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I finally arrived again at the Dark Cacao Kingdom. After I was escorted to chambers prepared specially for my arrival, I waited there to meet Dark Cacao Cookie. I was informed that he couldn’t greet me right away, because he had some urgent matters to attend to.
We haven’t seen each other in so long… We were both busy with our own duties as rulers, so we were only able to exchange letters. Each one brought me joy, even when he was writing about the smallest of things (which sometimes he did and which was not usual for him, but very endearing), but nothing can’t replace his presence. I missed him dearly and when I finally managed to arrange a meeting during which I could stay with him for a bit longer, I couldn’t help but to feel the excitement rise in me. But when the day finally came and I heard how busy he is, I started feeling bad about everything… I started questioning if he would even be able to spend some time with me as we used to…
Finally, I heard knocking on the door of the chamber in which I was reading, waiting until one of the servants arrived to tell me that Dark Cacao Cookie was ready to meet me. I got up and rushed to the door, I felt my heart pounding.
And when I opened the door, I didn’t see a servant but Dark Cacao Cookie himself. He looked as royal and stoic as ever. Wearing the usual royal attire, he hasn’t even lifted a corner of his lips. And it was impossible to omit the exhaustion on his face.
But anyways I couldn’t help but notice that my heart skipped a beat. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him, and yet… I was sure I could get over this old feeling, but I was so wrong… Just by looking at him I felt those warm memories coming back to me, their sweetness overflowing me… But does he still feel the same? Do those memories still linger in his heart, does he want to make more of them, is it even possible after so long? Or did he invite me just to discuss political matters and nothing more…? Did he miss me the way I missed him or did he just miss an old friend and a good advisor…?
So many questions just in that moment when I looked at his dear face…
“Welcome, Pure Vanilla Cookie. Please forgive me for making you wait and not being able to greet you properly when you arrived, but I didn’t expect you to arrive so early…But now, I am glad that you are a guest in my kingdom and I’ll make sure you will feel safe and comfortable,” he said and bowed his head.
I couldn’t help but laugh lightly.
“Ah, I’m so glad to be your guest, Dark Cacao Cookie…!” I smiled widely. “It’s so good to see you…”
He didn’t say anything, just looked at me with an enigmatic expression. I took a step forward as I noticed that no one else is around him, which I found unusual. He was always surrounded by his warriors. servants and officials, but I haven’t seen a single cookie anywhere near.
“Did you come here to see me in private?” I asked.
“Yes, I wanted to talk to you face to face. It’s been so long and I didn’t expect this situation to occur… Lately, there is so much going on in the kingdom, I can’t seem to have any rest from my duties. But that’s just what I was destined to do…”
“I understand. So that’s why we couldn’t meet earlier? You mentioned that in your letters…”
“Yes, but… Maybe let’s come in for a moment? Then I will greet you properly and show you around the kingdom, just as I promised. The feast for you and your people is probably being prepared by now…” he said as we stepped back into the room. He closed the doors and I just knew what that meant.
“A feast? My dear, you know that even though I am a king I don’t need any feasts! I’m just happy to visit you…”
“But nevertheless, you are the king of Vanilla Kingdom and a king needs an official greeting in the citadel, like the tradition says.”
I smiled widely.
“Well, then I’ll have to repay you the next time you visit my kingdom!”
“There is no need for that, you know…” he huffed, making a sound that almost resembled laughter.
But then he fell silent.
“So is there anything else you wanted to tell me?” I asked.
“Oh, just that I missed you so much… It’s been so long, I should have found time to meet you earlier.”
Some hint of sadness appeared on his face and I heard it in his voice as well.
“You have your duties, I do too. I understand that. But I’m just really glad to see you again.”
To my own surprise, he took a step forward and he took my hand in his and pressed a kiss on top of it. The warmth of his lips immediately warmed up my heart.
“I can’t believe I can finally see you, my dearest friend…” he whispered.
