Note: Hello, everyone. I'll try to keep this short.
First, I apologize for not updating in so long. I've been simultaneously having a lot of medical problems as well as busy with work.
Second, I hope this chapter isn't too boring. I have the next few chapters planned, I just need to type them.
Third, thank you all so so so much for all your support and comments. I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoy this installment as well. Thank you for reading, I love you.
Bitter Sugar Chapter 2
An obnoxious tune sounded as multi-colored lights flew in circles around the holovision screen. They slowly merged together, shinning to create the words "Royal News" in the center of the image. Eventually, the words faded to reveal two people, a man and a woman, sitting behind a blue desk.
"Good morning, Nightos fanizens!" the woman cried gleefully with a wide smile. "And what a morning it is! Today is the wedding of our very own Marceline, the Vampire Queen, Abadeer! And to top it off, it's the first international marriage Nightos has seen in a few centuries!"
"That's right Barbara," the man chimed in with an even bigger grin. "Our Lady Marceline is pledging her life, love, and eternal bond to Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum of the Candy Kingdom. Although this union will bring prosperity and peace between the two countries, not to mention provide plenty of much needed resources to our fanizens, it seems this is not a happy day for everyone."
The image changed instantly, showing an extremely large group of people standing in all-black mourning outfits. Some of the spectators were actually crying.
Barbara's voice sounded over the image, "Yes, as you can see a large gathering of Lady Marceline's fans have gathered to mourn their Queen's new life."
The image changed to focus on one particular fan's face. "I'll still support Lady Marceline," she said as seriously as possible through her tears. "I'll just pretend that pink thing isn't there next to her."
A second fan appeared, much angrier than the last. "I don't know what's so special about this Bubblegum character. A princess who waltzes into a welcome banquet in her traveling clothes? Are you kidding me?"
A third and very heartfelt fan came on the screen. "Our Queen is doing this to protect and help us all. We can't turn our backs on her now. Not when she needs us the most through this difficult time."
The image returned to Barbara and her male counterpart, who spoke. "Yes. It's true that the new Princess Bubblegum arrived to her welcome banquet in her travel attire." A picture of Bubblegum standing in her dusty, dirty traveler's clothing appeared. "What was she thinking?"
"Well Steven," Barbara looked at the camera as if telling a joke, "You have to admit the dirty look definitely adds something to her image, right?"
"Either way, Lady Marceline has refused to comment on what happened. See what she did have to say, here…"
The image changed again, showing Marceline standing still amongst a group of paparazzi shoving microphones into her face.
"I know that everyone is excited to meet and get to know the new Princess," Marceline spoke calmly, as if she was not trapped in the middle of a mob. "However, I ask that you please take her feelings into consideration. She's only just arrived and is dealing with the stress of living in a new culture as well as an upcoming wedding. I humbly request that you please wait for any interviews or questions until she is ready."
The reporters began yelling over one another to get her attention to ask questions. "Marceline! Lady Marceline!" one man screamed a bit louder than the others. "What are your thoughts on your upcoming marriage to Lady Bubblegum, whom you've only just met? Have you spoken with her much since her arrival?"
"I've spoken with the Lady Bubblegum a few times at this point, although I've been rather busy with preparations for our wedding. When I was presented with the proposal of our union, my first thoughts were not hinged on the fact that we had never met. Rather, my initial concerns involved how this union could help the people of Nightos. I imagine it was much the same with Lady Bubblegum and her people in the Candy Kingdom, who are now our allies."
"How do you think this will affect your first night together as a married couple?" someone yelled from the back.
Marceline stared at the rude interviewer, causing an awkward silence to fall over the large group.
"Through our talks I can tell that Lady Bubblegum is extremely intelligent and amicable. I do not believe a lack of history between the two of us is any reason to expect we cannot work well together, or even be happy together, if that is what you are asking."
The image froze, shrinking down to a smaller picture in the top right of the screen as Barbara reappeared wiping a tear from her face.
