The Spring Ball

"Dad!" "Mom!"

"Uh-oh," Dagda mutters.

"I wanted a wedding but now I'm getting a funeral," Griselda mumbles.

Using the little precious time left, the two parents compose themselves before the study door slams open. One look at the enraged king and princess causes the guards to wisely return to their poker game, their charges were old enough to answer for whatever they did.

"You two getting married is for your own good," Griselda remarks.

"You kill Dad and I'll kill Griselda," Marianne growls.

"You lied to us," Bog roars!

"No, we didn't, not entirely," Dagda comments. "Keeping certain facts from you is not the same thing as lying to you."

"You said the peace treaty was a delayed wedding present to me and Roland," Marianne points out, crossing her arms.

"No, what I said was that the peace treaty was a wedding present," Dagda corrects. "I left out that it is a present for your wedding to Bog."

"This isn't one of your matchmaking attempts, is it, Mother? This is beginning to sound like an arranged marriage," Bog mutters. "Mom?"

"I'm getting old, Bog, and it terrifies me that I might leave you all alone," Griselda admits with a sigh. "The whole truth is this, I came here last month to proposition Dagda with an idea to ease both our worries. A political union of our children."

"It's not an arranged marriage," Dagda insists! "But we were hoping you two would agree to it once we explained everything."

"Why didn't you just tell us all this instead of this elaborate set-up," Marianne asks, slightly calmer but at the same time more agitated?

"Because neither of us really want you to marry just for a political union," Griselda explains. "Dagda mentioned your desire of a treaty with the Dark Forest and it seemed like the perfect way for you two to get to know one another before we told you. You wouldn't begrudge your parents the hope that you two would fall in love, would you?"


This was one of those times that Bog couldn't tell if he was angry, sad, or just plain scared. On one hand, he was actually kind of hopeful when he thought that their parents were pulling an arranged marriage on them but on the other hand, he reminded himself of his foolishness when he asked Sugar Plum for a Love Potion. How could he justify forcing Marianne into marriage when he admitted to her weeks ago that he now realized that forcing Yemma to love him was wrong? It was practically the same thing.

He had thought that he loved Yemma but it was only a crush, he knew practically nothing about her. He loves Marianne, though. He knows it with every fiber of his being but he couldn't keep her from experiencing her own chance at love, even if it wasn't with him.

"Bog, sweetie, are you angry with me," Griselda whispers as they follow the other royals?

"No," Bog sighs, patting her hand in reassurance. "I can understand your reasons even if I don't like your methods. Besides, a lot of good did come out of this whole thing."


She was a terrible person, she knew it. How could she have been glad when Bog questioned their parents about this whole thing being an arranged marriage and then disappointed when Dad said it wasn't? She was a terrible friend to be happy to force Bog into marriage with her. The poor guy was still suffering from a failed relationship. Sure, her failed relationship was more recent but she wasn't in love with Roland like she thought she was and he proved that he wasn't ever in love with her.

Bog was different. He didn't belittle her and then charm her into thinking that she misunderstood him. He never once made her feel uncomfortable around him or feel like there was something wrong with her. He made her feel loved. If he could make a friend feel like that then whatever girl he falls in love with will be so lucky but that can't happen if she selfishly puts her feelings before his.

"Don't worry so much, dear," Dagda murmurs as the guards open the ballroom doors. "I want you to enjoy yourself without thinking about any politics. You and Bog can discuss everything after the ball."

"I can't help but worry," Marianne mumbles back. "This is a big deal, you know. Any decision will change everything."

"You two have demonstrated your abilities to talk things out quite well and I'm sure you'll reach a decision that will make you both happy," Dagda reassures, smiling to his daughter. "Now, how about a dance with your father?"

"Or someone even better," Roland remarks, walking in front of the royals.

"Roland," Marianne growls! "You got a lot of nerve showing up here!"

"But, buttercup, I just want to make things right," Roland whines, grateful for her lack of a sword. "You left me at the altar and broke my heart but I'll forgive you. I love you, darling."

"You don't cheat on someone you love, especially not on your own wedding day," Bog mumbles.

"Bog," Marianne yells in dismay!

Bog's eyes widen in horror as he realizes that the silent stone room had echoed his low words. He had promised not to tell anyone! He swore that he wouldn't when they both managed to talk more in-depth about their past relationship. His heart pains at Marianne's betrayed look as his face flushes at the looks of the stunned crowd.

"Marianne," Dagda questions softly?

Marianne's eyes water as she looks around the room at the judging faces. In her panic and embarrassment, she doesn't realize that their harsh looks are for the sweating blonde knight in the rattling tin can suit. She takes flight in a quick burst before flying out of the room.

"Marianne," Bog yells before following!

Dagda nearly flies after them but Griselda's tight grip on his arm stops him. The troll-goblin smile reassuringly at him before glaring at the quaking fairy before them. Right. Unfinished business. While a good ruler did not misuse their power over their subjects even if they deserve the punishment, a father was a whole different story. Nobody hurt his little girl.

"Guards!"