VI

o0o

Naturally, after taking such a step in her relationship with Tatanga, her farce as his prisoner had to come to an end. With his conquest of several neighboring provinces that had sought to take advantage of the conflict in Sarasaland, Tatanga was earning several points in his favor in the eyes of Daisy's people.

It was almost funny when she thought about it. After Mario had defeated Tatanga and driven his forces away, Sarasaland had been weaker than it had ever been, at least in the history that was recorded in the Sarasaland library. If not for Tatanga's return, it was a near-absolute certainty that Sarasaland would have been caught up in a war on at least one front.

It was just as Tatanga had promised. Her people were kept safe, free to continue their pastoral lifestyle if they so chose, though there were a few Sarasalanders, especially young men, who could not help but find allure in the glory projected by the military lifestyle. And then there were those in the military who in turn found the women of Sarasaland pleasing.

Inevitably, there were a few parents who objected to this. Daisy certainly found herself sympathizing with them, remembering all too well the fear and revulsion she had once felt for Tatanga and his army.

She sat there on her throne, looking down at the peasant couple who had come to her with their grievances. Like so many Sarasalanders, they made their living off the fertile land, as had their parents, grandparents, and so on. Under Tatanga's rule, some of their produce now went to the army.

This was not the source of their grievance, however. It was what else the army wanted from them that had brought them here. Their oldest son wanted to join the forces, and one of Tatanga's soldiers wanted to court their daughter.

Given her position, there was little doubt that the parents expected her to be firmly on their side. Could she not do something, they pleaded, for was she not one of their own?

If Tatanga had been here to hear this, she did not doubt he would have certain words for them. Harsher than what she might say. With half-lidded eyes, she surveyed the chamber around her, seeing the various courtiers and petitioners waiting to hear her pronouncement.

Being a ruler certainly wasn't easy, at least not if one wanted to be fair. She'd come to learn of tyrants in other lands, who did not care for their subjects, who created laws that served to benefit these rulers and elites, who saw peasants as mere tools and playthings. Daisy had been raised with a deep sense of patriotism, taught that a happy peasantry made for a much more stable ruling class. That had proven itself through the ages of Sarasaland's history. Taxes were low and the laws were reasonably lenient. There was no reason that should not continue, but a new element had been added to the mix that made things more tricky.

"I hear your plea, and I can sympathize with you. There is no doubt that our fair kingdom has been through… tumultuous times," she said. A few people in the crowd nodded slowly. She looked down at the middle-aged couple, humbly attired in their best but their strong, coarse hands and weathered faces bore testament to the honest, hardworking lives they led.

She took a deep breath before she continued, "For so long, our people have led simple lives, and we have kept our traditions for many generations. There is no denying that that has served us well for a long time, but there are other worlds out there, as we are now well aware of, and I do not speak merely of Tatanga. By now, it is general knowledge that Tatanga has defended us against other realms. It is not an easy thing to acknowledge, or admit to, as I can personally attest."

She folded her hands in her lap, fully aware of the many pairs of eyes on her. "I love and care for my people as I have always, and I will not stand for any abuses against them." She stared down at the couple in front of her. "If anyone has a child who is being coerced, know that I am on their side. However, all children grow into adults, and there comes a point in everyone's life when they make their own decisions, which their parents might not always approve of. I am truly sorry for any grief this might cause you, for I do not doubt that you love and care for your children very much, but they must decide what makes them happy. They may change their minds later, but ultimately, their life is theirs to lead."

Just as her own life was hers to lead. Yes, there were circumstances in everyone's life that could not be changed – some more than others – but how one responded to those circumstances was their choice. And the couple before her was free to choose how they responded to the choices their children made. Such was life.

o0o

Tatanga was still far from a skilled tennis player, but he had improved much since his first match with Daisy. With a final swing, she won the game, but Tatanga had scored several points today.

Daisy sat down, wiping the sweat from the sides of her face and neck with the towel that a servant brought to her.

"Perhaps one day, our game might end in a tie, hmm?" Tatanga asked after he took a swig of the lemonade that was set before them.

"If you keep practicing, that just may happen," she replied encouragingly. They reclined in the folding chairs for a bit, basking in the afterglow of a game well-played.

