The clip of the heels echoed across the hall. The Queen made her way into her chambers with a sigh. It had been a long day. It's not that she hated the people of the Dark Cacao Kingdom- no, quite the opposite. She loves everyone here. The watchers were loyal and her people were kind. But she missed her family.
Of course, her fathers were still here, as were her other parents. She hadn't seen her siblings, nor her best friends in years.
"Other parents." She laughed with a bittersweet tone.
"What an odd thing to say." Her green hair continued to fall in her eyes per usual. It had been much better when she'd hid in her hood all day.
A knock on her door.
She pushed the doors open, listening to the loud squeal echo. These halls would be good for singing.
If she was confident enough.
"Yes?" The Queen nodded at the visitor, a young servant girl.
"There's someone here to see you, your majesty. He says he's a friend. The guards have him outside, he was found trying to sneak in." Her voice was steady, as if she'd been rehearsing this.
"Oh. He tried to break in, yet he says he's a friend." She brushed her hands on her dress. "No matter. He's outside?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Alright, thank you."
"Aw, come one! It's not like you would've let me in!" The man was complaining to one of the guards. His eyes lit up when he saw the Queen.
"Hey!" He attempted to wave, but his arm was being held behind his back. "Come one, tell them I'm not trying to hurt you."
"I don't know you. How can I be sure?" He voice was shaky as she voice. She cursed to herself silently- she's giving away weakness.
"Wh-" The man sputtered. "You don't know me?!"
"You're familiar, sure, but I don't think I know you." She repeated.
"Dude." He rolled his eyes. "It's me. Gingerbrave?"
The courtyard went silent, all eyes were on the Queen. Everyone knew of Gingerbrave- but the Queen knew him personally?
"...oh.." Strawberry Cookie muttered. "Jesus Christ, Brave."
She pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing.
"Ya missed me?" He snickered.
"Let him go." She waved her hand at her subjects. He was released immediately.
"Thanks for that. Yeah, hey." Her brother grinned.
"You tried to break in?" The subjects and guards alike braced themselves. No one had really ever seen her get angry, but there was always a chance.
Instead she laughed. "You would think after spending years with Chili Pepper you wouldn't get caught so easily."
"Oh, no, I've been here for like..an hour. I was just messing around. I've been going in and out." Brave snickered. One of the guards glared, but his gaze faltered as the Queen wheezed.
"You're a dumbass, Gingerbrave." They folded their arms. He just laughed again. There was a glint of silver on his hand.
They could guess who it was from.
"Why don't we go inside? It's less hot in there." She dragged their brother into the castle.
"How are the others? Custard, Wizard, Chili Pepper?" Strawberry stirred her tea.
"Oh, I haven't seen Custard in a while. Chili Pepper neither. Might run into her on the way to the Pure Vanilla kingdom, who knows." Gingerbrave stared off into space as he spoke.
"Wizard?"
"He's doing fine. They're in Parfaedia right now. At least I think, she said she was visiting their parents."
"Oh, nice. You seen his siblings lately?" They took a drink of their tea as they finished talking.
"Yeah, Cream Puff comes and visits the kingdom every once in a while." He fell onto his sister bed. The springs squeaked. "The twins stay with Earl Grey most of the time."
"So..is it an engagement ring?" Strawberry nodded towards the silver object on her brothers hand.
"Nah. Promise ring, of sorts. We're both gone a lot. It's a nice reminder." He had a dreamy sort of look on his face.
"Aha, that's gay." Strawberry snorted.
"Strawberry, you have two rings on and have been pining after the goth and the child genius for years. You don't get to talk." He said dryly. She stifled a giggle.
"Yeah, yeah." Rolling her eyes, she reached over and grabbed her brothers hands.
"Scars." They muttered. "What are these from?"
"Oh, y'know." He laughed. "The war, accidents, the occasional broken glass. No biggie, really. We did do a lot of fighting when we were younger."
Strawberry stiffened at the mention of the war. It really wasn't something she enjoyed talking about. They'd almost died, so many times. They were twelve.
Custard has been eight. Her breathing quickened. Not the war. People she cares about had been on the wrong side and the right. It was complicated.
Not the war..
"Hey!"
She snapped up. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Hey.." Gingerbrave said with a calmer tone. He reached forward and embraced his sister. They couldn't handle it anymore. They broke down, sobbing into Gingerbraves shoulder.
"Sh..it's alright..just try to calm down.."
He hadn't mentioned that last bit. It was private- and he knew Strawberry wouldn't like him telling Custard anyways.
"Ooh, did you see Strawberry Crepe and Pumpkin Pie?" Custard clapped his hands together with a grin.
"Nah, they were out in the woods. Probably with the milk tribe, I think."
"Oh, they were nice." He smiled at the thought of the young villagers.
"Yeah. I wonder how they're doing."
Gingerbrave shifted in his seat. He didn't want to sour the mood, but he was curious.
"So..Custard." The King turned to face him.
"Yeah?" His eyes twinkled. This was gonna suck.
"..uh.." He rubbed the back of his neck. "How's your family doing?"
"Oh." His face darkened.
"It- it's ok if you don't want to-" Gingerbrave stuttered.
"No, it's ok.."
"So how is..well, y'know."
"She..grandma's doing ok. She's been better, though. They all have."
"And she isn't having trouble with..?"
"No..not that I'm aware of."
"So how did it happen?"
"Uh.."