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The Faerie Kingdom. Dark Cacao Cookie had travelled long and far, across the raging Licorice Sea and through the perilous lands of Beast Yeast, and argued heartily with one Silverbell Cookie, in order to find himself standing within the Kingdom about to be reunited with his dear friend Pure Vanilla Cookie. In his pocket sat a magical remedy to the curse placed on Pure Vanilla some time ago, several months by now -- several months during which Cacao had not seen nor heard from him save for one or two letters describing how his stay was going. He waxed poetic about some Queen he'd given his heart to, who he was utterly infatuated with; Cacao found it suspicious, and so his healers had worked tirelessly in his honor to produce a cure for this lovesickness his friend had clearly been afflicted with.

Pure Vanilla Cookie appeared, then, clad in shades of leafy green and baby blues, a laurel wreath lain atop his head and a crown which only echoed the glory of his former mantle. Behind him spread out a pair of shimmering wings that reflected the sunlight through themselves, no doubt a result of the accursed faerie magic used on him to bewitch him to this Queen. He smiled, rosy-cheeked, and fluttered up to Cacao to twist him into a hug.

"My old friend!" he cheered, wings lifting him slightly off the ground so he could excitedly kick his feet out behind him. "It has been too long! I am so glad to see you."

Cacao nodded stiffly. "It is good to see you too. I was eager to meet this Queen of yours, you spoke so highly of her in your letters."

Pure Vanilla settled down, then, his expression turning sombre. The change in demeanor was alarming. "I fear you will not be able to. She's fallen ill."

"Dreadfully so?"

"She will make a full recovery, but she is weak, and to have no visitors but myself and our doctors," Vanilla explained, eyes downcast for a moment before he brightened. "But please, friend, do not let my worries sour your visit. Let us have tea and chat!"

Nodding, Cacao suppressed any expression that might reveal his sinister delight. The Cookie who had bewitched Pure Vanilla had become sick, and here they were about to drink tea -- things were falling into place better than Cacao had hoped.

They walked down the blue path, patterned with periwinkle stones to guide their feet. Fir trees stretched skyward and scented the air, casting grand shadows over them as they made the short journey to the food court. Pure Vanilla led him to a small round table with two chairs tucked beneath it and a large umbrella in the middle, sitting down and gesturing to the other seat. Cacao raised an eyebrow but followed suit and sat across from him.

"Silverbell Cookie!" Pure Vanilla called cheerily, and in no time the small grey faerie that Cacao had met on his way in was flitting over wide-eyed and attentive.

"Yes, Her Majesty's?"

"Would you mind fetching us a pot of tea? And some little cups? If it isn't too much trouble."

"Her Majesty's"? No my Lord, Your Highness, nothing? Cacao frowned minutely at the lack of proper address, noting with some distaste his friend's innate association with the Queen.

"Of course. Right away, sir."

He flew off. Cacao found a small bit of satisfaction in that "sir," but it was quite overshadowed by the absurdity of Pure Vanilla's new position. Was he nothing but a consort? An accessory? Her Majesty's pet? When the woman was well again, Cacao would give her a piece of his mind for kidnapping and brainwashing his dear friend.

Pure Vanilla returned to talking almost immediately after Silverbell had left. "So, how have you been? Things have been a bit slow here, with how time drags on... it has perhaps only been months between us seeing each other, but to the faeries that's but a snap of the finger. And yet I feel the passage of time just as you do."

Cacao hummed. "I have been well. That must be difficult for you, to live so slowly."

"Well," Pure Vanilla began, shrugging, "I suppose. But it's not all bad. I have the Queen to bide my time with, resplendent as she is. And she is very sympathetic to my struggles."

"Tell me about her," Cacao asked, gritting his teeth.

"You'll understand when you see her. She is the most gorgeous Cookie you may ever lay your eyes on, and smells of fragrant lilies. It has waned somewhat with her illness, but every day it grows stronger. And even on bedrest she's sharp as a Cake Hound's tooth! You and her will get along. Golden Cheese Cookie would love her."

"So she's smart and beautiful? Is that all?"

"Kind and gentle. Her voice is so soft, like a whisper, and her eyes... they're tired, but..."

As he droned on about his love, he was blind to the world and to Silverbell returning with a little tray. Dark Cacao nodded thoughtfully, humming vaguely at random intervals as he poured them both tea and sneakily took the remedy out of his pocket and poured it into Pure Vanilla's cup. He cleared his throat, startling Vanilla from his reverie.

