Chapter 15: When I Want Your Opinion, I'll Beat It Outta Ya

By the end of the week, all of Darkland was buzzing with the news of our engagement. Though I told them to treat me just the same, when word of how I was not only a princess but would soon be their queen got around, the denizens of the castle started reacting differently when I walked by. The guards bowed their heads, the maids curtsied, and I seemed to be eyed in general with a sense of awe.

I quickly came to understand the reason behind such adoring glances; they had all watched their king endure his loneliness for years, and that I was the reason his loneliness had ended and he was now happier than most had ever seen him...it inspired quite a feeling of gratitude from many.

The koopalings saw me with completely new eyes. Instead of teasing me and dragging me off to games I was much safer not playing, they actually made attempts at being polite, even going so far as opening doors or pulling out chairs for me. Wendy insisted on taking me shopping several times, and Roy wanted me to read a song he was writing.

I was touched that they were accepting me so easily. Junior was particularly thrilled and started calling me 'Mama Rosie'. He took great pride (and full credit) in the fact that pairing me off with his kingly father had been his idea. "And you were absolutely right," I said one day, pulling him into my lap and cuddling him. "You figured out before anyone else that the two of us are perfect for each other."

Everyone seemed to agree, and the kingdom was all aflutter as the wedding preparations began. It was going to be an enormous outdoor affair, with Bowser and I saying our 'I dos' on a decorated platform surrounded by enough seats to hold every last one of his underlings, minions, and devoted followers.

Oh, there would also be a special place for my family, whom I had only just sent a letter to announcing my engagement. I was a bundle of nerves over how they were going to react to the news that I, their daughter who never quite seemed to fit, was getting married. My mother would probably cry buckets, as would my sisters. My main worry was what they would think when they met my future husband and his eight children.

I knew my parents would want me to be happy, and I knew they would see how good Bowser was to me, how he treated me like a precious treasure. I doubted they would object to our union, but...the thought of my perfectly prim and proper family dining with the koopalings made me both smile and cringe. It was going to be an interesting experience, to be sure.

While I waited for a return response, I helped plan the wedding. There wasn't much I wanted to change, but I still wanted a few of my own touches. Bowser had already picked out a wonderful array of roses to be draped over the platform like streamers, along with ribbons and urns full of more roses. He chose red and lavender - naturally. But I also requested that there be some white in the mix. Why, when I was so unfond of the color? Because it is the symbol of purity, and our wedding day was the start of something new and unspoiled, something that had so much potential for beauty.

Our wedding cakes were green - mint frosting, of course - and dotted with cherries. The cake itself was chocolate and fudge ripple. The head cook actually looked cheerful as she oversaw their baking.

The other thing I wanted a say-so in was my wedding gown. Bowser had something to say, too; he wanted us to match, and he knew my fondness for red, a color he had a problem wearing. I agreed with a smile to make our primary color black.

That decided, he was fitted with a glossy black tux, not objecting to a red cummerbund and handkerchief. I could already picture how gorgeous he was going to look and couldn't wait to see him in it. As for myself, my gown was made from black satin, with red lace as accents. It had a similar cut and fit to the gown I wore to the ball, only the bodice was a little less daring, and the skirt bore a small train. The front of the skirt was decorated with white ribbon, and there was a small white rosette sewn at the v of my neckline.

I was to wear a pair of small, fingerless gloves made from black lace, and instead of a veil I was going to pin a small cluster of white and red roses at my right temple. My bouquet, since there were already so many roses, was a colorful assortment of exotic local flowers, which I felt was appropriate to carry as I wed the King of Darkland.

While the wedding took shape rapidly, Bowser doted on me more than ever. He kept slipping me small gifts and sweets while gazing at me with adoring eyes. My own eyes glowed with love as I prepared several of my own gifts, most of them bedtime attire I thought his Highness would appreciate. Even though I had been given a very generous allowance (Bowser hesitated to give me direct access to the treasury, or anyone else aside from himself, after the gambling incident) I continued to design my clothes with the seamstress. She really enjoyed it and I knew she would be hurt if I suddenly started buying my dresses, plus this way I got exactly what I wanted.

