Chapter Text
Dark Cacao cookie looked across the rough, blizzard ridden landscape he had built his kingdom upon, His mind plagued with the mistakes of the past. The look in his son’s eyes as he attacked him time and time again, the guilt, the seething pain. Only the melodic sound of the wind chimes, the signal of an oncoming blizzard, could distract him from the ache in his chest that would restrict his breathing and break him out into a cold sweat. Countless soldiers and servants noticed the pain plastered across their royal majesty’s face, but none could muster the courage to question it.
Mystic Flour cookie was long defeated, and it would be months before any word of dark enchantress was heard. So, the weight of the Kingdom’s safety was lighter than ever before.
With a heavy heart paired with time to spare, Dark Cacao stepped out into the blistering cold. The snow fell around him, gentle with snowflakes landing and settling on his armour and crown. He headed into one of many lush forests outside the citadel to be alone with his thoughts and let the cool dusk air nip at his skin.
As he walked, snow crunched beneath his boots, each breath was cold and sharp, fogging up every breath like a dragon exhaling smoke. Dark Cacao could barely focus on his surroundings, though he couldn’t help but notice how silent everything was compared to the weeks prior. No beastly wildlife encounters, less troubles with the licorice sea, rations appearing essentially from thin air, and the soldiers more relaxed than ever. Quiet. Too quiet.
Some of the watchers, including Caramel arrow cookie, had been doing rounds across the kingdom to see if there was work beyond the citadel, aiding the smaller villages in keeping safe and steady while the threat was near non-existent.
He stood, finally taking time for the first time in months to take in the kingdom’s scenery. The jagged and harsh mountains reaching the sky, the thick inches of snow blanketing the ground from view, the stray wolves foraging and digging. He’d have to let crunchy chip cookie know about that…
A tap on the shoulder freed him from these thoughts.
“Your majesty…” First watcher Caramel Arrow Cookie addressed the king with fast paced and shaky breaths. Her eyes were wide, slightly panicked as sweat dripped down her flushed face.
“Take deep breaths and calm yourself, caramel arrow. You aren’t one to lose your composure, has something happened on your rounds?” The King’s voice remained calm and steady.
“On my rounds, I caught a glimpse of a campsite through the trees... one tent and one fire, but it’s too far from any settlement to be a villager... this person is on their own. From the sounds of their voice, they’re not well and they’re vulnerable. They’ll get themselves killed in the state they’re in!”
Dark Cacao raised an eyebrow, caramel arrow never usually informed him of random citizens, not with such strong and passionate concern.
“I understand your anxiety surrounding this… person. But why inform me of this? Is there something else I should be aware of?”
Caramel arrow visibly tensed, her head dropping to look at her feet as she averted her eyes nervously. Her voice uncharacteristically quiet.
“When they took their hood down… they strongly resembled Dark Choco Cookie. I- I may be mistaken but I don’t think my eyes deceive me this time. I could recognise his face from miles away.”
Dark cacao cookie froze, his face becoming pale as his eyes widened. The world blurred slightly, maybe he was lightheaded or maybe it was tears. Either way, he shook his head and reestablished his composure, breath becoming laboured and rough.
“ I don’t want to distress you your highness but please... come and see for yourself. I will accept any repercussions if I happen to be wrong.” Her eyes soften, unnaturally begging for the king to follow her.
…
His silence scared her more than anything he could’ve said, heart beating in her chest.
“Give him supplies. Don’t let him go anywhere.”
The king’s voice was sorrowful, contemplating. He shook his head, heading back to the castle without looking back.
Caramel arrow stood there shaking. She thought he would cry, collapse, be desperate to meet his son or to at least confront him. Not ignore him like this? Perhaps he wasn’t ready, but caramel arrow wasn’t about to let things end here.
“Of course, your majesty…”
She dragged herself to the palace to grab any excess supplies for him, avoiding all other soldiers. She couldn’t let them see the disappointment on her face that the king didn’t seem to care about his son. Why? Why didn’t he seem concerned? Did he not feel ready to confront everything that’s happened?
She left the citadel with a heavy bag filled with blankets, bandages and rations to last a month at the very least. Her mind racing and her heart pounding.
She couldn’t wait to see her prince after all these years. and for once, he wasn't under the influence of evil.