I just could feel his longing, his devotion. Just that small gesture and I knew that my worries were unnecessary - I knew he still cares.
And then I looked into his dark purple eyes and I just knew. The spark in those eyes was for sure an answer to all my questions...
Oh, he still loves me…
“Dark Cacao… Oh, I’ve missed you so much too, love…”
He didn’t answer, just pushed me gently against the wall and wrapped his arms around me. I took his face in mine and smiled widely. I dreamed about this moment for so many nights… I expected to drown into a slow, warm kiss, but just as I was thinking I would feel his lips on mine, I heard a loud banging on the door.
“Your highness! It’s urgent!”
He grunted under his breath and pulled away from me.
“I am so sorry… We’ll come back to this later.”
I only giggled, a little awkwardly.
“Of course. I’ll take your word for it.”
The official part of our meeting took a while. It turned out that aside from an official feast in one of the citadel’s halls, it was also an opportunity for some officials to ask me about my kingdom. Some of them were really curious about innovations we make in our kingdom, some were just eager to talk about future allyships… It was a little tiring when instead of calmly enjoying the kingdom’s cuisine I was constantly asked about political matters. At some point Dark Cacao asked his councilors and advisors to stop asking me so many questions and I was glad that he did that. Then, we were finally able to spend some time together.
But of course I noticed that his people’s talking was not the only thing that bothered him. For the whole time of the feast he was quiet and he hardly ate anything.
“Is everything alright?” I asked, when I was sure we were finally alone.
“It’s fine. It’s just… So much is going on, even now that I have a meeting with you planned in advance…”
“You seem really tired… I hope you are resting well…”
“A king knows no rest,” he huffed, frowning as usual.
“Oh, if a king knows no rest, he is pretty useless when he’s exhausted!”
He sighed deeply.
“I sleep. I eat. And that’s enough…”
“At least I hope you do both of those things often enough…”
“Pure Vanilla, you don’t need to worry about my wellbeing. If there was something going on…”
“... I would have noticed, yes. I’m a healer. But I still assume you are not resting enough.”
To my surprise, he laughed a little.
“I hoped that when you arrive, we will be able to rest together. It seems like I had enough company of my warriors and officials. It can sometimes be tiring, especially during uncertain times when a lot of change happens… And loneliness isn’t good for me either. I just… I need to spend time with someone I know well… And someone who knows me well too.”
I smiled, taking his hand in mine.
“I missed spending time with you as well,” I sighed. “It’s been so long…”
“Yes, but we’re finally here together.”
“So what are your plans now, your highness?” I asked, taking his arm under mine.
“Is there anything you would like to do? The feast was probably tiring for you…”
“No, I’m fine, really. I would really like to maybe take a walk but…”
“What is it?”
“Well… The cloak I took with me isn’t warm enough for your land’s harsh winters…” I admit with a bit of embarrassment. “I forgot how cold it can get here and it seems like even though I wanted to arrive here for so long I haven’t prepared myself well enough!”
“If you really need it, we can go to the market and I can buy something for you as a gift… As my land’s customs tell, I wanted to gift you something anyway.”
“Oh, you really don’t have to!”
“I insist. We will go to the market and you will be able to take a look at the capital, just as you wanted. You mentioned that in your last letter.”
“Ah, yes I did. You remembered.”
“Of course I do. I keep every single one of your letters…” he said and I noticed a sign of something that could be a blush…
“Of course you do,” I muttered under my breath, smiling. “I keep yours too. I read them whenever I miss you…”
I looked at him again and our eyes met. He turned to me as if he wanted to embrace me once more but then we heard footsteps in the corridor and some of Dark Cacao’s people passed us. We pulled away from each other.
“Well, let’s just go…” he sighed.
It was really cold outside. The snow was covering all the buildings and we noticed the citizens walking around the city wearing thick coats and furs. Some of them were greeting us, some were surprised by our sight. One of Dark Cacao’s warriors offered to escort us but he refused, trying to explain that he would be enough to protect me.
