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It was…cold.
The cacao kingdom was usually cold, as it was always completely enveloped in snow. However…this time…it felt particularly cold. It was as if complete dread filled the land, the subjects all in deep mourning.
Their king, dark cacao cookie, had been dethroned. No one knows where he is or where he went, all anyone knows is that he's gone. The one who stole his throne was no other than his trusted advisor, Affogato cookie. That snake, he stole the kings throne, crowning himself the new king of the cacao kingdom. He made sure the wealthy stayed rich and the poor unwell. Those who followed him blindly were treated with care, while others who tried to revolt underwent cruel and extreme punishments. No one really was brave enough to try and revolt anyway…
However, there was one cookie that did have the strength. Caramel arrow cookie. She used to be the first watcher, before she was exiled and banished from the cacao kingdom. Such things wouldn't stop caramel arrow cookie, and affogato cookie knew that all too well. So, to avoid anything, he forced hunters to track caramel arrow down and keep her hidden within the castle walls. She was stuck in solitude, only ever seeing affogato cookie when he brought over food. She loathed his presence, and yet she couldn't do anything about it…
The kingdom truly was cold….
_______
Affogato cookie sighed lazily, twirling a tea cup within his hands. The crown that lay too big on his head tilted towards his face, and he grumbled as he repositioned it once more. As much as affogato enjoyed his reign as king, he felt he was lacking something. Something that seemed so necessary to this kingdoms foundation. Yet he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
He was growing tired of sitting on a throne all day long, no one to really talk to that wouldn't constantly agree with him. He wanted fire, some sort of spark to keep him entertained.
“Hm…” he began, snapping his fingers. A loyal servant of his appeared upon command, bowing before him. “Yes my king? What is it that you need?” They began, keeping their face to the floor”
“An answer, feedback even my dear” he began, straightening himself on the throne. “I feel like I'm…lacking. I need something to…help me…” he mumbled, placing a hand to his chin. “But I just don't know…”
The servant swallows hard, keeping their face lowered. “Forgive me if I offend you my king, but are you perhaps talking about wanting a…queen?”
Affogato blinked, looking at the servant. “A queen?” He questioned, gripping his staff tightly. The servant nodded hesitantly “yes! A queen! The cacao kingdom hasn't had one in quite a while…a queen upholds many duties as well, not only just serving her king-!” As the servant rambled, affogato cookies eyes suddenly widened. A queen! Yes! That was what he had been missing.
“Ah, yes!” He intervened on the servants rambles, making them jump. “You're right! Without a queen what am I? With a queen I could have…” he paused at his sentence, letting it hang in the air. “Heirs…”
He smiled brightly, dismissing the servant. “You're correct! I need a queen!” He chirped brightly, smile never wavering. “That is…who?” He thought, placing a hand to his chin in thought. He let the idea of a queen wander in the air, and suddenly, it clicked.
“...aha…”
_____
The snow fell hard this particular evening, coating the windows with dusty snowflakes. The stuck to the window sill like glue, and kept their shake upon the texture. Within the citadel, a cookie lay unmoving, their hands upon their knees as the kept their head lowered.
“My king…” they muttered, long brown hair shielding their face. “Why did you leave us…please…where are you…” they let out a soft sniffle, looking up at the window.
Caramel arrow cookie sat silently, their hair finally out of its known ponytail. It flowed down her back like waves of chocolate, messy and unkept for. She let out an exasperated sigh, staring out into the window with sorrow etched upon her face. She didn't know what to do. For weeks she's been locked up in this secret room under affogatos orders, no speaking to others outside of this room. The only person she's been able to talk to was someone she despised, a cookie she wished hadn't come all this way to kidnap her, a cookie she wished wasn't unlocking her door right now…Affogato cookie.
The door let out a soft click as affogato emerged from behind. He held a smug smile, looking at caramel arrow with interest. The circlets on his staff clinked with every step he took. Smile unwavering. Caramel arrow cookie let out a heavy sigh, turning it glare directly at affogato cookie.
“Why are you here affogato…youre usually not here this early…” Caramel arrow mumbled, keeping her voice steady. She learned on the first day it wasnt the best idea to physically harm affogato, as he made sure she’d regret it. Affogato merely grinned at her response, walking closer towards her. “Cant the king enjoy more time with his subjects? Especially the more…ravishing then the others?”
Caramel arrow raised an eyebrow, yet didnt turn to look at affogato. “What do you want. Im quite busy.”
“Ah yes, sitting and sulking in this room all day, how entertaining.” he chuckled, finally sitting next to caramel arrow cookie. He sighed, he supposed that caramel arrow wasnt the most…unapealing cookie to look at. Matter of fact at many points hed catch himself staring at her just a little longer than he should. Hm, maybe she would be the perfect wife for him.
“The snows quite beutiful isnt it?” he grinned. “Almost as beautiful as you”
Caramel arrows brows furrowed, confusion and revulsion etched upon her face. “You…are acting quite different.” caramel arrow noted, her grip tightening on her clothes. “Why are you saying these things.”
“Have you ever heard of flirting my dear?” Affogato questions, placing a hand to his mouth. “A beauty such as you really deserves more of it” he kept a firm grin, waiting for caramel arrow to respond.
Caramel arrow cookie was stunned, why was he calling her this? From what she remembered Affogato was rather annoyed by her, hence one of the reasons she was banished because of him. She kept her position still, hands gripping at her clothes. “Just speak affogato, lavishing me with compliments wont get you anywhere.”
