A/N: I believe this is where things in the story start building up. Hope you like it!
Crimson Tree – Part IV
"It is an honour to meet you, Princess of Candy Land," the Queen of the Ice Kingdom said with an expression which showed mere interest in looking anywhere but at the princess. "Nice… Um, conference you have here." Bubblegum corrected her as politely as she could – in a way she didn't notice as correction, "And it is an honour to us of Candy Kingdom, to have you here with us."
Shifting her body from one angle to the next, the princess attended to every royal that entered the vast doors of the Caramel Halls. From corridor to curtain, the whole palace was placed under the merciless garb of decoration and the colours of celebration. Drapes of pink, red and yellow spun in infinite ribbons across halls, and archways of pure caramel shimmered atop the heads of passing royalty. Though this was merely a conference, the ball that was to be held after; was to be the first one seen by any form of Royalty from all the regions – in centuries. And to Princess Bubblegum - it had to be perfect.
"Your majesty, your butler has asked for your presence at once in the royal kitchens," squeaked the candy cane man that stood before the princess, tilting his chef hat into position as he spoke. "He believes it necessary that you judge the taste of our latest fruit pies."
Smiling up at the striped chef the princess responded to the request, "Of course, Harold. Let us see what you've in store for me tonight". Things were, indeed going perfect.
Making her way through crowds of fancy attire and endless greetings, Bubblegum exited the hallways – leaving the welcoming of final guests to her cousin: Duke Lemongrab. Though he'd already gone about welcoming everyone; protocol of welcoming - passed onto him in the absence of the princess or not. Bowing and showing around royal guests as if it were his Glob-given right, both confidence and the non-existent feeling of power raging his lemony insides - till, the final guest appeared and his insides seemed to juice out. Thankfully, not literally.
Making her way through the iron entrance doors, smirking discretely with two protruding canines, a woman dressed in any clothing but fancy (save for the frills of her upper dress tunic) had arrived. Placing the slightly crumpled invite within the pedestal closest to Lemongrab's depositing arm, Marceline floated up.
"Ah!" the duke finally managed as he regained his senses and once more lost them; watching the lady fly over to one of the inner balconies of the Caramel halls dome shaped ceiling. Good glob, what are you?! Mused Lemongrab, as he searched around him to find not a soul had noticed the lady save him. And yet, the lady did not even flinch at his surprise. She merely watched him with her elbows resting on balcony railings and her hands propping up her chin, as if she were watching a play of natural events unfold. As if she was mocking the entire world before her.
The duke closed his eyes, opened them, lifted his gaze… and she was gone. Part of him wanted to find the invite that still lay on the pedestal, convince himself, she was real. Either way she was a guest, as difficult as staring into her deep crimson eyes seemed to promote that.
But now, she was gone and "his royal subjects" awaited him. And maybe, Lemongrab would rather forget what he saw.
Marceline had given the walking lemon quite a shock. Odd kingdom this is, all walking nourishment humans would love to bite into – lest the nourishment fought back, of course. Walking the length of the circular balcony that encompassed the entirety of the domed hall, the vampire came to stop at a single arched window. It lay open to the moonlight that streamed in feathery little beams through its recently polished glass, Marceline sat before it with her back to the balcony railing – avoiding every monarch's chatty voice, save that of Princess Bubblegum.
The Princess had started a short, yet detailed welcoming speech as soon as she received word that all guest invites had been collected – everyone was present. The duke had winced as he told her the last guests had arrived, she did not know why, but the excitement of meeting new potential allies furthered her joy at knowing all had been gracious enough to come. The same feelings, she mentioned in her speech. Hands were kissed, political links made, gossip among the ladies – even some men too, trading of goods accepted and foreign customs learnt of.
Nothing could go wrong.
And here you, as a reader may think "but wait, now something should go wrong since you've mentioned it", and so I prove you partially right as the evening continues in decent chatter and the consumption of finely fermented wine and pies. Till, Bubblegum decides to take a gulp of air away from all the formalities, within the sanctity of her own chamber.
Excusing herself from the break-ups and make-ups babble by Princess Eliss of Lumpy Space, the princess made her way out the double doors and up a flight of stairs. Loosening her dress straps as she neared her chamber, sighing in happy relief as the night she planned for so long, neared a perfect end.
Twang! The musicians started their ball room number, bringing the attention of all to the formation of slow dancing couples at the centre of the room. Old monarchs as well as young ones, from the regions of fire, water and some from the land of Aaa, even. All gathered performing various forms of traditional slow dances from their lands – it may have seemed like quite an uneven hassle, but they all moved in time to the light change of tone. A kaleidoscopic pattern of dance was taking place in such harmony… the dance variations of each region, performed in complete perfection: was flawless. Beautiful.
Bubblegum stood at the centre of her room, her tiara on the floor, a ruffled paper clutched in her hands. She had seen her. That lady. The princess' eyes once more looked over the personal drawing of the vampire, as if she had not already gazed at it enough. Just before Bubblegum had stepped onto the speaking podium, she had caught a glimpse of raven-black hair at the left corner balcony. She could never forget what she had seen once, what she had been day dreaming of ever since, what her heart whispered denied longings for – to see her again. Clutching the paper tight within her now fisted hand, the princess heaved another sigh as she once more tightened the lace on her dress' bodice area. She also creased the frills on her ball gown, carefully readjusting the straps on her footwear.
Still meddling with the laces, now at her bosom, "Who are you?" Bubblegum spoke aloud. Confident in the concept that she was alone and therefore, not subject to being thought of as mental – talking to herself.
"I am Marceline," Bubblegum jerked around to face her window, lace still undone at her chest. "And I, princess," Marceline grinned as she finished, "am the Vampire Queen".