The Vanilla Kingdom was peaceful.

Then again, when was it not?

Sun shining bright, villages bustling. Everything seemed perfectly in place, almost too perfect considering the storm raging in your mind and soul just months ago.

The lies, the deception... it still heavied your heart, felt like hands pressing against your ribs until you couldn't breathe. A certain jester's hands.

But all of that felt so far away when you were in the royal orchid garden with a cup of tea in hand, perfectly content with the scene as it was.

You were healing.

The denizens had not been suprised seeing a foreign Cookie with their ruler. It seemed it was quite common Pure Vanilla Cookie took those in need under his wing.

Your condition hadn't been the best when you stepped (or well, were carried) onto the airship to the way back to Crispia. Your leg had it worst, but with Earthbread's best healer it wasn't too bad. After a few weeks with bandages and crutches, you could walk again and were as good as new.

Now, once your 'redemption' process had begun, there wasn't nessecarily a spell needed to help you, but the right people and place around you. And it seemed you had found just that.

Pure Vanilla Cookie showed you around, made sure you got everything you needed to feel at home and got you a chamber in the castle close to his. You often had nightmares, and he was more than happy to stay up with you a little if it comforted you.

Maybe he was not king anymore, but he was a giver nontheless.

Hm, speaking of...

Pure Vanilla Cookie had been acting weird.

He was just as kind and caring as always, and you had gotten used to it. But lately... lately, you began to notice something was off. He was a bit more quiet when alone with you, and now his touch was even gentler when tending to your injuries (which you didn't even think was possible until then). And he also... seemed to open his eyes more. Look at you more.

Plus when he often nicknamed you-

"Do you want some more tea, bluebird?"

Bluebird.

Yup, definetely weird.

You smiled, which he returned. Hell, that smile was worth more than the power of all deceit in the world. It made you see the better in things. You wouldn't, couldn't trade that for anything.

"Yes, thank you." Holding out your cup, you let your gaze drift across the garden while Pure Vanilla Cookie poured you more tea.

"You know" He said. "I'm beginning to think there'll be none left in the entire kingdom when you're done."

"It's my favorite."

"You don't say." He grinned.

What you didn't know, is that he had asked the maids to prepare more of your favorite beverage just for you.

It made him happy to see you adjusting so well. You were a little defiant at first, but he felt you too, wanted to change. That you wanted to take the chance at redemption Shadow Milk Cookie had rejected.

You helped the maids clean, chatted and assisted the butlers and were immediatley forgiving when they made a mistake, even helping them get rid of spilled water or shattered glass. Even Black Raisin Cookie warmed up to you! You were... kind. And he loved that.

"I wonder..." Your words pulled him back. "...what will Shadow Milk Cookie do now? When and how can we be expecting his return?"

Ah.

"I don't know." He admitted, and was silent for a few beats. He knew you were going to ask sooner or later, more times to come. The Beast of Deceit had been your maestro after all, who's every command you were forced to follow for an amount of time he wasn't sure of. Of course you were more afraid than you'd admit.

"But I promise" Pure Vanilla Cookie's fingers brushed over your knuckles over the table. "That it will be better. For you, and I. Once I contact my friends, we will know more, be stronger. We will win." His eyes opened and met yours. "And I will make sure he won't ever be able to harm you again."

You watched him, quiet, before you laughed. "Oh my witches, you really are the epitome of Cookie kindness."

And there it was again. That laugh, that voice. Everything that he always knew the true beauty of and couldn't help gazing upon with adoring eyes.

Would it be so bad if he gave more than his faith to you?