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observingfantasy · 2 days ago

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The Price of Deceit

~ Shadow Milk redemption fic

Containing: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Attempts at humor, everyone being somewhat mentally not fine, Pure Vanilla being actually angry for a while - not anymore, and the Deceit Trio as a dysfunctional found family

(Edit 05.08.25: Since I originally posted this in the app (because I was on vacation and didn't have my laptop), the formatting was horrible, and I forgot to add something important. I'm fixing both of that now.🤗)

There is more fanart for this fic now!!!😍😍😍

DizzyTizzy posted some gorgeous piece of art on Twitter X! Everyone, go look at this! And send some love.🥰💕

Chapter 13: Meanwhile

Summary: Black Sapphire's unusual morning, while Shadow Milk was busy pinning over Pure Vanilla.

Read on AO3

Black Sapphire was having an… unusual morning, to say the least.

It had started normal enough.

His alarm had awoken him at eight o'clock and—despite absolutely not being a morning person—he'd forced himself out of bed shortly after. His first order of business had then, as usual, been to make sure Candy Apple got up as well.

The little brat listened to alarms about as well as she listened to rules in general, but the reminder that they had to be in the dining hall in time to get their Master's favorites for breakfast was, for once, enough to get her up and running.

Small blessings.

Getting that little gremlin to adopt something even remotely resembling a regular sleep schedule was a nightmare.

It was both near impossible to get her into bed in the evening, and a fight to get her out of it every morning.

And somehow, she still managed to be an untameable, feral ball of energy in between.

(The fact that Master Shadow Milk's sleep schedule was just as fucked up—if not worse—didn't help either.)

But back to his interesting morning:

After making sure Candy was up, he'd returned to his own room and the adjoining bathroom for his morning routine—assuming he'd pick Candy up from Shadow Milk's room afterwards, where she usually spent her time annoying their Master instead.

That was also where the "usual" ended for that day.

As, just a few minutes later, Candy came barging into his room while he was still in the middle of styling his hair, tugging on his arm insistently and agitatedly babbling some kind of nonsense.

And okay, yes—maybe he should have listened when she came in screaming and distressed.

But, to be fair, most of the time when she acted like this, it was either about some minor unimportant detail—or she was trying to prank him.

It took him a while to realize she was actually screaming about their Master being missing—and it took him actually standing in the empty room with her to believe it.

The state of the room—or more specifically the bed—alone almost gave him a heart attack.

The bedsheets and blanket were shredded, the pieces strewn across the entire room. The window he'd opened yesterday to cool the place down in the summer heat almost seemed to taunt them with its open stillness.

And their Master was nowhere to be seen.

Black Sapphire had to admit: if Candy hadn't been currently panicking right next to him, he might've lost it himself. But one of them had to keep a cool head and—as usual—that task was up to him.

He knelt down and grabbed her shoulders, both to steady her and to stop her from doing any of the dumb shit she was screaming about right now.

"Candy. Candy, look at me."

She actually paused her panicked rant at that. Listened, for once in her life.

But something in his stomach twisted at the look in her eyes.

The performative anger had simmered down into real worry. And fear.

And—perhaps worst of all—a quiet pleading, like she wanted him to just make everything alright again.

(Sometimes he really hated these reminders that, despite everything, she was still a child.)

"This is not the time to panic," he reminded her firmly. "Let's not assume the worst and lose our heads, alright? We don't know what happened yet. And—yes, I know it looks bad—but things aren't always as they seem at first glance. You know that."

"So what?" Candy nearly screeched, disbelief clear in her voice. "You think he just… shredded his bedding and walked out of here? Might I remind you that he can't walk?!"

"No, that's not what I'm saying. Although…"

Sapphire trailed off, picking up one of the scraps lying beside them and examining it more closely.

"This does look like it might've been done by Master's claws."

Candy only huffed, arms crossed and unimpressed. "So he defended himself before he got kidnapped? Great. How does that make it any better?!"

Black Sapphire had to fight the urge to roll his eyes.

