"Mother, Father, I would like to ask of you a small favor."
Two sets of eyes looked towards Fionna from across the table. "And what, pray tell, would that be?" asked her Father, a bushy eyebrow raised. Her mother sat by his side, her thin penciled eyebrows high on her head. Fionna cleared her throat.
"The thing is, Mother and Father, that I would like to extend the courtship boundaries to other kingdoms." She closed her eyes. This was met with silence, and Fionna braced herself for a cold answer. In its stead, however, was the complete opposite. "Oh, how wonderful!" came her Mother's regal high voice.
Fionna opened her eyes to see both her parents smiling and beaming at her. They had each other's hands clasped together, and Fionna's Mother stood up, clapping her hands. "Our little girl, actually taking courting seriously! I thought I would never see the day!" Fionna looked to her Father, a small grin on his own face.
"Yes, it seems she has finally come to her senses. And even more so, being as smart as she is." He grabbed his goblet and took a sip of the grape wine within it. "And so smart, choosing an outsider for a husband. You could unite yours and his kingdoms and both would prosper! Genius! You'll have more power than even we could comprehend."
Fionna groaned and threw her head in her hands. This was not going as planned. "Mother, Father, I am not marrying just for wealth, mind you. I want to find true love, like what you have. And I just don't want my future soul mate to be confined to these boarders." She shook her head, looking at her parents with a slight frown.
Her Mother had a soft shocked look, while her Father's was stony and unreadable. "But darling," her Mother protested, "What if, say by chance, you landed a great and wealthy Prince! And then, you fell in love with a daft, dim witted, not-so-rich Grasslad or such. Who would you marry?" She said it while using her hands to narrate. She always did love the theatre.
Fionna threw her hands up, "Then I would marry the daft, dim witted, not-so-rich whatever. If it is love true, then it is all I need in this world." Her Father slammed a fist down on the table, making her Mother look over at him. It was not uncommon for him to make such an act of brutality. He was of the sizable type, very manly and worldly, and very strong in his will and physical status.
"You would marry the Prince! Must I remind you, that when me and your Mother finally pass from this world, you will inherit the kingdom, being our only child, and first born." He seemed to bring up those choice words in every conversation Fionna had with him these days, and she sat back in her chair, awaiting the lesson coming.
"And so," he continued, "will your betrothed. A powerful man will be able to provide for you and your kingdom, and after all, we want what's best for you." His voice had gone soft, and he smiled lovingly at Fionna, who in return, sighed. Her Mother piped in, "Yes, we place your wellbeing above all else, even the kingdom. But you must think of what is best for the people as well darling."
She walked over, her heeled shoes clacking over the marble floor. She rested a hand on Fionna's head, stroking her long golden hair tucked away in her intricate braid. She reposition her small glass diamond tiara, looking down with a mothers face. "And as we have looked after the kingdom, so must you."
Fionna laid her hands in her lap. "So, you're telling me you would rather have me marry for power, over marrying for love?" Her Mother put her delicate hands on Fionna's shoulders, "In a way. But, it is still your decision, although we will be prompting you to choose wisely." Fionna reached behind her and laid a hand over her Mothers. "Yes, I understand."
"Good," her Father bellowed, in his voice deep, "We will send the decree at once, to all kingdoms. We will choose who will court you," Fionna looked up and opened her mouth, about to tell him otherwise, when he held up a finger, "let me finish! We will choose who courts you, but you have the power to say yay or nay. Those are our requirements."
Sighing deeply, Fionna accepted, but begrudgingly. Her Mother kissed her forehead, squeezing her shoulders slightly. "I promise, we will pick out the prettiest, ok?" Fionna raised an eyebrow, and turned her head, "And the richest too, I'd guess." It was a statement rather than a question, and her Mother laughed slightly. "Oh my little Fina, you know us too well." She gave a small pat on the head to Fionna, "It is time for us to retire. See you in the morning, my darling."
Fionna watched as she floated across the room, following the length of the table, her dress long and flowing. Her Father stood from his chair, and linked arms with her Mother, smiling over his shoulder. "To bed, my sweet. Your studies are neir early in the morn." Fionna chuckled, "No one talks like that anymore Father."
