The Vanilla Kingdom was always seen as a symbol of light. Hope. Kindness. Purity.

But not even the brightest light is free from shadows... ...especially the shadows within one’s own heart.

He never wanted to admit it. Never.

That he was watching you. That his eyes followed you even when they shouldn’t.

You.

An Ancient like him. Beautiful. Captivating. But there was more than just beauty.

Your demeanor... cold, severe. Distant. Reserved. Yet... delicate. Gentle. A paradox that both confused him... and fascinated him.

The two of you barely interacted outside of your duties as Ancients. Formal words. Rare smiles. And Pure Vanilla, always the perfect pillar of kindness, was content to keep that distance. Or... at least, he thought he was.

Until that day.

◆

He saw you.

Hiding behind the golden columns of the royal garden — a place no one would ever imagine Pure Vanilla Cookie could be... spying.

And his eyes... They froze.

There you were. Laughing. Smiling in a way he had never... ever... seen you smile before.

And worst of all...

It wasn’t one of them. It wasn’t an ally.

It was him.

Your Beast counterpart. A sworn enemy. A creature that represented everything the Ancients — that Pure Vanilla — stood against.

And you... You touched his arm. Smiled softly. Rested your hand on his shoulder, his chest, even his chin...

Your eyes sparkled. Sparkled in a way they had never sparkled for him.

A knot tightened in Pure Vanilla’s chest. A knot he didn’t recognize. It wasn’t sadness. It wasn’t pain. It was something... hot. Heavy. Unacceptable.

His fingers gripped his staff so tightly his knuckles turned white.

“Why...?” The question burned in his mind.

Why were you — someone meant to embody light — allowing yourself to be touched by darkness? Why did you smile for him... but never for him, Pure Vanilla — the one who had always protected you, always offered you his kindness?

Bitterness rose in his throat. Jealousy. Anger. Insecurity. Feelings that he — the symbol of purity — never thought he would experience.

And worst of all... He couldn’t look away.

◆

By the time you noticed his presence, it was already too late.

Your eyes met. You, on the other side of the garden, your hand still resting against the Beast’s chest. Him, standing there, staring straight at you...

And in Pure Vanilla’s gaze... There was no sweetness left.

There was something... darker. Something that should never have been there. Something even you — always so cold, so in control — couldn’t ignore.

He walked towards you. Calm steps. Slow. But every step was heavy. Full of... intention.

When he stopped in front of you, the silence was suffocating.

His voice... Low. Almost a whisper. But loaded with something new. Something... possessive.

— “Curious...” — his golden eyes scanned you, as if stripping you down to your very soul — “You never seemed this... receptive... during our meetings.”

Your body tensed. But your expression remained intact. Cold. Elegant. Superior.

— “Since when are my... preferences... any of your concern, Pure Vanilla?” — your voice was sharp. Cutting.

But he... smiled. Not the sweet, gentle smile the world knew. No.

This was... crooked. Bitter. Dark.

— “Because you are...” — his head tilted slightly, his eyes burning into yours — “...mine.”

The silence that followed was suffocating. You took a slow breath, holding your composure, but the warmth rising to your face betrayed you.

— “Mine?” — your voice almost faltered, softer, quieter.

He didn’t answer. He simply stared. Deep. Intense. As if engraving every detail of you into his memory.

— “I’ve been patient... I always have...” — his fingers brushed against your chin, with a cruel kind of tenderness — “But if you think you can play with the light... and then run to the darkness...” — his smile deepened, dark, dangerous — “...then maybe it’s time I remind you... who you truly belong to.”