I also had a new dress made for my everyday use. Though I really enjoyed the first one I had made, I felt I needed something more mature - and more sassy - for my new life as queen. The dress I ended up designing was dark red - naturally - with long, slightly puffy sleeves that drooped down from my shoulders. The bodice was covered in black lace, and the neckline was heart-shaped and only a little low-cut - I had to set an example for Wendy, after all.

Two thin black strips of ribbon that accented my pale skin helped hold the dress in place, plus I liked the affect they made. The skirt was loose and flowing, with a drawn, ruffled hem. Said hem was lined with more black ribbon, and a sash of black silk went around my waist. A silk choker adorned with a red jewel completed the look.

I felt quite pleased with myself, and how I looked in it the morning I first tried it on, and I rushed out of my room to find my future husband so I could show it off for him before giving him his morning kiss.

Only instead of my fiancé, I bumped into a frazzled-looking paratroopa. "Your family is here," he informed me, sounding out of breath.

I stopped and stared, knowing I must have misheard. "I'm sorry; my what is here?"

"Your family," he repeated, his wings making gentle gusts as he flapped to keep himself eye-level with me. "They showed up a few minutes ago and are demanding to see you. They're in the main hall."

I felt a flutter of nerves as he hurriedly flew back to his duties, leaving me alone. I had been expecting a response from my parents in the form of a letter, not in the form of my parents themselves. Stay calm, I told myself as I started for the main hall. They must have been too excited to bother writing and had come to congratulate me in person and to attend the wedding.

When I reached the main hall, they were all there; Mother, Father, my future-king and future-general big brothers, and Clarabelle, my slightly older sister. Lulubelle wasn't with them, no doubt having obligations to fulfill as crown princess and future queen.

As soon as she saw me, my mother ran to me and pulled me into her arms, just like when I was a child. It was a little embarrassing. "My dear baby girl," she blubbered, on the verge of tears. "You don't have to do this. I'm sure we can reach a pleasant diplomatic relationship without you having to marry and stay here forever."

Frowning, I squirmed out of her arms. Clarabelle was eyeing me curiously. "Is that the latest fashion in this part of the world?"

"I - no. Mother, I'm not marrying Bowser just to nudge forward an alliance between our kingdoms, I'm marrying him because we love each other. It's perfectly acceptable for a princess not betrothed to any prince or person to marry for love, isn't it?"

My mother looked taken aback, as did my father. My brothers stood by quietly. Clarabelle was looking around and soon wandered away from us as she explored. "Of course you can marry for love," said my mother with a frown. "Only...we've read about this King Bowser and...he doesn't sound very, well, lovable."

"He is to me," I said firmly. "I don't expect you to understand, but I do hope that you will at least see that being here has made me happier than I've ever been. Even if you don't approve of the marriage, please don't make me leave here. It would shatter my heart so I don't think I would recover from it."

"We wouldn't," said my father, his expression softening. "We want you to be happy, but we also want you to be safe."

"I am safe," I said, smiling now. "Every last guard here would fly to my protection if I were in danger."

Although I was pretty sure my parents were more worried about threats from inside the kingdom than outside. I was confident that they would soon see that I was loved and wonderfully cared for.

"Come along," I said, turning and starting out of the hall. "We weren't expecting you right now, but I'll have rooms prepared for you at once."

I summoned a shy guy maid (I thought it was odd how they were called 'guys' even if they were a girl) and informed her of my family's arrival. I was getting pretty good at reading around those masks and could tell she hesitated about something.

"I don't think we have that many guest rooms," she whispered. "We usually don't keep, well, guests."

"Just do whatever you can," I whispered back. "I'll try to keep them busy until bedtime."