"Oh my! I'm sorry. I was too distracted to thank Silverbell...!"

"Do not worry. I thanked him in your stead. He's poured us some tea."

"Oh, how wonderful," Pure Vanilla said, smiling demurely. He took his cup in hand and clinked it against Cacao's, before raising it to his lips and taking a sip. Cacao looked over the rim of his cup as he too drank his tea, eyes trained on Vanilla's face to watch out for any sign of the cure working.

Minutes passed. Vanilla drank, spoke of the Queen and the Kingdom and asked what Cacao had been up to, and then drank some more. And by the time he had finished his cup...

Nothing.

"Are you feeling alright?" Cacao asked, narrowing his eyes. Pure Vanilla nodded pleasantly.

"How so? I feel wonderful. That tea really cleared my head, though it was perhaps a tad bitter."

Cacao blinked. "That's all?"

"Are you feeling alright?" Pure Vanilla replied, frowning. "I hope you haven't come down with something, too."

"I am fine," Cacao said gruffly. "Let us go for a walk once more. I would like to see where I am to stay."

○○♡♡♡○○

That night, Dark Cacao glared at the ceiling of his silver-stained quarters, laying on his back in bed with a scowl on his face. There had been no change, nothing, in Pure Vanilla Cookie's demeanor. He was still utterly besotted with the Queen and perfectly content with his living situation. The remedy should've worked; what had they done to him!?

He turned restlessly onto his side to stare into the darkness of the room. It had always given him comfort before, but now his mind was wracked with doubt. The medicine of his kingdom had seemingly failed. Where had it all gone wrong?

He made up his mind. He would see the Queen tomorrow, regardless of if she was sick or healthy, and find out what had been done to Pure Vanilla Cookie.

○○♡♡♡○○

The morning was bright, pleasant, and devoid of Pure Vanilla. Cacao had taken his absence as an opportunity to scout out the land -- investigating any and all hidden corners he could find, tasting the soil of the garden for abnormalities, and aggressively interrogating citizens. And yet, he found nothing.

This kingdom had a whole lot of nothing, it seemed. At every turn he was being foiled and led astray into dead ends and sugar brick walls. His treacherous journey had led him all the way here... and it had been for no reason at all, if Pure Vanilla Cookie didn't leave with him, cured of his Queen-centered brain fog.

Cacao sat in the garden by a little lake, legs crossed and back straight, the frustration in his chest quickly boiling over into rage. What could be wrong? Why was Vanilla still obsessed with that Cookie!?

Someone coughed behind him and he immediately stood and spun around, drawing his sword and holding it toward them on instinct. Silverbell Cookie raised his hands defensively in the air. Damnit.

"I am growing tired of running into you," Cacao growled, sheathing his sword and marching forward. "But now that you're here, you can lead me to the Queen."

"That's what I came here to do!" Silverbell said, hovering at his side before darting in front of him. "She's improved greatly overnight and was excited to hear of your arrival. She and Her Majesty's would like for the two of you to meet."

Cacao raised an eyebrow. "Why is he called 'Her Majesty's'?"

"He insists upon it, because he is hers. In return, she is 'His Highness's.'"

"Do you not think that is ridiculous?"

Silverbell shrugged. "Yes, but I'm not one to yuck their yum."

Rolling his eyes, Cacao shouldered past him and kept going. Silverbell allowed him to lead for a time before he saw they were going to get lost, and then swiftly dashed ahead to show him the way. They went down a winding path which seemed to spiral inward toward the center of the kingdom's grounds, little wildflowers blossoming in the grass which slowly petered out and began cropping up as lilies with increasing frequency as they got closer to their destination. The air filled with a fragrant scent and the atmosphere grew heavier, more serious, more respected; and then suddenly Cacao was standing in front of a great castle, being led inside by Silverbell who beelined immediately for the Queen's chambers.

Inside, it was as beautiful as the rest of the castle, with a hanging crystal chandelier and silky curtains and reflective walls. On the bed in the middle of the room lay a figure slightly obscured by Pure Vanilla, but Cacao could make out her lithe form behind his silhouette, pale and glowing with an ethereal light. Silverbell bowed before making his exit.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie," said Cacao, prompting his friend to reluctantly turn away from his Queen. "I was told your Lady was feeling well again."

