Chapter Text
Laid on the bed was, unfortunately, the beast named Mystic Flour. Silverbell could tell that much for a variety of reasons, from the style of her clothing to the way she seemed in no better shape than Silverbell had heard Dark Cacao was. Her skin was paler than flour, her eyes squinted closed like she was trying to distract herself from the pain. The child at her side was curled up like a dog, but he poked his head up when Custard Cream III sat beside him.
“Hi, Cloud Haetae!” He greeted, placing both of his hands on his hips. The younger boy seemed to be in a much more sour mood, though who could blame him? Silverbell was near to fainting at the thought of a beast being so close to him. Who’d assigned this child as… Guard? Caretaker? Whatever it was Cloud Haetae was doing here.
“How are Candy and Sapphy doing?” Cloud Haetae asked. Custard Cream III stuck a victorious thumbs up out, grinning like a fool. Pavlova, too, was smiling beside him.
“They found each other, and they’re a-okay!” He grinned, “I think they’re off to do something with that one cookie Pavlova mentioned while we were walking here, what was it…” Custard Cream III turned to Silverbell and pointed at him. Suddenly, both small pairs of eyes were on him, though the beast’s remained closed. “The one you were talking about!”
Silverbell stood silent for a moment, until his curiosity won out. Slowly, he responded, “Wisteria?” Custard Cream III nodded.
“Yep! They decided to take a nap, but don’t worry, they’ve still got their d–” Pavlova put a hand over Custard Cream III’s mouth, as if to silence him. He gave Custard Cream III a firm look, as if he was about to spill a secret. Silverbell tensed. Cloud Haetae flicked Custard Cream III’s arm, his cheeks puffing out like an angry chipmunk.
“Shush! Don’t talk about that stuff!” Cloud Haetae crossed his arms, a prideful look appearing on their face. “Mama always used to say it’s important to get along with your siblings and keep their secrets. My mistress taught her that, so it’s super true!” They explained. Silverbell finally stepped closer to the bed, his cautious gaze on the beast.
“You’re siblings?” He asked, tilting his head. Another question bubbled to the surface before he could stop it, “What does this have to do with Wisteria?” He asked. Pavlova giggled lightly, as if he’d just made a joke.
“Their father is, shall we say… Looking to reunited with Wisteria’s mother. That would make them siblings, in a way. Though I’ll admit, he’s fighting an uphill battle after everything. Even I don’t know how it will play out.” Pavlova said, a smile still on his face. He glanced at Custard Cream III, who looked guiltily at the ground. “But I wouldn’t spread it around. I don’t believe they Wisteria wants to be associated with it.” He finished, before quickly adding on, “Mystic Flour being here is also something White Lily and Pure Vanilla have asked us not to share.”
It was like the world suddenly clicked into place for Silverbell. Wisteria didn’t want to be associated with his father. He was so scared whenever the beasts and their sealing came up. His father was someone that sold wool and flowers; White Lily had talked about Pure Vanilla’s sheep and gardens like they were the most precious thing in the world to him. Pure Vanilla was Wisteria’s father!
And, of course, his mother seemed so much more upset when he’d seen her after Pure Vanilla came. While the Faerie Kingdom was off limits, he’d had other kids! What kind of wife wouldn’t be upset? She must be heartbroken right now! And mentioning how similar Black Sapphire looked to his half brother must have annoyed him, especially if they didn’t get along. Silverbell must have struck a nerve in a tough time…
Immediately, he found himself regretting how he’d acted. He’d met his soulmate once, and he’d already made a horrible mistake. The next time he saw Black Sapphire, he’s have to apologize. The regret must have showed on his face, because Pavlova placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“He doesn’t blame you, I’m certain.” He said, squeezing him slightly. Silverbell thought for a moment that it was almost like Pavlova could sense exactly what he was thinking, but before he could ask, White Lily entered the room. Silverbell could see a flash of pale, blonde hair in the door behind her, but it wasn’t his focus as he tried to wipe his regret off his face and stand at attention.
White Lily slowly walked up to the beast and stood at her side. “Dark Cacao will be coming late tomorrow. Assuming you’re in the same condition, we’ll have him sent to you right away.” She said, her voice the clinical monotone of someone who’d accepted what needed to be done. Her eyes, on the other hand, were full of something between caution and curiosity, like she’d just discovered something that was a bit different than she thought it was. It was the same look in her eyes that she got while she was inches away from perfecting a new spell.
