11 Chapter 11

"At the part where you were about to let me go." Cecil deadpanned.

"Were we? I don't quite recall that being a topic we brought up..." Travis pondered, shrugging. "Oh well."

"Oh well..?" Echoed Cecil in disbelief. A small bud of hope bloomed inside him. Could it be that they got smacked in the head earlier and forgot their conversation?

"Next topic then!" Darius continued. "Now, it's not exactly legal to have you substitute in, so we're going to pull a few strings! I think that about covers it now Any questions?"

"Can I quit?"

"No."

"Can I drop out of the competition?"

"No."

"Can I disqualify myself?"

"Unless you are willing to commit murder, then no."

Cecil threw up his hands in frustration. "Is there anything I can do to even get out of this?!"

Darius glared in exasperation without any real anger behind it. "No, do you have any proper question that are NOT related to leaving?!"

"Fine! Why are you both so intent on me joining the competition?! I'm just a random kid you found off the streets! A street rat! Squeak!" Cecil squeaked.

"Why are you so intent on leaving the competition?! You took our money! You were bribed! Squeak!" Darius imitated.

"Settle down," Travis interjected, holding a palm on his forehead. "Cecil, ask proper questions. Darius, answer them properly."

Cecil huffed, and Darius scoffed, but they both lowered their voices.

"Why do you want me to join when you are participating in it? Isn't it pointless? Or is it that you acknowledge that I am more skilled?" Cecil finally questioned after thinking for a while.

"Shut up! It is not pointless! We don't know the content of the competition, so the more the better! At least, that's what Fiona said." Darius defended his pride, accidentally naming someone. He paused for a moment to think ad explained, "She's one of Travis's cousins, and she will be participating as well."

"Ah, I see." Cecil replied dryly. Still in a state of disbelief and minor resignation to his fate, he stayed silent for the rest of the trip, only speaking when asking questions or responding to Travis with his preferences.

3 days later...

Cecil gingerly stepped off of the carriage after Travis and Darius, blinking his eyes owlishly at the capital. It was nothing at all like the little town of White Oak. If White Oak was a tree, then the capital was a dense forest packed with wildlife.

The streets were crammed with people in lavish clothing, and small shops lined the edge of the street. The road was paved with cobblestone as well, completely unlike the dirt streets of White Oak. The whole place screamed of money, and Cecil always had a fond place in his heart for money. People walked along the streets, casually paying for goods with gold coins. Gold! The same gold coins he was bribed with!

'So this is the difference between the capital and a little, rural town.' Cecil thought in a daze. 'Sure is different from what I thought.'

"Welcome to the capital, Red Trove! It's your first time here, isn't it? Well? What do you think? Impressive, huh! I live here!" Darius boasted proudly, puffing out his chest and he motioned to the city with large movements.

Cecil gave a distracted hum in reply as his eyes were glued to a specific item in a candy shop nearby. His mouth watered at the sight of all the delicious sweets.

Darius noticed, and with a grin, he dragged Cecil into it with an amused Travis following behind them.

"I bet you have never seen something like this before either, huh? Nothing in that nameless town can compare to the city!" Darius chattered as an assistant came out from behind the counter.

"Sirs, is there anything I can help with?" She asked politely.

Cecil was about to decline, still used to stealing and rarely buying ('It's just candy, I don't need it that much'), but Darius immediately ruined his plans by butting in.

"Yes, we'll take 10 types of every candy in this store! Money is not an issue!"

"Of course!" The girl's eyes shone with delight at the prospect. "I will have them all ready for you in a few minutes! In the meantime, please feel free to take some samples from the bowl on the counter!"

With that, she disappeared back behind the counter, calling out a few more assistants, who seemed to be on break, to help collect and bag all the candy.

Cecil eyed the bowl of candy greedily, startling in surprise when Travis reached over to pick out from the bowl and drop it in his hands. Nodding a shy thanks, Cecil tore the wrapper off and inspecting the cloud-like candy with a sense of curiosity before shoving the whole piece of candy into his mouth. His muscles relaxed as the sweet treat just seemingly melted in his mouth.

"What was that?" He asked once he finished it.

"Cotton candy. It's made by spinning melted sugar around the machine." Travis explained.

Cecil nodded, confused about the short explanation but unwilling to ask for further clarification.

"Here you go, sirs!" The assistant from earlier rushed up while hugging a large bag stuffed with candies. "The total will be 27 gold coins and 56 silver coins!"

Cecil nearly tripped over air as he heard the price that was announced, but Travis gave no absurd reaction and handed over the money after rummaging around for his wallet. Darius took the bag from her and expressed his thanks before bounding over to Cecil with a grin.

Cecil was confused again until Darius clarified, "We bought them for you! Have a taste!"

Cecil was stunned for a moment, and his eyes felt watery at the kind gesture, but he blinked it away. He gently took the bag from Darius and stared at the contents with wonder. He reached in and took one out.

"What's this candy?"

"A lollipop!"

"Hm... how about this?"

"Caramel. It's basically melted sugar that hardened up again. That type is hard, and this type is softer to chew."

"Oh. What about this-"

Cecil cut off as he stared at the candy he was awkwardly holding.

"Erm, is that a worm? In the candy?"

"Yes! That is one of the specialties at that particular candy shop! Their 'Bugsy Candy Collection'! Very edible!"

"I see." Cecil replied with a blank face as he casually dropped it onto the road, lost between the sea of shoes and the occasional carriage.

"Oops."