PM
Convincing the dear prince to come back to the kingdom was surprisingly easy. Lord Monochromacorn was happy to help, and we arrived at the palace in no time. The prince seemed a bit upset at having to leave, but I can't imagine why. Had my master not informed me where to find him, he would still be in that cave, and if something were to happen, we would never have heard from him again. I suppose Fionna may have defended him, but I am not so confident in her skills. Either way, it was a situation that needed to be stopped.
As we entered his study, the prince looked expectantly at me. I almost panicked; there wasn't actually anything that needed his attention at the moment. I should have thought of something earlier, but I left in a rush to retrieve him. What am I going to do now? He'll be angry when he realizes it was nothing. This is it. It's all over.
Calm yourself this instant.
My master's deep voice rang through my ears. It was loud to me, but I was the only one who could hear him. My hand was drawn to the amulet, and I clutched it between my fingers. It was the only connection I had to him. The only way we could communicate. I hadn't taken it off since I discovered it, as he'd instructed me.
There are many forms on the table behind you. Choose any of them.
I did as I was told, grabbing the closest packet of papers within my reach. I handed them over to the prince and waited for his reaction. I was certain that no matter what it pertained to, he wouldn't question me. He was so quick to judge himself when he thought I was upset about his rescheduling of the banana guards. It was a weakness, and what are weaknesses for if not to be exploited.
"This is it? The revision of the kingdoms zoning laws? Forgive me Peppermint Maid, but I don't see why this couldn't wait. I was right in the middle of something." He sounded irritated. I guess he wasn't as easily intimidated as I thought. Now I have to make up a plausible reason.
"There are many new projects that cannot start until you've finalized those documents. One of which includes the new addition to Doctor Prince's office. That sounds urgent to me, your majesty." I had no idea if any of those things were true, but it definitely turned the conversation in my favor. He nodded in defeat and looked the packet over, and I noticed him carrying something under his arm. "What's that?"
"Oh, just a shirt Marshall Lee gave me." The obvious love struck look in his eye made me sick.
"Here, allow me to take care of that for you." I reached out to take it from him, but I hadn't even brushed the fabric before he pulled away.
"That won't be necessary. You are excused." Although he said it with a smile, I could tell he really wanted me to leave. This could be worse than we thought. I curtsied before exiting his study and making my way towards my quarters. It was at the end of a long hallway, far from the bed chambers of the prince. Good thing too, for I would not be disturbed. I knew my master was going to want to talk to me, and I couldn't have people think I was talking to myself.
I knew he was worried that Gumball might interfere with his plans, even though they seemed foolproof to me. It started with the death of the nightosphere brat. My master assured me he knew of a way to kill the undead, and I didn't question him. However, he did teach me a mind control spell, intended to be used on Prince Gumball of course. He was the one that would kill Marshall Lee. Then, the Nightosphere would be vulnerable, having no leader (Marshall would be dead, and no one's seen his mother in years). Prince Gumball, still under our control, would whip his army of banana guards into shape and attack the Nightosphere. My master was confident that we would be victorious.
However, the next piece of the puzzle unsettles me. Even though we are to win, my master insists that we make sure Prince Gumball does not survive the battle, even if we have to do away with him ourselves. I tried to advise him against this, but he claims it is the only way. Of course, he must die after he (under our control) changes his will, leaving the Kingdom to me should he perish. We will mourn him, but then rejoice, for we will be in control in two of the most powerful kingdoms in all the land. Soon, we will begin swallowing up the other kingdoms one by one. Allies of the Candy Kingdom such as the Lumpy Space Kingdom will come easily, impressed by the diplomacy of the candy people. Stronger kingdoms that may resist, such as the fire kingdom, will be no match for the combined army of the nightosphere and banana guards. They'll have no choice but to surrender.
World domination is essentially my goal here. Our goal. His goal. Whatever works.
I quietly shut my bedroom door behind me and made sure I was alone. There was no one that should have been in my room, but you never know with these people. Once I was certain, I began gathering my materials. Master wanted me to perfect the mind control spell before we executed his plan, but I was having immense trouble. As I was setting out everything needed for the ritual, my master spoke.
Curse that vampire boy. He threatens to spoil everything I've worked for.
"I know you don't want him to be friends with Gumball, but why? Shouldn't him trusting the prince make our plan easier? We could lure him into a-"
Silence child. Do not question me.
"Yes, master. My apologies."
I suppose I can't expect you to understand. Controlling the mind is something we can achieve, but we cannot control the heart, nor the soul. Should the prince develop a close bond with the vampire, the whole plan is moot. He will resist the command to bring any harm to his love ones, let alone kill them.
It was true, I hadn't thought of that. This is why I so desperately needed master to guide me. I could never create that plan on my own, and he's prepared for a problem at every turn. As I light the candles, I worry that I will not be able to please him. My skills with magic are mediocre at best, and I've show very little improvement. I await masters order to begin, feeling my nerves start to swell.
You may begin. Remember child, slowly.
I do as I'm told, concentrating my energy. I feel the amulet grow hot against my chest and the heat spreads throughout my whole body. The candles slowly begin to flicker, a sign I'm losing control.