"That's our Lady Marceline," she sniffed. "Always putting the fanizens well-being before her own."
"Now the real question everyone's asking," Steve paused dramatically, "what kind of wedding dress will Princess Bubblegum be wearing today?!"
"Let's just hope it doesn't involve any dirt this time!"
The two news anchors laughed together. The image and sounds from the holovision suddenly disappeared as Bubblegum threw the controller across the room with an angry yell.
"My lady!" Rainicorn chastised. "You mustn't allow this to upset you before the wedding! We barely have a few hours to finish preparing."
"I have half a mind to call the whole damn thing off!" Bubblegum announced.
"My lady, please. Do not say such things so loudly."
"How do you expect me to survive if I have to keep my mouth shut and prance around like a show pony to be judged for everything I do?" Bubblegum yelled at Rainicorn.
"I don't!" Rainicorn yelled back, breaking her composure for one of the first times Bubblegum could ever remember. "But I do expect you to control yourself with at least a minimal sense of decorum! Now sit down and allow your handmaidens to finish your hair!"
Bubblegum and Rainicorn stared at each other silently for a moment before Bubblegum looked at the floor, ashamed of her outburst. She knew that Rainicorn was only trying to help and support her through all this, and it was wrong to take out her frustration on the people who cared.
"I'm sorry," Bubblegum apologized to the handmaiden who began to brush her knee-length hair out for the third time that day.
"It's not a problem, your majesty," the girl grinned. "I like brushing your hair."
A sad smile crept on Bubblegum's face. She looked at Rainicorn, who sat on the couch in a relaxed, lady-like pose that made her look as if she hadn't just yelled at a royal princess.
"Has there been any word from Gumball?" Bubblegum asked, also returning to her normal composure.
"No," Rainicorn sniffed in the air, obviously annoyed. "You would think he'd at least be willing to offer congratulations." After a moment of silence, Rainicorn spoke softly, "I'm sorry you are having feelings of doubt, my lady."
"Oh no," Bubblegum tried to reassure her lifelong friend. "It's not particularly the wedding… it's a responsibility I have to bear. I just… I do not know what to make of this Marceline character."
When Rainicorn didn't respond, Bubblegum explained. "First she forced her cloak on me at that meeting without offering first. At the very least, I would like to keep my own sense of agency in this place. I'm not a pet.
"Then she did that interview we just watched, saying how much we have talked and seem to work well together. You know as well as I do that the reality is we've seen her all of once after that first time, and she didn't even approach me let alone speak to me. Now, she's asking the fanizens to 'give me space' like I can't take care of myself."
Rainicorn sighed. "She does sound a bit complicated…"
"It sounds as if she wants a wife that will listen to her orders, follow her around, and put on a show for these 'fanizens'."
"I'm sure your brother had a good reason for accepting her as your-"
"Please," Bubblegum interrupted with a huff. "We both know the reason was because she's a woman, so I can't have children that will come back for his precious throne."
Rainicorn took a deep breath, like she always did before giving advice. "My lady… don't let this all tear you down. But please don't let it blow you up either."
"What do you mean?" Bubblegum looked at her.
"I mean," Rainicorn spoke more firmly, "keep your temper in check so you can react and control the situation as needed. You may be used to people following you without question but now you'll need to fight to be taken seriously."
Bubblegum's eyebrows furrowed. "Are you saying that I'm no better than these people, washed up in my self-importance?"
"The sooner you accept that you are not so different, the better off you will be," Rainicorn said before standing and exiting the room.
Bubblegum sat in her chair, shocked. Rainicorn had never chastised her so much and so blatantly as in the last few days. Accept that she was no better than these people? Of course she was better; she took her responsibility seriously and didn't act as if it was a role she had to play. She didn't make fools of people for appearing in dirty clothes on accident.
