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Chapter Text

White Lily Cookie stood beneath the Silver Tree as she gazed at its radiant branches swaying gently in the breeze solemnly, casting shimmering light across the Faerie Kingdom’s sacred grove.

A frown graced her thoughtful face as the wind swayed her braided hair and cape.

“You seem troubled.” 

She slightly flinched in surprise before easing up as she recognised the voice. She turned around to face the former king of the Vanilla Kingdom.

“White Lily Cookie…Is something wrong?” He asked gently as he stepped closer.

White Lily Cookie hesitated, her gaze flickering back to the tree.  

"...It’s nothing," she finally murmured. "I was just… thinking.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie studied her carefully as he stood there patiently with his Orchid staff.

“I was just…” She swallowed, glancing away. “What if they resent me? What if they don't-” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie didn’t waver. “They chose to come here, White Lily Cookie.”

She lowered her head, but doubt still lingered in her voice. “But…Golden Cheese Cookie-”

“Golden Cheese Cookie has given her word, hasn't she?”

White Lily Cookie looked up. 

"After much deliberation, yes." Pure Vanilla Cookie continued, his voice steady, "But she agreed to come, didn't she? And she is not the only one. They all chose to be here. That means they are ready to see you as you are now- not as who you once were. In fact, they'd be here any moment now.”

White Lily Cookie opened her mouth, but no words came out.

She lowered her gaze again. She had spent so long fearing this moment, so long thinking of all the ways it could go wrong.

He gently put his hand over her shoulder.

“You do not need to be afraid.” He reassured.

“How can you be so sure?” She asked him as doubt flickered within her.

Pure Vanilla Cookie’s expression remained warm, unwavering as he offered her a gentle smile. “Because I know them,” he said simply. “And I know you.”

“After everything I’ve done…” she murmured, shaking her head. “Even if they’ve agreed to come, even if they say they’ve forgiven me- what if they don’t truly mean it?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie’s hand squeezed her shoulder gently. “Forgiveness is not something that happens all at once. It takes time. But the fact that they’re coming means they are willing to take that first step.”

White Lily Cookie clenched her hands together, her mind still clouded with doubt. “And what if my presence only brings them pain?” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie shook his head gently, his expression softening, “Then let them decide what your presence means to them.”

She looked up at him, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.

“You cannot control how they will feel, White Lily Cookie,” he continued. “But you are not forcing yourself upon them. They are coming here because they chose to. If your presence brought them nothing but pain, they would not have agreed to face you. I'm sure they'll be glad to have you back again!”

 He offered her a small gentle smile. “Pain does not erase love, nor does it erase the good that once was, nor does it last forever. If there is still hurt, then that means there is still something worth healing. Just as wounds can mend, so too can hearts. And I believe that, in time, they will see you not as a painful memory- but as a dear friend returned to them.”

She blinked as she turned her gaze down again.

“But no matter what, you will never be alone.” Pure Vanilla Cookie said as he extended his hand.

She stared at his hand for a moment before hesitantly lifting hers and placing it into his as she offered a smile to him.

Unbeknownst to them, a group of Faerie Cookies quietly observed them from their hiding place, wings fluttering softly as they peeked through the foliage.

A sudden blur of movement approached, as another Faerie Cookie flitting toward them in a hurry.

“The banquet preparations are ready! Everything is-”

Before she could finish, a hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her words as she was swiftly pulled into the hiding spot.

“Shhh! Do you want us to get caught?” one of them hissed, eyes darting toward the sacred clearing.

The others turned their attention back to the scene before them.

Though they couldn’t hear a word of the conversation, they could see the tension in their Guardian’s posture.

“She seems very anxious.” one of them murmured.

"Of course she is," another whispered back. “She recently became the guardian of our kingdom and today is a momentous occasion! We are to have a feast and then she is to have a meeting with kings and queens of kingdoms of old.” 

“He looks close to her,” a Faerie Cookie observed, squinting as they watched the two standing together beneath the Silver Tree.

“Do you think he’s special to her?” another asked.

The question lingered for a moment before a Faerie Cookie scoffed lightly. “Well, of course he is. He’s one of her allies from the past, isn’t he?”

"Obviously. He's one of the five heroes- someone she must have worked with for ages," a Faerie Cookie chimed.

“He doesn't seem like much.” Another confessed.

“He seems closer to the Guardian than the other ones who said they are also her friends.”

“The crispy ones?” 

“Them, yes,” one of the Faerie Cookies murmured, wings twitching. “They left just this morning, didn’t they?”

“They did,” another confirmed. “Something about heading back to Crispia.”

“Crispia? But why?”

“I overheard them speaking with the Guardian,” a Faerie Cookie whispered. “They were asked to return and check on things there. Something about ensuring the safety of their own kingdom.”

“Hm. I suppose that’s reasonable,” one of them said. “But to leave her now, of all times…”

“She has other friends by her side, does she not?” another pointed out, eyes flickering toward Pure Vanilla Cookie.

There was a pause. Some of the Faerie Cookies nodded, but others hesitated.

“He is… certainly by her side often.”

“That much is clear,” one admitted. “But he is not one of us.”

“But they do look quite harmonious together, don't they?” One of them giggled.

“He is still an outsider,” another murmured. 

Another Faerie Cookie hummed in thought. “She would not keep him close if he were unworthy.”

“She trusts him,” one of them noted.

“…Then we should as well,” a Faerie Cookie admitted, though hesitant.

“That is true…”

“He is so composed all the time. Always speaking gently, always calm.”

“He appears quite wise!” 

“I have never seen him truly flustered,” one admitted.

A mischievous glint flickered in a Faerie Cookie’s eyes. “Wouldn’t it be funny if he did?”

The others paused as they turned to the cookie who said so.

“Think about it- he’s always so careful, always so poised. But what if, just for a little while, he wasn’t?”

There was a moment of silence. Then, realization dawned.

“You don’t mean-”

“Oh, I do!”

A hush fell over them, broken only by a few muffled giggles.

“But how would we even…?”

The Faerie Cookie’s wings twitched with mischief. “We have plenty of elixirs, do we not? What harm would it do to slip just a drop of something special into his goblet tonight?”

Some exchanged glances, while others grinned knowingly.

“Are you suggesting a love potion?”

“Not a strong one,” they clarified, eyes glinting.

“But we cannot harm him,” another whispered urgently. “He is one of White Lily Cookie’s friends!” 

“Of course not,” the instigator scoffed. “Its not something dangerous.”

“Would it even work on him? He's a cookie of light, I heard.”

“It should. He is just a cookie at the end.” 

“But what if the Guardian disapproves?”

The question silenced them for a moment.

“She wouldn’t be upset,” one Faerie Cookie finally spoke. “It’s harmless fun.”

“Besides,” another added with a sly smile, “She has been so tense lately. A little laughter would do her good.”

“And if she does disapprove,” another said, shrugging, “Then we’ll admit to it and apologize.” 

The others glance at each other before eventually nodding as grins bloomed in their faces.

“At the feast, it is.”

The Faerie Cookies stood in perfect formation at the kingdom’s entrance, their wings shimmering under the soft glow of the Silver Tree as White Lily Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie awaited the arrival of their friends, standing side by side, their gazes fixed on the magical barrier.

Soon, at last, the gentle chime of a bell rang through the air. The magical barriers shimmered, parting gracefully.

Silverbell Cookie and Mercurial Knight Cookie emerged first, their presence composed and dignified as they led the way and eventually parted elsewhere for duties.

And behind them, stepping into the Faerie Kingdom for the first time, were the Ancient Heroes, their friends.

Hollyberry Cookie was the first to step through. The moment she crossed the threshold, her confident stride faltered slightly as her eyes widened in awe.

Dark Cacao Cookie followed in silent contemplation. He looked quite tense, high on guard as he looked around the area.

The last one to enter was Golden Cheese Cookie who looked at everything very warily, moving slowly and deliberately, a frown gracing her face.

White Lily Cookie felt her pulse quicken, her breath shallow at seeing them after such long time- 

She swallowed hard, her fingers twitching slightly at her sides.

They were here.

After everything, they were finally here.

For a moment, White Lily Cookie forgot how to breathe.

Beside her, Pure Vanilla Cookie took a step forward, his expression calm and welcoming.

“Hollyberry Cookie. Dark Cacao Cookie. Golden Cheese Cookie.” His voice was gentle, familiar. “It is good to see you all again.”

Hollyberry Cookie’s lips quirked up in a small grin. “Heh. Took you long enough to invite us somewhere fancy!”

Pure Vanilla Cookie chuckled lightly. “I’d say it’s long overdue.”

Dark Cacao cookie nodded before turning his attention to White Lily Cookie. “So…it is true.” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught in her throat.

“You really are back.” He said deeply. “I have read the letters, you have been through quite a lot….you have made decisions you deeply regret.”

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught. She willed herself to speak, but nothing came out. Her grip on her staff tightened, her gaze lowering as the silent tension palpable in the air.

Then Dark Cacao cookie inhaled slowly before speaking again. “But no matter what, we're still allies.” 

White Lily Cookie raised her gaze up instantly as her eyes widened.

Hollyberry Cookie put her arm on her shoulder as she pressed it reassuringly. “We all heard what happened, White Lily Cookie. Chin up!” 

She smiled. “How does it feel like to be back with your friends?” 

White Lily Cookie’s vision blurred slightly as her heart panged.

She had spent so long dreading this moment, convinced that they would reject her, that they would only see a foe instead of a friend yet-

They don't seem to …reject her-

She slowly exhaled as she tried her best to keep her tears at bay. “It…It feels…amazing.”

“There is…there is so much to tell you!” White Lily Cookie smiled, her voice wavering slightly with emotion. 

Hollyberry Cookie grinned. “Then let’s hear it over some good food and drink.”

Dark Cacao cookie gave a nod while Pure Vanilla Cookie chuckled.

But one was yet to speak.

Golden Cheese Cookie stood slightly apart from them, arms crossed, a frown upon her face as she looked somewhere else, her expression distant.

White Lily Cookie, noticing her, hesitated until taking a cautious step towards her. “Golden Cheese cookie…?” 

At her name, Golden Cheese Cookie’s eyes flicked toward her, alert.

“Thank you…for coming too.” White Lily Cookie said softly.

Golden Cheese Cookie held her gaze for just a moment before looking away, not saying a word.

White Lily Cookie’s fingers curled slightly at her sides, as she waited, searching for any sign of acknowledgment, but none came.

Her heart clenched, but she did not push further. Instead, she lowered her head slightly in understanding and stepped back.

Pure Vanilla Cookie cast White Lily Cookie a brief glance in concern.

The tense silence lingered until one of the Faerie cookies approached happily, unaware of the conversation.

“Honoured ones, it's a privilege to shelter you within our lands. Please allow me the honour to show you to the chambers prepared for your stay. Your journey must have been long so you may rest and refresh yourself before the feast which awaits you.” 

Hollyberry Cookie exhaled, rolling her shoulders. “Ah, a bit of rest before a feast? Sounds good to me.” She glanced at Dark Cacao Cookie. “Come on, no need to stand around all stiff.”

Dark Cacao cookie glanced at her but chose not to comment as he nodded and followed her along.

Golden Cheese Cookie, however, didn’t immediately follow. Her sharp gaze flickered toward White Lily Cookie for a moment, her expression unreadable.

White Lily Cookie met her eyes, her breath catching slightly.

A tense silence stretched between them.

Then, Golden Cheese Cookie scoffed under her breath as she moved her gaze away. “Hmph. If I’m here, I might as well make use of the place.” She turned sharply, striding after the Faerie Cookie without another word.

White Lily Cookie remained still, watching her go. Her fingers twitched slightly at her sides as she lowered in gaze once again in sadness.

Pure Vanilla Cookie who stood beside her, spoke gently. “She came. That is a start.” 

White Lily Cookie exhaled shakingly. “I know…I just-”

Pure Vanilla Cookie studied her for a moment before offering a gentle yet understanding smile. “Come. Let us not keep the others waiting.”

White Lily Cookie hesitated for a moment until nodding, straightening her posture. They then turned and walked towards the others.

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, some Faeries cookies flitted about, making their final preparations for the feast.

The grand table stretched across the hall, adorned with an array of exquisite dishes, each more fragrant and colorful than the last along smaller tables, arranged neatly around the room, carrying additional delicacies and drinks, ensuring there was more than enough for everyone to indulge in.

At the heart of it all, five elegant goblets rested upon the central table, hand-picked by White Lily Cookie herself, filled with Fairiewood’s finest nectar drink. 

As the last of the preparations neared completion, only a handful of Faerie Cookies remained, making final adjustments to the decor and ensuring everything was just right.

And just then, the doors creaked open.

A small group of Faerie Cookies entered as they exchanged glances before one of them stepped forward with a friendly smile. “You all have worked so hard,” they said sweetly. “But now it is our turn for the banquet duties. Why don’t you go on ahead? The feast is about to begin, and we can handle the rest from here.”

The remaining Faerie Cookies hesitated but ultimately nodded, grateful for the offer. “Alright, just make sure everything is perfect for the Guardian.”

“Of course!”

As soon as the last of them exited the hall, the group giggled amongst themselves, wasting no time and flying directly to the goblets.

 One of them carefully took out the phial from one of their pockets, it's content swirling in a rosy colour.

“The Guardian picked out these goblets herself,” one murmured, peering at the five identical cups. “We have to make sure we get the right one.”

Another Faerie Cookie nodded. “Let’s mark it first.”

With delicate precision, they tucked a tiny petal at the base of one of the goblets as a subtle marker, nearly invisible to anyone but them. Satisfied, one of them uncorked the phial, carefully tipping a single drop into the marked drink, the drop seamlessly blending with the nectar instantly.

A few of them stifled excited giggles. 

“…Should we add just a little to the others?” they mused. “Not the Guardian’s, of course! But it’d be fun to see if it affects anyone else a little bit.”

The group shared a quiet fit of laughter, their wings fluttering with mischief as they eyed the remaining goblets.

“Maybe I should add a bit more drops to this drink first. One drop may not do anything.” 

The Faerie cookies exchanged glances.

“…Wouldn't that be too much?” one asked.

“Oh, come on, it’s harmless! Just a little extra to make sure he-”

“What are you doing?”

They froze.

Silverbell Cookie stood at the entrance, his eyes sharp as they locked onto the scene before him.

The cookie holding the phial flinched in panic, making their grip slip and the phial’s contents tumbling from their hands spilled straight into Pure Vanilla Cookie's goblet.

But no one seems to care about that even after noticing as a horrified silence fell over them.

“…Oh,” one Faerie cookie whispered.

“…Oops.”

Silverbell cookie marched over, his expression dark. “I will ask again. What are you doing with White Lily Cookie's drinks?”

The Faerie cookies quickly exchanged frantic glances before one spoke up, voice sweet and innocent.

“U-Uh… making sure the esteemed guests have a memorable night?”

Silverbell Cookie's glare sharpened. “A memorable night?” 

The Faerie Cookies tensed.

“Do you think the Guardian would approve of this?” His voice remained steady, but his wings twitched with restrained irritation. “Interfering with her guests, her friends, interfering with her, without her knowing?”

The Faeries flinched. “W-Well, it’s not like we’re hurting anyone-”

“And that makes it acceptable?” Silverbell cookie cut in. “Do you think so little of her and her guests that you would toy with them like this? She invited them herself. Disrespecting them is disrespecting her.”

Silverbell Cookie’s expression remained stern. “That’s it. I’m telling her.”

"Wait- No, no, no, no, no!”

He only just turned before all of them frantically flew in front of him trying to stop him desperately.

“You can't tell her!” One of them pleaded desperately.

“Move.” Silverbell cookie said coldly.

“We didn't touch the Guardian’s drink, we swear!” 

His eyes narrowed. “And I'm supposed to believe that?” 

“Yes! We didn't touch any of the other drinks except one!” 

“We didn't even intend on touching the others!” 

“Yes! We even marked the one we did!” 

“And why?” Silverbell cookie narrowed his eyes. “Who is that drink for? What did you put in it?” 

The Faerie cookies stiffened, as they exchanged nervous glances.

“Answer me. Now.” 

“It is for the outsider with a funny hat.”

“What?”

One of them nodded. “Yes…the one who follows the guardian around. He is just so…composed all the time that we thought…”

“...it would be fun to see him all flustered with the help of a little love potion-” 

“A love potion?” 

The Faeries shrank back under his glare, but one of them hastily piped up, “It’s harmless! It may not even affect him as he is a cookie of light!” 

Silverbell Cookie clenched his jaw. “We don't know how it'll affect him. Especially when you dumped the whole thing in!” He pointed to the phial in one of their hands who instantly hid it behind them in shame.

The Faeries exchanged uncertain glances.

Silverbell Cookie’s frown deepened. “You don’t even know how dangerous this can be.”

“But it is a love potion- what harm can it do?”

“That is not the point-”

“But think of it this way, Silverbell cookie! Don't you want our guardian to be happy?”

“Huh?”

“Yes! She has been very anxious, stressed and tensed lately due to all of what happened. Won't you want her to have a moment where she can laugh and be free of her burden?” 

“I-”

“Please, Silverbell cookie! It may be good for her! Don't you want her to be happy?”

“You don't have to tell her! She doesn't need to know.” 

“But just think how happy she may be incase he starts acting hilariously.” 

“We only wanted to make her happy…”

Silverbell cookie’s wings twitched as he gazed at the eager, pleading cookies in front of him, his eyes flickered to the marked goblet, now tainted with the entire contents of the phial.

“…You truly believe this will make her happy?” he asked, voice quieter, more measured.

The Faerie Cookies nodded eagerly. “Yes! Imagine how funny it will be!” 

“And if it makes the Guardian smile, even just for a little while, then isn’t it worth it?”

Silverbell Cookie remained silent for a long moment.

“Okay…” He exhaled. “But if it causes any distress to White Lily Cookie, you'll immediately confess what you have done.” 

The Faerie Cookies perked up, their wings fluttering with excitement.

“Of course!” one of them chimed. “But you’ll see- it’ll be hilarious!”

Another giggled, clasping their hands together. “It’ll be the best thing we’ve seen in ages!”

Silverbell Cookie remained tense, his eyes flicking to the marked goblet. He wasn’t sure what kind of effect it would have, but he felt one thing for sure that this wasn’t how White Lily Cookie would want things to go.

Still, he sighed. “Clean up your mess. The feast is about to begin.”

The Faerie Cookies beamed and got to work, smoothing the tablecloth and ensuring everything appeared untouched.

As Silverbell Cookie turned to leave, a quiet dread settled in his chest.

Something about this felt wrong.

He had a bad feeling about this.

The banquet opened with a full swing, alive with warmth and merriment, laughter and conversation wove together as dishes filled with the kingdom’s finest delicacies were passed around by the fluttering Faerie Cookies, the air being rich with the scent of sweet nectar and freshly prepared feasts.

White Lily Cookie moved gracefully through the hall, approaching her companions as they indulged in the banquet, talking amongst themselves. A Faerie Cookie followed closely behind, carrying a tray adorned with five elegant goblets filled with Fairiewood’s finest nectar.

She smiled at them as they noticed her.

“Is everything to your liking?” she asked, her gaze sweeping over them. “Is anything amiss?”

Hollyberry Cookie grinned, raising a half-finished plate. “It’s perfect! I don't know what these are called but this dish is delicious!” 

Golden Cheese Cookie scoffed, giving Hollyberry Cookie a pointed look. “You’re raving about something, and you don’t even know what it’s called?”

Hollyberry Cookie grinned mid-bite. “Hey, good food is good food! Who cares what it’s called?”

Dark Cacao Cookie let out a small sigh. “At the very least, it seems the meal is satisfactory.”

 Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled warmly. “You’ve put so much care into this. It’s wonderful, White Lily cookie. It couldn't have been better.”

White Lily Cookie smiled back. “I’m glad to hear that. The Faerie Cookies put their hearts into preparing this for all of you.”

White Lily Cookie turned slightly, gesturing toward the tray of goblets held by the Faerie Cookie beside her. “Please, allow me to offer you something to accompany your meal."

“This is Fairiewood’s finest nectar, it is quite sweet and almost like berry juice but is a lot more…viscous. I have a feeling you may like it.” She said warmly.

The Faerie Cookie fluttered forward, bowing slightly before offering the tray.

At the center of it, nestled between the goblets, sat a tiny, delicate vase. It was purely decorative, carrying a single lily, its white petals soft yet slightly wilted at the edges, a natural result of being left out for too long.

Just as the Faerie Cookie began to distribute the drinks, Pure Vanilla Cookie reached out first.

The Faerie Cookie tensed.

Had he noticed something was off?

Does he know the drink is tampered? 

He is one of the five heroes he must-

But instead of taking a goblet, Pure Vanilla Cookie's hand brushed over the delicate white lily resting on vase as the flower had begun to wither.

A flicker of concern crossed his face. Without a word, he lifted his hand slightly, a soft golden glow emanating from his fingertips. The petals quivered before slowly unfurling, regaining their natural color and life.

The Faerie cookie was caught by shock and surprise at the event as they watched in awe.

“Ha!” Hollyberry Cookie let out a hearty laugh. “Still using your magic for little things like that, huh?”

Dark Cacao Cookie smiled faintly. “…You haven’t changed.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie chuckled sheepishly. “It just seemed out of place.”

White Lily Cookie, too, had paused, but then chuckled warmly, shaking her head knowingly. 

She then gestured toward the tray once more. “Come, let us drink together.”

The Faerie Cookie, still recovering from their momentary awe, quickly gathered themself as they moved smoothly offering each goblet one by one. With practiced ease, they handed the first to Hollyberry Cookie, then to Dark Cacao Cookie, then to Golden Cheese Cookie, and then to White Lily Cookie herself. And finally-

The last goblet, the one subtly marked with the faintest petal, was given to Pure Vanilla Cookie.

“For our friendship!” Hollyberry Cookie raised her goblet high, grinning.

“For our friendship!” The others said in unison as they raised their goblets.

All except Golden Cheese Cookie who hesitated, staring at her goblet with her lips pursed. Her fingers twitched slightly against the stem of the glass, as if debating whether to follow through.

Hollyberry Cookie noticed immediately and, with a hearty chuckle, elbowed her playfully. “Oh, come on! You’re really gonna sit this one out?”

She glared at Hollyberry Cookie only to sigh and then raised her goblet. 

Satisfied, Hollyberry Cookie let out another laugh as their goblets finally clinked together, the soft chime ringing through the air.

Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled as he took the first sip along with others.

The nectar was thick and sweet, coating his tongue like honey, yet with a depth of flavor that lingered. It was unlike anything he had tasted before-rich, fragrant, and almost intoxicating in its warmth.

At first, he simply savored it, but then a strange warmth began to spread in his chest, slow at first, then steadily blooming into something overwhelming. His breath caught slightly. 

The mischievous group of Faerie cookies, keeping an eye on him, observed him expectantly, noticing the subtle change as they rejoiced quietly.

Any moment now.

Hollyberry Cookie smacked her lips in delight. “Ah! That’s got a nice kick to it! Sweet, but it lingers. I could get used to this.”

White Lily Cookie smiled. “I'm glad.”

Dark Cacao Cookie, on the other hand, sniffed the drink before setting it. “I do not wish to indulge in a drink as sweet as this.”

Golden Cheese Cookie, too, only swirled the liquid in her cup, watching the way the thick nectar clung to the glass. 

White Lily Cookie nodded as she gave an understanding look. “That is fair. I suppose it may not be of your taste.” 

Hollyberry Cookie grinned. “Oh but I quite liked it! I may want to take some home with me now!” 

She then turned to Pure Vanilla Cookie who became quiet all of a sudden. 

Hollyberry Cookie, unaware of his distress, nudged him playfully. “Ha! Maybe you’ve been drinking this stuff every day without telling us? You are lucky!”

However, he barely registered her words as he hesitated from taking another sip. His throat burnt slightly, a dizzy sensation washing over him.

He blinked, his vision blurring at the edges as he clutched the side of his head, exhaling shakingly as a wave of dizziness hit him.

His eyes widened, lips parting but no words came out.

White Lily Cookie immediately noticed his change in demeanor, her brows knitting in concern. “Pure Vanilla Cookie?”

Something was …wrong.

“I…” Pure Vanilla Cookie started, his chest tightening along with his breaths becoming more and more shallow as he felt a strange uncomfortable warmth come over his whole body. “Pardon me, I…” 

“Is it…getting warm in here?” His voice came out dazed, almost breathless.

“No?” Golden Cheese cookie said, perplexed.

“Are you feeling well?” Dark Cacao cookie asked instantly.

The mischievous Faerie cookies were starting to look and glance at each other as they grinned. They were successful, now just the potion’s effects need to sink in. 

Their demeanor caught the attention of Silverbell cookie who then noticed how Pure Vanilla Cookie was acting. A sense of guilt yet nervousness passed through him as he silently observed.

Pure Vanilla Cookie tried to steady his breathing, but the pounding in his chest only worsened. Everything around him, voices, lights, colours- everything felt overwhelming.

His stomach twisted as his head started to pain worse while feeling…light, his vision blurring further.

The Faerie Cookies’ smug grins faltered as they watched Pure Vanilla Cookie grow unsteady.

One of the Faerie Cookies leaned toward another, whispering, “Did we… add too much?”

Yet the others had no response to that as they watched the scene unfold in shock and concern.

Then his body swayed, the grip on the goblet suddenly loosening making it clatter onto the ground, alarming them.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie?!” His friends cried out in alarm.

“I… I don’t…” His voice barely came out, as he tried to steady himself leaning onto his staff.

And then-

The world tilted sharply, his knees buckling as his vision darkened.

White Lily Cookie gasped, lunging forward just in time to catch him before he collapsed completely.

A collective gasp rippled through the banquet hall.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie?!” The urgency in her voice made the others rush to him. Hollyberry Cookie was already at his side as she shook him. “Hey! What’s wrong? Say something!”

The rest of the faerie Cookies present in the banquet darted forward in alarm, fluttering over the scene by growing unease. Some clutched their hands to their chests, wings quivering. Others exchanged nervous glances, whispering among themselves.

Silverbell Cookie flinched at the sight. His gaze flickered to the Faerie Cookies responsible, who now looked far less confident than before. Their wings drooped slightly, their expressions caught between regretful and scared.

Dark Cacao Cookie was already kneeling beside White Lily Cookie, his hand resting firmly on Pure Vanilla Cookie’s back. “He is too warm,” he muttered gravely. “And his breathing… It’s unsteady.”

White Lily Cookie tightened her grip around Pure Vanilla Cookie, her heart pounding. “Pure Vanilla Cookie, please…look at me, wake up!” she urged, shaking him.

Golden Cheese Cookie stood frozen, her eyes wide in shock, she then shook her head, gritting her teeth. “This is not normal. What in the world was in that drink?!”

She snapped her gaze toward White Lily Cookie as she glared at her. “You…” She spat. “This was your plan wasn't it?! To get us all here, make our guard down, take us down in one go and finally get our soul jams?!” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught. “What? No! I would never-” 

Golden Cheese Cookie took a step forward in anger, her teeth clenched. “Wouldn't you?! You became Dark Enchantress Cookie once before! Who’s to say you’re not just being smarter about it this time?!”

“Golden Cheese cookie!-” Hollyberry Cookie warned.

“What?! He's the only one who drank that and you are trying to say this is a coincidence?! Pure Vanilla Cookie is easy to fool but not I!” 

“I also drank it but I'm-” Hollyberry Cookie got interrupted.

Golden Cheese Cookie scoffed, “Oh, please. Don’t act like that drink should’ve done anything to you either. You could chug a whole barrel of poison and walk it off like it was water.”

She frowned. “What are you-” 

Golden Cheese Cookie leaned in, voice sharp. “Poisons don’t work on you, remember? You once drank a whole goblet of poisoned beer, and what happened? Nothing. You downed it like it was water and asked for another round. You could’ve drunk a whole cauldron of whatever was in that thing and it wouldn’t have done a thing! But him?” She pointed at Pure Vanilla Cookie’s unconscious form. “He isn’t like you! And he’s the only one affected? How convenient.”

Gasps erupted in the room as the faerie cookies gossiped.

White Lily Cookie’s breath came fast. “I didn’t-” She shook her head, gripping Pure Vanilla Cookie tighter. “I would never harm him!”

One of the Faerie cookie stepped up, their voice urgent. “Do not speak to our guardian like that! She would never do such a thing!” 

Another joined in, their wings fluttering anxiously. “She has only ever sought to protect us! She would never harm her own guests!”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathered Faerie Cookies, though it was tinged with unease. Some glanced at one another, hesitation in their eyes.

Silverbell cookie glanced around until he found the group, glaring at them coldly, making them tense as they exchanged panicked glances and then nodded amongst themselves.

One of them stepped forward. “White Lily Cookie, We can expla-” 

But before they could say anything else, Dark Cacao Cookie suddenly interrupted, his sharp eyes locked onto Pure Vanilla Cookie’s face.

“…He’s growing pale.” He said with urgency.

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught as she turned her gaze downward along with Hollyberry cookie and Golden cookie who looked at him panicked.

 The warmth she had felt from Pure Vanilla Cookie just moments ago was fading fast. His dough was growing clammy, his breathing even more shallow.

“No, no, no, no-” she whispered, panic rising in her chest.

Dark Cacao Cookie didn’t hesitate. “We need to move. Now.”

Hollyberry Cookie was already lunging forward. “Out of the way!” she barked as she scooped Pure Vanilla Cookie into her arms with ease. “Tell me where to go!”

“The infirmary! I shall tend to him!” White Lily Cookie cried out.

“Let me lead the way!” Silverbell cookie declared along with Mercurial Knight cookie who nodded his head.

The Faerie Cookies scattered at once, rushing to clear the path as the ancients rushed towards the room.

White Lily Cookie’s trembling hands glowed as she hovered over Pure Vanilla Cookie's still form, her magic spreading through his body, trying to cure and search for anything that may be amiss, an injury, a curse, an ailment but nothing appeared to her.

Again, she sent another careful surge of magic into him, scanning for anything while the magic looked for something to heal or cure but still…

There was nothing.

Her breath caught as panic started to bubble in her chest. She pressed her hand over his chest, trying again. This time, she reached deeper, searching for even the slightest irregularity to heal, something she might have overlooked.

Yet, her magic came back with nothing.

Her heart pounded against her chest, fingers tightening where they pressed against his skin. “Why…” she thought desperately, voice trembling. “Why isn’t it working?”

She was aware that unlike him, healing wasn't her speciality. She knew he could've done it by now if the roles were reversed; he would've found the problem, he would've already figured out what to do.

She knew he wouldn't be fumbling, wasting time or failing-

Her magic flickered as it ran its course again. 

Nothing. 

Again, nothing.

Pure Vanilla Cookie's face was still pale and his breaths quiet yet shallow. 

Her throat felt right, her heart pounding as realization hit her, she was getting nowhere. 

She could practically feel the stares on her, boring down on her with a suffocating force. She had asked the Faerie cookies to remain away from the room as she didn't want the room to be overcrowded as it may do even more harm to Pure Vanilla Cookie’s prone form. She only allowed her friends in as she knew they wouldn't leave her and him alone.

Her vision blurred as tears started to come out, her breath quickening. “I don’t understand…There’s no sign of poison, no magic affliction, no curse-”

She could hear Hollyberry Cookie’s uneasy shuffling, feel Dark Cacao Cookie’s tense gaze lingering on her, but it was Golden Cheese Cookie’s sharp, cutting scoff that made her flinch.

“Oh, of course.” Golden Cheese Cookie said, arms crossed. "Of course, you won't find anything. That would ruin your plan, wouldn't it?”

White Lily Cookie barely had time to process the words before Golden Cheese Cookie took a step closer, her voice laced with venom.

“How convenient. You always were clever, weren’t you? Always thinking ahead. And you chose him.” She gestured at Pure Vanilla Cookie’s unmoving form. “Because who else would’ve been foolish enough to believe in you?”

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught in her throat.

“Naïve….Too trusting. He probably thought you were still the same friend he knew. And you knew that. You counted on that.” Golden Cheese Cookie scoffed. “So you used him like a pawn to lure us here.”

White Lily Cookie was breathless as her heartbeat pounded in her ear, tears flowing freely through her eyes.

“And it was smart, I’ll give you that,” she spat. “You didn’t even spare him. Because at the end, he was the only one who can heal us if we fell and he's a holder of the soul jam you, oh so, deserve. You thought we’d all drink. You thought we’d all fall.” She let out a cold, humorless laugh. “Yet here we are. And now that your little plan’s gone up in flames, you need to pretend, don't you?”

“Golden Cheese cookie!” Hollyberry Cookie warned as she yelled.

Golden Cheese Cookie barely spared her a glance, her gaze locked onto White Lily Cookie with burning intensity. “What? Am I wrong?” she shot back, her voice sharp. “Tell me, tell me any reason why she should be trusted right now!”

Hollyberry Cookie hesitated. Her grip tightened at her sides, but no words came.

Golden Cheese Cookie let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “That’s what I thought.”

“Dark Cacao cookie! Won't you say anything?!” Hollyberry cookie asked desperately.

Dark Cacao Cookie remained silent. His grip on his sword tightened, his eyes locked onto White Lily Cookie, dark and unreadable.

Golden Cheese Cookie let out a sharp, knowing scoff. “Hah. See? Even he knows I have a point.”

Hollyberry Cookie’s head snapped toward him. “Dark Cacao Cookie…” she said, almost pleading.

Golden Cheese Cookie tilted her head, her smirk sharp and cold. “Face it. Even he sees it. He knows you played us. He knows you used him.”

White Lily Cookie shook her head rapidly as her shock broke off, tears welling in her eyes. “That’s not true! I would never-!”

Golden Cheese Cookie’s eyes flashed as she cut her off. “Wouldn’t you?” she challenged, her voice sharp. “You already have once in your little turn as Dark Enchantress cookie.”

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched, the accusation striking like a dagger. Her fingers curled into the fabric of Pure Vanilla Cookie's dress as she shook her head, desperate, frantic.

She tried to speak, to form words, but nothing came. 

The air in the room was thick with tension, as no one dared speak a word until Golden Cheese Cookie inhaled sharply, opening her mouth once again.

And that is when, the door of the room opened, revealing Silverbell cookie. 

“Your highness,” He greeted. “There is something you must know.” 

White Lily Cookie barely registered Silverbell Cookie’s voice at first, her mind still spinning yet she quickly wiped her tears, trying to compose herself. “What is it?” 

Silverbell Cookie inclined his head before stepping fully into the room. “They have something to say.”

He then pushed the door open wider, allowing a group of faerie cookies to enter, their head hung low. Mercurial Knight cookie, who also accompanied them, waited outside, keeping guard in the gate to not let anyone else enter.

All the gazes fell on them as they then exchanged glances, none of them speaking right away until one of them stepped forward hesitantly. “White Lily Cookie didn't do anything with the drink…it was…it was us!” 

A cold silence followed until the room erupted in chaos.

“WHAT?!” All the cookies yelled in unison.

The Faerie Cookies flinched at the sheer force of the collective outcry. “Yes…we…we put the potion in his dri-”

“You did WHAT?!” Hollyberry Cookie shouted. 

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DOUGH-BRAINS?!” Golden Cheese cookie shouted in anger.

“WHY did you do such a thing?!” Dark Cacao cookie raised his sword.

The Faerie Cookie who had spoken took a shaky step back. “W-We didn’t mean to hurt him!” they stammered. “It wasn’t supposed to be dangerous! We thought-”

“Thought what?! To CRUMBLE him?!” Golden Cheese cookie yelled. “You did this under her command didn't you?!” 

“No!” one of the Faerie Cookies blurted out, shaking their head frantically. “White Lily Cookie didn’t tell us to do anything! She didn’t even know!”

Golden Cheese Cookie narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. “Oh, really?” she sneered. “Then why did you do it?”

The Faerie Cookies exchanged nervous glances before one hesitantly stepped forward. Their voice wavered as they spoke. “We… we thought it would be funny to make him a little flustered! He is composed all the time- we just wanted to entertain-” 

“White Lily Cookie has been so tense lately! We just wanted to make her happy with some hilarity- that's why we used-” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught in her throat. She had been drowning in guilt and shock, but those words… shattered the haze clouding her mind.

Her heart lurched with sudden, dreadful realization.

She took a sharp step forward, her voice trembling yet forceful. “How much did you use?”

The room fell silent as the Faerie Cookies stiffened. They hesitated, glancing at one another, none wanting to be the one to answer.

She pressed again, firmer this time. “Tell me. How much?”

One of the Faerie Cookies swallowed hard before finally murmuring, “…The whole phial.”

Silence.

White Lily Cookie felt the syrups drain from her face.

“A… whole phial?” she echoed, as if saying it aloud would change the answer.

The Faerie Cookie nodded stiffly.

A fresh wave of alarm crashed through her as she felt her hands beginning to shake. “A potion no matter of what nature…if used in high dosages….or even as little as more than five drops…can crumble a cookie.” 

A cold, unsettling silence filled the room for a single moment, almost as if everyone held their breath until the room exploded.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, CRUMBLE?!” Hollyberry Cookie bellowed, eyes wide with alarm.

Dark Cacao Cookie’s expression darkened, his grip tightening on his sword. “Is he- is he in danger?!”

Golden Cheese Cookie whirled on the Faerie Cookies, fury crackling in her voice as she summoned a spear. “YOU STUPID LITTLE-”

“WE DIDN’T KNOW!” one of them yelped, backing away. “IT WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE HARMLESS!”

“YOU USED AN ENTIRE PHIAL!” Golden Cheese Cookie shrieked. “HOW IN THE NAME OF THE WITCHES DID YOU THINK THAT WAS HARMLESS?!”

Silverbell cookie immediately went in front of the Faerie cookies, his arms raised defensively. “It is not just their fault! I knew yet I didn't stop the-” 

“WHAT?!”

But White Lily Cookie barely heard any of it. Her mind drowned out the voices, the shouts and panic around her, everything blurring into white noise.

 All she could see, all she could focus on, was Pure Vanilla Cookie’s still, unmoving form beneath her hands.

His breathing was soft, his face relaxed, untouched by the chaos spiraling around him.

So peaceful. So unaware.

So close to crumbling.

Her stomach twisted painfully, bile rising in her throat as the horrifying thought took hold.

What if- what if he never woke up?

What if she was too late?

What if, right now, as she wasted precious seconds frozen in fear, his form was already beginning to crumble?

A choked sound escaped her lips, something between a sob and a breathless plea.

Her shaking hand clawed at her own hair as her vision blurred, her breath shuddering as panic crushed against her ribs, clawing at her insides.

He could slip away at any moment.

He could disappear, just like that, before he even had the chance to realize-

And it would be her fault.

Her breath came shallower as her chest tightened. 

Her entire body trembled as she tried to think, to do something, but the terror clawing at her mind made it impossible.

And then-

A flicker of movement.

Barely noticeable, but she saw it.

A shift. 

A faint twitch of his fingers beneath her own.

White Lily Cookie froze, her breath hitching as her tear-filled gaze locked onto him.

Had she imagined it? A cruel trick of desperation?

No.

There it was again.

A slow, barely perceptible movement of his hand, the smallest furrow in his brow.

Her heart lurched, hands tightening instinctively.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie…?" she whispered, voice shaking.

At the sound of her trembling voice, the chaos in the room wavered.

Golden Cheese Cookie stopped mid-shout, turning sharply. Hollyberry Cookie inhaled, her fists clenching, while Dark Cacao Cookie, still gripping his sword, took a cautious step forward. Even Silverbell Cookie and the Faerie Cookies fell silent, all attention snapping toward her.

For a moment, the only sound in the room was the faint rustle of Pure Vanilla Cookie’s breath. 

No one moved, no one dared to speak.

Then, ever so slowly, his head shifted to the side, his face turning toward White Lily Cookie’s voice. His fingers twitched again, curling weakly against her trembling hands.

A quiet, drawn-out sigh escaped his lips.

White Lily Cookie’s breath quickened.

The moment the others saw movement, everyone snapped into motion as the others huddled together to his side in hope and expectation.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie?” Hollyberry Cookie called out.

But White Lily Cookie barely noticed them. Her entire world had shrunk to the Cookie in front of her, her heart hammering as she squeezed his hand.

A faint hum left his lips as he shifted again. 

“Is he-” Golden Cheese Cookie asked nervously.

“He must be waking up.” Dark Cacao cookie replied.

Everyone held their breath as within the next few moments, ever so sluggishly, his eyes fluttered open making everyone's face lit up as a pair of dazed, unfocused blue and yellow eyes fluttered open.

Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked sluggishly, his vision hazy and unfocused. His heterochromic eyes flickering drowsily as he tried to make sense of the world around him.

White Lily Cookie let out a shaky breath, gripping his hand tighter. “Pure Vanilla Cookie…” Her voice wavered, relief and worry blending into one. “You're finally awake.” 

Hollyberry Cookie sighed, her tension finally easing. “Oh, thank the witches-”

Golden Cheese Cookie exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. “Took him long enough.”

Dark Cacao Cookie gave a slow nod, his stern gaze scanning Pure Vanilla Cookie for any sign of lingering distress. “How do you feel?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked a few more times, his blurry vision sharpening- until his gaze finally settled on White Lily Cookie.

A gentle, hazy smile formed on his lips, as he exhaled a dreamy sigh.

“White Lily Cookie…” He murmured.

“Yes…?” White Lily Cookie asked.

His lips curved into the gentlest, most affectionate smile she had ever seen.

“Has anyone ever told you of how radiant and truly beautiful you are?” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Golden Cheese Cookie stared. “...What.”

Hollyberry Cookie blinked. “What did he-?”

Dark Cacao Cookie’s brows furrowed, his grip tightening on his sword.

But Pure Vanilla Cookie wasn’t paying attention to any of them. His dreamy gaze remained locked on White Lily Cookie, his smile soft, utterly smitten.

“You shine brighter than the purest light,” he murmured, voice dripping with adoration. “Like a flower in full bloom…Oh, I must be the luckiest Cookie in all of Earthbread to be able to gaze upon you first the moment I wake…”

White Lily Cookie’s face burned as words failed her in her shock.

Golden Cheese Cookie’s jaw dropped. “WHAT?!”

Dark Cacao Cookie sprouted in disbelief. “Did…did he just-?!”

Hollyberry Cookie blinked rapidly. “Okay, I know I’ve hit my head one too many times, but did I actually just hear that?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie, still utterly lost in his dreamy haze, sighed blissfully.

“My Queen…” he murmured, his thumb gently tracing small circles against White Lily Cookie’s hand. “Oh, how my heart rejoices to see you first… to bask in your presence once more…”

White Lily Cookie’s brain short-circuited.

