What Kind of Kidnapping is this?
As night settled at the cottage, fireflies buzzed in the forest. Each scattered across the brush using their light to lit up the night. Inside the cabin, candles were strung about like lamps. The minimal light wasn’t a bother to Persimmon as she sat in front the same kitchen window from earlier. She watched each light fly around the woods, yearning for the same freedom. Crescent was relaxing on the couch, watching TV runs of her favorite show. A bowl of candied cashews and almonds sat on the coffee table in front of the couch. The moon maiden glanced over to the kitchen with a dull smirk.
“Persimmon!” Crescent called out, “Come sit down! You’ve been standing there for 30 minutes!”
The brunette was silent for a moment before responding.
“Okay…” The princess answered, walking out of the kitchen.
She went into the living room where the TV played a cooking show. Crescent patted the spot next to her, which Persimmon slid into. A soft blanket was draped over her lap and Crescent wrapped an arm around her shoulder. The rogue seemed to ignore the fact she had full control over Persimmon as she just sat next to her in a cozy silent. The brunette stayed stiff though, hoping to avoid angering the moon rogue. She’d seen how the black haired girl acted when she tried to leave, so she’d rather not take any chances.
“Any idea was should be dinner?” Crescent asked, chill as ever.
“Maybe pasta? I think I can make it.” Persimmon offered.
The moon maiden nodded a bit before continuing.
“Okay,” She said, glazing at the screen, “There are tomatoes in the garden outside.”
That caught the floral maiden’s attention. She turned her head to stare at Crescent, wide-eyed and breath caught in her throat.
“R-really?” The curly haired girl gasped, noticeable shocked.
“Duh! I’m trying to be self-sufficient.” The moon rogue confirmed, “I’ll get them for you. There’s no need to get your ha-”
“Can I please do it?” Persimmon practically pleaded, “I’m really good at gardening.”
Crescent just stared at her for a moment, clearly amused by the brunette’s puppy eyes. A small real smile frosted her face by the thought. Watching a princess with a picnic basket in her garden as the sun beamed down?! Who would say no! A small bit of blush covered Crescent’s face as she glanced back at the maiden before her.
“Yes, yes, but only in the morning and afternoon. There are coyotes out here you know?” The navy beauty giggled, already entranced by the thought.
Persimmon bounced up and down in her sit, filled with excitement. Finally, a chance to escape! Maybe she could investigate the path she saw. Or just run the second Crescent wasn’t looking. Both options were on the table at this point if she were honest. The moon maiden watched her captive’s joy, feeling an odd flutter in her chest.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” The princess rambled, overwhelmed with joy.
“Don’t, I promised myself I’d treat any lover like a queen.” The moon rogue chuckled, secretly hating lying to her like this.
She reminded herself this was for the sake of her family. Not just her. But spoiling a princess into keeping a secret felt… wrong. Really wrong. But she pushed it down, the idea of the rich life she once had too alluring.
“I’ll start preparing the pasta!” The captive princess chirped, getting up from the couch.
“Great! I’ll get the tomatoes.” The villainous rogue nodded, also getting up and heading for the backdoor.
Persimmon waved to her as she walked into the kitchen, making the rogue’s chest twist in guilt. It was rather shoved down into the deep dark parts of herself before she left, feeling as if she was a leech. A leech that wanted nothing more than to be rich.
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Meanwhile in Flora, both royal spouses laid in their bed. It was a massive bed, with silky sheets and a gorgeous comforter. Two nightstands sat on either side with a lit candle. Their room was what you’d expect from a king’s bedroom, only with more books than bookshelves. King Sun and Moon laid next to each other in their bed, but Sun could barely rest. He felt too restless to sleep with his thoughts running about. A sense of unrest plagued his body knowing his daughter might not ever come back home. A hand found its way to his shoulder, one from Moon next to him.
“Daring, you must get some rest.” Moon murmured soothingly.
Sun didn’t respond yet, only placed Moon’s hair on his cheek.
“Daring?” The shadow monkey asked, getting concerned.
“... I can’t…” The female king whispered, “Not when my daughter is in danger…”
A few tears welled in her eyes. They threaten to fall, but she kept them in. The shadow monkey noticed as her face filled with concern. She rubbed her thumb on the other’s cheek, letting the orange monkey release the tears building in her eyes.
“I feel like such a failure…” He mumbled, hot tears streaming down his face.
“You’re not, my love.” Moon reassured him, “No one could’ve predicted this would happen.”
“It still feels as if it's my fault. If I tried harder to reach her, maybe she’d be safe in her bed right now.” The orange monkey signed, letting a few more tears leak from his eyes.
They sat in silence as Moon tried to comfort her broken husband. Sun felt like such a failure, as a parent and as king. He should’ve tried harder, harder to get her to talk to him. She always had some light that glow within her, one that never went out. That light dimmed before his eyes and he did nothing. More tears fell as he recounted every day before the kidnapping. In ever memories frame, she wasn’t herself. Heartbroken ever. Why didn’t he notice this sooner?! He could’ve saved her if he wasn’t so blind!
“Why am I so stupid…” Sun choked, pushing Moon’s hand closer to his face, “All I wanted to be was a good father…”
“You are, I promise we’ll find her soon.” Moon cooed, whipping away a stray tear.
Sun felt his heart spark with love knowing she still stood by him after all this. He turned to face her, eyes growing heavy. He took her hand off his cheek and kissed her palm. She blushed in surprise, which he chuckled at. Moon landed a kiss on his lips before sinking into his chest. Sun could've sworn he was high off love at that point as his eyes refused to stay open. It was probably best to get some rest like Moon said. With that the orange king finally succumbed to sleep, with his wife on his chest.