#shadowvanilla?

They looked down, their hands fiddling with the ends of their sleeves. Even though he can't really see their face clearly—due to his already blurred vision from birth. He could still see the faint color of a light red spreading across their face, as well as the rough outline of their lip trembling, out of embarrassment he believes.

"When we grow up…would it be dumb to think that I want to be a knight?"

A knight?

"No. I think that's very cool! Can I ask why?"

They turned their head to the side—facing away from him. A mumble was barely heard, he leaned a little closer, all the while trying to not disturb the lamb on his lap.

"Huh? What was that?"

"I…" They looked back at him.

"I want to be a knight…because I want to protect you.."

"Why?" "Why?!"

They stood up, hands clenched and close to their chest as they looked intently at him.

"Because—because I don't want you to get hurt! You're always so reckless and chase after your lambs—even into possible danger like the forest—what if a wolf shows up one day!?" "Then I'll give it some head scratches!" "You're so unserious!"

The little boy lets out a small laugh, his hand resting on the back of his lamb while the other propped himself up. All while the other child let out a huff with a pout.

"If you're going to be my knight—will I be your king?" "What?"

"Since you're going to protect me when you become a knight. Doesn't that make me your king?" He gently cradled the lamb, standing up from the soft grass. "You know, because knights protect kings?"

"Uh…" They straightened up, puffing their chest out with an air of self confidence and pride. "Yes! Of course! I shall be your knight! Your sword and shield to use as you please! M'Lord."

They gave a mocking kneel, trying to seem knightly and chivalrous but it ended up being cute and endearing, at least to any grown-ups who may have been watching. The lamb-holding child let out a joyful laugh, playing into the mini role-play his dear friend had set up.

"Oh, my loyal knight. Stand up. I can't use you like a tool like a carpenter to his nails—you shall be my knight and advisor in one. And here I deem you—"

The vanilla themed child lowered his lamb slightly, gently guiding the hoof on each shoulder of the kneeling friend.

"—The Royal Captain of the Vanilla Knights."

The weight of solid steel lingered on the left shoulder for a moment, followed by the cheers and applause of the newly appointed knight. The first one in the kingdom. They looked up at the king of the Vanilla Kingdom. Even though his face remained calm, they could tell, that he really wanted to give them a hug. That he wanted to laugh and rejoice at that fact that they managed to pass the Knighting Trials. With a firm nod, they lowered their head once more, eventually standing up, face to face. One hand held the handle of their sword on their hip, while the other held their helmet.

This was it. The start of knighthood.

As the festival began, the laughing of citizens and thudding of goblets echoing off the walls of the large banquet. [Reader] quietly snuck away—at least to the best of their abilities, it's not easy to be completely soundless when wearing full armor and a clanking sheathed sword on their side. But with years of practice in sneaking around the town at night, it gave them some experience in getting away.

Aside their own footsteps and the armor, it was practically quiet in the garden of the newly created Vanilla Kingdom.

'The Royal Captain of the Vanilla Knights, huh?' They kicked a small pebble to the side 'Pure Vanilla….sometimes you just do too much…'

"I'd figured I would find you out here." A soft caring voice rung out, [Reader] let out a small sigh, running hand through their hair.

"Hey Pure Vanilla. Why aren't you at the banquet?" They turned around, looking over at their dear friend. And there he was, eyes open with his soft smile and relaxed stature, "I could ask you the same thing. After all, it was made specifically for your coronation."

[Reader] pouted a bit glancing away with arms crossed, "Yeah, but you were the one who decided to do a whole banquet even after I told you not to."

"Wait—Pure Vanilla! I do not want any sort of after party!" They shouted after him, the scurrying of hurried footsteps quickly catching up with the steady ones that were accompanied with the soft clinking of the flower staff the newly formed king loosely held.

He let out a small hum, considering the request "But if I don't have one, you would be all stiff and proper during an occasion that's meant to be celebrated! After all, you are the first one to pass the Knighting Trials today." He slowed his pace a bit, letting [Reader] catch up to him quicker, the two eventually walking side by side.

"That's because being a knight to a king is an honor—not a gift!"

"Then let it be a gift from me, not the King of the Vanilla Kingdom." He stopped, looking at [Reader]. They paused, choking on words, before eventually letting out a sigh.

"There's nothing that's going to change your mind is there?"

"Unfortunately no, my dear soon-be-knight."

"…." They stayed quiet for a moment, finally relenting to the friend's perseverance, "Fine…"

Pure Vanilla walked closer easily maneuvering between the flowers and plants, "Either way….[Reader]…" He stopped, a few feet away, hand clenched tightly around his staff. Shadows covered his eyes, his head slightly lowered. "I've…I've been holding it in ever since the Coronation but—"

He launched himself at [Reader], arms wrapping tightly around their torso, head lowered "I'm—I'm just so glad—" Startled, [Reader] went to take a step back—only to stop when they noticed the tears rolling down Pure Vanilla's face. The sounds of sniffles and silent sobs quietly escaping from him, he lifted his face, looking at [Reader], voice cracking, "I'm so glad—that you can stand by my side—not only as my knight, but as my companion!"

This wasn't the gracious vanilla ruler—it was Pure Vanilla. Their childhood friend. A boy who wanted to stay by his dear friend's side for as long as he could. They hugged him back, Pure Vanilla still sobbing against them as the both of them descended down to the floor.

'I promise. On my honor as your knight and close friend…' They hugged him tighter, eyes squeezed shut. 'I will never leave your side.'