"Like I said—let's not assume the worst," he repeated, more firmly this time.

"The probability of someone managing to break into the castle and kidnap Master Shadow Milk without any of the guards or security systems noticing—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

Because that actually gave him an idea.

"Hey. You know what? Why don't we check the Wafflebots in front of the door? As annoying as those damn surveillance drones are, they might actually be useful right now."

Candy Apple looked skeptical, but Sapphire simply didn't give her another opportunity to argue. He stood up and headed for the door.

"If Master somehow left through the door, his drone should've followed him. And if he's been abducted, those things should have sounded an alarm."

Candy didn't look convinced, but hurried after him anyway.

"Unless he was kidnapped by one of those stuck-up idiots who control them," she hissed under her breath.

Black Sapphire chose not to respond to that.

He would cross that bridge when he got there.

When he and Candy stepped into the hallway, the purple and red Wafflebots activated as usual, wishing them a good morning.

Unfortunately—both for Black Sapphire's reputation of being right and his nerves—the blue drone was still here as well. Waiting. Inactive, just as it'd always been since they arrived here.

But this was still salvageable.

So before Candy could start yelling about how she'd been right, Sapphire quickly turned to his drone and asked, "Attendant-Unit-2? Can you ask Attendant-Unit-1 if it detected any movement tonight?"

The drone replied immediately. "Activating Attendant-Unit-1 in enquiry mode."

And, lo and behold, the blue drone immediately whirred to life, floating over to join the others.

"Good morning, Candy Apple and Black Sapphire Cookie. How may I be of service?"

"Has Shadow Milk Cookie left the suite tonight?" Black Sapphire asked—more to confirm the drone didn't know anything than expecting an actual answer.

Which was why he did a full-on double take at the bot's reply.

"Yes. Shadow Milk Cookie saw the need to take a walk to the garden tonight, apparently in dire need of 'fresh air.' I accompanied him there and was then sent back here by an authorized individual, who took over manual surveillance for the rest of the time. As Shadow Milk Cookie has not returned yet, I am currently not informed of his whereabouts."

They just stared at the drone for a long, silent moment.

Until Candy shook off her stupor to yell, "WHO KIDNAPPED MASTER SHADOW MILK COOKIE?!"—loudly and directly into her brother's ear.

She probably would have woken up the entire corridor if they hadn't been alone (and if it hadn't been already well past eight, of course).

Before Sapphire could reprimand her to be more quiet, the bot answered in its calm, flat tone.

"I am principally not authorized to relay such information, but the authorized individual mentioned sending you a message to inform you about Shadow Milk Cookie's whereabouts. I recommend checking your message receivers."

Candy just gawked—stunned—while Sapphire blinked a few times and then facepalmed.

"I'm always forgetting those things," he groaned, feeling a bit stupid. "We probably should've checked our phones before panicking."

Smartphones were still a relatively new development overall, but the Vanilla Republic had always been one of the most technologically advanced countries—together with the Crème Republic and the Golden Cheese Kingdom.

Fast information processing and sharing had been essential during the war. The implementation of the new technology had therefore taken priority, and a large portion of communication throughout the Vanilla Republic flowed through those devices by now.

So, naturally, the three of them had each been issued one as well, both to stay in contact with one another and any other cookies they might need to reach.

Candy Apple processed the given information surprisingly fast, spun on her heel and raced back inside to grab her phone from her room, determined to see if there really was a message.

Black Sapphire followed close behind to fetch his own—knowing Candy wouldn't let him read hers on principle, even if she found the message first.

And sure enough, just as he'd suspected when the Wafflebot mentioned an "authorized individual," he found a message from Pure Vanilla Cookie, timestamped around three o'clock in the morning.

Good morning, Candy Apple and Black Sapphire, I apologize for the late message, but I wanted to let you know everything is alright. Please do not worry. Shadow Milk went out for some air tonight and ended up collapsing in the courtyard when he overdid it. I found him there and brought him back to my chambers to watch over him—and also because he forgot the keys to his room. I'm treating his legs and will talk to him myself about resting, but please remind him too: he really has to avoid standing or putting any strain on them for at least two days. I feel it would be best to let him explain himself what exactly happened when he's ready. I'll help him back to his room in the morning. Hope to see you then. ~ Pure Vanilla Cookie

That was… not as bad as it could have been.