And then, finally we arrived at the market.
“This place is hustling and bustling! It’s even a little strange to see such a place here in the capital, not that far from the citadel…”
“Well, yes. It turns out that there are merchants that are willing to trade even here. There are supplies that can’t be found anywhere here, and not only my warriors but other citizens need them. I’ve been working on trade lately, it’s been one of our priorities, after protecting the villages and improving some other matters in the kingdom…”
“I see you’re finally also taking action not only on defense of your kingdom, but also other matters. I’m glad to hear that.”
“The Dark Cacao Kingdom is the most prosperous as it has ever been. And it’s all thanks to our warriors and other cookies that work hard on this…”
“But you’ve been doing great work too. If not for you, none of this could be possible. I’m proud of you, I can notice that you came really far. Keep it up, your people trust in you.”
“I’m merely fulfilling my duties, that’s what a noble king should do.”
“Well, just as I said before, I can only hope that you are not overworking yourself…”
“Let’s not talk about it. We were about to find you something warmer that you can wear around here. I know, for now the weather seems alright, but we expect a blizzard soon…”
“Oh, I probably won’t be out in a blizzard!”
“Yes, but anyways, I know you are not very tolerant of the cold…”
I only smiled, remembering the days before we both claimed our Souljams when us, White Lily Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie used to travel together to fight monsters and all sorts of evil around Crispia. I remember cold nights when Dark Cacao let me snuggle to him for warmth, just quietly being here for me. I didn’t need any words from him to feel safe with him. But there were times when I couldn’t help but wonder what’s hiding in his heart, what he truly feels…
“You’re remembering the old days, don’t you?” he asked.
“Ha, yes I am… It seems like centuries ago… I kinda miss adventuring around Crispia with our friends. Sometimes I like to wander off the castle and just see if there are any cookies who might need help nearby…”
He sighed.
“I need to admit, I help my Dark Cacao warriors when I feel like they need it… We walk in the snow and blizzards to fight beasts that are lurking in local forests…”
“Well, maybe one day we’ll be adventuring together once more? I hope the world will need us and the powers of our Souljams once again…”
“I hope the world will stay as peaceful as it has for the last few years, but I need to admit, I miss the adventures we used to have together. And… Just spending so much time with you…”
I gently took his hand in mine.
“I miss that too, Cacao…” I whispered.
But soon I let go of his hand as I noticed a stand where a young merchant was selling some clothes and fabrics. I approached his stall and asked him:
“Excuse me, I see you are selling some amazing clothes. Do you have a warm coat that would suit me?”
The seller looked at me curiously and noticed the staff I was carrying in my hand. I only smiled gently.
“Oh my witches! You must be… Pure Vanilla Cookie, the king of the Vanilla Kingdom!” he exclaimed. “Oh, what an honor to serve someone as noble as you…!”
I blushed a bit and giggled.
“I’m not anyone that great… Just treat me like a normal customer, my dear friend…”
“Hm… If that is your wish, your highness… I mean…” he mumbled awkwardly. “Well! A warm coat, suit for a noble cookie like you!” he exclaimed and started looking through all sorts of clothing. I noticed that he must be from somewhere far away, because the colors of clothes did not entirely match the color scheme of Dark Cacao Kingdom denizens which mostly contained of black, dark browns, purples and sometimes white.
Dark Cacao stood beside me and the merchant noticed him as well.
“Ah, your majesty! What an honor that you visit my humble stall!” he said, bowing. “I hope my materials and clothes will suit your liking…!”
“I am here only to buy a gift for my dear friend. Please hurry if you can, he’s not used to our harsh climate and even though he might not show it, he is getting impatient…” he said, glancing at me. I only giggled.
“Yes, yes! I am so sorry!” he said with a hint of anxiety in his voice.
After a moment he finally presented us a beautiful coat. I already knew it would be perfect!
