Chapter 11: Pardon Me, But That's My Ego You're Stepping On.

Over the next few days, I spent nearly every spare moment with the seamstress. When I wasn't with her, I was in the kitchen. And when I wasn't in the kitchen, I was with the sword smith.

Bowser wasn't the only one who could dream up elaborate plots. I had everything planned out to the last detail; what I would do, what I would say, and the order in which I would do it. By the end of the night...well, there was no guarantee he would feel the same, but he would be inexplicably aware of my intentions. There was no way he wouldn't be able to see me for who I was; a young woman - a princess - who loved him.

As the day drew near, I was bubbly with excitement and tingly with anticipation. I fairly pranced around the castle, smiling radiantly at the guards and patting the chain chomps. I probably looked pretty batty, but I didn't care. I was in love, and before long everyone would know it.

What was more, this might open a door of opportunity. After all, what better way to forge relations between two kingdoms than to bind the families together in marriage?

Granted, my parents would probably be horrified to have the koopalings as grandchildren...but I knew they would warm up to them eventually. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

I didn't tell anyone about my tautly prepared scheme, not even Junior. The little prince wasn't good at keeping secrets, so I didn't plan to mention my feelings for his father until Bowser himself knew. I could already picture his reaction; he would tackle me with a squeal of delight and demand how soon the wedding was taking place. I smiled, hugging the image close to my heart.

I loved Junior too, of course. I had all along, and I had grown awfully fond of the koopalings as well. I was pleased I had such a knack with them all and spent my nights dreaming of what a perfect family we were going to make.

As you might have guessed by now, I got my hopes up a little too high.

When I awoke the morning of the ball, I all but bounced out of bed. There would be no normal duties today; the servants were being allowed to head to Mushroom Kingdom first, to enjoy the early festivities. There would be parades, a flea market, games, all kinds of food. This wouldn't raise any eyebrows - it was expected, even. Even though they came from Bowser's castle, the non-combatant servants often traveled to Mushroom Kingdom for goods and supplies not found in Darkland. It was considered civil for them to set aside their differences today and enjoy the fun.

Bowser wanted the rest of us to head in at nightfall. I wasn't sure what he was going to do - seize the castle, perhaps? - but he was going in with his best troops, plus the koopalings. Hence why I was going along; someone had to keep an eye on Junior while his siblings battled the guards.

I didn't know how long it would take Bowser to complete whatever it was he had planned, but he had been so primed, so overflowing with confidence the last few days, I doubted it would take long. I intended to spring the first part of my own plan into action before things grew too distracted.

Despite his plans for takeover, I knew he wouldn't be able to resist the free cuisine. While he was in the middle of dining, I would go up to him with the special dessert I had prepared just for him; a fudge ripple cake with mint filling and frosting. Few people know this, but mint is Bowser's favorite flavor.

I would be sure to pet his ego before he ran off to storm the castle. After the guards were captured, I would give him the pendant the sword smith had helped me make. It was a brilliant gold medallion engraved with the words 'King Bowser: Ruler Of All He Surveys'. I knew he would get a kick out of that. Cue more ego-stroking and, if everything had gone smoothly, the rest of the night was free.

Then, I would ask him to dance. And while we twirled under the stars, I would confess. I'm rather hoping that a triumphant victory will put him in a particularly good mood, making him more likely to acquiesce to my feelings.

The day was a blur - a long, boring blur. I paced up and down the halls, anxiously awaiting nightfall. The guards looked anxious too, and excited, but for different reasons. Finally (though you couldn't really tell around here) the sun began to dip below the horizon, and I ran to my room to change.

I slipped out of my normal dress and, breath held, eased into the gown the seamstress and I had spent hours designing. It was made from glossy satin, colored a slightly brighter red than my usual dress. The waistline was snug, displaying my trim figure, while the skirt billowed out just a bit. The neckline was quite low, exposing the soft curve of my breasts. I felt deliciously naughty as I surveyed myself in the mirror.

The sleeves were a loose drape of cloth that drooped down from my shoulders, leaving them bare. My throat and arms were bare, too; I had never displayed so much skin. Draped along the sleeves were rows of black beads that glistened as they swayed. More rows of beads were sewn along the skirt in deep swoops. Along the ruffled hem were lines of black ribbon, with small bows sewn on at intervals.

