Hi Guys... I'm not sure how long the Chapters will be moving forward. Hopefully I can get a lot of story in an economy of words...

Disclaimer: Bowser and his kingdom/minions are own by the pesky Nintendo... Not by me (sadly)

Day 6-

Late to work again! I awoke to my king looming over me again tapping his foot holding the paper under his arm.

"I'm sorry my king," I scrambled into my footstool position.

"Late two days in a row," King Koopa made a tsk tsk sound. "I'm beginning to reconsider your role in the castle."

"It won't happen again sire," I laughed.

He grinned evilly. "Maybe I should use the mushroom's head as my footstool."

'Ouch. Low blow' I thought. My good humor disappeared and I responded in a serious tone. "I'm sorry sire. It won't happen again."

I think King Koopa sensed my hurt feelings and regretted his choice of words. "I know it can take a couple days to get into a rhythm. I'll let it slide again," he added taking a seat.

"Thank you my king," I felt relieved. My king's comment was just a joke but still… Could I be replaced? The thought never occurred to me before. I trembled thinking about it.

"Relax footstool," King Koopa ordered from behind his paper. "I have no intention of replacing my footstool. But it's nice to know you're not completely fearless."

I laughed feeling my good humor returning. "Oh, no. First, my tell. Now, my fear. It seems this footstool's defective."

"Well," Koopa chuckled. "Sometimes they're the best ones." I chuckled then his majesty added. "But not usually." I laughed openly.

After our breakfast of Yoshi egg and bacon omelets, King Koopa changed and left. I started my exercises going a little longer with my planks. Next I lifted the heavy texts, while running around the room shadowboxing. I think my punches have already started gaining more pop.

That night King Koopa returned just after I finished dressing. It seemed a little early for a king if you ask me but I'm not complaining. I really meant it when I told him I missed his company during the day. I wonder if he misses mine. Na… I doubt that. He's got a whole castle of friends.

"Did you eat footstool," King Koopa asked setting another record on the player. It sounded disco.

"No sire," I answered positioned in front of his chair.

"Good me neither," he sat in his chair. "Princess Toadstool, two Yoshi broils."

"At once my king," the statue barely finished before the meat appeared.

More meat? I was about to bite into it when I hesitated. "Um, your majesty, where can a footstool get toilet paper," I asked a little worried how too much meat might digest.

"Toilet paper?"

"Yes, sir, it's paper humans use to clean themselves after using the bathroom," I explained.

He eyed me suspiciously. Clearly looking to see if I am lying, finally he said, "Fine, I'll have someone look into it tomorrow."

"Thank you my king. Your benevolence knows no bounds," I said tearing into my hunk of meat.

We talked several more hours on clocks before King Koopa decided to turn in for the night.

Day 7-

Finally early for work, I woke around four hours later. The king was still asleep so I quickly went into the bathroom and washed the excess sleep from my face. Returning to the sitting area, I had just gotten into position when King Koopa started stirring.

I looked at the princess table and ordered, "Two Yoshi egg and bacon omelets, please, Princess Toadstool."

"At once my king," the table responded.

My king lumbered his way to the stained glass balcony doors. Opening them, he bent over lifting and tucking the paper under his arm. By the time he reached his chair the food had appeared.

"Thank you, Princess Toadstool," I said.

"You're welcome my king," she answered.

I really wish King Koopa would get her fixed. It's weird having the love of his life calling me her king especially with his majesty standing two feet away. Besides not being a king, it could make the real king jealous. Even if it's only a table, I don't want him to bite my head off over something like this.

"You ordered breakfast footstool," King Koopa looked down at the bacon folded in a blanket of eggs. "Listen it isn't your job to feed me. It's my job to feed you."

"Really? Okay then feed me," I opened my mouth making an "Ah" sound.

King Koopa broke into laughter. My desired result achieved. "That's not what I mean." I smiled closing my mouth. "I don't like my princess calling you her king." He must be telepathic. "From now on only I'm allowed to order food when we're together."