Bubblegum sat quietly for the rest of the preparations as the handmaidens crowded around her to add the finishing touches. The sheer weight of this burden seemed to make her shoulders heavier than ever, making her slump in her chair.
Marceline stared at herself in the mirror. She wore the white version of her military suit, which looked like a normal suit with the addition of epaulettes, a few pins, and a half-cloak that attached to her collar. She turned from side to side, frowning at the obtrusions poking off of her shoulders. She felt like she was going to poke someone's eye out with these things.
The door behind her squeaked as it opened, and she looked up to see Hunson walking in the room. He beamed at her in the mirror, standing next to her.
"You look marvelous, my dear," he praised her. "We'll have to get a few good pictures of you alone to sell to the fanizens." Marceline controlled herself, remembering what would happen if Hunson caught her rolling her eyes.
"You haven't spoken to Bubblegum, have you?" he asked, meeting her eyes in the mirror seriously.
"No, father," she reassured him blandly.
"Good girl," he seemed pleased. "Once the wedding's complete, you'll need to inform her of some things…"
Marceline had wanted to talk to Bubblegum before the wedding to tell her what was going on and see if the princess would cooperate and help her. Hunson, however, had insisted otherwise, claiming that Bubblegum might try to cancel the wedding or escape… which would look terrible for their family. He also kept insisting that once the two women were married, they could control her better. It was also his idea to inform the media that the two women had a pleasant relationship, despite it being a total falsehood.
Marceline, on the other hand, didn't want to control Bubblegum for anything. Even at the welcome ceremony mishap, it was obvious to her that Bubblegum could take care of herself in difficult situations. She believed that Bubblegum could even be a great help to them, if they took the time to discuss things with her. Hunson insisted they couldn't take the chance.
Once he finished his new set of instructions, which Marceline was none too happy about, he straightened her collar and left the room with a smile. It was time for the wedding.
Marceline stood behind the curtains of her entrance. They would each enter from opposite sides of the room and walk up the stairs to the center to stand before the master of ceremony. She could hear the hundreds of voices in the ceremony chamber, all fighting each other to be heard. Every member of the royal class, many middle class people with connections, and probably every member of the media would be here in this room today. It was a bit daunting to think about. A bell suddenly chimed one clear note through the room, silencing the voices.
The curtain in front of Marceline pulled open, her cue to begin her assent up the staircase to the dais above. The moment her first step landed, a million flashes of light went off, every camera attempting to get the best possible shot of their favorite subject.
Ignoring the murmur of comments from the mass of spectators, Marceline began her assent up the large stairs in front of her. She knew that Bubblegum would be ascending the opposite side at the same time, but they wouldn't see one another until they reached the top. Marceline was distracted, thinking about the instructions Hunson left her with, when she finally reached the top of the stairs. She looked up, her eyes widening at the image before her.
Princess Bubblegum stood before her, a glorious image of royalty. Her light pink skin was framed by slightly darker hair pulled up in a fashionable bundle of curls held together by a diamond studded net. The curve of her face was accented by her round lips, covered with a deep shade of red. The pearl white dress hugged her body in all the right places, cascading down from her hips like a waterfall. In fact, her whole body seemed to be made of curves without one harsh line in existence. This, however, did not make her look soft or weak. If anything, the unbreakable and unforgiving look of determination on her face made her look rather formidable.
Maceline looked up, meeting Bubblegum's strong eyes. She hadn't realized they'd been staring at one another until the priest cleared his throat for a second time, as they had missed their first cue to turn to him. A soft laugh of appreciation ran through the crowd, and Marceline stared past the priest in slight embarrassment.
The man's speech dragged on as he discussed the purpose and responsibility of a marriage. Marceline barely listened, controlling the urge to look back at Bubblegum again. Finally, the man snapped the book he was holding shut, announcing that it was time to seal the covenant between the two women. They turned to one another, but Bubblegum's eyes were focused solidly on the floor. Marceline noticed the woman's cheeks were a shade darker than before. Perhaps she, too, was embarrassed at having been distracted at the beginning. The thought made Marceline relax a little. Maybe they could laugh this off later as a good memory to start their marriage.