A matching bow was nestled sassily between my breasts. It was the flirtiest, naughtiest dress I had ever seen - and I absolutely loved it. I felt pretty and sultry in it, maybe even a little dangerous. His royal sensualness wouldn't know what hit him.

I quickly slipped into the black slippers made to go with the dress; they bore more beadwork, plus had two long ribbons that I laced up my legs and tied with a bow. I also had a silver choker necklace, which I fastened around my throat. Dangling from the choker itself were tiny silver chains, each one longer than the next to form a point in the middle before shrinking again on the other side. At the end of each chain was a delicate red crystal.

Lastly I worked on my hair. Today called for something more than my normal flat stresses, so I curled it softly, giving it loose, tumbling waves that fell around my shoulders.

Finished, I turned this way and that before the mirror, pleased with my appearance. My cheeks were behaving like their namesake; they were bright and rosy with excitement and anticipation. I had never felt so attractive, so confident before. I would even go so far as to say I felt beautiful as I breezed out of my room.

I turned a lot of heads as I moved, my step feeling lighter than air, through the halls. The guards staying behind gawked like they didn't recognize me, and looking awfully sad that they weren't going, too. My confidence pushing to a point where I felt elated, I hurried to join everyone at the front gates.

I made sure to grab my two surprises along the way. The cake was put into a box, which I tucked safely under my arm. I knew the small round cake wasn't nearly enough to whet the king's enormous appetite, but that wasn't the point. I wanted to tantalize him with a small sample of my cooking, which he had never tasted before.

The medallion I briefly considered slipping into a purse, but since I was already carrying the cake box, I wanted to leave my other hand free. In the end, I decided to slip it, as I had seen other women do, into the little space between my breasts. It felt naughty to do that, and even naughtier to picture myself slowly drawing it out before presenting it to his Highness. If that didn't get his attention, nothing would.

The weight of the metal felt cool against my skin as we left the castle, as did the breeze that picked up. It whispered over my bare shoulders as I walked, a ghost of a caress. My head was in the clouds when we reached Mushroom Kingdom, where the celebrating was in full-swing.

The streets were packed with toads and their neighbors, who were chatting and playing games and stuffing themselves silly. Everything was festively decorated with colorful streamers and balloons. It almost seemed a shame to disturb their fun, but disturb it we did; a group noticed as the troops rapidly dispersed through the streets. They ran off with frightened screams; I went over to a table that was offering free samples.

"Stay close, now," I told Junior as the koopalings also ran off. I didn't see where Bowser had gone, but I was confident I would find him easily. The toads always screamed the loudest when they saw him, so all I had to do was follow the shrieks.

For now I sampled a dessert of cherries dipped in mint chocolate, a delightful combination. If there was time, I would have to share some with his Highness.

The streets were buzzing with confusion. The koopas had moved so swiftly, only a few had seen them run by, and those who hadn't were either glancing around nervously, or ignoring the frightened squeaks of those who had entirely.

I tried to keep an eye on Junior, but he eventually ran off, disappearing into the crowd. I was annoyed, but I wasn't really worried; no one seemed to be expecting an invasion tonight, so I doubted he would come to harm. Alone, I moved through the streets, noting how I was turning heads here, too.

From toads to creatures I didn't recognize, people turned to stare as I passed. This was all a new experience for me; I was usually the princess people glanced at and then looked away from, their eyes shifting to my blond, perfect sisters. Here, I was stared at openly, the girl men desired and women envied.

Tonight, I wasn't princess Rosabelle. I was a mysterious, seductive stranger, one who tossed her hair in a flirty manner and laughed easily, charmed by the frequent invitations to join someone for dinner and dancing. I declined with a smile; there was only one I was interested in truly seducing tonight.

Well. Not literally, of course. My word, I wasn't entirely comfortable with all the flesh I was displaying yet to suddenly hop on that train of thought.

I turned a corner and found myself in the center of town. There were many banquet tables here and, just as I suspected, his Highness was sampling from them. Toads were cowering under the tables and behind balloon stands. I gave my curls a shake as I smoothed a hand over my dress, trying to tame my wildly pounding heart.

Step one of my plan; slide up to him and coyly offer him a little dessert. Simple, yet affective. Or so I was hoping.

I never got a chance to find out. I was just raising my satin-clad foot to take the first step closer when a blow from behind sent me stumbling forward. With a yelp of pain, I lost my balance and went sprawling to the hard ground. The cake box flew from my hands and went rolling and bouncing down the street.