Black Sapphire trusted most cookies here about as far as he could throw them—which was not far—but Pure Vanilla might be somewhat of an exception to that rule.

At the very least, he could believe the literal embodiment of truth and compassion when he said he didn't want to harm them.

That didn't mean he wasn't still inherently suspicious, though.

Candy Apple, on the other hand…

"I'm going to destroy that fucking gnat of a useless, pretentious bastard healer for even daring to touch Master Shadow Milk!!!"

Her voice rang out from her room, sharp and furious—probably about to run out the door and do something incredibly stupid.

Black Sapphire groaned and rubbed his face with both hands, dragging his palms down to his jaw, already entirely done with this day.

Oven help him. This was going to be a looong morning.

He quickly pulled himself together and stepped into the common room, intercepting Candy before she could reach the door.

She barely glanced at him before trying to shove past. But he held firm.

"And what exactly are you going to do?" he asked, voice dry. "March up to the heavily guarded room of the High Chancellor and demand entrance? Or maybe try to sneak in, get caught, and get us all thrown out? Might I remind you that we are still balancing on very thin ice here?"

Candy shoved at his arm with a scowl. "So what? We just let him kidnap our Master like that?!"

"I don't think finding him collapsed in the courtyard counts as kidnapping," Sapphire said flatly. "But sure, go ahead and fight the only cookie here with the will and the influence to keep us from getting kicked out entirely. Great plan."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "And what do you suggest we do then, smarty-pants?"

He didn't answer right away. Just exhaled sharply and crossed his arms, meeting her glare with a tired one of his own.

"Listen," he started, tone careful, "I know you're not going to like this, but… there's really not much we can do right now except wait."

Candy reeled back like he'd slapped her. "Wait?!"

"And maybe," he added quickly, raising a hand, "head to the dining hall and get breakfast like always—hear me out!"

He clamped a hand gently over her mouth before she could shout again. She licked it immediately—because she was disgusting like that—but Sapphire was far too used to that to be bothered.

"We have to wait a bit before doing something we might regret later," he said calmly. "See if this can be resolved discreetly before we cause a scene and attract unwanted attention. Especially considering Master's… whole situation."

Candy crossed her arms and took a step back—still glaring at him, but not interrupting again.

So Black Sapphire pointingly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hand before continuing.

"Plus, we can keep our ears open for any gossip. Maybe hear if something weird happened last night or this morning. And, perhaps most importantly, when Master comes back, he'll probably be exhausted, considering what Pure Vanilla wrote. So we'll want to have a good breakfast waiting for him."

She grumbled something unintelligible, tugging at her sleeves with a huff.

He raised a brow. "Was that agreement?"

Candy glared at him but didn't argue.

He took it as a win.

"…But I'm staying here," she said stubbornly, flopping down into a nearby armchair like it owed her money. "That gnat said they didn't have a key, and asking around for rumors is your job anyway."

Black Sapphire just shrugged, already turning toward the door. "Fine by me."

He paused in the doorway and pointed a sharp finger back at her.

"But you stay here, and don't do anything stupid, you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah," she drawled, waving him off without looking at him. "We need to be boring and inconspicuous, I know. I won't do anything that might endanger Master. I'm not stupid."

There was no sarcasm in her voice this time. Only frustration and worry.

Black Sapphire allowed himself a brief exhale and a small nod.

He'd take what he could get.

"Good," he said simply, stepping into the hall. "Because I was starting to doubt that."

He heard her squawk indignantly just as the door clicked shut behind him.

The hallway was as quiet as always, save for the faint hum of the drones falling back into standby behind him. His own bot hovered dutifully at his side, of course, trailing half a step behind like a silent shadow.

He picked up his pace.