The ambassador Jake appeared at Bubblegum's elbow, offering her a pillow that held a simple silver band with a tiny pink gem set in the metal. The woman took it, glanced up at Marceline once, and then reached for her hand. She repeated the words of the priest as she slid the cold metal onto Marceline's finger. Once it was in place, she raised Marceline's hand and pressed her lips softly against the finger that now held their wedding band as tradition dictated.
Hunson appeared to Marceline's right, holding an identical silver band with a small red gem studded into it. She reached forward, taking Bubblegum's hand in her own, and met the woman's eyes as she repeated the priest's vows of love and loyalty. Once finished, she raised the soft pink hand and pressed her cold lips against the warm flesh around the wedding ring.
"You may now seal the covenant with a kiss," the priest announced.
Marceline took a step towards Bubblegum, simultaneously pulling her forward by the hand she hadn't let go. Bubblegum gave her one last determined stare before raising her head and closing her eyes. Marceline lowered her mouth onto Bubblegum's soft lips. It was an awkward but gentle kiss for both of them, and the audience broke out into appreciative cheering as they separated.
The procession immediately hustled them out of the ceremony hall and into an open carriage outside. They were to ride a parade through the middle class streets, where the fanizens could see them in person. The corners of the carriage in front of them each held a small open flame. Marceline and Bubblegum sat next to each other in the carriage quietly, neither speaking. Marceline only hoped their entire marriage wouldn't be this awkward.
As they passed through the gates into the lower city streets, Marceline frowned. More than half of the fanizens sported black mourning clothes and tears running down their faces. Marceline bit her lip in agitation. Why were the people acting like this?
To her credit, Bubblegum fixed a pleasant smile on her face and began to wave to the people in a friendly manner. Marceline followed her lead as the carriage moved through the city. People began tossing flowers they had prepared to the carriage, calling out greetings and congratulations to the new royal couple. As they approached a particularly dense area of mourning fanizens, however, a large amount of black roses found their way into the carriage. In Nightos, black roses were associated with death and typically only used for funerals. To use them in any fashion on a wedding day was possibly the worst silent insult you could offer.
I have to do something, Marceline realized as a pile of black roses began to collect at Bubblegum's feet. This had gone too far. As Marceline moved to stand, she noticed Bubblegum bending forward to collect the black roses from the bottom of the carriage. Curious, Marceline waited and watched. Once Bubblegum had gathered every offensive flower, she calmly dropped them one by one into the flame on her side of the carriage. Once they were all burned out of existence, she returned to pleasant waving to the masses. Marceline couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. What a way to make a statement.
Once they finished their parade through the lower city, they returned to a royal banquet hall. Bubblegum was allowed to change into a banquet dress, a sparkly light blue gown that caught the evening light well, and the two women were seated together at the head of the room. No one had yet to approach them, and the awkward silence that had hovered their entire wedding continued. Marceline decided she needed to break it, and find something to discuss.
"You look very beautiful," she complimented the princess.
Bubblegum's lips twitched slightly, although whether in amusement or scorn Marceline couldn't tell. "Thank you," she replied. The silence threatened to return before Bubblegum continued, "Why are you in a military uniform?"
"My father, King Hunson, enrolled my brother and me into the military academy when we were young. I took a few extra years of training and graduated as a commanding officer. As an officer graduate, it's become my uniform for official occasions," Marceline answered.
"'Official occasions'," Bubblegum repeated drolly. Marceline frowned. Obviously, she probably shouldn't have regarded their wedding in such a manner. She was surprised when Bubblegum continued. "Why are the uniforms of you and your men different from the regular military?"
"They are my own special force. Some joined me from the academy. Some I trained myself."
