After Peppermint Butler left, I had very little time to prepare for the festivities of the evening. I quickly showered and changed into the pink gown that had been laid out for me by the maids, carefully tying the multiple ribbons that ran along the back off the dress and up to my arms. Deciding high heels were pointless, as they can't be seen due to the length of the dress, I settle for flats. I put on a simple necklace and carefully brush my hair before gingerly placing my tiara on my head. This is it, I think, and let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. I make my way through the corridors and through the side door of the palace to the outside of the main doors to the castle, where I am to await Peppermint Butler announcing my entrance.

Standing outside the doors, I listen closely to the commotion going on inside. There is an uproar of happy chatter from what I am sure is a large portion of the population of Ooo. Nervously, I pace in front of the large doors as I wait for Peppermint Butler to quiet the crowd. I don't have to wait long, however, as I hear him clear his throat almost immediately. Right on time, as per usual.

"Attention, please, lady and gentleman of Ooo!"

The chatter stops, and I can hear the shuffle of feet. Mentally, I prepare for this long and awkward walk through the grand room and up to the throne. So long as I do not trip on this elaborate gown along the way, everything should be fine. I hope.

"May I present to you, her royal highness, Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum of the Candy Kingdom."

The doors open slowly, and I put on my best smile. There are many familiar faces in the crowd – a multitude of candy people, Finn and Jake, Lady Rainicorn, the princess from Lumpy Space, the Ice King even – and just as many faces that I do not recognize. Still smiling, my cheeks sore already, I make my way through the room and finally up to the thrown at the far end. There stands Peppermint Butler on a raised podium just before the chair itself, a barely visible tear in his eye. He bows and kisses my hand as I extend it to him, then we both turn to face the crowd.

"Bonnibel Bubblegum, on this – the 18th celebration of your birth – do you accept this crown and title, along with the responsibilities that accompany it?"

I clear my throat, surprisingly not nervous at all. I suppose that after you've been ruling a kingdom for 2 years, putting an even more official title on it is little more than just that – a title.

"I do."

"Do you vow to place the well-being and safety of the kingdom above all, to keep it's best interests at heart? Do you vow to never intentionally hurt the kingdom as a whole in any way?"

"I do."

"And do you, Bonnibel Bubblegum, accept this role knowing that should you choose to marry – regardless of it to be fellow nobility or royalty or not – the kingdom shall always be first and foremost?"

Hesitating for the slightest second before I answer, I imagine the late nights with Marceline whispering in my ear as I pretended to sleep. Whispering promises of taking care of me, of taking away the stress this kingdom caused me, of making me her world... Of putting me first, forever. She could say the words but never commit. She could portray her love to me but never confess it. And she ran away the second something more than simply words were required of her. I needed to learn from that the way I have learned from every other experience I have encountered in my short life. If I love this kingdom, I need to commit to it. I need to protect it and care for it, unconditionally. I need to love it.

"I do."

Smiling at me proudly, my dutiful and humble assistant bows his head at me. I return the bow and hold it – he then takes the simple tiara I have been wearing off of my head and replaces it with a larger crown with a large turquoise jewel at the top. I stand slowly, adjusting to the added weight on top of my head, and turn again to face the crowd.

"Ladies and gentleman, may I present to you Princess Bonnibel Bubblegum, benevolent ruler of the Candy Kingdom."


Immediately after the crowning ceremony, we were all seated for an elaborate feast. Many people came up to me and congratulated me, shaking my hand and offering me many gifts which I humbly accepted. Finn, Jake, and their companion BMO made me a music video, the Ice King made an ice sculpture (how appropriate), Lady Rainicorn got me several t-shirts... various guests handed me flowers and bottles of perfumes, and I received more birthday cards than I can count.

At the end of the feast, the room was rather quickly cleaned and cleared by the Banana Guards and just as quickly reassembled to accommodate the ball. Many people took to the dance floor right away and were having the time of their lives – myself included. After dancing for a short while, however, the heat generating on the dance floor was becoming unbearable, and I excused myself to grab a drink and cool off. I retrieved some punch and took a seat at a vacant table, smiling as I watched my friends dance and laugh. Finn the human, looking rather dapper in his suit and bow tie, walks over and takes a seat next to me.

"How's it going, PB?"

I smile back at him, and take another sip of my punch before answering.

"It is going wonderfully, Finn! Thank you so much for coming, I cannot wait to watch the music video you boys made me later tonight."

He blushes. Before I can respond, he pulls me into a quick and awkward hug. I gently return the hug, not wanting to be impolite, but quickly excuse myself to get some air. Peppermint Butler catches up to me before I can reach the door, however, sweating and looking rather frantic.

"Princess! I must beg of you to not go outside."

"Oh?", I cock my head to the side and eye him, confused. "And why is that Peppermint? I promise to only step out for a moment."

"Princess, the guards just informed me that they spotted the vampire flying overhead just a moment ago and disappear into the forest to the east of the castle."

Not waiting to hear his pleas or argument, and deciding that thinking too much about this is probably not a good idea, I rush out of the castle doors and run straight for the gate in the castle walls that leads to the forest. I didn't even bother to place my cup down, dropping it on the floor of the grand room as I fled despite Peppermint Butler's pleas.

If Marceline is in the forest, I can only hope she will be in the one place she knows I will look for her. I make a beeline for the old, singular tree trunk in the center of the forest.