It was getting late. Breakfast technically lasted til ten, but the good stuff was usually gone by nine.

And Master Shadow Milk… well.

Eating regularly still didn't come naturally to him. To say the least.

If he and Candy didn't insist, their Master would probably skip most meals entirely.

Getting him to eat usually required two things: absolute convenience and his favorite foods. Mostly things that were easy to chew, quick to swallow, and didn't sit too heavy in his stomach.

Sapphire grimaced.

After a night like this, Shadow Milk was going to need something comforting. And probably very soft. Something fruity would be good.

He made the mental note to get rice pudding with apple sauce, if there was still any left.

And maybe grab one of those tiny fruit tarts.

Just in case.

♧♡♧♡♧♡♧♡♧♡♧♡

When Black Sapphire entered the dining hall, it was already mostly empty—just a select few other late risers scattered around the room, eating and quietly talking at their usual tables. The buzz of morning conversation was slow and hushed, accented by the soft clinking of cutlery and the occasional creaking of furniture.

Sickeningly soft morning light streamed through the tall arched windows, casting golden patterns across the polished floors and pastel-perfect walls. The room, though grand—with its high ceiling, chandeliers, and carved trim—somehow managed to feel lived-in rather than stiff.

Still felt like a saccharine fairytale fever dream, though. And not the good kind.

The sturdy, comfortable furniture and wide food counter spoke of the rooms dual purpose: formal enough for banquets, practical enough for breakfast.

And to his luck, right now there was no queue at said counter, while the display didn't look empty yet either. Perfect.

"Oh, good morning, hun!" called a warm, familiar voice the moment he stepped closer. "Was beginning to wonder if you lot had forgotten how to eat."

Maple Glaze Cookie beamed at him from behind the counter, hands on her hips, apron dusted with flour. Her silver-streaked curls were pinned back beneath a gingham scarf, and her voice carried the kind of steady kindness that could soften even the sourest mood.

"I was getting a bit worried, to tell you the truth. Where's your sister? Everything alright?"

Maple Glaze was part of the castle's service staff, and she took her position at the food counter very seriously—especially when it came to her unofficial role of feeding everyone like a doting grandmother.

Her memory for each cookie's preferences was legendary, and she treated every guest as if they were one step away from wasting away without her help.

Needless to say, Black Sapphire didn't entirely trust her attitude.

No one could be that cheerful all the time.

But that wasn't to say he disliked her—far from it.

Her insistence on making everyone comfortable made her easy to talk to—and easy to manipulate.

She had a tendency to ask after everyone's well-being and gather bits of news along the way, and while she'd learned to be more cautious around them—only ever sharing harmless facts now—she was still more helpful than most.

If he were still looking for damaging rumors and leverage, her newfound caution might've been annoying. But since he genuinely just wanted to stay informed this time, she was one of his most valuable sources.

Most other cookies here either didn't talk to him and Candy at all, or did so with a clear undertone of hostility that made the pair avoid them whenever possible.

Without their Master's powers and their weapons—not to mention the threat hanging over their heads—getting into any kind of conflict was far too risky.

But Maple Glaze? She was always willing to offer a kind word and a helping hand.

"Candy Apple wasn't feeling too well when she woke up," Black Sapphire replied with a tired smile he didn't even have to fake. This morning had been incredibly exhausting so far. "That kept me a bit."

Maple's eyes softened with concern as she leaned across the counter slightly, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that. Poor thing. What's got her feeling off? I could make her a nice herbal tea, maybe—something gentle on the stomach? Have you consulted a healer yet?"

No, but one will probably come by later anyway, Black Sapphire thought to himself.

Out loud, he said, "Oh no, I don't think it's anything that serious. She stayed up faaar too late last night and is probably just feeling the consequences now. I'm sure she'll bounce back by midday—I just really didn't feel like arguing with her this morning."

"Ohhh, I know that feeling," Maple Glaze chuckled knowingly. "My third eldest used to do the same. Up all night tinkering with sugar coils and dreaming of engineering. Never knew what day it was in the morning. Took a frying pan and some very loud pancakes to get him moving."