Golden Cheese Cookie screeched as she tugged at her hair. “HE CALLED HER WHAT?!”

Hollyberry Cookie, visibly struggling, smacked her own forehead. “Nope. Nope. Not happening. I must still be asleep. There’s no way I just heard that.”

Dark Cacao Cookie stood rigid, his mouth slightly open, as if searching for words, any words, but for once, none came.

He sighed dreamily again. “Oh, White Lily Cookie… The moon may fade, the stars may dim, but my love for you shall never wane…”

Meanwhile, Golden Cheese Cookie was not handling this well. “WHAT IN THE CHEESE'S NAME IS GOING ON?!” 

Hollyberry Cookie, eyes wide with alarm, pointed wildly between Pure Vanilla Cookie and White Lily Cookie. “This- this isn’t normal, right?! RIGHT?!”

White Lily Cookie, however, was completely frozen, her mind desperately trying and failing to process everything.

Pure Vanilla Cookie only sighed dreamily in response, his grip still firm on her hand. “My beloved,” he murmured, gazing at her with pure, unwavering devotion. “You must have been so distressed… I must have worried you terribly…I never, ever wish to be the cause of your pain…Oh, how cruel fate must be, to have kept us apart for so long… But fear not, my love, for I shall never stray from your side again.”

White Lily Cookie’s face flamed as she stared at him, utterly speechless.

“Um…” One of the Faerie cookies stepped forward hesitantly as they fiddled with their hands. “We didn't forget to mention it was a love potion…did we?” 

White Lily Cookie’s mind screamed just as the room exploded again.

Chapter Text

White Lily Cookie had witnessed many strange things in her lifetime. She had seen the wonders of magic, great kingdoms, entirely new creatures like Dragons, strange and unpredictable forces that shaped Earthbread itself yet nothing, absolutely nothing had prepared her for this.

It had been hours since Pure Vanilla Cookie had collapsed and then woken up, and she had spent every moment since trying to make sense of what had happened.

For, Pure Vanilla Cookie had not stopped.

He had latched onto her presence like she was the very air he breathed, his gaze never straying far. Even as she carefully checked his condition, his words were ceaseless. 

She had just pressed two fingers lightly against his wrist, checking his pulse which was fast, but steady.

“You’re always so gentle,” Pure Vanilla Cookie murmured, his voice filled with quiet awe as she examined him. “Even now, your hands are steady, careful… just like they’ve always been.”

He sighs. “To be the subject of your focus, even for a moment… I must be the most fortunate Cookie alive.”

“Ah… But I need no dream when reality itself has blessed me with your presence.”

When she had simply asked him how he was feeling. His response was…well-

"I feel wonderful, my dear. How could I not, when you are right here beside me?”

He kept going. 

White Lily Cookie had hesitated for sometime before ultimately continuing her tests as she desperately tried to calm the growing blush in her face while ignoring him as he continued singing her praises. 

She did not even try to see the other's reaction where Hollyberry Cookie was slowly finding this humourous while Golden Cheese Cookie…she didn't actually know how she was reacting she didn't dare meet her gaze and Dark Cacao Cookie was visibly….still processing.

White Lily Cookie had ignored all of these shenanigans, refocused on her work.

His dough colour had returned to almost normal, his breathing was steady, and he seemed physically unharmed. 

She had checked the vitals repeatedly.

His magic was stable. His temperature was slightly high but not dangerously so. He wasn’t crumbling. He wasn’t in pain. Physically, there was nothing to suggest he was in any immediate danger. Every sign pointed to perfect health. By all accounts, he should be fine.

Yet the situation was far from normal.

He still looked at her with that same unwavering adoration, his expression soft, his every movement naturally drawn toward her.

By normal accounts, a cookie should be free or near free from the effects of love potion by now as it should have weakened or at least begun to fade. Even a strong dose would have shown some sign of wearing off.

But this?

There was no change.

Her eyes flickered to the empty phial resting on the table left by the Faerie cookies so that she may be able to diagnose him better after they profusely apologised for their prank while they along with Silverbell cookie received severe rebuking from her friends and Mercurial Knight cookie. 

Initially, she had hoped that the effects would pass naturally and would at least show signs of fading as the hours passed which is why she opted to keep him under her surveillance and did tests on him to ensure nothing was going wrong but several hours have passed and her hope seemed to be falling apart as the effects only seem to get stronger.

In general, potions spread evenly through any liquid they were mixed into but love potions?

Love potions blended completely.

That is also the reason why it is regarded as the most difficult potion to master as from creating it to dosing it right is extremely difficult, if not outright impossible. 

Unlike some concoctions that settled over time or required precise mixing, a love potion ensured its effects were fully absorbed into the drink the moment it was poured in as taught in the academy.

Which meant-

It didn’t matter that he had only taken a sip.

A single sip still carried the effects of an entire phial.

Her stomach twisted.

A few drops of love potion could induce mild infatuation. A heavier dose could last several hours. But an entire phial?

No one had ever consumed that much before.

There were no records, no studies, no precedent-

No one knew what a full phial would do.

What if the effects didn’t fade?

 What if they…worsened? 

What if there were side effects they hadn’t seen yet?

A certain voice broke her spiraling thoughts.

Hollyberry Cookie, still finding the situation amusing, crossed her arms. “He’s still looking at her like that, huh?”

Golden Cheese Cookie groaned, rubbing her temples. “Okay, but seriously! How long is this going to last?”

Dark Cacao cookie frowned. “It really is concerning.” 

White Lily Cookie froze as their words settled on her shoulders, pressing down like a realization she should have reached sooner.

This wasn’t just lasting longer than expected.

This was completely uncharted territory.

And if she didn’t act now, there was no telling what could happen.

White Lily Cookie inhaled sharply. 

She needed answers.

The potion needed to be neutralized before it had the chance to cause real harm.

“…We need to visit the library,” she said firmly.

A beat of silence followed.

Dark Cacao Cookie frowned. “What library?”

Hollyberry Cookie tilted her head. “There’s one here?”

White Lily Cookie exhaled slowly, her softening with guilt. “Yes. The Faerie Kingdom has a library…one of the oldest and most extensive in all of Earthbread….I should have shown it to you earlier- If there’s any record of high-dose love potions, it’ll be there.”

Another pause as no one dared voice their thoughts.

Dark Cacao Cookie’s expression remained unreadable, but his eyes narrowed slightly. “Do you suspect something worse?”

White Lily Cookie’s fingers curled slightly as she lowered her gaze. “Love potions don’t work like most others. Most potions spread evenly through a liquid, but love potions… they blend completely the moment they’re poured in. There’s no separation. No dilution.”

She lifted her gaze a little. “This means…it doesn’t matter how small a sip he took...that sip still contained the full effects of an entire phial and I…”

She hesitated. “I…don't know what will happen- There are no records of an overdose this extreme…I don’t know how long this will last, but I do know that magic in such extreme amounts is never safe..that’s why we can’t afford to wait any longer. We must find a way to neutralize the potion now before it causes any harm.”

An uncomfortable silence settled over the room, heavier than before.

Dark Cacao Cookie was the first to speak, his tone firm. “Then we shouldn’t waste time.”

Hollyberry Cookie gave a firm nod, her usual grin still present but tinged with something more serious now. “So what are we waiting for? Let’s get moving.”

White Lily Cookie exhaled slowly, mentally preparing herself. They had a course of action now. But then-

“…And what about him?”

Golden Cheese Cookie’s voice cut through the moment, her gaze flickering toward Pure Vanilla Cookie, who had been silent, yet unwavering in his attention toward White Lily Cookie.

Hollyberry Cookie raised an eyebrow, clearly thinking the same thing. “Yeah, what’s he supposed to do in the meantime?”

White Lily Cookie blinked. She…hadn’t thought about that.

She had been so focused on what needed to be done that she hadn’t even considered what to do with Pure Vanilla Cookie in the meantime.

She cleared her throat, regaining her composure. “I can ask some Faerie Cookies to watch over him as he rests here while we-”

“I’m going with you.”

White Lily Cookie froze.

Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled blissfully, his voice calm. “Wherever you go, I’ll follow. How could I possibly rest when my heart is drawn to you so completely?” His voice was light, yet entirely serious. “No distance could keep me away. Not now… not ever.”

A sharp breath caught in her throat as her face burst into flames.

Golden Cheese Cookie blinked once, twice… then groaned loudly. “Oh, you have to be kidding me. I refuse to be part of whatever this is.”

Hollyberry Cookie wheezed. “Oh, this is fantastic. It just keeps getting better!”

Meanwhile, Dark Cacao Cookie went completely silent, staring at Pure Vanilla Cookie like he had just said something incomprehensible.

White Lily Cookie, on the other hand?

She needed out of this conversation immediately.

Silverbell cookie has apologized for over the whole ordeal atleast a thousand times by now. Starting from her, to the ancients and even Pure Vanilla Cookie who either didn't mind or didn't understand as he was busy paying attention to White Lily Cookie. Regardless, he heavily insisted he help them find anything to help Pure Vanilla Cookie which eventually led to White Lily Cookie accepting his volunteering.

As they arrived in the library, a series of “ooh” and “ah” along with awed gazes from her friends followed along. Towering shelves filled with thousands of scrolls stretched high above them, adorned with intricate carvings, while the soft glow from the sugar glass windows cast a cool hue over its walls.

Dark Cacao Cookie’s gaze swept across the vast collection of knowledge before them. “Impressive.”

Hollyberry Cookie let out a low whistle. “Now this is a library. Why didn’t you bring us here sooner?”

“I did plan to but-” White Lily Cookie frowned as she lowered her gaze.

Silverbell Cookie, still riddled with guilt but now focused on making himself useful, “The Faerie Kingdom’s library holds knowledge from near about the age Earthbread was just born! The history recorded here goes as far back as Faerie's very existence.” 

Golden Cheese Cookie, however, remained unimpressed. She simply crossed her arms, eyeing the towering shelves like they were nothing special. 

White Lily Cookie simply sighed as her mind drifted to Pure Vanilla Cookie who, unsurprisingly, had not moved from her side.

Unlike the others, he didn’t say anything about the library’s grandeur. No words of awe, no curious remarks, just quiet contentment, his ever-present smile unwavering.

White Lily Cookie did her best to ignore it as she had more important things to focus on.

Clearing her throat, she turned toward the large circular desk at the center of the library, where the Faerie Cookie librarian was patiently sorting through a pile of ancient scrolls who smiled instantly, standing up as they noticed her.

She approached, her voice even. “Excuse me, could you direct us to the scrolls on different types of potions and elixirs?”

The librarian offered a polite nod. “Of course, White Lily cookie! You’ll find it on the third row…fourth shelf from the top…to the far left.”

White Lily Cookie inclined her head in gratitude. “Thank you.”

The search for scrolls related to love potion was unexpectedly…challenging as potions and elixirs was by far one of the largest section of the library with thousands of scrolls lined up. The matter wasn't made easier by the fact, Faeries use musical sheets to store knowledge instead of ordinary cookie language.

It was…very overwhelming but not impossible thus she and others fanned out to find a scroll.

Silverbell cookie happily helped others decipher the parts they couldn't read or understand for which she was glad as the task of finding the right scroll was already daunting, it would've been even harder if she had to help others decode.

Her gaze then flicked to Pure Vanilla Cookie who was close to her yet quiet as he carefully read through scrolls with a gentle smile. 

Maybe sensing her gaze, he looked at her as he pointed at the scroll at his hand. “White Lily Cookie, does this not remind you of your youth? Back when it was just the two of us doing research in a sea of scrolls in the Academy? Look, this scroll contains the pomegranate elixir ratio we experimented on back then!”

White Lily Cookie stiffened for only a fraction of a second.

She did remember. The endless nights of research, the quiet hours spent perfecting formulas, the moments where she and Pure Vanilla Cookie sat side by side, immersed in discovery.

But this wasn’t then.

She exhaled sharply, shaking off the flicker of nostalgia. “That’s not what we need to focus on.”

She met his gaze, “We’re here to find a way to counteract the love potion. Not to reminisce about the past. Perhaps you should focus more on finding a scroll on love potion or a scroll with information on it.”

For a brief moment, he simply stared at her. Then, he smiled affectionately. “Anything for you, my beloved.” 

Hollyberry Cookie snorted. “Oh, I love this. This is amazing.”

Golden Cheese Cookie groaned.

Dark Cacao cookie remained quiet as he continued his search. 

Silverbell cookie quietly laughed nervously as he kept his attention to searching the scroll.

Pure Vanilla Cookie, however, paid no heed to others as he set aside the scroll he was reading before and then scanned through other scripts more carefully now.

The others too soon fell into focus again and minutes stretched on with the only sound being the soft rustle of parchment and the occasional murmur from Silverbell Cookie as he helped decipher passages filling the library.

But as the minutes turned to hours, their energy started to wane.

Golden Cheese Cookie, who had been half-heartedly flipping through a manuscript, let out a loud, exasperated groan and dramatically dropped the scroll onto the table. “This is pointless! How are we going to find that specific scroll on love potions? All I have found are useless potion spells that I can't even cast!”

Hollyberry Cookie rolled her shoulders with a grunt. “Not gonna lie, I'm feeling tired too. We’ve gone through a mountain of these things.”

Dark Cacao Cookie, though quieter in his complaints, sighed heavily, massaging his temple.

Silverbell cookie too was looking fatigued as he sat quietly looking at the scrolls he had collected in a bunch.

Only White Lily Cookie remained focused.

She was still carefully reading, determined to find something, anything, that could help. Her fingers ached from turning scroll after scroll, her mind growing heavy under the weight of deciphering endless Faerie script, yet she refused to stop. She couldn't. She needed to. 

She needed facts. 

Knowledge.

Something, anything, that could explain this and give a solution.

She knew how dangerous unchecked magical potions could be so she didn't want to take her chances especially when a very close friend of hers was concerned.

She could hear the tiredness of others in their sighs, see it in the way Golden Cheese Cookie had practically collapsed against the table, hear it in Hollyberry Cookie’s murmured complaints to Dark Cacao cookie who massaged his temples while Silverbell cookie too was starting to get distracted.

But she wouldn’t allow herself that luxury.

Not when a life is on the line.

But before she could turn another page, a voice softly cut through her train of thoughts.

“…I believe I’ve found it.”

White Lily Cookie’s head snapped up.

The others stilled.

Pure Vanilla Cookie stood near the shelves, a delicate scroll in his hands, his expression one of calm certainty.

Carefully, he approached the others and then unrolled the parchment on a nearby table, revealing beautifully inscribed musical notation, interwoven with delicate Faerie script. Though complex, the words were unmistakable.

A comprehensive study on love potions.

White Lily Cookie strode forward immediately, scanning the text with sharp, careful eyes.

A slow exhale left her lips. “This… this is exactly what we need.”

Hollyberry Cookie let out a breathless laugh. “No way. After all this searching, he’s the one who finds it?”

Golden Cheese Cookie looked at Pure Vanilla Cookie, then at White Lily Cookie, then at the scroll. She opened her mouth and then shut it again.

“…You know what? I’m too tired to be mad.”

Silverbell Cookie brightened. “That’s incredible! Let’s see what it says!”

White Lily Cookie said nothing at first. Her gaze flickered up, meeting Pure Vanilla Cookie’s.

He wasn’t smiling teasingly this time.

Instead, his expression was… soft. Gentle. Familiar.

Just for a moment, he looked like himself again.

And that thought startled her more than any of his earlier words.

She quickly shook it off. “Let’s decipher it.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie tilted his head slightly. Then, as if sensing her urgency, he nodded as he smiled lovingly at her.

The others huddled close to the table as they too read the script.

As expected, it first detailed the basic mechanics of love potions.

White Lily Cookie skimmed past the dilution explanation, she already understood that part. The potion didn’t dilute, it blended completely, meaning even a single sip carried the effects of the full phial. 

The next section listed dosages and ingredients.

She barely glanced at it. That didn’t matter right now. They weren’t trying to make one; they were trying to counteract it.

What she needed was-

There.

Her eyes locked onto the next section.

“Effects on the Subject” She uttered.

She paused briefly before reading it. "A potion of the heart does not create love where none exists. Rather, it latches onto emotions already present within the subject, drawing them forth with unnatural strength.”

White Lily Cookie’s grip on the parchment tightened. “Affection, admiration, or fondness, once touched by the potion’s magic, shall be magnified beyond the subject’s control. What was once a fleeting warmth may become an all-consuming fire. What was once quiet admiration may swell into devotion, infatuation, or even obsession."

She stiffened as she continued. “The subject shall find their thoughts consumed by the object of their affection, their will bending under the weight of heightened emotion. The self shall yield, and the heart shall rule above all else."

She stopped reading.

Her breath hitched quietly.

The room fell in an uncomfortable silence as everyone looked at her.

“You always explain things so well,” Pure Vanilla Cookie broke the silence, smiling warmly. “Every word sounds so elegant coming from you.”

White Lily Cookie felt flustered as she refused to look at him.

Golden Cheese cookie, ignoring it, narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, this was fancy words and all, but can someone actually explain what all that meant?” 

White Lily Cookie exhaled slowly, steadying herself before answering.

“The potion doesn’t create love,” she said carefully, keeping her tone clinical. “But it doesn’t need to. It latches onto any trace of positive emotion- admiration, respect, fondness…even if it was barely acknowledged. Then it forces that feeling to grow until it becomes overwhelming.”

She glanced back at the parchment. “The subject loses control over their emotions entirely. Their thoughts become consumed by the object of their affection. They can’t fight it. The potion overrides their will.”

Hollyberry Cookie blinked. “So you are saying-” 

 She hesitated. “A Cookie under the potion’s influence has no say in what they feel.”

Hollyberry Cookie tilted her head. “But it said it doesn’t create love, right? Just… amplifies it?”

White Lily Cookie shook her head quickly. “That doesn’t matter. Even if- I…” She frantically read the text again as her hands trembled. “There must be some way to reverse it…” 

"Counteracting the Effects." She exhaled, reading aloud. "As the potion forces emotions beyond natural limits, its effects may be countered by introducing a stabilizing agent… the key to nullifying the magic lies in precise measurement….too little, and the subject remains afflicted….Too much, and the heart may suffer greatly."

White Lily Cookie froze.

Golden Cheese Cookie narrowed her eyes. "‘Suffer greatly’? What’s that supposed to mean?"

White Lily Cookie didn’t answer.

She couldn’t.

Her hands curled into fists as the words burned into her mind. 

The heart may suffer greatly.

Ignoring the words, she continued reading. “To restore balance to the afflicted heart, a precise antidote must be prepared. The following ingredients are required…” 

Her eyes quickly scanned the list, her heart pounding harder with each word. “Dew Drops, bitter cacao leaves, nectar, Celestine root, bellflower pollen…

Silverbell cookie smiled. “Ah, most of these are available in the Faerie Kingdom's own borders. We can make the cure and fix this in no time!” 

 Hollyberry Cookie let out a loud, triumphant laugh. “Now that’s what I like to hear!”

Golden Cheese Cookie crossed her arms. “Finally, some good news.”

Dark Cacao Cookie gave a firm nod. “Then we should begin gathering them at once.”

Even Silverbell Cookie brightened, already looking eager to make himself useful. “I can get the gathering teams together! We should be able to collect everything by sundow-”

“No.”

The single word cut through their moment of relief like a blade.

Everyone turned to White Lily Cookie.

Her expression was tense, shoulders rigid.

She inhaled sharply, steadying herself before she spoke again. “Not all of them.”

Silverbell Cookie froze. “…What?”

“There are a lot of ingredients which aren't here. They are mostly native to Crispia.” White Lily Cookie clutched her head. “Plant derived powders like Sunfire, Luminium, Astralbind vines can only be acquired from there…and even then these are very rare…finding them would take a long time-” 

“But that means-” Hollyberry Cookie stuttered.

“We cannot make a cure yet…” White Lily Cookie said as she frantically read the scroll further for any loop holes or alternatives.

Golden Cheese cookie groaned, throwing her hands up. “You’re telling me we came all this way, read all these scrolls, and now we can’t even make the cure?! This is ridiculous!”

Dark Cacao Cookie tensed. “Are you sure there are no substitutes that may work?” 

Silverbell Cookie was already flipping through other scrolls in desperation. “Maybe there's another method! Maybe a way to synthesize the ingredients via other potions? Or…o-or maybe a trade route that still has them-”

“No...” White Lily Cookie’s voice was strained, her fingers gripping the parchment so tightly it nearly tore. “These plants don’t have replacements of any kind... They’re essential to the neutralization process. Without them, there’s no antidote.”

Hollyberry Cookie clenched her fists. "There has to be something else! Some kind of alternative! We can’t just- just stop here!"

Dark Cacao Cookie remained silent, but his expression was grim. Even Silverbell Cookie had his head buried in different scrolls, desperately flipping pages in search of anything useful.

Yet White Lily Cookie didn’t hear them.

Her heart pounded in her ears as she scanned, reread, searched- there had to be something.

Something she missed.

Something she could use.

But the words on the parchment remained unchanged.

Her fingers clenched around the scroll, her breathing quick and shallow.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

She had assumed finding the antidote’s recipe would be the hardest part, but what good was it if they couldn’t even make it?

She had to find a solution.

She couldn’t fail.

Not now.

Not again.

Not when-

"White Lily Cookie…”

The gentle voice cut through the chaos in her mind like a gentle breeze.

Pure Vanilla Cookie was watching her, his gaze steady yet patient.

Her breath caught in her throat.

"Are you alright?" Pure Vanilla asked softly, stepping closer. "You've been at this for hours. You look... so worn out."

She forced her eyes to remain on the parchment, refusing to acknowledge him, but the guilt gnawed at her insides. 

The sincerity in his voice struck her with unexpected force. 

She then squeezed her eyes shut, her heart aching. She couldn’t look at him. 

She felt ashamed to acknowledge that for a fraction of a moment, she forgot the overwhelming guilt gnawing at her insides. 

His concern felt so.. natural, so real. For a moment, it almost seemed like he was truly himself, unaffected by the potion's influence.

But then the guilt came rushing back, sharper than before.

He’s not himself. 

This isn’t him.

 It’s the potion…

She opened her mouth to respond but faltered. She couldn’t say anything. She didn’t deserve his concern.

 Not when she couldn’t even help him.

 Not when she was the one failing.

"I… I’m fine," she managed to force out, her voice barely above a whisper. Her fingers gripped the scroll tighter as if it could stop the storm inside her. She felt her shoulders slump slightly. “I just….am missing a few very important plant based ingredients which I…don't know if I would get in time…”

His expression softened. “Please, do not let something this trivial weigh your heart. It pains me to see you so burdened.”

He tilted his head as he smiled. “Why must you worry over an issue which is hardly an obstacle at all for you, my flower?” 

White Lily Cookie blinked, caught off guard by his words. Her heart skipped a beat. My flower? 

Her face flushed lightly, but she quickly shook it off, still focused on the problem at hand. “What…do you mean?” 

“Why, we can simply cultivate the plants you need here and have them, ofcourse.” Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled happily as if it were the most natural solution in the world.

There was a pause.

Golden Cheese Cookie was the first to react. "I- what."

Hollyberry Cookie blinked, exchanging confused gazes with others. “Wait… What is he talking about?” 

White Lily Cookie’s eyes widened.

He smiled. “My dear White Lily Cookie, don't you remember our days at the academy? We didn't always have what we needed for our little experiments! So we simply used the knowledge we had access to, which is merely cultivating our own resources.” 

“Wait,” Hollyberry Cookie asked, fully baffled. “So, you are telling me you can just…grow the ingredients just like that?” 

Golden Cheese Cookie scoffed. “That’s ridiculous! You can’t just make a rare plant appear out of thin ai-”

White Lily Cookie turned to Pure Vanilla Cookie. “But we don't have any seeds…not even samples of them. How can we even cultivate them?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie only smiled, “If one understands the core essence of a plant, it can be recreated,” he said gently, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “We don’t need seeds or samples if we grasp the form, the nature, the properties and compositions within it. We only need to grasp the essence that forms its being, and from there, we can guide its growth.”

White Lily Cookie’s mind raced.

“Can someone even explain what is going on?” Golden Cheese cookie exasperated.

 “But these plants are not even native to Beast Yeast-” She said as she gripped the scroll tighter. “...And from what's written…some of these are very delicate- they aren’t suited for the environment here. The soil, the climate…none of it matches what they need. Not to mention…it may take months to successfully cultivate them even if we harness the essence of them. How are we to-”

Pure Vanilla Cookie simply shook his head, his expression endlessly fond. “You worry too much, my beloved.”

Her breath hitched.

“Magic is an ever-shifting force,” he said warmly. “If the land is not suited to the plant… we simply make it so. Temporary alteration of soil, humidity, and light is an effortless task with the right spell. With proper guidance, the plants should flourish within a day or two, regardless of their usual delicacy.”

Silence followed.

Then-

Hollyberry Cookie ran a hand down her face. “So let me get this straight. Not only can you just grow these super rare plants from scratch… but you can also change the land so they’ll grow instantly?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie simply smiled as he kept his gaze on White Lily Cookie who felt like the world slowed momentarily. 

They had a way forward.

After all the tension, the uncertainty, the fear…they actually finally had a lead to cure him.

And, of course, it was him who found it.

Despite the potion, despite his state, despite everything, Pure Vanilla Cookie was still the one to guide them to a solution.

White Lily Cookie exhaled softly, almost laughing under her breath. It was so like him. Always calm, always kind, always resourceful. Even now.

Of course, he had an answer. He always had an answer.

She knew this. She shouldn’t be surprised.

She had always known he was talented. But sometimes, moments like these reminded her just how much.

He wielded magic so naturally, so gracefully, that it almost felt unfair.

Where others would struggle for years to master something so intricate, he simply… understood.

Maybe… it was the way he looked at her, not in his usual lovesick daze, but with certainty.

And yet, maybe it was the way he said it so easily, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Or maybe it was because, for just a moment, he had sounded like… himself.

The shift was so seamless it left her momentarily unsteady.

Silverbell Cookie, on the other hand, looked almost dizzy and in awe from the sheer revelation of it all. “This is… this is unbelievable.”

White Lily Cookie exhaled slowly, trying to regain her composure. “So… if we study these plants and fully understand their properties, we can use magic to grow them.”

She looked at others as realisation and slight relief budded in her chest. “This…This can actually work.” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie beamed, looking so pleased that she understood. “Yes, precisely! You always understand so quickly, my dearest Queen. It’s one of the things I adore most about you. Truly, your brilliance knows no bounds!”

White Lily Cookie felt her face heat up yet again as she turned away.

Hollyberry Cookie snorted, folding her arms with an amused grin. “Alright, I’ll say it, how is he the one who figured this out first?”

Dark Cacao Cookie, still processing, nodded slowly. “It is… quite impressive.” His gaze flickered to Pure Vanilla Cookie, unreadable. “Despite his current state, his knowledge remains…formidable.” 

Golden Cheese Cookie groaned loudly, dragging a hand down her face as she shot a look at White Lily Cookie. “But are we really going to ignore the fact that he just called her his ‘dearest queen’ like that was a normal thing to say?”

Hollyberry Cookie wheezed. “Oh, I was waiting for someone to bring that up!”

Dark Cacao cookie exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple again.

White Lily Cookie’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as she buried her face into the scroll.

Silverbell cookie caught in between trying to help and resisting his urge to laugh, quickly changed the subject as he raised both his arms in front of him. “S- So uh- which plants do we need to research on first? 

White Lily Cookie eventually took a deep breath, regaining her composure. “Let's just…divide the work to search for a scroll that details the properties so that I can begin the cultivation process.”

Golden Cheese Cookie groaned again, slumping against the table. “More reading? Ugh, great. Just what I needed.” 

Hollyberry Cookie chuckled, patting her on the back with enough force to nearly send her forward. “C’mon, it's not that bad. Where's your patience, oh Divine one?” 

Golden Cheese Cookie shot her a look. “My patience ran out three scrolls ago!”

Dark Cacao Cookie sighed, rubbing his temple. “Whether we enjoy it or not, this is necessary. Complaining won’t make the search any faster.”

Silverbell Cookie, eager to be useful, straightened up. “I will help find the scrolls too! And not to worry, I can help with translating anything in Faerie script! Some of the older texts might be written in different dialects, but I should be able to make sense of them.”

White Lily Cookie exhaled as she smiled weakly. “Thank you.” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie sighed dreamily. “You’re always so graceful under pressure,” He smiled fondly. “No matter how dire things seem, you always manage to stay composed. It is… remarkable.”

White Lily Cookie stiffened as her face heated up again.

Golden Cheese Cookie, who had been rubbing her temples moments ago, finally let out a quiet huff that almost sounded like a laugh. “Okay. No, seriously. How does he keep going?”

Hollyberry Cookie laughed, nudging Dark Cacao Cookie with her elbow. “Right?! I’ve been waiting for him to run out of things to say, but he just doesn’t stop!”

Dark Cacao Cookie exhaled through his nose, closing his eyes briefly as if summoning patience.

Meanwhile, White Lily Cookie practically pressed her face against the scrolls at hand. She inhaled sharply, willing herself to focus.

Now is not the time to get distracted.

Not when they have a solution within reach.

If they worked quickly, if they studied the plants thoroughly and acquired the missing ingredients, they could craft the antidote soon.

Her fingers curled slightly against the parchment. 

Pure Vanilla Cookie is going to be- no…will be fine.

That was all that mattered. That's the only thing she needs to focus on.

They were closer to finding the antidote, closer to fixing this.

That was all she needed to think about.

Everything he said, every look he gave her…it wasn’t him. It was the potion.

That was why she needed to focus. She had to fix this, fix him, before it was too late.

Chapter Text

It took hours of meticulous searching, cross-referencing, and translation, but by the time the last scroll containing the essence of the required plants had been placed on the table and they had everything they needed to proceed, the sky outside had already begun to shift into dark blue hues of sleep. 

White Lily Cookie however still wanted to delve straight into studying the properties of plants and begin the cultivation process.

But before she could even reach for the first scroll, she finally took notice of her surroundings.

Golden Cheese Cookie was sprawled across the table, her cheek pressed against an open scroll, looking more like she had been defeated in battle than someone researching plants. Hollyberry Cookie was stretching her arms, cracking her knuckles, with an exhausted look on her face while Dark Cacao Cookie was rubbing his temples, his eyes closed in what looked like either deep contemplation or the quiet acceptance of his suffering.

Silverbell Cookie, on the other hand, was still sitting upright, but his shoulders were stiff yet curling into himself with a blush at an audible sound of his stomach growling.

The worst part? No one even reacted to it.

It was clear that none of them were focused on the research anymore. They were either exhausted, starving, or both.

Well… almost all of them.

Her gaze flickered to Pure Vanilla Cookie, the only one still fully devoted to the work she had asked of him. His expression was one of serene concentration, his fingers delicately skimming over a page, completely unaffected by the weight of the long hours they had spent reading. 

She inhaled slowly before closing the scroll in her hands.

That was enough for now.

“…Let’s stop here.” Her voice was quiet but firm, and yet, it was as if she had rung a bell in a silent temple.

Golden Cheese Cookie immediately lifted her head. “Oh, finally!”

Hollyberry Cookie stretched her arms over her head with a groan. “I was about to drop if we kept going any longer. I'm starving!”

Silverbell Cookie let out a nervous chuckle, his hands folded neatly in his lap, as if to will his stomach into silence.

Dark Cacao Cookie simply gave a firm nod. “A break is necessary.”

White Lily Cookie sighed as she got up while the others too got up, stretching themselves as they prepared to finally leave.

Yet…

Pure Vanilla Cookie hadn’t moved.

He was still seated, still reading, still fully immersed in his work as if nothing had changed.

White Lily Cookie noticing this, blinked. “Pure Vanilla Cookie?”

He lifted his head immediately at her voice, his expression softening. “Yes?” 

“We’re stopping for now. Don't you want something to eat?” 

“Eat?” Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked at her question, tilting his head slightly, as if he hadn’t even considered it. 

His expression remained serene, unwavering as he looked at her. “Are you certain? If you wish for me to eat, then I shall eat. If you desire me to continue, I shall. If you ask me to stay here and read for eternity, I would do so without question.”

There was a pause.

White Lily Cookie stared at him blankly.

There was no hesitation, no questioning, no nothing.

Her fingers curled slightly.

She had known the potion was powerful, but this level of devotion, this complete disregard for himself…

He wasn’t making choices.

He wasn’t even considering what he wanted.

He was waiting for her to decide for him.

And that…

That was-

“…Okay.” Golden Cheese Cookie finally broke the silence, rubbing her temple with a tired sigh. “This would be a lot funnier if I wasn’t running on an empty stomach right now.” She waved a hand vaguely in Pure Vanilla Cookie’s direction. “But seriously, this? This is getting weird.”

Hollyberry Cookie huffed, shaking her head with an incredulous smile. “No kidding. I don’t know if I should be impressed or a little concerned.” She shot a glance at White Lily Cookie. “You are seeing this, right?”

White Lily Cookie exhaled slowly, pushing down the unease in her chest.

“…Let’s just go eat,” she muttered as she then turned to Pure Vanilla Cookie, who was still seated, patiently awaiting her next words. “That includes you, Pure Vanilla Cookie. Come with us.”

His expression brightened immediately, as if those words alone filled his entire world with meaning. “Of course! If that is what you wish, then nothing could make me happier.”

Silverbell Cookie, who had been quiet, suddenly clapped his hands together. “I-I’ll, um, go ahead and check if everything is set up for dinner!”

He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “All of you must be very hungry. And I mean- after all of this, ensuring a good meal is the least I can do.”

White Lily Cookie glanced at him for a moment before nodding. “…Thank you, Silverbell Cookie.”

He nodded and without waiting for further comment, he turned and headed toward the dining hall ahead of them.

Golden Cheese Cookie stretched her arms above her head with a groan. “Right. Now that that’s settled, let’s eat before I actually pass out.”

With that, they all started making their way toward the dining hall.

White Lily Cookie kept her gaze forward while Pure Vanilla Cookie walked besides her.

Yet, something about it felt…wrong.

Dinner was an…entirely different matter entirely.

The usually lively dinner hall was noticeably devoid of its usual inhabitants with just the food laid out in the grand table. 

White Lily Cookie barely had to glance around to understand why.

The Faerie Cookies were here, but only just. A few of them lingered near the far edges of the room, carefully placing dishes onto the table before swiftly retreating, their gazes kept low including Silverbell cookie who remained quiet as he stood by the others. There was no usual warmth, no playful chatter among them.

They were keeping their distance.

She couldn’t blame them.

Everyone in the kingdom knew. News spread fast, Of course they would give them space. They knew what had happened.

The Faerie Cookies were keeping their distance, not out of fear or unease, but out of guilt. 

She had noticed it in the way they moved, setting down dishes carefully before stepping away, their gazes flickering toward her and the other Ancients before quickly lowering. There was no usual warmth, no playful chatter. Even those who normally served the meals lingered at the edges of the room, hesitant.

She exhaled softly, already knowing that this guilt will last for a while. But just then the sound of approaching footsteps drew her attention.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mercurial Knight approach her, offering a polite yet firm bow.

“Lady White Lily Cookie,” he greeted, his voice even and measured. "I hope the preparations are to your liking," he said smoothly. "I assure you, everything has been prepared with the utmost care." His gaze flickered toward the table. "If you wish, I can personally verify the safety of the meal before it is served."

White Lily Cookie opened her mouth, the instinctive answer of ‘no’ already forming in her lips yet she hesitated as she caught brief glances of her friends.

Golden Cheese cookie, arms crossed, watched over them with barely disguised skepticism while Hollyberry Cookie, although casual in stance, was also watching them carefully. Dark Cacao cookie’s expression remained unreadable however there was a light frown upon his face. 

And then her eyes caught Pure Vanilla Cookie’s face. His eyes closed with a serene expression on his face graced by a calm but unconcerned smile.

She swallowed as hesitation crept.

She trusted the Faerie Cookies. She knew they wouldn’t dare try anything after everything that had already happened.

Yet, it was also exactly the reason why she can't take any risks. Not when the effects of the potion still lingered. Not when the others, no matter how much they tried to mask it, still had their doubts.

She eventually nodded. “That…would be truly appreciated, Mercurial Knight cookie.”

Mercurial Knight nodded, stepping forward without hesitation. “Very well.”

And with that, he reached for the nearest dish with practiced precision, sampling its contents one by one with measured care.

Finally after he was done with the checkings, he stepped back and offered a respectful nod. “Everything is safe. You may dine without concern.”

White Lily Cookie exhaled softly.

Mercurial Knight cookie continued, “Additionally, I wish to inform you that the Faeries responsible for the previous incident have been dealt with accordingly.”

Golden Cheese Cookie perked up at that, raising a brow. “Dealt with how, exactly?”

“They have been appropriately disciplined for their actions,” he replied smoothly. “They understand the severity of what they have done.” His gaze flickered toward White Lily Cookie. “I assure you, nothing of the sort will happen again.”

White Lily Cookie gave a slow nod. “I see… Thank you, Mercurial Knight Cookie.”

He bowed once more. “If you need anything, do not hesitate to call. We will all be stationed by the gates, guarding the hall.”

At his words, the lingering Faerie Cookies who had remained at the edges of the room subtly withdrew along with Silverbell cookie following Mercurial Knight as he took his leave but not before giving a nod.

Silence lingered for a few more moments until Hollyberry Cookie clapped her hand. “Well, that’s that! No use standing around, let’s eat before the food gets cold!”

Golden Cheese Cookie wasted no time, already pulling out a chair with a dramatic sigh. “Finally! If we waited any longer, I swear I would've crumbled.” 

Dark Cacao Cookie gave a small nod before moving to take his seat, while White Lily Cookie hesitated for a brief moment before doing the same with Pure Vanilla cookie following her.

As they all settled into their seats, the tension in the air finally started to ease.

Despite everything, the food was just as exquisite as expected from the Faerie Kingdom’s finest chefs. Each dish was meticulously prepared, the aroma rich and enticing.

Hollyberry Cookie wasted no time in grabbing the nearest dish, already piling food onto her plate. “Now this is what I needed! Nothing like a good meal after a long day of work!”

Golden Cheese Cookie hummed in agreement, though she was already stuffing a piece of juicy jelly into her mouth. “Should've done this ages ago,” she grumbled between bites.

Dark Cacao Cookie, ever composed, picked up his utensils with careful precision. “The food is well-prepared. Let us eat.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie meanwhile took the seat right next to White Lily Cookie as he laid out his plate looking at the foods curiously as if thinking which one he should pick.

Yet, the usual enjoyment that came with such meals felt muted for White Lily Cookie as she found herself merely picking at her food on the plate, her mind too occupied to focus on eating.

The entire day has been nothing short of a wild ride.

She had expected the day to go much more differently than what actually ended up happening.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

Pure Vanilla Cookie had called for this gathering, reaching out to their friends with hope in his words, inviting them to come and see the kingdom for themselves on her behalf, something she was truly grateful for. She had agreed, thinking…hoping… that this would be a chance to clear the air, to finally talk about everything and reconcile with her friends, ask for forgiveness, talk about the beasts, the Silver Tree, her adventure to the Witches' Banquet, Elder Faerie Cookie, her role as a Guardian,…the future fate of Earthbread…everything in details in person. 

It was supposed to be an opportunity to introduce them properly to the Faerie Kingdom, to begin understanding one another again after everything that had happened. 

Instead, everything had fallen apart in the span of a few careless moments.

Instead of discussions, they had spent the day scrambling for answers. Instead of moving forward, they were stuck in an entirely different mess, one that none of them had prepared for and something which was, again, her fault.

It always came back to that, didn’t it?

Her fingers curled slightly against the table.

This was supposed to be her chance to finally fix things, to bridge the gaps between them, to prove to herself more than anyone- that she could still be trusted. That she wasn’t the same person who had once walked away and left nothing but ruin in her wake.

But what had she done instead?

She had let her guard down. She had let this happen.

And now, because of that, Pure Vanilla Cookie was- 

“White Lily Cookie?”

She flinched at the sound of his voice, soft and filled with warmth, pulling her abruptly from her thoughts.

Pure Vanilla Cookie was looking at her, his eyes filled with gentle concern. “Are you alright?”

Her grip tightened around her utensils.

For a second…just a fleeting second- her mind nearly tricked her.

Because this… this felt so…normal.

His gentle concern, the softness in his voice, the way he always noticed when she wasn’t taking care of herself- it was all so painfully, achingly him.

“I am fine.” She responded, almost naturally as her stomach twisted. 

His gaze lingered on her, unwavering, as if searching for something beyond her words.

“…Are you sure?” he asked softly. “You have barely touched your food. You seem troubled.”

Her fingers curled tighter against the utensils in her grasp.

Of course he noticed. He always did. He always does. 

Even now, even under the effects of that potion, he still had that same instinct, to worry about others before himself.

For a moment, she almost wanted to believe in the illusion. To pretend, just for a second, that everything was normal, that nothing had changed, that he was still just… him.

But then, as if to shatter that fragile thought, he smiled.

“If something troubles you, my dear, you only need to say the word. I will do anything to ease your burdens.” He said warmly.

And just like that, reality snapped back into place.

White Lily Cookie inhaled sharply, willing herself to keep her expression steady.

“You should eat something, my love. You’ve been working so hard.” He smiled gently.

White Lily Cookie stiffened at the endearment, her grip subtly tightening around her utensils.

At that moment, she felt the weight the others’ stares without even looking up.

Hollyberry Cookie had paused mid-sip, while Golden Cheese Cookie has frozen mid-bite.

Dark Cacao Cookie, to his credit, remained composed, though the slight furrow of his brows betrayed his internal thoughts.

And then, before she could even think of how to respond, she noticed Pure Vanilla Cookie reaching forward, delicately picking up a small portion of food, his movements careful and practiced, as he moved close, way too close, dangerously close.

“Here,” he said sweetly, holding it up toward her. "You must be exhausted after today. Please, let me feed you.”

She froze.

Hollyberry Cookie choked on her drink.

Golden Cheese cookie’s jaw fell to the floor.

Dark Cacao Cookie simply closed his eyes, exhaling through his nose as if summoning patience.

White Lily Cookie, on the other hand, was utterly frozen.

Her mind went completely blank as she stared at him.

 Her face felt warm… too warm-

“PFFT-” Hollyberry Cookie barely smothered her laugh as she put her hand against the table.

Golden Cheese cookie snorted. “I can't even be mad now, this is just funny.” 

Meanwhile, White Lily Cookie remained stiff as a board, her mind caught in a complete shutdown as it was far too occupied with the fact that Pure Vanilla Cookie was still right there, still holding the food out so earnestly, so close-

She quickly cleared her throat, attempting to wrest away the heat creeping up her face. “That is- that is not necessary, Pure Vanilla Cookie. I can feed myself.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie merely blinked at her words, his expression softening as if she had just said something truly sorrowful.

