Whose Hand the Chocolate Queen Takes Chapter 2

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Chapter 2

Arthur: I understand how you feel. When I first heard this proposal, I thought the Sage was being overly conscious too.

However, their feelings are sincere and earnest, they truly do wish to do something for us. I think we should honour that.

Rustica: Yes, I do agree. The Sage merely wants to express their gratitude to us, so why not?

Nero & Heathcliff: Ru, Rustica?!

Rustica: Good morning, everyone.

Lennox: That’s some bedhair you’ve got…were you just sleeping?

Rustica: Bedhair? Oh, would you look at that, I do…Chloe went out this morning, so I didn’t realize. 

What were you all talking about? I heard your lively voices from the hallway.

Akira: We were just talking about how I wanted to give everyone chocolates of my gratitude, so…uh, Rustica, what kinda chocolate do you like? Any particular flavour or type?

Rustica: How kind! To think I’d be able to receive a gift from you. 

Though it is rather difficult to think of one off the top of my head, whether it’s something sweet, bitter, cold, or warm…

anything you give me will become my favourite chocolate.

Akira: Rustica…thank you.

(Mmm, but I still want to give them the chocolate they’d like the most…)

Murr: Oh, I know! If it’s chocolate you want to browse, I have just the spot!

Mysterious chocolate, glittery chocolate, all the chocolate in the world, in one place! 

Murr tilts his head as he spreads his arms out in joy, fingers counting off the types of chocolates in the world.

At this, Rustica claps his hands together. 

Rustica: Ah, would you perhaps be talking about that fair being held soon? 

Arthur: What fair?

Rustica: A chocolate fair. It is a fair for wizards, soon to be opened. 

What Rustica speaks of is a fair held irregularly on the outskirts of West Country.

However it hadn’t been held for many years, and the venue was said to be closed off all this time.

Rustica: Despite having been closed for all these years, recently the doors have begun to shine a light through them.

Akira: (Back in my world we’d have large-scale chocolate events too, I wonder if they’re alike?)

A chocolate festival held by wizards. I wonder what sort of extraordinary and mind-blowing chocolates they’ve got there?

Nero: Hey, I’ve heard of that fair before. They've got some special prized chocolate that’s the talk of the event right?

Rustica: Mm, you must be talking about the famous chocolate “Annabella” that’s exhibited every occasion.

Murr: Yep! It’s a chocolate that’s said to be made from the finest ingredients, and with the finest taste! Everyone calls it “Queen Annabella”. 

High-class, high-quality, just one bite will make you go “How mystifying! Everyone’s sure to love me now!!” 

Heathcliff: L-Love you now?

Murr: That’s what is said about the chocolate! Anyone who eats the Annabella chocolate gains the charm of making everyone fall to their knees with hearts in their eyes! 

That’s why everyone’s got their eyes set on it. Finally, after a hundred years they might be able to see this legendary chocolate!

Lennox: So it’s been a hundred years…that’s quite the gap.

Rustica: Yes, the event’s openings and the chocolate Annabella’s appearance itself are both irregularly done.

As well, this is the only fair that’s said to have the chocolate Annabella make an appearance, so it is also called the “Queen’s Fair”.

Akira: Wow…so this chocolate fair is the only place you get to see Annabella. 

That doesn’t mean you’ll be able to see the chocolate every time the fair is held, though. Thanks to that, it’s become a legend.

Akira: That’s pretty cool, a chocolate that grants you the ability to charm others.

Murr: You wanna romance somebody, Master Sage? 

Akira: Ah, no. I just think a chocolate that can charm others would be a sight to behold is all…

Murr: Then let’s go there and find the Queen together! 

Akira: Huh, I can go?

Murr: ‘Course! You’re our Sage!

Plus, the Queen’s Chocolate Fair is open to all those who love chocolate. 

Arthur: If that’s the case, then I will come too.

Rustica: I would like to come along as well. My bride might be allured by the sweet scent of chocolate, so I may find her at the fair. 