Before he could respond—or maybe steer the conversation toward some more useful information—a voice cut in. Low, gravelly, and full of entirely unnecessary attitude.

"Guess that's what happens when yer kind does nothin' but lie, huh?" the voice drawled from behind. "Can't tell what's lie and what's truth no more."

Black Sapphire stiffened. He didn't need to turn around to recognize that voice. Still, he gave a quick glance over his shoulder—just enough to confirm.

Hickory Bark Cookie was standing just a few steps away at the counter, broad arms crossed, a scowl etched into his weathered face. The older cookie looked like he'd been carved straight from tree bark—broad-shouldered, thick-limbed, with calloused hands and a nose that looked like it had been broken once or twice. He wore the simple leather vest and forest-toned clothes of a lumber worker, though the crutch he leaned on suggested he wasn't doing much logging these days.

Everyone knew Hickory Bark was the patriarch of a longstanding woodcutter family that supplied premium timber to the castle and the wider kingdom. An old injury had forced him into early retirement, so he could be found at the castle more often than the forest—to oversee trade deals, settle permits, or simply grumble at everyone who walked past.

And, from day one of their first stay, he'd hated the three of them in particular.

Probably because they weren't "honest working folk." Or because they used to have powers. Or because he simply liked being angry.

"Now, now," Maple Glaze said gently, not missing a beat. "You're assuming some rather unfair things, Hickory Bark. Teenagers don't need a reason to feel off. Happens all the time."

The woodcutter huffed, clearly unimpressed, but didn't argue with her at least. Small mercies.

"What shall I put together for your breakfast today, Black Sapphire?" Maple turned back to him like nothing had happened. "I'm sure I can fit everything onto one tray, no problem."

"Thank you kindly." And not just for the food. "I'll take two portions of jelly sausages and eggs with toast, and rice pudding with apple sauce if you still have some. Oh, and three of those fruit tarts," he added, nodding toward the display.

"Sure thing, hun. You made it just in time," she said with a wink. "Got one portion left of the pudding, and two fresh strawberry tarts I just know your sister will love."

She reached beneath the counter and plucked them from the cooling tray behind it. "So I'll make it two strawberries and one blueberry for you, alright?"

The brute behind him grumbled something under his breath about "pampering the wrong folk," but this time, Maple ignored him entirely. Her hands moved deftly, piling food onto the plates, and stacking them carefully on one tray with practiced ease.

"Here you go, sweetheart," she said, sliding the slightly overloaded tray across to him. "And if your sister ends up needing soup, or some tea, or anything at all, you know where to find me."

"Thank you, ma'am," Sapphire answered with a smile.

And he meant it. Not just for the food, but also for the chance to end this conversation and get out of here before Hickory Bark found an excuse to start something. Even if he was giving up his best opportunity to collect a bit more information.

He really didn't want to deal with that guy on top of everything else today.

"I'll keep it in mind."

He nodded once more, then carefully lifted the tray in both hands. It was heavier than expected, slightly unbalanced, and he had to adjust his grip to steady it. His drone, of course, still hovered just behind him, always eager to assist, but utterly useless in this situation.

This was why they usually picked up their food together.

He made his way toward the exit, ignoring Hickory Bark's narrowed eyes and barely suppressed sneer. There was no point rising to the bait.

The day was already off to a terrible enough start as it was.

♧♡♧♡♧♡♧♡♧♡♧♡

When Black Sapphire returned to their suite, the tray balanced carefully in his arms, the smell of warm jelly sausages and sweet rice pudding trailing behind him, he expected to find Candy Apple pacing the common room or yelling at the Wafflebots.

Instead, the space was empty.

"Candy?" he called, placing the tray down on the big table with a relieved sigh and wiping his hands off on his pants.

No answer.

Frowning, he stepped toward the open door of Shadow Milk's room—and paused.

Candy Apple was inside, standing with her hands on her hips like a general surveying a battlefield she'd just conquered.