"Yes, my lord, but," I started but stopped unsure whether King Koopa would interrupt or give me the you dare question me face he gave Kamek. Since he didn't I continued, "Is there any way the princess can call me a bug or maggot?
"It makes me uncomfortable being called king even if you're not here."

"Not without rebuilding her," my king responded sitting down. 'Dang' I thought. King Koopa added putting his feet up, "I don't mind if she calls you king when I'm not here."

"Thank you my king," I said aloud. He unfurled his paper. "Sire, would you like me to fetch the paper in the morning?"

"No. Master getting to work on time and then we'll think about giving you more responsibility," King Koopa said sarcastically making me laugh.

"Yes sir," I answered. We both spent the rest of the morning in silence eating our omelets until my king went to work.

Mixing in a few squats and jumping jacks into my exercise routine, the day passed by pretty quickly until a knock came from the heavy metal door. I paused in my tracks going quiet.

"Hey Tom, it's me, Loki," my friend's voice sounded from the other side.

"Loki," I whispered walking to the door but froze with my hand on the handle. I heard my king's voice from the other day reminding me not to answer if someone knocks.

Loki knocked again. "King Koopa sent me. Open up."

'What do I do' I thought moving my hand from the handle pressing it flat against the door. 'My king told me not to answer it but Loki said he was sent by the king.' Was this another test? I have to make a decision.

A tear trickled down my cheek as Loki's knock sent vibrations through the door and I remained silent. My king's word is law. Another tear fell. Oh I wanted to see my friend again.

"I'm sorry Loki," I whispered in response to Loki's final plea for entry before he walked away.

Dishearten about not acknowledging my friend, I lost my will to continue exercising so I decided to shower. It was the right decision because not even a minute into it my eyes cascaded their own stream down the drain.

I know I made the right decision but apparently I had to keep trying to convince myself. I really hope Loki can forgive me.

When my eyes felt like they were done leaking, I turned off the shower and got ready for King Koopa's return. I stepped in front of my king's library searching for a new book. As much as King Koopa enjoys talking about clocks, I would like to talk to him about other topics. Still standing in front of the bookcase, I sighed.

"What's the matter footstool," King Koopa asked from his chair wearing his robe.

I didn't even notice him enter. How long has he been watching me? "Nothing sire," I said leaving my knowledge on its rightful shelf.

"Don't lie to me maggot. I know your tell," King Koopa raised his feet allowing me to crawl under.

I didn't know whether to tell him Loki stopped by or not. Loki may have said King Koopa sent him just so I would open the door… It almost worked too.

"I heard you had a little visitor, little bug," King Koopa said.

"Yes my king. Master Loki knocked."

"I know. He said you didn't answer," my king said making me feel bad again. "Not even when he said I sent him." I felt worse. "I did send him. Why didn't you answer footstool?"

A knot formed in my stomach making me regret my decision even more. "My king told me not to answer when someone knocks."

King Koopa smiled, "Very good footstool."

So it was another test. Doesn't matter though I still felt bad not answering. "I hope Loki can forgive me."

"He won't," King Koopa pulled the knot in my stomach tighter. "There's nothing to forgive. Loki was the one who said you wouldn't answer."

My stomach started returning to normal as the king continued, "He said you do what you're told. He was right."

"Thank you my king," all guilty feelings disappeared. My schoolbag dropped in front of me.

"He brought your shell back," King Koopa added when I slid the bag under his chair (There is allot of space under that chair). "Now did you eat footstool?"

My stomach growled. "No sire."

"Me neither," King Koopa ordered two bowls of Yoshi beef stew and when I say two bowls I really mean five gallon tubs. The meat chunks were so tender. I don't know who the chef is but my gosh give him a raise.

King Koopa brought up clocks again (At least I didn't have to worry about learning something new today). Several hours passed before my king decided to go to bed.

I pulled my "shell" to use as a pillow but when my head pressed against it, I found it rather lumpy. Opening the largest pouch, I laughed at the roll of toilet paper sitting atop the text and note books.

"Thank you my king," I whispered. "You spoil this slave." I thought a second adding, "Thanks Loki."