The room was dark, the soft glow of a lamp being the only thing that held back the shadows. C/N Cookie glanced outside the window. It was nighttime, though faint flashing in the distance showed there were still Cookies out partying somewhere.

How long had she been in here?

She wasn't sure.

She glanced down at the paper she was writing on. Then back at the stash scattered on the desk, floor, and basically everywhere but the trashbin.

By the heavens above, C/N Cookie didn't know if she could keep on working into the night. It wasn't good for her health either, that she knew.

Sighing, the servant placed the quill next to the scribbled-on paper and leaned back in her chair.

Must it be so hard to write love letters?

She rubbed her temples esparatedly, her head throbbing from the lack of sleep these past few days. There was no particular reason to suddenly start with things like love letters right now, but it just... feels like a must. A duty pressuring down onto her. She didn't even know.

And everything she'd written so far didn't really satisfy her.

Dear Golden Cheese Cookie...

Too simple.

To her Radiance, Golden Cheese Cookie...

Too admiring.

My loving queen...

Too... romantic?

The door to her dorm opened.

"C/N Cookie?"

She didn't move.

Golden Cheese Cookie furrowed her brows with concern. As she looked around the dimly lit room, she imagined it looked like a storm had whirred through it. It was extremely rare for C/N Cookie to be... well, chaotic at all, but this was worse than her own chambers could ever be. Yet, she found herself chuckling at the empty chocolate wrapping papers splayed around.

She began walking to where the desk was positioned, looking down at her friend and servant that seemed to be losing her mind in just a matter of hours.

She knelt in front of her, turning C/N Cookie's chair so they were face-to-face.

"Hey there."

C/N Cookie rubbed her eye. "Hi."

The queen frowned. "Have you been in here... all night?"

Technically she didn't need a response to that. The answer was right in front of her.

Golden Cheese Cookie glanced at the desk. Whatever was supposed to be written on those letters, it was barely understandable. She could only make out a few words like 'dear', 'happy', and 'honor'. C/N Cookie must've been so sleepy that even her writing slurred.

Said female quickly fumbled to snatch the comprehensible papers and stuff them into her pockets, looking flustered despite her dishelved appearance.

"You know it's not healthy to overwork yourself, C/N Cookie."

E/C eyes glittered with exhaustation, an almost bitter laugh escaping her. "Is it? I know this well, my queen. It's just-" She hissed, pressing her hands to her temples again. "...I really want to finish this. I'm already behind." Her voice lacked conviction.

Once again, the queen's frown deepened.

"I... don't know what it is that you're working on, but can't it wait for another day?" She asked, a quiet plead in her voice. "Please, you must know that I don't want you being so careless with yourself. You're not alone in this, I really care about you."

At that, C/N Cookie crossed her arms, head hanging low. "I don't know anymore. I just- don't know what to do anymore! It's not that easy." Tears brimmed in the corners of her eyes. "I'm tired, I really am. But I can't tell you about my problems this time."

That quieted the Golden Sovereign.

Sighing through her nose, Golden Cheese Cookie's words settled down onto C/N Cookie. The servant ran a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry. You always know what to say, and I'm thankful for that. But I just..."

She trailed off.

"Come on." Golden Cheese Cookie stood up and extended her hand. "You don't have to tell me everything, but please do when you're ready. We can make a fast trip to the kitchen and have a nice meal, and then you can rest. As your queen, I demand it."

C/N Cookie eyed her queen warily, arms still crossed. "Golden Cheese Cookie... is this one of your tricks to get me to stay away from work and spend time with you?"

The queen grinned. "Maybe. Is it working?"

And C/N Cookie couldn't help but smile tiredly at that. "Maybe."