Whose Hand the Chocolate Queen Takes Chapter 8

[xuebingcode]

 

Chapter 8

Arthur: I understand you feel confused considering what had just happened, but please, do not ignore our words and brand us criminals like so.

The Sage is not one to deceive others, and neither am I.

It is times like these where we need to have a proper grasp of the situation and rational reasoning. If you panic and make haste judgments, you’ll never know the truth.

With sincerity in his gaze Arthur’s words reach the hearts of everyone in the venue.

Arthur: And please, please remember…that today is a day where those who love chocolate come together to celebrate it. 

You all came to meet the Queen, didn’t you? I’m sure she doesn’t wish for this turmoil, and neither do you.

Madame: Well…

Arthur: I don’t want this wonderful fair to become a sour memory for you, who love this fair so much. 

The organizers of this event love chocolate just as much as everyone else here, and that’s why they started this fair up. 

This fair is a place where the organizers and its visitors can both express their love. So if you could have the goodness to, settle down. 

Once you’ve calmed down, you may be able to find another path that wasn’t there before. 

Akira: (Arthur…)

As he did say, it felt like that chocolate was just another object right now. My heart ached, remembering how much joy and cheer we all had for chocolate at this fair.

Gentleman: It is as he says…our reason for our coming here is because we love chocolate, no?

Madame: Yes…disgraceful acts such as fighting do not belong at the Queen’s Fair. 

Arthur’s words had gotten through to them, penetrating their hearts. 

Gentleman: So in the end, what happens with the search for Annabella?

Madame: I guess she’s still not been found yet…

Gentleman: That so? However…

Even if the situation has calmed down, that doesn't mean my accusations have been swept away. At the moment, there’s still no means of proving my innocence.

Akira: What should I…

Murr: Master Sage.

With light footsteps, Murr had stopped in front of the cage, and our eyes met. 

Akira: Murr…

Murr: Keep your head up now, it’ll be alright. The story is almost over. 

Those who are gathered here are all mad chocolate lovers.

So that’s why the ones most anxious by this situation are them, including the person who put that chocolate in your pocket.

He points to the chocolate in my right hand, and gives me a quick wink. 

Murr: Because that person who loves chocolate so much had made their beloved chocolate fair into a mess. 

I’m sure they’re hurting right now. …Don’t you think so, Lady Chocola?

Murr turns around, and as if he were starting a casual conversation, calls out to Lady Chocola. 

Lady Chocola: …

Akira: (Lady Chocola…I hope she’s okay, she looks unwell…)

(This situation hasn’t been good for her, her face is so pale…)

Biting her bottom lip, Lady Chocola faces the ground. Out of the sea of eyes focused on me, she alone couldn’t meet with my eyes. 

Now that I think about it, ever since the commotion she still hasn’t calmed down, and she looked deep in thought. 

Lady Chocola: …Naturally, I believe so. There is nothing more painful than this.

Ending the conversation there, she purses her lips slightly and eventually gives a small nod.

Lady Chocola: …This person has done nothing wrong! It was all me!

I was the one who found Annabella, and put her in their pocket!

With a firm declaration, she confessed. Everyone turned from me to look at her. 

Gentleman: What did you…?

Madame: But…our Lady Chocola?

Gentleman: That can’t be right, why would someone who loves this fair so much ever commit such an act? 

The chocolate fair’s visitors’ confusion had grown larger. Yet somehow, I was calm.

Looking at the chocolate in my hands and back at Lady Chocola, the dots connected themselves and I called out to her.

Akira: Lady Chocola, I was wondering what was getting you so down. You looked like you were so distressed by something…

So the time you fell over and I caught you is when you put the chocolate in my pocket? 

While facing downwards, Lady Chocola squeezes her hand she was holding, and quietly nods. 

Lady Chocola: Yes…I’m sorry. 

But, please believe me that I had no intention of ruining the fair,

and that I did not want for you to be trapped like this…! 

Nero: …For now, can we get ‘em outta that cage? This talk can continue after. 

Oz: Vox No…

Lennox: —HAH! 

Akira: What the!?

The Sage’s Wizards: ?!

Faster than Oz could recite his spell, Lennox sprinted up to the cage and leapt over the bars, landing before my eyes. 

Without any hesitation, he then swiftly smashed the chocolate poles with his right fist in one blow! 

The cage broke apart, pieces of the chocolate poles flinging high above us. 

It was like a rain of chocolate for a brief moment, and within that rain stood Lennox who tightened his fist. 

Lennox: Now that the suspicions and cage have been lifted, I’m sure the conversation can proceed more smoothly now. 

A bucket of water had been splashed on us. Everyone had shocked looks on their faces, meanwhile the Sage’s wizards were normal.

Murr: *whistle* What a hottie!!

Shylock: Ahaha, Lennox never fails to surprise me. 

Oz: Why didn’t you use magic…

Lennox: Ah, right…Instinct?

Nero: He really broke apart those sturdy poles with his bare hands…

Heathcliff: Amazing…perhaps I should do some muscle training…

It seems that the mood of the venue has also lifted thanks to Lennox.

Rustica: I agree, it’s a huge relief! 

Seeing everyone forget about chocolate and being so angry made it hard to breathe…

Arthur: Indeed, this is no conference or battlefield, it is pointless to fight amongst one another. 

Isn’t that right, Lady Chocola?

Arthur faces her with a gentle look in his eyes. She didn’t mean for any of this to happen. The one who was hurting the most right now must be her.

Holding Lennox’s hand, I step out of the crumbled mess of the cage. 

Akira: …Lady Chocola. Your goal was to find the chocolate Annabella, right?

So why, when you finally found it, did you put it in my pocket? If you find it, you get the qualification…

Lady Chocola: …It’s true that when I finally found her, I was overjoyed. I knew right away that this chocolate was different from the others.

Even with the coating, I could tell. Glittering like the stars, cold like the snow, and a fragrance as sweet as honey…it’s not easy to hide. 

I didn’t need a judge to tell me this was Annabella. I was beside myself with joy that my long time dream had finally been conquered. 

But…

With trembling lips, she puts her head down. 

That chocolate coloured dress she was wearing was most certainly prepared specifically for this day. Beyond that graceful appearance however there was something hollow mixed in. 

Lady Chocola: But when I found it…I felt that it was over too soon. I was too scared of the ending. 

…Too scared of losing my purpose in life. What do I pursue after this? What do I do after my dream has ended?

Akira: …

Earlier, Murr had asked her what it is she will desire after this journey ends. 

Having her wish fulfilled she surely felt happy, but at the same time like she lost something, because she loves chocolate from the bottom of her heart. 

<     Index     >