“Of course you can, my Beloved.” He said gently. “But why should you ever have to lift a finger when I would do it for you so gladly?”

Her entire body tensed.

“Caring for you brings me happiness.” he said warmly, smiling. “Even in something as small as this… so please, allow me this honor .”

Her brain completely stalled.

For a moment, there was absolute silence.

Until, Hollyberry Cookie wheezed. Not a chuckle, not a laugh, a full-bodied wheeze as she smacked a hand against the table, shaking from head to toe. “Oh- oh my- I-” She couldn't even finish her sentence as she wheezed again.

Golden Cheese Cookie threw her head back with a loud cackle, slamming her fist against the table.

"I take it all back. Coming here was so worth it. This is too good!” 

Dark Cacao Cookie exhaled slowly, reaching for his drink again.

Meanwhile, White Lily Cookie was frozen. Completely, utterly frozen, caught somewhere between her mind completely blanking and the urge to run away.

She couldn’t even look at Pure Vanilla Cookie, who was still there, still holding out the bite of food, still gazing at her like she was the only thing in existence.

She could feel every degree of heat crawling up her face.

This was too much.

She could handle the vast unknown. She could handle powerful dark magic. She could handle an entire kingdom’s worth of responsibilities. She could handle death. 

But this? This was impossible. 

She was utterly and completely undone by one cookie with a fork and too much devotion.

Snatching her own fork, she stabbed a bite of food and shoved it into her mouth, chewing it visibly only to make him stop looking at her like that.

“…See?” she muttered once she swallowed, voice barely stable. “I am eating. There is no need for all… this.”

Yet, for some reason, his expression only grew fonder.

"I'm so proud of you," he said gently, as if she had done something truly meaningful.

White Lily Cookie stiffened.

The silence that followed was deafening.

And then Hollyberry Cookie lost it.

A loud, boisterous laugh erupted from her as she clutched her stomach, shaking the table. 

Golden Cheese Cookie clutched her stomach with one hand while the other gripped the table for support as she wheezed out a breathless laugh. 

Dark Cacao Cookie exhaled deeply. He said nothing.

White Lily Cookie, on the other hand, was spiraling.

She needed this to stop.

She needed him to stop.

She needed to ground herself before this spiraled even further.

White Lily Cookie inhaled sharply, barely keeping her voice steady. “I- I appreciate the sentiment, but that…truly wasn't necessary.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie merely blinked at her words, his smile ever present.

“But why wouldn’t it be necessary?” he asked, tilting his head ever so slightly. “My Queen, looking after you is my greatest joy.”

White Lily Cookie froze, her entire face burning.

Hollyberry Cookie wheezed so hard she slapped the table. “I- I can’t- Someone stop him!”

Golden Cheese cookie laughed so hard that she almost fell out of the chair which only made Hollyberry Cookie laugh harder.

White Lily Cookie was barely holding herself together. Her heart was pounding in her ears, her face burning so hot she thought she might spontaneously combust. 

This was beyond anything she had ever prepared for-

She buried her face into her hands, desperately trying to maintain some semblance of composure and block everything out.

She could hear Hollyberry Cookie still wheezing, Golden Cheese Cookie barely breathing from laughter, and Dark Cacao Cookie’s deep exhale of suffering.

And then of course, his voice.

“My flower?” 

She went rigid.

“Are you unwell?” he asked gently.

She said nothing. She refused to move, to react, to do anything that might make this worse.

But then, she felt movement.

Something shifted in front of her.

Then, suddenly, soft hands gently cradled hers.

He was holding her hands.

She ceased to function.

“You are trembling, my dear.” He muttered concernedly. “You are too warm to the touch as well. Are you feverish?” 

She stopped breathing.

“You mustn’t push yourself so much,” he murmured, the worry in his voice achingly genuine. “If you are unwell, then I shall personally-”

White Lily Cookie shook her head rapidly, her shoulders tensing as she turned her red face towards him. “No- no! That is not-” She stuttered.

Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked at her reaction, tilting his head slightly as if trying to understand. Then, his expression softened.

“Ah… I see now,” he murmured.

White Lily Cookie stiffened immediately.

A quiet, knowing smile touched his lips.

“…My love, you are flustered.”

White Lily Cookie sucked in a sharp breath as her entire body locked up. Her face burned so hot she thought she might actually melt on the spot. 

Golden Cheese Cookie made a strangled noise. Hollyberry Cookie slammed her fists on the table as she laughed. Dark Cacao Cookie exhaled sharply.

Pure Vanilla Cookie only smiled, utterly sincere. “The color suits you, my dear. It is quite beautiful on you.”

White Lily Cookie nearly blacked out.

Hollyberry Cookie wheeled around, gripping Golden Cheese Cookie’s arm. “Did he- did he just-?”

Golden Cheese Cookie was wheezing. "HE KNOWS. HE KNOWS!!"

Hollyberry Cookie wheezed violently, clutching her stomach. "I CAN'T-”

Meanwhile, White Lily Cookie’s brain failed her. 

Her vision swam. Her entire body fully locked up as she could feel her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.

“I- I…” Her voice failed her, no coherent thought forming in her mind. 

Realisation hit her like a bunch of bricks as she noticed he was still holding her hands.

Her entire face burned impossibly hotter, and in a flash, she snatched her hands away, nearly knocking over a goblet in the process.

The walls of the dining hall suddenly felt too close. 

The air was too warm. Every nerve in her body was screaming for her to move, to run, to escape.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she barely managed to force words out. “I- I…I need some air,” she blurted out, voice uneven, barely holding onto any dignity she had left.

She shot to her feet, turned swiftly on her heel, and started to stride toward the exit.

Pure Vanilla Cookie straightened up attentively, smiling at her warmly. “May I accompany you?” 

White Lily Cookie whipped around so fast her cape flared behind her. “NO!”

The room erupted in laughter once again.

White Lily Cookie just wanted to vanish.

It took several moments to collect herself as she paced outside near the Silver tree in order to calm herself which drew concerned looks from the nearby Faerie cookies. 

She was aware of their gazes, but none dared to approach. Perhaps they could sense that now was not the time.

She exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest as she forced her thoughts to steady.

That had been…

Too much.

She had handled everything up until now but that…

That had truly undone her.

All of this was impossible. 

Her face was still burning as the blush still refused to leave it.

She let out a sharp breath, willing herself to move past it as she refused to think about it all. She had more pressing matters to focus on….far more important things than her own pathetic state.

She needed a distraction. 

Something to ground her.

The answer came almost immediately.

The cure.

At that moment, she straightened, smoothing out her robes as she turned back toward the library.

Researching the cure would be far more productive than standing outside, drowning in embarrassment.

The library was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of parchment as White Lily Cookie flipped through a scroll.

She was trying to focus.

Truly, she was.

But her mind was a traitor.

No matter how much she willed herself to focus, the words on the scrolls blurred together, her thoughts tangled with everything that had happened throughout the day and at dinner.

She had absolutely no idea how much time has passed.

She exhaled sharply, pressing a hand to her forehead.

This was ridiculous.

She had come here to think, to regain control of the situation but her own mind refused to cooperate.

Every time she tried to concentrate on the scrolls before her, her thoughts strayed elsewhere.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the parchment as she willed herself to focus.

The properties of the plants, the timing of their cultivation, the magical essence required….these were the things that mattered. 

These were the things she should be thinking about.

Not…

Not him.

Not the way his voice carried such adoration, nor the unwavering warmth in his gaze as he looked at her….Not the way he had held her hands-

White Lily Cookie inhaled sharply, shaking her head.

This was absurd.

Pure Vanilla Cookie had always been affectionate. 

He had always been kind. This was simply the effects of the potion making him act on those instincts far more strongly than usual. 

That was all.

…And yet, her face still felt warm.

She exhaled, pressing her fingers to her temples.

It was fine. 

This was fine…

She would focus. She would work. She would-

And that's when a faint sound of footsteps reached her ears.

Her grip on the scroll tightened.

She instinctively straightened slightly, preparing to turn as she grabbed her staff but before she can do anything more, a familiar noise broke through.

“There she is!” Hollyberry Cookie announced, stepping into view with the others right behind her.

Before White Lily Cookie could react, another voice, warm and unmistakably relieved, immediately followed.

“My flower!”

She barely had time to register the approaching presence before Pure Vanilla Cookie was already at her side, gazing at her with overwhelming relief as he sat down.

“Oh, my dearest, we have been searching everywhere for you,” he breathed, his expression soft and devoted. “You left so suddenly… I was worried. Have you been well? Are you cold? Please, if something is troubling you, tell me, and I will do whatever it takes to ease your worries.”

White Lily Cookie felt her composure waver instantly.

Behind Pure Vanilla Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie coughed, though it suspiciously sounded like she was smothering a laugh.

Dark Cacao Cookie exhaled deeply.

Golden Cheese Cookie crossed her arms, raising a brow.

White Lily Cookie, on the other hand, found herself completely thrown off course as a heavy red blush appeared on her face again.

She had barely regained control of herself after the dinner fiasco, and now… this.

She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to respond. “I… I am fine, Pure Vanilla Cookie.”

His gaze remained unwavering, searching her face as if to be sure. “Are you certain? You left in such a hurry, I feared you were upset.”

Her fingers curled slightly at his concern at how completely, utterly genuine it was.

“You know, we have been looking all over the place for you. We were worried.” Hollyberry Cookie continued, placing her hand on her hip. “But can’t really blame you though after…you know.” 

Dark Cacao Cookie stepped forward slightly, his gaze steady. “Are you well?”

White Lily Cookie inhaled slowly as she hesitated for only a fraction of a second before nodding. “I am fine.”

But the way the others’ gaze lingered on her, she could tell that they were unconvinced by her words.

She sighed, shaking her head. “I appreciate your concern, truly. But I came here because…I needed time to think, not to mention there is still work to be done.”

Hollyberry Cookie frowned, crossing her arms. “But you’ve been working all day already... Maybe it’s time to take a break?”

Dark Cacao Cookie nodded. “It is already late. Overexerting yourself will not aid any progress.”

White Lily Cookie hesitated briefly before shaking her head. “The plants must be cultivated as soon as possible. If we delay any longer, we risk losing valuable time since we don't know…” 

She threw a glance at Pure Vanilla Cookie who still looked at her devotedly. “...how a love potion dosage this high can affect a cookie in the long term.”

Silence settled among the group.

Golden Cheese Cookie let out a quiet scoff, arms crossed as she leaned against one of the nearby shelves.

Hollyberry Cookie glanced at her but said nothing before turning back to White Lily Cookie. “So you're staying here?”

White Lily Cookie gave a firm nod. “Yes. The sooner I create the antidote…the better.” 

There was a brief silence as the others exchanged glances.

“Then…may I stay by your side?” Pure Vanilla Cookie stepped forward, breaking the silence, his voice gentle.

White Lily Cookie turned to him almost instinctively as she stilled.

Her fingers curled slightly against the table, her grip tightening just for a fraction as she moved away her gaze for a second.

…Of course.

She should've expected this.

After everything that happened…it's only natural that he would ask.

She inhaled quietly, steadying herself before lifting her gaze to meet his.

“No,” she said, firm but composed. “That will not be necessary.”

“But-” His face softened to an almost sad expression. “I can assist you with anything you need help with! My magic-” 

“I know,” she interrupted gently, though her voice remained steady. “I know that you can.”

Which was why, even if for a fleeting moment….she considered it.

She knew he was one of the most skilled magic users in all Earthbread. His knowledge could be very useful as she knew he was more than competent in researching alongside her. 

His skill in magic was beyond compare. His presence alone would make the process smoother, easier, more efficient, his help could be invaluable. 

Yet…

That was exactly why she could not accept his help.

Not when she needed clarity more than anything else right now. 

Not after everything that had happened today. 

Not when his very presence was the very thing that made it so difficult to think straight.

“I appreciate your offer but I want to do this alone.” She finally said firmly. “I cannot afford any troubles or distractions.” 

“But-” 

“No.” 

Her voice came out louder and sharper than she intended.

Pure Vanilla Cookie flinched, almost imperceptibly yet she saw it, something inside her heart twisted.

She had not meant for it to come out like that.

The silence that followed in the room only made it worse as the air grew heavy.

Hollyberry Cookie’s smile faded into something more neutral. Dark Cacao Cookie’s gaze flickered between them, unreadable. Even Golden Cheese Cookie, who had remained disinterested, shifted uncomfortably.

She exhaled slowly, steadying herself. “I know you mean well,” she continued, quieter this time, but no less firm. “But you need rest, Pure Vanilla Cookie.” 

She looked at others, almost pleadingly. “All of you need some rest.” 

She hesitated for only a fraction of a second before adding, “Please.”

Silence followed.

Then after a few moments, Hollyberry Cookie let out a breath, rolling her shoulders. “Well, you heard her. Let’s get going, everyone.”

Dark Cacao cookie and Golden Cheese cookie exchanged glances with her and amongst themselves before ultimately nodding or shrugging for Golden Cheese Cookie's case and moving towards the exit.

 Hollyberry cookie turned slightly, glancing at the others before fixing her gaze back on Pure Vanilla Cookie as she pressed one of his shoulders. “That means you too, lover boy.”

But Pure Vanilla Cookie didn't move immediately.

He remained seated beside White Lily Cookie, his hands resting lightly against the table, as if unwilling to pull away just yet.

Realising this, she looked towards him.

His gaze lingered on her, warm, yet searching and uncertain, soft yet filled with quiet sorrow. Even as the others began leaving, he remained rooted in place.

For a fleeting second, she hesitated as something within her heart twisted seeing him like that, a quiet part of her wavering as an instinctive urge to reassure him rose but right then, she forced her gaze herself to look away.

The moment she did, Pure Vanilla Cookie's expression withered subtly.

Hollyberry Cookie, noticing this, gave another firm squeeze on his shoulder. “Come on,” Her voice softer. “Let's go.” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie looked towards the Queen Mother of the Hollyberry Kingdom before looking back at White Lily Cookie who still had her gaze turned away before ultimately he nodded and closed his eyes, grabbing his staff as he stood up. 

She heard his quiet sigh, barely audible, before the sound of his footsteps finally moved away from her.

As he and Hollyberry Cookie started walking, the soft rustle of his robes sounded heavier than it should have. His movements were graceful as always, but there was a distinct slowness to them.

White Lily Cookie remained still, her eyes fixed on the scrolls before her. Even as she sensed his departure, even as she could feel his gaze lingering for just a moment longer, she did not turn back.

Not until, she heard the heavy wooden door creaking shut behind them.

And with that, she was alone.

She inhaled deeply, releasing a slow, measured breath as her grip on the scrolls loosened. She had work to do. She had already made her decision.

Yet despite that…

Her chest still felt tight.

The silence of the library settled around her once more, yet it no longer felt the same.

Chapter Text

A gentle breeze drifted through the air, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers whose leaves rustled softly, almost singing a soft lullaby as the blue crescent moon hung from above, gracing it’s soft light over their forms.

Flowers surrounded her path as firefly-like spores danced within them, almost mirroring the dark blue sky filled with countless twinkling stars of the quiet night.

The scene felt familiar, achingly familiar.

White Lily Cookie glanced around the place as she looked at the mesmerizing almost enchanting view. 

And that's when she felt it.

A faint shift in the air.

A presence.

A warm yet achingly familiar presence.

She stopped in her tracks, her breath catching as a deep sense of recognition settled in her chest.

She almost didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

And yet, something within her urged her to look.

She turned slowly as the gentle breeze picked up again, the petals of the flower now flowing along the wind as it cascaded around the cookie standing before her.

Periwinkle eyes, deep with knowledge and wisdom through the ages, met her gaze. He stood tall, adorned in metallic armor that gleamed under the moonlight, his head graced by a spiked jet blue crown, the sharp diamond ornament hooked just above his forehead, its surface glinting with the same colors as the blade he held.

Elder Faerie Cookie stood a few steps away, watching her with calm, knowing eyes. The breeze curled around them carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers once more.

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught in her throat.

"...Elder Faerie Cookie," she spoke at last, her voice barely above a whisper.

“White Lily Cookie.” He greeted back.

She opened her mouth, but then no words came.

For a moment, neither of them spoke as the night stretched around them, quiet and unmoving.

“You are troubled.” Elder Faerie Cookie said finally, breaking the silence.

“I…” White Lily Cookie hesitated.

“The path you take is uncertain…yet you have continued forward to achieve what you sought, your heart remaining restless.” 

She stiffened slightly.

A breeze stirred between them once more, the petals swirling slightly faster now.

“Your dream of building a world of peace and harmony for all cookie kind, you can build such a world here…if you stay here and guard the tree with me that is…” He closed his eyes as he pressed his hand against his chest.

The petals around them swirled faster. The flowers starting to lose their color.

“So…please… stay.” He looked at her pleadingly.

Her breath hitched, her fingers twitching at her sides.

The wind curled around them, colder now. The flowers that had once been vibrant in color were beginning to dull, their petals curling slightly at the edges.

Elder Faerie Cookie’s gaze however did not waver as he remained still. There was no anger in his gaze, no resentment nor bitterness…only quiet understanding and patience that made something inside her chest constrict.

The petals in the air drifted faster, the color of the flowers fading from their once-vibrant hues into something duller, weaker.

She opened her mouth yet…

Nothing came out.

The words tangled in her voice, refusing to form.

She wanted to say something….anything- to reach out, to give him an answer, to take a step forward-

Yet the moment she tried to move, she realized-

She couldn’t.

Her body would not listen.

She was frozen in place.

Her breath turned shallow as an unsettling weight pressed against her, invisible yet suffocating, rooting her to the spot.

The wind curled around them once more, restless, weaving through the wilting flowers as the petals swirled in the air, carried by the wind almost as if it waited for her to speak, waiting for her to act.

But she remained still as her voice and body betrayed her.

Elder Faerie Cookie’s expression remained calm, her gaze holding her for a moment longer, patient and unwavering.

But then slowly, the light in his periwinkle eyes dimmed.

His features softening into an unreadable expression.

The petals that once danced around them withered mid-air, dissolving into nothingness as they drifted past. 

He exhaled, lowering his gaze and head.

The wind grew colder, weaving through the flowers, tugging at their frail petals, scattering them into the air like fleeting echoes of what once was.

Elder Faerie Cookie’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly, his eyes fluttering closed.

A hush fell between them for the briefest moments before right then, a gust of strong wind surged between them.

It coiled around him, swirling faster, colder, weaving through the wilted flowers, stirring the fallen petals into the air. The vibrant warmth that once filled the space twisted into something hollow, a silent storm of faded remnants dissolving into nothingness.

The light of the crescent moon dimmed above them, the world around them blurring at the edges as the colours dimmed into muted grays.

The wind howled as the cold surged between them, wrapping around Elder Faerie Cookie, pulling at the edges of his form. His figure flickered, growing fainter with each passing second, as if the very world itself was swallowing him whole.

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched, her fingers trembling as she watched the storm consume him.

She wanted to scream, to say something-

But the sound never came.

The words strangled in her throat, crushed beneath the weight pressing against her chest.

Tears welled up in her eyes as her pulse pounded in her ears, her body screaming at her to move, to break free, to reach for him before it was too late.

But she couldn’t.

Her legs refused to carry her forward, her arms locked at her sides even as every part of her ached to do something- to stop this from happening.

Elder Faerie Cookie’s form blurred and flickered , pieces of him breaking apart into fragments, dissolving like petals carried by the storm.

Her breath came faster, shallow, frantic.

“No- Please-” 

As her fingers stretched toward him, the howling storm reached its peak, her words barely escaped before his form was torn away completely in that very instant along with the storm as all faded into darkness with only a purple shimmering residue surrounding her.

White Lily Cookie stood there, her outstretched hand still reaching into the void, trembling, the faint shimmer of violet dust drifting through the air, like the remnants of something lost, something she could never take back.

Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, her pulse a frantic rhythm in her ears.

Her throat tightened, a raw ache forming deep within her.

A cry tore from her throat, echoing through the silence, raw with desperation.

But there was no answer.

No one left to hear her.

Her knees buckled beneath her, her body giving out as she collapsed onto the unseen ground, hands pressing against the emptiness, grasping at nothing.

She had done it again.

She had let him fade away.

She had let him go.

Just like before.

Her breaths came shallow and unsteady, her hands curling into fists as her nails dug into her palms. If she had just moved, if she had just spoken-

If she had just stayed.

Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes, slipping down her cheeks as a choked, broken whisper left her lips.

Cold and darkness pressed against her from all sides, heavy and suffocating. The faint shimmer of violet dust was all that remained, swirling gently in the air around her until, slowly, it began to change.

The deep purple shifted, softening, the edges curling into something lighter. The shimmer pulsed faintly, like the dying embers of a flame, before gradually its hue melted into a soft blue.

She didn't notice it at first as she continued to wipe her tears off until she noticed it, her breath hitching.

The soft blue shimmer pulsed once, twice, the light flickering like a quiet heartbeat in the void.

Her tears still kept slipping down her cheeks, her fingers twitched slightly as she wiped her damp cheeks, her vision adjusting to the light as it began to shift.

The soft glow swirled, gathering in front of her, growing brighter yet never harsh. The air around her lightened, no longer heavy with despair, but instead carrying something softer, something… familiar.

A glow she knew.

The familiar form of light she had experienced-

The shimmer wove itself together, its shape shifting, forming a flicker of glow within the heart of it, shining as a soft beacon like the embers of a fire in a cold foggy winter night.

Her fingers twitched at her sides, a deep part of her yearning to reach out, to…touch, to hold, to understand.

The glow rippled, shifting, molding itself into something more defined. The vague shape of a figure emerged, its edges blurred yet unmistakably familiar.

Her heart pounded as the radiance swirled and settled, lines becoming clearer, the silhouette gaining form.

A gentle presence that carried warmth even within the void.

The glow pulsed once more, soft and steady, before it finally took shape.

A figure stood before her, bathed in a warm, golden radiance that softened the darkness around them.

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught in her throat as the light settled, soft robes edged with golden embroidery, a staff held loosely at his side, and gentle, knowing eyes that gazed at her with quiet warmth.

Pure Vanilla Cookie stood there, standing out against the abyss in an almost ethereal glow, watching her with a tender yet unreadable expression.

Her fingers curled against the ground, her body still trembling, breath uneven as she struggled to process the sight before her, her mind clouded.

Yet, he smiled at her warmly, extending his hand toward her, his fingers open and waiting.

His smile was gentle, soft, unhurried, warm.

The warmth of his presence reached her, cutting through the lingering cold, the suffocating weight pressing against her chest.

Her gaze flickered from his hand to his face, uncertainty flickering within her.

For a moment, she hesitated.

Her hand trembled as she lifted it, fingers hesitant, uncertain, almost afraid.

And yet, the moment her fingertips brushed against his palm, warmth spread through her like a quiet ember, chasing away the remnants of cold that had seeped into her very being.

A sharp breath left her lips as a feeling she could not quite place surged through her.

His smile softened as he gently pulled her up.

For a moment, they simply stood there.

Then, slowly, Pure Vanilla cookie stepped closer, his fingers never releasing hers.

And before she could fully process it, he began to move-

A slow, gentle movement, leading her into a quiet rhythm.

White Lily Cookie inhaled sharply, startled by the sudden shift, but her body instinctively followed, her fingers curling slightly against his hand, the other finding it's way to rest lightly against his shoulder. 

A dance.

It was slow, unhurried, their steps gliding across the unseen space as if they were weightless. The air around them carried a faint warmth, the glow surrounding them shifting and swaying with their movements.

Neither of them spoke.

There was no need for words.

White Lily Cookie barely noticed how easily she followed his lead, how her feet moved without thought, carried by the warmth of his presence.

The soft blue shimmer swayed with them, dancing alongside their steps, trailing in faint, shimmering traces like fireflies in the night.

For a moment, the ache in her chest softened.

For a moment, the suffocating weight of loss faded, if only just a little.

Her gaze flickered up, meeting his.

His eyes, soft and warm, held no judgment, no expectation…only quiet understanding.

Her grip on his hand tightened slightly.

As if sensing her thoughts, Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled, a quiet, knowing smile that held something she could not quite name.

The warmth lingered between them, his fingers still loosely entwined with hers.

For a moment, she basked in it as she closed her eyes as they twirled around.

When she opened her eyes back, she saw something.

A flicker.

Barely noticeable at first- just a faint shimmer in the glow that surrounded him, like a candlelight wavering against an unseen draft.

White Lily Cookie's steps faltered.

The warmth of his fingers, steady and real only moments ago, felt… lighter. As if the weight of his touch was slipping through her grasp.

Her breath hitched.

Pure Vanilla Cookie continued to lead the dance, his movements as graceful as ever, unbothered, as though nothing had changed. His golden robes still shimmered softly, his gentle smile unwavering.

Yet…his form flickered again, the edges of his silhouette blurring, dissolving into scattered traces of blue light.

White Lily Cookie's chest tightened.

Her fingers instinctively curled around his hand, gripping just a little tighter, as if that alone could tether him here. 

As if that could stop whatever was happening.

Her movements faltered, their dance starting to come to a gentle halt, her grip on his hand tightened instinctively, but he did not seem alarmed.

Instead, he simply smiled at her again, soft, reassuring as he then visibly flickered. 

Pure Vanilla Cookie then stumbled suddenly, his movements growing weaker, his steps faltering. His fingers twitched faintly in hers, as if attempting to hold on.

White Lily Cookie barely had time to react before his weight shifted forward, his steps faltering beneath him. Without thinking, she reached out, her arms catching him just as they both sank to the ground together.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie!” Her voice was sharp with alarm, her hands instinctively grasping onto him, holding him steady against her.

He didn’t resist.

Instead, he leaned into her hold, his head resting lightly against her shoulder. His breath was soft, barely even there, his warmth flickering against her like a fading ember.

White Lily Cookie’s hands trembled as she tightened her grip, as if anchoring him there, as if willing him to stay.

But he was flickering again.

His form wavered in her grasp, the soft blue shimmer around them pulsing with each fleeting second, the light that composed him growing thinner, fainter.

“No.”

Her arms moved on instinct, pulling him closer as her breath hitched.

“No, no, no- don't- please-!”

Her voice broke.

She hugged him tightly, her hands gripping onto his back, desperately trying to hold onto him.

This was so familiar. 

So achingly familiar.

For a fleeting moment, she saw Elder Faerie cookie in her arms as he spoke his final words before knighting her as the new Guardian.

No- 

Tears welled up in her eyes, her heart pounding wildly as she pulled him closer on impulse.

His form flickered faster now, his body was weightless now, more light than form, fading- and fading-

“No-” Her voice cracked, raw with desperation, her vision blurring with tears which streamed down her face.

He, however, gave her a sad yet comforting smile as his hands gave her a gentle squeeze.

She clutched him closer, arms wrapping around him fully, pressing him against her as if she could shield him, as if she could keep him from vanishing altogether.

His breath was a mere whisper against her shoulder, his presence as light as drifting petals in the wind.

And then- 

His form wavered one final time.

The last remnants of him unraveled into soft, glowing embers, slipping through her grasp like grains of sand.

White Lily Cookie gasped sharply as his warmth, his very presence, dissolved in her arms, the last traces of him slipping away between her fingers, leaving nothing but empty air where he had just been.

“NO!” 

She clutched tighter, but there was nothing left to hold.

Nothing but silence.

Nothing but the fading shimmer of blue light, vanishing into the void.

White Lily Cookie remained frozen, her arms still wrapped around the empty space where he had been.

Her breath came in shallow, uneven gasps, her mind struggling to grasp the absence, the unbearable silence where his warmth should have been.

The glowing embers that once formed his presence flickered, dimming, fading, vanishing one by one into the void.

Gone.

Her hands trembled as they clenched into fists, grasping at nothing, at the lingering traces of a presence that no longer existed.

Her chest tightened, a hollow, suffocating ache spreading through her, threatening to consume her whole.

This couldn’t be real.

It couldn’t be happening again.

It wasn’t supposed to-

A choked, broken breath escaped her lips as the weight of it all crashed down on her at once.

She clutched tighter her arms tighter, but… there was nothing left to hold.

Nothing but silence.

Nothing but darkness as the fading shimmer of blue light finally vanished into the void.

Her breath caught in her throat, her trembling fingers curling uselessly around the empty space where his warmth had been.

“No…” Her voice came out as a whisper at first, fragile and breaking.

Her vision blurred, her hands shaking as they reached forward- desperately, hopelessly, grasping at-

 Nothing.

Her voice shattered.

“PURE VANILLA COOKIE!!”

A sharp gasp tore from White Lily Cookie as she jolted awake. 

She sat up abruptly, heart hammering, her hands clenched into the scrolls scattered on the table.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell where she was. The edges of her vision were blurred, her breath coming in ragged gasps, tears welled up in her eyes, trickling down her face. A cold sweat clung to her skin, her fingers trembling as they dug into the parchment beneath them.

And then as her vision cleared, she noticed all the scrolls scattered across the table, with the dim candle light flickering at the edge as it reached its end, beyond it, a cool, bluish glow filtered in through the nearby sugar-glass window, casting faint patterns across the wooden table.

As her breathing steadied, she became aware of the soft morning light seeping into the room, stretching across the scrolls and parchment, illuminating the ink-stained words she had been reading before sleep had taken her in-

The Faerie library.

She must have fallen asleep here at some point.

Her gaze drifted toward the sugar-glass window, where the sky beyond had shifted into a soft, blue hue marking the beginning of dawn.

Her eyes lingered there for a moment, before returning to the table where all the scrolls seemed even more disorganised than she left them before. Even the pile of scrolls handed to her by the librarian Faerie cookie as she insisted she helped remained disheveled.

That wasn't real…that was all a dream.

None of it was real.

She exhaled shakingly as her fingers brushed over the parchments, moving them at times almost to control the chaos of what was on her table.

The library was fully quiet, the silence pressing in around her. It was the kind of quiet that usually provided her comfort and peace as all remained undisturbed with not even a droplet of sound but right now, it failed to.

She gazed at the scrolls again.

She was here to research the core essence, wasn't she? 

That's the reason why she spent the night combing through texts, until she had gained all the scrolls and knowledge needed to initiate the cultivation process. 

Yet…

She had failed again, hadn't she?

White Lily Cookie didn’t even glance at the side of the table as she already knew what lay there.

She had spent the entire night researching, determined to find the answer, to piece together what she was missing…yet- 

No matter how many times she had tried, no matter how carefully she had followed the texts, the results remained the same. 

The core essence would not grow.

The carefully measured extracts, the delicate arrangements, the meticulous application of everything she had studied… none of it had worked. 

At some point, sleep must have overtaken her, before she could even clear away the evidence of her failure.

Failure.

The word lingered in her mind, her fingers curling around the old parchments, crinkling them.

How many times had she told herself that this time would be different? That this time, she would succeed?

She had told herself she wouldn’t stop. 

That she wouldn’t rest until she had found the answer. And yet-

When the time came, she fell asleep. 

She had slept when she should have been working.

She slept.

How could she? 

How long had she been out? An hour? Two? More?

How could she have wasted time when she didn’t have any to waste?

How could she let herself drift into sleep when she didn’t even know what was happening to him?

She squeezed her eyes shut, inhaling sharply.

But it wasn't just this, was it?

This was simply one of many failures in her long, endless line of them.

She had always truly so incapable, hasn't she?

She had always been a failure, hadn’t she?

Failure, after all, was all what she achieved in life.

She failed to change the world on her own.

She failed her duty as one of the five heroes. 

It was because of her, thousands of innocent lives were lost in the Dark Flour War.

She failed as a hero.

She failed as an ally.

She pushed away her friends…she left them behind….she hurt her friends.

She spoke so coldly to her own closest friends.

She had taken their…his words for granted.

She treated them…him so harshly when it wasn't even his fault….

She abandoned him in his greatest hour of need.

She…-

She failed as a friend.

Her vision blurred as more tears welled up in her eyes.

“So….please…stay.”

Her breath caught in her throat, a quiet shudder running through her, making her hug herself.

She had always pushed away others.

She chose her ambitions over companionship, pushing away people who cared about her.

Even people like Elder Faerie cookie who had cared deeply for her and acted as a mentor…

Even the friends who had stuck with her through thick and thin-

She had always taken them for granted.

She had always brushed aside their warmth and concern to walk along her path.

She had been ready to abandon them for that very path. 

She kept failing them, over and over again.

Yet- 

Pure Vanilla Cookie gave her a sad yet comforting smile as his hands gave her a gentle squeeze, his form dissolving into the endless void.

Even when everyone else gave up, understandably so, he didn't give up on her.

He never gave up his faith in her.

Even when she kept creating bigger messes, he always reached for her.

Even in her dreams, he had still reached for her.

Even as he faded, he still smiled.

Just like he always did.

Ever since they were students, he had always protected her…he had always believed in her….even though she was always caught up in her own world, causing problems for her friends.

Even then, he had said everything was fine with a warm smile on his face. 

Why was he always like that?

Why was he so….forgiving? 

She inhaled sharply, pressing her hand to her forehead.

She had been so frustrated. So exhausted.

She hadn’t been thinking- no, that wasn’t true. She had been thinking, but she had let her emotions get the better of her.

She had spoken so sharply to him.

She could still remember the way he flinched at her.

She had told herself that she was only trying to set boundaries yet-

Hadn’t she always done this?

Hadn’t she always turned away from him at his every proposal to stay a bit longer? 

Hadn’t she always pushed him aside?

Back then, she told herself it was for the greater good and she was simply doing what needed to be done.

Yet now…?

She had treated him as if he had done something wrong. As if he had chosen this.

When he hadn’t.

When he had never done anything but care for her despite the potion.

The way he had looked at her with such unwavering adoration… The way he had reached for her without hesitation, the way he had spoken her name like it was the only thing that mattered-

Even if it was the potion talking, even if it wasn’t real, it wasn’t his fault.

None of this was his fault.

A lump formed in her throat as fresh tears flowed down her face.

How many times had she spoken to him like that even before the potion thing?

How many times had she dismissed his kindness? 

How many times had she ignored his concern, brushed aside his words, acted as if he was nothing more than an obstacle in her way?

How many times had she made him feel like he didn’t matter?

Like she didn’t care?

She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her fingers against her temple.

She had never meant to hurt him.

Yet she has done so…continued to do so- continues to do so.

She stood up finally, smoothing the crinkles in her dress as she moved forward. 

She had spent so long thinking that if she just kept moving forward...if she just worked harder- she could fix things.

That she could undo the damage she had caused.

But no matter how far she walked, no matter how much effort she poured into her work, the past still clung to her like a shadow.

She had spent so long trying to outrun it…trying to bury her regrets beneath new goals, new ambitions, new responsibilities.

Yet here she was, standing in the Faerie Library, drowning in the weight of her own choices.

Pure Vanilla Cookie had never wavered in his kindness, even when she gave him every reason to.

Even when she had broken nearly everything between them in her pursuit of knowledge-

He was still here.

Even now, after everything, she could still hear his voice, warm and unwavering, in the back of her mind. 

"No matter what happens, you will never be alone.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

She had never deserved such unwavering faith.

But…

Was it wrong that she wanted to?

Was it wrong she wanted to be someone worthy of that kindness? 

Someone who wouldn’t take it for granted?

She had spent too long convincing herself that distance was the answer. That if she just focused on what needed to be done, everything else would fall into place.

But that wasn’t true.

Not when it only left behind more hurt.

Not when she had seen the way he looked at her, not with anger, not with resentment, but with a quiet understanding look, even when she had pushed him away.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

She wouldn’t run from this.

She took a slow breath, steadying herself as the library’s exit came into view.

She had spent so much time avoiding this.

Avoiding him. 

Avoiding the guilt.

Avoiding the problem.

Just like she had so many times before, without realizing how deeply it must have hurt.

She couldn’t undo the past. 

She couldn’t erase the pain she had caused. 

But she could start making things right.

For her best friend.

For him.

For the friend who had always believed in her, even when she had given him every reason not to.

That's what he would have done for her.

She won't dwell on her failures, not when she has wasted this much time already. 

She had to try again.

She will retry the cultivation process and she won't stop until she finds the antidote.

She reached the threshold of the library gate, as she gently pulled it open, the cool morning air hitting her head on along with the scent of flowers in the air, giving her the fresh air she truly needed.

The next time, she meets him, she will make things right.

But just as she stepped forward, something caught her eye.

Petals.

So many delicate petals filled the space before the gate, blanketing the ground in delicate layers of white as they were scattered across the ground in delicate clusters, as if the wind itself had woven a path for her to follow.

A gentle breeze stirred them, lifting a few into the air before letting them drift back down gracefully.

She slowly raised her gaze, noticing more petals extending beyond the threshold, down the two short steps leading from the library’s entrance. And as her gaze followed them, tracing the path they created, she caught the hem of a familiar dress.

She gasped softly.

There, amidst the petals nestled among his feet and clinging onto the hem of his dress, stood-

 “Pure Vanilla Cookie?” 

He stood at the foot of the stairs, his hands delicately cradling a bouquet of white lilies, a gentle warm smile gracing his face. 

"What…is all…this?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. “What…what are you doing here?” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie shifted slightly, adjusting the bouquet in his hands as he climbed one step of the stairs, closing some distance between them.

“I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted softly. “Not when my heart longed to see you again.” His gaze, tender and unwavering, met hers. “So… I came here, waiting for you all night and I…”

He pressed his hand against his chest. “I couldn’t bear the thought of your feet touching the cold, unkind ground," he murmured, his voice laced with quiet warmth. "So I laid these petals… to make your path gentler.”

White Lily Cookie’s lips parted slightly, but no words came as she stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. Her gaze darted between the delicate flowers at her feet and the quiet sincerity in his eyes.

“You…” She swallowed, her voice nearly lost. “You were waiting here for me all night…?”

"Where else would I be," he said, his voice quiet yet unwavering, "if not where my heart leads me?”

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught in her throat at his words.

She shook her head slightly, trying to gather her thoughts. “But…You…- Why…I-” 

She stuttered. “...if you wished to see me then why didn't you simply come visit me? Or even send a word?” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie took another step. “For I didn't want to disturb or trouble you.” 

His smile softened. “I did not wish to wake you from your slumber.” 

She blinked as a faint blush warmed her face. “How did you know I was-” 

She quickly shook her head, pushing the thought aside. “You shouldn’t have stayed out here all night, Pure Vanilla Cookie.” She said, her expression softening. “You should have been resting. Your body is still under…” 

She paused. “You shouldn't be exhausting yourself like this.” 

He tilted his head slightly as he merely smiled at her. “And yet, I would do it again without question.” he said without hesitation. “If not for you,” he asked gently, “then who?”

Her heart skipped a beat as she struggled with her words.

She put her hand over her chest, lowering her gaze briefly before looking at him again, her expression softened. “And…that worries me.” 

She paused momentarily.

"You still have our friends," she said after a moment, her voice softer now. "And the Faeries who have welcomed you here. You do not need to chase after me all the time, Pure Vanilla Cookie.”

“You need to take care of yourself, too.” She continued. “Why not spend time with the others? Our friends? You can find something to occupy yourself with. Our friends…they care about you. And the Faeries, too. They’d love to share their stories, their music. You could walk the gardens, spend time in the glen… finding some solace away from always waiting by my side-”

She looked into his eyes gently. “There are many things you can do. You have so much around you. ” 

 She paused, “I know you feel drawn here, and I do not take that lightly. But that is why I worry about you. I worry you might lose yourself, or worse… hurt yourself… You shouldn't always have to exhaust yourself to chase after me.” 

She hesitated for a moment before speaking again, her voice softer now.

"Promise me, Pure Vanilla Cookie," she said, searching his eyes. "Promise me that you'll take care of yourself… that you won’t wear yourself thin for me. Promise me that you’ll rest when you need to and you won't exhaust yourself to prioritize anything over your own well being.” 

There was a brief moment of silence between the two.

Pure Vanilla Cookie gaze remained warm, his gentle smile deepening.

Then, as if the words had already been resting on his lips, he spoke softly.

“If my heart finds peace in your presence… then how could I ever call this exhaustion?"

White Lily Cookie felt her breath hitch.

He took a step forward as he gazed into her eyes.

“My Queen…” He said tenderly. “Time stops and eternity begins when our eyes meet…”

A soft breeze stirred between them, lifting the petals at their feet, but she hardly noticed. The only thing she could focus on was the quiet intensity in his gaze, the sincerity in every word he spoke, his gaze held hers, steady and sincere, and for a fleeting moment, she forgot what she had been trying to say.

“I could visit the Faeries,” he mused gently, “and listen to their songs and stories… but I know I’d only find myself wishing you were there to hear them with me. None of their songs would soothe me as your voice does,” he continued softly. 

“I could walk through the gardens,” His voice filled with a quiet warmth, “but the flowers there don’t make my heart feel the way you do. None of the flowers would compare to the one standing before me now.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie took another slow step forward.

“I could stand beneath the grandest trees, yet none would offer the same shelter as your presence… I could look upon the stars, but even they could never outshine the light you bring to my world.”

White Lily Cookie’s breath wavered.

“I could spend my days with our friends, listen to their stories, their laughter… but no matter where I go, my thoughts would always return to you.”

He tilted his head as he smiled softly. “My queen, look at me.” 

White Lily Cookie exhaled a breath she didn't even know she was holding as she looked towards him.

“Can you hear the leaves rustle and whisper? Can you hear the dew drops sing?” He asked tenderly.

He moved closer.

“I could look upon the sky, count every star, chase every sunrise… but I would always find myself seeking your light instead.”

He took another step forward, merely inches apart from her. 

“My flower, my wind, my queen…” His expression softened, as he whispered tenderly. “Lilies will always bloom, only for you, as long as we're together.” 

White Lily Cookie stopped breathing.

Then, just as softly as he had stepped forward, he slowly leaned forward, closing the last bit of space between them.

She barely registered the movement of his hands between them, barely noticed the soft weight pressed against her fingers….until she realized she had already taken it, the bouquet resting in her hands.

Pure Vanilla Cookie remained close, his face only inches from hers, his gaze warm, the world around them felt quieter somehow, as if the very air between them had stilled.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, slowly, Pure Vanilla Cookie exhaled, his smile softening just a little. With quiet care, he stepped back, just enough to give her space, just enough for her to breathe.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie…” She breathed, her mind still trying to catch up with everything that had just happened.

The warmth of the bouquet in her hands felt so real, the petals so delicate against her fingers. Her heart was still unsteady, as if struggling between reason and something far less…certain.

She should say something. Anything.

She exhaled, lowering her gaze slightly, staring at the bouquet, as if searching for an answer in the white petals. “You still haven’t… answered me,” she said, finally lifting her gaze to meet his again.

Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled innocently.

