FishySalmon

He turned, gaze landing on the painting tucked in the corner of the room. Her painting.

He had questioned himself before. Why did I place it here?

Dark Cacao Cookie stepped closer, fingers tracing the dried brushstrokes. The texture of the paint reminded him of her skin.

A knock at the door broke the silence.

"Your Majesty," a servant called from the other side. "My apologies, but an old friend awaits at the citadel gate."

An old friend?

Dark Cacao Cookie frowned, glancing at the calendar on his desk. No, it’s not the usual gambling with Hollyberry.

And it wasn’t a kingdom discussion with Pure Vanilla.

Golden Cheese, perhaps? No—he would have already heard her complaints about the cold and how her wings had nearly frozen off.

Then who—?

His steps quickened as he approached the gate.

And there she was.

White Lily Cookie.

She waved at him through the iron gates, smiling despite the biting cold.

Dark Cacao barely registered his own movements—his body acted before his mind could process.

She was wearing only a thin cloak.

In this weather.

His steady pace broke into a full sprint.

"Hello, Dark Cacao Cookie— OOF!"

Before she could say another word, a heavy, warm fur-lined royal cloak was thrown over her shoulders.

"Are you crazy?!" His voice came sharp, almost frantic. "It’s blizzard season in my kingdom! You’ll freeze wearing that!"

His hands gripped her shoulders, his usual composure breaking.

She was cold.

Too cold.

"Look at you!" His frown deepened. "You’re freezing. Did you walk here?"

White Lily gave an awkward chuckle. "It’s fine… I like the snow. But, well… yeah, walking here was a bit difficult."

Dark Cacao wanted to faint.

His grip on her shoulders tightened before he turned sharply toward the guards.

"Fetch a carriage! Call Crunchy Chip Cookie and his wolves! Escort us to the castle immediately!"

As they rode through the blizzard, Dark Cacao never took his eyes off her.

"Don’t walk here again," he said, his voice firm. "And if you plan to visit, at least inform me beforehand."

"But that wouldn’t be a surprise," White Lily teased.

Dark Cacao sighed.

As soon as they arrived at the palace, everything changed.

Dark Cacao’s voice echoed through the halls, barking orders. Raise the temperature. Change the settings. Prepare warm food.

All for her.

White Lily blinked at the bustling staff. "Dark Cacao Cookie… you didn’t have to go through all this trouble."

"You are my guest," he said simply, though his fingers fidgeted against his robes.

Calm down, Dark Cacao. You have slain a dragon, for the Witches’ sake.

"May I ask why you visited?"

White Lily tilted her head. "Oh? Are you saying you don’t want me here?"

His entire expression stiffened.

"No." His voice dropped, serious. "I never said that. If my words hurt you, I—"

White Lily giggled. "I’m only joking."

Dark Cacao exhaled sharply.

She reached into her bag, pulling out two neatly stacked piles of books and sliding them across the table.

"I came to return these," she said.

Dark Cacao’s eyes flickered between the books and her.

"You carried these here?"

"Yes?"

"Don’t do that again."

White Lily frowned. "Excuse me?"

Dark Cacao lifted the books easily. "I should be the one carrying them. I don’t want you doing such heavy lifting."

Her brow arched. "Because I’m a woman?"

"Yes."

"…So you think women are weak?"

Dark Cacao flinched. "No! That’s not what I meant—I simply meant that I should be the gentleman here!"

White Lily laughed.

"Golden Cheese was right. You’re fun to tease."

Dark Cacao sighed, dragging a hand through his hair, messing up his crown.

"Ah… before I forget."

He slid a small ornate case across the table.

White Lily blinked. "What’s this?"

"Open it."

She did—her eyes widening at the sight of a delicate white lily hairpin.

It was beautiful. Crafted with care, its petals gleamed like fresh snow.

She looked at him. "Why…?"

Dark Cacao rolled up his sleeve.

A worn, frayed bracelet clung to his wrist—the one she had made long ago. Though aged, though battered, he had never taken it off.

"For this," he said quietly. "I never gave you anything in return. This is my gift. Now we’re equal, right?"

White Lily smiled.

"You didn’t have to," she murmured, brushing her fingers over the hairpin. "Would you… help me put it on?"

Dark Cacao hesitated, then reached forward. His hands—so large, so rough—were surprisingly gentle.

He pinned it carefully into her locks.

Reaching for a mirror, he angled it toward her.

"It suits you," he murmured.

White Lily’s fingers brushed over the hairpin before she looked up at him.

Her cheeks were flushed.

From the cold—

Or because of him.