The Manipulation

Meanwhile, within the confines of the castle walls, Dark Cacao directed his subjects with urgency. His voice carried authority, commanding swift action to fortify their defenses.

"These fortifications were ordered to be bolstered weeks ago, but it is processing at a sugar snail's pace. Quarry more cocoa and bring more syrup! Coat the walls in thick layers of chocolate to reinforce them!" He commanded, his urgency palpable.

"Bring more chocolate bricks and heaters for boiling water. Ensure there are enough arrows to hold off a siege! All towers and stations must be supplied! And where is Mochaccino Cookie, has he enforced the electrical field yet?!" Dark Cacao inquired, his voice laced with impatience.

"He said he upgraded the field to as much as his resources would allow, my king." One of the builders promptly responded.

Affogato, emboldened by curiosity, dared to question the need for such fervent fortification. "Pardon my curiosity, my Liege. We've already a sturdy, fortified wall protecting us. Why must the citadel be bolstered with such fervor?"

"Our kingdom's coffers cannot sustain these efforts. May I advise caution, for soon even our citadel's kitchens will have to switch from Rainbow Jellies to... plain Jellies." He warned.

Dark Cacao's gaze turned icy as he glared at Affogato. "Silence! There will be no meals at all if our kingdom is to fall."

"A hundred pardons, Your Majesty. Though I humbly stand by my word, observe: the soldiers are growing weary." Affogato interjected, attempting to appease Dark Cacao. "As are you, my king. My Lord, as King of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, you must pace yourself. Your subjects need your strength..."

"My health matters not at this time. Do not let up! Proceed with the construction!" Dark Cacao commanded his builders, his tone brooking no dissent. "There is no room for regret or blame if we are ill-prepared when disaster strikes. All of you, double your efforts!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! We'll do everything we can to keep our beloved kingdom safe!" The workers responded in unison, their voices resolute.

Filled with renewed determination, they toiled harder than ever before, driven by their unwavering loyalty to protect their cherished realm.

However, unbeknownst to his loyal comrades, Affogato harbored a clandestine agenda: a burning desire to overthrow Dark Cacao and seize control of the kingdom.

Time was of the essence; he knew he had to act swiftly to eliminate Dark Cacao before Mochaccino's return to the Black Citadel, as he was well aware that the Royal Scientist would thwart his plans. Affogato's window of opportunity was closing rapidly.

With a sense of urgency gripping his every step, Affogato hurriedly made his way to the grand Hall of Dignity, determined to rally his supporters.

Addressing the gathering of Cookies with an air of authority, he declared. "The court must be convened. All ministers need to make themselves present at the Hall of Dignity." He ordered.

"Explain yourself, good Affogato Cookie. What is the meaning of this summons when we should be focusing on our king's commands?" Cube Choco questioned Affogato's motives.

"The Watch has little time to spare for such a summons! Say what you will with haste, for I must return to my post!" The Second Watcher voiced his dissent, impatient and irritated.

"I humbly ask for your understanding in this matter. It was not my intent to divert the attention of this court from our duties." Affogato humbly appealed for understanding, recognizing the gravity of his actions.

"I approach you because I am concerned with the future of our kingdom. We all know the dire circumstances of our treasury, but perhaps the reason for such concern is due to our king's lapse in judgment?" He questioned.

Outrage erupted among the gathered Cookies. "What?! You dare utter such treacherous words before us?" The Second Watcher exclaimed, his voice seething with anger.

With a furrowed brow, Cube Choco interjected, casting a skeptical gaze upon Affogato. "Hmm... Noble Affogato Cookie. Indeed, your statement can be taken as an act of treason."

"Now now, heed my concerns and think rationally. Our king is obsessed with preparing for a war that will not spark. He is sickeningly fixated on our defenses when there is no need." Affogato implored, undeterred by the hostile reactions. "Our soldiers are weary, their cries heard throughout the night. The treasury is depleting by the hour!"

"Your words do contain an inkling of truth. Never have the beasts penetrated our defenses. Our forces are as stalwart as ever, almost excessively prepared." Peanut Butter Choco interjected, his voice resonating with a hint of agreement.

"There is no such thing as too much preparation!" The Second Watcher countered, his voice filled with conviction. "Our lands, bordering the Licorice Sea, cannot be sufficiently defended even with all of our forces."

"With the judgment of the First Watcher, our forces' morale is at an all time low. What if ferocious beasts were to attack at this very moment? Even Mochaccino's genius electric field can only do so much to deter them." He continued arguing.

"Why the concern when we already have enough Watchers? Do you need more Cookies as an excuse to stockpile more Jellies?!" Peanut Butter Choco challenged.

"I will not be subject to such an accusation!" The Second Watcher roared, his voice filled with righteous anger.

"Refrain from this insolent nonsense! Caramel Arrow Cookie this, Caramel Arrow Cookie that... Good riddance! What use was there for a First Watcher who was always gallivanting through the wilds?!" Affogato bellowed, his frustration boiling over.

"The only reason she wasn't entirely banished was due to Mochaccino Cookie's meddling. The Royal Scientist and the First Watcher were conspiring against our entire kingdom!" He suggested aggressively.

"Hold your tongue! The First Watcher and the Royal Scientist always put the Cookies of our kingdom first!" The Second Watcher retorted fiercely.

"Are you defending a criminal and her accomplice...?" Affogato shot back, his gaze piercing the Second Watcher. "Do you wish to be the next one to face exile?!"

"This has gone too far. Affogato Cookie's words resonate with the truth." Sugary Dark Cacao intervened, his voice steady and authoritative. "The Royal Scientist, however, was always eager to aid our kingdom. He never once sought personal gain or glory. In fact, he worked tirelessly to help us defend ourselves."