"Dark Cacao Cookie! Yes, yes, I'm excited for the two of you to meet. But you must come here, White Lily Cookie is still on order to rest."

"I'm fine, 'Nilla," Lily said softly, resting a hand on his arm. The tenderness in which she touched and looked at him was honest, but Cacao was inclined to read hidden cruelty in each small act of devotion she gave to him. Cacao approached the bed and sat down beside Pure Vanilla.

"I am Dark Cacao Cookie. I have heard much about your virtues."

Lily smiled, but it was distant, shameful. "Pure Vanilla Cookie is very kind to me. It's nice to meet you."

"I am kind because you have earned it, White Lily Cookie," Vanilla replied, tone flippant, as though the sentiment was something he casually gave despite the earnest love in it. She sighed.

"I don't mean to hold the two of you up. Please, go catch up without me."

"Nonsense," Pure Vanilla insisted, taking her hands urgently in his. "We are glad to be here with you. If you feel well enough you might join us in the garden, or else we'll stay here and keep you company."

Cacao watched the two of them interact with great suspicion, unnerved by how genuine Pure Vanilla's love for her appeared. She clearly loved him, too, but with great embarrassment of herself, though Cacao couldn't see why when Pure Vanilla looked at her that way. Her shook his head; he only looked at her that way because of the faeries' witchcraft. Of course she was ashamed.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie," Cacao interrupted, getting to his feet. "I would like to talk. In private."

"Oh, of course," Vanilla replied, standing up to join him. "I will be but a moment, my love."

Lily nodded and the two of them stepped out of the room. Cacao gripped Pure Vanilla by the shoulders and shook him around.

"Damnit! Snap out of it, Pure Vanilla Cookie!"

Pure Vanilla yelped, grabbing Cacao's wrists to try and pry him off. "Ah! What are you talking about!?"

"You've been bewitched! Cursed! Poisoned, you moron!"

"What?"

He stopped shaking him. "You don't love the Queen, you've been tricked into it!"

"Yes I do."

"How has she done it? Why can it not be undone!?"

"What are you accusing her of? Where has this come from? I thought you would be happy that I've found love."

Cacao let go of him, pushing him slightly away in his aggravation. "I will solve this, mark my words. You will be freed of this sickness!"

He stalked off, burning with anger.

○○♡♡♡○○

Pure Vanilla Cookie knew exactly what Dark Cacao was talking about. In truth, he had been poisoned, or at least the mischievous members of White Lily's court had made the attempt. But Pure Vanilla was a lot smarter than most Cookies gave him credit for.

He returned sullenly to Lily's bedside, scrambling over her to lay next to her and curl into her side. She rested her hand in his hair, tangling it into the smooth blond locks.

They had discussed it. Two months into his stay, when he had developed great affections for the Queen, the guilt had consumed her and she had fallen to her knees in front of him to confess her wrongdoing and offer to undo it. She had seen him and fallen for him, but believing herself to be unlovable, she had asked her faeries -- in what she described as a moment of horrible weakness -- to simply make him love her. And they had tried, as per her wishes, but Pure Vanilla knew the taste of his favourite tea too well and discreetly discarded it before pretending he'd consumed it. He had fallen for her all on his own.

They had been married, even, for a month by the time Cacao had found the Kingdom, and she had lent her power to Pure Vanilla to grant him his current gifts. But to tell Cacao of their wedding... Vanilla worried what his reaction might be, if he would accuse White Lily once again and assume the worst of her. Pure Vanilla had forgiven her the moment she said she didn't deserve it -- there was no bad blood for Cacao to boil in.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly. Pure Vanilla whined and held her closer, sighing.

"Dark Cacao Cookie believes I am bewitched by you," he replied, more annoyed than truly sad. "I am, of course, but of my own volition. But I do not wish to reveal to him that you did try to enchant me. It would only strengthen his convictions."

White Lily blushed and looked away, embarrassed. Pure Vanilla smiled, worming upward to kiss her cheek. "I am glad to love you. He will see that, in time."

"I'm glad to love you, too," she hummed, kissing the top of his head and settling further into the sheets. Vanilla rested his head heavily on her shoulder, breathing in the scent of lilies thick in the air. There was peace for a moment. Convincing Cacao of his honest affections could be a problem for another time.