“Oh why do you have to be no fun caramel arrow cookie?” Affogato pouted, putting his hand down. “But alright, if thats what you want I shall oblige.” he straightens up, looking at caramel arrows tired gaze, and for a moment he felt his cheeks grow warm. “Ive been rather…bored? Annoyed? Anything like that really, so i talked with one of my dear followers”
Caramel arrows brows furrowed- she didnt like where this was going. Affogato being bored? Insane, that wasnt normal for someone like him, especially with his new position as king. Caramel arrow raised her head just slightly, waiting for affogatos next words silently. Affogato grinned as he noticed her attention to him, he took a breath before continuing.
“Hm, turns out i just may be lonely” he tilted his head, resting a hand on his cheek. “I guess that was expected, afterall i am a lonely king! No one to care for…” he paused, his eyes darkening as he looked over at caramel arrow, “no one to call my queen”
Caramel arrows eyes widened, looking back at affogato. “Why would someone like you need a king.” Caramel arrow couldn't believe what she was hearing, affogato and wanting a queen? Insane. A snake like him doesn't deserve a king. Her grip on her dress tightened, watching affogatos every movement. Something was up, she knew it. Affogato cookie chuckled, staring at the snowy window in front of them. “Oh dont you know, having a queen is essential for a kingdom, a queen sustains the kingdoms status, and more importantly…” he suddenly turned his head to look back over at caramel arrow cookie. “A queen can care for her king…”
Caramel arrow swallowed hard, brows furrowed as she looked at affogato cookies malicious gaze. “So what? Why come to me with this information.” Caramel arrow pursed her lips into a straight line. She hoped, prayed that it wasnt what she thought. Affogato hates her right? He wouldnt…
“Oh I thought I was being quite obvious my dear?” he tilted his head down, his grin turning wolfish. “I want a queen, and you can easily fill that role.” he lifted his head up, chuckling softly at caramel arrows shocked face. “I want you to be my queen.”
“Never!” Caramel arrow blurted up, finally standing up from her position. She tried to grasp at her arrow, but only felt air. She felt a pit in her stomach, right, she forgot they confiscated that. She backed away from affogato, who finally stood up as well. “I would never be your queen! I am the first watcher of the dark cacao kingdom!”
Affogato grinned, holding onto his staff tightly. “Oh, i suppose that could be true. But i think youre forgetting something my dear.” Affogato suddenly got closer to her, his hair falling in front of his face. “Dark cacao isnt the king anymore, i am.” Affogato saw as Caramel Arrows fierce gaze turned to one of dread, and he adored every second of it. He suddenly smiled softly, holding a hand out to grab her cheek. “I could force you into this marriage, however i wish to convince you, rather than taking you with brute force.” His thumb rubbed softly against her cheek, and caramel arrow had no choice but to let him do it.
“So hear me out my dear!” Affogato chirped, finally letting go of her cheek. “As my queen, I grant you freedom from this room! You can go anywhere you wish.” he holds onto his staff tightly, the circlets jingling with every movement. “Youll be draped in the finest silks, lavished in the most beautiful ways.” He moves to his cloak, suddenly grabbing something out. A binyeo
Her eyes widened at the sight of the hairpin, palms suddenly sweaty. He wasnt lying about this was he? He was truly being genuine about this marital proposal. She stared at the binyeo, how it matched affogato's design almost perfectly. She felt her mouth go dry, and she couldnt look away no matter how hard she had tried. Affogato grinned at her attention, finally walking over to her with the hairpin. “Be mine caramel arrow, and be given the promise of the finest riches in all the land.”
He lifted the hairpin, and suddenly placed it within caramel arrows hair. He tied it back into her known ponytail, all without the extra accessories. The binyeo stuck out like a rose in snow, the shade of purple a flashing contrast to caramel arrows' usual chocolate-y brown outfit. Once he pulled away, he marvelled at the sight of the dishevled caramel arrow. He must say, he had to give her compliments for her strength. Being stuck in solitary confinement, no interaction from the outside world would have made any cookie go mad. But not her, caramel arrow still stood tall.
Caramel arrow could only stare in intense shock, he really was serious about this. She didn't know what to say, what to do? This…snake that despised her is suddenly asking for her hand in marriage?! She swallowed hard, looking down at the floor. “Im sorry, my answer stays the same.”
Affogato stilled, taken aback by her response. Knowing his charm, usually there would be maidens and servants begging to have his hand in marriage. He exhaled slowly, maintaining a calm composure. “Of course my dear, such surprising news will have you hesitant…for now that is”
Affogato took a step away from caramel arrow cookie, waltzing over to the exit door. “Ill give you a week caramel arrow, make your decision or I'll decide for you.” He let his threat hang in the air, watching caramel arrows head dart up in shock. He didnt grin anymore, his mouth was but a straight line. With a final nod of his head he exited the room. Leaving caramel arrow speechless.
Caramel arrow herself fell down to the hard floor, hair sheilding her face. She raised a hand, grasping at the binyeo stuck in her chocolate colored locs. With a sharp tug she pulled the hairpin out, throwing it across the room. Affogato was insane. Caramel arrows devotion lay upon dark cacao cookie. That sliver of hope she had was solely for hope that dark cacao would come back. He was her king, and she knew he would come back…one day that is.
_____
Affogato let out an exasperated sigh, leaning down on the railing of the balcony. Why must caramel arrow be so difficult? Even then when he was just second in command it was so hard to get favors from caramel arrow cookie. He hoped for so much, maybe he just had to try harder.
He stared up at the sky, snow falling down onto his clothes and into his hair. With a long sigh he pulled off of the railing, walking back into the citadel. He'd have caramel arrow one way or another, she just…needed more convincing. She'll break eventually, and when she does, he'll be the first one to come to her aid.