A/N: … =)

You can read the previous part here.

Crimson Tree – Part X

"Princess?" Marceline tried, her eyes questioning those of Bubblegum's. The Princess turned her head away, evading the vampire's gaze. "The attacker wanted me to avoid you." Bubblegum moved her gaze from the door that previously held her eyes to the bedside candle. The fire, though, being small in comparison to a bonfire, burned as one single, strong flame. Like her eyes.

"I can't recall much of the attacker's appearance as I was held tightly from behind. Its breath I felt, as raspy icicles against my neck and I cannot describe it's speed in movement. But what I remember, is the blade that pierced me twice, was pointed." Bubblegum continued, taking in a deep breath, "all blades are sharp and pointed, but this particular one drove into my skin using only its tip."

Marceline was listening earnestly, as if she were taking mental notes. Using the brief moment Bubblegum stopped in, she intervened, "Right, got it. One question though, why are you telling me?"

Hesitating, for a moment that was whisked away within seconds, the princess disclosed as reason, "I find comfort in telling you these points." Shifting her face completely so as to hide the invading rush of pink to her face, she reasoned once more, "I consider you a royal equal and a friend."

"Oh…." Smiling at the back of Bubblegum's head, Marceline coaxed, "How much of a friend do you consider me?"

One eye brow lifting in anticipation of the younger monarch's answer, the vampire's free hand looped its way through Bubblegum's sleek, pink hair. The Princess' head was still turned and the back of her head remained towards the Queen's face. The hand then came to rest on Bubblegum's shoulder – bringing both a deep, rosy blush to the Princess' face as well as her chin swiveling back at the sudden touch.

Much to the vampire's disappointment, moving out of the vampire's reach – just enough to let Marceline's hand falls on the ledge of Bubblegum's shoulder – the Princess replies with a nod of her head to Marceline's hand, "I consider you enough of a friend, to allow you to do that."

"So, I can do it again?" Marceline proclaims more than asking, a smirk finding its way onto her face.

"Probably, but not now." The Princess' face retained its calm manner, but it held a severe look. An upset one, almost.

Bubblegum had to ask now. The candle was slowly licking its way deeper into the wax, molding out the minutes invisibly. Guilty pricks started to pulse at the hand that held the vampire's arm, "Marceline, do you have the intention of killing me?" Breathing deep, Bubblegum continues, "If you are in ploy of doing so, I rather you tell me the truth." Sternly, she adds, "Now."

The vampire's mouth opened and shut. Her eyes distanced from the face that had already stopped facing her. "Did the attacker tell you that?"

"Yes, she did." Noticing Marceline's arching eyebrows, the Princess elucidates, "It was a female by voice."

"Hmph, you really are quite naïve, Bonnibelle," Marceline finally declares. Bubblegum felt the first virtual slap to her face as the words struck her. But they were softened at the use of her first name in such a free manner – no one had been personal enough to use it. Moving her arm out of the Princess' hold as the other monarch, had also started to let go, Marceline demands in a rhetorical manner, "Would I want to kill someone I danced with?"

The accusation in the form of question from the younger monarch: had hurt. Sarcasm was in order.

Slckk! A second slap struck the Princess' mind. " I-I don't mean to offend you, Marceline. I'm just… curious."

"So, you ask me if I want to kill you? Heh, that's priceless." Marceline straightens as she speaks, "No, Princess. I have no intention of harming you. There. Happ-"

"Why are you visiting and tending to me, when you have no past relations at all?' The Princess bit her lip as she interrupted, rude as it was to do – she could not hold back. Still, she found herself unable to look into the crimson eyes that focused on her.

Marceline lifted one corner of her mouth into a half-smile, the eyebrow on the side of her face mirroring the action. Amusing, the vampire thought.

"Please, I must know if your presence poses risk of danger to my people? Will they be attacked, too? Let alone myself…?" The Princess tries to maintain a professional outlook to the conversation, despite the mounting frustration in her voice – the vampire was not answering. Reserved as always.

Was it right to question a Queen? Was it right to question her 'friend'? Question, her?

For her people - yes. But for the regret and guilt that bubbled within - not one bit.

The candle wick was now, just a simmering drop of gold, dancing its last dance in flashes on the two monarchs' feet. The moon had risen high into the sky. The Candy Kingdom monarch's attendees in the halls beginning to get restless, as the amount of time she spent with her vampire acquaintance – lengthened.

Squinting in the flailing light, Bubblegum could only but make out Marceline's visage and figure made in front of her. "I would like to hear an answer".

Marceline could see much more than what the Princess did in the fading candlelight, her enhanced peripheral vision permitted it. Moving closer she cupped her hands around the Princess' face, stopping the younger monarch's thoughts to ask more: completely.

"Uhm." Bubblegum was taken aback by the sudden touch, unaware of what was happening. Flushing a deep pink, right down to her chest. "Marceline, I really don't thin-"

The Princess' words were smothered, as a set of cool, soft lips, met hers.