The next day, Phoebe stopped by at the Fire Kingdom palace. She had notified her relatives that she had an important announcement prior to her visit, and as expected they all waited at the throne room. After a few minutes, the room became silent as two guards opened the entrance doors and granted their previous ruler passage.
"Phoebe!" Furnius greeted with a smile as he stood up from his throne. "It's been a long time. How have you been?"
"Good, good," she replied with a smile of her own as the two approached each other for a hug. "I've been able to handle myself just fine with the outside world. Although I do have to admit, I still get down from time to time." She looked down momentarily before shaking the feeling off and changed the subject, "And what about you? How has the kingdom been under your leadership?"
"Oh, it's great!" Furnius chuckled after they parted. "We're still living in peace and we're still thriving. All I've been doing is to make sure it stays that way in the meantime. Let me tell you, I never would have thought I'd go through so many phone calls and paperwork in a single day. But anyway, enough about me, what news do you have for all of us?" He gestured at the relatives along with Cinnamon Bun.
Phoebe cleared her throat before answering, "There's this quest that Marcy and Betty were doing back when the war started..."
"Go on," the prince said intrigued.
"Their mission was to discover a temple on the other side of the world that was rumored to remedy cursed, magical items," Phoebe continued. "In this case, it was for Ice King's crown. They told me they were nearing the possibility of pinpointing this place until they learned about Finn's disappearance, when our war was nearing its end."
"It sounds like they took a really long time just to even find it in the right vicinity," Furnius commented. "Can you be sure that your involvement would make so much of a difference?"
"I know it sounds skeptical," Phoebe nodded. "But Betty has assured me that she has discovered a new method at finding this place quickly."
"Forgive me for asking," her cousin interrupted. "But why does it matter so much to help the Ice King? Isn't he the one who's contributed to causing such a misfortune for our kingdom and the other princesses?"
"That is exactly why I want to do this," Phoebe answered with conviction. "The man who wields the crown was actually someone who would completely do the opposite of those things! He only acts like he is now because of what I said before, the crown's curse."
"You're right," Furnius sighed apologetically. "It's just that I'm concerned about how long you'll be gone. I already have a good idea that you'll be away for more than just a few days."
Phoebe softened her expression and comforted, "I understand. Chances are it may take a couple weeks at best, hopefully no more than a month. And besides, I'm not going alone. I have the Vampire Queen, the Slayer of Bella Noche, and the ice wizard himself to back me up. Let's not also forget that they have proven themselves in the heat of battle."
"Fair enough," he gestured with his palms batting down. "Perhaps I just worry too much."
"And think of it this way," Phoebe added. "If it all goes well, Ooo will never have to worry about the Ice King pestering royals ever again. Isn't that what ultimately matters, the means to secure peace?"
"I will say no more on the subject then," Furnius shook his head with an accepting smile. "Just be careful out there."
"Before you go," Cinnamon Bun joined in on the conversation. "Take Jake 2 with you. He will no doubt help you with your quest."
"Thanks CB," Phoebe said.
"We're gonna miss you, sis," Randy said as he walked up to her.
"I know," she replied as they hugged briefly. "Take care of your little brother and stay out of trouble okay?"
"I'll do my best, sis," he chuckled as he recalled using that same line back when Phoebe hosted an emergency meeting from the Cooler Incident.
"You're always welcome here," Furnius reminded to his cousin. "Don't forget to call every once in a while."
"I won't," she promised.
After they said their goodbyes, Phoebe rode off on the fire hound and then took to the skies. Furnius and the others watched from the front palace balcony at Phoebe's departure, and then they slowly dispersed until it was only the prince himself.
"Fair winds, cousin," he said to himself.
Furnius went back to the throne room to continue his business routine. As he went through the mundane task of managing paperwork, his mind wandered for a brief moment of thinking of a certain individual. He tried to concentrate at first by reading the page in front of him word for word, but it proved to be in vain when his mind didn't retain the information. With a frustrated sigh, he announced to his fellow subjects and advisors that he would be taking a break.
"Cinnamon Bun," Furnius ordered as he stood up from the throne. "You're in charge for the time being. If there's any phone calls or requests from any of the royals while I'm gone, tell them I'll be back to answer within the hour."
"Okay," the pastry being replied.
"I'm going outside for a bit of fresh air," the prince explained. "I only wish to be contacted if it's only an emergency until then."
"Understood."
Furnius wandered at the palace courtyard as he took his break. He tried to listen to the trio of violinists that were performing a sweet melody nearby, but all it seemed to do was aggravate him.
"It's okay, guys." Furnius ordered. "I wish to have some peace and quiet."
"As you wish, sire," the lead musician bowed respectfully before all three departed.
Furnius sighed and stared off into the distance. His mind was constantly brainstorming for ways to relax at his leisure, but even then he still felt like he couldn't concentrate. It almost seemed like he would be sulking over the fact for a long while until he felt somebody touch him, which was unusual because he was supposed to be alone.
"So," Marceline casually began as she suddenly appeared at the prince's side from the left with an arm slung around his shoulder. "I heard you were taking some time for yourself."
The prince gasped and jolted away in fright from the vampire's sudden appearance, "Holy crap, you scared the jeebies out of me!"
Marcy laughed in satisfaction at her handiwork and replied, "It's what I do. Don't look too much into it."
"Oh yeah," Furnius taunted. "If your goal was to make sure I had a wake-up call in the middle of my ten hour shift, you've succeeded!"
