A Secret Wish

Chapter 7

Shocking Truths

Disclaimer: I do not own Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake. No Copyright Intended. I do own the story/plot line because I made that all up with me, myself and I. Enjoy :)

Cough. Cough. Cough.

I wake up groggy and go towards the sound, my long midnight blue night dress trailing me. Finn comes out of his room to meet me, both of us knowing right where to go. We open up a door to father's chambers and creep inside. We watch as father coughs in a rag, servants surrounding him to fix his sheets and a doctor checking his watch. He removes the cloth and I catch the sight of blood, my eyes widen and tear up. There a few murmurs and the doctor gives him what looks like to be medicine, there are footsteps approaching and the door closes, cutting off our view.

Finn and I stand up, I look up at him as he hugs me.

"I knew father was ill but I didn't think it was this bad. Did you know?" I ask, few tears running down my cheek.

He sighed and pet my hair, "Yes, I did. Come on, we need to get dressed for the day." he says.

I sigh and nod, then head back to my room to get ready for a day of lessons, lessons and more lessons. Oh the joys of being a princess.

*Time Passes.*

"Hey! You might want to rethink your bet, Finn. At this rate I'll win!" I yell back to Finn, laughing.

"Not a chance, little sister!" He yells up to me.

I tug on Raven's mane, telling her to go faster. Yes, I am riding bareback, and so is Finn on his horse, Ajax.. After this morning's breakfast and lessons of philosophy, literature and arts, Finn made a bet with me. I think he meant it to be an attempt to cheer me up after this morning what happened with father and the previous days news with Bartleby. Anyways, he bet me that I could not race him from the stables to the far side of the forest, around the massive courtyard, through the maze, stopping at the front of the palace to meet father for his daily walk outside the palace. Well, this is me proving him wrong and I'm so far in front of him, I laugh as I feel the wind in my face and weaving through my hair.

"Princess Fionna!"

My name is called in the distance I halt Raven to stop her so I can listen, Finn catches up to me. We just neared the forest when I heard the call.

"Princess Fionna!"

My name is called again and I look around to see who is calling on me and I don't see anyone. I look to Finn and he shares a confused look. Until he points out to the back courtyard where a flustered maid is, from the looks of it it looks like Marie.

"Princess Fionna, come here child. Your father wishes to see you in the throne room!" She yells to me.

I sigh annoyed, what could he possibly want now?

"Rain check, Finn?" I ask.

"Of course, I was winning anyways."

"Was not!" I say laughing.

We both make our way back to the palace, servants take the horses to the stables when we get there. Marie fusses over my messy hair and complains about how my nice dress is all filthy, I sigh at her antics.

"Prince Finn, there is a Princess Emily Flame awaiting your courtship in the throne room. As for you missy, your father wants you in his audience. Best you try to straighten up on your way there." Marie addresses us.

Walking through the hallways as my ladies get to work straightening my hair out to put it in a neat updo, and brushing off my dress from the grass and dirt from riding. Finn isn't all that bad, all he had to do was brush himself off and straighten out his hair, looking like a real prince charming.

"So? Princess Emily, hmm. How long have you been courting her?" I ask Finn.

He blushes a bit as he touches us his hair, "Oh, um, not long. About 2 or 3 months at most."

"I see. And how is this Flame Princess, what is she like?"

"W-well, um, she is a lot like you in a way. She likes to learn and see new worlds past her own but she has a more curious nature than you. She loves to read, go for walks, and sing. Her voice is so heavenly, it's, well, amazing…." Finn trails off in wonder.

I know what the look is, that dreamy gaze in his eyes. It is the same way our parents used to look at each other, a look of love. I can already tell that I will get to like Emily, if she can bring a dopey grin to my brother's face she is definitely a keeper.

"Awe, Finny Bear, you love her." I said with a smile and giggle.

The doors to the throne room open just as Finn is complaining about my nickname for him. It's so funny seeing him all flustered. I look around and see a cross father sitting on the throne, a man is talking to father, his back to me so I don't quite see what he looks like. And off to the side, a young girl with flowing red-orange hair in a orange sundress, with a tiara upon her head with woven in tiger lilies. Princess Emily, I presume. I see her give a small smile towards Finn and my own smile grows. She likes him too, might even love him in return. Oh it's so romantic. But looking at father's face brings my mood down to more serious levels. I clear my throat to Finn.

Finn and I stop before our father.

He bows and I curtsy, "Father, I apologize."

Father gets up and walks over to me, everyone watches his movements, every noble and servant in the throne room alike. Even the strange man turns as father walks and I catch the man's gaze. Ruby red eyes. My eyes widen in recognition, I bite my lip and quickly look away. Hopefully he doesn't recognize me, the man is no other than Marshall Lee.

"Very well son, now go on. You have kept dear Princess Emily waiting." He says with a warm smile as he pats Finn on his shoulder, ushering him towards her.