“If I must promise to rest,” he said softly, “then will you promise me something as well?”

She blinked. “What?”

He leaned forward just slightly, just enough for his voice to drop into something almost like a whisper.

“Promise me you will allow yourself to be happy and be true to your heart.”

White Lily Cookie stood there, her breath caught in her throat as her cheeks felt vaguely warmer.

“…You should rest, Pure Vanilla Cookie.” she said finally, voice quieter than before.

Pure Vanilla Cookie’s smile didn’t waver, but there was something gentler in his gaze now, something…knowing. He let out a quiet chuckle, tilting his head ever so slightly.

And just like that, he turned, the soft light of dawn catching the edges of his robes as he began to walk away.

She didn’t stop him.

Not because she didn’t want to, not because her heart ached in ways she didn’t fully…. understand- but because she knew she needed this moment to herself.

She remained there at the library steps, standing still, the world around her distant, muffled, bouquet still in hand, Her gaze lingering on the path he had taken, even long after he had disappeared from sight.

The petals beneath her feet stirred with the wind.

After a long moment, she exhaled finally, as she turned back toward the library.

There was still work to be done, after all.

 The familiar hush of the library greeted her, the scent of parchment and aged scrolls surrounding her as she made her way forward.

She returned to the table where she had spent hours poring over texts, the very spot where she had tried again and again to bring life to something that simply refused to grow.

But now was not the time to give up, was it?

The bouquet remained in her hands until she set it down carefully beside her notes, fingers lingering over the petals before drawing away.

Her gaze swept over the disorganised table before she exhaled and reached for the side of table where she kept the planters in which she tried to cultivate the plants and utterly failed at.

And that's when she noticed it.

Her heart skipped a breath as she softly gasped.

This… This couldn’t be right. 

She had tried. 

She had tried so many times. 

Nothing had taken root.

Nothing had sprouted.

She knew she had failed.

She…she saw it.

She was sure of it.

Yet the planters where once there had been only dry soil and her failure….now held small, delicate saplings.

She stared at them for a long moment before slowly, hesitantly, she reached out, fingertips brushing against a tender leaf. The soft green curled slightly at her touch, warm and full of life.

This…this wasn’t possible.

Hesitantly, she reached out again, this time not touching the leaves, letting her magic unfurl just slightly, just enough to brush against what remained.

It responded in kind- it was gentle and …warm, subtle yet…quiet unlike her own but undeniably strong.

It was so faint that it was almost imperceptible.

This wasn't hers.

Her breath stilled.

Realisation dawned on her slowly.

For a long moment, she simply stared at the saplings before her gaze lifted to see the bouquet on the table, the petals resting against the scattered notes, soft and delicate.

She stared at it for a long moment.

Without quite knowing why, she felt something in her chest- something quiet, something warm, something quite…unfamiliar.

Something she didn't quite know what to name.

Chapter Text

Morning passed in quiet diligence as White Lily Cookie tended to the saplings, careful to ensure their growth remained steady.

She had been checking on them meticulously, adjusting where needed, be it soil, humidity or temperature, ensuring nothing threatened their survival as even if she knew they were thriving and would continue to do so even without her interference, she couldn't bring herself to leave them too soon just for safety measure.

The library had transformed from a place of study to a place of refuge which White Lily Cookie, at that point, didn't want to leave.

Yet even then, Silverbell Cookie had not allowed her to forgo breakfast, even when she strongly expressed her desire to simply skip it.

 She had been begrudgingly forced to sit and eat within the library when she had refused to leave the vicinity due to her unwillingness to step away from the delicate saplings.

It wasn't until noon that she realised how much time had passed. 

And that's when she knew she had to step outside for once as she can't remain here without raising concern and attracting unnecessary attraction towards her- something which she didn't want.

Thus, she found herself walking towards the dining hall where lunch is to be served, even if she didn't really feel hungry and was going only to maintain a sense of normalcy.

As she entered the dining hall, the usual hum of conversation was noticeably subdued. 

She was early, it seems, as the Faeries Cookies were still organising plates on the tables.

Her gaze swept through the room out of habit, noticing the cookies engaging in quick chats while setting the table, cleaning and doing their chores. It was then that her eyes landed on a familiar lone figure sitting alone at a table, hands wrapped around a tea cup with steam still coming off of it.

She smiled as she approached the King of the Dark Cacao Kingdom.

“Dark Cacao cookie,” She greeted, with a smile. “I thought I might be the last to arrive but it seems not everyone is here.” 

He lifted his gaze, his piercing eyes meeting hers as he regarded her for a brief moment before offering a slow nod. “Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie are still resting in their individual quarters.” 

He took a measured sip of his tea before setting the cup down with a quiet clink. “Yesterday has been quite… taxing.” 

“Ah, I see.” White Lily Cookie offered a gentle, understanding nod. “I suppose we all need our rest after such a day,” she said quietly, her voice betraying a lingering weariness.

And yet, even as the words left her mouth, a realization struck her, her expression shifting ever so slightly making her glance around the hall. “Wait… where is Pure Vanilla Cookie?”

Dark Cacao Cookie frowned. “I assumed he was with you.” 

White Lily Cookie stared at him. “He was not. I haven't seen him since…”

Since-

She paused for a moment, her eyes widening slightly. “We need to find him.” 

Dark Cacao cookie stood up as he casted his tea aside and without a word, both of them set off to search for him.

White Lily Cookie’s heart pounded, her pace quickening as she and Dark Cacao Cookie strode through the halls.

Where could he be? 

Pure Vanilla had always been an early riser he would…should have at least stepped out for breakfast, for fresh air, for something.

She took a breath.

He…he was fine this morning, wasn't he? Surely, she wasn't that distracted by him to not notice- 

Her steps faltered instantly as she caught sight of a group of her Faeries Cookie knights passing by,their laughter light hearted as they conversed amongst themselves.

She turned towards them. “Excuse me,” She said quickly, grabbing their attention, “Have any of you seen Pure Vanilla Cookie this morning?” 

The group paused as they looked amongst themselves confused, their mirth fading. “...No, we haven't, my lady.” One of them said on the others behalf.

White Lily Cookie pressed her lips together, nodding before briskly moving on. 

That was only one group. 

There were plenty others to ask.

There are still places to check. 

It was most probably just nothing.

She was just overthinking-

Pure Vanilla Cookie must be fine somewhere.

He had to be.

Beside her, Dark Cacao Cookie remained silent, his trained eyes scanning his surroundings as they strode forward but even he couldn't fully mask the faint crease of worry forming in his brow.

As they crossed the halls, entering the common garden area, where White Lily Cookie’s pace quickened as urgency slowly blossomed in her heart.

She noticed a few Faerie cookie’s tending to the flowers and then quickly strode up to them, Dark Cacao cookie following her. 

“Did any of you see Pure Vanilla Cookie?” She asked, her voice firm but laced with growing worry.

One of the attendants hesitated, glancing at the others before shaking her head. “The one with a pointed hat? No, your majesty. We’ve been in the gardens all morning. We haven’t seen him.”

White Lily Cookie inhaled sharply, nodding quickly before stepping away. 

He wasn’t here.

She barely wasted a second before moving on, panic slowly budding in her chest.

Where could he have gone?

Her thoughts churned, retracing everything she knew about him…his habits, his routines, the places he might go if left alone. He wasn’t the type to simply disappear without a word, not unless…

She shook the thought away before it could fully form.

No one here had seen him.

The Faerie Kingdom was vast, but it wasn’t so large that someone as distinct as Pure Vanilla Cookie could simply vanish without notice. 

That fact alone gnawed at her more than she cared to admit. If he wasn’t with the others, hadn’t passed through the dining hall, and wasn’t in the gardens… then where?

He wasn’t the type to go wandering aimlessly, especially after everything that had happened…

She shook her head, forcing herself to stay level-headed. Panicking wouldn’t help him.

She needed to think.

Dark Cacao Cookie walked beside her in silence, his expression unreadable, though the way his gaze sharpened and flickered toward every passing hall spoke volumes. He was assessing, searching just as she was.

White Lily Cookie exhaled slowly, eyes darting between doors and passageways. “If he isn’t in the gardens, and no one saw him leave the halls… then-” 

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Could he be near the Silver tree or…” She looked at Dark Cacao cookie. “Perhaps in the library…? Or the other wings??” 

Dark Cacao Cookie studied her for a brief moment before speaking. "You know this kingdom better than I do. Where would he go if left to himself?"

White Lily Cookie swallowed, her mind racing. 

She should know, shouldn't she?

She had spent years by his side, long before they held the responsibilities of the cookie world. She knew his habits, his ways…his tendencies.

If he wasn’t where he should be, then there had to be a reason.

He wouldn't just disappear. 

Even under the effects of the potion.

Her mind worked quickly, retracing her steps, retracing his.

Would he have gone back to the library?

It…made sense. 

The library was the last place he had seen her, the last place where she had seen him, a place where he could think she would be. If he woke up, it could make sense that he visits it thinking she is still there.

Or…

“I cannot afford any troubles or distractions.” 

“For I didn't want to disturb or trouble you.” 

She lowered her gaze thoughtfully.

If he had taken her words to heart before, then… what if he had gone there now?

Her fingers curled tightly at her sides.

The Silver Tree.

She often seeks solace beneath it's ancient branches, letting it's presence ground her when her thoughts became too tangled.

It is….possible that he might have gone there in the process of either searching for her or-

“...And the Faeries, too. They’d love to share their stories, their music. You could walk the gardens, spend time in the glen… finding some solace away from always waiting by my side-”

The Faerie cookies.

She had encouraged him to spend time with them. 

Perhaps… he had taken that to heart?

He already has showed that he takes her words to heart…especially after the potion thing…he stayed outside the library the whole night to respect her wishes…

Maybe… he had wandered toward the Silver Tree, hoping to speak with the Faeries or learn more about their ways, just like she suggested.

White Lily Cookie swallowed, her mind racing. 

Or…maybe he simply went for a walk.

That, too, would make sense. The Silver Tree was the most peaceful place in the kingdom, a place of quiet reflection, placed right at the heart of the kingdom. It was a great place for having a walk. But not just the Silver Tree, even the Courtyard was ideal for a walk.

She inhaled sharply. 

"If he wanted peace and quiet, the library would be the most likely place. But…" She hesitated. "He also… but he could have gone to the courtyard... Or near the Silver Tree."

Dark Cacao Cookie gave a firm nod. "Then we shall search both. Time is not on our side. The library and our quarters are the only places I know well within this kingdom. I will search them thoroughly. You take the gardens and the Silver Tree. I’ll retrace the paths we’ve already walked as well. We will cover more ground if we split our efforts and seperate."

White Lily Cookie hesitated only briefly before nodding. “That’s a good plan. If either of us finds him, we should notify the other immediately.”

Dark Cacao Cookie met her gaze, nodding in agreement. “Understood.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode toward the library, his purposeful steps fading as he disappeared into the halls.

White Lily Cookie took a steadying breath and turned toward the path leading to the Silver Tree. Even as she moved through the winding paths of the Faerie Kingdom, unease pressed down on her, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Her mind raced as she passed through courtyards and open halls, stopping briefly at each point to see around herself to spot him and then call him, her eyes scanning every corner, every quiet space where Pure Vanilla Cookie might have wandered or might be just there. 

Her gaze swept the areas, searching for any sign of him. 

Her breath hitched as she kept moving, glancing around in growing desperation. “Pure Vanilla Cookie?” she called, her voice steady despite the apprehension lacing it.

Yet… 

Only silence answered her.

No matter where she looked, along the flower-laden paths, beneath the shade of the silver trees, or among the trickling fountains, there was no sign of him.

The more places she searched without finding Pure Vanilla Cookie, the more the pit in her stomach grew.

Her heart pounded harder, frustration and worry intertwining as she turned sharply, her gaze suddenly falling on an oblivious passing Faerie cookie attendant carrying a small basket of flowers in their hands.

She immediately walked in front of them without hesitation, making them look upto her with a smile. 

“Excuse me but have you seen Pure Vanilla Cookie?” She asked quickly.

The cookie however blinked at her question before throwing her a confused look. 

“The one with an orchid flower staff?” They asked meekly.

“Yes.” White Lily Cookie insisted, a flicker of hope rising in her chest. “Have you?” 

The attendant paused for a second and then shook their head. “No, I'm afraid not, my liege.” 

Her heart sank as she swallowed down the lump forming in her throat, forcing herself to remain composed.

She forced a nod. 

"I see… Thank you.” She murmured before stepping away immediately, barely sparing another glance at the attendant.

Maybe he simply wandered elsewhere… she tried to reason with herself desperately.

She must be overthinking. Nothing was wrong.

There were still places to look.

Surely, he must be resting somewhere in the gardens, basking in the sunlight as he so often did, or perhaps lingering beneath the Silver Tree, looking for her or bantering with the faeries like she suggested or perhaps just gone for a walk- 

She just hasn't found him yet.

She didn’t realize how tightly she had clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms, her steps growing faster instinctively, barely registering the beauty of the Faerie Kingdom as she moved through its grand halls.

None of it mattered.

All she could focus on was the tightening in her chest, the pounding of her heart, the gnawing unease creeping into every corner of her mind.

She had stopped countless times along the way, calling out for him and speaking with every Faerie cookie she encountered on her way- from a faerie cookie adjusting floral arrangements…. to another arranging delicate silver trays for an afternoon gathering…to a pair of knights standing at attention by an archway…

Each time, she asked.

Each time, she hoped.

Yet-

Each and every time she approached, the response was the same. 

A pause. 

A shake of the head.

 A polite but firm indication that they hadn’t seen him.

No one had.

No one knew where he had gone.

And with each passing moment, her unease deepened, settling like ice in her veins, morphing something dangerously close to panic. Her steps grew quicker, almost frantic now as she turned a sharp corner, approached the Silver Tree.

The moment she stepped into the area, the gentle hum of voices reached her ears, making her slow her pace on instinct.

A small group of Faerie Cookies was gathered beneath the tree’s sprawling branches, singing a soft, melodic prayer. The sound was serene, almost sacred, blending into the rustling leaves above them.

White Lily Cookie stood there for a moment as she looked at the tree’s radiant, tall branches and leaves swaying in the gentle wind. 

The light filtering through the leaves cast a tranquil glow over the gathering, dappling the ground with shifting patterns. It was a peaceful sight, one that, for a brief second, felt at odds with the storm raging inside her.

But the moment passed as quickly as it had come.

For she had no time to admire the scene.

She forced herself to move, her gaze scanning the base of the Silver Tree, searching, hoping, dreading. Every breath she took felt heavier, every beat of her heart louder as she stepped forward. 

There was no sign of him.

Her hands curled into fists.

No….

She refused to believe he wasn’t here. He had to be.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie?” she called out, her voice barely rising over the gentle hymn that wove through the air.

But no answer came.

Her pulse pounded in her ears.

She called again, louder this time, the edge of worry slipping into her voice yet-

Still nothing.

A cold sense of unease coiled tighter around her chest, making her step further beneath the tree’s vast canopy, her eyes sweeping over the pristine stone paths, the benches nestled beneath the arching branches, the soft patches of flowers growing in clusters at the base of the great trunk.

Still, no sign of him.

A sense of wrongness swelled within her, suffocating, pressing against her ribs like an iron weight.

Her gaze flicked toward the singing Faeries Cookies gathered beneath the boughs.

Their voices wove together in a gentle, harmonious melody, their words flowing like a quiet river beneath the tree’s sprawling branches. The sound was delicate, reverent, a prayer carried on the wind.

She hesitated, torn between urgency and the unshakable feeling that she shouldn’t interrupt.

But time was slipping away.

She swallowed, hands clenched at her sides, forcing herself to speak loudly. “Excuse me.” 

The Faerie Cookies however didn’t hear her as they continued their hymn in quiet harmony, lost in their reverence.

Her chest tightened, hesitation creeping in once more before she drew a sharp breath.

She couldn't afford to wait.

“Excuse me!” she called out again, louder this time, her voice cutting through the hymn like a sudden gust of wind.

The Faerie cookie’s song faltered, their voices wavering into silence as they turned towards her, some blinking at her while others exchanged uncertain, startled glances along with confused and perplexed looks.

However, White Lily Cookie barely noticed.

White Lily Cookie stepped forward, the weight of her urgency pressing against her ribs. “Have any of you seen Pure Vanilla Cookie?”

She took another step, her voice barely concealing her worry. “The one with a pointed hat? The one with an orchid staff?” 

For a moment, silence stretched between them, save for the rustling leaves above.

The Faeries exchanged brief, quiet uncertain looks amongst themselves before some of them shook their heads at each other.

One of the cookies turned towards her, as they finally spoke. “No…we haven't, your majesty.” 

She felt a knot in her stomach. 

“Do you know where he could be…?” She asked, desperation slightly leaking into her tone.

The Faerie cookies however once again exchanged glances amongst themselves before shaking their heads.

She exhaled sharply as she forced herself to nod before murmuring a quick ‘thank you’ and turning on her heels.

She didn't care to look at the worried and confused glances they threw at her back, put her hand over her mouth, her mind racing.

He isn't here either. 

Where could he be??

She has searched every possible place he could've been. 

She even visited place where he usually lingers- 

He was fine… wasn’t he?

There was no reason to assume otherwise…Pure Vanilla Cookie had seemed well when he left her-

And yet…

No one has seen him.

No one even knows where he is.

Potion or not…Pure Vanilla Cookie was not the type to simply disappear without a trace-

Her breath hitched as she quickened her pace, her thoughts spinning faster than her feet could carry her. The possibilities gnawed at her mind, each one worse than the last.

Had he truly been fine this morning? Or had she only told herself that because she wanted it to be-

Her breath came quicker, her mind racing through every moment from that morning.

She had seen him that morning. She had spoken to him. 

He did come off as…affectionate this morning but she just charted it up to it just the potion but had it been…?

Now…now that she thought about it- was that really all it had been?

Had it only been the potion? 

There had been something…different about him this morning.

A sudden thought occurred to her.

Had the potion had some terrible effect on him while she wasn't looking…?

Her breath caught in her throat.

The high dosage of the potion was already unpredictable and risky…

What if it was getting worse?

Or…

Her breath hitched.

What if something had happened while she was tending to the saplings?

Was that why he was still missing? 

Was that why she hadn't found him?

She forced herself to take a slow, shaky yet steadying breath, clutching her hands together but it did little to quiet the rising panic threatening to consume her, her heart still pounding against her ribs. 

She had been so preoccupied with tending to the saplings, so focused on ensuring their survival, that she hadn't even considered checking on him-

She had turned away, burying herself in her work, without even a second thought.

She hadn't even thought of checking on him.

A sharp pang twisted in her chest.

She exhaled, trying to push the feeling down.

She knew the potion’s effects weren’t fully gone…what if-

What if something had happened to him while she had been searching in all the wrong places?

She quickly shook her head, forcing herself to push those thoughts away.

She had to think rationally- 

Dark Cacao Cookie was still searching.

He had planned to revisit the areas they had already checked, as well as the library.

Maybe… maybe he had already found Pure Vanilla Cookie. 

Maybe they had crossed paths, and they were on their way back just now.

That…that must be it. 

That must be why Pure Vanilla Cookie wasn't anywhere she looked.

Yes… that had to be it.

It was the only explanation that made sense.

He must have already found him in the library, and they must be on their way here.

Any moment now, she would see him, safe and sound, walking beside Dark Cacao, as if all her panic had been for nothing.

Pure Vanilla Cookie was safe.

She exhaled shakily, trying to steady herself, gripping her hands together as if to ground herself in the thought.

He must be safe.

And at that very moment, out of the corner of her eye, she saw it.

A figure donned in a familiar slate gray armor, their dark dull violet cape swishing from behind, walking towards her from the distance. 

Her breath caught.

Dark Cacao cookie.

He was returning.

A rush of hope surged through her veins, her heart leaping at the sight. 

He was coming back. 

He must have found Pure Vanilla Cookie!

Her vision blurred with sudden relief, her legs moving before she could think. She surged forward, nearly stumbling in her haste, eyes scanning past Dark Cacao Cookie-

But… there was no one else.

The hope that had filled her chest so completely shattered in an instant, the relief that had lifted her like a breath of fresh air twisted into something tight and cold.

Dark Cacao Cookie was alone.

Her steps faltered, slowing as cold unease seeped back into her limbs.

Her throat felt dry.

This wasn't right.

Her pulse pounded as she forced herself to keep going, pushing past the tightening in her throat.

As Dark Cacao Cookie neared, the stern lines of his face became clearer. There was no relief in his expression, only the same hardened expression he always carried.

He stopped before her, silent, his dark eyes unreadable.

White Lily Cookie swallowed against the lump forming in her throat.

“Dark Cacao cookie,” she asked, her voice slightly wavering, barely holding the desperation lacing her words. “Did you find him?” 

Dark Cacao Cookie didn’t answer immediately.

That alone made her stomach twist.

The seconds stretched unbearably long, each one tightening the grip of fear around her heart.

Her voice came again, quieter this time, almost pleading.

“…Where is he?”

Dark Cacao Cookie exhaled, his gaze steady but heavy, as if weighing his words before he spoke.

“I searched the library and the other quarters,” he said at last, his voice firm yet low. “There was no sign of him. I couldn't find him.” 

No-

The ground felt unsteady beneath her feet, her pulse hammering as fear surged back with a vengeance.

No, no, no, no, no-

This wasn't supposed to happen.

They were supposed to find him.

 He was supposed to be safe.

But he wasn’t. 

He was still missing.

Her breathing hitched, quick and shallow. She tried to focus, to think, but the world felt like it was closing in, her pulse roaring in her ears.

Where could he be?

They had looked everywhere now. The gardens, the halls, the courtyard, the library, the Silver Tree-

He was nowhere.

Pure Vanilla Cookie was nowhere to be found. 

No one had seen him either- 

A sharp tremor ran through her hands.

She had been so focused on finding a cure, on making sure everything else was in order, on keeping everything together-

But she hadn’t made sure he was okay.

She had left him alone.

A strangled breath slipped past her lips, her fingers gripping at her arms as if to hold herself together, but it was no use.

Despite knowing the risky predicament he was in due to the potion, she had left him alone. 

She had abandoned him when he was at his most vulnerable…when she knew, she knew, that the love potion was still affecting him, that his heart and mind weren’t his own.

She clutched her hair as she started taking shallow, sharp breaths.

How could she have been so careless?

How could she have let this happen?

She inhaled sharply as the memories from the morning resurfaced.

He waited for her all night. He had smiled at her so tenderly…had spoken to her in a way that left her unable to find her words…had looked at her as if she were someone sacred- 

Even now, she could hear the gentle lilt of his voice, the quiet sincerity in every word he had spoken-

And despite all that…

She had left him.

She had abandoned him when he needed her most.

She left her best friend at a time he needed her more than anything. 

Like always.

Her breath hitched violently, a sharp gasp escaping as her hands trembled. The world around her blurred, her heartbeat hammering in her ears.

What if… what if he had collapsed somewhere, all alone?

What if they were already too late? 

What if he-

A sharp, broken breath escaped her.

What has she done?

“This…” She let out a sharp, trembling breath, her vision swimming as the tears she had been holding back finally spilled over. “This is my fault-” 

Dark Cacao cookie’s expression softened. “White Lily Cookie-” 

“I shouldn't have left him alone,” she choked out, her voice breaking. “I should've checked on him…I should've watched over him-” 

“White Lily Cookie…” 

Her breath came in short, sharp gasps, panic tightening its grip around her lungs. “What if something has happened to him? What if he's hurt or-” 

A pair of strong hands grabbed her shoulders, startling her. The weight of the touch grounded her, forcing her eyes up to meet Dark Cacao Cookie’s, who looked at her firmly.

“You must not lose yourself to despair,” he said, his dark eyes steady, unwavering. “Now is not the time.”

“But-”

“No.” His grip on her shoulder was solid, steady. “Panicking will not solve anything.” 

A choked noise escaped her, a fresh wave of tears blurring her vision. “But- I…-”

His voice was quieter this time, but no less firm. “If you blame yourself, you will only waste the time we have to find him.”

She stared at him, her lips trembling, her breathing still uneven.

Her chest still heaved with uneven breaths, but slowly, she became aware of the world beyond the panic suffocating her.

The world around her, which had collapsed into a spiral of fear and guilt, suddenly widened again.

Blinking through her tears, she became aware of the figures standing at a distance.

A small crowd of Faeries cookies had gathered, their expressions painted with concern. Some stood frozen, uncertain, while others exchanged worried glances. She could hear their hushed whispers, but not their words, just the weight of their unease pressing against her own.

The sight made something twist sharply in her chest. She had been so consumed by her own panic that she hadn’t even noticed.

Had they been there this whole time? Watching her unravel?

The realization sent a fresh jolt of shame through her, and she reflexively took a step back but then weaving through the crowd, a familiar white haired cookie emerged, stepping forward.

“White Lily Cookie?” Silverbell cookie called out concernedly, worry etched in his features. “What's wrong?” 

Dark Cacao cookie turned to them and then glanced at her as if expecting her to respond. 

But she didn't. 

She parted her lips, but the words wouldn’t come.

She couldn't think. 

How could she possibly explain?

How could she tell them that, despite all her efforts, despite everything she had done to hold things together, she had still failed the one responsibility which mattered most?

Her throat tightened painfully.

After a few moments of silence, Dark Cacao cookie exhaled, glancing past her as he looked at the Faeries cookies.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie is missing.” His voice, though calm, carried a weight that made the air still. 

For a moment, silence hung in the air, but then the murmurs started. A ripple of voices and whispers of confusion and concern spread through the gathered Faeries cookies, one turning to another as hushed words were exchanged in hurried tones.

“What?” Silverbell Cookie asked, his voice a little sharper than usual, eyes wide in disbelief. “What do you mean he’s missing?”

Dark Cacao Cookie’s gaze remained steady. “No one has seen him since the morning.” 

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Silverbell cookie, however, spoke again. “...he hasn’t been seen at all today?”  

He glanced quickly at White Lily Cookie, who was still trembling, her face pale, still drenched in anxiety. “Are you certain?” 

Dark Cacao cookie glanced at White Lily Cookie for a moment and then back at them. 

“Yes.” He answered. “We need to find him immediately.” 

The gathered Faeries hesitated. Their gazes flickered between one another, uncertainty lingering in their silence. Some shifted on their feet, while others cast quick glances toward White Lily cookie, as if waiting for confirmation.

She, on the other hand, felt their stares like a weight, pressing down on her chest, squeezing the very air from her lungs.

Her hands clenched at her sides until she just hugged herself with them. 

She wanted to speak, to say something, anything-

But the words wouldn’t come.

Her throat tightened.

She had no explanation to give. No excuses.

This was her fault.

She took deep breaths, casting her gaze down and away from the Faerie cookies as she couldn't bear to meet their eyes, couldn’t face the silent questions lingering in them.

The silence stretched, thick and unbearable.

Until, Silverbell cookie straightened up, taking a step forward as he gave a nod to Dark Cacao Cookie.

“You heard him.” He said firmly as he turned to the gathered Faeries.

“Notify Mercurial Knight cookie at once. Every Faerie cookie in the kingdom must be informed. Search every garden, hall, tree and corner of the kingdom. Leave no place unseen!” 

At his words, the hesitation shattered, a murmur of acknowledgment rippling through the crowd as they swiftly moved into action.

Some turned immediately, dashing off without question to carry out his orders, some took to the air, their wings beating as they scattered in different directions while a few lingered for a few more moments, their gaze flicking towards Dark Cacao cookie and White Lily Cookie until they too hurried away.

Silverbell Cookie watched them all for a brief moment before turning back, his expression softening as his eyes set on White Lily cookie.

“We will find him,” he assured her. “Please don't worry.” 

With that, he gave a quick nod to Dark Cacao cookie again before he flew away to another direction.

The garden fell into an uneasy stillness once more. 

But White Lily Cookie barely noticed, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

Even though the search had begun… her legs still felt unsteady, her hands tightening around herself as if that alone could hold back the overwhelming tide of guilt pressing against her chest.

Dark Cacao Cookie remained by her side, silent. He did not move to leave, nor did he press her to speak. Instead, he watched her carefully, his steady presence grounding despite the chaos surrounding them.

Then after a brief moment, he spoke, his voice quiet yet firm, “We will find him.” 

She closed her eyes briefly, inhaling shakily, as looked at her side. “I just- I…we…checked everywhere he might be…” 

Her voice faded, uncertainty creeping into her tone as her hands clenched. “I don't understand…” She said shakingly. “The gardens, the library, the Silver Tree… Where is he? where else can he possibly be…?”

She trailed off, her words faltering as she struggled to piece together the current reality, a deep sense of helplessness filling the silence.

Dark Cacao Cookie stayed silent for a moment, his eyes on her as he tried to piece it together. Then, in his steady, measured tone, he asked, “Are you sure we checked everywhere?”

Her gaze shifted to Dark Cacao Cookie, as she blinked at him in confusion, almost not registering at first. 

The question felt almost… absurd.

She had checked every place that mattered. Every place she could think of.. 

They had covered it all.

She had checked everywhere.

She left no place in the kingdom unchecked.

Hadn't she?

She searched his face for any hint of doubt, but he remained unflinching.

She could feel her pulse quicken, her mind racing, still unsure as to why he'd ask so. Nothing seemed to add up-

She opened her mouth to respond, but the words didn’t come. Instead,her thoughts suddenly slowing as if the pieces were just beginning to fall into place. It was as though the answer was just out of reach, something she should have thought of earlier, but hadn’t as something nagged at the back of her mind.

Was she missing something? 

If so, what was she missing? 

For a long, tense moment, she stared at him, unable to shake the feeling that something had slipped past her. And then, it clicked.

No…

Dark Cacao Cookie took a step forward. “We haven't checked his quarters yet…have we?” 

“No…” Her breath hitched, her syrups draining from her face. “...We have not.” 

They both looked at each other for a moment before without a word, both of them turned and bolted, their feet pounding the ground in unison as they sprinted toward Pure Vanilla Cookie’s quarters.

White Lily Cookie’s world blurred around her, heart pounding as each frantic beat echoed the growing terror clawing at her chest. 

It felt so obvious now- so painfully obvious.

How had she not thought of this sooner?

How could she have overlooked something so simple? So crucial?

Guilt pressed against her ribs like a vice, tightening with every step. She had been so certain…so convinced she had searched everywhere. She had let the panic consume her, let her own fears cloud her mind, and now-

She couldn’t even finish the thought.

Her breath came fast and shallow, her legs burning with the effort of keeping pace with Dark Cacao Cookie. But she didn't slow, couldn't slow.

Her fingers curled into fists, her grip on her staff tightening as they neared their destination, her pulse thrumming violently in her ears. 

Please, let him be alright.

Please.

Please.

Please - 

As they turned a sharp corner, the door came in sight, closer with every step.

The hallway blurred around her, her focus narrowing to that very door at the far end. Each pounding step felt heavier, yet she couldn't move fast enough.

It was right there.

Her pulse roared in her ears, drowning out everything else as she approached it.

But then as they needed, she saw it. 

The door was not closed. 

It was slightly… ajar.

She felt her breath hitch.

Without hesitation, her body lurched forward before she even realized she was moving, her legs numb beneath her.

Dark Cacao Cookie reached first. He didn’t slow, didn’t hesitate- his hand pressed against the wood, pushing the door open in one swift motion.

White Lily Cookie barely had a second to register it swinging wide before her eyes landed on what lay beyond.

And her breath caught.

There, lay a figure on the mattress of the softly lit room with curtains half closed, casting muted shadows across the floor.

Her pulse roared in her ears as she took in the sight before her, her body frozen mid-step.

The room felt suffocating, the world seemed to blur around her as her gaze remained fixed on him, her legs frozen.

The faint glow of the daylight barely reached him, almost as if the dimness of the room itself refused to touch him fully. His face looked pale, his golden locks slightly disheveled against the pillows.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie…" Her voice cracked as it escaped her lips, barely a whisper, as she saw his unmoving form.

A sudden tightness gripped at her chest as reality crashed down on her.

“PURE VANILLA COOKIE!!!” 

Chapter Text

White Lily Cookie didn’t think.

Her body moved on pure instinct, her feet propelling her forward before she could even process it.

Dark Cacao Cookie stood at the archway, his expression unreadable as his gaze settled on Pure Vanilla Cookie’s unmoving form, his grip on the doorframe tightening. But White Lily Cookie didn’t notice. Her entire world had narrowed to the figure lying far too still before her.

In a heartbeat, she was at his side, stumbling and falling to her knees beside the bed. Her trembling hands hovered over him, unsure whether to shake him, to touch him, or to wake him.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie…!" Her voice cracked, her fingers hovering just above his shoulder before pressing against him. He felt too still, too fragile beneath her touch.

Her breath came in short, uneven gasps as her hands pressed against his chest, searching desperately for the rise and fall of his breath.

She couldn’t tell at first. His golden hair splayed out across the pillow, his eyes closed, his face pale in the dim light of the room.

 Her pulse pounded violently in her ears, drowning out every other sound.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie…” She shook him gently, her hands trembling, but his eyes stayed closed, unresponsive beneath her touch. "Pure Vanilla cookie, please-”

Her shaking got more urgent as her heart thundered in her chest. "Pure Vanilla Cookie, please wake up! Please-” 

But he didn't stir. 

Didn't even shift-

Her chest tightened painfully, an awful dread coiling in her stomach.

Her breath hitched as her shaking grew more frantic, her hands pressing against his arms, his shoulders, fingers clutching the fabric of his robes even cupping his face as she tried to stir him awake.

Yet, still nothing-

No, no, no, no, no-

This wasn't right.

All of this was wrong. 

Why wasn't he waking up??

What has happened to him?

He always woke up so easily-

He was a light sleeper- he always had been. 

Back in the days of their academy studies, even the smallest whisper of his name had been enough to pull him from sleep. Even now, a hand on his shoulder or even a gentle nudge would make him always blink awake, smiling in that soft, warm way of his. 

Her mind spiraled, frantic and breathless. 

Was this an effect from the potion? 

Had she miscalculated its potency? 

Had the potion drained him beyond exhaustion, beyond what his body could handle?

A fresh wave of panic crashed over her, the air in her lungs turning thin. 

Had she been too late? 

Tears pricked at the edges of her vision, blurring the dimly lit room as Pure Vanilla Cookie remained unmoving.

What has happened to him? 

Her fingers curled into his robes, clutching them tighter as she shook him again, her voice breaking. “Pure Vanilla cookie, please- wake up! Just- just open your eyes!”

She was shaking too much to stop the tears slipping down her cheeks, her panic blinding her to everything else.

“Wake up, wake up, please wake up!!!!” She cried, choked and uneven, her trembling fingers placed against his cheek. 

Tears continued to slip down her cheeks, trailing hot and fast as her breath came in uneven sharp gasps. Her hands continued to shake violently as they cupped his face, her thumbs brushing over his cheeks in a desperate attempt to rouse him.

 She tried to steady herself, tried to push back the panic threatening to consume her, but it was useless.

“Wake up…” Her voice broke, barely more than a whisper now. “Please- just wake up…”

All of this was her fault.

A broken, choked sob tore from her lips, her body wracked with tremors as she clutched at him desperately. Her fingers curled tighter into his robes, gripping them so tightly it hurt.

If only she had been more careful-

if only she had paid closer attention and observed him better- 

If only she didn't leave him alone-

If only she had stopped it sooner-

“I'm sorry,” she gasped, her voice cracking as she pressed her forehead against his shoulder. “I'm so sorry-”

Her shoulders shook violently, breath coming in rapid, shallow bursts. The world around her blurred, distant and meaningless. The only thing that mattered was the too-still form beneath her hands, the terrifying silence where his voice should have been.

She had done this.

She should have saved him.

This was her fault.

A strong hand pressed against her shoulder.

“White Lily Cookie…” 

Her entire body curled in closer, pressing against him as if the warmth of her own trembling form could somehow bring him back. “I shouldn't have-” 

The words caught in her throat, strangled by another sharp sob. “I should have been there. I should have noticed sooner-”

“White Lily Cookie-”

“This is all my fault.” She shook her head, tears falling freely now, staining the mattress and pillow below. “I have been so preoccupied with the plants that I…I didn't even check up on him-” 

“He's just asleep-” 

She stiffened, her sob caught mid-choke.

Slowly, she lifted her head, her tear-streaked face turning toward him, eyes wide and uncomprehending.

“Look…” Dark Cacao cookie pointed. “He is breathing normally.” 

For a moment, all she could do was stare at Dark Cacao Cookie, her mind still trapped in the spiral of her panic, unable to process his words.

Slowly, she followed Dark Cacao Cookie’s gaze, her tear-filled eyes lowering toward Pure Vanilla Cookie’s chest. 

At first, she didn’t see it. The dim light of the room, the haze of her panic…everything blurred together, her mind refusing to process anything but the terrifying stillness.

But then-

She caught it.

A barely perceptible motion.

The slow yet gentle, rhythmic rise and fall of his chest.

Her breath stopped.

She stared, hands still clutching his robes, eyes wide and unblinking as she watched.

Tentatively, her fingers reached out, trembling, and pressed gently against his face. Her thumb brushed along his cheek, and her heart stuttered when she felt the soft texture of his skin under her touch.

He wasn't cold. He wasn't fading but he was warm.

And then, ever so slightly, his head tilted, leaning almost instinctively to the warmth of her palm, his lips parting with the softest twitch of mouth.

A shaky breath escaped her, uneven and raw. She tried to speak, but the words tangled in her throat.

Swallowing hard, she drew in a slow, unsteady breath and summoned her magic, her hands trembling as a soft, pale glow flickered to life.

Just to be sure. 

Just to be sure-

The magic swept over him, gentle and searching, threading through his form delicately.

She barely registered the faint glow illuminating his resting form and the surroundings, as she concentrated.

His magic levels were low. 

Too low. 

But aside from that, she found…nothing wrong.

He was…okay.

Exhausted beyond reason but okay.

He was okay.

She exhaled shakily, the tension in her shoulders trembling before finally loosening as exhaustion crashed over her all at once, her body sagging forward as she clutched at his robes again.

For a moment, the room fell in pure silence.

The relief was so overwhelming that it made her dizzy, and her tears began to flow anew, but these were different. 

Dark Cacao Cookie continued to stand by her side, watching her closely silently. His eyes, though sharp, held none of their usual coldness. 

After a moment, White Lily Cookie raised her head, her eyes still lingering over the sleeping healer.

“His…” She murmured softly. “He is deeply depleted in magic but…” 

A weak breath tumbled past her lips, broken with relief. “He's okay. Deeply asleep due to exhaustion but okay-” 

Dark Cacao Cookie did not speak right away. He simply stood there, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.

“You were truly afraid.” He said simply, in a low voice.

For a moment, she didn't say anything, allowing herself to swallow slowly, her grip loosening as forced herself to sit up.

“I…” She exhaled shakingly, her heart still aching knowing how close she had come to losing him. "I- I thought… I thought I’d lost him," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

“I was afraid.” She admitted. 

“You care for him deeply.” It was not questioning, not pressing, just a simple truth laid bare.

White Lily Cookie’s fingers tightened against the fabric of Pure Vanilla cookie’s robes. She lowered her gaze as if trying to gather the right words, but none came.

She didn’t need to answer.

Dark Cacao Cookie did not press her for one. Instead, he exhaled softly, shifting his gaze toward their sleeping friend.

For a moment both of them remained quiet, neither of them speaking anything until White Lily Cookie exhaled slowly.

“He worries me.” She murmured softly, her gaze never leaving Pure Vanilla Cookie's sleeping face.

Dark Cacao Cookie glanced at her, silent as she continued.

“Last night…he waited outside for me.” She said quietly, her voice almost fragile. “The entire night.”

She blinked hard, but it did nothing to ease the ache settling in her chest. “I never knew until I saw him at the library’s doorstep at dawn.”

Her grip on his robes tightened as she hesitated before speaking again.

“…And it wasn't just that.” She swallowed. 

“The saplings,” she murmured, almost to herself. “They simply wouldn’t grow. No matter how many times I tried, no matter how much magic I poured into them…”

She shook her head. “And then, when I woke up, they were there. Alive. Thriving.”

Her breath trembled. “I knew it wasn’t me. And when I reached out… I could still feel it. The warmth of his magic.”

Her grip tightened. “He stayed up all night waiting for me, waiting in the cold...barely getting any rest…And somewhere in between, he-” She exhaled as she paused sharply. 

“Why? Why does he do this?” Her voice was barely audible.

“What did I do to deserve this…?” She said as tears welled up in her eyes. “Why is he like this?” 

She exhaled, shaking her head slightly. “Even back then… back at the academy.”

Her voice wavered. “Even when I threw myself in research, even when no one believed in me, even when I pushed him away, even when I thought I didn't need anyone…Even when I became Dark Enchantress cookie-” Her breath hitched.

“He never left. He kept believing in me. He kept believing when I couldn't even believe in myself.” 

Her vision blurred with tears, and she shut her eyes. “And even now, even after the potion…after everything that’s happened…”

A trembling exhale left her lips. “Why? After all this time…why does he never stop?”

Silence.

For a long moment, Dark Cacao Cookie remained silent, his gaze flickering between White Lily Cookie and then Pure Vanilla Cookie's sleeping form with an unreadable expression.

The only sound in the room was the soft, steady rhythm of Pure Vanilla Cookie’s breathing.

Finally, after a long pause, Dark Cacao cookie exhaled.

“…I do not know.” He admitted, his voice firm yet honest.

“But what I do know is that some warriors fight for duty. Others fight for honor. But the strongest ones… fight for those they refuse to abandon.”

White Lily Cookie's hands curled against his robes.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie has always been…steadfast in his compassion,” he continued. “He has always given and chosen kindness for others. He has always been selfless.” 

His gaze darkens slightly.

“Even to his own detriment at times.” 

White Lily Cookie lowered her gaze.

“He is selfless,” Dark Cacao Cookie continued, his voice unwavering. “Perhaps too much so.”

“I know.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “But even still…I just-”

“…I wish he wasn’t.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I wish…” She exhaled slowly. “I wish he could be a little selfish. Just a little. Even if it’s selfish of me to wish for that."

Her breath hitched. “I just… I want him to take care of himself. To stop giving so much of himself away until there’s nothing left…” She clenched her jaw. “He always does this. He does not choose who is worthy of his care. He never thinks about himself. He simply…. cares…. places others over himself…It’s always everyone else first, always…”

She looked towards Dark Cacao cookie, tears still present at the corner of her eyes. “Is there nothing we can do to stop him from carrying the world on his shoulders alone?” 

Dark Cacao Cookie remained silent for a long time, staring at White Lily Cookie, silence stretching between them.

