The First Day

February 2nd came with its usual chill in the air. The sand-brown stones of the castle were covered with a few small but intricate webs of frost. And the roof's shingles were more white than brown. Within the castle, the staff was abuzz with various chores in preparation of the afternoon's events. And at the highest room, a relentless, pounding knock came—once, twice, thrice… and more. "Princess! Princess Daisy, you must wake at once!"

Daisy groaned. Mornings were bad enough without Sarsworth banging on the door. "I'm up!" she shouted back.

"Your speech is at noon. Please tell me you've practiced!"

Daisy groaned again. She hadn't. But what was so wrong with reading from the paper? It was a stupid speech anyway. It was a stupid party. If she had any say in it, she wouldn't have it. But no. Not only did she have to throw a ball, she had to talk to everyone who showed up about what was ahead for the kingdom of Sarasaland.

She'd rather be at a ball in the Mushroom Kingdom. Despite her "pretty in pink" best friend and her infuriating boyfriend, at least she had Luigi to dance with. But they were all coming to this ball, too, so she'd have to settle. Though she wasn't certain there'd be much time for dancing.

She rolled herself out of bed and looked at the clock. It was nearing 8:30. She stared for a few minutes at the dress Sarsworth had laid out for her. He had had it made for the occasion, and though he was mindful to use her preferred colors, that didn't stop him from ordering ribbons and frills that Daisy found both unnecessary and unflattering.

She lamented for the hundredth time in her life how that, for a princess, she really had little say in what she could do. Then, she laced up the amber-orange bodice ribbon, fluffed the soft white frill around it, and smoothed out the deep yellow sleeves that ended in longer white frills at her elbows. Her white petticoats were uncomfortable as always underneath the layered yellow and orange skirts, but worst of all, she had to wear "proper shoes" with the attire: orange high heels with ribbons wrapped up her white stockings—as if anyone would see that.

One of her staff was sent in to help her dress and fix her hair, but she made no conversation with her. As the servant put gold and pearl accents in her now-partly-braided hair, Daisy merely frowned and looked at herself, all dressed up. This was not her. She felt forced, stiff, formal. The girl-in-waiting finished the hairdo with a fluff at the top. "How is this, milady?" the meek servant asked.

"Fine," Daisy replied half-heartedly. "Just fine. I'm sure Sarsworth would approve."

The girl gave a very small smile, nodded, and left the room. Daisy merely gazed into the mirror at her tall, jeweled hair. "Just fine…" she repeated. Then she stood, sighed, and headed for the door into the hallway…

…where a hurrying servant smacked right into her, pushing her to the ground. "Oh, no! Princess! I'm so sorry! Terribly sorry! My deepest apologies!"

"It's fine. Whatever. Carry on." She got up without help and gestured for the servant to continue. So he continued his quick pace down the hallway, looking back once or twice at the miserable princess.

"Ah, awake and dressed, I see," Sarsworth came from the other side. "Good, good. Your speech is in two hours, and the first of your guests have arrived—"

"From the Mushroom Kingdom?" that was the first good news she had heard all morning.

"Yes, Princess, but—"

She hurried past him, toward the entryway of the castle.

"Princess! Your speech! Have you practiced?"

"I'll be fine!"

"But Princess!"

But Daisy had far out-sped the old chancellor. She slid down the rail of the foyer stairs and made it to the large wooden doors as they were being opened by the guards outside. She saw Peach's coach. Her best friend was at the top of the outside stairs, being escorted by Mario. Toadsworth and Luigi stood behind them.

Daisy grinned and ran to her friend, not minding that Mario was torn from her arm as she embraced her. "Daisy!" Peach gasped. "Goodness, look at you! You look gorgeous!"

Daisy pouted. "Not really my style, if you ask me, but I suppose sacrifices must be made."

Peach herself was in typical pink, with a bit of red trim to match Mario's attire. He was in a striking red suit with white ruffles that made him look much higher-class than he was. He even had a black top-hat. Luigi had predicted her yellow and had a green suit with yellow trim and a yellow bow tie. He too sported a top hat. He looked a little nervous but was also dressed with the confidence of class.

"You all look fancy, too," Daisy returned the compliment sincerely.

"Well, this is a big occasion, right?" Peach said. "A big address to your people… a ball to follow… Oh, Daisy, you're doing so well here! You really are!"

