The clock did at least two rounds before Princess Ceci finally decided she was bored and that she wanted to make her way back to the castle. No doubt to spend time with December, March thought privately. At least it was something that kept her from running away, March mused because there was no other reason she would remain in the confines of the castle walls if December wasn't there for her to return to.
Princess Ceci pressed her face against the glass displace and eyed the myriad of desserts the shop had to offer.
"Can I get one of the double cheesecake and one lava cake please?"
March strode over and stared at the little lava cake with a delicate white chocolate bow that sat on top. A beautiful sugary script dribbled over its small spongy body with 'I Love You' and March wondered if it was a little bit too bold, even for the Princess. He nudged her side and grinned, "Is that for December?"
Princess Ceci rolled her eyes but the red crawling up her neck was telling. "None of your business!"
"You're too simple!" March grinned as he poked her nose.
The Princess gasped and swatted him away. She reached over the counter to take her precious cake box close to her chest. As if she'll share any with March ever again! She glared at him to stay away. But March, being the ever present annoyance that he was only reached over and ruffled her hair before wandering out the door before her.
"Huh? Wait!" She called after him. That bastard didn't even hold the door open for her! What kind of Knight was he!?
…
The harsh burn of the afternoon sun had long softened when they made their way back to the castle. The bent trees and ruined hedges in the east garden were replaced with perfect replicas that erased all evidence of the chaos that took place earlier. The peaceful glow blessed upon the castle was gentle and heavenly. In the gardens, the soft chime of a girl's voice could be heard, and the low timbre of December's laughter that Ceci could recognize from anywhere in the world.
She followed the sound of his playful singing. But harmonized with his joy was another voice. A softer voice with gentle feminine hues. A voice that she neither liked nor disliked. But Princess Ceci steeled her heart and marched on.
December was chasing Soixante around the hedges, grinning as he reached his hands out like claws and stomped after her. Soixante giggled and waved a stick in his face, "Go away! Evil Nightmare go away!" He clutched his shoulder, where he'd been hit by the weak stick and feigned a visage of pain. Even being ever so silly, December was beautiful! Princess Ceci lamented in her love-stricken heart.
There was a little table set beneath the loving protection of a parasol. There, hidden beneath its shade April was smiling at her husband with nothing but love and adoration in her eyes. She had his apron tucked safely in her lap and she was so entranced by love that it took her a moment to notice both March and the Princess approach.
December looked up at them as they descended the steps. His playful visage melted into a sunny smile, "Hello-" but Soixante had taken the opportunity to tackle him to the ground.
April had risen from her seat as well and set the gardener's apron down on her seat. "Hello, March." She came and pulled March into a sweet embrace. Princess Ceci tapped her feet nervously and hid the dessert box behind her back as she waited her turn. They exchanged kissed on the cheek and then April turned her attention to the Princess. "Hello, Your Highness."
The Princess smiled as brightly as she cool as she leaned in to smell April's strong vanilla fragrance. She almost gagged when she pulled away. Guilt scratched at her gut and regret told her that she definitely should have bought more sweets.
By the time she stepped away from April, December finally freed himself from Soixante's grasps and came up to the Princess with the little girl in his arms. "Say hi to the Princess," he encouraged her.
The Princess peeked at the shy girl and tried a little wave.
But Soixante ducked her head into December's chest and only chanced a little look when she thought it was safe. But when the Princess inched too close, the little girl hid her face against December and refused to show herself.
"You're scaring her!" March laughed and nudged Ceci with his elbow. She grumbled and kicked him behind the calf. She was really depressed about this matter! People normally melted at her presence right away! And she thought she'd already resolved things with the little girl before so why…
December looked apologetic. "She's just shy," he explained.
April smiled at her, "Don't worry, Princess. Children can be shy around girls that are too beautiful."
She nodded at April hesitantly, deciding that the other woman had a point. But Ceci was still determined to win Soixante over. Inching closer cautiously, she held out the little box of sweets and clicked it open. A sweet scent wafted out.
"Look here, the Princess got you something," December nudged the little girl out of her little protective shell.
Soixante peeked out again and eyed the beautiful cakes in the box. But there was still uncertainty in her big doe eyes that kept flitting in the Princess's way. December reached for the little fork placed inside the box and cut into the lava cake. Dark, delicious molten chocolate flowed out. "Mmm, this is my favorite." He hummed and dipped the little fluffy sponge into the melting chocolate before holding out the piece to Soixante.
This time, she young girl had lost all sense of caution and devoured the piece with one big bite. Little stars of wonder dazzled in her eyes and Princess Ceci could feel odd knots in her shoulder unwind. "Thank you, December."
"Don't worry about it Princess."
After a bit more coaxing and a few more bites of cake, Soixante was successfully won over and Princess Ceci had one less thing to worry about. But she felt inexplicably tired and took a moment to breath under the parasol with April as company.
But it was a mistake. She never knew what to say when it came to April. In fact, it was a bit odd seeing the woman around the castle at this time. She was often busy with work, even on the weekends. "I'm surprised you're here," the Princess blurted out.
If April took any offense, it didn't show on her face. Like the delicate daisy that she was, she smiled without a care in the world, "I really want to try having a baby, so I took some time off."
Princess Ceci thought for a moment that she heard wrong. But April continued to smile at her even as silence stretched. Princess Ceci blinked dumbly and eventually replied, "Oh. I see. Congratula- Erm. I mean good luck!"
April giggled behind a petite gloved hand, "Thank you Princess."
A few feet away, the two men watched Soixante chase after the mayflies around the big marble fountain. March gave his friend a telling nudge, "So how you been?"
December's smile didn't quite reach his eyes, even as he focused on the little girl chasing after the fleeing mayflies. He shook his head wordlessly. A heavy slap came down upon his back with so much force that December almost started coughing.
"Don't worry," March also had his gaze locked on Soixante, but when December chanced a peek, he saw that his friend was wearing a rare expression full of unspoken intensity.
December cracked a grin, "I don't understand how you can stay positive all the time."
March looked at him. Sunset was behind him and was glowing reds and oranges as vibrant as his smile, "Sometimes you just have to believe in the impossible, or else the world wouldn't be as interesting."
He laughed. He had no idea what March was talking about but somehow it struck a cord with him.
They bid their farewells when dusk crept into night. March shouted his goodbyes with exaggerated motions that made December chuckle. And while he loved March as a brother, he couldn't help but lament that in comparison December would always be a realist. There was a twinge of jealousy in his gut that he ignored.
His wife called for his attention and December followed after her. They were taking care of Soixante for the time being, giving them the much-needed illusion of family that April always craved for.
Well, despite any of his personal grievances, December thought, the ending will undoubtedly be a happy one. After all, wasn't that how it should be? In a world as perfect as this one…