“Aha! The golden-yellow fabric and a collar with fur as soft as cotton candy cloud! This should be just perfect for you, your… I mean, Pure Vanilla Cookie!”
I laughed.
“Thank you, friend. I will try it on,” I said, taking it from me.
“If you need, I have a screen here in the back of my stall. It will protect you from the wind and eyes of passersby…”
“Hm, thank you.”
I walked over there when the merchant was busy with another client. To my surprise, Dark Cacao followed me.
“I can help you if you want,” he said.
“Ah, of course! Can you hold it for me?”
I handed him the new cloak and took off the one I had on me. In the background I heard the merchant already showing his wares to another client, even multiple of them.
“Ah, he is so busy! It must not be easy to be a merchant here, am I right? So many cookies want to have fine, new clothes from far lands…!” I giggled.
“Not many citizens are interested in… fashion, but I think the man gained his popularity with something…”
“Aren’t you worried your warriors will get distracted by pretty clothes?" I joked.
“Of course not,” he huffed and smiled a bit. “Maybe they needed a bit of encouragement with a bit of color and happiness in their lives?"
I giggled, remembering Hollyberry Cookie once complaining that Dark Cacao’s kingdom lacks those things and proposed him opening more places in the capital where cookies could dance and drink juice.
“So you probably should invite Hollyberry Cookie over next time!”
“Only if she won’t insist on drinking with me. It didn’t end up well the last time…”
I laughed and to my surprise, he laughed as well. Ah, his laughter was sweeter than any melody I could have ever heard… Truly, the sweetest laughters and smiles are of those who don’t smile and laugh a lot. And of those who are dearest to your heart…
Dark Cacao looked at me and smiled.
“It seems like it was made just for you. Is it warm enough?” he asked, still holding the fur on the coat’s hood, fixing it a bit.
“It’s the most comfortable coat I have ever worn! It’s perfect.”
“It really suits you…”
I only giggled.
“I think it won’t be a bad idea if you keep this mood around me, my dear. It will do you well if you relax a little more. You really don’t need to be so official around me…”
He sighed deeply, his hands still on the collar of my coat.
“If that’s your wish, I shall fulfill it.”
I only smiled gently as he pulled me closer and leaned in to kiss me.
But then…
“Erm, excuse me, your majesties… Are you done here? I don’t want to hurry you but I have a lot of clients today…”
“Ah, yes!” Dark Cacao grunted, pulling away from me. “I’m paying for this one. Thank you for your service to this kingdom…”
I heard a little nervous tremble in his voice.
“Ah, it’s my pleasure!”
Dark Cacao paid him for the coat and then I was walking next to him, looking around the market.
“Is there anything else you would like to get? Remember, you’re my guest and if there is something that catches your eye, don’t be afraid to tell me…”
But just as I wanted to say something, I noticed one of the warriors approaching him, trying to report something. I only sighed and stepped aside not to disturb them.
And then I noticed a stall with all sorts of bigger and smaller trinkets - some very detailed, some simple… Most of them were decorations or toys.
I smiled, looking at them, remembering Dark Choco Cookie. I haven’t even had time to see him! I was sure that after so long he had grown so much… I remember that in Dark Cacao’s last letter he mentioned that his son was so excited when he told him that I would arrive, that he couldn’t stop asking about me. So I thought it’s the perfect moment to get him a gift (not that I haven’t already bought him something from my kingdom…).
“Oh, are you interested in any of my toys?” the lady asked. “I crafted them all with love and care, I’m sure any little cookie will be happy to receive any of them!”
“Oh, I’m sure! It’s just so hard to decide! I’m looking for a gift for a very special little cookie!” I said, smiling.
I picked the wooden figurine of a Jellyhorse whose parts were moving.
“Ah, it’s lovely! It’s so carefully crafted, almost looking alive! The painting on it is amazing! I think that’s a perfect gift, even for a little prince!” I smiled widely at the woman.