"I concur." The Second Watcher added. "Mochaccino Cookie's brilliance had the potential to revolutionize our kingdom. His scientific principles and unwavering ambition shun as beacons of hope for our people."

"Mochaccino Cookie is nothing more than a greedy, conniving scientist who manipulated our king to further his own ambitions. He is the very reason why we find ourselves in this dire predicament today!" Affogato argued vehemently, his voice filled with conviction.

"He has made our kingdom complacent with his inventions, falsely believing that we could rely on them indefinitely... But how long until he decides to deactivate the electric field, leaving us vulnerable to the onslaught of ferocious beasts?" He asked, making the Cookies present question the Royal Scientist.

"That's absurd! Why would Mochaccino do such a thing!?" The Second Watcher interjected, his disbelief evident.

"Because he's no genius! He's a mastermind! Mochaccino's plan is to wait until our kingdom was at its worst, leave us in ruins, and build his own empire from the ashes!" Affogato argued passionately. "The Royal Scientist possesses the means to execute such a scheme, and if he went to great lengths to rescue Caramel Arrow Cookie from banishment, it can only mean she was an accomplice in his treachery!"

"...As much as I hate to admit it, there is a certain logic to your claims." Cube Choco confessed. "Who's to say that Mochaccino's seemingly altruistic nature was nothing more than an elaborate facade? Perhaps the Royal Scientist was the true puppeteer behind this grand design..."

"Indeed, Mochaccino Cookie's intellect surpasses that of any other Cookie, making him fully capable of devising such a plot without raising suspicion. It is a testament to his cunning and deceit." Affogato asserted. "If this is true, then our kingdom should be wary of the Royal Scientist and the First Watcher, for they may be in league to orchestrate the downfall of our beloved realm!"

"If that's the case, then this is not a matter of choosing sides. What is it you propose, Affogato Cookie?" Cube Choco inquired, his tone filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"My concern for the well-being of our kingdom is too much to bear. I can barely sleep due to such a burden. The answer is crystal clear! I cannot stand idly by while our king brings ruin upon our land. The First Watcher and the Royal Scientist were loyal only to him, not to our kingdom. We must devise a plan!" Affogato declared resolutely, his voice resonating with determination.

Later, as night fell, Affogato found himself standing alone within the shadowy confines behind the imposing gates of the Black Citadel.

There, he patiently awaited the opportune moment to execute his clandestine scheme. His eyes scanned the surroundings, the air lingering with anticipation. "Ahhh... yes, everything is moving forward like clockwork. Confidence in our king has all but dried out." He murmured, a self-satisfied tone lacing his voice.

"Perhaps I shall expedite my plans, reveal all at once?! No, no... the king is still much too hardy and hale. Things are moving along, indeed, but something is missing... There must be a method to make this kingdom my own in one fell swoop..."

An enigmatic voice resonated through the darkness, interrupting Affogato's contemplation. "What an amusing conspiracy you have concocted... Has the kingdom been faring terribly of late?" It inquired, belonging to none other than Pomegranate Cookie, who emerged from the concealed recesses of the citadel.

"Who...?! You... you're not from around here, are you? All gates to the citadel are locked shut! How did you get in here?!" Affogato retorted, his heart racing with a mixture of alarm and curiosity, as he turned to face the mysterious figure.

"Hee hee hee! There's ALWAYS a way." Came another voice, this one belonging to Licorice Cookie, who materialized alongside Pomegranate.

"Dark Choco Cookie! Hooray! He showed us the way..." A third voice whispered, barely audible, belonging to Poison Mushroom Cookie.

"Dark Choco Cookie? The traitorous prince who struck down his own father before fleeing?" Affogato gasped, his features contorted with shock and disbelief.

"Watch your words. I won't warn you again..." Dark Choco's voice interjected, its raspiness carrying an undercurrent of menace, while his narrowed eyes (or eye) burned with suppressed fury.

"P-P-P-Prince Dark Choco Cookie!" Affogato stammered, his voice trembling with a mixture of awe and fear. "B-b-but you fled from our kingdom? W-w-what are you doing here? What do you w-w-want?!"

"Calm your nerves, we mean you no harm. We are merely seeking an ally... such as yourself." Pomegranate explained, her voice genuine and sincere, resonating with a hint of persuasive charm.

"If you truly wish to take the king out of play, bring him to the top of the tallest wall. I will take care of him myself." Dark Choco advised, his eyes gleaming with a vengeful fire, exuding a palpable aura of malevolence.

"...What are you talking about? How am I to trust you when we've only met just moments ago?!" Affogato interjected, his features etched with a mask of bewilderment, struggling to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

"You have no choice. Refuse our offer, and our armies will lay waste to this entire land." Dark Choco threatened, his voice firm and unwavering, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Yeah! We got an army big enough to invade this kingdom twice! Think about it...! Handing the king over to us is better than having it wiped off the map! HA HA HA!" Licorice chimed in, a maniacal laughter escaping his lips.

"This kingdom will fare on even in the absence of its king. After all, are you not the more capable Cookie befitting of the throne?" Pomegranate added, her words laced with an air of calculated intrigue.

(They are not wrong... This could be THE opportunity I've awaited. If they can truly take the king out of the picture...!) Affogato contemplated, his mind racing with possibilities. "An interesting offer. Very well. I accept your terms. Dah-dah-dah! On one condition... Though your confidence speaks volumes, there is no room for failure!"

Pomegranate emitted a soft, sinister chuckle. "Such an amusing conspirer indeed. Are you prepared, good 'prince'?" She inquired, casting a sidelong glance at Dark Choco.

"Don't waste your breath. I'm here to finish what I started long ago..." Dark Choco retorted, his countenance cold and determined, reflecting a sense of unwavering resolve.