He then closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. “You cannot change the heart of one who remains steadfast to it deeply.” He tilted his head slightly. “But that does not mean you cannot stand beside it.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

“It is true,” Dark Cacao Cookie’s gaze did not waver. “That he will always give. Always care. For that is the nature of his heart.”

White Lily Cookie swallowed, her hands tightening against Pure Vanilla Cookie’s robes.

“But even the strongest warriors cannot fight endless battles without rest. Even the strongest hearts falter… Even the kindest can only give so much before there is nothing left.”

His words sent a shiver through her.

“That is why… even if he will never stop giving, it does not mean he should do so alone.”

She exhaled shakily, her hands curling into fists.

“But it hurts him,” she said. “It always has.”

Dark Cacao Cookie studied her carefully, his expression unreadable. “Yes,” he finally admitted. “It does.”

He paused before then looking back at her. “And that is why…”

“That is why he needs others to remind him. To be there when he does not realize he is breaking himself apart. To steady him when he gives too much.”

White Lily Cookie let out a shaky breath as she turns her gaze back to the peaceful sleeping face of him.

Dark Cacao Cookie watched her in silence, then spoke again. “By staying beside him, we remind him.” 

White Lily Cookie’s gaze flickered toward him.

“We remind him that he does not need to bear everything alone.” His gaze softened, just slightly. “And when he forgets, when he gives too much… we remind him again.”

“And what if he doesn't allow us?” Her voice barely above a whisper.

He exhaled slowly. “Then we remind him again.” 

She blinked, tears still staining her face.

He paused for a moment before exhaling as he looked away. “A heart that has only ever known how to give without hesitation does not easily learn how to take.” 

“But that does not mean it cannot learn.” He looked at her. “It may take time. He may resist. But we must be patient. And when he falters, when he forgets to care for himself, we will be there to catch him before he falls.”

Dark Cacao Cookie glanced down at Pure Vanilla Cookie, his expression unreadable. “He has spent a lifetime carrying the burdens of others. He has been there for all of us.” His voice softened, just slightly. “It is time we be there for him, too.”

“You, I, Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie.” Dark Cacao cookie said simply. “As many times as it takes.” 

White Lily Cookie’s gaze shifted to Pure Vanilla Cookie, her grip loosening ever so slightly.

Neither of them spoke.

The room fell into silence, save for the quiet rhythm of Pure Vanilla Cookie’s breathing. The weight of their words lingered between them, unspoken yet understood, nothing needed to be said.

This quietness continued until a quiet sigh left her lips.

She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again. “Dark Cacao cookie…?” 

She inhaled slowly, steadying herself before she turned toward him. “…There is something I must ask of you.”

He met her gaze, silent yet expectant.

She hesitated for only a moment before continuing, her voice carefully measured. “Can you please…stay with him by…sharing a room?” 

Dark Cacao Cookie’s eyebrows furrowed.

White Lily Cookie shook her already raised hands in front of her defensively as her cheeks turned faintly red. “Just temporarily-…with separate beds of course!”

She then exhaled slowly, her fingers curling against her own sleeves. “I just…I- I thought it would be unwise to leave him alone since I…we don't know if his condition can get…uncertain due to the lingering effects of the potion…In- Incase his state changes or…worsens or…or- he has unanticipated signs or perhaps something happens especially at night…!-” 

She stopped for a moment as she then breathed slowly. “...His well being needs to be ensured. The potion effects are…unpredictable. And I cannot-” 

She paused for a second, hesitating. “I cannot do so myself. That may not be...” 

She trailed off, looking at her side. 

“Someone needs to be there for him so that they can act immediately incase something goes wrong…I-” 

“I…I understand if you don’t want to,” she admitted, her voice quieter now. She paused for a moment and then her expression became panicked as she quickly added. “Truly- I completely understand! I…I am sorry for saying all this- I shouldn't have- that was too forward of me. I…please forgi-”

“I shall stay with him.” Dark Cacao cookie said steadily.

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched slightly as she blinked, caught off guard.

Her hands remained curled against her sleeves. “...You will?” 

Dark Cacao Cookie gave a single, firm nod. “It is as you said. His condition is unpredictable. Leaving him alone would be irresponsible.” His gaze flickered toward Pure Vanilla Cookie, still unconscious, before returning to her. “It is the logical course of action.”

White Lily Cookie remained still, absorbing his words. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came at first. A breath she hadn't realized she was holding slipped out, uneven but quiet.

A silence stretched between them, neither speaking for a moment until White Lily Cookie looked down briefly and then looked up back.

“...Thank you,” she said at last, her voice soft but sincere.

Dark Cacao Cookie gave a simple nod, before his gaze flicked to Pure Vanilla Cookie.

“The Faeries are still searching for him.” His gaze met hers, steady as ever. “They must be informed that he has been found.”

She blinked as Dark Cacao Cookie spoke, the words striking her with sudden realization.

The search.

She gasped quietly. 

In her distress and her single-minded focus on Pure Vanilla Cookie’s condition, she hadn’t even thought-

“Oh…right-” She stuttered. “They don't know we've found him.” 

He gave her a firm nod. “The search must be called off immediately.” 

And then without a word, he turned and moved towards the door until he stopped and then turned back. “Would you be joining?” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched slightly as her gaze then flickered between Pure Vanilla Cookie and him. “I…” she faltered as she put her hand against her mouth, her gaze still flickering. “I…I just- I don't wa- I should…I mean- 

Dark Cacao Cookie studied her for a brief moment before giving a single, understanding nod. “You do not have to leave.” 

She looked at him blankly.

“I will inform them.” He said as he started walking but before he could step out-

“Dark Cacao cookie-” White Lily Cookie called out. “There is something else-” 

He halted as he glanced over his shoulders.

She swallowed, shifting slightly to see him better. “Please…don’t tell anyone about what happened last night.” Her fingers curled against her sleeves. “Only you know. If the others find out, they…they won’t let me live it down.”

Dark Cacao Cookie regarded her for a moment, then inclined his head in acknowledgment. “You have my word.” 

She exhaled softly, relieved.

But then, Dark Cacao cookie turned towards her fully. “But there is something I must say.” 

White Lily Cookie blinked, taken aback in surprise.

“Asking for help is not a weakness. It is the mark of someone who understands that even the strongest need support sometimes.” He paused, before he continued. “It is perfectly alright to lean on those who care, especially when the burden grows too heavy to bear on your own. When one needs it, they should ask.”

For a moment, she remained silent.

His words lingered in the air between them, settling deep within her.

Her gaze lowered slightly, thoughtful.

Then, after a pause, she lifted her eyes back to him.

“…Thank you,” she said softly, her voice filled with quiet genuity. 

Dark Cacao Cookie gave a single nod and then he turned, exiting the room.

White Lily Cookie remained where she was, watching as he departed, before her gaze drifted back to Pure Vanilla Cookie. She sat quietly, her arms folded against the edge of the bed like a pillow, watching him rest.

The rise and fall of his chest was steady, his breathing soft. His face, usually bright with warmth and kindness, now lay peaceful in sleep, his golden curls slightly tousled against the pillow.

She hadn’t meant to linger for so long. But the more she watched, the more time slipped away from her. 

The light from outside eventually drifted lower, the warm glow gradually fading into the soft, cool, bluish hues of evening as shadows stretched across the walls, dimming the room with their quiet embrace.

Only when the air grew noticeably cooler did she stir from her thoughts.

Slowly, she lifted herself from her place, grabbing her staff back. 

She slowly straightened, exhaling softly, her gaze tracing his features before she reached out, brushing a stray curl from his forehead tucking it behind his ear. The ever-present star mark there caught the faint traces of evening light, barely visible in the dimness.

Her fingers hovered for a moment before she let them brush against his skin, her thumbs lightly brushing against his cheeks, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips as a strange feeling swelled in her chest.

Without really thinking, she cupped his face lightly, a soft smile tugging at her lips. 

Pure Vanilla Cookie’s face slightly shifted towards her touch.

“...Lily…” 

The quiet murmur barely reached her ears, yet it caught her breath. 

Her eyes widened, her fingers stilling against his skin as she froze.

She waited, watching, but he didn’t stir further. His expression remained peaceful, breaths slow, even and undisturbed, his eyes closed, lost in whatever dreams held him.

She hesitated for a moment longer before slowly she exhaled and shook her head lightly, carefully withdrawing her hands. Turning slightly, she reached toward the bedside table, where his hat and staff laid. The staff’s single eye remained shut, as if resting alongside its master.

Reaching for a small lamp, she lit it, allowing its soft glow to push back the growing darkness. Then, with quiet care, she took hold of the blankets, pulling them up a little higher and tucking it in gently around him. He barely stirred, only shifting slightly as if instinctively settling into the warmth.

Once done, she took a step back, she lingered for a few more moments, her gaze lingering on him, watching the way the light fell upon his face. It softened his features further, catching against the edges of his curls.

He looked…so at ease, peaceful, so unlike the love-drunk state he had been in before. The contrast was stark, yet somehow, this felt like the Pure Vanilla Cookie she had always known.

Something within her softened as she felt a strange warmth in her heart.

White Lily Cookie took a slow step back, then another, her gaze never leaving his face, not quite sure where the hesitation came from.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides as she finally turned toward the slightly open door, her steps light against the floor.

She took a step forward as if to leave, but at the last moment, something made her pause.

Without thinking, she glanced back over her shoulder one last time to look at him.

For a few heartbeats, she remained, caught in the quiet between leaving and staying.

But then she exhaled and pushed the door further open and she exited, shutting it behind her gently.

Contrary to how one should normally feel upon not eating anything the whole day, White Lily Cookie felt no hunger.

There was only a quiet tightness in her chest, a...nagging pull that drove her forward, faster than her footsteps could carry her.

The path to the library, usually so familiar, was impossibly long today.

It was supposed to be a simple walk.

She should've been here hours ago.

But it hadn't been just a walk.

It had been a series of delays, of interruptions that pulled her further from where she wanted to be.

The moment she stepped out the threshold of Pure Vanilla Cookie's quarters, Silverbell cookie had rushed to her with at least a fleet of faerie cookies behind him, all to confirm if what Dark Cacao cookie said was true.

If yes, he would be shifting in Pure Vanilla Cookie's quarter and yes, it was her idea.

White Lily Cookie had nodded. Explained. Reassured.

Until the arrangements came, where she had to actively speak with the Faerie cookie staffs and attendants, giving quiet instructions, making sure they were careful and didn't disturb or harm Pure Vanilla Cookie in any way.

She tried not to think about what it meant to have to do all that. She tried not to think about how it had delayed her further.

All she knew were a series of well-meaning voices calling her name, of questions she barely had the mind to answer, of responsibilities that weighed on her shoulders heavier than she could bear.

She had spoken, she had listened, she had nodded where it was expected but all the while, her thoughts remained elsewhere.

She hasn't checked up on the plants since noon due to all what happened.

She barely even had time to think about them.

And now? After finally having attended everything, all she knew was that her feet were moving again, finally, toward the one place she’d meant to visit since early morning.

Toward the library.

Toward the saplings.

The familiar halls stretched endlessly before her, yet she barely registered them as worry and fear took hold of her heart.

What if something had gone wrong?

What if the soil hadn’t held? 

What if the magic woven into their roots had faltered due to lack of care?

What if the saplings had withered without her there?

Each step she took echoed louder in her ears than it should have, a hollow, rhythmic reminder of how long it had taken her to get here.

She didn’t regret staying by his side.

Not even for a moment.

If she had to make the choice again…between him or the saplings- she’d still choose him. Every time. Without hesitation. With her eyes closed.

But that didn’t quiet the gnawing in her chest.

The saplings weren’t just plants either... 

They were essential and their only hope for curing and saving Pure Vanilla Cookie who-

Her fists tightened at her sides, breath catching.

They were his gifts.

Pure Vanilla Cookie had exhausted himself to the point of full exhaustion just to help her save them quietly, without fanfare. 

Without even needing a thanks.

So much so his magic levels were completely depleted and dangerously low.

If it were up to her then they wouldn't even have those plants…

She inhaled sharply as her eyes stinging, her steps faltering momentarily.

She should’ve been able to do both. She should’ve had the strength, the clarity, the time.

Instead, she’d barely been able to think straight.

At the very least, she should've at least made sure someone looked after them in her absence as a contingency…

But she had done none of that.

Would they still be standing?

Can they have wilted? 

Was it all for nothing? 

What kind of Guardian was she supposed to be?

What kind of friend was she? 

When she can't even handle her duties and responsibilities?

When she can't stop failing? 

Her chest tightened again, her footsteps faltering before she caught herself again and forced herself to keep going.

The door of the library had come to view at last.

As she neared it and finally stood before the door, her throat tightened, thoughts clawing at her from all sides as she didn’t even realize she’d brought her hand to the door until her fingertips grazed the smooth wood.

She sucked in a breath.

What lay beyond the door could very well undo her.

If she walked through those doors and saw failure…

If everything he’d sacrificed for had withered in her absence…

She….

She didn’t know what she’d do.

Her stomach twisted painfully, her mouth was dry. Her hand hovered at the handle for a few more moments, her breath caught in her lungs before, slowly, she pushed the doors open.

The quiet hush of the library greeted her, heavy with its familiar scent of ink and old parchment. The sconces lining the walls glowed softly, casting long shadows over the shelves.

But she didn’t stop to admire any of it.

Her eyes went straight to the far side of the room, the raised platform sectioned off for the saplings.

She walked quickly, almost afraid of what she might see. She didn't let herself run because…she couldn’t. 

Her legs were too heavy, her breath felt too uneven. But her pace quickened, her fingers trembling at her sides now.

Closer.

Closer.

Just a few more steps now.

She didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until her lungs began to burn again.

Please be alright.

Please be alright.

Please be alright.

Please. 

Please,

Please-

And then she saw them.

She stopped dead in her tracks.

For a moment, her mind couldn't make sense of what she was seeing.

The saplings she had known had…

Grown.

Significantly.

And they were …thriving. 

She took a few steps closer as she extended her hand to them. Her fingers hovering above the nearest stem, touching it briefly before quickly withdrawing, like the sight before her might vanish if she touched it.

The saplings had grown.

Not by much, and yet somehow… impossibly so.

She blinked rapidly, taking a breath as she knelt closer.

Each sapling had stretched up to about the length of her palm, perhaps a little taller even, with fragile, slender stalks stretching upright, its multiple tiny leaves having grown now as they unfurled like outstretched hands seeking the light. 

She inhaled before closing her eyes, outstretching her fingers to feel.

The magic in them and the soil was faint, threading through like gentle veins of light. It didn’t take much time for her to recognize it as she had felt it so many times before.

The magic wasn’t just hers. And it wasn’t just his.

It was the union of the two…woven so tightly she could no longer tell where one began and the other ended.

Now, fragile and almost faded, it still pulsed through the plants like soft, living light. It must have been enough to support the saplings throughout the day, enough to let them stand up on their own.

She dropped to her knees before them, hands gently cupping the air around their stems, afraid to even make contact. Her breath trembled out of her, uneven and shaken.

The sprouts were no longer fragile things waiting to be protected.

They had grown resilient.

Despite her absence.

Despite the chaos.

Despite her.

She hadn’t cast a single spell since the morning. Hadn’t poured a drop of magic into their roots, hadn’t been hovering, hadn’t been here to fuss over every inch of them, to pour magic into them again and again- 

Yet…

Her absence had given them room to breathe.

To settle. 

To take in everything they’d been given and grow at their own pace.

Tears welled up in her eyes again but this time, they didn't sting.

She’d thought leaving them alone would have led to a failure. Had led to failure.

But it had been a gift.

By not hovering, by not micromanaging every detail… she had unknowingly given them what they needed most.

Space.

Trust.

Time.

A quiet, trembling laugh escaped her, wet and broken at the edges.

She exhaled slowly, before she rose to her feet again. Her knees ached, her chest still a little tight, but her shoulders feeling a lot lighter than before.

Her eyes drifted toward the watering can, left exactly where she’d placed it that morning as she moved to it without thinking, her fingers finding themselves curling around the worn handles.

That was all they needed now.

Not spells.

Not constant hovering. 

Not overthinking. 

Not worry over every inch of them like they’d break. 

No pouring everything of herself into something already learning how to stand.

Not her fear disguised as care.

Just …water.

She found herself tilting the can, letting the water sprinkle onto the plants slowly and gently.

It was quiet work.

But it was enough.

From now on…. it was enough.

Chapter Text

White Lily Cookie found herself walking down the halls, her steps were slow and deliberate. 

For once, she wasn’t rushing as she didn’t feel the crushing need to.

The night air had settled into the corridors now, soft and cool. The sconces, flickering gently along the walls, casted warm pools of light that stretched beneath her feet and lightened the path. 

Her body still ached faintly from the long day, but she didn’t mind the feeling.

It was quiet, but then again, she welcomed it.

The whole day had taken its toll on her, both physically and mentally. Her shoulders sore, dough heavy, head feeling light and magic drained to the last thread-

 But she couldn't bring herself to care.

Not out of numbness. 

Not out of indifference.

Just… exhaustion. 

Deep and quiet weariness that had hollowed out all the noise and panic and left only silence behind.

The day had taken everything from her. 

The fear. 

The guilt. 

The desperate sprint through the halls. 

The crushing sheer panic when she’d seen the ajar door. 

The breath she couldn’t draw when she thought she was too late.

The heartbreak of seeing him like that. 

The fragile relief of realizing he was still okay.

And that somehow, despite it all, things hadn’t fallen apart.

That…

He was okay. The saplings were growing too.

For the first time in hours, nothing was unraveling beneath her.

Which was why she didn't even realize her feet were carrying her toward the dining hall until the familiar scent of the dining hall reached her.

Her stomach gave a faint twist, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since Silverbell cookie had forced breakfast upon her in the library.

Even then, she hadn’t eaten much.

She slowed her steps as she reached the archway, the sight of the dinner hall coming in view.

It was mostly empty now, the evening meal long past for most, only a few scattered plates left out and a few candles still lit, their flames dancing lazily in the low light along with a few faerie cookie attendants still lingering by the far end, quietly cleaning the last of the dishes.

She sighed before entering the room, her feet moving more on instinct than intention. As she approached the table, her hands worked on their own as she found herself grabbing a modest plate and starting to fill it with small portions of whatever was still warm. 

She knew she could ask the faerie cookies to reheat the food or even cook her something fresh but she didn't want to.

They’d all done enough today. She didn't wish to be more of a bother and not to mention…she was too exhausted to speak up, too worn to even ask for anything…even the thought of doing so made her feel heavier.

She sighed once again as she gathered what little she wanted on the platter.

Admittedly, it wasn't much. 

But it was just enough to take the edge off the emptiness in her stomach and just enough to keep her from feeling more dizzy.

It was perfect.

Cradling the plate in her hands, she turned and made her way to a quiet corner of the hall, one of the smaller tables nestled near the tall windows.

The candle light there burnt low, enough to soften her presence to a blur and it was tucked away just enough that no one would notice her unless they were looking while being far enough from the remaining attendants that she wouldn’t have to force conversation. 

As she reached the corner table, she set down her plate gently, careful not to clatter it while she eased down onto the seat herself.

She exhaled slowly through her nose, letting her shoulders sag.

For a long moment, she just sat there like that, not even touching the food, her hands resting on the table as her eyes drifted towards the window beside her.

Outside, the night stretched endless and deep, the trees swaying gently in the breeze beneath a sky strewn with stars and the perfect crescent moon. 

It looked peaceful outside.

Calm and untouched.

For a moment, she found herself wishing on if she could step into the night’s embrace and melt into it….where no one would expect anything of her…where she would have no duties or responsibilities….where she could just…be-

Free.

Her eyes lingered, half lidded and heavy as she quietly let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

She missed the time when she was young. 

Naive. 

Innocent.

She missed the simpler times when life didn't hold much purpose to her.

Times when she just sneaked onto Academy's forbidden sections in the pursuit of fulfilling her curiosity, those quiet nights where just she and him secretly went stargazing while the world unassumingly slept…where together they admired the stars shimmering over the treetops like a million jewels just like toda-

Her breath caught ever so slightly.

The candle beside her flickered again, drawing her attention not to the sky or trees, but to the glass itself. A reflection shimmered faintly back at her, showing a faint reflection…dim, softened by the warped surface of the windowpane.

Her own face stared back, bathed in soft amber light, made hazy by exhaustion and the faint fog clinging to the inside of the glass. She almost didn’t recognize it.

There were deep shadows under her eyes.

Her mouth sat in a neutral line, neither frowning nor smiling.

She looked tired.

So very tired.

And still, the light played across her features gently, as if trying to soften the sharp edges of her exhaustion. 

For a second, she simply looked. Not out of vanity, not out of melancholy but …curiosity. Wondering when she’d last looked at herself and truly seen what she felt.

She shook her head before eventually shifting her gaze back to the plate in front of her.

The food still laid there, a bit colder but with a still appetizing look and delicious aroma.

She felt her fingers curl around the fork as she raised it slowly, only for her to pause mid way.

It didn't feel right.

She lifted her gaze slightly, looking at nothing in particular.

It…has been a while, hasn't it?

Would he have woken up by now? 

Or perhaps, he would be waking up soon? 

She sat still for a moment, her hands still hovering over the cutlery as she took a deep breath.

He hadn't eaten too.

She had no idea when he last did.

Without a word, she got off the chair quietly as she returned to the serving area, packing her plate and then taking another before filling it generously with the food that was still warm and wrapping his and her plate stacked together with a cloth neatly.

He should have something to eat when he wakes.

He shouldn’t wake up alone.

And if he didn’t wake for a while longer… then maybe it would be okay if she just stayed there too.

And so,

She left with her hands full with the wrapped bundle, as she walked back toward the corridor, her legs moving without thought now as she slipped out of the dining hall unnoticed.

The kingdom’s grand hall ways greeted her again with the same quiet warmth, the sconces casting a dim, gentle halo of amber light while the cool night air brushed against her skin like a soft exhale.

She padded through softly, the cloth-wrapped plates cradled close to her chest. Her eyes traced the familiar path ahead, the rhythm of her steps lulling her deeper into the quiet as she walked without thinking anything for once, letting herself simply exist in the moment as each turn guided her closer to her destination.

She didn't pay mind to her surroundings, or how the spores glowed in the background, her only focus remained on reaching his quarters.

As she took a slow turn at the next corridor, soft murmurs drifted to her ears, making her steps falter.

The sounds were faint, gentle voices echoing in the hush of the halls ahead. Not raised or panicked, but…familiar. Familiar enough that even in her exhausted state, she knew them by heart.

She blinked as she came to a slow stop, rounding the corner quietly, her tired mind taking a second longer than usual to register the silhouettes gathered a short ways down the corridor as she peeked.

Dark Cacao Cookie stood there with his arms crossed, his expression thoughtful as he listened to something, making some comments at times to Hollyberry Cookie who actively said something while moving her arms animatedly as if trying to illustrate her point. Golden Cheese Cookie, on the other hand, rolled her eyes ever so often before chiding in the conversation.

White Lily Cookie swallowed.

They were here.

And…

They hadn’t noticed her yet.

Which was exactly why her first instinct was to quietly turn around. 

She wasn’t ready to talk.

She didn't want to talk.

 She didn’t want to explain what happened, why she was here, or where she was going, or why her arms were full of food when most were preparing to sleep.

But before she could shift, Hollyberry cookie glanced up, her sharp eyes catching her before she could move.

White Lily Cookie froze in place, caught like a deer in a firelight.

The charade was up.

“Ah, there she is!” Hollyberry Cookie called out with a brightness that cut through the hush of the corridor.

For a moment, White Lily Cookie considered feigning ignorance, pretending she hadn’t heard but…it was too late. All three of her friends had turned toward her and now approached her.

Her breath stalled in her throat, her arms tightening around the cloth bundle instinctively, suddenly hyper aware of how disheveled she must look…her robes were slightly wrinkled, her steps were uneven, and her presence was that of a ghost wandering at an hour far past the evening.

But still, as they got closer, White Lily offered a small, sheepish nod of greeting, managing a faint, tired smile which didn’t quite reach her eyes even after she tried. Yet, she couldn’t summon the energy for anything more convincing.

The three of them eventually came to a stop in front of her, their expressions shifting as they took her in.

However, Hollyberry Cookie, standing in the middle of the two, approached first, her usual booming energy tempered by something softer. Still, there was steel in her voice as she folded her arms.

“White Lily Cookie,” she said, a little too brightly at first before the brightness in her features dulled. “Dark Cacao cookie told us what happened.” 

White Lily Cookie said nothing, but her arms curled a little tighter around the bundle. Her smile wavered, her eyes flicking over to the Cacao Kingdom's king who gave her a reassured look with a smallest of nods. It was a quiet confirmation.

He had kept his word.

She exhaled quietly before her gaze shifted back to Hollyberry Cookie’s face, now not knowing what to say.

For a moment, silence sat between them.

But then, Hollyberry Cookie took a step forward.

“Is…Is Pure Vanilla Cookie truly alright?” She asked, her voice quieter now.

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught for a moment, her gaze dropping to the floor before she raised it back up to her, as she hesitated before nodding. “He is stable,” she murmured. “Just… weak. Perhaps from exhaustion…His magic is drained…Severely- but he’s okay.”

Hollyberry Cookie kept her gaze on her, her expression visibly worried. “By the witches…White Lily Cookie-” 

Her voice was not angry but almost hurt. “Pure Vanilla Cookie went missing, and you didn’t tell us? You should’ve shaken the whole palace if you had to! Why didn’t you call for us? We would’ve helped!” 

 White Lily Cookie hesitated for a moment before looking away. “I didn’t wish to trouble any of you. You’ve all dealt with so much already… I thought… I- I didn't want to burden you further…” 

Golden Cheese cookie huffed. “Didn't want to ask for help because you didn't want to ‘trouble’ us?” She crossed her arms tightly. “Or because you thought we wouldn't help you?” 

White Lily Cookie flinched.

At the same time, Hollyberry Cookie and Dark Cacao Cookie turned their gazes toward her in perfect sync, sharp and disapproving.

Golden Cheese Cookie blinked, her smirk faltering as their stares bore into her. She scoffed under her breath and looked away with a small frown, jaw tightening.

White Lily Cookie lowered her gaze, her grip around the buddle tightening.

After a beat of silence, Hollyberry Cookie reached for shoulders, grabbing it lightly, “You know we are your friends, right?” She said gently.

“Friends are there for eachother no matter what,” Hollyberry Cookie said, her voice soft. “You are not alone in carrying the past, White Lily Cookie,” Her expression softened. “But you do not have to carry the present by yourself.”

White Lily Cookie stared up to her, her throat tight.

Hollyberry Cookie gave her a small, lopsided smile, gentler than usual. 

“We’ve fought beside each other. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve bickered like fools,” she said. “But even after all of that…even after the war…” 

The light in her eyes dimmed ever so slightly. “Do you think we’ve forgotten? That we don’t still carry it too? …Is this still about what happened back then? About Dark Enchantress cookie?”

White Lily Cookie froze as she stopped breathing.

However, Hollyberry Cookie’s tone didn't shift. It wasn't judgemental just…patient. 

“Does that make you feel unworthy of our help?” She continued, her tone more serious now. “Do you think that makes you less of a friend?” 

Hollyberry Cookie exhaled slowly. “Is that why? Because of who you used to be?” 

White Lily Cookie said nothing, her gaze lowering in shame as tears trickled down her eyes even after she closed them.

“White Lily Cookie…” Hollyberry Cookie’s tone not disguising her concern. “You may have fallen but…you have stood back up.”

She let her other hand grab her shoulder, as she leaned forward slightly. “You’re not Dark Enchantress Cookie anymore. You’re you.” 

She gave her shoulders a light squeeze. “We’re here because we want to be. Not out of obligation. Not out of pity. But because you’re our friend. And we’re not going anywhere.” 

White Lily Cookie squeezed her eyes shut tighter, trying to keep her eyes from brimming further.

“Even after all of that…we came here because we believed in you. I still believe in you. You think you’re the only one carrying regret? Guilt? You’re not.” She paused before continuing. “Every step you’ve taken since has proven the kind of Cookie you are now. Not what you once were or once became.” 

She continued. “You’ve been fighting every day since to make things right. So why is it so hard for you to let us fight with you?”

“Why White Lily Cookie?” She asked quietly. “Why?” 

White Lily Cookie’s throat tightened again. Her grip around the bundle in her arms trembled as she stared at the ground, the weight of everything pressing down at once.

For a long moment, they stood in the unyielding silence until she exhaled shakingly.

“I…” Her voice cracked, and she had to stop and breathe. “…I didn’t think I deserved to.”

The words hung in the air, fragile and bare.

“I know what I did. Even if you say I’ve changed… I still remember every choice. Every word. Every Cookie I hurt…I…hurt everyone-” Her eyes opened, tears falling down more freely. “Even if I’ve tried to make amends…I…after who I became and what I did…I-…I don't think I have the right to ask any more of you.” 

Her voice trembled at the end, and she looked down again, her grip around the bundle trembling now, not just tight. “I…I am still scared…that-…what if I become her again? I don't want to believe she is still a part of me- I didn’t want you to think… she was still inside me but…”

Her shoulders sank. “After everything I have put you all through…after I have put him through…I was scared that if I asked for help and something still went wrong….you’d stop believing in me like I…” 

She drew in a shaky breath. “Like I did.”

Hollyberry Cookie’s expression softened further, “White Lily Cookie…”

“I didn't earn any of this…” She closed her eyes. “I don't deserve this kindness….I don’t- I don't deserve anyone…I-” 

Hollyberry Cookie's grip on her shoulders grew firmer, making her finally look up. “Then let me make this clear,” she said. “You don’t earn anything by suffering in silence.” 

Hollyberry Cookie looked at her eyes intently. “And you don’t lose it just because you made a mistake, even a terrible one.”

“Do you know how many times I’ve doubted myself? How many nights I’ve lain awake, wondering if I did the right thing, if I made the right call in the war, in the aftermath, in all of it?” She gave a small huff, shaking her head. “More than I can count.”

She continued. “Shutting us out doesn’t protect anyone. It only hurts you. We’re your friends. We chose to stand beside you when the world turned upside down, still do and we will keep choosing you, no matter how heavy things get.”

White Lily Cookie only stared at her, chest tight, lips parting as if to speak but only to falter within moments.

Hollyberry cookie tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. “You’re allowed to stumble. You’re allowed to ask for help. Even if you fall, we'll be there to help you stand. Every time. Then please…just let us be there when you do.”

She smiled faintly. “You’re not her anymore. And even if that shadow still lingers somewhere… we’re not afraid of it. We’re not afraid of you.”

She gave her another squeeze. “So stop punishing yourself by pushing everyone away. That's the thing about friendship. You don't have to earn it over and over again. Sometimes, you just have to let in.” 

“And let others carry the weight with you, when it becomes too much.” Dark Cacao cookie walked in front, now standing right beside Hollyberry cookie.

Hollyberry Cookie’s grip on her shoulders stayed firm but gentle, anchoring her in the moment. “You’re not alone in this, White Lily Cookie,” she said again, quieter this time. “You’ve never truly been.”

She held her gaze for a beat longer and then added. “I'm sure Pure Vanilla Cookie feels the same way.” 

White Lily Cookie looked between them, overwhelmed as her face eventually scrunched up, tears now falling even more freely. 

Hollyberry Cookie quickly engulfed her in a warm hug as White Lily cookie finally cried, raw and aching, her shoulders trembling, her breath coming in hitches.

“I don't…” She said in between breaths. “What did I ever do to deserve…friends like you? I don't deserve-” 

Hollyberry Cookie let out a small breath. “Well, tough luck. You do. So you’re stuck with us.”

White Lily Cookie continued to cry, dampening Hollyberry Cookie's shoulder but she didn't seem to mind, she didn’t move. She just held her there, firm and steady. Like a shield that would never crack.

She patted her back. “There, there! You lost your way. But hey, we all did in our own ways but what matters is you found your path back. Even when it was hard, even when you were alone, you kept going. And that's courage. And that's what matters.” 

She tilted her head as White Lily Cookie slowly left her embrace wiping her tears with her gloves.

“So no more hiding. No more carrying the weight in silence!” Hollyberry Cookie smiled. “Now next time, in case something happens, you call us. Even if it’s the middle of the night or the world is ending!” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched once again as she wiped her tears and after a moment, slowly smiled back at her. “...thank you.”

“Pfffft! Friends don't thank each other-” 

“They give each other sentimental speeches.” Golden Cheese cookie commented, looking at no one in particular.

Hollyberry Cookie snorted. “And you love every second of it, even if you pretend not to.”

Golden Cheese Cookie scoffed. “Please. I’m only here for the-”

Hollyberry Cookie chuckled, “Ignore her.” She said, turning her attention back to White Lily Cookie, “She cries louder than all of us when no one’s looking.”

“Don’t,” Golden Cheese cookie muttered, clearly not denying it.

White Lily Cookie let out the faintest laugh through the remnants of her tears, the tension in her shoulders easing.

Hollyberry cookie smiled as she gave her a knowing look, then glanced down, tilting her head toward the bundle clutched tightly in White Lily Cookie’s arms. “Now… you gonna tell us what’s in there? You've been holding it like it's a sacred treasure.”

White Lily Cookie blinked, startled for a moment but then followed her gaze down at the bundle like she’d only just remembered it was still in her arms. Her fingers tightened around it instinctively. “Oh…” 

She hesitated, then carefully unwrapped the fabric, revealing two stacked plates, the faint warmth long since faded but the food still neatly arranged.

“I… I was taking some food for him,” she admitted softly. “I was about to eat too but…it is about time he should be waking up…or perhaps he has woken- I…I just didn't want him to be hungry or alone when he does so-” 

Hollyberry Cookie shot her a glance, lips twitching.

“Two plates, huh?” she mused aloud. “Look at you… thinking ahead for the both of you.”

White Lily Cookie nearly tripped over her own feet. “I-It’s not like that…!”

Hollyberry Cookie raised her brows, clearly enjoying herself. “Hey, I didn’t say it was. You’re the one getting flustered.” 

White Lily Cookie ducked her head slightly, trying to hide the warmth creeping up her face.

Noticing this, Hollyberry Cookie nudged her with her elbow. “But that's very thoughtful. It's about time someone made him sit and eat. He skips his meals way too much on an average day as is.” 

Golden Cheese Cookie scoffed quietly. “It is a miracle he doesn’t pass out more often. He's more concerned about everyone else than himself.”

Hollyberry Cookie hummed in agreement. “That’s Pure Vanilla for you. Would probably forget his own name if someone else needed help remembering theirs.”

Golden Cheese Cookie rolled her eyes. “He needs to be more greedy.” 

Hollyberry Cookie chuckled. “If he ever started thinking of himself first, the whole world would tilt off its axis.”

Dark Cacao Cookie let out a quiet breath, almost like a sigh. “And yet… that same flaw is what endears him to so many.”

There was a brief pause as his words settled into the air in silence.

White Lily Cookie let out a soft breath as she looked down at the plates again, her grip on the bundle shifting slightly.

 “I…I should go now.” Her voice softened. “I wish to check up on him.” 

Hollyberry Cookie folded her arms, still smiling. “Well then, what are we waiting for?” she said, glancing at the others. “Let’s go check on him!” 

White Lily Cookie blinked, glancing between them. “You’re… coming?”

Hollyberry Cookie slung an arm around her shoulders with a wide grin. “Of course. He’s one of us too, remember? Besides, if you show up alone and he is awake, he’s just going to turn the dramatics up to eleven.”

Golden Cheese Cookie groaned. “Ugh, don’t remind me. I swear, if he starts reciting poetry again, I’m walking out.”

Hollyberry Cookie laughed. “You say that, but we both know you’ll stay and suffer.”

Golden Cheese Cookie didn’t deny it.

Dark Cacao cookie exhaled. “Then let us not waste any more time and go.” 

Hollyberry cookie grinned. “What are we waiting for? Come on then. Let’s go see if Sleeping Handsome is awake yet!”

White Lily Cookie kept her eyes ahead, walking through the halls with swift steps, her fingers tightening slightly around the bundle in her arms as she walked several paces ahead of others. 

She hadn’t said a word since they followed behind her, now just a few steps back, her mind too focused on reaching his quarters than joining them in their ongoing banter.

“...Watch him still be asleep after all this.” She heard Golden Cheese Cookie mutter under breath.

“Oh he’d better not be,” Hollyberry Cookie chuckled. “We’ve brought an entire parade!-”

She heard them. She recognised the tinge of faint amusement in their voices. But the sound barely touched her as she didn't really listen. Their voices hovered on the edges of her awareness, like a sound through fog.

She just wanted to see him again.

Her heart thudded, unsure of what state she’d find him in. Awake? Still resting? or…-

She didn't expect anything strange to happen but-

She just… needed to reach him.

What would she even greet him with incase he was awake? Would it be a “Good Evening” or a “Good Night”? Or perhaps a simple “I brought you food?” 

Would he smile at her when he saw her? Or say something completely unexpected that may make her flustered or perhaps praise her? 

She wasn't sure what answer scared her more.

She thought of how he looked so peaceful when he was asleep, his face so vulnerable yet soft. The thought alone made her fee-

White Lily Cookie paused her thought. 

What was she even thinking? 

None of these thoughts even made sense.

Why was she even thinking like this? 

She wasn't some flustered young cookie, pacing in front of the academy dorms wondering if she’d accidentally smiled too long at him in class…she was an Ancient hero and the Guardian of the Seal…

This was absurd. Ridiculous, even.

 This was Pure Vanilla Cookie. 

Her dearest friend. The one constant in her life who had never changed, never faltered…the one who got a high dosage of love potion because of her fault…who waited at her door, even now, without asking for anything in return-

So why did she feel this way? Why now? 

Why did the idea of seeing him again twist her stomach into something strange and tight?

 Why did she care so much on how he would react? 

Why was she overthinking words?

She exhaled quietly, almost sharply through her nose as she turned her attention to her friends whose still banter floated through the air accompanied by occasional laughs, yet she still didn't quite listen.

She found herself smiling faintly as she couldn't deny the warmth she felt with others beside her. 

It was…grounding. Calming in its own way.

Even with the heaviness in her chest and the flurry of thoughts that refused to quiet, the familiar cadence of their voices behind her offered her something she hadn’t realized she needed until now.

Stability.

This was-

…Nice.

As she rounded a corner with the others right behind her, her steps slowed just slightly as they reached the final corridor, Pure Vanilla’s door now within sight’s reach.

That strange twist in her chest returned.

She found herself swallowing, her pulse quickening as a strange sense of anticipation overcame her.

She told herself it was just concern. A friend checking on a friend.

But then…why did she feel this way? 

It didn't take long for the others to notice the door as well.

Hollyberry Cookie spoke up almost immediately. “Looks like we’ve finally made it!” 

Golden Cheese Cookie let out a short huff, “Took long enough.”

Dark Cacao cookie glanced at White Lily Cookie whose gaze was locked onto the door that now stood in front of them. “I do not believe I received the keys yet….I assume you have them?” 

White Lily Cookie blinked, momentarily shaken from her thoughts before she fumbled her pocket for the key bunch.

After a moment, she finally felt the cold, familiar shape of the key bunch resting in her pocket. She retrieved it with a soft exhale, glancing at the key that had been tucked safely among the others.

Her hand trembled slightly as she held it, the cool metal pressing into her palm. She took a steadying breath, she turned towards the door, her heartbeat pounding louder than before.

The others waited in silence, the quiet anticipation hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

She stepped forward and inserted the key into the lock, her thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty as she twisted the key. There was a soft click as the door slowly creaked open.

White Lily Cookie stepped in first, as she pushed the door lightly, letting herself in with a small smile as the others followed behind her.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie, our friends have-” She said almost out of habit, glancing towards his bed before freezing completely.

It was…empty.

The lamp was still lit but the sheets were a bit disorganised, and crumpled at places with crinkles on the pillow cover. 

Not even his hat or staff were on the table…

Pure Vanilla Cookie was nowhere in sight. 

She almost dropped the plates at hand.

This…this couldn't be right- 

“Wait…where is he?” Hollyberry Cookie asked out, her voice concerned.

White Lily Cookie disbelievingly approached near the bed stand as she looked at her friends’ concerned and worried faces wildly while her eyes darted around the room.

“He…He was right here…when I last saw him-” Her voice faltered, as panic began to seep into her thoughts. “He couldn’t have just…-” 

Golden Cheese cookie narrowed her eyes. “Are we even sure he was here?” 

Dark Cacao cookie nodded, “I can testify. He was under no condition to leave on his own…” 

But White Lily Cookie heard none of them, her mind a full jumble. 

“He was right here,” she repeated, almost to herself. “I… I don’t understand.”

Hollyberry Cookie looked at him. “Could someone have helped him go?” 

Dark Cacao Cookie then frowned at her. “That doesn't hold any sense. Why would anyone…-”

“YOUR MAJESTY!” 

“YOUR MAJESTY!!!!” 

Their heads all snapped toward the source of the sudden loud voices.

Within moments, two Faerie cookies appeared at the door, wings fluttering frantically as they panted heavily, their expressions tight with panic and alarm. 

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched as she felt her heart seize, her blood running cold.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

She instinctively took a step forward. “What is it?” she asked, her voice almost too fast.

“It's- It's PURE VANILLA COOKIE! He's there in the garden-” one of them gasped out, barely able to breathe.

“Near the eastern wing- by YOUR hall!- he-!”

But none of them waited to hear the rest.

The plates slipped from White Lily Cookie’s hands, clattering loudly to the floor behind her, but she barely heard it as she bolted without another word, sprinting past them with a sharp breath. 

All that filled her mind now was his name, over and over again.

The others were right behind her, no hesitation, no questions. Hollyberry Cookie muttering something she didn't bother listening, Golden Cheese Cookie cursing under her breath audibly while Dark Cacao Cookie’s expression cracked into something far graver as his long strides kept pace.

None of them spoke. The pounding of their feet and the racing of their hearts were loud enough.

Why would he be there? 

Why would he leave when he could barely stand?

How did he even leave??

He was so depleted off magic severely, so completely exhausted infact that he had slipped off to a deep sleep…

She knew that.

She checked that.

Then how…? 

Guilt surged like a tide.

She should’ve never left.

The corridors blurred past her, her breath sharp and ragged. Her vision began to stung, but she didn’t know if it was from the wind or something far worse curling at the edges of her eyes.

All she could think at that moment was please.

Please let him be alright.

Please let her be wrong.

Please, not again.

Within a few more moments, the garden came into view but along with a hum of voices did too.

Whispers, murmurs…a crowd?

Her eyes widened as she noticed the usually calm garden space was now practically brimming with activity.

Many Faerie cookies were gathered there, some even lined the edges of the path, their wings twitching anxiously, expressions filled with concern and awe as they gossiped only to turn quiet the moment they spotted her.

