Lost Love [~Toffee~] ((COMPLETED))

Chapter 8

Elara took Toffee's hand much too quickly for her liking. She had wished to stay calm, but when she saw his hand reach out for her, she could hardly contain her excitement. Though Toffee was obviously cold-blooded, there was a warmth to his touch that sent Elara's heart into a panic. His soft hand wrapped itself around hers very gently and Toffee began to walk her through the French doors.

Toffee loved the feeling of having Elara's hand in his own. He could feel her increasing heartbeat and how she stealthily squeezed her fingers around him every so often, as if to see if he was actually there. He was, and he honestly never wanted to let her go.

But, he did, out of respectfulness, when they had reached the middle of the garden. Both Elara and Toffee sighed inwardly as they let go of each other, wishing they could touch at least one last time. 

Toffee forced himself out of his thoughts and began to let his eyes wander about the garden. There were flowers from all over the world, even flowers he had never seen before with his own eyes. That was a pleasant surprise, considering he had been all over Mewni and a few other worlds.

One flower in particular, caught his eyes over all the rest. A light purple rose. Though the color didn't match evenly, the purple he saw reminded him of the purple in Elara's spades. The flower matched her very well: in shape, in color... Everything about it screamed her name in his mind.

He smiled, looked down at the small princess he had come to greatly admire, and took her hand in his again. But this time, he entwined his fingers with her own, which caused her to blush harshly. She gazed up at him in surprise and her heart melted when he gave her an actual, genuine smile. 

"Come with me." Toffee said softly, solemnly. 

Elara followed like a lost little puppy. 

They stopped close to the purple rose bush and, much to Elara's dismay, Toffee released her hand. He stooped to one knee and took the rose effortlessly. He used his sharpened claws to cut the green stem at an angle. Then he turned, holding the flower between his thumb and pointer fingers, and stooped low again, to push the de-thorned rose behind Elara's ear. 

Elara's eyes widened in utter surprise. Toffee, the indifferent, almost evil, Septarian, had taken her favorite flower in the whole garden and put it in her hair like a scene from an old romance novel. Her heart leaped for joy and it took everything she had not to pass out right then and there. Were her dreams coming true? Was Toffee really falling for her? Or was it just a tactic of his to get closer to her and her family? She had no idea, but whether Toffee's feelings were genuine or fake, she wanted to take complete advantage of them before he left Mewni.

Toffee fell in love with Elara's icy gaze and the way her eyes glittered as she searched his face for something. He guessed she was searching for answers, considering how he had suddenly fallen for her like a ton of bricks. Though he didn't know why he suddenly wanted to show his emotion towards her; but even if he wanted to he couldn't stop it now. He wanted her, in every way possible. But he couldn't have her, not in that way at least.

Elara's heart fluttered uncontrollably. She had no idea what was going on behind those handsome golden eyes. So for uncountable moments longer, they stood there staring at each other; both in a sort of trance. 

Finally, Toffee stifled a cough. Bringing the moment back to an almost instant reality.

"... It suits you." He spoke, slightly indifferently, but with the hint of some other, hidden emotion.

"W-what?" Elara sputtered. Her mind was clearly elsewhere, as was clearly noticeable by anyone, even those prying eyes watching from the other drawing room. 

"The flower, I mean." 

"Oh... Oh! Y-yes, thank you... G-General." Her embarrassment spiked violently and the normal little bit of pink highlight in her cheeks grew to a bright red. How could she be so vulnerable and weak around the Septarian? Then again, she had never felt the feelings of true love or love-at-first-sight before, not until Toffee. He was her weakness, her kryptonite, but also her everything. 

Her whole mind revolved around Toffee, like some dizzy-headed school girl. She hated the feeling, but loved it all the same. She only hoped that Toffee felt the same, that the little bit of feelings he's shown towards her were genuine; not some fake façade like all the other men she's ever met. No matter how hard she tried, Elara couldn't get a solid read on Toffee. It worried her.

But looking up at him made all of her worries go away. He cracked a sweet smile, his reptilian jaws seeming almost friendly instead of dangerous, and held out his hand to her once more. His body was perfect, his muscles outstanding. Even his long, black hair - that was slicked back away from his face - carved the image of perfection in her mind. She was deep in it, deep in the thoughts of him and her, together, away from the world they knew and the responsibilities given to them. It was impossible, she knew, but there was a certain softness to his eyes that drew her in, and in that one single moment, it was as if he was saying: 'have hope'. Once again, she was entranced by her Septarian company and took his hand again.

Together, they walked the whole length of the garden, hand in hand, and talked about anything and everything that came to their minds. All except their true feelings for one another. And both truly hoped that one day, they could tell each other exactly how they felt. 

***

Meanwhile:

The Queen stared anxiously out the window, craning her neck to watch and keep an eye on Toffee and Elara in the courtyard. She hated the idea of letting them speak and be around each other, because she knew well the looks they exchanged. It was mutual love; and an absolute disgrace to all of Mewni, especially to the whole of the Butterfly family. Everyone would think of Elara just as they did the Queen's grandmother, Eclipsa. The black sheep of them all - the one reason everyone of Mewni had begun to distrust the royal family. It was blasphemy.

She couldn't let it continue. Something had to be done.

But her rumbling thoughts were interrupted by the monster king, who sat behind her in silence for the first half of morning tea.

"I'm sure the two of them are fine, your Majesty. My general is not like the other Septarians."

"Or so you think." The Queen sneered in reply. She turned to send a heavy glare in the king's direction, and sauntered back over to her giant, blue chair to take her seat once again. "Septarians are ruthless, terrifying creatures with one agenda..."

"To kill every descendent and loved one of all Butterfly's in Mewni."