Chapter 17

Leo was done for the evening. His queen was quite sad, as she sat in his lap.

"My deamon, what's the matter?" he asked, as he put his finger to her chin so he could look in her eyes.

"My sister is missing… I think your brother kidnapped her again. He took her right from the wedding…"

Leo had just put two and two together. "Your sister is Peach? You never told me that." He remarked, as he tried to sound casual. Of course, it didn't come out casual. It came out nervous… "I mean, not like it matters."

"Yeah, it does! Your brother is a big ugly jerk, he needs to stop making her miserable."

Leo grumbled something incoherent, and put Cherry down gently. "You're right. Perhaps he should die."

Cherry shook her head. "No, he just needs to be nicer… He needs to let my sister be happy, as happy as I am." She embraced him warmly, and he held her close.

"She lost the kingdom now… Now she's not royalty any longer. Now she's a peasant."

Cherry squeezed him lovingly. "But you'll fix that. You can force the chancellor to give her the kingdom back. You're good at intimidating people. It's your best feature..."

Leo pushed her away gently, but it still hurt her, at least her feelings. "Is that all you think of me as? A bully?" He demanded. "I have other qualities. I'm a nice person."

"No you aren't, but that's why I love you. You're very nice to me. You treat me wonderfully."

He sneered. "I could be nice if I wanted to. You know I could…"

"It doesn't matter to me, okay?" She announced. "Just forget it, we're fighting over something that's completely meaningless… what's bothering you?" She demanded.

"Nothing… I need to go lay down." He snapped as he left the room and slammed the door.

Cherry sat on the throne in silence. She loved him, but hated his little tantrums…

A pair of para-troopas carried Avalon back to her old home, and dropped her off gently in the front of the double doors. She was quite surprised when she walked inside. Link was there.

He scooped her up in his arms and held her tightly. "You're okay. I was so worried. Bowser couldn't be found anywhere…Leo's even been looking for you. He's inside the throne room with your sister…" Link paused. "Why did you run away?"

She shook her head. "I didn't. Leo sent winged Yoshis to fetch me. They took me to his palace… two paratroops just dropped me off…"

Link put her down gently. "Go take back your kingdom. Leo purchased it, and now he wants to give it back. All he wants is a few things from your relic room."

"I can't do that! He must have talked to Boshi… but why would Boshi tell?"

"Boshi? What? I don't understand what you're going on about…"

Avalon was already running up the stairs. She stopped when she reached the third floor, and looked over the railing down at Link. "I love you, Link, and I will, no matter what."

He was confused, but decided to wait where he was for his queen-to-be to return.