Her heart leapt into her throat.

Something was wrong.

White Lily Cookie pushed forward, her friends following her closely. The Faerie cookies didn't say anything to them or her, most of them stepping aside to let her go.

She then moved faster, weaving through the murmuring crowd as Faerie Cookies parted further, allowing her and her friends to move ahead.

She didn't pause to let herself think. She didn't stop to breathe. 

Her feet moved on pure instinct, her hands getting colder by the second with her chest tightening as her mind spiraled. 

Her pulse thundered in her ears, loud enough to drown out the murmurs around her. Every step felt like it was dragging her deeper into something she didn’t want to see, something she didn't want to face.

The further she pushed through the crowd, the harder it became to breathe.

She couldn’t see him yet, but the expressions on the Faerie Cookies' faces scared her.

It didn't take much moments for her to finally reach the front and then freeze as the others did so to at the sight.

There he was.

Pure Vanilla Cookie-

She felt her breath leave her body.

At the far edge of the clearing, where the grass dipped slightly into a gentle slope under the moon’s glow, stood Pure Vanilla Cookie.

He simply… stood there, upright yet alone almost as though caught in time on a stretch of moonlit grass. The soft glow of the moon bathed the scene in silver, casting his figure in a pale, ethereal light.

His back was to them, his cloak swaying lightly in the faint wind, his soft blonde hair glinting under the gentle moon light, his gaze up at the crescent moon.

Almost as if he hadn’t even noticed the gathering behind him.

As if he didn’t hear them at all.

White Lily Cookie’s lips parted, her voice caught in her throat.

The grass around him swayed unnaturally, as if drawn by a presence far greater than the wind, shimmering faintly. Delicate wisps of light seeming to lift from the earth itself, curling like strands of mist around his figure and the air around them.

It was silent yet…eerily beautiful.

Delicate yet still.

She turned briefly to the others to see their awestruck yet confused glances while panic and concern flickered in her eyes.

What was going on? 

White Lily Cookie turned back to him as she took a trembling step forward, a hand unconsciously reaching out. “...Pure Vanilla Cookie?” she breathed, barely louder than a whisper.

And at that very moment, his figure stirred.

Without turning, without a word, Pure Vanilla Cookie slowly lifted his staff, pointing it upward almost as if towards the crescent moon itself.

And then came light. Brilliant yet soft, bursting from his Vanilla Orchid Staff’s flower as it glowed brightly, illuminating the surroundings in a warm, gentle blue light before shifting into delicate tendrils, breaking into seven, distinct, vibrant hues of light arching out of nothing only to weave together in a slow, spiralling pattern while his own feets lifted off the ground.

His robes, cape and hair swayed in the wind as he then twirled slowly, like a delicate petal in the wind, his hand clutching his soul jam while his warm, serene eyes eventually opened, looking towards the moon with such tenderness that it made her chest tighten in a strange way.

A visible pulse rippled from where his feet had been, flowing through the ground softly making everyone gasp in awe as soft shimmering fragments of life came from it, a low hum thrumming through the earth, sparks dancing at their feet.

The grass bent slightly, light trailing through each blade like it had been kissed by starlight before small white buds started to emerge from them, pushing free of the soil, delicate and trembling as they raised their fragile heads before blooming.

Soft, pure white, one after another, white lilies bloomed from the soil. Their fragrance, faint and sweet, drifted through the clearing like a forgotten memory, spilling outward in quiet waves, surrounding the full land like a sea of moonlight, their petals stretching open slowly as if feeling the night for the first time.

White Lily Cookie stood frozen, breath caught, her wide eyes at witnessing something so…divine.

She raised her gaze towards him where he descended slowly, like a falling petal caught in a breeze, the glow around him softening.

His eyes had closed once more, expression serene and peaceful, one foot nearing the ground filled with a sea of lilies as a wave of radiant magic resurfaced, cascading in slow, gentle rings across like ripples on water. 

As the foot finally touched, joined by the other, the ripple grew stronger, faster, deeper as they layered over each other like reflections, echoing outward until the entire clearing seemed to breathe with light, more lilies awakening and swaying, touched by that pulse.

He stood over in a field of white lilies, the flowers still blooming beneath and behind him, almost like the world had shifted to cradle him in something soft, something sacred.

Slowly, gently, his eyes opened again, this time not to the moon, not to the sky.

But to her.

And something in the way his gaze softened made her heart feel…something.

At that moment, she couldn't hear or notice the reaction from her friends, or the ones elicited from the faeries.

At that moment, she was simply speechless.

Chapter Text

“Hey.”

“...”

“You're still sulking.” 

“...”

Hollyberry Cookie sighed dramatically. “C’mon, why still the long face? You look like someone pushed you off the wall again.”

That did earn her a sideways glare.

She raised her hands in mock surrender, grinning even wider. “Ah, there it is! I knew that would work.”

Golden Cheese Cookie tilted her head, almost sympathetically save the smirk on her face. “Still. No witty comeback?” 

“...”

“Aw c’mon! You shouldn't be this quiet after being serenaded for a full night.” Hollyberry Cookie’s eyes glimmered in amusement.

“I was not serenaded.” 

“Oho! That's right! You were getting serenaded to! My mistake!” Hollyberry Cookie laughed.

Golden Cheese cookie snorted, chiming in. “Lying there stiff as a statue, regretting your life decisions while he went on and on!”

“Oh no, no, don’t skip the best part,” Hollyberry Cookie grinned, leaning over the table. “He fell asleep in the middle of it!” 

Golden Cheese Cookie gasped with theatrical delight. “And guess who tucked him in like a little baby?” 

Dark Cacao Cookie finally exhaled, slow and long as if weighing his patience. “I did not ask o-”

“Ohhh, but you were,” Hollyberry Cookie sang, elbowing Golden Cheese Cookie. 

Golden Cheese Cookie wheezed, “The mighty Dark Cacao Cookie… lulled to sleep by love-struck rambling and tucked in by the very source!”

“...You two have far too much time on your hands,” Dark Cacao cookie muttered.

 “It’s beautiful, really.” Hollyberry Cookie wiped a fake tear. “Brotherhood forged in midnight comfort. Possibly even earned a kiss on the forehead or wait, those are probably reserved for White Lily Cookie.”

At that, White Lily Cookie peeked her head up from the soup she was eating, her face red. 

She had been quietly concentrating on her food and not doing anything that may draw attention to herself especially after what happened last night and had been happening ever since.

Her gaze drifted to Pure Vanilla Cookie who, ofcourse, took a seat right next to her. He hummed to himself quietly with a serene smile as he stirred his soup, either oblivious to the banter around him or uncaring about it. Not a hint of shame, awareness or even a flinch or a single indication at the clearly embarrassing conversation happening around him and him being the source of that entire humiliating tale. 

She looked down, her face heating as she stirred her own bowl, the conversation from last night drifted back to her mind. 

White Lily Cookie approached slowly at first, each step cautious and careful as her feet brushed against the sea of soft petals of the freshly bloomed white lilies. Yet her heart raced at the sight making her eventually sprint towards him while trying not to trip over them.

She stopped just a few paces in front of him, her eyes wide. “...Pure Vanilla Cookie?” 

Pure Vanilla cookie blinked at her warmly, with a gentle smile on his face. “My Queen.” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught as heat suddenly rushed to her face from hearing his words.

“I…” She glanced around at the garden. “What…is all this?” 

“Ah,” Pure Vanilla Cookie tilted his head with a soft, unbothered hum, the smile on his face deepening. “Do you like it?” 

She blinked, her cheeks still red. “That is not what I asked-”

She paused as she took a breath. “Why did you do this?” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie merely smiled. “For you, my beloved.”

He looked towards the white lilies bloomed around them, the air still shimmering from the after glow of magic. “Look at these flowers singing in full bloom!” 

He then turned to her, his eyes practically glimmering. “The leaves, flowers, and wind tell me all I need to know. Now, these lilies shall be the first thing you see everytime you tread through your hall.” 

White Lily Cookie froze as she stared at him as silence reigned over them for a long heartbeat.

“I…” She breathed finally, her voice slightly faltering, “Pure Vanilla Cookie… you were exhausted. Your magic levels were dangerously low. How did you even-” 

She trailed off as Pure Vanilla Cookie stepped forward gently, the lilies parting softly beneath his feet like they welcomed every step.

“Oh, my flower.” His eyes softened, voice lowering as if it's a secret just for her. “Lilies will bloom only for you as long as we are together.” 

He smiled once again. “I only wish to see you happy. I would give everything I have if it means seeing you smile.” 

She stared at him, frozen, her cheeks burning bright red, her thoughts swirling with confusion, disbelief and something she wasn't even sure what to name.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie,” she began, her voice faltering, “You can’t keep saying things like that…You can't keep doing things like…this.”

He blinked, looking genuinely confused. “Pardon me my love… Did I do something wrong?” 

He took a cautious step closer, his eyes searching hers for any sign of discomfort. “Please, did I upset you?” 

White Lily Cookie exhaled through her nose, taking a step back. “That’s not what I meant.”

White Lily Cookie’s brows furrowed faintly, as she looked away, trying to steady her breathing. Her voice came out quieter than before. “It’s just…” She hesitated, letting silence fall over them.

After a moment, Pure Vanilla Cookie tilted his head slightly, brows furrowed in gentle concern. “Oh…” He said, breaking the silence. “Did I fluster you again?” he asked earnestly, almost apologetically. 

White Lily Cookie’s cheeks shot up in red as heat rushed up to them. 

He lowered his gaze almost sorrowfully. “I truly apologise. It wasn't my intent.” 

White Lily Cookie made another strangled noise, as she stared at him, wide-eyed, the heat in her face now unbearable.

“I…I- No…no! That is not- I didn’t mean-” She blurred out as her blush only got deeper, one hand lifting to almost cover her mouth to physically stop herself from saying anything else.

Pure Vanilla Cookie paused, his expression caught between worry and wonder. “…Then you’re alright?” he asked softly, hesitating. “I am not in trouble?” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched half in embarrassment and half in indignity as she noticed his utterly sincere look, her mind in full shambles before his words finally hit her.

“N-NO!” She blurred out immediately as she shook her head aggressively as she blurted, her voice a pitch higher than usual. 

“Ah… Then I’m relieved,” he replied, his expression brightening. 

White Lily Cookie felt her heart skip in response, making her quickly shake her head, trying to will the heat from her cheeks.

“You…” She opened her mouth, but then closed it again, her heart louder than her reason.

“You…-” She tried again but her words failed her once more.

“Yes?” Pure Vanilla Cookie leaned in ever so slightly, while he continued to look at her with that same open, sincere gaze. “Please…My queen, speak and I shall listen…”

He then smiled fondly, “For my lily is the music of this night.” 

She froze, eyes wide, her breath caught in her throat as his words rang in her ears, soft and tender as a lullaby and yet crashing into her like a tidal wave. 

The world blurred around her, swallowed by the deafening sound of her heartbeat as her cheeks somehow turned into an even deeper shade of red.

She didn't even realize it until a voice from behind her snapped her into reality.

“Wow.” Golden Cheese Cookie Cookie muttered. “This is better than most royal court dramas.”

This made her whip her head around instantly, her heart leaping into her throat as her face went scarlet red from the heavy blush gracing her features.

“Shh!” Hollyberry Cookie grinned. “We're getting to the best part! She's about to combust!” 

“This is the best entertainment I have had in ages.” Golden Cheese cookie leaned in with a smirk.

White Lily Cookie let out a noise that could only be described as a mortified squeak, her hands flying up to hide her face, her entire being screaming to vanish into the ground right then and there.

“White Lily Cookie?” He asked her, his voice laced in concern. 

She flinched, her heart pounding harder.

“Please, are you alright?” He asked, his brows furrowing.

Her hands slid down just enough to peek at him between her fingers. He looked genuinely worried. There was no teasing in his eyes. No playfulness, just sincerity.

For a moment, he looked so normal…looked like…himself again.

Yet she hid behind her hands once more, unwilling to look as her fingers trembled slightly against her cheeks, the air far too thick, everything too overwhelming.

“My queen…please, look at me.”

But she didn't move, her breath caught somewhere between her throat and chest.

It wasn't until she felt gentle yet careful fingers brushing softly against hers, hesitant for only a moment before curling gently around her trembling hands, warm and reassuring that her breath hitched.

The warmth of his hands seeped into her skin, and before she even realized it, her fingers shifted, as they instinctively fell away from her face, her gaze lifting, their eyes met again.

There was no smile, no playful glint but a still tenderness in his gaze, as if he saw straight through the panic fluttering beneath her skin and met it with nothing but calm, his hold on her hands so delicate as if they were something precious, making her hold her breath.

“Worry doesn't look good on you, my dear.” He said softly as he looked at their hands. “Yet…” 

He gazed up at her tenderly. “Your beauty only grows more radiant under the pale moonlight.” 

He breathed. “The way the light falls upon you…” He continued, dreamily. “It’s as if the stars themselves dim, humbled by your glow. Even the lilies dare not bloom brighter, for they know they are merely reflections of you.”

White Lily Cookie’s blush deepened as her eyes widened.

His grip on her hand tightened faintly, as he whispered. “If I may…” 

He gave her a small but gentle smile, his eyes shining softly. “The night holds its breath, as though afraid to steal even a moment of your brilliance.” 

Her breath hitched as she froze.

He sighed, leaning forward subtly. “Even the moon envies your light as the lilies bow before you.”

She stopped breathing.

“Oh my sovereign,” He tilted his head slightly, his eyes softened. “How could anything dare to look away… when even time itself seems to pause for you?”

Her breath stuttered, her heart hammering in her chest like petals caught in a storm as her face went up in flames.

White Lily Cookie inhaled deeply, her eyes widening at the memory as she snapped back to reality. The memory which she really wished…was just a dream.

But it wasn't.

She didn't even want to remember about the relentless teasing that happened right after that moment by none other than Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie who were simply devious about it and how she practically just wanted to drag Pure Vanilla Cookie to go rest with Dark Cacao cookie who thankfully was quiet all the time and then just rush over to her own room to sulk.

But if only things were that easy.

While all sorts of shenanigans were going on between them, the faerie cookies were busy practically erupting in joy, excitement, applause and celebration. 

They jubilantly approached the newly bloomed white lilies in columns, adoring them as they circled the bloom, their wings fluttering excitedly, letting themselves touch the lilies softly, skimming their petals as they excitedly talked to one another.

She later learnt that apparently…the sheer number of lilies was beyond anything they had ever seen as white lilies were notoriously difficult to cultivate in the Beast Yeast-ian soil of the Faerie Kingdom. 

For this many to bloom at once, and so suddenly, was considered not just improbable, but nearly miraculous.

Several faeries had exclaimed that the sight was “worth a full year of cultivation,” others debating whether they should begin recording the phenomenon for the royal archives while some were too busy crafting delicate flower crowns and braid the flowers in each other's hair along with some bombarding Pure Vanilla Cookie with questions, praises, and delighted exclamations when they got a chance for suddenly, he was the heart of a miracle to all faeries.

She exhaled slowly, shaking her head at the absurdity of it all.

It was all…too much.

It was like every moment she tried to escape the chaos, it just pulled her back in, like a wave crashing against the shore, dragging her further and further into the madness.

She remembered how she had finally asked Dark Cacao cookie, the only one who seemed to understand the need for quiet and solitude, on if he could escort Pure Vanilla Cookie to his room, almost stumbling over her own words due to all the ongoing relentless teasing perpetrated by Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie in the background.

Still, it was the only way to get him to rest as judging how he was acting at that moment....he certainly wasn’t going to leave her side on his own, definitely not in the state he was in. And this was the only way she could get out of here and finally escape the teasing from her two friends.

Of course, Dark Cacao Cookie, ever the one to fulfill his promises, had agreed and did so without hesitation as he took Pure Vanilla Cookie's hand and basically dragged him off to his room while he kept on chatting away about something she didn't really have the mind to pay attention to as she, herself, was busy hurrying to her own room, ready to collapse on her bed, just shut the world out for a while and maybe finally escape her two friends.

For she thought that would be the end of it.

For that should be the end of it, right?

Right? 

Wrong.

It wasn’t the end at all.

She doesn't quite remember anything beyond when she locked the door behind her and threw herself on her bed for the next time she opened her eyes, it was morning and the time to water her plants. 

It had been peaceful for a few moments. 

Moments where she could pretend everything was normal as it was just her, and her plants. No teasing, nothing flustering, chaotic or embarrassing happening. Just silence. 

But of course, such peace can never last.

It wasn't until she was done watering and was on her way back to her room that she was informed by one of the faeries intercepting her steps that a surprise feast had been arranged in honor of Pure Vanilla Cookie while practically glowing with delight.

She had blinked, confused.

A feast?

And yes, they said. Emphasizing how It's a grand one and how it has apparently been all organized, announced and decorated before any of them have thought of asking her, let alone consult.

And just like that, she found herself here.

Sitting at a long, glittering table in the heart of the Faerie Kingdom, surrounded by laughter and banter as if the last twenty-four hours hadn’t been a surreal mess of emotion, embarrassment, and magically-induced chaos.

That also leads to her current situation of Dark Cacao cookie getting the brunt of relentless teasing. 

She sighed.

It all started as normal as it could be. 

As she reached the designated dining hall where the feast was hosted, she saw Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie conversing amongst themselves animatedly with one another until they noticed her. The moment they did, Golden Cheese Cookie fell silent but Hollyberry Cookie greeted her with enthusiastic cheer and it didn’t take long before Hollyberry Cookie started to slip in subtle jokes and teasing remarks about the previous night into their conversation, much to her growing embarrassment. The teasing only subsided when Pure Vanilla Cookie and Dark Cacao Cookie entered the hall.

Pure Vanilla Cookie looked refreshed, radiant almost as he entered the hall. A soft smile lit up his face like sunshine after rain. His posture was light, movements full of energy, and his expression one of pure contentment.

In stark contrast, Dark Cacao Cookie followed behind him, slow and heavy in his steps. He looked tired. More than tired, even. Sleep-deprived, eyes half-lidded with dark shadows beneath them and a barely concealed groan escaping his lips as he dragged himself along. However before she could think more about it… none of that mattered to Pure Vanilla Cookie on the moment his eyes fell on her.

“White Lily Cookie!” he called out with uncontained delight, practically floating over to her.

White Lily Cookie’s eyes widened as he approached, making her face rapidly go from mildly pink to a full-blown cherry red as he stopped directly in front of her and took one of her hands in his gently. “Ah, I feared I wouldn’t see you soon enough!”

He let his other hand clasp the soul jam on his chest as if he were reciting a poem. “Oh, how cruel time is when we are apart! Did you have a good night's sleep?” 

She couldn't even look away from him, her face utterly red and burning in warmth.

Hollyberry Cookie laughed. “Well, the day has just started and he's back at it again!” 

Golden Cheese Cookie gave a short snort from where she stood, arms folded. “He’s really starting strong this morning.”

Before she could even muster up her mind to even think of replying, White Lily Cookie snapped back to her senses as she saw Dark Cacao cookie nodding slightly at her before passing her and others to drag a nearby chair before slumping on it with a groan, letting his arms rest on the table.

She noticed how his eyes were heavy and shadowed with exhaustion, which made her immediately more concerned.

And she wasn't the only one. 

Hollyberry Cookie turned to Dark Cacao Cookie, raising an eyebrow at him, her grin faltering as she caught a proper look at Dark Cacao Cookie’s face.

“Well,” she said, hands on her hips. “What's wrong with you? You look like you haven't slept a wink.”

Dark Cacao cookie sighed quietly, massaging his temples as he sank further into his seat.

Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese cookie shared a glance at each other before the latter leaned forward slightly, narrowing her eyes as she crossed her arms. “Don’t tell me lover boy kept you up all night.”

At that, Dark Cacao cookie stilled, raising his gaze to look up at them.

Hollyberry Cookie let out a booming laugh. “Oh, he did, didn't he?” 

Dark Cacao cookie looked away, saying nothing, the frown on his face deepening.

“I knew this potion would be funny, but I didn’t expect this!” Hollyberry Cookie chuckled. 

She then leaned in with gleaming eyes, practically bouncing on her heels. “Alright, how bad was it? Were it poems? Confessions? A dramatic retelling of how much he loves her smile?” 

Golden Cheese cookie grinned. “Oh no…was it some sappy nonsense?”  

However, Dark Cacao cookie remained silent, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Oho! Now I almost wish I was the one sharing a room with him!” Hollyberry Cookie grinned wider. “Was it rhyming? Please tell me he tried to rhyme!”

However, Dark Cacao cookie still said nothing, not even throwing a glance at them.

And that….

Only encouraged them more.

Golden Cheese Cookie smirked, as she finally took a seat opposite to him, looking at him face to face now. “...So he did go on about her, didn’t he?”

“You know, the silence says more than words ever could.” Hollyberry Cookie’s grin widened as she took a seat right next to Golden Cheese cookie. “Was it really that bad?” 

Dark Cacao cookie remained utterly unreadable, save for the sharp exhale through his nose.

Hollyberry Cookie cackled, clapping a hand to her chest. “Oh, I knew it! Poor you- bet he went on and on about her all night!” 

Golden Cheese Cookie snorted, “I wonder how you even stayed up. If I had to sit through that, I’d have jumped out a window.”

Dark Cacao cookie exhaled, letting out a long, low breath.

“I did not.” He mumbled in a low weary voice.

Golden Cheese leaned back in her chair, smirking. “So if you didn’t stay up, what- fell asleep halfway through his sonnet number fifty-two?”

Dark Cacao Cookie slowly turned his head to look at her, expression blank.

Golden Cheese Cookie’s smirk faltered slightly.

“Noooo….” Hollyberry Cookie leaned in, her grin growing like a fire being fed.. “He did not-” 

Golden Cheese’s grin widened, cutting in. “Wait- don’t tell me…did he tuck you in?”

And Dark Cacao cookie simply shut his eyes and let out a small breath, his head rest against one hand.

Golden Cheese Cookie leaned forward with a sly grin. “Ohhh? No denial?”

Hollyberry Cookie slapped the table, wheezing with laughter. “So it did happen!” 

Dark Cacao Cookie groaned. “I refuse to dignify that with a response.”

Golden Cheese Cookie grinned like a cat who caught a mouse. “Which just means it did happen.”

Hollyberry Cookie nearly doubled over. “Oh, that’s as good as a confession!”

Dark Cacao Cookie didn’t even look at them. “I never sai-” 

“Exactly! You didn’t deny it!~” Golden Cheese Cookie sang, resting her chin in one hand. “And that silence says everything.”

“And that,” Hollyberry cookie added with a wink, “is all we needed to hear!”

Golden Cheese cookie clasped her hands as she stared up mockingly. “Tucked in by the romantic poet himself~” She cackled loudly. “Oh in cheese's name, I’m never letting this go!”

Dark Cacao Cookie exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face.

All the while, White Lily Cookie had been standing nearby, watching all of it, frozen in mortified horror. She was still red in face, her body halfway in an awkward half-stand with one of her hand still in Pure Vanilla Cookie's hand.

She wasn't even aware that at some point during the chaos, she had been gently guided to her seat by none other than Pure Vanilla Cookie who sat right beside her, humming softly to himself, blissfully uncaring towards the banter that went on. 

She didn't even remember when the feast began or the glances and confused gazes the faerie cookies serving them threw when Hollyberry Cookie had nearly fallen out of her chair with laughter, Golden Cheese Cookie relentlessly poked fun at every breath Dark Cacao Cookie took…while Pure Vanilla Cookie…he had made himself perfectly comfortable beside her, smiling at her ever so often with that warm yet lovesick smile of his.

All she was aware of is that her head was tilted at the exact angle that would keep her hair just in the way enough to hide how red her cheeks were and keep her out of attention as long as possible.

While she was truly grateful to Dark Cacao Cookie for not just staying with Pure Vanilla cookie but also for watching over him and enduring everything…she had no power to save him from Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie. 

If she tried to say anything, she would be the next one roasted alive over the breakfast table and she…

She didn’t think she could survive that.

Especially not with him sitting right beside her.

Which is what led her to the present.

White Lily Cookie sighed quietly as her mind came back to her current reality, the sounds of breakfast chatter and the ongoing teasing becoming distant like echoes behind a closed door.

She blinked down at her now cold soup, the steam that once curled into the air long since vanished. Her hand on her lap tightened so did her grip on her spoon.

Why did she care about all that?

What was she even doing here? 

All of this had no…purpose or meaning.

Not when war loomed over her because of her mistakes… 

Not when there was still a cure needed to be found for her love-sick best friend.

This moment of warmth, laughter, and companionship was… fleeting.

A delay.

A distraction.

All of this was temporary.

None of this was real.

Yet why was she taking all of this as so?

Her friends were here only for the meeting on the Beast cookies and Dark Enchantress cookie as they were active threats to their world…

The meeting which was merely postponed due to her carelessness and the predicament of Pure Vanilla Cookie.

Once Pure Vanilla Cookie was himself again, the meeting will reconvene and so will the deliberations and then…

They would all leave. 

Even Pure Vanilla Cookie.

And…she won't be able to join them.

She won't be able to join him.

Not anymore.

Now she was the Guardian of the Silver Tree and the Faerie Kingdom.

She doesn't have the freedom to roam free as she wishes as now she is tied with new duties and responsibilities. She had obligations, ones that tethered her like roots in the soil.

So…why was she letting all this…get her?

Why was she letting herself… hope?

Why did the way he looked at her make her chest ache?

She let her gaze flicker over to Pure Vanilla Cookie who sat beside her peacefully with a warm, peaceful smile on his face even as his beholder watched the chaos before them like nothing was wrong…like the world wasn’t fractured at the edges. 

She could still hear the groans, sighs and occasional jabs from Dark Cacao cookie only for Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie to counter back instantly with a burst of laughter and embarrassing comments but at the same time, she heard quite nothing, their voices blurred into a dull hum, like a dream fading at the edge of consciousness. She was there, but not really.

What would he do if he were in her place?

She found herself wondering, her world slowly closing around just one thought for a moment, but…

She already knew the answer to that.

Steady.

He would stay kind. 

He would smile, wouldn't he?

He would smile through the weight of it, even when it hurt, even in the face of responsibility, uncertainty… and heartbreak.

He’d try to lighten the burden of those around him before even thinking of his own.

To find a way to bring light to others.

To guide them gently, even when the path was steep. 

He’d shoulder every burden with grace and give of himself until nothing was left. 

He wouldn’t falter. 

Not once.

For…that was who he was.

Selfless. 

Unwavering.

Considerate.

Gentle.

Caring.

And…Incurably kind.

She knew he would tell her that even temporary peace deserved to be cherished. 

That warmth was not wasted just because it would not last.

That love… even unspoken… was still real.

She felt her breath hitch.

He was under the influence of a love potion, and yet… somehow, he was still in there.

Still himself.

Still putting others first.

Even in this love-drunk state.

Some parts of him still shined through over and over again.

It quietly made her wonder for a moment.

Was there some more semblance of truth in the way he acted even under influence…?

Was some part of him…some honest, quiet part…had always felt that way?

She had seen it in his eyes. 

The way he kept looking at her with such reverence that mirrored how he looked at her even before all of this happened-

The way he spoke to her as though every word came from somewhere long buried, like truths unearthed at last….

Could magic truly fabricate that?

Could it recreate something so gentle? So familiar?

Was it all truly untrue? 

An artificial emotion conjured from the potion? 

Why, despite everything, she wanted to believe that it wasn't? 

Wanted to believe that not all of it was pretend…

Why did she find herself wondering if he would even remember this morning once the potion was out of his system? 

If he would remember the lilies he bloomed in the night just to greet her? 

If he would remember the words he declared and whispered as though they were prayers?

If he would regret it all, if he remembered? 

Was it wrong to hope? 

What was she supposed to do with a love that might not be real… and yet felt so terribly, achingly so?

She swallowed.

Was it really so foolish… to wish this morning could last a little longer?

Was it truly wrong to wish he could stay a little longer?

Had there always been something unspoken between them? 

Something too soft to name yet too precious to risk…?

What if… Pure Vanilla Cookie’s current affections weren’t entirely born of the potion?

What if they were real? 

She instantly paused, repressing the thought just as quickly as it came.

What was she even thinking?

How could she allow herself to let fragile little fantasies bloom like they meant anything?

He was under a potion.

A love potion. 

A concoction, a prank, an accident. 

None of this was real.

None of it.

Why was she acting like it was?

Why was she searching his expressions for truths he couldn’t even speak on his own?

Why did she keep hoping- clinging to these stolen moments like they held any kind of promise?

Foolish.

Utterly foolish.

She felt the shame crawl up her spine, heavy and hot.

This wasn’t like her.

She wasn’t some daydreaming fool who believed in imaginary tales.

She knew better.

She should know better.

She was supposed to-

“White Lily Cookie!” 

She jolted slightly as her eyes widened, the sound of her name breaking through her spiraling thoughts like a stone through glass.

It took her a few more moments to realise that she had been staring- 

Her eyes were still fixed on him.

Still seated beside her, his eyes were now open and now instead of others, he looked at her. His smile had faded into something quieter now. It was full of concern, soft and unspoken, etched into the gentle curve of his brows, and the way his eyes searched hers with that tiny tilt of his head. There was nothing teasing in his look.

He looked worried.

Not just confused by her silence or startled by the sudden call of her name, but… truly worried. Like he had been watching her long before the others even noticed.

It was the same look he always wore whenever something really troubled her.

The look when he really saw through her. 

The kind that always made her feel seen in a way that made her chest ache a little.

Something in her chest twisted.

For a moment, her mind completely blanked out as she forgot all her previous thoughts.

For a fragile moment, it was almost like he was back to himself again- 

Before she could think further, a loud voice snapped the moment apart.

“White Lily Cookie?” 

She blinked rapidly before tearing her gaze off him as she looked at others.

The hum of conversation had stilled, and as her awareness widened, she realized the entire table had gone quiet, the buzzful banter replaced by a hush that hung in the air like morning fog.

At the moment, every pair of eyes at the table was turned toward her.

 Golden Cheese Cookie had raised a brow while Dark Cacao Cookie’s expression had morphed into an unreadable one. Hollyberry Cookie looked at her concernedly. 

She felt the weight of their gazes all at once which made her heart give a small, traitorous thump, making her look down on instinct.

“You alright there?” Hollyberry Cookie asked, her brows furrowed. “You have been quiet all this time.”

White Lily Cookie raised her eyes to meet hers, opening her mouth to reply but not quite finding the right words immediately.

 “I- yes.” She said finally in a quiet, low voice. “I’m fine. Just...was lost in thought.”

“You sure?” Hollyberry Cookie leaned closer, a small grin forming on her face. “Because if you’re going to throw lovestruck gazes across the table, you should at least do it after breakfast and try not to space out so hard next time!” Hollyberry Cookie chuckled, leaning back on her chair.

Golden Cheese cookie snorted.

Dark Cacao cookie sighed.

White Lily Cookie’s entire face lit up as a flush of crimson bloomed across her cheeks.

“I- That was not-!” White Lily Cookie stammered, as she sat ramrod straight. “I…I wasn’t- It wasn’t like that!”

“Oh please!” Hollyberry Cookie raised both brows, clearly delighted. “You have been looking at him like he hung the stars for a good while!”

“It wasn't li-” 

Hollyberry Cookie leaned on the table, grinning from ear to ear. “Come on now, no shame in it! You are certainly blushing now!”

White Lily Cookie’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You’re mistaken,” she said calmly, despite the pink still stubbornly clinging to her cheeks. “I was only… thinking.”

“Mhm.” Hollyberry Cookie leaned back, clearly unconvinced. “Thinking real hard about a certain cookie beside you, huh?”

White Lily Cookie’s blush deepened further, her face practically red now.

Hollyberry Cookie smirked before turning her attention across the table, her grin widening. “And what about you, Pure Vanilla Cookie?” she asked, raising a brow. “You’ve got nothing to say about her looking at you like that? No reaction? No… grand romantic gesture?”

White Lily Cookie visibly stiffened, her eyes widening as she immediately turned to him in panic.

Pure Vanilla Cookie however blinked slowly, not responding or reacting to her initially, before giving a soft, sheepish smile.

“Well…” he began, his tone quiet but certain, “I suppose I do have something.”

The table fell silent immediately.

White Lily Cookie stiffened as she continued staring at him with wide eyes.

While Golden Cheese Cookie raised an eyebrow, Hollyberry Cookie leaned in with a grin, clearly intrigued, with even Dark Cacao Cookie gave a slight pause, gaze sharpening.

Without another word, Pure Vanilla Cookie reached into the folds of his robe, his movements slow and careful. The room had gone so still it felt like even the air itself was waiting. 

Within moments, he gently pulled something out from a hidden fold, drawing out a small cloth bundle tied by a knot. With deliberate care, he placed it on the table, as he then untied the knot with practiced fingers.

The table collectively leaned in forward.

Golden Cheese Cookie’s expression shifted from skeptical to curious, her brow arching higher.

Hollyberry Cookie’s grin widened, practically sparkling with anticipation, her eyes gleaming as she leaned in further to get a better look.

While Dark Cacao cookie’s expression remained unreadable with his gaze sharp and steady.

And White Lily Cookie?

She couldn't move, she remained frozen as she stared at his hands, her breath growing more and more shallow with her heart thudding louder with each careful motion.

It didn't take long for the fabric to fall off and when the contents did catch the light, gasps sounded across the table.

Resting atop the cloth was a breathtaking flower crown.

But not just any-

Crafted entirely of sugar crystal, it held delicate and soft white lilies encircled with silvery vines and tiny, intricate vanilla orchids, each bloom…each flower looked nearly alive, captured at the peak of its bloom and with such care that they seemed almost real. 

The petals shimmered faintly with iridescent colors and prismatic hues, as the whole crown sparkled like morning dew caught on moonlight.

For a moment, no one said a word.

Not a single soul so much so dared to breathe.

All eyes were locked on the crown, the soft glint of the sugar crystal casting dancing reflections across the table's polished surface.

Golden Cheese Cookie blinked slowly as her gaze flicked between the crown and Pure Vanilla Cookie.

Even Hollyberry Cookie, whose grin had faded into wide-eyed wonder, was uncharacteristically quiet. Her brows lifted, mouth parted ever so slightly as she leaned in, almost afraid a louder breath might shatter the piece’s fragile beauty with Dark Cacao Cookie not speaking either.

And White Lily Cookie…simply stared. Her breath had caught somewhere in her chest as she couldn't speak.

And the quietness continued until Golden Cheese Cookie broke the silence as she spoke first. “Are those…Are those real? Like…actual jewels?” 

“Where did you get this?” Hollyberry Cookie finally found her voice, staring at the crown like it had just whispered a secret. “That thing looks like it took weeks! Months even! When did you…How did you-” She stuttered.

Pure Vanilla Cookie let out a gentle chuckle, turning his gaze between Golden Cheese Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie before letting his eyes drift back to the crown.

“Perhaps,” he said with a serene smile. “I made it, earlier this morning.”

“I woke up before sunrise,” he smiled sheepishly. “And I couldn't fall asleep…for I dearly yearned to see my flower... thus I went on a walk. It was quite peaceful and I had some time, so I gathered some flowers and started weaving. It started off as something quite simple but before I knew it, it was already done.”  

He slightly tilted his head, his eyes still resting on the crown in front of him. “Once it was done, I thought why not crystallize it for preservation? It would be a shame if they withered before my love even got to see them!…Thus, I simply applied a few laws of transmutation light magic, layer by layer, so it wouldn't lose any of its details.”

He hummed thoughtfully for a second as he tapped his chin. “Technically, I suppose each flower is its own sugar crystal now. Individually, they could all be considered jewels.”

The room fell silent once more.

It was as if a collective beat passed through the table, like every cookie had just processed what he said a few moments too late with mouths slightly open, eyes wider than before and sheer disbelief written all over their faces.

And then-

“Wait-” Golden Cheese Cookie’s voice finally broke through the stillness, sharp with disbelief. “You are telling me that these were real flowers before?!”

“And…you just woke up and decided to make an actual crown worthy of being in a royal vault just because you were bored?” Hollyberry Cookie leaned closer like she hadn’t heard him right, one hand halfway extended toward the crown but not daring to touch it. “Are you seriously telling me you ‘transmuted’ a whole crown from real flowers into actual gems just because?!”

Pure Vanilla Cookie offered a soft laugh, his shoulders lifting in a humble shrug as though he hadn’t just casually conjured what looked like a relic from some long-lost kingdom.

“Well… yes,” he admitted lightly, his gaze resting on the crown itself. “I used to make flower crowns all the time back at the academy. Not quite as…elaborate as this one but simple ones." he explained gently, his voice softening with nostalgia. "It was something I enjoyed doing in my spare time. Something I did when I needed some peace…there was something peaceful about weaving them together, the delicate flowers coming together in such a harmonious way. But this one…”

He chuckled lightly, shaking his head, almost in self-amusement. “This was made particularly with my dearest in mind.” 

His gaze shifted back to the crown, and there was a hint of fondness in his eyes as they softened. “It seemed only fitting that I make something special. Something worthy of her. Wouldn't you say so too, my queen?” 

The room fell deathly quiet, as if even the very air had paused at his words.

White Lily Cookie’s heart skipped a beat, her mind was still reeling, processing what just happened, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that he had made this… for her. Her chest tightened as she found herself breathless, the reality of it all slowly registering, her thoughts still scrambled.

The room felt distant almost as if time itself had frozen for a split second, the world blurring around her as his words echoed in her mind as she barely comprehended what even was said to her. 

All of it was too much to take at once but then-

A sudden sharp thought clicked in her mind as she carefully noticed the crown, her eyes narrowing slightly.

That flower…that petal shape. That hue.

Her breath caught as she leaned in closer, blinking harder.

“A Vanilla orchid…” she breathed, the words barely above a whisper.

She slowly straightened, her gaze moving from the crown to Pure Vanilla Cookie, meeting his slight curious tilt of head. “These…these don’t grow here…Not in the Faerie Kingdom. Not even in Beast Yeast-” 

Her voice turned a bit more stronger as she continued to look at him, eyes wide and serious. “Then…how?- How did you even find one? Let alone… several?”

However, Pure Vanilla Cookie merely smiled, warm and gently amused, as if he’d been waiting for her to notice.

“Why, I didn't find them.” He said simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I merely cultivated them, of course.” 

“The same way I grew the lilies yesterday,” He continued. “And how I cultivated so many lilies in the greenhouse of my kingdom.” 

White Lily Cookie’s breath caught in her throat.

“Oh my flower,” His eyes softened. “Have you forgotten?”

He then smiled gently. “If one understands the core essence of a plant, it can be recreated,” he continued, his voice softer now. “We don’t need seeds or samples if we grasp the form, the nature, the properties and compositions within it. We only need to grasp the essence that forms its being, and from there, we can guide its growth.”

She simply stared at him, her eyes wide, her mind completely blanked off long ago, caught somewhere in shock, disbelief of it all and awe.

Pure Vanilla Cookie tilted his head just a little, as if sensing her overwhelm, his smile deepened.

“And Vanilla Orchids…” he continued gently as he closed his eyes, letting his hand press against his soul jam, almost like he was telling her a secret meant only for her. “They have always been one of my favourite blooms. I know their form, their rhythm, their nature…I know their essence to the very core…every detail that makes them what they are…” 

“Recalling it was no great task for I have known these flowers for most of my life, I know them by heart but…” He then opened his eyes, to gaze at her sincerely. “To me, they are only second to white lilies, for they are yours.”

For a moment, White Lily Cookie looked at him, truly looked at him, her lips parting but no words coming out of them. At that moment, either at least a thousand thoughts were racing in her head or none at all.

He had meant every word.

She didn't need to ask.

She knew he did.

She had known him long enough to recognise the truths in his voice.

And that…

Because of that…

She didn't know what to say.

Chapter Text

The silence hung thick in the air, as though the entire room was holding its breath.

No one spoke, no one moved as nobody dared to speak first.

Even Hollyberry Cookie, who usually would’ve cracked a joke or made a scene of dramatics, stayed still, eyebrows high in open surprise. Golden Cheese Cookie looked between them slowly, mouth slightly ajar, blinking with an uncertain look on her face while Dark Cacao Cookie, ever so composed, still had an unreadable expression over his face.

And the quiet hush stretched until Golden Cheese Cookie finally broke it.

“Okay,” She breathed. “What on earthbread was that?” 

Dark Cacao Cookie exhaled slowly, almost like he was holding his breath for a long time. “He made a crown.”

“An actual crown,” Hollyberry Cookie echoed, leaning forward, eyes on the gem-like petals. “And not just any crown…made from real flowers turned into jewels…and the craftsmanship-”

“This is just…” She paused for a moment. “...I have seen royal regalia less detailed than this-”

Dark Cacao Cookie nodded. “This is…quite impressive.” 

Golden Cheese Cookie folded her arms, still blinking in confusion. "Yeah, no kidding," she muttered, shaking her head. “He is completely, hopelessly, head-over-heels smitten.”

There was a beat, just one, before Hollyberry Cookie let out a wheezing laugh.

“Right??” Hollyberry Cookie blurted, her voice half-laugh, half-exhale as if she’d been holding it in this whole time. “He’s absolutely head over heels for her!”

“No but still this is insane-” Golden Cheese Cookie gestured vaguely at the crown, her voice dry. “How is he this love-sick and still pulling off magic powerful enough to bend kingdoms?!” 

She threw her hands up. “First the lilies, now this crown, he's practically floating on love yet he is still this sharp in magic?? None of this makes sense!”

Dark Cacao Cookie gave a small hum, arms crossed as his gaze lingered on the crown thoughtfully, “His knowledge in magic has always been exceptional,” he said quietly. “But even I must admit… this level of precision, even in his current state, is remarkable.”

Hollyberry Cookie barked, the grin on her face growing. “This is something right out of a play! Who knew Pure Vanilla Cookie had it in him?” 

“Speaking of which,” She then turned her attention to White Lily Cookie who sat quietly, her gaze down with a light pink blush across her face.

 “What do you think of all this, White Lily Cookie?” She leaned in with a grin, a teasing glint sparkling in her eyes. “How does it feel to have the great Pure Vanilla Cookie wrapped so tightly around your finger, hmm? After all! All these flowers, crowns, and dramatic declarations are for you!”

White Lily Cookie immediately stiffened, as her eyes widened. A soft red hue bloomed across her face, her fingers fidgeting in her lap.

“I-” she began, but her voice was too soft. Her gaze flicked sideways to Pure Vanilla Cookie, who was looking at her affectionately which only made her cheeks feel even warmer.

She quickly removed her gaze off him, dropping it straight to her hands as she cleared her throat, trying her best to compose herself.