"You really think so, love?" he asked.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it," she shot back gently.

o0o

The lines of soldiers truly were an impressive sight to see, Daisy observed silently to herself as Tatanga's ship hovered past the front line. She leaned across the railing, watching as the soldiers drilled under the instruction of their leaders, several factions spread across the field that had once been a lush meadow. Months of this place being used as a drill camp had flattened the thick grass to nothing in many places and there were no wildflowers to be seen, and part of her could not help but feel sad about that.

The ship finally landed near a tent that had been set up for Tatanga's personal use, and the guards and soldiers saluted smartly as their lord made his way down the stairway with Daisy behind him, carrying a parasol to shield her eyes from the sun that shone merrily overhead. Inside of the tent, refreshments had been set out for them, as well as comfortable seating, and Daisy settled in, folding her parasol and setting it aside, pulling out a book.

She listened as Tatanga accepted reports from the camp's sergeants, occasionally sipping some iced tea. Though to the casual observer it appeared like she might be bored and was amusing herself after being dragged along on this excursion, they would have been surprised to know that she was barely paying attention to the words on the pages in front of her.

o0o

Although Daisy had played the part of the passive observer and companion during Tatanga's inspection of his forces, she'd learned plenty, and not just from the meetings in the tent. Now that she was no longer his prisoner, Daisy did not miss the fact that Tatanga's men seemed to give her more notice. Not in an untoward way, no, but this went beyond the polite respect she'd been given before as the well-known object of their commander's desire.

Of course, she was certain that her presence in court, and her lack of any resistance – whether overt or covert – to Tatanga's actions, contributed to that. She was no longer a prisoner to be pitied, only to be given any respect because she held the favor of the one in power.

Still, she could not help but feel surprised when Pionpi approached her as she was walking through the gardens on one of her strolls. She often used these walks to converse with courtiers or servants, finding the fresh air conductive to her thinking, and mood. It seemed the same could be said for those who she talked with, but this was the first time that one of Tatanga's high-ranking minions had asked for an audience.

Pionpi trailed behind Daisy and her current companion patiently, and it did not take her long to finish her conversation.

"I look forward to the tea party next week. It has been far too long," the older woman said as she curtsied to Daisy.

"It really has," the princess remarked cheerfully. Much as Daisy could be tomboyish, she did like having social gatherings with the ladies of the court. Her mother had died when she was young, but she remembered how Mother presided over these parties with grace, cultivating relationships with the wives, sisters, and daughters of the men of the Sarasaland nobility.

There hadn't been many occasions to do so in recent times, but she would rectify that. Pionpi floated up beside her, something she'd always found a bit unnerving. She set that observation aside, wondering what one of Tatanga's most senior lackeys might want with her. In the olden days, he'd been an envoy from Chai Province, visiting the Sarasaland Palace on a semi-regular basis, bringing tribute or news from his province. It was a position of some responsibility, but nowhere near as much as he now held as Tatanga's right-hand man.

"I must admit, I am curious as to why you're asking to speak with me, for you have never deemed me much… worthy of notice before," she said frankly. Pionpi's expression remained neutral.

"That was not out of any malice, I assure you," he finally said after a moment of silence. "You were a child. And then your father died, and you were a prisoner. I have never borne you any ill-will, but in my culture, it is not… customary to approach a woman outside of one's clan unless there is an important reason to do so."

"Hmm." Daisy nodded. He would offer her the proper salutations as occasion called for, but with her father or Tatanga around, there was always business to attend. "Well then, I am listening."

"What is it that you were taught about Sarasaland's outer provinces?" Pionpi asked.

"These history lessons were a long time ago," Daisy replied. "But repeated often enough that I remember them well. "Back then, the King of Sarasaland offered them peace in exchange for an alliance, and the kings of these provinces agreed, so their kingdoms became part of Sarasaland and these kings became governors." She paused. "But I have the feeling you're going to tell me a different story.

Pionpi smiled thinly."You have seen these provinces. You know what they are like, in comparison to the original Sarasaland."

"Well, certainly." In the past, her father had gone on several tours, and she'd accompanied him, remembering the childlike wonder she'd felt upon seeing the pyramids of Pyrapt rising above the sea of sand, or the quaint mountain temples of Chai. Muda and Easton boasted grand beaches, palm trees swaying in the breeze.