Heathcliff: I’m also interested in what kind of chocolate the Queen is…I wonder what it’ll look like…

Nero: A chocolate called the Queen sure sounds appetizing. I’d eat it if I could, but the idea of making anybody fall for me is a huge no-no.

Heathcliff: When you bring that part up, I have to agree…

The Eastern wizards had difficult expressions on their faces. As those who enjoy quiet lives, the idea of charming anyone around you is a bit too much for comfort. 

Lennox: Murr, what kind of chocolate is there aside from Annabella?

Murr: Because it’s a chocolate fair where chocolatiers get to showcase their best and original works, they’ve got all sorts of unique and special chocolates, from chocolates made to pursue perfection to chocolates that were made with unusual ingredients…

they’re chocolates you wouldn’t find at your regular confectionary store! 

Rustica: They’ve adorable chocolates, stylish chocolates…there may even be chocolates in the shape of sheep!

Lennox: Chocolates with the shape of sheep…I bet Rutile and Mitile would like that.

Akira: (Looks like everyone is hyped up for the Queen’s Chocolate Fair.)

It was the perfect opportunity for me. At the fair I’d be able to find chocolates for everyone.

As we continued talking about what never-before-seen chocolates there’d be, Murr opened his arms wide. 

Murr: Alright, then let’s gooo! We’re headed for the Queen’s Knees!

Days after, the time came for the Queen’s Chocolate Fair to open. I was meeting up in the foyer with everyone else. 

Arthur: Master Sage, did we make you wait?

Oz: …

Akira: Hello, Arthur. So you’re coming too, Oz?

Arthur: Yes, I invited him along in hopes he’d be of help.

Oz: I have no skill in discerning chocolates but…I will do what I can. 

Shylock: Greetings, Master Sage. Please, let me be your escort throughout the chocolate fair. I am quite familiar with the venue.

Murr: Shylock already had plans to go there before us!

Akira: Thanks, I’ll be relying on you! So you know about Annabella too, Shylock?

Shylock: Affirmative. She’s a charming and whimsical queen that is rarely ever beholden.

Lennox: I also invited Rutile and Mitile, but they already had plans today, so I’m in charge of getting them souvenirs. 

Rustica: Yes, plans with Chloe if I recall correctly. He also wanted to come, but since he couldn’t, he left the outfits he made with me.

Amorest Viesse.

Akira: Woah!

Rustica recited his spell, and all of our clothes had changed. They were clothes recognizably made with the theme of chocolate. 

Rustica: The dress code for the Queen’s Chocolate Fair is, of course, chocolate themed. 

Murr: Awesomeee! I wanna eat the fabric!

Everybody ready? It’s time for departure!

Thanks to Oz’s magic, we were teleported to the venue of the fair in an instant. 

As soon as we passed through the large doors of the luxuriously gorgeous building, I was taken in by its beauty.

Akira: Wooow!

What we entered was a foyer fit to be the ballroom of a palace. The chandelier’s flames flickered along with the comforting noise of the visitors bustling, and a faint sweet smell carried itself throughout the room, giving the foyer a lavish atmosphere.

At the seating area there were wizards holding wine glasses, enjoying the varieties of chocolates.

Rustica: As expected of its name, the Queen’s Fair is one of high quality. The scent of cacao and wine combined with everyone’s laughter creates music to my senses. 

Arthur: So this is the floor where we can sample the chocolates. The floor above us is the one where chocolates are for display.

Akira: Is Annabella already on display?

Murr: Shouldn’t be yet. If Annabella was, everybody here would be making more of a commotion.

Shylock: Mmhmm, because Annabella is the star of the show, the organizers of the fair want to keep us in suspense for her unveiling.

As well, if you wish to attain Annabella you must first gain the right to acquire her. She’s not some queen who’ll take anybody’s hand. 

Nero: That so?

Shylock: Indeed so. By the way, the conditions on how to gain the right change with every event, and are always announced in the later half. 

For example, last time it was an arm wrestling contest you had to win, with no use of magic allowed.

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