“I…I-” she stammered, words tangling in her throat. "I don’t… this is not- He’s not... He’s under the potion…I don't think it is appropriate to-”

“Oh no, no, no, don't give us that!” Hollyberry Cookie grinned wickedly. “You can’t seriously tell me this isn’t getting to you. The blushing alone is doing all the talking!”

White Lily Cookie’s breath hitched at her as her lips parted for a fragile moment before closing, the blush on her face deepening to a vivid-red, making her eyes lower their gaze instantly.

Hollyberry Cookie’s grin only grew wider as she leaned in like a wolf scenting something juicy.

“Awwww, look at that!” she teased, tilting her head dramatically. “You're blushing even more now!” 

“I mean honestly,” she said, gesturing at the flower crown like it was a royal treasure. “If someone went this far for me and handcrafted a crown like that?”

She paused, her grin widening, “I’d start considering marriage!”

White Lily Cookie’s head snapped up instantly in shock as she choked on air. Her eyes went wide with her entire face now fully scarlet. Her shoulders rose to her ears. 

“Marriage…?!” She felt her trembling hand reach at her chest, as though trying to smother her thundering heartbeat.

Hollyberry Cookie threw back her head and howled with laughter.

“I’m just saying!” Hollyberry Cookie threw her arms up in mock innocence. “It’s a perfectly reasonable reaction! But don't tell me-” 

Her eyes widened with a teasing smirk. “You thought about it, didn't you?” 

White Lily Cookie made a quiet incoherent noise, somewhere between a whimper and a squeak as her face burnt even more now.

Hollyberry Cookie shrugged, wiggling her eyebrows. “At this point, just marry him and put us all out of our misery!” 

White Lily Cookie jolted, reeling back on instinct.

“H-Hollyberry Cookie!” she burst out, voice higher than usual, her entire being was aflame now, scarlet from ears to collar.

Hollyberry cookie threw back her head, practically howling with laughter while White Lily Cookie let her hands cover her red face.

Dark Cacao cookie closed his eyes, exhaling through his nose, letting his hand rest against his head.

However, Golden Cheese Cookie suddenly perked up as if remembering something important. Her eyes narrowed at Pure Vanilla Cookie who still fondly stared at a now-overly flustered White Lily Cookie, like she was the only one in the room.

“Hey,” She jabbed a thumb at Pure Vanilla Cookie, making everyone look at her including White Lily Cookie who finally lifted her red face off her hands, all except him who still didn't even bother looking at her.

“Hey!” She pointed at him sharper this time which effectively grabbed his attention, making him turn to her with a neutral expression. 

“Yes, I'm talking to you!” She said as she leaned in forward, resting both her arms in front of her. 

“Pure Vanilla Cookie…” She narrowed her eyes.

The room quieted again, all attention drawn to Golden Cheese Cookie as her voice dropped in seriousness, with even Hollyberry Cookie pausing herself mid-laugh. 

Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked, head slightly tilted, waiting patiently.

Golden Cheese Cookie then pointed at the flower crown again with deliberate precision. “I demand you make a crown for me as well.”

And just like that the silence spell shattered.

Hollyberry Cookie choked on air.

Dark Cacao cookie sighed deeply and White Lily Cookie hid behind her hands once more.

“What?!” Golden Cheese cookie raised her hands exasperated. “What are we even supposed to do now? Like we didn't just watch a magical miracle we had no idea can even be done?! Might as well make use of the knowledge I say!” 

“Besides,” she added with a wave of her hand, “I am the Golden Sovereign. The one and only. The embodiment of divine radiance.”

She pointed at herself with her thumb, grinning. “If anyone is befitting of such beautiful, handcrafted, enhanced crowns then it is I.”

She then puffed her chest out, her voice filled with pride. “I want mine made of Edam Cheese Lotus. And don't skimp out on the details! It must be golden, radiant, and shimmering just like me! Don't forget to make it extra shiny!” 

Hollyberry Cookie practically almost fell sideways, wheezing from laughter as she slapped the table.

“If she's getting one,” She wiped a tear from her eye, trying her best to catch her breath. “Then I want one too!”

She pointed directly at Pure Vanilla Cookie with a wide grin. “Make one out of roses! Big red, maybe even pink ones! Like the kind you throw at a stage! Make it extra sturdy so that I can wear it during sparring!!”

White Lily Cookie’s hand slid further up her face as if she could sink in them and disappear.

Dark Cacao cookie exhaled as he finally spoke. “Perhaps we should maintain some level of decoru-”

“Oh hush now,” Hollyberry Cookie cut in immediately, waving him off with a grin. “You're just jealous that you can't ask for a crown made of star jelly flowers from your kingdom to look pretty!”

Without missing a beat, Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie turned to each other and slapped a loud, satisfying high five as they chuckled together.

Dark Cacao Cookie blinked slowly. Then, without a word, he pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long, weary sigh.

Noticing this out of the corner of her eye, Hollyberry Cookie turned to him again with a smirk. 

“Alright, alright, since we're all making requests now,” she began, her voice light. “I think it’s only fair, Dark Cacao cookie also receives a beautiful crystal flower crown. After all, he’s been so quiet and dignified. Surely, he deserves something special!” 

Dark Cacao Cookie’s eyes narrowed, as he shook his head, “I never said I wa-” 

“Oh, don’t be shy now!” Hollyberry Cookie cut in with a wide grin, waving a dismissive hand at his protest. “There’s no shame in wanting to look a little pretty from time to time!”

Golden Cheese Cookie nodded sagely beside her.

“I do not require-” Dark Cacao Cookie tried again, only to be immediately drowned out by Hollyberry Cookie’s booming voice.

“Oh but I insist, old friend!” She leaned toward him with an exaggerated waggle of her eyebrows. “Come on, just imagine it!”

She threw her arms wide for effect, grinning ear to ear. “Crystallized star jelly flowers woven into a crown, blue and glimmering like a winter’s dawn, all arranged perfectly around your head~”

She clapped her hands together, dramatically swept up in her own imagery. “With that dark cape and those sharp eyes? You’d look stunning.”

Golden Cheese Cookie suddenly snapped her fingers, eyes bright. “So elegant, we might have to rename him, Princess Cacao.”

Hollyberry Cookie howled with laughter. “The name has been spoken! The decree is law!” 

She thumped her arm up. “Long live Princess Cacao cookie!”

Dark Cacao Cookie narrowed his eyes in warning, hand dragging slowly down his face like he looked like he aged a century in those few moments as he allowed himself to let out a long-suffering sigh.

Golden Cheese Cookie, still grinning like a cat who caught the creamiest mouse, leaned forward again and slapped both palms on the table with flair.

“Alright, Crown-maker Extraordinaire,” she declared, turning to Pure Vanilla Cookie. “That’s three royal commissions now officially on the record! When are you getting started?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked, his gaze distant for a moment before he smiled gently again.

“Ah, my deepest apologies,” He said finally, the dreamy smile never leaving his features. “But I’m afraid I cannot fulfil your wishes.”

His eyes returned to White Lily Cookie, the affection in them unwavering, soft as sunlight through morning petals. “My power…This power is for my queen, and her alone.”

White Lily Cookie made a strangled noise as she once again found refuge in her hands.

"OH, playing favorites now, are we?” Hollyberry Cookie finally cut in, leaning forward with her signature grin returning.

Golden Cheese Cookie immediately scoffed, throwing her arms up. “This is just unfair!”

She added. “I am the Golden Sovereign with unbound radiance. It is I who deserves the finest of treasures! I demand respect!!” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie didn’t even glance her way. His gaze remained fixed on White Lily Cookie, as if the rest of the world faded into the background. 

He then closed his eyes, clasping his hands together almost like a prayer. “Oh, but no radiance compares to that of my queen. Her light outshines all others, bathing the world in warmth and grace. Nothing I could ever create would be worthy enough to adorn her. For her brilliance and her presence itself makes the heavens envy themselves-”

“Alright, that's it.” Golden Cheese Cookie blinked before leaning back, raising both her hands as if in surrender. “He is not allowed to say anything else. Muzzle him. How dare he? I swear if he calls her a sunrise next I will launch myself into the sky.”

Hollyberry Cookie leaned in, watching the scene unfold with barely-contained laughter. “Seems like someone has been completely eclipsed!” 

"...To behold her is to witness the very dawn of a new world-” Pure Vanilla Cookie continued dreamily.

Golden Cheese cookie slapped both her hands on her ears, her face contorting to horror. “Make it stop. Make it stop. MAKE IT STOP!!!! Please, no more! If he says one more thing about her, I am going to lose it!”

Hollyberry Cookie, no better, burst out laughing, her laughter echoing through the room as she clutched her sides.

Dark Cacao Cookie, for his part, remained silent however he passed his head with both hands now.

White Lily Cookie, meanwhile, was utterly mortified. Her face was still buried in her hands, her fingers trembling as she still tried to suppress the blush that had overtaken her entire face. Her heart pounded harder in her chest with each word Pure Vanilla Cookie spoke which only sent new waves of heat flooding her body. 

Pure Vanilla Cookie exhaled slowly, as though releasing a sigh carried from the depths of his adoration but then, he suddenly opened his eyes, blinking before gasping softly as if the thought had struck him like a revelation. “Oh! How foolish of me.”

“My flower, please there is something I must ask of you.” He said quietly in a reverent manner, his eyes softening.

Startled by the shift in tone, White Lily Cookie slowly looked at him hesitantly, her trembling fingers loosened, parting just enough to peek through. Her gaze still flustered and her cheeks a soft, glowing red. 

He straightened slightly, voice gentling into a near whisper.

“White Lily Cookie,” he said, her name rolling off his tongue like a sacred vow, his eyes practically shining as he looked down for a moment. “I…”

He then raised his gaze back up to her, his eyes now softened. “I want you to know that I…”

The room fell in absolute silence once more as if holding a baited breath, every cookie completely freezing while they watched over the two carefully with their lips parted open slightly in anticipation.

White Lily Cookie now stared at him fully, her fingers slipping lower, forgotten, her breath caught in her chest. as she only heard her own heartbeat at that moment, the world blurring around her.

What is he going to say?

Why is he hesitating so much? 

What's going on…?

Is…

Is he about to-

Is he about to….is he really about to-

He wouldn't….would he? 

Was…

Was that even possible?

What would she do if he-

A thousand thoughts raced through her head, each crashing over the next like waves yet she couldn’t look away from his eyes, almost like she were enchanted by them, not even noticing him leaning forward towards her ever so slightly.

“White Lily Cookie…” He called out tenderly, “Would you…”

He paused, searching her eyes with such sincerity that it stole the air from her lungs. She swallowed hard, fully spell bound, a warm flutter brushing against her chest.

Was this real? 

Was it really happening?

Is he about to say what she thinks he is about to say…?

Her heart pounded like thunder, each second stretching, stretching until the moment felt it was just about to tip over the edge, poised to break under the weight of a single breath.

His lips parted, the shine in his eyes increasing.

“Please-” He whispered softly.

Her heart beat stuttered wildly, so erratically that it felt like it was about to explode. 

She felt lightheaded. She felt dizzy.

Was this it?

And then he spoke,

Her heart lurching forward almost on instinct-

“Would you please wear this crown for me?” He asked gently, raising his hands gracefully which held the crown delicately, almost as if conjured by the moment itself.

There was silence.

Absolute, breathless silence.

No one dared move.

No one dared speak.

No one dared breathe.

And it continued….

Until Hollyberry Cookie decided to be the first to break it.

She let out a strangled gasp that sounded like she was choking on pure glee. 

“AHA!” She hollered, practically nearly falling out of her seat as her fist slammed against the table. “I KNEW IT! I knew there was something brewing under that polite smile of his!”

Golden Cheese Cookie, meanwhile, looked scandalized. Her jaw dropped as she pointed wildly at the scene. “You’re kidding me,” she whispered. “WHEN did he even take that?! I was WATCHING! I was RIGHT HERE!!”

Dark Cacao Cookie blinked once… then twice. Slowly, he raised a hand to his face and sighed into his palm, as if silently questioning everything he had seen up to that moment.

And White Lily Cookie…. looked like she might just faint.

She just sat there.

Frozen.

Staring.

Her thoughts completely blank.

Her lips parted slightly for a fragile moment but nothing came out.

Her cheeks flushing to a more deeper red as her gaze rested on the crown resting in his outstretched hands.

Pure Vanilla Cookie, however, remained unbothered, still holding the crown, waiting patiently.

 “Please, my queen,” he said with such earnest tenderness. “This crown was made for you. No bloom in this world would dare rival your grace, but… it would be an honor if you wore it.”

She remained frozen in place, her breath shallow and fragile. Her heart was raced as her mind had gone utterly blank.

Her cheeks burnt with his words continuing to echo through her mind, soft and reverent, folding over her like a warm tide.

Her eyes flicked down to the crown, then back to his face and then back to the crown staring at it helplessly while her face got warmer by the second, her ears nearly burning with her face flushing darker.

She said nothing, letting the silence hang again.

But then Hollyberry Cookie, who had been watching with far too much amusement, leaned forward in her chair with a devilish grin. “Oh, come on now, White Lily Cookie! What’s the holdup?” She then gave a mock gasp, putting her hand on her chest dramatically. “Don’t tell me, do you want him to put it on your head?” 

White Lily Cookie visibly jolted.

Her eyes snapped wide as her whole face flushed a deeper crimson.

But before she could even get a word out, Pure Vanilla Cookie spoke again.

“White Lily Cookie,” He said gently, his eyes softening, a look that made her breath hitch. “If it is diffidency that makes you hesitate then-”

He calmly stood out of his chair, crown still at hand. “Then may I have the honor of bestowing this upon you?” 

White Lily Cookie’s soul nearly left her body.

She immediately almost shot to her feet as she leaned against the chair sideways almost like she was trying to move away from him as quickly as possible, waving her hands wildly in front of her, practically vibrating in panic. “N-No- no, no, no, no no!!! Th-....That’s not…I…y-you can’t-!”

However, Pure Vanilla Cookie merely took another soft step further, making her back up just a bit more, making her near the verge of falling.

“Oh, my lily,” He murmured kindly. “Please do not feel shy. This crown is merely a reflection… a pale imitation of your light. Let me place it where it belongs… where you shine brightest.”

She squeaked, unable to do anything else other than make increasingly incoherent but distressed noises, her eyes fully wide open, her breath caught in a knot. “Pure Vanilla Cookie….no- wait….stay! PLEASE-” 

However, he merely smiled as he slowly raised her hands carrying the crown onto her head.

Hollyberry Cookie had collapsed against the table, doubling over in uncontrollable laughter as she violently shook a stunned Golden Cheese Cookie beside her, who looked like her entire worldview had just shattered. Dark Cacao Cookie sat rigid however he too watched the scene being silent, unmoving and slack-jawed, utterly dumbfounded like he’d just witnessed a glitch in reality.

The world stopped as everything spun, her mind going in spirals making her voice reduce down to a panicked whisper. “No, no, no, no, no, NO!-”

And just as the crown reached the top of her head-

The door burst open, as a small group of faeries entered, their wings fluttering behind them.

“Lady White Lily Cookie! There is something we must-” 

They froze, blinking at the scene.

White Lily Cookie was caught mid flail, her face utterly red.

Pure Vanilla Cookie mid crown.

The other three frozen in the tableau of chaos as they looked at the new comers. 

With Hollyberry Cookie having one arm still outstretched toward Golden Cheese Cookie, mouth open mid-cackle, tears of laughter in her eyes; Golden Cheese Cookie was slumped sideways in her seat, stunned into silence, eyes wide with disbelief; and Dark Cacao Cookie’s mouth agape staring at them blankly.

For a moment, only silence hung over them as none of them made a move until one Faerie cookie rubbed their neck awkwardly.

“Um…are we…interrupting something?” They whispered slowly and sheepishly. “...is this bad timing?”

“I told you.” One of them turning sharply to the others. “We need to give them some time alone! They are courting!” 

White Lily Cookie made a noise that was neither a word nor a sound, just… pure panic incarnate.

“I-” Her face grew even warmer by the second. 

“THIS IS NOT-” She heaved. “WE ARE NOT COURTING!!”

Pure Vanilla Cookie turned to her calmly, offering a serene smile. “If you wish to, we could.” 

She felt like her soul flew away instantly, as a single choked noise came out of her. Not a a word. Not even a syllable. It was a raw, distressed gasp from a Cookie whose brain has simply ceased to function, the corner of her vision blurred with the warmth in her cheeks now a full-body flush as her pupils shrank to pinpricks.

Hollyberry Cookie collapsed into a full-body wheeze, one arm still limply reaching toward Golden Cheese as her laughter turned soundless from lack of breath.

“I’m sorry but someone needs to paint this moment. It’s got everything! THAT WAS SMOOTH!” Hollyberry Cookie grinned ear to ear making Golden Cheese Cookie smirk at her while Dark Cacao cookie sighed deeply.

The Faerie cookies too fell whispered with each other, some giggling excitedly while some visibly confused.

White Lily Cookie remained frozen for a few more moments, Her heart still racing in her chest, her cheeks still burning. The cacophony of laughter, teasing and sound around her all felt distant, blurring in the background as she closed her eyes, taking in a slow, deep breath. Her mind floated in a cloud of disorientation, disassociating itself from all.

It was all too overwhelming- the teasing, the laughter, the banter, his words…all of it continued to echo in her head.

Her breathing became shallow, her hands unconsciously gripping the table in front of her as she tried to steady herself.

She felt trapped almost, a rush of panic threatening to overwhelm her.

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself to gain back composure. 

She needed to calm down.

Slowly, she took in a deep breath and then another and then another, letting her chest fall and rise in a steady rhythm.

She had to pull herself together. 

She can't let this moment break her and make her fall apart. 

With a quiet, shaky sigh, White Lily Cookie opened her eyes, carefully blinking them before subtly shaking her head, trying to rid herself of the lingering haze of embarrassment clouding her thoughts and gathering the remnants of her composure. A faint flush still remained on her face but her gaze became a lot steadier.

She then looked up to the faeries. “What is it that you wanted?” 

The words cut through the room like a quiet bell, the effect immediate as the laughter tapered into silence.

The Faerie Cookies froze mid-whisper as they blinked, wings stopping mid flutter before straightening up instantly as they nodded amongst themselves.

One of them, then stepped forward carefully, folding their hands in front of them. Their tone, when it came, was far more subdued.

“We… came to take Pure Vanilla Cookie…with us.” they said, voice almost hesitant now. 

White Lily Cookie blinked slowly, the words settling uneasily in her still-recovering mind. “...Take him?”

“Yes,” another added, now holding their hands behind their back sheepishly. “We just- we needed his help.”

Another cookie nodded beside them. “We have a…few pots filled with fresh earth which we would love him to have us bloom some lilies in.” 

“Yes!” Another one said, perking up with their wings fluttering behind them. “He made so many of them bloom so beautifully! We wish him to grow us a few more!!” 

White Lily Cookie blinked, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Her voice remained level, but the hint of wariness returned. “You… want to take him to grow flowers?”

The faeries all nodded eagerly.

“He was so good at it,” one mumbled, wings twitching. “We thought… maybe he could help a little more.”

Her eyes narrowed, voice steady but laced with concern. “You want him to do more magic.”

It wasn't a question.

The Faerie Cookies paused, some glancing at each other. One spoke again, more hesitant now. “We don't mean to ask too much… We just thought he might enjoy it.”

White Lily Cookie frowned slightly as she let her gaze flicker briefly to Pure Vanilla Cookie, who was still serenely holding the flower crown, standing beside her with a calm expression unwavering despite the chaos.

“...do you wish to go with them?" Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke, the hesitation in her words making her pause briefly.

A twinge of uncertainty pricked at her heart. “Do you want to go help them…?” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie however only smiled. “I am willing to do anything you ask of me, White Lily Cookie.”

Her chest tightened instantly. 

She swallowed, suddenly aware of how dry her throat felt, her grip on the table tightening.

This…wasn't right.

Something about just how… effortlessly the words left him made her feel unease.

“That’s not what I asked,” she said quietly, “Do you want to go?”

He tilted his head, expression soft and unbothered. “If you want me to help them, I will. If you want me to stay, I shall stay.”

A feeling of wrongness overcame her, her heart aching.

This wasn't right-

There was no thought in his response. No moment of hesitation to consider what he wanted. No flicker of doubt in his eyes. No sign that he even could consider it.

Her eyes widened as she took a shaky breath, something heavy settling in being. 

“I…” Her voice cracked as she met his eyes, searching for…something. “You cannot be saying things like that, Pure Vanilla Cookie.”

His expression didn't falter. 

“But I do not see the reason why not, my dear.” He said softly, with an almost tender glint in his eyes. “I only wish to see you happy.” 

There only was….devotion, unwavering and pure, present as if it were the simplest truth in the world.

Her throat ached as she then found herself staring at his hands.

Hands that had healed thousands. 

That had always reached for others but never through them.

Hands that had held hers once, when she trembled in quiet fear as they awaited their friends. 

Now, they remained idle, waiting…

Carrying a crown handcrafted for her.

Waiting for her command.

She froze.

Her breath caught half way.

A strange tightness settling in her chest.

Her mind went numb, as for a moment as she found herself staring at him blankly.

These words….

She has heard them before hasn't she…?

Perhaps not these exact words but-

“Caring for you brings me happiness. Even in something as small as this… so please, allow me this honor.”

“But why wouldn’t it be necessary? My Queen, looking after you is my greatest joy.”

Her eyes widened, as somehow everything started to click now…like puzzle pieces she hadn’t even realized were scattered…yet-

“I only wish to see you happy.” 

Her heart pounded louder than before. 

“If you wish to, we could.” 

She couldn't think-

“If you wish for me to eat, then I shall eat. If you desire me to continue, I shall. If you ask me to stay here and read for eternity, I would do so without question.”

She couldn't breathe-

“I only wish to see you happy. I would give everything I have if it means seeing you smile.” 

Something within her fractured.

Her breath caught in her chest as her mind scrambled to keep up.

“The subject shall find their thoughts consumed by the object of their affection, their will bending under the weight of heightened emotion.” 

“The self shall yield, and the heart shall rule above all else.”

 “A Cookie under the potion’s influence has no say in what they feel.”

“Their thoughts become consumed by the object of their affection. They can’t fight it. The potion overrides their will.”

“The potion overrides their will.”

Those words repeated like a drumbeat, louder and louder, until they blurred into a single thought she couldn’t make any sense of as realization hit her like cold water.

How did she not see this?

How did she overlook this before? 

Why did she not notice this before?

How had she not realised this before? 

Why did she not realize this before?

Had she really been this blind…?

She….

She had known him for so long-

Longer than most cookies do…long before the world saw him as a paragon of light…long before they even met the others-

She knew the shape of his smile, the cadence of his laugh when he was truly happy, the quiet way he used to rest his hand against his chest when deep in thought. 

She knew him…

He had always been gentle, always endlessly kind but…he’d never been empty.

There had always been a… spark in him, something curious and bright, something real. Even in his silences, there had been weight. 

Even in his selflessness, a quiet voice that made his choices, his.

He used to think.

To hesitate.

To weigh a question before giving his heart to the answer.

But now… now that voice was silent.

He was smiling. Still smiling.

Holding that crown like it was sacred, looking at her like she was sacred.

This…

This wasn't him.

It was an echo of it, a hollow imitation wrapped in sweetness.

This wasn't consent…

Not a real one. 

This…this wasn't devotion either…

This…

None of this was real.

This…this was…

This was obedience- 

“No.” She said firmly. 

“You do not have to do any of that.” She continued, her eyes hardening. “I don't want you to care about my happiness. I want you to tell me what you want.”

He didn't deserve this.

He didn't deserve to simply be a puppet strung along by heart strings woven by a potion.

Pure Vanilla Cookie tilted his head further, an almost confused expression on his face. “I am afraid I do not understand.” 

He continued. “I simply want what you want…for your happiness is mine.”

She didn't deserve this.

She didn't want this power.

She never had-

“But that is not what I want from you.” She replied, her eyes wide. “I don't want you to follow me… blindly.”

She asked him to search for scrolls, he did so devotedly. She asked him not to disturb her and he stood outside throughout the cold night…she asked him to rest and he did so without hesitation only for her to later realise it was also due to the fact his magic levels were severely depleted…

Under the haze of the potion, he was willing to do anything she asked him to, like how quickly he gave himself over to her will… like her word was law, like her wishes shaped his world… like how he followed her wherever she leads him without questions.

He would do anything she said without resistance or disagreement.

And that…

That-

That terrified her.

Pure Vanilla Cookie however stared at her for a moment, his expression soft yet confused as if he truly didn’t understand what she was asking of him.

“I…” he said slowly, almost cautiously. “I do not understand-” 

Her gaze broke, as she looked away, squeezing her eyes shut.

For a fragile moment, she wanted to pretend.

Pretend that everything is fine. 

Pretend that everything was as it should be-

Yet-

Had she only been listening to what she found… convenient?

Had she ever truly listened to him… or just to what she liked to hear? 

The thought made her feel ill, as something in her soul recoiled.

Her heart throbbed.

Is that why she didn't pick up on this before?

Was that the reason why? 

Her breath stilled.

Just what-

What…

What had she done?

She pressed her eyes tighter as though to drown out everything else.

This…this was too much-

“Pure Vanilla Cookie…” She breathed, her voice slightly shaky as she then directly met his eyes.

She took a breath.

“Why do you not simply do what you want for once, perhaps something not involving clinging on to me or my words?” 

Her tone came off sharper than she intended, as she snapped, catching a subtle flinch from him, his expression wilting ever so slightly. Her expression softened immediately seeing his reaction, as she let her gaze travel across the room, catching the worried and shocked expressions of everyone present.

She inhaled sharply as her grip on the table’s edge tightened further as an uncomfortable silence settled over the room.

“White Lily Cookie…” Hollyberry Cookie called out concernedly, breaking the silence, her eyes furrowed in worry.

White Lily Cookie turned to her, remaining silent for a brief moment as she truly looked into her. “You…don't get it, do you?” 

She wasn’t shouting or talking loudly, on the contrary, she was talking softly but her voice was somehow more piercing than a scream.

“He…He doesn't know what he's saying…he's not-” She paused for a moment as if considering her own words before her gaze lowered down.

“This isn’t fair,” she breathed, barely above a whisper. “None of this is fair…”

“He…he keeps taking my every word…following them without a second thought-” She looked up. “If I tell him to do or not do something….he'd listen to me without question…He…he is not making his own choices- I…I cannot make choices for him…I…I don't want to, for this…This is…” 

Cruel.

Controlling.

Exploitative.

Wrong.

She didn't voice any of those thoughts aloud, but they echoed through her mind like a relentless tide. Her eyes remained fixed on the table for a heartbeat longer before she drew in a slow breath. 

“I…I don't know what to do…”

The room fell in the lull silence for a few moments before it was broken by Hollyberry Cookie.

“Well…” Hollyberry Cookie started gently, almost cautiously, her gaze flickering toward Pure Vanilla Cookie before settling back on White Lily Cookie. “…Do you think… he might have wanted to help?”

White Lily Cookie's gaze flickered toward Pure Vanilla Cookie, his expression soft, uncomprehending.

She knows that he would have said yes if he were in his right mind.

She thinks he would have.

But-

“That is the point.” She said, her eyes hardened. “We don't really know if he would have-” 

She looked up. “I can say he would’ve helped but…I don’t know. None of us do. We don't know if he'd agree to any of this….We are assuming that he would’ve agreed, that he would’ve said yes just because he always does.”

She continued, her voice low. “But he might have said no too. Especially after using so much magic…We cannot be making decisions for him….not when he is not in his right mind-”

Her look grew more serious. “Won't that be… taking advantage of him?” 

She continued. “He wouldn't say no to me if I said so and even if I considered my answer based on what I think he might have said…we’re still pulling more from him because he always keeps giving. Because he keeps breaking himself piece by piece for the sake of others, not caring for himself…” 

She paused for a moment, she shook her head slowly, her voice barely above a whisper but firm with emotion. “If I say yes then I would be taking advantage of him…even if I think he’d want to help, even if I know he would… it wouldn’t be him saying it. It would be me…it would be me making that choice for him.”

Her gaze drifted. “But if I say no, then I am still controlling him. I am deciding what he can and can’t do. I am still taking away his choice.. and if I try to guess what he would’ve said, based on what I know of him…”

Her hands clenched slightly.

“Then I am still speaking for him.”

She inhaled shakily as she looked down.

“No matter what I do…no matter what I say- it won’t be the right answer. I…cannot do this- This is not fair. Not to him. At all.”

Silence followed, and for a long moment, it simply lingered, a low and distant hush that felt miles away from the heaviness in the room.

It wasn't until what felt like an eternity, that someone spoke breaking the silence like a crack in glass.

“White Lily Cookie…” Hollyberry Cookie leaned in, her brows furrowed, her expression concerned. 

But she didn't look up as she closed her eyes tightly, her hands gripping her dress tightly.

A strong pang of guilt gripped her heart in a vice.

Her chest tightened, suffocating with the weight of her own indecision, the overwhelming knowledge that she was trapped.

The room felt closing in on her, every breath she took feeling like a mistake as she felt the eyes of everyone present burning onto her.

She wasn't strong enough for this.

She couldn't bear them questioning her anymore.

What more was there to say? 

She had already laid everything bare.

She didn’t want to face their looks, not when she knew she was struggling to hold it all together. 

She was supposed to be the one with the answers, the one who could make things right. 

But at this moment, she felt like a failure.

She was …lost.

She didn't know what else to say or do…

“Hey…” Hollyberry Cookie said gently, cutting through her thoughts. “Hey…C’mon…”

Her grip on her dress tightened as she didn't look up.

She couldn't.

“White Lily Cookie…” Hollyberry Cookie's expression softened, her tone gentler. “Hey…It’s okay. Look at me for a second, alright?”

White Lily Cookie’s chest tightened as she tried to steady her breathing. Her grip on her dress was so tight that her fingers were starting to ache but she didn't let go, her need for something to ground her ever increasing.

She could feel Hollyberry Cookie’s gaze on her, she could feel everyone's gaze on her but…

She didn't want to look up.

She didn't have enough courage left to.

And thus she didn't for a brief while.

Yet, 

 She knew she couldn’t stay like this forever. 

Thus, slowly and hesitantly, she let her gaze lift upwards just enough to meet Hollyberry Cookie's expression.

“It's okay.” She said softly. “You are not alone in this, None of this is on you. We are all in this together, remember?” 

Her gaze remained steady. “You don't have to have it all figured out. None of us do. That’s what we’re here for, right?” 

She took a quiet breath, then leaned forward slightly.

“So let’s get one thing straight,” Hollyberry Cookie said, her words careful, intentional. “You are not taking advantage of him.”

She gave White Lily Cookie a moment, watching her closely before continuing. "You’re the only one here thinking about what’s actually best for him, not just for you, for him by actively putting him first, his will, his choices and his well being. You aren't trying to twist him up or trap him. You are just trying your best to do what's right for him. That doesn’t sound like someone being unfair. That sounds like someone trying their hardest not to be. Someone who is not trying to manipulate or control. That says a lot about you, White Lily Cookie.”

She gave her a wry smile. “So don't you beat yourself up with the what-ifs before even taking a step forward. We are all in this together, you hear me?”

White Lily Cookie’s gaze flickered, her hands tightening at her sides again.

“But…” She looked down thoughtfully. “…That does not- the potion is…-” she paused, her voice low. “He’s still not himself. And no matter how careful I try to be, he…” 

She trailed off, unable to complete her words.

Hollyberry Cookie’s expression softened further, her brows drawing together.

“I know,” she said softer. “I get it…and I agree.”

White Lily Cookie looked up to her more.

“You're right about every bit of it.” Hollyberry Cookie continued. “He’s not himself. We don’t know what he would’ve chosen if he were not under the potion’s influence. And none of us got the right answer, not really. We can guess all we want but it isn't the same as hearing from him but…”

Her expression softened further. “But if we stand here doing nothing because we’re too afraid of doing it wrong…” She said, like a quiet sigh. “Then he’s still stuck. And so are you.”

Her gaze drifted briefly to the pair, as she sighed. “And maybe it isn’t fair. Maybe none of this is.” She shook her head. “We can’t undo what’s already been done,” she said. “But we can stop more harm from happening.” 

“We can't rewrite how this mess started,” she said, “but we sure can make sure it doesn’t end with more regrets. For him and for you.”

White Lily Cookie swallowed, as she stared at Hollyberry Cookie for a long while before trying to speak, her voice small. “Then…what are you suggesting?”

“I think…you both need space, but not from each other,” Hollyberry Cookie said, her voice steady but warm. “He is under the influence of that potion and it attaches him to you…if he is around you all the time then…it can make it harder for him to break free from it. Giving him some distance for a while could ease the pressure on both of you, while we wait for the antidote.” 

White Lily Cookie's brows furrowed, her eyes filled with uncertainty. 

After a brief pause, her lips parted. “So what you are saying is…we should send him with the Faeries.” 

Hollyberry Cookie's gaze softened, sensing the hesitation in her voice. “No, I am not saying that.”

“What I am saying is,” she said. “He needs a little room. Just enough so he’s not clinging to you every second.”

“It's not about pushing him into something, White Lily Cookie.” She continued. “It's about getting him away from the centre of it all and from everything that can be making it worse.”

“Don't get me wrong now,” she added quickly, “None of this is your fault. You aren't the one making things worse, so please don't even try to blame yourself.” 

White Lily Cookie sat there, saying nothing, letting her friend’s word linger in mind. 

Her hands remained clenched on her, her stare slowly travelling downward in hesitance and thought.

There was truth in what Hollyberry Cookie said.

Perhaps truth she couldn't deny.

Even if she wanted to.

It was true that they didn't know for certain on how much the potion was affecting him with such a high dosage.

No one ever had been in his situation before.

Logically, it did make sense that her staying so close to Pure Vanilla Cookie could be prolonging the influence of the potion.

Logically, she knew that distance might be the only thing that gave him even a small chance of clarity before the antidote was found.

Yet…

Truthfully, she didn't know what the right answer was anymore.

She didn't know if distance would help him gain back some clarity.

She didn't know if distance would hurt him more than it helped.

She didn't know if remaining by his side would anchor him... or chain him further to something false and twisted.

She didn't know if this would grant him the freedom he truly needed.

She didn't know what was right when every path in front of her was lined with uncertainties.

She didn't know why it hurt to even think about letting him go, even for a moment.

She didn't know if she cherished the way he looked at her, smiled warmly at her.

She didn't know why it made her heart hesitate.

She didn't know if she-

“I agree…” Dark Cacao cookie spoke, cutting through the quiet and her thoughts. He folded his arms with a grave nod. "Certainty is not a luxury we possess. For we cannot pretend to understand the full extent of his condition.”

“And yet," he continued, his voice low and steady, "Hollyberry Cookie is correct. A temporary separation, under careful watch, may be the best course that does not risk worsening his state.”

White Lily Cookie lifted her gaze to look at him, letting it linger, not saying a word.

Golden Cheese cookie huffed from where she sat, her arms thrown lazily behind her head.

“And not like any of this is permanent.” She said, peeling open one of her eyes. “Whenever the antidote is here, he'd stop trailing her like a lost lamb.” 

“Which is why until then, we'll keep a close eye on him just to ensure he's safe and we need to make sure someone trusted is close enough to help him if he needs it.” Hollyberry Cookie smiled. “What do you say, White Lily Cookie?” 

White Lily Cookie bit her lip as she exhaled slowly, her gaze flickering across the room, her fingers tightening in thoughts brewing in her mind.

The Faerie Cookies, who had remained quiet until now, exchanged looks before one of them spoke up, their voice full of sincerity.

“We would like to say that we are willing to take full responsibility for ensuring his well being.” They clasped their hands together. “We understand that…this situation arose from a lapse in judgment by some of our own, but they have been disciplined…”

Another looked up pleadingly. “And we have sworn to never do something like that ever again by the Sacred Tree and you have our word, we shall make sure he is cared for, safe from any harm and mistreatment. Nothing like that shall ever happen again.”

Another Faerie Cookie nodded, “We promise, no harm will come to him. We will watch over him with the utmost care and respect, just as we would a cherished guest.”

“It is our word to you, Your Majesty.” They said, stepping forward. “We, as the Faerie cookies of the Faerie kingdom, give you our word by swearing on the Silver Tree that we shall never exploit him in any way.” 

“We really just want some lilies grown…” Another fiddled with their fingers bashfully.

“Please White Lily Cookie…?” One of them asked pleadingly.

White Lily Cookie kept her glance on the faeries for a moment before she lowered her eyes to her hands, her fingers curling slightly as she mulled over all the words told to her so far.

Should she really let him go with them?

Can she trust them to take care of him, especially in his fragile state?

Even now, she knew the decision was ultimately hers. 

Is this really the best choice? Or is there something else she could do?

Is letting him go truly the correct decision here?

A tightness in her chest grew as doubt settled in. 

Was she being too overprotective of him?

Was she overthinking this?

Was it okay to- 

A soft pressure settled at the top of her head making her pause as her thoughts were cut off.

She blinked in confusion, as she then slowly looked up and there, Pure Vanilla Cookie, with a warm smile gracing his face, was slowly withdrawing his now-empty hands as he had just gently placed the delicate flower crown on her head, the weight of it settling in her head. 

Her breath caught in her chest, as for a moment, she froze before her hand instinctively went up to touch the crown inevitably present there. 

Her wide eyed gaze turned to Pure Vanilla Cookie, as her heart fluttered strangely for a brief moment before a gentle warmth bloomed in her cheeks, as she tried to find her words, but nothing came. It was as if the moment had swallowed them all.

Pure Vanilla Cookie’s smile grew fonder as his eyes softened. 

“It suits you quite well.” He sighed. “As it should, for you always have a way to make everything more beautiful.”

A flush crept up her cheeks, impossible to fight, her heart skipping a few beats at his words.

"Ha!” Hollyberry Cookie couldn’t help herself, letting out a soft, amused laugh, her eyes glinting with mischief.

“Well, he’s not exactly wrong, you know," she teased, gesturing to the flower crown on her head. "You do look rather beautiful in it."

Hollyberry Cookie leaned back slightly, folding her arms with a knowing smirk. "I think he has more sense than some of us give him credit for!” 

White Lily Cookie’s face turned into deeper shade of red, her eyes going wider.

Golden Cheese cookie rolled her eyes. “Hmph! Not like he'd make a crown for a God such as me. What a waste of talent.”

“Oh, you don't.” Hollyberry Cookie chuckled. 

Dark Cacao cookie sighed deeply as he rubbed his face with his hand.

Meanwhile, she still struggled with words as the heat that rose up to her face once again disassembled all her thoughts, making her fingers clench her gown once more. 

But before she could utter even a word, a familiar voice rang out.

“I brought refills!” An enthusiastic voice called out, making everyone turn to the door.

Balancing a huge plate carrying several goblets and freshly baked jellies, Silverbell cookie carefully entered inside, his wings fluttering anxiously as he tried to balance all the things he had in his tray.

“Does anyone nee-” He paused immediately as he noticed everyone, the group of faeries and the ancients all staring at him, except Pure Vanilla cookie who still simply looked at White Lily Cookie who was frozen at her spot with her face red.

“Um…” He blinked, shifting nervously. “Did I miss something?” 

“Nope!” Hollyberry Cookie chimed in cheerfully, “I’d say you're right on time!” 

Golden Cheese Cookie groaned. “Ugh, don't encourage it.”

Silverbell cookie blinked once, clearly not understanding, he looked at White Lily Cookie in confusion before his eyes widened at the sight of her.

“O-oh!” he said, a warm smile brightening his face. “White Lily Cookie… that crown looks beautiful on you!”

His wings fluttered. “Where did you get it? I have never seen a head piece this beautiful.” 

White Lily Cookie stiffened even further, her face now almost burning.

Hollyberry Cookie leaned in with a wide grin, clearly unable to resist. "Pure Vanilla Cookie made it for her!" she announced proudly, as if sharing the most delightful secret. “Quite lovely, won't you say?”

Silverbell Cookie gasped lightly, his wings fluttering again.

"Wow…!" he said, genuinely awed, looking between the two. “That is incredible! It really suits you.” 

White Lily Cookie’s face flushed even deeper, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to find her words, her hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of her gown.

Either not noticing her demeanor or being too distracted, Silverbell cookie then suddenly perked up, glancing back at the group of Faerie cookies still standing at the corner. 

“Wait…what are you all still doing here?” He asked, confused.

The others fluttered their wings awkwardly before one of them spoke up. “Oh…we are waiting for White Lily Cookie’s permission.”

“Permission?” He tilted his head slightly. “But permission for what?”

“We are waiting for the Guardian’s approval to take Pure Vanilla Cookie with us to help us with some White lilies.” They replied.

“Oh, I see.” Silverbell cookie smiled. “White Lily Cookie, can we take him?” 

At this, White Lily Cookie’s gaze snapped up to him, breaking out of her daze. Her eyes locked with his for a brief moment before something flickered in her expression, making her lower her gaze in thought and hesitance as her heart pounded.

Silverbell Cookie’s smile faltered slightly as he caught the look in her eyes, he then glanced back at the faeries and then back at her, his eyebrows furrowing slightly in understanding.

He hesitated for a beat before stepping a little closer while maintaining respectable distance.

“If it helps ease your worries,” he said softly. “I can keep guard over him all the time.” 

White Lily Cookie looked up to him now, meeting his gaze.

Silverbell cookie nodded happily. “Yes! He is one of your friends! A friend of yours is a friend of all faeries. I shall personally make sure he is safe as long as he is out there with us! You have my word as a Faerie Knight.” 

She blinked at his words as she considered them. “But…your duty of guarding the kingdom's borders…-” Her eyebrows tinted in worry.

“Oh, my next guard duty isn't until sundown! I am sure the help needed for the white lilies will be done by then.” His wings fluttered as his eyes softened. “You can trust me, White Lily Cookie. I'll stay by his side the whole time.” 

White Lily Cookie didn't remove her gaze off the Faerie while her heart raced as it processed his words, letting her mind mull over them. 

She exhaled quietly and slowly, her gaze flickering down in thought, a lingering worry still present in her chest.

After a moment of silence, Hollyberry Cookie tilted her head with a smile.

“Well?” She asked playfully. “Now you got Silverbell cookie’s word too. What do you say now?” 

After another beat, White Lily Cookie sighed and looked up.

“Alright…” she murmured softly, slightly uncertain but a bit less hesitant from before. “But you must look and care for him…you are not to force him into doing anything and make sure he is not forced...” 

“Of course!” Silverbell cookie bowed with a smile, before he looked back at the now happy cheerful faeries. 

“Thank you so much, your majesty!” They said together as they cheered. “We will not falter from our words!” 

“Yes, we'll not let you down, Your Highness!” Another one declared happily before they excitedly chatted with their friends.

