Chapter 3
The morning sun filtered through the grand windows of the Golden Cheese Kingdom, casting a warm glow over the halls. The usual hum of life filled the air—servants bustling about, distant laughter echoing through the corridors—but amidst the golden splendor, White Lily Cookie felt… off.
Her limbs ached with an unfamiliar heaviness, and a dull throbbing settled behind her eyes. It was nothing, she told herself. Just exhaustion. She had spent the past few days buried in books, after all, combing through texts with Golden Cheese lounging nearby, idly twirling a feather between her fingers.
She could handle a little fatigue.
Golden Cheese, however, was far less convinced.
Seated across from White Lily at breakfast, the queen of gold barely touched her own food, sharp amber eyes fixed on her companion. She watched the way Lily’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached for a spoonful of porridge, the way she hesitated before taking a bite, the way her usual serene expression was marred by something tense, something unsettled.
"Lily." Golden Cheese’s voice was smooth yet commanding. "You're not eating."
"I am," White Lily replied softly, managing a small smile. "Just… slowly."
Golden Cheese raised an eyebrow. "Slowly, huh? Then why do you look like you'd rather be anywhere but here?"
Lily sighed, pressing her fingers against her temple. "It's just a headache."
Golden Cheese leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm, unconvinced. "A headache. Right." She scrutinized Lily, gaze flicking between her unusually pale complexion and the way she was subtly shifting as if trying to quell discomfort.
Then White Lily’s hand twitched. Her breath hitched—so quick, so faint, that anyone else might’ve missed it.
Golden Cheese didn’t.
"Lily—"
The chair scraped against the floor as White Lily abruptly stood, hand covering her mouth. For a moment, she wavered on her feet, blinking rapidly as if the room had tilted. Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and hurried out of the dining hall.
Golden Cheese was on her feet in an instant.
"Wait—!"
But White Lily was already gone.
Golden Cheese stood frozen for half a second before snapping out of it and storming after her.
Something was wrong.
And she was going to find out what.
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Golden Cheese moved quickly through the corridors, her bare feet tapping against the polished floors. The servants barely had time to bow before she was past them, her focus locked on one thing—White Lily.
She found her in the nearest washroom, hunched over the basin, trembling.
Golden Cheese barely paused before stepping inside. “Lily?”
White Lily flinched at the sound of her voice, gripping the edges of the basin as another wave of nausea wracked through her. A weak gag escaped her lips before she coughed, shoulders shaking violently.
Golden Cheese was at her side in an instant. “Oh, Lily…” Her voice softened as she reached out, placing a warm hand against her back. She could feel the tension in Lily’s frame, how tightly wound she was, how her entire body was resisting the miserable feeling.
“I—I’m fine,” White Lily rasped, though it was clear she was anything but. She squeezed her eyes shut as another retch forced its way up, and this time, there was no stopping it.
Golden Cheese winced slightly but held firm, her hand moving in slow, soothing circles against Lily’s back. “That’s it, just let it out…”
White Lily coughed weakly, her body sagging against the basin as her stomach emptied itself. Golden Cheese kept rubbing her back, murmuring quiet reassurances, waiting until the sick spell passed.
When White Lily finally stilled, breath ragged, Golden Cheese reached for a clean cloth, gently wiping away the sweat on her brow. “There we go… better?”
White Lily hesitated before nodding weakly. She leaned against Golden Cheese without thinking, exhausted.
Golden Cheese immediately tightened her hold, her warmth a stark contrast to Lily’s feverish skin. “You’re burning up,” she murmured, concern lacing her voice.
White Lily let out a soft, tired laugh. “It’s nothing.”
Golden Cheese pulled back slightly, just enough to meet Lily’s weary eyes. “Lily. You just threw up. That is not ‘nothing.’”
Lily lowered her gaze, guilt flickering across her face. “…I didn’t want to worry you.”
Golden Cheese let out a slow breath before pressing a soft kiss against Lily’s forehead. The gesture was so gentle, so full of care, that White Lily barely had time to react before Golden Cheese pulled her closer again.