Except now, with Pionpi's questioning, she knew she had to look at these provinces in a different way. Great deserts, towering mountains, sea-swept islands…

"Sarasaland is rich and fertile, then and now. Plenty of food..." She tapped her chin. "To feed an army, perhaps."

"Indeed."

"So these alliances were not quite… as altruistic as the Sarasaland history books teach."

Having been in their position, Daisy could understand all too well. Peaceful surrender was better than a war that you were likely to lose. She wanted to argue with Pionpi, and tell him that the kings of Sarasaland had always been wise and generous. But history had a way of obscuring things, didn't it?

"Is that why you were so quick to side with Tatanga when he came here for the first time?" she asked.

"Yes, but that was only part of the reason. When it came to choosing between your father and Tatanga..."

"You sided with the one you believed you had a better chance with."

"Even though Chai still isn't its own kingdom. You merely traded one ruler for another."

Pionpi's expression remained inscrutable, but he gave out a faint shrug, his hands folded within the sleeves of his robe. "Kingdoms rise and fall. Boundaries change all the time. I am but a citizen of Chai, so perhaps that is why I am less invested in the rulership than others would be. To me, the welfare of my clan, and people, is what concerns me most."

Wasn't her concern for the welfare of her people what spurred her to make a peaceful surrender to Tatanga? Just as the former kings of the provinces of Chai, Muda, Pryapt, and Easton, and Pionpi himself.

"And you want me to work with you to achieve that goal," Daisy observed. This time, Pionpi smiled thinly.

"Tatanga has entrusted the two of us with a certain amount of responsibility. We may come from different cultures with a conflicted past, but I see no reason why we can not find common ground."

"When you put it that way, I am quite inclined to agree with you."

Pionpi floated alongside her for a bit more time, but Daisy found herself no longer unsettled by his floating.

o0o

She'd retreated to the library when she finally had time to herself, recalling the lessons from her youth, and the tutors who had exhorted upon her the virtues of the former kings of Sarasaland, and the glorious history of the fertile nation. Plenty enough books on the subject were to be found, written in congratulatory language by historians who had been born long after said events.

Children across Sarasaland had been taught the same thing as Daisy, and of course, the same lessons would be taught in the schools that Sarasaland had established throughout its acquired provinces. But now with Tatanga, a new chapter of history would be added, figuratively and literally.

She looked down at the books spread across the table before her, running her hand along the old leather cover of one of them and studying the ornate embedded gold script of the title before giving out a startled cry.

"Oh dear, I did not mean to upset you!" Tatanga looked genuinely contrite when she spun around to face him. She'd felt something brush along her hair, and had reacted instinctively.

Little purple bastard, she thought, biting back a smirk as she placed her hand over her heart, fanning herself with her other hand in a coquettish display of needing to collect herself after a fright.

"I humbly beg forgiveness, my love," Tatanga whispered as he gently pulled her into his embrace. She allowed him to do so, leaning slightly into his bulky form.

"And you have it," she replied. He nuzzled her throat and shoulder contentedly as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

o0o

Her tea party had gone well, and Daisy sat back in her chair with a glow of satisfaction as she sipped her wine. It'd been nearly a week since she had her talk with Pionpi, and when she was not handling royal or political matters – or spending time with Tatanga – she spent a fair amount of time on solitary walks, deep in thought.

"Over the last few days, I've noticed a change in you, my dear," Tatanga said.

"I hope that's not a bad thing," Daisy replied lightly. He grinned.

"Not at all. You seem more… confident. And I must say it's a quality that I find appealing."

"Oh, is that so?" she asked in mild surprise. He certainly didn't mind it if she was bold in the privacy of intimate relations, but in public, Sarasaland society still liked its women to be more soft-spoken. Even though Daisy's love of sports was well-known, off the field she was very much a 'princess' in the literal and figurative sense of the word. She gave out a small laugh. "It wasn't something I was aware of," she added. And she wasn't lying. She wasn't trying to re-invent herself or anything like that, though when she thought about it, it shouldn't be too surprising. All that she'd been through the last few years, with one experience or revelation after another, had to have an inevitable effect on her psyche.