"And is it common for a royal princess to join the military?" Bubblegum raised an eyebrow.
"It's common for most women to receive basic combat training for self-preservation, if nothing else, in Nightos," Marceline replied coolly. "The choice of how much training and whether to utilize it as a career is up to the individual."
"So the footman who lead us into the greeting banquet too soon who was taken by your personal military," Bubblegum glanced at her from the side without turning to face her. "What became of him?"
Marceline blinked in surprise. Bubblegum was obviously not the type to shy away from direct confrontation. "He's safe," she replied quietly. She'd allowed her father to believe the man had been properly dealt with after his mistake, but her followers were currently relocating him. Bubblegum didn't need to know the details, especially not in a place where they could easily be overheard.
At last, other royalty began to approach them to offer presents and congratulations, leaving their conversation unfinished. Marceline attempted to introduce everyone to Bubblegum, explaining which families they were all from. It became obvious after a while that Bubblegum did not grasp the idea of multiple royal families, and kept her greetings as simple as possible so as not to call anyone the wrong name.
Eventually, Marceline's younger twin by four minutes came by. Marshall was one of the few people Bubblegum had met before, and seemed to be a little more relaxed around him.
"You are a vision," Marshall complimented her as he bowed over Bubblegum's hand.
"You're too kind," Marceline interrupted drily.
"Sister," Marshall turned his innocent smile towards her. "Surely you aren't jealous? Fine," he took Marceline's hand and bowed over it as well. "You also look very important next to your gorgeous wife."
Marceline would have offered a snarky comment in return, but Bubblegum actually laughed. Marshall grinned at them. "I would stay and chat, but Hunson is trying to introduce me to a few mothers with single children that need spouses. So I think I will make my escape," he waved over his shoulder as headed for a side door. Marceline watched him go; not paying attention to the next group of people that approached them.
A shocked gasp from Bubblegum brought Marceline's attention forward to see the ambassadors from the Peppermint Advisory approaching them. She frowned. These people had shown up a few months before, claiming to be "advisors in all matters concerning running a country". She didn't trust them as far as she could throw them, and neither did Hunson. Nevertheless, he had allowed a group of ambassadors to stay in Nightos as a show of goodwill. Some of the royalty listened to what they had to say, but Marceline ignored them. She glanced at Bubblegum, whose body had gone rigid as a sweat broke out on her forehead.
Marceline glared at the Peppermint representatives that had obviously upset Bubblegum somehow. They simply offered their congratulations, a gift of their self-designated famous wine, and went on their way. They knew of Marceline's dislike for them. Once they were gone, Marceline leaned towards Bubblegum worriedly.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Bubblegum whispered back, her voice sounding angry. "It's nothing."
Marceline glanced around. Their visitors had stopped approaching for now, leaving them in silence. Deciding to change the subject to help Bubblegum get over whatever was bothering her, Marceline smiled. "You know, you handled the fanizens pretty well today. I think most royalty would have caused a scene and gone on a rampage if fanizens had been so rude to them on their wedding day."
"I'm not here to use scare tactics or overpower anyone. But I will also not allow myself to be trampled on so easily," Bubblegum responded seriously.
Marceline opened her mouth to reply, but was promptly interrupted by a drunk announcement by King Hunson. "Ladies and gentlemen," the king slurred happily. "I believe it is time for the wedding night festivities! Let's see our happy couple off to their room shall we?"
As people began to cheer, Marceline grimaced. Leave it to her father to make a big deal about such a thing. Marceline stood and offered her hand to Bubblegum, who took it and stood with her. Together they walked towards the exit hall, first approaching King Hunson for his blessing. As he stooped to kiss his adopted daughter's forehead, he passed her a piece of paper. "Make sure they get the message," he whispered to her, and sent them on their way.
