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Author's Note:

I'm on spring break now so I can spend more time to writing and posting up chapters.

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Enjoy the chapter :)

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea and any OCs.

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Chapter 13:
Help from an Unlikely Source

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For the next two weeks, Luigi was following a familiar but slightly different routine. It will start in the morning around seven where he'll wake up and get ready for his training with Bowser. Since the other day, Luigi had become more serious with his sessions with Bowser which seemed to please the Koopa King.

After training came the hardest part of his day; interacting with Wendy. He would alway try talking to her as an attempt for her to open up to him. But the Koopa Princess wanted nothing to do with him and would always turn him down. He'll always feel disappointed with each rejection but that didn't stop him from trying.

After dinner ended, he would spend the rest of his time either in the library or at the balcony read up from where he had left off. So far, he had learned that the Koopas were descendents of a quadruped turtle species known as the Shellcreepers. These species came in similar colors and were one of the most common species roaming around Dinosaur Land.

In about a decade or so of their time, these primitive species had gone through a dramatic change. The quadruped reptiles had become bipedal and started living together in tribes. There were several pictures of the tools, weapons, and pottery they made as well as cave paintings over hundreds of years ago.

To say this knowledge fascinated Luigi would be an understatement. He always had an interest in studying the past. He knew he still had much to learn before he could even begin to understand what Kamek was referencing earlier. If he could learn how to love this kingdom just as much as he had loved his old one, then his life here would improve.

Speaking of his old kingdom, there were times where he would think back on his old life, his friends and family. He would often dismiss those thoughts, in favor of thinking of ways on how he could court Wendy from out of her shell (no pun intended). Having their images in his head will not help him in what he was trying to achieve. He wasn't sure if they were ever going to be part of his life again, and for the time being, he didn't care. All he did care about was his future and in his future, Wendy was a major part of it.

Unfortunately for him, the pink koopa was proving to be a hard nut to crack. Any ideas he came up would all end in failure which disappoint him greatly. Luckily for our green plumber, there was one koopa within the castle that was willing to help him gain Wendy's attention.

He had been heading towards his shared room after a tiresome training session with Bowser when he spotted Ludwig's wife, Kanary, leaning against the wall. Kanary was only a year younger than Ludwig, and the two have been married for about eleven months now. They were the only other married couple within the castle and their relationship was quite the opposite of his and Wendy. Besides at dinner, Luigi had never interacted with Kanary... that is, until now.

"C-Can I help you, Miss," Luigi asked softly after the female koopa stepped in his line of direction. He was nervous because he didn't want to do anything that will upset her and cause Ludwig to get involve.

She shook her head. "No, but I can help you."

She offered him a genuine smile, signaling she meant no harm towards him. Once he was sure, Luigi relax slightly. He always had his guard up when he was around the koopas. Having to put his shield, even for a second, was a great relief to him.

"What do you mean?" He said, slight confused by her meaning.

"I mean I can help with your marriage," she said. "Come, walk with me,"

Despite how tired he felt, Luigi did what she asked. He started walking beside her as they made their way to the bed chambers.

"I can see that you're trying," She said softly. "But Wendy isn't really opening up to you."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Only to those who aren't oblivious; however, the truth is talking alone isn't what's going to get Wendy to see your side of things."

"Then what will?" Luigi asked pleadingly. He was desperate for any information that can help him.

"I lived with my young sister-in-law long enough to know one thing,"

"And that is?"

Kanary paused and turned to him. "She is downright spoiled."

"Well, that isn't really anything new." Luigi frowned. He had always known that Wendy was spoiled. Ever since the day he met her, he knew that.

"So you're aware of this fact," she said. Luigi nodded. "That's good; you already understand the main idea."

"That she's spoiled?"

"Exactly; and like all spoiled children, she loves to be showered with gifts and compliments."

"So the only way Wendy will acknowledge me is if I treat her as such; a spoiled princess?"

"Yes,"

"Hmm," He thought. "Okay, I think I can do that. But I don't really have much to offer."

"Then it's a good thing you have me on your side."

"Why are you helping me?" Luigi asked. "I mean, I'm grateful and all, really I am. Anything you say, I will do if it will help me with Wendy. I just want to know why?"

"I guess part of it is out of pity. Seeing you walk around all depress like before can leave anyone feeling sorry for you." She glanced at Luigi who cast his head down. "But mostly I'm doing is out of understanding."

Luigi lifted his head up. "Understanding?"

She nodded. "You see Luigi; the noble life isn't as glamorous as it appears to be. Yes, our status gains us riches and respect, but there are things some of us will never get in life."

"Such as?"

"Love." She explained. "In nobility, love is a luxury that 90 percent of us will never have. My parents, for example, barely knew each other when they got married. They manage to put their differences aside to live as a normal family. I, on the other hand, was lucky; my marriage was a love match. But when I see a couple united by an arranged marriage, I can't help but think about my parents."

Luigi nodded. It was nice to know that someone was willing to assist him on this. The two walked in a sort of peaceful silence until they finally reach Luigi's and Wendy's room. The two parted for the time being and Luigi entered inside.

Wendy was reading a magazine when he saw her. He closed the door behind him and entered further inside the room. Wendy kept her gaze on her magazine, never once looking at him. Luigi walked over to the bed and kneeled down beside it. He sat there for a good three minutes before she acknowledge him.

"What?" she said.

"How was your day?" Luigi asked her. Wendy rolled her eyes. He always asked about her day.

"Fine, now leave me alone." She returned back to her magazine. However, Luigi still continued to linger beside her. After a few minutes of trying to ignore him, she let out a frustrated growl. "What?!"

Luigi smiled softly. "You look beautiful today,"

"Wha...Uh?" Wendy questioned, she wasn't sure if she heard him right.

"I said you look beautiful today," Luigi repeated loud enough so she could hear.

For the first time, Wendy was stunned; she didn't know what to think on that. Luigi simply smiled but didn't say anything else as he let the pink koopa take in his words. After a moment, Wendy shook her head and turned back to magazine to avoid eye contact with him.

"Yeah, well...whatever."

Wendy tried to hide it but Luigi could still see the blush present on her tan yellow face. Luigi's smile grew; happy to see his little compliment had work. He let Wendy be after that and walked over to the bathroom to get ready for dinner. From the corner of her eye, Wendy watched him, still unsure what just happened. She shrugged it off and tries to focus back on what she was doing. Unbeknownst to her, that little praise was just the first of many to come.

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Ending Note:

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