The bed had been stripped and remade, the ruined fabric scraps gone. The floor was swept clean, a fresh blanket folded neatly over the end of the mattress. Even the water glass on the nightstand had been swapped out.

She turned when she heard him in the doorway.

"Oh, hey! You're back," she said, proudly brushing invisible dust from her dress. "What do you think? Amazing, I know."

Black Sapphire stared for a moment taking in the state of the room. "…You actually did something useful."

Candy gasped on theatrical offense.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" she snapped, marching across the room to jab an accusing finger at his chest. Since that was about as high as she could reach, it wasn't particularly intimidating—but she clearly tried to compensate with sheer attitude.

"What, you thought you'd get to bask in all the praise just for fetching breakfast? No way. I've been far more helpful, as you can see." She grinned up at him, chin tilted high, full of smug pride.

Black Sapphire stepped aside with an exaggerated show of wariness, smirking as she strutted past him. "Color me shocked," he drawled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "I thought you'd be more likely to add more chaos than clean any of it up."

She screeched like he'd committed a capital offense, swatting at his hand with both arms flailing. "Don't touch that!"

He simply rolled his eyes and followed her back into the common room, closing the door to their Master's room behind them. Both of them too busy bickering to notice what was happening behind said door afterward.

"It's not like it's styled yet." he added dryly, dodging a slap.

She gave him a scandalized glare. "It's tucked. There's a difference."

"Messily," he pointed out, chuckling as he fell into step beside her.

Candy huffed and quickly patted at the bun pinned crookedly at the back of her head, clearly self-conscious now. "Well, Master's not here to fix it, is he?" she muttered.

Black Sapphire's smirk faded, just a little.

Yeah. Master Shadow Milk usually took care of Candy's hair in the morning—ever since she was small. It had started as a necessity, when she was too young and impatient to manage it herself. But even now, when she very much could, it had become a little morning ritual—one that meant a lot to both of them, as Black Sapphire knew.

Maybe that was why Candy still refused to do her hair herself. Or let Sapphire do it, as he'd done when their Master had been gone. Even now where she had pulled it up and out of the way, she hadn't really finished it. She always left it waiting—for him.

Black Sapphire softened, just for a second, before covering it up again. "Well, you'll just have to suffer the shame of a lopsided bun a little longer then," he teased, nudging her with his elbow.

"Keep talking and I'm going to rearrange your closet next." She threatened while trying to somewhat fix her hair.

"I'd consider that an act of war," he threatened back.

She stuck her tongue out at him but didn't continue their argument, instead heading strait for the table where the tray of food had been left, steaming and just waiting to be used as a sweet distraction.

"You better not have messed with my tarts," she said, eyeing her favorite strawberry tarts suspiciously.

"They're still intact, your highness," he replied with a mocking bow.

"You haven't spit on them?"

Black Sapphire exaggeratedly rolled his eyes.

"Please, as if I had any need for that."

She looked him up and down for a moment before nodding. "Good. You wouldn't survive it after all."

He laughed, "You're ridiculous."

"You were the one crying about fruit tarts two weeks ago!"

"I was strategically negotiating!"

"Yeah, like a cry-baby."

That was where Black Sapphire decided to be the adult and let it go. No point in dragging the argument out.

By the time he followed her to the table, Candy Apple had already plopped down and started digging into her jelly sausages like a cookie starved. He sank into the chair across from her with a tired sigh, the tray between them.

He wasn't all that hungry yet. Just grateful for a moment of quiet—Candy too busy chewing to talk a mile a minute—while he tried not to think too hard about everything else.

Then—

"Candy? Sapphire?"

The voice was soft. Hoarse. But familiar.

They both froze mid-movement.

Candy's fork stilled halfway to her moth. Black Sapphire's hand hovered just above his own cutlery.

Then he closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands with a groan.

"…I'm going to kill him," he muttered, tired and exhausted beyond belief. "I'm far too young for all the gray hairs Master has given me this month."

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observingfantasy · 9 days ago