Daisy smiled sheepishly. Peach always complimented her princess-dom, but—truth be told—she never thought she deserved it. She wasn't much of a princess and was more selfish than her friend was when it came to her people. Peach made her better sometimes.

Speaking of people who made her better… Luigi removed his hat and bowed. She lent him her hand and he kissed it. "You… You do look stunning, Daisy," he said quaveringly.

For the first time today, she felt like it was true… and she cared. "Thank you, Luigi," she whispered.

"Well, we don't want to keep you," Peach noted.

"From what?"

"Everything, dear! You doubtless have much to set up!"

"Oh… well… I guess so…"

"Princess!" Sarsworth had finally caught up. "Where is your speech?"

Daisy rolled her eyes. "Yep… lots to do." She sighed but headed back towards Sarsworth and his panic. "Make yourselves at home," she called over her shoulder. And she led the old man back through the halls to the library, where Daisy had been keeping her speech for the last few days, untouched since she finished writing it January 31st.

"Princess, it is important you make a good impression on your people. A memorized speech lets them know you've taken the time to really consider your address to them…" Daisy hadn't. She'd written the speech in one day, two days before it would be spoken. "They have been looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the future of the kingdom…" Daisy doubted the people even cared what she had to say about their daily lives. "…and I'm sure they wonder about a certain someone from the neighboring kingdom…" Ah, that's what her people were into: drama and tabloids.

…and those were all things that she had not mentioned in her speech. "Right… yeah… whatever…"

"Princess…" the old man looked absolutely exasperated.

"I've got it, Sarsworth. It's fine. I still have a couple hours."

"An hour and a half!" Daisy was pretty sure she saw sweat droplets on his forehead. She never understood why he worried so much. He wasn't the king. He wasn't in charge.

"Whatever." She picked up the scroll and unraveled it. It wasn't long. She scanned over it with her eyes as Sarsworth looked on nervously. What was he so nervous about? He wasn't the one speaking.

People of Sarasaland, I, as your princess, address you this day not in formality, but in welcome to my home for this occasion! So welcome to my castle! Please enjoy yourselves and mingle with the guests from our ally, the Mushroom Kingdom. Shake off the chill of the weather outside with a dance and warm yourself with the hot food! You are even welcome to ask for a short audience with me or my advisor, Sarsworth. Thank you all for coming. Let the festivities begin!

"Well… can I hear it?" Sarsworth asked.

Daisy groaned. "Sarsworth, you'll hear it in an hour."

"Please, Princess."

"Fine." She began to read it, monotone and annoyed.

"Princess… Is that how you are going to read to your people?"

Daisy gave him a glaring look, then restarted.

After the first sentence, Sarsworth actually smiled and nodded. "Ah, a good start indeed! Keep going."

"Are you grading me on this?"

"Just go on, Princess!"

She continued. Sarsworth watched eagerly.

But when she ended, he frowned. "That's it?"

"Yes."

"It's a good… start, Princess, but…"

At that moment, the clock struck 11:00.

He sighed. "Well, I suppose that's as good as it will be, then. Come now, the guests will be arriving soon." And he left her, expecting her to follow him.

She did, the rolled up speech tucked under her arm. She made her way to the floor above the ballroom, where a balcony came over the room of gathering. She did not open the door yet, but waited.

"D-Daisy?" the timid voice she knew and loved spoke behind her. She turned with a smile at Luigi. "I just… wanted to wish you luck." He held his top hat at his chest, the very image of meekness.

She kissed him, causing him to blush wildly. "Thank you, Luigi," she whispered.

He grinned, returned his hat to his head, and hurried down to the ballroom.

She watched him go. She would seek him out in the crowd as she spoke. In one hour. Why was she hurried just to wait here? She put her paper down on a side table and walked back through the hallway. She had not eaten since being rushed awake, and she was not going to wait until after noon. She had plenty of time, so she went towards the dining hall for breakfast.

The cooks of the kitchens were bustling about, preparing the meal for after the speech. She beckoned to one of the servants that were setting the tables and situating the presentation of the room and told him, "I'd like something for breakfast, please."

