Whose Hand the Chocolate Queen Takes Chapter 7

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Chapter 7

Despite the commotion that caused quite the stir in the venue, Lady Chocola had a grim expression, like she was heavily thinking about something, and seemed restless.

Remembering how lively she was and the way her eyes shined at the start of the search, I called out to her.

Akira: Excuse me…

Lady Chocola: …Ah, it’s you. Is something the matter?

Akira: No, I’m fine. I wanted to ask about you, actually. Are you alright?

Have you found Annabella? I haven’t got a clue yet, though of course it’s gotta be a hard one to find!

Lady Chocola: Indeed she is…I haven’t found her either, as expected of Annabella.

She said this as if she were talking to herself. She really wasn’t in high spirits.

Annabella is the one chocolate that she has yet to meet, I remember how determined she was to find it from our previous conversation.

The one who is most impatient to find Annabella at this fair may be her.

Akira: Lady Chocola, is there anything I can help with?

Lady Chocola: Pardon me?

Taken aback, Lady Chocola looks at me with wavering eyes.

Akira: I believe Annabella would be happy to land in the hands of someone like you who speaks its name with so much love.

So that’s why I’m asking you if there’s anything I can do to help you reach your dream.

Granted, I don’t really know a lot about chocolate like you, but…

Lady Chocola: … 

It looked like she wanted to say something, but held back with a troubled face, gazing down. She shook her head lightly,

yet it was one of reluctance and hesitance. I thought it was weird, but she threw on a smile. 

Lady Chocola: Really, I’m fine. Aren’t you also going after Annabella?

The Queen is a difficult one, you know. Having the love and knowledge is handy, but it’s not like you won’t be able to meet her without those qualities.

So please, prioritize yourself first. 

Akira: I guess you’re right…sorry, I was being pushy. 

Lady Chocola: No, not at all, I appreciate it. Hah…

Akira: Ah!

Out of nowhere, Lady Chocola stumbled over, and I quickly caught her by the back.

Akira: Are you okay, Lady Chocola?! Are you feeling unwell?!

Lady Chocola: Haah, my apologies…I have caused you trouble and worry. I staggered a bit is all, do not fret. 

Thank you for catching me. May the Queen smile upon you with graces, for your kind deeds. 

As she smooths out the hem of her dress, she bids me farewell with a small grin and bow before heading off. 

Akira: (She’s so nice…still wishing me well…)

As I watch her back, I sense someone watching me.

Turning around, in front of me was Murr, holding a magnifying glass to my face, closely examining me with a serious face. It was that moment–

The venue was dropped in darkness.

Akira: Huh?

Like all the colours and light before me had been stolen, it was pitch black. I hear some noise next to me as this occurs. 

But a second later, light had returned to the world. I felt relief for a brief moment, until I realized there was a thick pole in front of me.

And not just one thick pole, many of these brown coloured poles surrounded me like a birdcage, trapping me within.

Heathcliff: Master Sage!

Arthur: What is the meaning of this?!

Akira: Guys…!

It all happened so suddenly I had no idea what was going on. All I could do was look towards those who were calling my name. 

Why was I trapped inside a cage? A cage made of chocolate, nonetheless.

Rustica: Why is our Sage inside a cage?

Shylock: If this is meant to be some kind of joke I’m not finding it very funny.

Oz: …

Oz had his staff out, spell on the tip of his tongue.

He was trying to understand what was going on first before reciting it.

Organizer: Everyone, this is not some party entertainment. It is unfortunate to say, but we have a criminal amidst us here in our sacred chocolate fair!

Lennox: Criminal…?

Organizer: Yes, indeed. This criminal sought to steal our fair’s Queen Annabella! 

Gentleman: Blasted! 

The crowd began to roar, eyes like knives piercing me with their gaze, the one trapped in the cage. 

Akira: Uh, uhm…

Organizer: A while ago, when that silver haired lad had suddenly grown huge, Annabella disappeared from her location. 

It is likely that after finding her within the commotion, this criminal pocketed our Queen while our eyes were on the giant lad!

Fret not, for all is solved now. As you can see here, we have caught our thief! 

Now you, confess! You stole Annabella and put her in your pocket, didn’t you!

Akira: WHAT!? Me?!

The Organizer’s eyes were fixed on me, demanding an answer. My thoughts could not keep up with what was going on. At that moment, a graceful voice called out from the crowd. 

Lady Chocola: Wait just one moment! 

Making her way through the crowd of wizards was Lady Chocola. She turned towards the Organizer, hands pressed together like a prayer.

Lady Chocola: This person is innocent, I tell you! Not some criminal!

Despite being rivals in this competition they wished I’d find Annabella, they are a kind soul!

I cannot believe that they’d ever plan to steal something! Surely, you’re making some mistake here?

Akira: Lady Chocola…?

At her desperate protest, my anxiety calmed down. Arthur nodded in agreement, and with a determined look on his face he turned towards the Organizer.

Arthur: It is as the lady says, they would never do such a thing.

Cease this mistreatment immediately, and release them now. 

Akira: Y-Yes, that’s right! I haven’t found Annabella, and I definitely don’t remember stealing anything!

(...Mm?)

To prove I was innocent, I reached inside my pocket, except I…felt something. Thinking that was strange, I pulled it out and–

Gentleman: Hey!

Madame: That’s!

Akira: Chocolate?!?!

What was in my hands was a crookedly pentagonal chocolate. I held my breath, wondering why it was in my pocket.

Everyone was staring at my hands, which unexpectedly held the proof of theft. Lady Chocola’s eyes widened.

Lady Chocola: Ah…

Organizer: My sincerest apologies, Lady Chocola. What this criminal is holding is without a doubt, Annabella. You must realize it too, don’t you?

Everyone! This is the proof that they are a sinner! If we remove the coating off her it will become undeniable

that this person is a criminal who tried to steal our Queen from us!

Akira: No no no I don’t know why this was in my pocket, but…!

(What do I DO?! How do I prove to them this is a misunderstanding? How did that chocolate end up in my pocket in the first place?)

Gentleman: To think there was a filthy thief amongst us…! Such greed!

Madame: Did you really think you could deceive us?! Foolish!

Murr: Yep, this is weird!

Whether or not they really did find Annabella, it’s their freedom to hide or keep it to themself if they did!

Gentleman: Correct, they could…huh?

The chaos had paused. All eyes were on Murr. 

Murr: Because the contest WAS that if you found Annabella, it became yours! So what’s the point of stealing it? It’s the same! 

Madame: You’re, you’re right…

Set off by Murr’s words, the hostilities gradually died down, and opinions from many others poured into my ears. 

Gentleman A: …Say, someone had mentioned this before, but is Annabella even here in the first place?

Gentleman B: I thought the same. Maybe they really didn’t have her prepared so they caused all this ruckus on purpose…

Madame: They said if they removed the coating, they’d be able to tell it was Annabella right away, but aren't there only a few people here who’ve actually seen her?

Furthermore, the descriptions of what she looks like differ from person to person! If you don’t actually know her true appearance, anything could be it!

Organizer: No no, those are just assumptions! Annabella is truly here…!

Gentleman: Hmph, it is still suspicious…

Perhaps the organizers, that person in the cage, and even the silver haired lad were all in cahoots from the beginning!

Arthur: Me?

The accusations were starting to point at not only me and the organizers, but at Arthur too. I gripped at the bars of the cage, unable to bear this any longer. Arthur eyed the room with a calm look on his face. 

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