22 The reveal (1)

As the light came nearer, people began to see what it was. It was a giant cake! With many candles decorated on top.

People scurried out of the way as they gazed at where the cake was going. They began calming down by now as they realized that it was probably an event organized by the cruise.

Whose birthday is it though?

Quince stared at the big cake on the trolley being pushed by 2 men his way with confusion in his eyes. He was certain that this was not part of any events. He looked at Queen and scowled.

"Is this your doing?"

"Is that the attitude you should be having to someone who got cake for you?" She asked.

"Cake for me?" Quince was puzzled. But before he could question her further, the cake was placed right in front of them.

Now finally, the lights were switched on and everything was visible once more.

Looking around, some people were chuckling in relief and some were mocking one another for how silly they were. But most of the people's eyes were on the cake.

It was a 3 layered plain white marble caked with lavish decorations of flowers on top. Candles were on top of it and in the middle was the number 25.

"What? You forgot your own birthday?" Queen asked with a mischievous smile on her face.

Quince had indeed forgotten his own birthday. Him forgetting it is one thing, but how could she know? After all this certainly wasn't public knowledge.

"The question Miss Meilleure." He said, "is why on earth do you know my birthday?"

Queen let out a dramatic sigh before saying,"The question Master Quince, is how can I not when I'm your fiancée?"

Quince's eyes darkened as he heard that. He wasn't sure what he was feeling at that moment. He knew this was obviously a ploy on her a part to...he wasn't sure what she was up to but she was definitely playing a game.

A game which he had no intention of taking part in.

"Miss Meilleure, I thought we had established the fact that you are not my fiancée since you do not have the evidence." He bit out coldly.

"Master Quince, when did I ever say anything about having no evidence?" She asked haughtily.

Quince couldn't continue saying anything after that. For the chit had indeed not mention anything of the sort. She merely asked about the evidence but she did not deny having it.

Quince felt frustrated for falling for her tricks again. But he wasn't about to give up on his questions.

"So where is the evidence?" He asked.

"It's right here." She said as she pointed at the cake.

Quince followed the direction which her finger was pointing at and glanced at the cake. He couldn't see any evidence whatsoever.

Before he could say anything however, Queen quickly said, "The number 25"

Quince looked at the number 25 which was silver in color. He didn't notice it at first but the number is unusually thick.

"Boys, bring it down." Queen clapped her hands in glee as she asked the cake carriers to bring the number down.

1 of the carriers immediately plucked the number out gently. He humbly presented it to Queen. "Here it is Miss Meilleure."

"Thank you." She said sweetly. She then proceeded to hand over the numbers to Quince.

Everyone in the party was wondering what was going on. They saw what was happening but they couldn't hear what Queen and Quince were saying.

Quince held the number 2 and 5 in his hand before seeing that it's actually a metallic box with a key hole underneath both the numbers.

Queen took a small key out from her purse. It was just one key though.

"Now Master Quince." Queen said with her usual mischievous smile. "The evidence you seek is hidden in one of the numbers in your hand. This key will open only one number. If you open the wrong number, and you use the same key to open the other one, both numbers would be locked up permanently."

Queen explained as she gave the key to him. Quince accepted it as he stared at the numbers in his hand.

"If I choose not to open it at all?" He asked.

"Then you are forgoing the opportunity to find out about me and...you lose in our bet." Queen said smilingly.

"If I open the wrong number?" He asked.

"Then you are simply not qualified to be my fiancé." Queen said.

"What logic am I to use to choose the number?"

"The clues have already been given away." Queen replied simply.

Quince kept quiet as he pondered about the problem at hand.

2 or 5? Which number is the one that leads to the treasure?

Quince let out a rare smile as he took the key to the box number 5.