He nodded, "Right away, Princess!" and scurried through the kitchen doors. Within five minutes, he was rushing back out with a tray of fruit, a pastry, and a glass of milk. Daisy let him place it on the corner of the table and sat down to eat. He stood to the side, watching her, waiting for her to finish so that he could clean up after her as quickly as possible.

She tried not to let it bother her as she took her time eating. When she was finished, she stood, thanked the servant, and headed back through the hall to the balcony. She didn't have much time left before her speech. She picked it up and looked it over again. Maybe she should have studied it while she ate, she considered. But then she shook the thought from her mind. She had plenty of time now to run through it a few times so she didn't over-rely on the paper in front of her.

Fifteen minutes later, the clock began to chime. "Here goes…" she said to herself, and she opened the doors, entering the ballroom high above her citizens. She took a breath and found Luigi amidst the crowd, smiling up at her. With a smile back to him, she began: "People of Sarasaland…"

The people listened with such full attention, she almost felt sorry that it was so short. But when she finished, they applauded her anyway. The orchestra started playing. The party had begun. She had done her duty. She tossed her speech on the table again as she headed for the stairs down to join her Mushroom Kingdom guests.

But she didn't quite get to them.

"Princess! Oy! Princess!" a group of women came to her. The one in front smiled broadly. "Oh, Princess! What an honor! May I say that you are looking lovely today, your majesty! So graceful and elegant!"

"Oh, yes," another woman said. "I can't help but envy your beauty!"

"All compliments aside, your highness," said the third woman, "We wanted to know what was in store for this kingdom as far as the threats to the Mushroom Kingdom?"

"Threats?" Daisy asked impatiently. "You mean the koopa mage? The resident heroes are taking care of her. Now if you don't mind—"

"Yes, but is Sarasaland going to send allies?"

"My husband is a soldier here, Princess," the first woman explained. "Should I expect him to be shipped abroad?"

"Um…"

"What about the Mushroom Kingdom's protection over us?" the second woman asked. "Will they be able to help us with our safety while they are at war with the koopas?"

These were some heavy questions. And Daisy was certainly unprepared to answer them. "Uh… The kingdoms remain in alliance. And… And I'm sure that help will come when we really need it. And we will give them aid as much as we can if needed… Like I said, the heroes are taking care of things mostly. Now, excuse me." And she got away from them.

So much for gossip. Those women were afraid for the state of Sarasaland. It was surprising to Daisy that they had so much knowledge about the affairs of the neighboring kingdom. Kammy Koopa had certainly made her mark on the world.

Luigi was yards away, but she had an open path to him. He was laughing with Mario and Peach. Daisy smiled at the scene. Then, an older man blocked her view. "Pardon me, Princess… an audience please?"

"Uh… yeah—yes, okay," she looked at him.

"I just wanted to thank you for all you've done for the kingdom, your highness… Such great things are coming for us, I'm sure. The farms have been producing one and a quarter times their annual yield these past couple years thanks to royal attention and care." He smiled at her, eyes squinting and wrinkles tightening. "Thank you, my dear."

"Um… You're welcome…" She watched as he hobbled off. "I don't think the castle really has anything to do with the farmlands, but okay…" she mumbled to herself.

Before she could start moving again, she was stopped by a larger group of people. "Your majesty," a young man in the front addressed her, looking nervous. "If we may request an audience?"

Daisy did her best not to groan. If she had any say, she would not have invited them to an audience in her speech. But that was the one thing Sarsworth said had to be in there. "The people want to talk with you, Princess Daisy," he had said. "They like to see the one in charge and express their concerns and requests!"

"Yes?" Daisy asked them. "What do you need?"

"Well…" the man shuffled his feet. A man behind him nudged him. "Right, um… The merchants of the Mushroom Kingdom have been the cause of some fierce competition among the shops in Sarasaland." He took a breath. "People are traveling more and more to the neighboring kingdom, leaving the shops here without many customers. We're… uh… We're struggling to make ends meet, ma'am."

Daisy looked at all the people in the bunch. They looked eager, some frustrated, others just down. "I… um…" she didn't know what to say.

"Is there anything you can do for us?" a woman asked her.

"Sponsor the shops!" someone said from the back.

"Lower the taxes!" another voice suggested.

Too heavy. Way too heavy. Daisy was starting to wish they would ask about her Mushroom Kingdom boyfriend.