Mystic Flour opened her eyes, fluttering them like it was an issue. For the first time, Silverbell saw how glossed over they were. Her pupils weren’t really focusing on anything in particular, and it looked like she wasn’t really here at all. Her words only further proved this to Silverbell.
“Can you tell Fey to watch Blueberry for me? He’s been stressed lately…” She murmured, her voice drifting off as she screwed her eyes shut again.
“Who’s Fey?” White Lily asked softly. Mystic Flour put a hand over Cloud Haetae, stroking him like she would a child. Perhaps she was his mistress. Silverbell’s heart almost bled for the child.
“Elder Faerie. Tell him Blueberry is sick…” She whispered, before fading from conciousness once more. Her face relaxed. Oddly, Silverbell felt almost grateful that she was getting a moment of peace. White Lily tightened her grip on her staff.
“Silverbell, can you follow me out?” She asked, not looking at Pavlova or Cloud Haetae. Silverbell did as asked, leaving the four of them behind.
He was following behind her rather than at her side. She didn’t stop him. Instead, she brought him to the doors of her room once more before finally turning to face him.
“What did they tell you?” It was a question, but Silverbell knew her well enough to call it what it was; An order. He placed his hand over his chest.
“Black Sapphire and Candy Apple are Custard Cream III’s siblings.” He stated. “They said Pure Vanilla was attempting to reconnect with a past partner.” White Lily looked like she wanted to deny it, but after a moment, she sighed.
“I knew it…” She muttered, mostly to herself. She turned around, “If you see his ex, tell that little…” She clenched and uncleched her fist, like it was taking her a remarkable amount of energy not to insult Blueberry Milkcrown. “We have something to discuss.”
“She was talking with Silent Salt earlier today. Black Sapphire also had a conversation with them.” Silverbell replied. White Lily nodded.
“I’ll ask him, too. Thank you.” She sighed, “You’re dismissed. Your only job for the rest of the festival will be keeping an eye on those children of beasts’.” She opened the door to her chambers and stepped inside. Silverbell nodded. If his job was to keep an eye on Pavlova and Cloud Haetae, he would do it to the best of his abilities.
White Lily headed inside without another word. Silverbell left the palace, many considerations in his mind. His soulmate, who he’d managed to royally piss off. His new friend, who’d be struggling without Silverbell able to see it, to the point he’d thought him a liar. And himself, who still couldn’t tell why Wisteria made his heart beat faster than Black Sapphire.
He walked to his house and shut himself inside. Perhaps he could consider it more another day.
The first morning, Black Sapphire remainded under the watchful eye of Pure Vanilla. The ancient seemed almost too fond of him and his sister, taking them around like prize horses. He’d introduced them to every street vendor as his wards, and bought them whatever they asked for.
Well, whatever Candy Apple asked for. She’d spent most of the event on Pure Vanilla’s shoulders, pointing at games and sweets with reckless abandon. Although, that was more than normal for her, and Pure Vanilla had taken it in stride. Everything had been going as smoothly as time spent with an ancient could be, minus a small event when they’d first woken up when Black Sapphire realized he didn’t have any clean clothes. That had been quickly settled when he’d borrowed Pavlova’s shorts and sweater from Pure Vanilla.
That was, it was going alright until Black Sapphire noticed Pavlova and Silverbell together in town. The two of them had stopped at a stand selling some kind of cream-filled pastry, and when Silverbell got a dollop on his cheek, Pavlova had wiped it off.
Black Sapphire practically shoved Candy Apple and the ancient onto another street. It was wise not to arouse more suspicion from a Silver Tree Knight.
Candy Apple didn’t seem to mind, although Black Sapphire caught Pure Vanilla looking at him quizically. When he failed to bring it up, Black Sapphire had foolishly thought himself in the clear until lunchtime.
They’d gone to a private room at a nice restaurant for lunch. Candy Apple had been getting a bit overwhelmed, so both Black Sapphire and Pure Vanilla allowed her to sit a bit of a ways away from them while they spoke in soft voices.
“Why did you move us away from there?” The ancient asked. Black Sapphire pushed his salad around on the plate. Pure Vanilla was looking at him expectantly, not willing to let this go. Black Sapphire didn’t really want to answer, but he relented soon after.
“I saw a Silver Tree Knight.” He said, ignoring the subtle ways his stomach churned when he remembered how close Silverbell was to Pavlova. He didn’t really feel like eating, but he took a bite before Pure Vanilla began to chide him.
“Are you sure that’s all?” Pure Vanilla asked, tilting his head. “Pavlova said you got along with Silverbell.” Ah, so his cousin had snitched. Black Sapphire frowned.
