Chapter 9
Avalon's eyes were bright and excited as she chatted to her seamstress who happened to be a yellow yoshi. "Maybe... he's stepping down and letting me be in charge! After all, he did promise to let me be in charge... once I was capable." She grumbled. "I was in charge until I brought back Link... then the chancellor said I was irresponsible... too much so to be queen."
"Don't fret your majesty. You will be in charge soon. The chancellor's heart can't last much longer. The things he eats..."
Avalon gazed at her reflection in the mirror; her hair curled in lovely ringlets, a dainty crown of silver and sapphires atop her head, her long gown of blue matching the jewels in her tiara, on her neck, and ears too. The gown was strapless with a velvet bodice, and bottom which was clingy and mermaid style, accented with a silver bow about her waist and a matching shawl. She frowned at herself. "I don't want him to die. He's like my father in a way."
"The kingdom will do much better under your ruling, your highness. We all know you wish him no harm."
Avalon put on her sparkling sheer lip gloss, and slippers. "I do hope I take the throne soon. There are a few changes I want to make."
The seamstress nodded. "You ready to go down there?"
Avalon smiled. "Yes. I have a feeling this will be the best birthday I've ever had!"
The yellow yoshi was wearing a flattering red gown and a matching bow atop her head. She hurried downstairs to join the others in the dining room.
Link was in front of the stairs, pacing. He wanted to talk to Avalon before dinner. Should he tell her? He decided he should. Best to have her prepared. He had heard that the fiancée was already in the dining room waiting to see her.
Avalon started down the stairs, and as she saw Link, her pace quickened. "Link, you look handsome!"
He smiled, and took her hand. "Milady, you look beautiful." He paused and looked down at the floor. "Your highness, I have some news... about your surprise..."
"Please don't tell me. I don't wish it to be spoiled." She said, giddily.
"It's already been spoiled...." He patted her hand, supporting.
She pulled her hand away. "What do you mean?"
He sighed, and frowned. "Your chancellor found you a king, and tonight you meet him... this particular man paid ten million to have you as his bride."
Avalon laughed. "Silly, Link. I won't fall for it. It's all part of the plan... to get me worried before the big surprise, then I'll be really shocked." She shoved past link.
"I'm not joking!" He grabbed her shoulders. "The chancellor tried to pay me off, to get me to leave and never come back... he doesn't want me to interfere with you and your new king. He offered me half of the kingdom... a half you don't know about... called the Dark Kingdom! You have to believe me..."
Avalon's eyes widened. "You're not lying, are you?"
Link took her hands. "I wish I was, Avalon, but it is all true."
"What do I do? What kind of man would sell his daughter?" She began to wring her hands with worry.
Link embraced her for a moment. "Just be strong, okay? Let's go in there and act like nothing happened. I'll go in first." He let go of her and hurried into the dining room. Avalon was just behind him.
And she did enter the room, head held high and proud, ready to tell this person to take back his bribe and go.
"Ah, Princess Avalon, I am so pleased to meet you." The voice announced. "I have heard so very much about you..."
It was her fiancée presumably. He was quite handsome, brown hair like Link's, bright green eyes and a charming smile. He was medium build, had a nice olive skin tone, and a British accent.
She blinked her eyes three times, and smiled slightly. "N... nice to meet you too." She let out a sigh of relief. She could have been stuck with someone worse. It would be easy to break it off with this guy.
"I see that you two get along well enough. Happy birthday, Avalon, you have a king now."
Avalon said nothing, but threw the Chancellor a displeased look, and headed for her spot at the table. Next to her, sat her so-called king to be.
"That's my father's chair!" She announced. "That chair is not to be used! Ever! Get up! You'll soil it!"
The man did not stand. "This is the king's chair. I am the king. I see no harm in that. Let's sit and eat."
She put her hands on her hips. "Get out of my father's chair! NOW!"
He looked embarrassed, and shocked, as he stood, and huffed, pulling out a chair across the table form the Queen.
"That's my knight's spot." She gestured toward Link, who sat in the chair.
"Thank you for pulling it out for me." Link announced. "You're too kind, really." He slapped the suitor on the back, and the suitor cringed.
"You are most certainly not welcome!" The future king grumbled. "Where do I sit?" He demanded. "This is my castle, or it will be soon. I, Prince Geofard, deserve a dignified spot next to my future bride."
Avalon pointed to a chair in the middle and to the left. On either side sat two yoshis, one an advisor, the other his mate. "We don't have a seat for you. You'll have to sit there until we make you a spot. The yoshi that usually sits in that chair is sick so you can take his place I suppose. He has some sort of disease, and he's seeing the doctor tonight to find out if it's contagious or not." Avalon coughed, and rubbed her temple, acting slightly ill.
The guest recoiled, and made a horrified gasp as he stood in the corner of the dining room near Link's chair.
Link chuckled and almost coughed on his wine. He knew what Avalon was trying to do. She was never this rude to anyone, or this disgusting. She was trying to get him to back out of the marriage. It seemed as if it was working. Link guzzled his wine, and belched loudly. He would join the fun. Soon this prince would leave, thinking the palace was unruly.
"I need more wine!" He screamed impolitely at a toad. "Hurry or I'll flog you, brute!"
The toad's eyes grew big and round, as he fetched Link's goblet, and ran to the kitchen. "Hell, bring me the whole flask! No use makin' your little legs overwork themselves..."
The chancellor stood in his seat. "I thought you didn't drink?" He called to Link, who was acting drunken.
"It's a party! Everyone drinks at parties! WOOHOO!" He exclaimed, as he pointed at another toad. "You're lookin' pretty... You can stay in my suite tonight, girlie. I insist! Bring your two cutest sisters... and their best friends!"
The toad looked horrified, as she clutched her hands to her chest. "You beast!" She slapped at him.
Link turned. "You're queen is lookin' good too, but I prefer the little ones!" He grasped for the toad again. She leapt from her chair screaming, and left the room. "Of course, the queen is looking better by the moment... She's less vocal and high strung."
"You're so uncouth, sir! First thing when I am King, you are fired!"
Avalon smiled. "I signed a contract! He works here for the next ten years, and he gets whatever he wants as payment, aside from money!" She beamed and looked at Link. "He likes the toads well enough, and the wine we have, so I don't complain. Please, Link, don't get drunk and vomit on this suitor like you did to the last one..."