"Um… I'll see what I can do," she told them, not insincerely.

So close to her friends… but so far away. Because more and more people felt the need to greet her, thank her, ask her questions, bend her ear toward one thing or another… She could barely keep track of the ones she actually cared about helping somehow.

They moved from the ballroom to the dining room. She barely got a bite in edgewise. She had no opportunity to meet up with even Peach, who also had some admirers coming to her in the dining hall. But not as many as Daisy. She was convinced that the entire kingdom approached her at one point or another that afternoon, and by 7:00, she hadn't even danced with Luigi.

She found him on the dance floor a few minutes after supper had ended, when the guests were too full and happy to bother her for a time. Or at least, she hoped so. She all but ran to him across the ballroom. "Luigi!"

Luigi turned just in time. He caught her without issue, even though her momentum was so powerful with her excitement to finally be free from her duties. "Got time for one dance?" he asked her.

"Only one?"

"I don't want to take you away from your people."

"Please take me away from them! I can hardly stand it."

Luigi laughed lightly, and soon they were moving gracefully around the ballroom. The guests were giving them plenty of room. Most of them weren't dancing. They were only watching. And when Luigi and Daisy finished, they applauded them.

And to Daisy's horror, swarms approached them:

"When will we hear from your suitor?"

"Is he going to give a speech?"

"Have you given him a tour of the kingdom yet?"

"Will your suitor visit more often?"

Luigi was rigid with fear. He certainly wasn't used to the attention, and he wasn't ready for the pressure of it.

"Back up, everyone… Don't worry… You'll hear from him soon…" She gave a sidelong glance at Luigi. He looked so pale she was afraid he'd get sick. "Back up…" she tried again as Luigi put a hand under his collar. He stepped backwards, trying to get away but failing miserably. "Back off!" Daisy said more loudly.

Her people stared. Luigi ran.

"Sorry…" Daisy mumbled, mortified. "He… He wasn't ready for that attention. Please. You'll hear from him… eventually… Just… not today. Okay?"

"Princess Daisy, how deep into this relationship are you?"

"Princess, is he expected to be co-ruler with you?"

"When will that happen?"

"Will we get any say on the matter?"

"Will he campaign to us for the sake of a governing position?"

"Would he leave the Mushroom Kingdom or will the two of you visit there more often than you already do?"

At that question, another woman elbowed the woman who asked that. "Don't say that!"

"Ouch. But it's a legitimate question. She spends lots of time in the Mushroom Kingdom… If her husband is from there, Sarasaland may be neglected!"

"Hush!"

Daisy stared at her questioners. Where was Sarsworth? She looked around for him and saw him talking to some gentlemen at the side of the room.

"Excuse me," Daisy said, sliding out of the uncomfortable crowd. After those last questions, they let her go.

It was half-past seven. Sarsworth had just finished talking to the men and turned to Daisy. "Ah, Princess! I was just talking about how you'd—"

"Please, Sarsworth, don't start…" Daisy groaned, holding her head. "These people are asking so many questions… Wanting so much… I can't think of all this right now… I'm getting such a headache." She and Sarsworth moved out of the ballroom, in an empty hall.

"Princess, you have invited them to speak with us in such matters."

"Yeah, but I didn't expect so MANY matters!"

Sarsworth hesitated, then said softly, "Perhaps if your speech had covered more than—"

Daisy glared at him. "What was that?!"

Sarsworth swallowed. "Princess, I merely suggest that—"

"Yeah, you 'suggest' a lot of things! Do this! Do that! Say this! Hurry here! Hurry there! Say that! Hold your head up! Clean up your speech! Take care of this matter or that! I'm tired of you always telling me what to do!"

"Princess—" Sarsworth stuttered.

But Daisy left the chancellor and ran through the halls. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She was red with remnant anger. Her hair was still pristine, not even a strand had fallen from the 'do. But her dress was wrinkled and weathered with her effort to run. Her feet hurt in the accursed shoes she was forced to wear. She went to her bedroom, kicking them off and letting her toes free from the stockings as well. Soon enough, she was at her vanity, clawing at her hair, trying to loosen the style's hold on it. She growled and screamed, dropping her head into her hands.

A wave of exhaustion flooded her. She put her head down in her arms and closed her eyes. Thank the Overthere that this day is over…