Since girlhood, she'd been groomed to be the next in a long line of Sarasaland rulers, placidly ruling over a relatively quiet kingdom. She was expected to marry and have children and pass the crown down to them, and the citizens of Sarasaland and its attached provinces would live in pastoral bliss for time immemorial and so on and so forth. She'd been ready to embrace that dream.

And then reality bit her in the ass, and she'd had to adapt and evolve. At first, she held herself with caution, seeing no other recourse in her position as a prisoner. But as binds were loosened or lifted, and she didn't have to be so guarded, this confidence of hers blossomed slowly, almost imperceptibly, and with barely any conscious thought.

She lifted her wine glass, seeing the afternoon sun filter through the rose-colored liquid.

"Anything else I need to be aware of?" Daisy asked half-jokingly.

He paused for a moment before a familiar gleam came to his eyes. "Only that I desire you very much."

She smirked faintly at that. "But that's something I've known for a good while."

"Nonetheless, it's enjoyable to remind you," he retorted gently as he leaned across the small table. She finished what remained in her glass before setting it down and staring at him as she mirrored his lean. Her hand reached across the table to rest on top of his own.

"A thousand pardons, my lord and lady!" Pionpi said as he burst into the couple's relaxed solitude. Averting his eyes with a bow, Pionpi made his announcement.

"We have just received news of Luigi making his way through the southern province, presumably on his way to this castle!"

Although Daisy had known that this occurrence was almost inevitable at some point, it still surprised her to hear this news. Tatanga sharply rose to his feet, and she recognized the fierce determination in his gaze as he stared at his servant for a couple of moments.

"Take the necessary measures," the Lord of Sarasaland commanded. "That accursed brother of Mario will find this land to be less hospitable than before!"

Pionpi made a quick retreat, and Tatanga slowly turned to her. She swallowed thickly, feeling the intensity of his glare as her skin tingled. Slowly, she rose to her feet, and he continued to stare at her.

"What is it?" she asked quietly. "Are you upset with me?"

He quickly shook his head, turning from her. Then she understood.

"I did not send out a call for help to the Mario Brothers. Or anyone else, for that matter."

He looked at her. "Not even back then?"

She shook her head. "I had considered it, naturally. But ultimately, I thought it best to handle this on my own. But it should not surprise you that at least one of Sarasaland's citizens would have sent out a call for help." Briefly, she thought about the exiled Lord Calico.

"Hmm.' Tatanga reached out, his hand lightly touching her face. "And even though you did not call for his help, are you in any way happy to hear he is here?" he asked.

Daisy looked at the ground for a moment. A long time ago, she would have danced with joy to know someone was coming to rescue her. And even now, she felt gratitude, for Luigi was simply trying to help people in distress, bless his heart.

"He does not need to be here," she finally said as she looked back up at him. "But he will have to be dealt with. And in this case, I think things may go along better if I confront him myself." She didn't doubt that Luigi might think she was being brainwashed or coerced if she told him to pack up and go home, but she would cross that bridge if she came up to it.

"I suppose he would be more willing to listen to you than me," Tatanga conceded but not without a scowl.

o0o

In the Game Boy comics by Valiant, Pionpi was Tatanga's apparent second-in-command, so I decided to use him again here since he seemed pretty smart. It was also fun to explore/make up some possible Sarasaland history and show a possible reason for Pionpi to have risen so quickly through Tatanga's ranks. In the game, Tatanga was said to have brainwashed the people of the provinces of Sarasaland but that to me felt too handwavium for a story rather than a simple video game.

Last year, I made the decision to change my handle. Back when I came up with the handle that included the word 'cult', I thought the resulting username was pretty cute and harmless because, strawberries! However, last year I watched Leah Remini's series on Netflix about Scientology. Even though I knew Scientology was fucked up, I was just stunned by what I learned on that show, and now no longer feel so lightly or comedically about the word 'cult', and after months of deliberation, decided that my username needed to be changed as well. So I am now StrawberryCatBeans because there's nothing offensive or dangerous or triggering about strawberries or cat beans. At least, not unless you're allergic to strawberries or cats, but that's no one's fault :)

Warmest regards,

StrawberryCatBeans