Next, they approached Sir Jake and Lady Rainicorn to receive their blessing in place of Bubblegum's absent brother. As the two ambassadors hugged Bubblegum, Marceline looked down at the paper in her hand and frowned as she read the message.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Marceline said as Bubblegum returned to stand next to her. "But I'm afraid I've just received word from King Gumball in the Candy Kingdom. He requests his international advisors return immediately. He suggests leaving the first morning after you've received this message, which would be... tomorrow." She offered the letter to Jake, who looked over it with a frown.
"I don't understand," Lady Rainicorn looked over her husband's shoulder at the letter. "We were given leave to stay in order to help the princess and begin talks with King Hunson..."
Jake spoke up, "Gumball says there has been new correspondence from the Flame Kingdom. He says he needs our council urgently."
"Has something happened with Finn and Flame Princess?" Bubblegum asked worriedly.
"It doesn't say," Jake folded the letter and stuffed it in his pocket.
"Jake can return," Rainicorn announced. "I'll stay a few more days."
"No, we can't ignore any request from an ally," Bubblegum overruled her friend. "I'll be fine. The girls will help me settle in."
Marceline took a deep breath, hating what she was about to do. But Hunson had been clear on his orders earlier that day. "Actually, I'm going to have to insist that the guards and handmaidens who accompanied you return with Lord Jake and Lady Rainicorn."
The three Candy people were silent as they stared at her in shock. Rainicorn was the first to speak. "You can't be serious?"
"You can't expect-" Bubblegum began to argue, but Marceline interrupted.
"There will be no more discussion. All other members of your party are to return to their home tomorrow." Marceline took Bubblegum's hand in her own, pulling her down the hall as they exited to the sound of applause and cheers from the crowd. At the end of the hall, Marceline tugged Bubblegum closer to her, although the woman struggled a bit.
"Hold on," Marceline ordered, lifting them both into the air. The flew swiftly through the night sky, gliding over gardens and other estates before they finally landed on one of the upper floor balconies in Marceline's personal home.
As soon as they landed Bubblegum shoved Marceline away from her. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded angrily.
"Excuse me?" Marceline asked, following Bubblegum into the room.
"Sending my guards and handmaidens home without reason! What right do you have?" the princess demanded.
"You're a part of my house now," Marceline informed her, using the excuse Hunson had instructed her to say. "Under my protection. I will see to your care and safety."
"I don't need your patronage!" Bubblegum actually yelled at her, her face turning a darker shade of pink in anger. "I have my own for a reason!"
"I will assign you new guards and maidens tomorrow," Marceline tried to reassure her.
"I already had them! This is just a farce to make me dependent on you, to further increase your image, isn't it?"
"No," Marceline answered quickly, although she began to wonder if that had been Hunson's plan all along. "Bubblegum, I can help you. I'll protect-"
"That's Princess Bubblegum to you. You don't care about my welfare. You've cut me off from anything familiar. At this point, I'm not better than a political hostage!" Bubblegum picked up a pillow and threw it at Marceline.
Dodging the pillow easily, Marceline took a step towards Bubblegum and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Princess..."
Bubblegum shoved her away, moving to the other side of the room. "Get away from me! I have no intention of ever being physical or friendly with you at all."
Marceline felt the last of her patience break, her eyebrows furrowing in anger as her eyes began to glow a deadly red. "Do you really think I couldn't overpower you if I wanted?"
The glare that Bubblegum sent her was so full of hatred and determination it actually surprised Marceline. "I will fight you to my dying breath if you dare try."
The two women stared at each other in silence for a few moments. The horrifying realization of what she had just said to Bubblegum settled into Marceline's mind. Just like Hunson, she had resorted to violence and threats. And now she had made Bubblegum hate her, which would just make everything even more difficult from now on.
Marceline's voice was void of emotion when she finally spoke. "Get some sleep, Princess Bubblegum. You'll have to wake early to see your friends off." She turned and floated out the door and into the hallway. The sound of something heavy smashing into the door and shattering behind her made her jump.