I watch Finn bow to Emily as he takes her hand, and escorts her out. They make such a sweet pair.

"Now where were we, your highness?" my father asks, addressing Marshall.

"You were about to introduce me to your lovely daughter, gentle King." He says with a dashing smile.

I smile nervously, why does he have to be so obnoxiously charismatic?!

"Right, right." father turns to me.

"Fionna, my dear, this is his highness, Vampire King Marshall Lee of the Nightosphere, he is to start courtship with you immediately. And then after your birthday ball in a weeks time, you will be wed."

I look at my father bewildered and furious, "You can't be serious father. Why so soon?" I asked in panic not wanting to believe what I hear.

Father scuffed a little, "Soon? Fionna you should have already been matched up and you were to marry Prince Bartleby Gumball but plans fell through and I had to act fast to find you a new husband. I heard of the Vampire King searching for a bride and well, I had made arrangements for you to meet."

"But father-"

He held a hand up, "Not another word Fionna. My time is coming to an end and I want you and Finn secured in life when I am gone. King Marshall will take very good care of you, I know his mother personally, she was a childhood friend of mine. I have the utmost confidence that you will make a good match. This arrangement is needed for the good of the Kingdom, Fionna."

"Father, I understand all that but honestly, an arranged marriage?"

"It has been decided, do not argue with me young lady!"

"But what about Finn? Why am I the first to get married, I'm the youngest. I should get more time before I have to wed!"

"Do not try to bring your brother into this argument! Finn's arrangements have already been decided. He is to marry Princess Emily Flame from the Fire Kingdom in a days time. He knows his place, it is time you learned yours!"

"But father-"

"No more! I don't want to hear it, Fionna. I suggest you go to your room, get yourself to look presentable, and meet King Marshall in the courtyard in one hour. Is that clear!"

I scowled, pouted and turned away from my father to run out of the throne room. I can't believe this. I can't believe he just yelled at me like that in front of everyone, even Marshall. I can hear his faint coughing in the background, I know he is ill and I shouldn't pick fights but ugh! Is it really so much to ask for to want a love like the one he and mom used to share?! I stop running and just walk down the hallways, a thousand portraits of past royals hang on the walls. I stop at the one in front of my mother. Looking up at her kind, gentle, round face, eyes wide and deep blue, her hair the color of gold spun up in a bun with her crown sitting proudly on her head. Wearing her favorite purple dress, smiling so loving, even in a painting, it's like I can feel her warmth. I miss you, mom. Only you would be able to help me and know what to do.

"You look a lot like her, your highness. Spitting image in fact, a true beauty." a voice calls from behind me.

I sniff and wipe my tears away. "I think we both know that 'your highness' isn't needed, Marshall Lee."

He chuckled a little, "Tushay, but if you forgive me, Fionna fits you much better than Anya."

I sigh, "It was my mother's name. Why didn't you tell me you were the King?"

He smiled, "For all the same reasons that you didn't tell me your true identity."

"Fair enough."

I sat down on the floor, my back to the wall. Marshall sat beside me.

"How is my father? Is he okay, I didn't mean to argue with him."

"Yes he is alright and I know you didn't. It's okay."

I bit my lip and toyed with the hem of my dress skirts, "Did you know?"

"Yes, yes I knew. He asked me to keep it discreet, I know it's hard to understand now but your father wishes nothing but the best for you. He is a hard man, your father. You got your stubbornness from him I'm sure." he said, chuckling.

I giggled back, "So? We're getting married soon."

"Yes."

"I can't help but wonder, did you know who I was this whole time? Is that why you agreed to meet with my father?"

He chuckled, "So many questions. But yes to all of them. I'm a King, Fionna. It's my business to know all the royal families. My council and parents had been pressuring me to find a bride for years, instead of searching for a wife, I focused on my music. I just never wanted to marry until I met you."

I looked at him surprised, "What?"

He chuckled, "Don't look so shocked, Fionna. You are quite to girl to fall for, I'd say. You are beautiful, radiant, fearless, courageous and you have this sweet gentle, almost innocent nature about you that fascinates me so, I can't quite figure you out and it intrigues me so."

I just look at him flattered and confused. So he's saying that in all this time he has fallen for me? Like, in love? No, no way. It can't be. It had only been a few months knowing Marshall, love can't happen that fast, can it? And do I even feel the same? How am I to know what real true love feels like? I stand up, he rises with me, I look at his face, searching for a clue. He has that look in his eye, that gentle yet fierce look, I could get lost in that passionate gaze. In that moment my heart skipped a beat as I felt him grab me by the waist and pull me to him, as his lips met mine. My eyes widen in shock, his lips are soft and surprisingly warm for a vampire. I give into the kiss and kiss him back. It was the most amazing thing I had ever felt. That kiss.

He pulls away, "Yes, Fionna. I do. I love you."