The Ancients exchanged quiet glances amongst each other as they too felt relieved at finally reaching a conclusion before starting a conversation with each other on the development.

White Lily Cookie however remained silent, her gaze long since lowered to the table.

Had she made the right choice?

Did she take it too quickly? 

Should she have made it all?

Thoughts spiraled in her mind, each question leading to another while doubt still gnawed at her chest.

Her mind had filtered out the lively chatter around her in favour of these questions as she failed to shake off this feeling of uncertainty.

She won't regret this…right?

Right?

She exhaled as she lifted her gaze to see the others remained engaged in their own conversations.

They felt so close yet so distant.

Like stars in the night sky, glimmering, beautiful, but forever out of reach.

She swallowed.

Had she truly made the right choice or simply taken a path that felt the most easy?

The question pressed heavily against her chest.

Had she made a terrible mistake?

Should she have waited, thought longer, seen deeper…?

Was it truly what was best for Pure Vanilla Cookie?

Was it truly the right choice…?

A faint ache stirred somewhere deep within her, wordless and persistent, her chest tightening ever so slightly as she suddenly froze.

Almost promptly, her thoughts paused immediately as something brushed against the edge of her mind.

She found herself look up instinctively, feeling a strange tug at her heart, her gaze drifting towards the space next to her.

Her breath caught.

There stood a Pure Vanilla Cookie. 

In a quiet, simple, peaceful presence.

His warm eyes locked onto hers.

Uncaring to the hum of laughter and conversation around them.

With a gentle, unassuming smile gracing his face,

Like that one lone star whose light remained steadfast, constant and unwavering.

Unhurried, soft, sincere, comforting, calm, safe…yet-

Remaining by her side warmly even amidst all the chaos.

Entirely for her.

Like that one light that never drifted away.

As always.

Her heart stilled as time itself forgot how to move.

Everything around her felt distant, muted, even the warm hum of the room; all the voices, shuffle and clatter fading into a dull echo.

A strange feeling fluttered in her chest as a faint blush made its way to her face once more, a feeling she couldn't quite put a finger on for her mind had gone blank completely.

For a heartbeat, she could only stare, rooted to the spot as if tethered by something unseen, something fragile yet unbreakable as their eyes remained locked.

For a moment, it was as if they were the only two souls left in the world.

Like the world had gently stepped aside, leaving just the two of them suspended in a moment that belonged to no one else.

For a fleeting moment, she forgot all the reasons she had to fear.

All the doubts, the guilt, the endless spirals of uncertainty.

For a fleeting, dangerous moment, all that remained was the way he looked at her.

And…how she couldn't quite tear herself away.

Why?

It was beyond her.

However...

Not for the first time in her life, 

She did not know what she was feeling.

Chapter Text

Books lay scattered open across the floor, their pages fluttering with the occasional breeze like gentle wings. Notes, loose sheets, and half-emptied ink bottles framed around a young cookie entirely absorbed in her work.

Between scattered books and ink-smudged parchment, White Lily Cookie sat with her back to the world, cross-legged, hunched gently over a weathered page. Her hand moved in careful strokes, her mind lost somewhere between lines of magic and memory. Only the sound of the quill scratching against parchment filled the space.

Tucked deep within the Academy, the Secret Garden was her safe haven after all.

Time flowed slowly yet smoothly here.

It was a place untouched by noise or expectation, where no one could disturb her or even reach her unless she allowed it.

A sanctuary, hidden and untouched, offering her the comfort of solitude she wanted.

A spot far from judgment where she didn’t have to hide the scent of lilies that trailed from her being. 

A refuge where she could exist without restraint, where she can work and study to her heart's content.

A place where she can truly be free.

No one else knew of this place.

Not the professors, not the other students, none had ventured far or curious enough to stumble upon it. 

All except…

“White Lily Cookie!” 

One. 

She didn’t look up, but her hand paused mid-stroke for a moment before resuming.

She already knew who it was. 

“There you are!” The familiar voice of the cookie standing at the garden’s entrance in his neatly kept academy blues called again.

He smiled boyishly. “I knew you'd be here.” 

“Pure Vanilla Cookie.” She greeted, her gaze still on her paper.

He stepped further into the garden, careful not to disturb the scattered notes or the quiet air that hung between them like mist.

“So…what are you doing?” He asked meekly as he hopped over a pile of books to walk near her.

White Lily Cookie didn't glance up still, continuing her scribble. “Writing down notes on what I learnt about the nature of Cookie's dough today.” 

She paused for a moment, reviewing what she wrote for a moment before continuing her writing. “How was your day?” 

“It was…well-” Pure Vanilla Cookie trailed off as he knelt beside her, tucking his legs behind him. “...alright, I suppose.”

“Hmm.” White Lily Cookie hummed as she continued writing, her gaze fully focused on the paper.

Pure Vanilla Cookie’s smile faltered for a moment as he looked at the side, clutching his academy satchel ever so tightly.

“Why did you not attend today's class too, White Lily Cookie?” 

“You know why.” She said, still not taking off her gaze from the paper. “I would have learnt nothing new anyway…our experiments and research are far more complex and exciting.”

She flipped the paper as she finished writing one side. “Did you bring the book I asked for from the library?” 

He blinked at her for a moment before faintly smiling. 

“Of course I did.” He said, as he unshouldered his satchel, fiddling at its lock before he suddenly perked up. “Which reminds me…”

He grinned at her, mirth shining in his eyes. “Hey White Lily Cookie?”

“What is it?” She asked unassumingly, still lost in her work.

“Close your eyes for a second!” 

At this, she looked up to him. “Why so?” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie’s smile grew wider. “It's a surprise! Just trust me.” 

White Lily Cookie stared at him for a moment in confusion before sighing, a faint smile appearing on her face.

“Okay, fine.” She closed her eyes. “What is it?”

“Hey, no cheating! You have to cover them with your hands too.” He said playfully.

“Alright, alright.” White Lily Cookie's smile grew wider as she complied. “Now tell me, what is it?” 

“Just a moment!” 

She heard the soft clatter of items being moved, the faint rustle of fabric, and the familiar sound of Pure Vanilla Cookie fiddling with something near his satchel. The curiosity tugged at her like an impatient breeze, but she kept her word.

However, curiosity reached its peak when she heard Pure Vanilla Cookie get up and his footsteps paddling softly behind her.

“I am waiting.” She said, brow lifting under her hands as she felt his presence draw closer.

But then suddenly, she felt her academy waffle cap lift gently from her head. Her hands dropped in surprise as her eyes opened instantly. “Wait, what are you-?”

She tried to say but before she could finish, she felt something settle delicately atop her hair

“Tada!” Pure Vanilla Cookie beamed stepping back with a sparkle in his eyes before quickly reaching her side swiftly with a mirror already at hand.

“Look!” He said brightly, his voice undeniably pleased.

White Lily Cookie blinked, her gaze meeting the reflection he held up. 

There, woven with care, was a flower crown of white lilies and vanilla orchids, nestled among her locks.

She stared, lips slightly parted, unable to find words for a moment.

“What is this?” She asked, stunned, her eyes locked on the mirror.

“A flower crown!” Pure Vanilla Cookie cheerfully replied. “We were taught how to make these in today's class.”

“A flower crown?” 

“Yes!” He beamed. “You see, this is no ordinary crown. These flowers are all connected by each of their stems through a single channel, so their collective life powder flows from one to another! Which is why as long as even a little of life powder remains, the whole crown stays crispy and fresh! It could last for days without withering, maybe even longer!”

“Professor asked us all to pick flowers of our choice to do it but…” His gaze softened. “Since you weren't there, I made it out of both of our favourite flowers!”

“And….I made two! One for you…” He said as he pulled out one more flower crown like hers, smiling brightly at her. “And one for me!” 

He gently put his waffle cone hat beside him, placing the crown upon his head. “See? Now, we match!” 

White Lily Cookie blinked at him, her gaze drifting from the mirrored reflection to the boy beside her, adorned in flowers and joy like it were the most natural thing in the world.

Then out of instinct, she exhaled a soft breath through her nose, a barely-there laugh escaping her.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie…” she said back, her eyes twinkling in amusement.

“Hey, I was the only one who made a pair!” Pure Vanilla Cookie lit up instantly. “No one else did it!” 

White Lily Cookie let out a soft breath of laughter, shaking her head slightly, her hands reaching for the crown as she gently put it aside.

“Alright,” A faint smile tugging at her lips. “Now that book.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked in surprise, caught off guard. His smile stilled for a second, before it softened. Wordlessly, he reached into his satchel as he then handed her the book, his gaze lingering at the flower crown beside her for a few moments.

White Lily Cookie however smiled happily as she took the book, brushing its cover before flipping it open.

As she traced her finger against pages of the book, her expression dwindled.

“I don't get it though…” She asked, her lips curling into a frown. “Why does the Academy waste its time teaching these…? It holds no practical value.” 

“Well…” Pure Vanilla Cookie murmured, as he took off the flower crown off his head, holding it steady. “There can be another way to look at it.” 

White Lily Cookie looked up at him. “And that being?” 

“Think of it this way…aren't we cookies like these flowers too?” He said, fiddling with the crown as he looked at their petals longingly. “Fragile… easy to break, get soggy or even crumble.” 

“We all possess only a little life powder within us…our lives and even our very dough has… finite limits,” He stopped fiddling with the crown, looking at it with an unreadable expression. “If we learn how to make use of what little we have, don't you think it can help cookiekind so much?” 

He looked up at her, his eyes shining. “Just imagine, if a cookie broke off a part of themselves so completely that it separated… if we manage to channel what life powder they have between what was lost and remains…maybe it might not only save their lives but also rejoin what was once whole.” 

“But for that,” he smiled faintly. “Don't you think we must learn how to handle life powder starting from small things?”  

For a moment, White Lily Cookie just watched him, lips slightly parted, the book forgotten in her hands as she let his words linger.

Then a soft yet fond smile bloomed on her face.

“…You’re going to be a great healer one day,” she said quietly, her gentle voice filled with certainty. “I can feel it.” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked, before smiling at her with a small bashful blush.

White Lily Cookie smiled back for a while, then returned to her book, flipping another one of its pages as silence settled between them.

Eventually, Pure Vanilla Cookie's blush and smile faded, his gaze lowering in thought.

“I worry about you, you know.” He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “All the classes seem so boring without you.”

White Lily Cookie looked up. “Why is that?” 

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. “I thought everybody in our class liked you.”

“Yeah but…it's not the same without you.” He met her eyes briefly before turning away, letting his hand rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I just…I really wanted to study together with you.”

White Lily Cookie regarded him for a moment, turning her eyes down as she tapped in chin in thought.

“How about we go to class together next time?” She smiled at him. 

Pure Vanilla Cookie instantly perked up, his eyes sparkling. “You will?” 

“Mhm.” She tilted her head slightly. “If you wish, I'll do it!” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie lit up like a starburst, his earlier shyness vanishing in a heartbeat. “Really? You mean it?”

White Lily Cookie nodded gently, the corners of her lips lifting in amusement at how his joy seemed too big for his small frame to hold.

“Of course. It might be nice…for a change,” she said softly.

Pure Vanilla Cookie beamed, rocking forward just a little in excitement before catching himself. “That’s amazing! I mean- I’m really glad! I promise I’ll help you catch up on anything you missed! …oh, wait, no, that doesn’t make sense- you're already ahead of the class curriculum…” He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck again. “Still, we can sit together. I’ll save you a seat!”

White Lily Cookie blinked at his enthusiasm as she couldn't help but smile herself.

“Alright but first…” she said gently, eyes returning to the book. “I need to complete my research on cookie dough.”

She flipped another page. “I can't abandon my work half finished…especially when I'm this close to understanding the variations between stabilized dough strands and fragmented ones.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie tilted his head, watching her with a fond, almost amused expression. “Typical White Lily Cookie,” he said with a soft chuckle. “Always thinking about the greater good, I'm sure some cookies will find your research work very helpful!”

She hummed in response, the sound barely perceptible, her fingers tracing the notes she had already written. Her gaze remained on the page, the words she was writing the only thing in her world at that moment.

Soon, silence settled among them as the only sounds were the scratching of her quill and the rustle of pages filled the space.

Pure Vanilla Cookie shifted slightly, sitting up straighter, as he hugged his knees closely, resting his head on them, watching her and her work quietly.

The stillness lingered, wrapping around the two cookies as though time itself had paused just for them.

Then, as if careful not to shatter it, after a long moment, Pure Vanilla Cookie tilted his head slightly, his lips parting.

“Hey, White Lily Cookie?” His voice broke through, soft as ever, almost hesitant.

“Hmm?” 

He shifted again, arms still hugging his knees, watching her with quiet thoughtfulness.

“…Do you ever wonder what we’ll be like after the Academy?”

White Lily Cookie blinked.

That wasn’t the question she expected. 

Slowly, she turned to him, looking at him directly.

“In what way?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie shrugged slightly. “Just… in general, I guess. Will we still be doing what we love? Still chasing the same dreams? Same interests? Still…” he hesitated, gaze dropping slightly, “…friends?”

White Lily Cookie studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable but not cold. 

“I believe so,” she said simply. “If we continue choosing to walk the same path, why wouldn’t we?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie continued to look at her, hope flickering faintly behind his eyes. “Even if our paths grow different?”

White Lily Cookie tilted her head slightly, “We can still meet in the middle.” She paused for a moment. “So long as we remember where we began.”

“I guess you're right.” He said, smiling quietly.

She then smiled faintly back at him, her eyes softening. “Where is all this coming from?” 

Pure Vanilla Cookie blinked, then gave a soft chuckle, barely there. He shook his head lightly, burying his chin against his knees again.

“…It’s nothing,” he murmured. “Just… one of those thoughts that sneak up on you.”

She didn't respond right away, just watching him for a moment as if evaluating what he said.

“If you say so.” She eventually said, her eyes not leaving him for another moment until eventually she looked back at the page was reading, now having lost the line of it.

Silence befell over them for another long moment, heavy and unmoving, like a breath held too long as neither of them spoke. 

The quietness continued to stretched thin and taut like a thread about to snap until-

“Say, White Lily Cookie…” Pure Vanilla Cookie tried, his voice quieter. 

“If you got a chance to know all the truths about cookiekind…” He hesitated for a moment. “...would you take it?”

“Even if the truth isn't sweet?” He added, “Even if it isn't what you expect?” 

White Lily Cookie paused, her gaze moving towards him in thought before drifting upwards in thought.

“To know all truths…” she began slowly, her voice low and measured. “It is a tempting thought, wouldn't you say?” 

“I guess but…” His gaze flickered. “But what if it leaves you with more questions than answers? What if it…changes how you see the world or…it changes you?” 

She paused for a moment, staring at him in silence for a breath before tapping her chin in thought.

To know everything…the real truths, the unvarnished reality…

“I think I would still want to know,” she said at last. “Even if the truth wasn’t sweet…even if it turned out to be everything I believed in.”

She glanced at him.

“Even if it changed me,” she continued, “even if it cost me everything I’ve built or everyone I care for… I’d still choose it.”

Pure Vanilla Cookie looked at her sharply, a flicker of unease in his expression.

“Everything?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

White Lily Cookie nodded.

“To build something meaningful,” she said, “you must start from the truth. Not an illusion. Even if that truth is painful. Even if it shatters you. I’d rather stand in ruin knowing it was real, than live peacefully in a lie.”

“…Even if it destroys you?” he asked, very softly.

“Yes,” she said, without hesitation. “If it meant understanding the world… and maybe, just maybe, changing it for the better…the truth would matter more than my comfort, more than my fears, more than what I may lose.” 

He stared at her, something hollow flickering in his eyes. “Even if you’re alone in the end? Even if you lose everyone who stood with you…?”

His gaze grew distant, “Even if what you lose doesn't come back?” 

“Yes.” She nodded. “If it was a way to build a better world for cookies…then it'll be a worthy sacrifice. I'd choose it over everything else.”

“Over everything else?” 

“Yes. Imagine the good it'll bring to cookie-kind.”

“Even me…?” 

White Lily Cookie froze, her breath caught in her chest, her eyes growing wide as the words registered, something deep within her faltering.

She stared at Pure Vanilla Cookie, her mouth opening to speak, but no sound coming out of it at that moment. But before she could try again, Pure Vanilla Cookie’s expression flickered, his eyes softening.

“Pardon me-” He said quickly, a slight blush creeping up his face. “That…that was unfair of me to ask…I-”

He shook his head, his gaze lowered as he hugged himself tighter, his shoulders slightly hunching “I am sorry, White Lily Cookie…I didn't- I didn't mean to-”

“I…I didn't wish to cause you any distress…” He murmured, his eyes were distant, clearly uncomfortable. 

“Pure Vanilla Cookie…” She continued to stare at him, her wide eyes softening.

He looked back at her for only a moment longer before he quickly lowered his gaze.

“I… I should go,” he murmured, almost to himself as he began to gather his things in his bag carefully. “I…I am sorry for all of this-” 

She continued to watch him, sitting frozen, her gaze fixed on him, as if trying to read every movement, every unspoken word he hadn’t said.

She watched as his hands fumbled ever so slightly with the clasp of his bag. 

Watched the way his shoulders remained hunched, watched how he didn't look up, his shoulders remaining hunched.

 Watched how the way he moved seemed quick yet almost nervous- nearly…afraid-

He rose up slowly, the fabric of his robes shifting softly with the movement quietly as his back went against her while he took careful yet hesitant steps towards the gate.

However, just as he reached the archway of the exit, he paused for a moment, freezing mid step, one of his feet still hovering over the door frame tentatively, almost as if he couldn’t bring himself to fully leave.

Slowly, he turned, just enough for his gaze to meet hers from over his shoulder. 

For a moment, he remained silent, looking at her just as she looked at him yet…

There was something in his eyes, flickering faintly with something unsure for a fragile second before he spoke up.

“You'll be coming to class tomorrow, right?” He asked, his voice barely above a murmur, voice carrying a flicker of hope.

“I will.” She replied back, her eyes still locked onto his.

He smiled faintly at that. “I'd be waiting.” 

And with that, he finally walked away, slowly disappearing from the line of sight.

She didn't move or say anything else to stop him from going, watching the gate until he and the sound of his footsteps faded away entirely.

She never ended up going.

The white, sun kissed curtains fluttered softly in the breeze, their edges catching golden light as it spilled quietly into the room. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air, suspended like tiny stars in a sky made of quiet, casting dancing patterns on the mattress nearby.

Pale ribbons of light fell across the space, one falling across White Lily Cookie’s face, touching her cheek boldly as she stirred, her eyes slowly fluttering open.

She blinked against the light, lifting her head slowly off her arms from where it had rested for so long atop the soft mattress.

For a moment, she remained still, the fog of sleep still not quite leaving her as her lashes fluttering lazily against her hair spilled around her like a pale veil, strands catching the sunlight in silken strands.

It took a few more moments until her eyes opened fully, flickering across the room she was in as her consciousness grew.

She wasn't in the academy anymore.

She was in her room.

Her designated room in the Faerie Kingdom.

She must have fallen asleep here after checking up on Pure Vanilla Cookie and watering her plants.

Frowning slightly, she pushed herself upright, shifting from her awkward half-upright position to a bit more comfortable one, her knees still remaining planted on the floor, aching dully from the hours spent there, unmoving, her mind wandering.

That memory again-

Her hands rested limply on the edge of the bed, fingertips brushing the covers as her gaze remained unfocused, lingering somewhere between the dust-speckled sunlight and the fluttering curtains.

She had had this memory replay in her dreams several times before…

This dream…

Her chest rose slowly with a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, only to fall again with a quiet exhale as her fingers curled slightly into the bedspread. 

This memory…

It never ceases to revisit her from time to time.

No matter how far she drifted from those days…this particular piece of her past couldn't be forgotten by her.

A memory she has found herself thinking over a thousand times.

A fragment of her past she couldn't throw away.

She drew in a shallow breath, one hand lifting to her chest without quite meaning to, fingertips brushing against the fabric of her dress as if it could still quiet the quiet ache she carried there.

She closed her eyes, the light still pressing faintly against the darkness behind her lips. 

Why hadn't she gone?

She had thought of this exact question a thousand times before.

Yet, no matter how many times she turned the memory over, rethreading it like a fraying piece of ribbon through her thoughts, the truth always remained the same.

A truth that lived at the center of her like a tiny, unmoving stone. Not sharp enough to wound anymore, but heavy enough to feel every time her thoughts returned to that day

She could have. 

She had time.

She had chances.

But.

She had never stood up. Never walked down that hallway. Never left to find him and attend class together.

She had stayed.

Tethered by her own silence. 

For reasons that continued to shift and rearrange themselves till her mind numbed.

By hesitations she couldn't quite name.

It wasn't quite fear, neither was it uncertainty nor was it pride.

Was it a stubborn illusion that there would always be more time? 

Another moment, a better day, a clearer mind?

Or was it something else?

The quiet belief that if she let the moment pass, it would remain perfect…?

That it would remain untouched, unspoiled, unchallenged…?

Perhaps it was just her cowardice that she couldn't admit, but truthfully…

She didn't know anymore.

What she did know was that she hasn't forgotten.

How she'd replayed the moment a thousand times, turning it over in her hands like a worn ribbon.

She remembers how she had rehearsed, how she had dreamt of going after him.

So many versions of her taking birth in the realms of her mind, each one stronger, braver, kinder in their approach yet-

None of them saw the light of reality.

None of them lived to see the present.

Only one lived.

The version of herself, curled on the floor at the edge of a bed in a foreign land years later, with the ghost of a memory pressed gently against her chest like a half-faded bloom.

She opened her eyes, her vision blurred as a few tears slipped down her cheeks.

Nothing really had changed since then.

In the end, she chose the pursuit of truth over everything else.

She chose her ambition, discovery and dreams of a future reshaped over shared moments, quiet companionship, her friends.

The cookies who stuck through her thick and thin, the ones who bravely stood beside her at all costs.

The cookies who had fought alongside her.

The cookies who were her closest allies.

She chose it over them.

She chose it over him. 

Her closest friend.

Her best friend. 

All for the truth.

The one buried beneath layers of sweetness and myth. The kind that could shatter illusions and crumble centuries of comfort in a single breath. The kind that, once unearthed, could not be returned to the soil.

For a pursuit that demanded everything.

That required more time, more dedication, more sacrifice.

Something she gave willingly.

Her laughter.

Her place beside those she once called friends.

The quiet joys of mornings shared and evenings spent in peace.

Her chance to simply be, to exist without the weight of history pressing against her chest.

She had traded all of it.

Because somewhere along the line, she had begun to believe that knowing the truth, understanding the very core of their kind, might save them. 

Might lead to something greater. 

Something purer.

If she could just peel back the veil cast over the history of Cookie-kind…she could help them.

 All of them. 

Including him.

To build a better world for cookies…

It had been for them.

Even if it meant walking that path alone.

Even if it meant silencing the part of her that yearned for warmth, for someone to wait beside her beneath a garden’s shade and say her name like it mattered.

But the deeper she went, the farther she wandered into those ancient truths and hidden knowledge, the harder it became to return.

The less she could return.

She found things that couldn’t be unlearned.

Truths that rewrote her sense of self. 

Her sense of existence.

Truths that the more she uncovered… the more she realized how much of their world had been built on half-truths, on sugar-coated stories whispered to keep the world kind.

Which was how she ended up here, alone, lost with now-half a life and new responsibilities and duties of an entire kingdom.

Finally with the truth she wanted.

With a truth so dark that she doesn't have the heart to share with anyone.

A truth that had come at a great cost.

A truth that claimed so many lives….all because she pursued it relentlessly.

A truth that tore apart civilizations, families, lives even cookies themselves-

All because of her mistake.

A truth that made her lose the right to reach for anyone's hand.

A truth that made all her friends turn against her, even turning her into a monster she wasn't even aware nourished within her soul-

She let out a shaky exhale as her gaze flickered over to the crown resting atop the bedspread, its crystalline petals catching sunlight like dew on morning blossoms.

He didn't.

Not once.

Even when she’d failed to show up.

He still came back.

Not once did he ask why she hadn’t kept her word.

Not once did he chide her for staying behind.

He never held it over her.

He simply gave her a gentle smile when their eyes met again, as though nothing had changed between them as though he had already forgiven her long before while he waited beneath the ivy-covered arch by the garden gate.

He never questioned her, never questioned her choices.

He just…stayed.

Even when she had been more invested in her work than him.

Even when she had chosen her goals over their friendship.

Even when she had been far more dedicated to creating a perfect cookie than spending time with him.

Even when she put aside something crafted so thoughtfully by him.

Even when he insisted she take a break.

Even when she didn't heed his words.

Even when he tried to make her understand that a cookie creating another cookie is impossible.

Even when she didn't heed his strong disapproval over using dark magic and adding a portion of the headmaster's soul into the experimental dough.

Even when she had wrecked disasters all around the academy due to that.

Even when she had caused a war across earthbread which cost thousands of lives.

Even when she'd let him down over and over again.

He never left.

Always holding her close, protecting her, even when everyone turned their backs to her.

Even when her letters grew fewer.

Even when she stopped showing up.

Even when she didn’t walk beside him anymore.

Even when she had drifted further and farther, chasing the echoes of a world she couldn’t explain, drowning herself in fragments of forgotten history, in hypotheses and glyphs and ruins…and still, he reached for her.

He kept believing in her when no one else did.

Never demanding.

Never pulling.

Just… waiting. 

Hoping.

No matter what she did, who she became, how many catastrophes she caused-

He held onto her like she mattered.

Even when she hadn't chosen him…she turned her back, left everything behind in search of truth…became something she could barely look at in the mirror.

He still chose her.

Over and over again.

Called her name like it mattered.

Kept offering warmth without even asking anything in return. 

Followed her as far as he could, still smiling as if nothing had changed when they parted ways.

He simply refused to give up on her.

She blinked hard, a tear slipping down her cheek.

Even after everything-

Even back then… he chose her.

And again now, in this kingdom far from those academy walls still, somehow, he chose her.

Not the past version she used to be.

Not the one she could have been.

But this her.

The cookie with half a life.

The cookie with only a fragment of being of what she used to be.

She let the breath leave her in silence, slow and barely heard as she blinked slowly, watching her trembling hands reach forward.

The ones which had committed so many terrible crimes.

The ones which wrought so many atrocities.

The one which carry the weight of kingdoms collapsed and lives uncounted.

The ones stained with jams of innocents.

Yet…

He had looked at them- her as though none of that mattered.

Not her sins.

Not the ruin.

Not the tragic abyss she had let them all fall into.

He just saw her.

What remained.

What broke.

What tried, failed, and still wore the cracks of every wrong step like a second skin.

He had taken those same sinful hands into his without an ounce of hesitation like none of it changed how he looked at her.

She swallowed tightly as her fingers pressed against the edge of the bed, pushing her up inch by inch, her knees protested as she sat up, the mattress dipping beneath her.

He had always been like that.

Caring.

Warm.

Patient.

Understanding.

Kind.

He never said a word of blame.

Never once made her feel like a burden.

It was just… him.

The part she kept circling back to.

The place she kept reaching like a moth to a light.

Steady in the spaces her ambition left behind. 

Never once asking her to be less, never once punishing her for being more.

There had never been demands.

 Never expectations.

Just him.

Reaching for her, time and time again, without asking anything in return.

Even now, in his potion-dazed state, his thoughts, his very mind clouded and intoxicated…he still chose her.

His words have become bolder, his affection unguarded, draped in poetry and devotion but- 

At the core of it… it was the same. 

That quiet devotion.

That instinct to stay close. 

That willingness to forgive without needing an apology.

Looking at her like she was someone who was still worthy of being loved, of being known wholly-

That was him.

It hadn't taken a potion or any incantation or spell for that.

It wasn't new.

It had always been there.

Buried in the little things.

Just like a warm cup left waiting for her.  

A note tucked into her research scrolls.

A book she had mentioned once of wanting to have in front of him, appearing on her desk the next day.

A look that lingered just a moment longer than it should have.

He had always been like that.

Even before the potion, before the chaos, before everything fractured. 

Soft in the ways that didn’t ask to be acknowledged.

The way he stood just close enough to catch her when she didn’t realize she was falling.

No magic made him do that.

He had always chosen her side long before any potion ever touched his lips.

Not the version she tried to perfect.

Not the ideal she failed to become.

Just… her.

Her gaze flickered back to the crown sitting on the bed as it glimmered underneath the orangish light.

She blinked slowly, her vision watery. Her fingers reached towards it as she gently took it in her hands and held it on her lap.

Even when stripped of reason, he had fallen toward her. 

The way he always had.

Even when she was lost…

Even when he was lost… 

He still found her.

A few tears slipped down, silent and warm as they struck the petals nestled in her lap.

And that…

That confused her.

She doesn't understand.

Why?

Why her? 

What had she done to deserve something like this?

Why had he held on?

Why had he not moved on? 

Why had he never let go?

Why had he always given so much of himself to her?

Why did he keep offering his heart like it was the most natural thing in the world?

She hadn’t asked for it. 

She hadn’t even known she wanted it.

She wasn’t even someone who made promises she could keep.

When she looked in the mirror, all she saw were fragments, too many broken pieces to put back together, pieces which may never join, pieces lost.

Then…

What could he have possibly seen in her? 

What part of her had he seen that he found it worth that kind of faith…?

What has he truly seen that he found himself seeking even when his very own mind nor will is no longer his due to the potion…?

And…

Why was she realizing this now?

Why after his choices and will are gone?

Why after he’s not the same?

Why after the potion?

She clutched the crown close to her chest tightly.

Why did all the memories hit so differently now?

Why did her chest ache this way? 

Why did it all feel heavier now?

Why was it only now that she was letting herself feel the edges of what he’d always given so freely?

Why did it take losing his reason to realize how much he’d offered while still in full possession of it?

And why… why did she suddenly want to protect it?

Why did it make her ache to think of ever losing it?

Why did some part of her like it?

Her breath caught.

Had it…

Had it always been there?

Had she truly been blind to it all?

Or was it the potion incident that made her perspective towards it change?

Were these feelings always there but she never looked at them?

Has he always been different from others?

Or is he now?

Had all this made her look into things that were there?

Or was she looking into something that never was?

Had she truly imagined all of those incidents?

Or were they all true…?

Truthfully…? She-

She didn't know.

Not anymore.

She didn't know what any of this meant.

She didn't understand what any of this meant.

Yet, one question lingered at the edge of her mind, twisting and tugging something deep inside her.

Her gaze went up as she looked up at the ceiling, the crown still clutched close to her heart.

Has she developed feelings for him? 

Her breath stopped as the question lingered in the air, thick with uncertainty.

It couldn’t be.

Could it?

She had always told herself that her feelings for him were nothing more than friendship.

She had always been the one to keep him at arm's length, not wanting to blur the lines.

They were friends, Closest of friends, best friends but that was all.

But was it…?

Had she been lying to herself all along?

Is that why it hurts so much?

Is that why things didn't feel the same when he wasn't there?

Is that why her chest tightened when she thought of him? Her heart leaping at his words? Even before the influence of that potion…?

Is that why she found herself missing the way he used to sit just close enough for her to sense his presence, to feel the occasional bump of his elbow when he grew too animated in discussion?

Is that why she missed the way he’d say something ridiculous just to see her expression twist, just to make her laugh?

Is that why she used to look up mid-sentence just to see if he was still listening and when he used to like always her heart fluttered?

Is that why her ideas had felt lighter, brighter, like they had somewhere to go, someone to share them with?

Someone who always tried to understand them?

Was there always something more?

If so…

Why had it taken this, all of this, for her to see it?

Was it truly him she missed?

Or was it just the version the potion had brought forth, the version who wore his heart like an open book, unafraid, unfiltered, all warmth and devotion?

If she has feelings then whom does she have these feelings for?

Which Pure Vanilla Cookie has she fallen for if she had at all?

Her chest tightened, as she inhaled slowly.

Because now…

Now she wasn’t even sure what part of him she had come to care for.

Was she clinging onto something which isn't real or something which is?

Was she missing an imaginary illusion or something true?

Had the real him, the one she had known for so long, the one who had stood beside her through everything, had always felt this way… and she had never seen it?

Or he had only seen her as a friend?

Had there ever been anything fragile between them…something always there but hidden in glances and words unsaid….? 

Or was it simply a delusion she was letting herself fall for?

She paused for a moment as a bitter laugh bubbled in her throat.

Foolish.

Absolutely foolish.

Just this morning, she had told herself none of this was real.

That everything she saw in him now was distorted, tinted, warped.

Yet here she was.

Falling for delusions.

Getting lost in feelings with no meaning.

Letting her thoughts unravel into a mess she couldn’t gather back up, let alone make sense of.

It wasn’t real.

None of this was real.

She knew it wasn’t real.

It couldn't be.

None of this made sense.

She didn't understand why it still hurt.

She didn't understand why this feeling felt so familiar.

She didn't understand the fact that if it wasn't real then it echoed something she almost recognized.

She didn't understand these feelings.

She didn't know what to do with all these feelings.

She didn't know why no matter how tightly she folded the questions and tucked them away…no matter how hard she tried to deny it, no matter how much she tried to dismiss it…it felt real.

She bit her lip.

She didn't know what she…felt.

Or if it meant anything at all.

She just knew-

She missed him.

Not the version that clung to her with love-struck words and dreamy eyes.

Not the enchanted, love-potion shadow of him.

But the one who used to sit beside her quietly, hands folded in thought.

The one with thoughtful silences.

The one who listened even when she rambled. 

The one who never made her feel like she had to hold parts of herself back.

The one who made silence feel less empty when around.

She missed the way things had felt when he was around.

Her gaze dropped to the flower crown resting in her lap, its petals soft and half-shadowed by the dying light.

She turned back to the window, the golden orangish light spilling through casting long, warm streaks across the bed.

The sun had begun to dip low against the horizon, painting the sky in a wash of amber and rose. The world was washed in saffron hues, faint streaks of lavender bleeding into the clouds, like a hush stretched across the world as the trees swayed in a gentle breeze which also made her curtains flutter.

It was sunset.

The light was going.

The day was ending.

She hadn't even realised how much time had passed.

She blinked, then looked at the small watering can in the corner of the room, untouched since her last visit in the morning.

The plants needed tending.

She needed air.

She needed to see him.

She exhaled as she rose quietly, the crown still nestled gently in her hands. Her gaze lingered on it for just a moment longer before she set it down on the bed with care, as though it were fragile glass.

She had to see him just to check on him.

That was all.

Just to make sure if he was taken care of as promised.

Just to make sure someone was there to help if he needed it.

Just to make sure he was still okay. 

Only because it was late.

The last rays of sunlight brushed her face as she stepped away from the window.

She stood still there for a moment, taking one last glance at the fading light through the window.

Then quietly, she reached for the door as she stepped out into the dusk.

Chapter Text

The floor whispered beneath her steps as White Lily Cookie started to walk through the quiet halls in the hush of evening twilight.

It was the most quiet time of the Faerie Kingdom, a time so peaceful that even the breeze seemed to drift more slowly, as though careful not to disturb the stillness.

She was familiar with this quiet stillness. Normally, she even cherished it, finding peace in its gentle hush and unspoken serenity.

However, she didn't find it any soothing now.

At the moment, it simply pressed too close, clinging onto her like a mist as if only to amplify the quietness all around her.

She hadn't checked on them since the morning.

The last time she did…these halls were full of life, with sounds of gentle fluttering of the Faerie cookies’ wings, footsteps, voices and laughter.

She remembered pausing on her way through, staying just far enough to remain unnoticed but close enough to get a proper look of him.

He sat amongst the Faerie cookies, surrounding him on all his sides on the courtyard ground. They watched him with enthusiasm and excitement as his magic weaved through the earthen pots as delicate saplings had begun to sprout.

She remembered watching them all from afar, seeing how a soft smile graced his face with his eyelids lowered slightly in concentration as the light framed his features gently.

How there was no sign of weariness or tension in his brow.

Just calm and warmth in his expression.

She remembered how he leaned forward patiently responding to a question with a gentle nod and a few words she couldn't hear, yet watching the way the Faerie Cookies’ expression lit up in response.

They all seemed content.

He seemed content.

He looked peaceful.

At ease.

So at…home.

Like himself.

He didn't look like one lost under the haze of love potion.

Nor did he look like the one who clung to her side with dreamy affection and starry eyes.

Rather…

He looked like the Pure Vanilla Cookie she had always known. 

The one who once spent long hours in sunlit halls of the Vanilla Kingdom, surrounded by scholars, priests and healers alike in the citadel garden, always listening, always encouraging, always offering guidance or lending a hand.

Never once above anyone else but only being beside them.

The one who carried over that same warmth to the kingdom's very throne room.

Disarming.

Yet-

Charming and comforting all at once.

Making others feel so safe.

So warm, so easy to believe in.

Listening without judgment, speaking without pride, and smiling in a way that made the world feel a little less harsh.

Settling the environment around them, to quiet worries without ever needing to speak them aloud just by his gifted presence alone.

A presence she was well aware of.

The presence she had always admired and found solace in.

Perhaps that was why…

It felt so familiar.

So achingly familiar-

Like a memory stirring to life before her very eyes.

As if no time had passed. As if no potion had ever touched his lips. As if the moments of delirious affection, of words soaked in longing and honeyed devotion, had all been nothing but a dream.

And perhaps…

That was the reason why she remembered gripping the edge of the archway, hidden in the shadow of trailing vines, unwilling to be seen yet-

Continuing to stand there longer than intended, basking the sight in front of her, watching.

Watching them.

Watching him.

Studying the soft lift of his smile, the way the breeze stirred a lock of his hair, the way his presence didn’t disrupt the garden’s rhythm but added to it.

Never intruding.

Never imposing.

Only ever weaving himself into the harmony of things.

Blending into the peace, quiet and serenity as if he were born from it.

Exhaling as she stayed hidden in the lattice work shadows of the archway, fingers curling around the vine-wrapped stone tighter, her heart betraying her with every softened beat.

She hadn't dared step closer.

Almost as if her stepping closer might break the moment, as if her very presence may shatter the reality.

At that moment, he seemed so safe.

So sound.

So whole.

So unchanged.

So beautifully unchanged.

He looked like he was in the right place, in the right hands.

It almost made her forget the reason why she had been watching from the shadows. 

And somehow, in that moment, it was enough just to watch from afar.

It comforted her.

It reassured her.

Making her feel relieved that everything was fine.

That he was in good hands, that he didn't need her hovering vigilance nearby.

Perhaps that was why she remembered smiling as she stepped away from that peaceful little scene.

How she had turned from the archway slowly, her hand brushing the vines one last time before she slipped away down the corridor, letting the warmth of the courtyard fade behind her.

She hadn't looked back.

Telling herself that there was no need.

That he was surrounded by kindness.

That he was smiling.

That he didn't need her vigilance.

That he didn't need her.

She had gone on her way to water the plants, feigning purpose in her stride, hoping no one would catch her returning from that path, not the Faerie Cookies, not her fellow friends, and especially not Hollyberry or Golden Cheese Cookie.

Not because she feared their questions, but because she knew she wouldn't be able to stand the look in their eyes if they knew she was looking over him still.

If they guessed or if they teased.

On that note, she knew they would tease her.

Even a single look would be enough.

They'd nudge her, grin knowingly, raise an eyebrow, make some off-handed comment she wouldn't know how to respond with.

For lingering. 

For watching. 

For keeping an eye on him at a time others had taken over that duty of.

For looking at him the way she did.

So…instead she’d taken a different path on the way back.

A quieter one.

A longer one.

Slipping away like a shadow drawn thin across the stone.

Only to return to her plants as if that had been her only reason for walking that path in the first place.

And there…she had poured herself over the plants. She had bent over the pots and planters with deliberate care, watered the roots slowly, checked the moisture with careful fingers, brushed dust from tender leaves with the back of her knuckles as the familiar scent of damp earth and birds calling from a distance surrounded her.

She hadn't let her thoughts stray.

And the times her mind did betray her, the times her hand paused between one motion, the times she felt her limbs tire or she felt something familiar stir within her-

She merely unfurled the image she carried from the courtyard, a fragment of beauty she dared not disturb.

She let herself remember the laughter, the faeries surrounding him, the image of him looking content, him being at ease, the warmth of his smile, of his hands coaxing life-

She had told herself that was enough.

That it was better this way.

That it was okay to let go, even if just for sometime.

Only when she felt fatigued and paused to look at the lush-greenery she got done tending with, did she leave for her room for a quick rest, but-

Not before trying to steal a glance at him again before going on her way-

…Only to be caught by Dark Cacao Cookie.

He didn't say a word when her face turned red the moment she finally noticed his stalwart figure or when they both looked at each other in pure awkward silence.

Neither did he say anything when she quickly spun on her heel and ran back to her room to salvage whatever dignity she still had left, with a hopeful certainty that he was fine. 

That if her friends like Dark Cacao cookie were nearby, roaming in the hall and keeping an eye on him along with so many faeries who were around him, both near and going about in the halls…then he must be fine.

Yet-

Now…with the sun gone and the last traces of light fading from the sky, she didn't feel so certain.

The halls were empty, hushed by the lull of twilight. 

There was no laughter, nor soft voices accompanied with the usual fluttering that came when any faerie was nearby.

There was only quiet, pure still silence which made every step of her feel heavier as the memory sat uneasy with her like a weight settling in her chest.

She hadn’t meant to stay away this long.

Even with all the reassurances she built in her mind...

She hadn’t meant to let the hours pass without checking in again.

But they had.

Now the memory of his smile no longer brought comfort.

As did the stillness that cradled the halls like a lullaby.

Now, it felt different. 

No longer gentle, no longer soothing.

No longer reassuring.

For, a lot can happen in these many hours.

Smiles can fade.

Peace could fracture. 

And warmth…

Just as attention,

Can slip through one’s fingers when left uncared for too long.

And that only filled her with worry.

Silverbell cookie had said that the work would be done by sun down yet…

The sky had started to darken, and it's nearly past that but-

There was no word.

She hadn't heard any calls or had been contacted within all these hours even once.

No one had come to fetch her nor had there been any sort of soft knock or call of her name or any fluttering messenger from the faeries or even her friends.

There had been no alarm, no cry or anything urgent but there hasn't been any sort of confirmation or reassurance that he was fine or the help they needed was done.

And…she didn't know how to feel about that.

It couldn’t be that something had happened while she was away… right?

She took a breath as the question clenched at her chest, her fingers curling tightly around the fabric of her sleeve, knuckles whitening against her grip of her staff.

No.

Surely this wasn’t anything to be concerned about. 

Maybe nothing worthy of note happened in all these hours so they didn't bother her with the news of that.

Perhaps that was the reason why they hadn't come.

Because they wanted to let her rest undisturbed.