Carefully child. Focus.
I try to heed his words, but it's too late. I feel it slipping away from me, and soon the magic disperses through the room. All the candles are blown out, and I'm left in the dark with my failure. Although the temperature in the room is the same, I feel colder now that the magic has left me.
"I'm sorry, master. I'm really trying. Maybe you should-"
Quiet. Do you hear that?
I go completely silent, trying to listen for whatever my master heard. The only thing I can hear is the sound of my own heartbeat. I feel the amulet slowly start to heat up again.
Change of plans. Clean up everything and head to the kitchen.
"Yes, master."
GB
Although I tried to ignore it, I was feeling some resentment towards Peppermint Maid. Her recent strange behavior was beginning to have an effect on my life outside the palace. I know it isn't her fault and she's just trying to do her job, but she really shouldn't worry so much. I believe as a maid, her job is tidying up the palace, not advising the prince. That's the royal adviser's job. Wait, do I have a royal adviser? Did I give her that title at some point? Regardless, she need's to get her act together.
I had decided I would wear the shirt Marshall had given me as a pajama shirt, and so I'd slipped it on as soon as I was done working. I admired myself in the mirror, thinking how silly I must look. Wearing a dark skull covered shirt with my pink pajama pants. The shirt fit like a glove, and it smelled nice too. Not that I was smelling it…..ok I was. See what he's done to me!
I so badly wanted to put myself back there. Let him finish saying whatever he had to say. Am I crazy for thinking we could work? We're very different, but I feel as though I know him a lot better now than I did before. At first I told myself no, that it was all in my head. He'd never want me the way I want him. But come on! He gave me a nickname, he serenaded me, he gave me a shirt. Are those things you do for your friends? No!
I was still gazing at myself in the mirror when I heard it. Once again, the notes of a bass coming from my balcony. I almost screamed as I made sure my hair wasn't sticking up before strutting out to meet him. He stopped playing as soon as he saw me and allowed his feet to touch the ground. I wasn't ready for the grin he gave me when he saw the shirt, and I felt a little embarrassed. I was going to make a comment about using the front door when he spoke:
"You ran out on me, gummy boy. I had something to tell you."
"You can't have the shirt back."
"Nah, it looks good on you." Oh no he didn't.
"Thanks." My attempt to sound sarcastic was thwarted by the soft smile on his face. He approached me, a scene all too familiar. But this time I was ready for the conclusion. He just needed to say it.
"You wanna know why I wrote that love song?"
"Uh huh." I cringed at how desperate my voice sounded.
"I wrote it because….I think I'm in love with you."
There it was. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. He may have said "I think", but there wasn't an ounce of uncertainty in his voice. The look on his face was so precious. Hopeful, vulnerable, afraid. But he didn't need to be. He had me from the moment he drifted into my view.
"How dare you," I said, stepping closer so our bodies were nearly touching. I looked up at him with stars in my eyes. "How dare you make me wait so long." I grabbed him by the collar and I kissed him. I felt his surprise as our lips crammed together but it didn't last, as he placed a hand on the back of my head, forcing the kiss deeper. I had no complaints, sliding my hands down onto his chest. He was doing some exploring of his own, when I saw a pair of eyes in my bedroom. I pushed Marshall off of me and tried to compose myself.
"My apologizes, Prince Gumball. I was not aware you had a guest." Peppermint Maid stood in my room, glaring out at us with an expression that lacked surprise or interest. I told myself that was a good thing. "I merely came up here to bring you your late night snack." She motioned to the platter in her hand.
Oh my. I'd forgotten how late it was. She probably thought we were just getting started….ugh I mustn't think of that now.
"Thank you Peppermint Maid. I suppose it is very late. Perhaps we can hang out tomorrow, Marshall? Just the two of us?"
He was visibly still trying to recover from the sudden end to our first kiss, and I'm sure I looked the same. "Can't get enough of me huh?" He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me closer, and I turned my head for him to whisper. "You're lucky your nanny showed up, otherwise you'd have gotten more than enough." That excited me and made me shudder all at once. Can't he see I'm trying to get myself under control here?
"See ya tomorrow at sundown?" He began to float away slowly.
"Works for me." I tried not to sound to eager. He gave me a wink before disappearing into the night. I almost twirled as I made my way back into my bed room. Peppermint Maid had brought me cookies and milk, and I ate them all quickly, chugging down the milk afterward. Kissing really works up an appetite I suppose.
"Have you ever been in love, Peppermint Maid?" I knew I probably sounded like a lovesick fool, but I didn't care. She shook her head no, keeping a suspiciously vacant expression. "I never knew this was what it felt like. I've always longed for companionship, but I never thought I'd find something so..." I found myself stumbling over my feet before I could finish, catching myself on my dresser. The room started to move and contort around me, and I found it difficult to support myself.
"Peppermint Maid? Something's wrong…" I barely gargled out those last words before I crumpled to the ground. I looked up to find her staring down at me, not the slightest bit of concern on her face. Last thing I saw was her fiddling with her necklace, and then everything went dark.
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