"You're welcome," the vampire grinned smugly matter of fact.
After a few moments the prince recomposed himself and asked, "You want something to drink?" Furnius offered as he took on a courteous demeanor. "I heard the tea's really good."
"I'm good," Marcy declined as she brushed a few strands of hair to the side. "But thanks for offering."
Furnius found himself staring in admiration at the long, raven-haired beauty. In his thoughts, he wanted nothing more than to run his hand through it just to feel its smooth texture. This of course did not go unnoticed as Marceline giggled at him.
"Dude, are you checking me out?" The vampire teased.
Furnius instantly became flustered as he broke out of his trance, "Oh, Grod! I'm so sorry! I swear I didn't mean to-"
"Hey," Marcy comforted with a hand on his left shoulder. "It's cool, I didn't mind."
This made Furnius's mind go through the roof with disbelief. "Wait, really?!" He asked incredulously.
"If I was to choose," the vampire replied, "I would rather have your eyes here than to be constantly down there." She emphasized by outlining her face with one hand before motioning her chest. "Although," she suddenly smiled deviously as she got closer to his face. "Perhaps if you play your cards right, I wouldn't mind at all either."
If Furnius was able to turn his face anymore into a deeper shade of crimson than it was already, he couldn't tell. All he wanted to do in that moment was to turn away to save himself from further embarrassment.
"You know that's not my intention!" He retorted while looking away.
"I know," Marcy replied as she brought a hand onto his face to meet his gaze. "And I admire you for it."
"Where exactly are we going with this anyway?!" Furnius asked with a frustrated sigh as he parted. "I know we've hung out a couple times here and there, but we are so different!"
"What do you mean?" Marcy asked with a frown.
"It's our lives," the prince explained. "I have so much work to manage between my home and the other kingdoms, while you are the free-spirited type! I can't force you to give up the ability to wander around at your choosing if it means we're being serious."
"Are you saying that I'm not willing to put up with it?" The vampire challenged with her hands on her hips.
"I'm saying this on the premise from what my friends told me," the prince replied. "They had relationships of their own and they broke off because their personal lifestyles conflicted with each other. Whether it was instant or later, it all ended the same."
"And you're suggesting that we're already bound to fail," Marcy deadpanned. "That we have no chance."
"It's not going to be easy if we try," Furnius advised.
"What else is new?" Marcy threw her hands. "Look, let me tell you something. A long time ago, I once fell in love with somebody who had just the same obligations as you do. She was always busy, always trying to keep to herself, and yet somehow we made it work. When she took time off, we made the most of it. When she struggled, I did my best to help her out of it. When we actively worked together at our relationship, it flourished where we could be happy and practically inseparable." Her eyes then showed sadness and she took on a solemn tone, "As with any relationship, ours was tested. We were able to overcome each and every obstacle life had to throw at us, but it all changed one fateful day." Her expression hardened, "She chose her people over me, her line of work. Thought I wasn't fit for the role to be at her side."
"Oh, man," Furnius said with a crestfallen expression. "I'm so sorry."
"But as it turns out," Marcy continued as she gazed thoughtfully into the distance, "Perhaps it was she who chose for herself. She always had this knack of being in control and now it has left her with nothing." She gazed back Furnius, "I'm not one for just fun and games, Furnius. At the end of the day, if I want to be serious with somebody, I'm gonna do my damnedest to make sure it stays that way. Otherwise-" she stepped back. "There's no point."
"I.." The prince struggled. "I love you, okay?!" He stepped forward. "You've been on my mind these past few days that I can't even think straight!" He confessed as he saw her taken aback with a shocked expression, "Everytime you left, I always felt a little sad you couldn't stay longer. I looked forward to our secret visits more than you know, and I especially couldn't picture anyone else that I would be giving my heart out to!" His mind was racing in the moment but he kept continuing, "You were there for me when I was at my lowest, Marceline. Gave me a new reason to keep moving forward and see the world in different light. And because of all those things, I'm afraid that I'll lose that!"
"Why are you so afraid?" she asked empathetically as she walked closer.
"I've never crossed into this sort of territory before," the prince answered solemnly. "I didn't socialize as much."
"Then maybe," Marcy trailed as she got closer to rest a hand on his cheek fondly. "I can help with that."
Furnius closed his eyes halfway along with the vampire's as their lips started to drift towards each other. His heart was beating rapidly from what was about to transpire and he couldn't believe his own hands slowly held Marcy at the hips. Even with all those in mind however, there was still a trace of hesitation as he tried to talk himself out of it.
"Marcy," he whispered in futility. "W-we can't."
Their lips were about to meet just inches apart until suddenly the vampire's phone went off. The two parted almost instantly and Marceline mentally cursed to herself.
"Shoot, I gotta go," the vampire said in disappointment as she reviewed her text message. "Betty and the others are waiting up on me."
"Yeah," Furnius rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I have to get back to work too."
"I guess I'll see you around?" Marcy asked with a hopeful expression.
"Of course," the prince nodded with a smile. "Take care of yourself." He turned away and began to walk back inside.
Marceline watched for a few moments in deep thought as she prepared to fly off. However, right in that moment, she suddenly made a decision that she knew she couldn't back off on. "Hey, Furnius!" She called.
"Yes?" He turned around only to find the vampire's lips suddenly capturing his deeply for a long split second. His flames burned intensely upon contact and once they parted they both had blushed expressions.
"I'm a sucker for seizing the moment," Marcy teased as she began to fly away. "Bye!"
With that, Furnius passed out.