“Ah, yes, it’s one of my finest toys!” she said proudly. “Indeed, a gift worthy of a prince!”
I handed her some coins and then walked away, wishing her all the best.
Dark Cacao approached me again.
“I’m so sorry for leaving you… I can’t seem to rest from my duties, even here…”
“It’s okay, don’t worry. I was just looking at this lovely stall and I was wondering… How is Dark Choco doing?” I asked.
“Ah, he’s been causing a bit of trouble, but he’s growing fast and learning a lot. If he keeps it up, he’ll be a great Dark Cacao Warrior in the future and an even greater king…”
“Hm, you are thinking a lot about his future, do you?” I asked.
“Well, yes of course.”
He fell silent for a while as we were walking by.
“I haven’t even told him that you will arrive today…” he muttered. “He was so excited…”
“Then he will have a surprise! He will be so happy! But first, is there anything you want to show me here?”
“Oh, if you’re fine with that, then yes. I’d like to show you around some more. But aren’t you cold?”
I only smiled. I felt my nose and hands getting a little cold but it wasn’t so bad.
“Well, just a little. But a warm drink after this walk would be great!”
“Whatever you wish for, my dear,” he only said. “So shall we?”He asked, leading me away from the market.
“Of course.”
Some time passed by and we were already back in the palace. As Dark Cacao promised me, he made me some warm tea, a special blend of herbs and flowers that are rare in the Dark Cacao Kingdom.
“Are you warmer now?” Dark Cacao asked as we were walking down the hall.
“Ah, yes but…” I said, looking around. “Well, there’s one more thing I need.”
“What is it?”
But just as he asked that, I leaned closer to him. He understood what I meant by that and leaned in for a kiss but then we heard some rapidly approaching footsteps…
I immediately jumped away from him and just as I did that, I saw a figure of a familiar, small cookie.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie!” Dark Choco exclaimed, running up to me.
Well how could I be mad at him? I smiled widely and crouched to hug him.
“Aw, you must have missed me, little one!” I laughed, as he fell into my arms. I managed to pick him up and he clinged to my neck. “Well, not so little anymore! You’ve grown so much!”
“Soon, I will be as big and strong as my father!” he exclaimed, smiling widely, showing some of his teeth missing.
“I’m so sure you will be!”
I looked at Dark Cacao. He was watching us from a distance. At first I saw a slight frown on his face but when I smiled at him, he smiled as well, a little leniently.
“How did you know I’m here?” I asked him.
“Hm… I just noticed that the warriors were a bit busy for some reason… So I thought someone must have arrived. And then I went looking for you and now I found you!”
“Ah, I’m so happy you did!” I said, putting him down. “But you know what? I have a small gift for you!”
“Really?”
I noticed as Dark Choco’s eyes lit up in excitement. And then I took the jellyhorse figurine I bought earlier.
“Here,” I said. “But that’s only one thing I have for you. I also got you some very special gifts from the Vanilla Kingdom… But don’t tell your father!” I whispered.
He only smiled, holding the figurine.
“Oh! I love it! Thank you so much…!”
He hugged me and I laughed, petting his hair.
“No problem, really. How have you been, Dark Choco?”
“Oh, I’ve been studying a lot! And my father is teaching me a lot of important things… He said that soon I will be big enough to start learning how to fight with a sword!”
“Really…?” I asked with a bit of concern in my voice. Well, I remember very small Dark Choco often trying to touch Dark Cacao’s sword and now that he was a bit older his favorite toys were always the toy warriors, but I also thought that it must have been his father’s influence. I knew that Dark Cacao can be really focused on duties and that sometimes he might be too harsh about it.
“And besides?”
“Hm… Nothing interesting… I mostly stay here in the citadel… You know, I would really like to visit your kingdom one day! But my father says that I’m too young to travel and that my place is here.”
