When she awoke the next morning, she felt free from the horrible symptoms of her sickness. His hypothesis had been correct—she was completely cured. She felt so much better, now that she had rest and medicine.
Sitting up in her bed, she rubbed her eyes and smiled as she saw sunlight pouring in through the window. It was almost eight—early even for her.
Her eyes wandered to the Ice Prince, where he lay sprawled against his bed, the sheets and blankets a mess underneath him. His hair askew and his clothes wrinkled from sleep. His lips were parted and he was snoring lightly.
She didn't bother dressing, but went straight down to the kitchen, running her fingers through her hair as she went to make sure looked at least a little presentable. When she arrived, the sweet aroma of breakfast roamed the air, making her mouth water. She could smell the batter of pancakes and the meaty smell of bacon and/or sausage.
When she opened the door, she was met with angry squawks. It was early and the food wasn't ready, and they were most likely mad that she had come when they weren't prepared. She muttered a sincere apology and sat at the table.
They worked as quickly as possible and set a plate of steaming food in front of her. She smiled politely and gave them each a kiss on their furry foreheads. They waddled away with silly grins, if you could call them that.
The food was great, and they had really taken what she had taught them and took it to a whole new level, adding spices she wasn't even sure she had tasted before, and cooking it to different degrees. Although hard to admit, the food actually tasted better when they made it.
"Oh, good morning, Princess." She turned to see the Ice King walk in, freshly dressed in his kingly blue robes, his eyes still trying to wake from sleep.
"Good morning," she replied, taking bites from her toast. She had to admit that it was still strange that she spoke to him in such a friendly manner, after all, he had wanted to wed her, and she had said no every time. Now she was helping him, and he didn't find it awkward at all. Maybe he really had given up on kidnapping princesses, or even trying to marry one at all.
She felt bad for him then, for it struck her that he just wanted to be truly happy. His kingdom would do much better with a queen's touch to things, and, she guessed that was all he wanted.
He sat across from her and the penguins, balanced on one another's shoulders, placed a plate in front of him. He sighed. "Still no eggs."
Gunter threw a wad of pancakes at him and it hit the side of his head and slowly slid off onto the floor. Another penguin, Gilda, swept it up immediately. The Ice King simply sighed once more.
"Don't worry," the princess reassured, "the rest of it tastes great."
As a few minutes past, Princess Bubblegum found herself poking at her food. She wondered how Finn and Jake were. Were they taking care of the Candy Kingdom well? Even more so, how were they, in general, doing?
She voiced her thoughts very suddenly, "I wonder how Finn and Jake are doing."
The Ice King smiled. "Oh, they're fine, I know. They've been trying to get into the Ice Kingdom all week."
"Oh… Wait, what?"
But Princess Bubblegum's new and improved health did not affect her hearing. She leaned in a little, just to be sure she could hear him correctly.
"My new and improved ice guards have kept them at bay." The Ice King smiled victoriously, his surprisingly pearly whites standing out amongst the blue paleness of the rest of him.
"Ice guards?" The Princess stood from the table abruptly. "Are they okay?"
"Oh, of course. They're fine."
She sighed. "How do they know I'm here?"
"I don't know, Princess." She trusted the truthfulness in his eyes. He wasn't lying—he really didn't know.
"What are we going to do?" She asked. She pushed her chair in and began to pace back and forth across the dining room.
"I don't know. Should we really do anything?"
"Yes!" She turned toward the Ice King, a look of disbelief on her face. "Of course, we have to do something. They think you kidnapped me!"
"But I did, Princess," he replied in a mouthful of pancake.
"Wait—I mean—they think that I don't want to be here, and I do."
"You want to be here?"
"Yes—no—" The Princess took a moment to recollect herself. "I want to be here to help you."
"Oh." He took a deep breath. "Maybe you should just video chat them again."
"Okay. Could I use your computer?"
The Ice King nodded and Princess Bubblegum followed him to his bedroom. Inside, in front of the Ice King's bed, she could see Golia and Gertrude surrounding Gunter, clapping their flippers happily. Walking forward into the room, Princess Bubblegum saw why. Gunter was in a wig that dragged across the ice. She now carried a head of tangly, black, straight hair.
"Gunter! I told you not to play with my Marceline wig!" The Ice King scorned.
That explained.
Princess Bubblegum walked over to the computer and sat down, waiting for him to set it up. He followed her and typed vigorously on the keyboard, and made the call. He aimed the camera on her, and Princess Bubblegum waited anxiously for eight whole seconds before they answered.
"Princess!" Finn exclaimed, leaning toward the screen. Jake had a worried look over his shoulder.
"Hey, guys. How's it going in the Candy Kingdom?" she replied cheerfully.
They completely ignored her happy attitude. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Are you married—?"
"What? No, I'm fine, I promise," She replied hurriedly. Married? What were they thinking? "I just called to check in—"
"Princess, were coming to get you, I promise—"
"Finn," she gave an airy laugh. "I don't need saving. I'm fine—"
"We know you're under his control. Don't worry. We're coming for you."
Finn's face was so determined. Jake held this worried look, as if unsure of his friend's actions. Princess Bubblegum gave him a pleading look. Get Finn in check, Jake. Do…something!
She looked back to Finn. "Finn, please, I'm fine, I really am. I'm not married—or starving—I 'm fine! Finn, please—listen!"
"Goodbye, Princess."
The screen went blank.
Princess Bubblegum sat back in her chair, her heart racing. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but to no avail.
"Oh, no."
