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ㅤ ㅤIt could be just tiredness or the delicious smell of chocolate, but the fact was that Arnold accepted her terms quickly… Allowing her to have a moment of peace after all the weird things that had happened since their arrival in that strange place. The King seemed to calm down little by little too, getting a nod of encouragement from her in response. What he said next, overwhelmed with relief at getting rid of his stalker, made her eyes widen in surprise. ❝ Pink dahlia? ❞ What a cute thing! Kind of unexpected, since Reimi didn’t think he would think very highly of her after being unable to control her own dog — which proved that he was the real kind, forgiving one there. ❝ You have been all these things to me, it’s only fair that I should do the same. ❞ In fact, the desire to do more has grown within her. If he was angry or disappointed it would be enough reason, but his sensibility made things seem even more unbalanced.

ㅤ ㅤAs if he had read her mind, the conversation took a new turn. It didn’t sound like a demand, even because he was delicate while reminding her of her promise. A stereotyped way of looking at things, but it wouldn’t be too wrong to expect a little more assertiveness. He was The King, wasn’t he? ❝ Yes, I did. I would do anything to get Arnold back. ❞ Even though he wasn’t behaving normally, he was still her best friend. Once he was safe beside her, it seemed fair to quote the promise — a little rushed, Reimi would say, but he must have had his reasons. ❝ And he is here now, thanks to you. Just ask and I’ll do it. ❞ A determined tone injected into her voice, like a subject submitting to the monarch’s orders. What kind of favor would it be? Nothing seemed impossible in Holiday Star, but she was not a native. Without knowing the place or its inhabitants, or having something wonderful like his magic book, it could make things complicated.

ㅤ ㅤWords disappeared from her mind before his proposal. She was hoping to do something, not give something, there was nothing to bring with her from the alley in the first place. Her hand went to her neck, fingertips touching the choker gently, feeling the metal coolness. ❝ Huh… If that’s what you want, I think it’s okay… ❞ The idea of ​​leaving a part of her behind was not pleasant — but the gratitude should be greater than eventual annoyance. It was for Arnold, after all. ❝ But… Can I ask you, why the choker? I mean… Are you going to wear it yourself? ❞ So she studied his royal garments, especially the cape with badges, stars and rocks on it. It didn’t really match, there was nothing noble about her necklace. Unworthy of a royal jewelry collection, especially from such a fantastic kingdom… But what was she thinking, anyway? This was not her problem, it would be like giving a gift like any other. Right?

“Why the choker? ...Well, um... um...”

...why the choker, indeed. The King glanced between her necklace and her face, and he felt stumped. Truth be told, Reimi’s choker is the first thing he noticed about her when he saw her on the Holiday Star’s plaza for the first time. The golden, shimmering pendant in the middle had an interesting pattern. It looked like two hands laced together, two hands being held. What an unusual and quirky accessory, right? And to The King particularly, it really looked like a tiny meaningful image pressed into Reimi’s neck.

“Uh... is it a very strange request? Wait, it doesn’t matter! I’m The King, so nobody should question what I do!” he declared, apparently, to the trees around them, as if there was an audience. “...or maybe not? oh no, oh noo... The King got confused... The King forgot what his actual goal of meeting the pink dahlia is... that’s right! nevermind, nevermind, he says! Change of plan!”

The King hugged himself beneath his red robes, making him appear as if he has no arms. Only the golden scepter, poking out form between the white fur.

“Nevermiiind !! The King has a new idea ! Listen closely !”

“The King wants you to come to the throne room. He would like you to go and meet him there. He will be waiting. Oh, and also, The King just remembered he can’t be here for too long, so you’ll have to go there by yourself.”

He swished around in the dirt, pronouncing gleefully,

“The pink dahlia won’t get lost! Just go down this path, and she will find herself in the town again. She’ll know where to go from there!

Traveller, see you in a few dream minutes!”

ㅤ ㅤA weight left her chest when Arnold seemed to return to normal, snuggling into her arms as if nothing had happened. Maybe he realized that he was being a bad boy and, just as a small and very smart child, he tried to get in the good graces of his friend by being kind as always. Although Reimi was confused by her own feelings at the time, she did not act against instinct and welcomed him in her embrace — a cheek resting against his head as a hand scratched his back. The tearful voice above them woke her from her inner world, forgetting for a second where she was, what she was doing. Her pink-colored gaze went up to find The King, still safe and sound on the top of the tree. His narrative added to the wavering tone and eyes full of tears made her feel a sense of pity for him. The way he talked about it made him look lonely, even more lonely than a boy who created a kingdom all for himself.

ㅤ ㅤReimi knew that many people did not like animals, preferring to keep them away, even taking a dim view of the way she treated her dog… Animals that did not like people was something completely different. Stories said they were more sensitive, could understand the hidden intentions of human beings — what did The King have in mind that could arouse Arnold’s antipathy? It didn’t make sense. The only explanation was that the weird environment stressed the dog. She tensed herself because of The Crystal Forest and the dangers lurking in it after all. ❝ You shouldn’t be embarrassed, you’ve done nothing but try to help us. ❞ So her gaze sought Arnold’s, a harsh gleam appearing for the second time, her touch losing its gentleness. ❝ Arnold and I owe you an apology. We are visitors here and we have only brought trouble so far. ❞ Slowly she got to her feet, once again looking at the boy but not really seeing him this time, her brain focused on finding solutions.

ㅤ ㅤRemembering something Reimi looked around, searching for a colorful packaging that should have fallen over there. She went to it when she found, picking up and turning to the dog, who was watching her closely. ❝ Look, The King even got you some Pocky. Isn’t he a wonderful friend? ❞ Her voice full of sweetness, shaking the box to make noise and hold his attention. ❝ I’m going to give you all the sticks, but you’re going to eat… Here, in this corner. ❞ She said as she walked away from the tree, pointing to a spot a few feet away. Arnold would still be within reach but not close enough to threaten The King, or she hoped so. Carefully she placed all the sweet on the floor, waiting for him to approach. He sniffed before looking at her again. ❝ You can’t leave until I tell you to. ❞ Severity lit up her face, pink eyes staring straight into black ones for a long moment, a silence full of meaning. Convinced that he would obey Reimi returned to the tree — a tired sigh escaping her lips when she reached out a hand towards the boy, a silent offer to help him down.

Hearing her command, Arnold’s gaze returned to the sweet snack on the ground, and prompted to give it a good sniff, finally beginning to munch on it. He seemed significantly calmer, but his eye still glanced up when The King staggered up on the tree.

“  R-Really... Do you think so...  ”  he rubbed those annoying tears off his face. The tone of his voice finally began to stabilize and sound more assured, The King finally got to muster up a smile at Reimi.  “  You are so kind, pink dahlia, so nice and forgiving...!  Huh, yes, though... There is a promise you made with The King, right?  Some time ago, the pink-haired girl said that if we find Arnold, she will ‘regard The King in some way’, right?  The King remembers it.  ”

He looked at her hand offering help, but instead of taking her hand in his yet, he pointed to the choker around her neck.

“  That  𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫  is really pretty~ it’s shiny~ The King said, The King will be very happy— and like sacrificing his comfort zone was not in vain— if you could give to him as a gift~...