“Too late for that, flower,” Golden Cheese muttered, resting her chin on top of Lily’s head. “I’ll always worry about you.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. White Lily simply closed her eyes, letting herself relax against Golden Cheese’s steady warmth. The queen of gold may have been proud, stubborn, and dramatic—but she was also safe, in a way Lily never quite knew she needed.
“…Let’s get you to bed,” Golden Cheese finally said, her voice softer than usual. “You’re not doing anything else today. Just rest.”
White Lily wanted to protest, but she was too tired to argue. So, instead, she let Golden Cheese pull her up, steadying her when her legs nearly gave out.
And, with surprising gentleness, Golden Cheese guided her back to her chambers, never once letting go.
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Golden Cheese carried White Lily to her bed, tucking her into the softest blankets she could find. She moved with a delicate care that felt almost out of place for someone as grand as her, smoothing out the covers and making sure White Lily was comfortable before even thinking about stepping away.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she crouched beside the bed, watching Lily’s pale face, the way her chest rose and fell unevenly. She hated this—hated seeing her like this, weak and miserable.
“Stay,” White Lily whispered, her fingers barely brushing against Golden Cheese’s wrist.
Golden Cheese squeezed her hand. “I’m not going anywhere.”
That was a promise.
After making sure White Lily was as settled as she could be, Golden Cheese stood and scanned the room. There had to be medicine somewhere—something to help with the fever, the nausea, anything.
She rummaged through the cabinets, muttering under her breath, until she finally found what she needed: an herbal tonic meant to ease sickness. It wasn’t the best-tasting thing, but it would help.
Golden Cheese returned to White Lily’s side, kneeling once more. “Alright, flower, sit up for me.”
White Lily groaned softly but obeyed, letting Golden Cheese help her into a sitting position.
“Drink this.” Golden Cheese held the cup to her lips.
White Lily wrinkled her nose. “…It smells awful.”
Golden Cheese huffed a laugh. “It is awful, but you need it.”
White Lily hesitated, but when Golden Cheese’s golden eyes softened with something close to worry, she sighed and took a small sip—then immediately grimaced.
Golden Cheese chuckled. “See? Told you.”
White Lily glared at her weakly, then took another sip, forcing herself to swallow. She was exhausted by the time she finished, and Golden Cheese gently eased her back against the pillows.
“There we go,” she murmured, brushing a few damp strands of white hair from Lily’s face.
White Lily’s eyelids fluttered, heavy with exhaustion. “…Thank you.”
Golden Cheese softened, her usual grandeur fading into something gentler. “Anything for you, flower.”
She pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, taking White Lily’s hand in hers. She wasn’t going to leave. Not tonight. Not while White Lily still looked so fragile.
She ran her thumb over the back of Lily’s hand, feeling how cool her skin was compared to her own warmth. She was always warm, but right now, she wished she could pass all of it to Lily—to chase away the fever, the aches, the exhaustion.
Instead, she settled for holding her, keeping her close, making sure she knew she wasn’t alone.
And as White Lily finally drifted into sleep, Golden Cheese stayed right where she was, keeping watch, just as she always would.
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Golden Cheese woke up to the gentle rise and fall of White Lily’s breathing, warm and steady against her. At some point, Lily had shifted closer, her face tucked against Golden’s shoulder, her fingers loosely curled into the fabric of her robe.
For a moment, Golden Cheese just watched her—watched the way her expression was peaceful now, her fever having finally broken. Relief swelled in her chest.
Carefully, she reached up, brushing a stray lock of white hair from Lily’s face.
“…You’re finally resting properly,” she murmured. “About time.”
White Lily stirred faintly but didn’t wake. Golden smiled softly, pressing a light kiss to her temple before settling back down.
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow over both of them. It was warm. Comforting.
Golden Cheese let out a quiet sigh, tightening her hold just slightly.
“Sleep, flower,” she whispered. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”