(No affiliation with AT or CN so no rights, etc. And yes, I blatantly borrowed the title. Also, a large chunk of this story comes directly from the episode. Sorry. -SG)

Who Was Missing Ch. 1

-Six years ago-

Bonnibel heard a knock on the doors to her bed chamber. She put down the book she'd been reading and sat up in her bed as she called out, "You may enter."

Peppermint Butler opened the door and said from the entryway, "Princess, the Vampire Queen phoned to say she'll be here shortly…" His voice sounded strange and clipped.

"Thank you, Pep But. Is there something wrong?" she asked.

He considered for a few moments whether he should tell the Princess what was on his mind. Finally, he replied, "May I speak freely?" Bonnibel nodded. "Thank you, Your Highness." He walked a few steps into the room as he gathered his thoughts. "Some citizens of the kingdom are beginning to talk and stir up trouble. They say you're spending too much time with the Vampire Queen."

Bonnibel kept a neutral expression-which she had mastered over her many years of ruling her kingdom-locked on her face as she absorbed this new information for a moment and asked, "And what do think of this?" Peppermint Butler cleared his throat awkwardly. "Still speaking freely, of course," she reminded him.

"You should stay away from her. She'll only hurt you. There are so many other, better suitors you could choose from."

Bonnibel gritted her teeth, but caught herself and returned the neutral expression. "She's different, Peps. And she isn't a suitor at all. You know that."

"She's everything you hate! You should end this before you get too invested and it's too late. What about Finn, that boy who follows you around all the time? He's young, but he's spunky. He'd make a fine prince someday."

"Marceline and I have been best friends for over 300 years, and I've loved her for as long as I can remember. She finally admitted she loves me too. You don't just end it like that! And I don't want to! Besides, Finn is just a boy, and he's just a friend."

"She's keeping you away from your duties as Princess. Your citizens are suffering on their own because you've been running around with her all the time lately."

Bonnibel's eyes widened. She had always prided herself on her ability to care for her citizens as if they were her own family. "I'm… I didn't think-"

The Butler interrupted her, "It's disgraceful for a Princess of your stature to behave so selfishly, putting her own interests over the best interest of her subjects."

Bonnibel trembled and struggled to keep her voice even. "You may leave, Peppermint Butler."

"I'm sorry, Princess. I onl-"

"You may leave."

"Of course, Your Highness." She watched the Butler gravely as he backed out of her room with his gaze aimed at the floor. She waited until he had closed the doors to her room and walked down the hall before she curled up in her bed let herself cry. She felt like she would never stop.