I turned to Dark Cacao who approached us with some concern on his face.
“Have you run off your lessons, Dark Choco?” he asked.
“N-no…” he muttered, lowering his head.
“You will have some time to spend with Pure Vanilla Cookie later after dinner. You really shouldn’t run around the citadel as you wish, you know I told you about this before…”
“I am sorry, father. I was just so excited…”
“I understand. But I think you should come back now.”
There was no anger in his voice but just plain coldness. I furrowed my eyebrows slightly, looking at Dark Cacao pushing his son’s back lightly and going with him in the direction where he came from.
“I’m sorry, Pure Vanilla Cookie. I’ll be back in the moment.”
“I’ll see you later, Dark Choco! I will be waiting for you!”
But he didn’t even answer.
After a while Dark Cacao came back, definitely not very happy.
“That wasn’t really necessary. You should have let him stay…” I started, as soon as he approached me again.
“He can’t run around here however he wishes. He can’t understand it…” he muttered.
“Well, but does he even go out at all?”
He didn’t answer.
“Children his age need to socialize and explore. You can’t keep him here all the time!”
“But he’s the prince of the Dark Cacao Kingdom…”
“And he is just a boy.”
He didn’t answer and looked away.
“Listen, I know what it’s like, but that’s really not necessary… He just needs a little more warmth…”
“He likes spending time with you. He’s never like this around me. Do you think that I haven’t tried? And whenever he’s with others… He runs off. I can’t just let him get out of the citadel because he will get into trouble!” He said, but he still wasn’t looking at me.
“But don’t you think there is a reason for that? Maybe you should change something first about your own behavior… You’re putting too much pressure on him. And you’re being overprotective.”
“Well, you’re right,” he said after a while. “He would be so much better with you.”
“No, Dark Cacao. Listen to me.”
I grabbed his hand with mine, and put the other on his cheek, turning his face to me.
“You’re being too harsh for him. He’s just a little boy who needs attention, care and gentleness. I know you can be gentle if you want to. Yes, one day he will be the prince and maybe even the future ruler of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, but not now…! It will take time and he will learn, but for now, he needs you not as a teacher but as a father. You seem jealous, but I know that you can do as good as me if you just stopped seeing him only as your future heir.”
“I can’t just… Let him do whatever…”
“Yes, that’s true. But just by watching you, he will learn. But for now, he needs you and he needs warmth. If he won’t get it from you, he won’t learn that a true king also needs it. A king without a warm heart to his subjects is just a useless tyrant.”
“Well, those are wise words… But sometimes it doesn’t come easy. I am afraid I will do something wrong…”
“No, you won’t. Just do as I advised you, okay?”
“I will do my best.”
“Can you promise me this? That you will be more gentle with him and that you will teach him kindness?”
“I promise you, Pure Vanilla Cookie.”
I took his face in my hands and gently kissed his forehead.
“But it doesn’t change the fact that I wished that he could spend more time with you. And that you would stay here longer…” he sighed.
“Ah, I know, I really want that too… But you know that I can’t leave my kingdom for too long…”
He leaned to me, wrapped his hands around my waist and touched our foreheads together.
“I wish we won’t have to be separated… I wish there would be a time in the future when we could be together again, like in the old days…”
“Maybe one day, there will be a time for this… But for now… Can you go to Dark Choco and say something to him? I don’t want him to feel hurt. I have no idea what you said to him, but I’m not quite sure if that was enough. And let’s have dinner earlier. And us three, no one else. Can you do that for me?”
He sighed, but some relief was painted on his face.
“Well, sure. I really should listen to you more… Haven’t you written about it in one of your letters when I wrote to you about how he ran off recently?”
“Yes, I have. And by the way, you should really think about taking him with you once you go and visit the Vanilla Kingdom. I have so many things to show him and I’m sure he will make some friends there. I think he really needs to have friends, someone his age he can spend time with. Just think about it, how can a future king know about the needs of his subjects if he won’t even be around them?”