He waved a hand absently, "Whatever." Shaking her head, Fionna prepared to part ways, when she remembered. "Oh yes, and I would also like to inform you that I've chosen a new personal servant, and she will move into the dorm connected with mine tonight." Her Father nodded his head, "Yes yes my daughter, now go to bed!"
They disappeared through the archway that lead down the hall to their room. Smirking, Fionna hurried to her own room, skirts flying back. She entered the room in time to see Cake walking down the hallway, her things wrapped up in her arms.
But that wasn't what got the Princess's attention. It was the fact that, literally, she had her arms wrapped, like a blanket, over her things. Fionna watched wide eyed as Cake neared the room. The cat looked up at her in the doorway. "Is something wrong, my Lady?"
Fionna looked closely at her arms. "H-How are you doing that?" Cake looked down at her arms. "Doing what?" she questioned, looking quite confused. Fionna pointed a finger at her arms. "How in the name of Glob are you stretching your arms around all of that?!"
Cake, looking down once more, seemed to realize what Fionna was talking about. "Ohhh!" she said smiling, "I've always been able to do this. I can magically stretch into any shape I want to." She shrugged, as if it was nothing. But Fionna was quite surprised to hear this. And, forgetting that she was a princess, she exclaimed, "Wow! That's freakin' mathematical!"
The cat laughed, her sassy voice echoing slightly down the hallway. "I'm glad you think so my Lady." Fionna snapped out of her stupor, "What did I tell you about that? Call me Fionna." The cat nodded, "Sorry, forgot." Fionna wiggled a finger, "Well don't forget again."
She helped the cat into her room, picking some stuff off the top of the pile she had brung. But to tell the truth, it really wasn't much. They had assembled the things on shelves that hung on the walls, and then had retreated to Fionna's bed.
At first, Cake had refused to get on Fionna's bed, saying that she was never allowed to do so. But Fionna had persisted, saying that since she was her personal servant, she might as well have been her sister. "I've never had a sister," she said. Cake smiled, "Me neither."
After that, the cat had jumped up onto the bed, and after a quick change into her nightgown, Fionna joined her. And so the conversation began. Fionna told Cake about her talk with her parents. The cat had in turn agreed that it did seem a bit unfair with the choosing of the courter, but that it seemed like an acceptable decree.
"I guess," Fionna said with a sigh. Cake pawed at the cushioned blanket on the bed, a small purr emanating from her throat. "I've never felt bedding this soft before. It's so soft!" Fionna laughed and tilted her head, curiosity burning in her eyes. "Where did you live before this Cake?" she asked. Cake, looking a little embarrassed, explained that she had slept in the stables.
"But," Fionna had questioned, "We have sleeping quarters for all the servants. Why sleep in the stables?" Cake blushed, "Well," she started off, "I waited for someone… to visit me." Fionna turned to her, her mouth open in a silent ohh. She smiled and leaned closer, "Who?" she asked simply.
Cake, blushing through her fur, pushed the now laughing princess away. "I can't tell," she said simply. Fionna had pressed her more, but the cat wouldn't budge. "Fine, fine. I give up, keep you old secret, see if I care." Fionna smiled and sat back in her pillows, crossing her legs beneath her.
Cake tilted her head, "What about you. Is there anyone you're interested in?" Fionna rolled her eyes, "Please. No one has ignited my interest. Although I wish it weren't true, I've lost the hope that anyone will come along that will actually come close to wowing me."
Cake wiggled a finger, "Ah, don't you worry Fi. I'm sure someone will come along and sweep you off your feet." Fionna laughed, throwing a pillow at her friend, "As if!" Cake caught the pillow, and folded it to where she could prop her elbows up. "It's true! You're beautiful, and powerful, and, well, excuse my english, awesome!"
Fionna chuckled, a small blush starting on her cheeks. "You really think so?" The cat waved a hand, "Girl, I know so!" They stayed up laughing and sharing memories and experiences until Cake had yawned so many times it was now making Fionna yawn.
"Well, I must, as I used to say, hit the hay now. I will see you tomorrow Fionna." She jumped off the bed and waved goodnight before disappearing through the door to her room. She shut the door, and Fionna heard the creak of the bed as the cat found peace in the night.
Fionna waited until the candle she had lit began to fade, and she could barely hear the cats breathing slow to that of a standstill. On silent feet, and with quiet hands, she got out of her bed and began to get dressed.