I gaped, horrified, as the cake flew out and hit a lamp post with a squish. Such a simple plan, such a perfect dessert - ruined.

My temper flaring like never before, I scrambled to my feet and whirled around. Behind me were a trio of shy guys, who stared up at me, hands pressed to their little masks as they instinctively backed away.

"What the heck do you three think you're doing?" I shouted, furious.

"Sorry," they chorused together.

"King Bowser told us to attack anything wearing red with black hair," said the one in front timidly.

I threw my hands, sore from my fall, into the air and let out an exasperated groan. "You idiots! He meant Mario, not me!"

"Sorry," they said again. "We got so caught up in the moment we didn't look first."

With a furious growl, I lunged at them, and they scattered with frightened shrieks. I had never been so mad before and probably looked pretty scary as I chased after them, though I didn't keep up the pursuit.

Muttering angrily under my breath, I stomped back to the buffet tables. Only Bowser, I discovered, had disappeared. Sighing in disappointment, I brushed myself off, straightened my hair, and started for the castle.

So I didn't give him the dessert. That didn't mean the night was a failure. I still had the medallion, which I was now glad I would deliver in such a sensual manner. It would make up for the previous debacle. I started to grow excited again as I pictured pulling it out, cupping his hand and placing it in it.

Perfect. I was all smiles again as I neared the castle, which looked like it was in an uproar. I could hear the shouts of the koopalings inside; taking the guards prisoner, no doubt. I hurried over the bridge in front of the castle gate - and someone dressed in green ran by me, bumping into me in their haste.

I stumbled and grabbed the railing of the bridge, just as I felt the medallion slip from its hiding place. It snaked its way down my middle and fell free when it reached my skirt, where I heard it hit the ground with a clink.

I hastily bent to retrieve it, but just then someone in red raced by, directly in front of me. I hopped back, though not in time to keep my hand from getting kicked. The medallion was kicked, too, and I watched helplessly as it skidded across the bridge and disappeared. A second later I heard a quiet splash as it landed in the moat.

I'm not one for tears, but I was dangerously close to them as I gathered myself up for the second time that night. Both my gifts were gone, the effort put into them wasted. For a moment I just stood there, feeling the weight of failure creep over me, along with the sadness of having my careful plans dashed to pieces.

But even then, I wasn't going to give up. With nothing left the give him but myself, I hoped throwing myself into his arms and confessing my love over the field of victory would be romantic enough.

The two disasters should have been warning enough, but I ran into the castle anyway. Only when I got inside, the guards weren't prisoners; the koopalings were. They were tied up in a clump, toad guards standing over them proudly while they kicked and screamed and complained.

I stared, horrified, before continuing on, skirt clutched in my hands as I ran. Several guards looked suspicious and tried to stop me, but I ducked by and kept running. I didn't care what happened to me; I had to find Bowser. I had to know he was safe.

I ran up a set of stairs and down a long hall, lit by the moon and starlight. Up ahead I heard a crash, followed by a shout. A woman's voice. My heart lifted a little; he must have captured the princess. At least that had gone as planned.

Only when I burst into the - obscenely pink - bedchamber, I saw that this wasn't the case at all. The princess wasn't captured, and Bowser was having a hard time getting near her as she pitched everything she could get her hands on at him.

"Mario, where are you?" she cried, as she threw a large vase.

I watched from the doorway as Bowser ducked. "You need to calm down, Peachy," he said, as the vase shattered loudly against the wall.

Peachy? I echoed silently.

"I won't calm down," said Princess Peach hotly. "And I won't marry you!"

I nearly fell over. "Marry?" I squeaked.

Neither of them noticed me, or if they did, they paid no attention. I stared at them both, the princess frightened and enraged, and Bowser grinning in a way I had never seen before.

No. This couldn't be right. The records I had studied never mentioned a word about King Bowser wanting to marry his kidnapped princess. He just wanted to kidnap her because it would help him take control of Mushroom Kingdom...right?

I waited for someone to come and tell me that I was right, that the scene before me was false. But no one did. And the truth came, unbidden, to tear my heart to shreds.

I loved King Bowser. I loved him and wanted to marry him, and do anything I could to make him happy. But he didn't care, and never would, because he loved someone else.