“You might be right… I haven’t thought about it like this.”
“Children are not dangerous, Dark Cacao,” I snorted. “Dark Choco just needs to spend more time with someone else than you, Dark Cacao Warriors and his teachers…”
“Right.”
“But enough talking, you should go now. I will be waiting here.”
I saw him walk away and I sighed deeply. I really hope he will learn from today. I really wish I could visit Dark Choco more often, but if I can’t do it, at least I can advise Dark Cacao on some things. I know of his past and I know it wasn’t easy when he was growing up. He was a lonely child but that doesn’t mean he has to isolate his son.
Well, I really hoped he would change something.
We were finally back again, resting in my chambers, enjoying tea once more while talking about the old days…
The shared dinner was a really good idea. Dark Choco was so happy to listen to me talk about my kingdom and offered to show me his room. We spent some time together, talking and laughing. It was so good to see Dark Cacao taking my advice and telling his son that he will try and take him out of the citadel after I come back to my kingdom. And of course Dark Choco was really happy when I told him that I will stay for a few more days. I was also happy that Dark Cacao asked me if I could give Dark Choco some lessons about healing and asked if we want to spend some time in the library later. Dark Choco also really liked this idea and really wanted to show me his recently learned reading and writing skills.
Well, it was a really nice time spent together and I couldn’t wait for the next day. But as the sun was already setting, I started feeling a bit tired after this day. The tiredness from the journey also started to take its toll on me.
“I’m so glad to be here, Dark Cacao,” I said, looking out the window and putting the empty mug away.
“I am really glad too. It seems like we finally have some privacy and… Oh, it’s been so long since we last really had it,” he sighed. “Our lives have been very busy. In moments like this I can feel how tiring it can get…”
I moved a bit closer to him and put my hand on his.
“You are working really hard. You deserve a break.”
He only nodded.
“I'm so happy that now I can rest with you now. I can’t imagine you leaving…”
“I'll stay for a while. And then, I promise to meet you as soon as I can. But for now…” I said, getting closer to him. I noticed his slight smile. There was something a bit playful about it.
“Ah, you indeed really did miss me. I thought you might have found yourself someone back in your kingdom…”
I couldn’t help but snort at those words.
“I could say the same.”
“Oh, no one here compares to you, Pure Vanilla Cookie. No one can take your place in my heart…” he said, taking a strand of my hair and tucking it behind my ear. I couldn’t help but to feel my heart beating a bit faster.
I looked into his deep, dark purple eyes that gleamed slightly in the setting sun’s rays. They reminded me of the flowers back in my garden - violet lavender and deep purple tulips… Oh, how I missed those eyes looking at me like that…
“Oh, I can say the same. There will always be a place here for you. I'll always be waiting for you. Always.”
He only smiled and put one of his hands on my cheek. Oh, Dark Cacao's smiles, so rare, so lovely…
Finally, I could feel his lips on mine. A kiss so gentle and warm, that I could melt all the snow in the kingdom. It was just what I needed, just what I longed for for so many months, what I hoped for, waiting all those days…
He pulled away and took my face in his hands.
“You’re so beautiful, Pure Vanilla Cookie. Like the most gentle sunrise on the snowy mountain’s peak… Like the first blooming cherry tree in spring…”
“Ah, you’re a poet. Why don’t you write a poem for me?”
“Aren’t you being a bit greedy, my love? I thought it’s Golden Cheese's domain.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“My love…! Oh, what happened to you, Dark Cacao?”
Then we heard a voice coming from behind the door.
“Your Highness…!”
“I’m busy now! Please come later,” he shouted back.
I raised my eyebrows.
“Duties can wait,” he sighed, a bit irritated. “No one will take our precious time together now…”
“Ah, and who says that, hm?” I asked, but he shut my mouth with his lips again. I wasn’t protesting. I was absolutely fine with us spending the rest of the day like this…