the sound. In the doorway is a nurse, on the floor is a small tray of what looked like different herbs and medicines.
The nurse looks back and calls out, “She’s awake! Someone find the Prince!” Before scrambling to pick up what she had dropped. Rushing to Mystic Flour’s side. “Ma’am are you alright? How are you feeling?” Tray set on a small table beside the cot she was placed on, the nurse held a hand to her forehead.
“I am-” Mystic Flour tries to speak but her words catch in her throat, sending her into a dry coughing fit. The nurse pulls away with a worried furrow of her brow.
“Stay here, I will go get you some tea.” She rises, Mystic Flour swallows dryly and nods. Watching the nurse leave, she is briefly stopped in the doorway by a tall young man, perhaps her age? She bows and briefly explains something to him before leaving the small room. Leaving Mystic Flour and the new stranger alone. He looks to her, his footsteps heavy thanks to his armor. Pulling up a small stool he sits at her bedside.
“How are you feeling?” His voice is deep, his gaze is hard but not unkind.
She swallows again, rubbing her throat. “I am well..”
He raises a brow but doesn’t argue, “Right, and your name?”
She pauses, staring at him, to which he stares right back. She contemplates giving a fake name for a moment. Just a moment.. “Mystic Flour.” She bows her head, “And you?” She croaks out quietly.
By now the nurse is back with a kettle and two tea cups. Pouring one and attempts to hand it to the man who declines telling the nurse to give it to her instead. Which the nurse does, the tea warms his frost bitten fingers. She takes a small sniff, not recognizing it, regardless she takes a sip only to recoil slightly at the bitter taste. Earning her a slightly amused breath from the man. The nurse quickly takes her leave leaving them alone once more.”
After taking a sip from his own tea he speaks, “I am Dark Cacao, the Prince of this Kingdom.” Her eyes widened slightly before masking her surprise with a long sip from the awfully bitter tea. “Now, may I know what you were doing out there?”
Mystic Flour freezes all over again, subconsciously pulling into herself more. “I… I do not wish to speak of it..” Dark Cacao straightens up at that, black and white hair falling over his shoulder.
“I see, then suppose my next question will be answered much the same. You do not wish to return home?” He inquires softly, being careful with his words. When she weakly nods he sighs heavily. “Of course.. Well, I will see what I can do on my part then.”
She blinks in surprise, looking up at him “Pardon?”
Watching him as he stands he sets down his only half finished tea “You clearly don’t wish to return home, wherever that is. So I will speak to my father about what we can do about you staying here, if you would like.” He glances at her, hand on the doorframe.
She looks down at her reflection in the tea.. Would this place be better than… She shakes her head, it is better to give this place a chance then risk being sent back home. “I would, thank you Prince Dark Cacao..” She bows her head politely. He only nods in reply before turning tail and leaving her alone.
She sat in silence for a long while, only the sounds of the nurses and other patients in the other rooms kept her company. She honestly did not know if staying here would be a good choice in the end. After all, she hardly knew anything about it. Glancing out the window where the Blizzard had mostly subsided. A heavy snowfall still floated down covering the kingdom and surrounding lands in a sparkling blanket of white. The coldest place she had ever been was Silent Salt’s grounds, his catacombs were freezing, but now compared to this place it must be a cool summer breeze. Though it wasn’t anything she couldn’t adapt too.. She raises the tea to her lips once more, taking a long thoughtful sip.
After all, anywhere had to be better than home.