Viridescent Daydream ~ PV

Across all of Earthbread, many kingdoms spread across the land, each with its own ruler and people. One of those kingdoms was yours. As monarch, it was your responsibility to protect everyone who lived there.

But your rule did not begin easily. You were crowned far too soon, with your parents gone not even a week before. The grief stayed heavy in your chest, but you could not let it show. There was no time to pause or break down. Your people needed you, and your duties came first.

One of those duties was attending meetings with the other rulers of Earthbread. These gatherings were meant for trade, alliances, and keeping peace between kingdoms. However, they often turned into something else.

“They’re just a child… surely they can’t handle a kingdom of that scale.” “I almost feel sorry for them.”

The whispers were never meant for your ears, but you heard them anyway. Every doubt, every quiet insult. You didn’t know whether to feel anger or something far more hollow. You were young, yes, but you were no child. Still, you held your tongue. A monarch needed composure above all else.

And yet… not everyone treated you that way.

There was another ruler, one closer to your age. The Faerie King, they called him. From the moment your eyes first met, there had been something… unusual about him. His gaze lingered just a second too long. His attention, unwavering. It was subtle, easy to ignore, but impossible not to notice.

You later learned his name: Pure Vanilla.

Unlike the others, he spoke to you often during the assemblies. What began as polite conversation quickly became a pattern. He would seek you out every time, his presence constant, his voice gentle and warm.. almost too warm. And then, it didn’t stop there.

He started visiting your kingdom. Frequently.

Too frequently.

Days would pass, and he would still be there, walking your halls, speaking with you, always finding reasons to remain just a little longer. It made you wonder… didn’t his own kingdom need him? Why did he always choose to stay here, near you?

Every conversation stretched on, as though he refused to let it end. As though leaving you, even for a moment, was something he simply wouldn’t allow.

—

One morning, as you walked through your castle halls, your presence was met with bows and quiet greetings from your staff. The routine was familiar, until it was abruptly broken.

Without warning, someone stepped into your path.

“Your Majesty! Good morning, such a lovely day, wouldn’t you agree?”

The sudden voice made you flinch. And there he was.

Pure Vanilla.

He smiled brightly, his tone lilting and almost musical at first, but as he continued, it softened into something quieter. Something smoother… with an intensity that was difficult to place.

“But tell me… is there anything I may assist you with today, my dear?”

His eyes remained fixed on you; gentle, admiring… and just a little too intent.