“I’m just…” He huffed, looking away. “Why do you care?”
“Because I care about you.” Was the ancient’s response. He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, like Black Sapphire was the strange one for not guessing it. Black Sapphire clenched his jaw.
“Why?” He asked before he could stop himself. He didn’t give Pure Vanilla time for an answer, instead rambling on, “You don’t care about me. You care about getting close to my master, and you think that being friendly with me will make that happen. And I don’t get along with Silverbell, Wisteria gets along with Silverbell. He’s not my friend.”
“I do care about you, but, yes, I also believe that Shadow Milk would dislike me if I didn’t care about you.” He said. Pure Vanilla, in his endlessly understanding manner, asked, “Who’s Wisteria?”
“I am,” Black Sapphire said, “That’s my disguise while I’m here. I’m Wisteria and Candy is Cherry Blossom.” He muttered. Pure Vanilla nodded.
“Why did you choose him?” He asked. Black Sapphire stabbed the lettuce on his plate. He should have just made them eat in silence.
“I happened to land on Silverbell. That’s all.” He hissed.
“You know that’s not what I meant.” The ancient murmured, smiling like it was a perfectly pleasant conversation. “Why did you choose to be Wisteria?” Black Sapphire remained silent, taking a bite. He chewed and swallowed, and took another one, refusing to meet Pure Vanilla’s eyes. Even without looking at him, Black Sapphire could tell he was saddened. Good. Let him be disappointed in Black Sapphire’s responses. Pure Vanilla was a fool if he thought he could lie to him.
Still, Pure Vanilla placed his hand on Black Sapphire’s. He stilled. Black Sapphire didn’t dare glance at the other’s face, “What do you need?”
“I noticed you had soulmate marks on your knees earlier today.” He said in his quiet, kind voice. Black Sapphire’s eyes finally snapped up to him, darting between him and the window behind him like a scared animal. Curse how he’d borrowed Pavlova’s shorts that morning. He should have known the boy was shorter than him, despite Pavlova’s insistence that they’d cover everything. Pure Vanilla squeezed his hand. “Have you met them yet?”
“I…” Black Sapphire gulped down bile. He bit his lip, trying to think of a way to escape this conversation. He couldn’t tell Pure Vanilla anything, because he’d tell Shadow Milk. They had some means of communication through that book Shadow Milk always carried with him. Loosely, Black Sapphire wondered why they’d been talking, before he shook his head to clear the thought from his mind. Pure Vanilla seemed to take that as an answer, because he smiled.
“That’s alright. Do you want to meet them?” He asked next.
“Don’t tell Shadow Milk.” Black Sapphire quickly whispered instead, the frantic sound leaving his mouth before he could hesitate. Pure Vanilla’s eyes widened and he frowned, but he didn’t pull away. Black Sapphire bit his lip, “I mean… I got sick recently, so I don’t want him to accidentally think it was soulsickness.”
“Does he not know you have a soulmate?” Pure Vanilla asked. Black Sapphire looked down again, finally pulling his hand away. A little truth would endear the ancient. Perhaps he’d be allowed to spent the evening alone.
“I got my mark while he was in the Silver Tree. The right time never came up to mention it…” He murmured. Pure Vanilla nodded slowly, smiling.
“I think Shadow Milk would be overjoyed to know you’ve got someone out there that’s waiting to meet you and love you.” Pure Vanilla took a bite of his toast. Black Sapphire turned his attention back to his salad.
Shadow Milk wouldn’t care. In fact, Shadow Milk would probably leave him behind for daring to be more useless than he already was. He’d have to live in the faerie kingdom, useless to the one person that saw him as worth something. There was nothing good about having a soulmate.
He felt Candy Apple reach her arms around him at the same time as Pure Vanilla put a hand on his cheek. Black Sapphire hadn’t even noticed he’d started crying. No, that was a lie. He’d noticed the way his vision blurred and his face got hot. But despite himself, there was a hope that if he refused to acknowledge it, they’d miss it, too.
Black Sapphire pulled Candy Apple closer to him. He bit his lip. “Pure Vanilla?” He asked. The ancient nodded, like he would be willing to do anything for Black Sapphire in that moment. For a second, Black Sapphire almost believed it. “I wanted to be Wisteria because I wanted to go into town and buy a new lyre.”
Pure Vanilla smiled in that way that made Black Sapphire believe that, somehow, the ancient of truth wasn’t lying. “Then we’ll get you a lyre after lunch, Black Sapphire.”