The King's Mandate: Anomalous System

Elena stared blankly into Das' eyes, and after a while, she started crying.

Das' eyes widened as he said, "Hey, why are you crying now?"

"I don't like this."

"Don't like what?"

"Whenever I see you like this, I feel so sad, and my heart hurts."

"..."

'My heart hurts seeing you cry. Please don't cry.'

"Why are you like this? I just want you to be happy and enjoy your life."

Das bit his lips and said, "It's not like I don't want to enjoy my life. I want to enjoy it. I want to smile. I want to be happy. But there is nothing that makes me happy."

'Dammit. I don't get it. Why is she crying for me? And why don't I want her to cry?'

Elena wiped her tears and said, "What do you like to do when you are free?"

"I always study."

"Studying makes you happy?"

"It doesn't. It just keeps me busy and keeps my mind occupied."

'I get weird thoughts, and I go crazy when I am free.'

"Then why do you always study? There can be many other things that can keep you busy and save you from your boredom."

"..."

'Why do I study? I don't know. It has always been like this…. I guess. At first, I liked reading books. There are many books at the palace, so I started reading them. There were stories of my ancestors, and I started liking them. After that, I started reading other books, and here I am. But… Why do I feel like there is also another reason why I started reading in the first place. Was it because of Lier? No… was it because of grandpa or grandma?'

Das shook his head and thought, 'It wasn't them. It was someone else. Someone very important to me. Someone who I really loved, but I don't remember anyone. Am I forgetting anyone? Wait… was it Lirole?'

'I think it was Lirole. She is the only person I am close with… more than mom. Was it really Lirole?'

The manager and the two waiters came. One had a medium-sized cake, and another one had a plate with pastries in them.

The cake was a normal cake with chocolate cream and chocolate curls with some chocolate chips on it.

The pastries were round-shaped with different flavors and colors of cream on each of them.

"Here is your cake and the pastries you ordered a while ago. Please take your time and enjoy them"

Elena's attention diverted to the cake.

'I hope she calms down a little.'

"Where are the candles?" Elena asked.

"We don't--"

"Ahem!" Das cleared his throat.

"We will bring them right away," Said the manager.

The manager then whispered something to one of the waiters.

The waiter immediately rushed out of the cafe.

"Please enjoy your pastries while we get you the candles," said the manager.

Das stood up and said, "I am going to the washroom."

"Come back quickly."

Das nodded and went to the washroom.

The manager turned around and said, "Excuse me."

He then glanced around and started walking towards the washroom.

When he got in, he saw Das washing his hands.

Das saw the manager from the mirror and turned around.

"Are… we safe?" The manager asked in a low voice.

"..."

Das didn't say anything in reply.

"Umm, Mister Das, are we safe?"

"That's the wrong question, no?"

"Pardon?"

"You are supposed to ask, 'Is the shop safe,' right?"

The manager gulped down and said, "Is the shop safe?"

Das scoffed and said, "You should worry about yourself and your staff."

"I..."

"The shop is no longer yours; It's mine now."

"But…"

"Oh!" Das waved his hand and said, "Don't get me wrong. I don't want anything, nor do I expect anything from this cafe. You can run however you want, and all the sales and profits are yours."

"Then why did you buy my shop?"

"Because she likes this shop."

"Uhh," the manager wiped his swat with  the handkerchief and said, "Is she your girlfriend?"

"Hmm? No," Das replied in a casual tone.

"Then… is she your sister?"

"Hell no."

'I don't want a sister like her.'

"Then… maybe your crush?"

"She is nothing to me. Stop blabbering and leave me alone."

"As you wish."

The manager was leaving, but he stopped and turned around.

"Sir, happy birthday."

Das raised his hand and asked him to get out as he said, "Empty the cafe."

Das then glanced around and took a deep breath.

"What's wrong with me?"

'My heart won't stop pounding like crazy.'

"Calm down, Das"

Das turned on the tap and washed his face.

When Das went back, the candles were lit, and there was no one else in the cafe.

Elena was staring at the cake, but when Das entered, her gaze turned to him.

"What took you so long?" said Elena.

"Come on. It's not been that long."

She gave him the knife and said, "Cut it."

Das held the knife and moved it to the cake.

'This is kind of embarrassing.'

Das glanced at Elena, who was recording everything on her phone.

Das grabbed her phone and said, "What are you doing?"

"Recording this, of course."

"Why?"

"Things like these are meant to be recorded."

"What will you do with the recording?"

"Upload it online?"

"You can't do that."

"Why?"

"I don't use social media."

Elena froze and asked, "For real?" with a shocked face.

Das nodded and said, "Please don't upload it on the internet."

"What if I do?" Elena asked in a curious tone.

"If you do, then you will never see me again."

Elena bit her lips and said, "Can I keep it to myself?"

"Why?"

"For the happy memories."

"..."

"For our happy memories."

"Well, I guess you can?"

Elena smiled a little and said, "Thank you."

Das then cut the cake.

He started at Elena, who was staring back at him.

"What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to feed me the cake?" questioned Elena.

Das chuckled and said, "Yeah, yeah."

Das grabbed the slice he cut earlier and moved it towards Elena's mouth.

Elena opened her mouth widely and ate half of the slice in one go.

Elena then grabbed the slice from Das' hand and said, "Now it's my turn."

"Ok..ay."

Elena moved her hand towards Das.

'This is more embarrassing,' Das thought as he opened his mouth.

Elena then smirked and rubbed the slice on his cheek.

Das' mouth was still open, waiting for the cake.

"Haha!" Elena slammed her hands on the table and said, "Look at your face."

She laughed like crazy and even took some phones of Das.

"You look so funny."