𝗔 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗺 ⟡ Espresso CRK [Book 2]

Chapter 42

No'ones Pov (Going back in time again, during the start of chaos)

"What's the Divines is going on?!" Madeleine exclaimed, whipping his head around when Custtard lashed out. His eyes widened as he watched Saphire struggle to reach their uncle, and he turned back to his parents, "Did Clotted go out of neutral and you teamed up with him?"

"Use your head for once, why would Saphire be getting to him? How would we benefit from switching?" Cream Madeleine countered, exasperated.

"And how are we supposed to know what's happening either?" Strawberry Madeleine scoffed, her voice had a hint of uncertainty in it. Her hands fidgeted the strap of her purse, a habit she had and never noticed, "It's more likely you and your friends plotted it, or more likely, one of those Cookies of Darkness members here with you."

"Mother! They're not members of the Cookies of Darkness!' Madeleine growled.

"But they were, and who knows. Maybe not now," Strawberry Vanilla Madeleine said ominously.

Madeleine clenched his teeth, glancing worriedly at Espresso who was bickering with Doppio through the crowd of panicked cookies. I need to go to Essy, he needs me.

"Please excuse me," Madeleine mumbled, but Cream Madeleine immediately objected.

"You are not excused," Cream Madeleine said firmly, and Madeleine narrowed his eyes back, "So there is a... minor issue and a few cookies are panicked, but this conversation hasn't finished yet."

"We can finish it later, I need to get to Espresso!" Madeleine's hands clenched into fists, his anger rising like his panic, "You brought Doppia to this party, didn't you!"

"Maybe we did," Strawberry Vanilla Madeleine replied, the corner of her lips slightly up.

"You-!"

"How disgraceful. Stop acting like a child," Cream Madeleine tsked dismissively.

"Madeleine, darling, unlike Espresso's mother, we at least gave you the chance to talk. You should feel thankful we're also willing to follow through on half of your requests" Strawberry Vanilla Madeleine clucked her tongue.

"She isn't his mother!" Madeleine snapped. His tone turned grim, his hands shaking, "I also answered some of your questions on Essy. Can't we call it even?"

"You told us his favourite food, his living conditions, and how far into your relationship you are already. We agreed to fund a part of Espresso's research and other expeditions, and we'll tell your siblings to don't even dream of dating him."

"I don't want to hear you say Nana's name!" Madeleine shouted, his voice mixing with the panicked others but still attracting attention. He lowered his voice, "Don't continue whatever sentence you were going to say. Those three words are already... just don't."

"You didn't even provide us with your living conditions with him because you don't have any." Cream Madeleine snarkily said, "You have no idea what experiments he conducts either, and now you're saying you don't want to talk about Lemon Cheesecake? What's next, are you going to quit being a paladin? You fucking-"

"Honey," Strawberry Vanilla Madeleine said firmly, giving Cream Madeleine a look.

"Look here," She turned to Madeleine, pausing and letting the silence sink in as her eyebrows scrunched up, and her tone turned worried, "I know we may not have been the best parents to you, I know, but please believe me when I said we just want to best for you."

"Mom?" Madeleine said anxiously, seeing how his mother's usual strict attitude exposed a vulnerable side beneath.

Madeleine didn't believe his parents wanted the best for him, after all, his childhood was not all fun and games like common folk believed the rich to have, but there was that saying about how strict parents push you so that you have a bright future.