She scurried off, and I showed them around the place I now called home. My brothers didn't seem to mind the dark decor, but I could tell my mother was already going into pastel withdrawal. And I could tell by the glances she sent my way that she didn't approve of my attire, devoid of a modest collar and blinding white.

I wasn't sure what Clarabelle thought; she had wandered off again. I hoped she didn't run into anything that might traumatize her prim little self as I escorted the rest of my family down one of the long, winding hallways. Everything seemed extra quiet today - at least until the torches hanging on the walls started trembling, signaling the approach of my husband-to-be.

I hurried to greet him - and to warn him - while my mother drew back, hand pressed to her heart. I couldn't really blame her; his koopa kingship is a little startling at first glance. At least he is when you're not hopping mad over being kidnapped, I thought wryly.

Speaking of dark moods, my fiancé looked a little unhappy as he stomped around the corner, but this look melted and was replaced with one of relief and happiness when he saw me. "There you are," he exclaimed. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Say, is that a new dress? You look gorgeous. Commere!"

As he spoke, he grabbed me by my tiny waist and lifted me effortlessly, bringing me to a height where he could give me my morning kiss. It was a good thing he held me when he did, too; when he kissed me with such fervor I felt like my legs turned to liquid.

I flushed when we parted and said, very softly, "We have guests."

Bowser blinked at me, then the group behind me, looking a little confused-and then it hit him. He actually blushed with embarrassment - even one as shameless as he turned red at the idea that he had just planted one on his future wife in front of her parents - and set me to my feet. He kept a hand on my waist, and a good thing, too; my legs still didn't feel quite solid yet.

Bowser cleared his throat and said, "Welcome to my castle. I don't get many guests, but enjoy everything my kingdom has to offer while you're here...just, uh, don't wander around without a guide. Just in case."

He winked, then took over the tour, his hand still around my waist. I knew he wasn't used to greeting people cordially and had to smile at his efforts.

Unfortunately, he also wasn't used to my prim, proper, and perfect family and wanted to start the tour off with the dungeons and weapons rooms. My brothers looked like they liked that idea, but I hastily suggested we take a quick stroll through the courtyard instead, since it was almost time for breakfast.

Bowser agreed, and I made sure we kept to the paths that didn't cross in front of chain chomps or piranha plants. Then we headed to the dining hall to eat. When we got there, the enormous table was already laden with food, which smelled delicious. The seats were empty as my parents and brothers went to sit down, though I heard a commotion out in the hall.

It was the koopalings - naturally - only they came bursting into the dining hall with Clarabelle in tow. I wasn't sure what game they had been playing, but they were all dusty and disheveled. They were also laughing and pushing each other around, including Clarabelle, who laughed along with them.

My mother looked less thrilled. Hand to her throat, she eyed the group with distaste and said, "Who are these unpleasant little creatures?"

The seven of them paid no attention to her, but Bowser jerked his gaze to her with an angry snort. "They happen to be my children," he said dangerously.

"They're wonderful children," I added, instantly defensive. "Well, they are when they're neat and presentable."

Ludwig caught the hint and glared at me defiantly; I stared him down until he, with a sheepish grin, scurried off to clean up. The rest followed, with Wendy latching on to Clarabelle and dragging her with. A moment later Junior, looking clean and happy, came racing into the room.

"Morning, Mama Rosie," he greeted as he ran to hug me. "I got these for..."

Noticing we had guests, he trailed off. "These are my parents and two brothers," I explained. "They came for the wedding."

Junior looked a touch shy. He glanced down at his hand, which was clutching a bouquet of flowers, before stepping over to my mother. "For you," he said, thrusting out the flowers.

They were obviously meant for me, because Junior knew I would love their dark purple, curling blossoms. My mother looked less enthused as she took them as graciously as she could. "Thank you. They're, um..."

She took a sniff, and her expression brightened. "They smell lovely," she said, with approval.

Junior beamed, and I almost sighed with relief. While he trotted down the table, I took a seat in my usual chair; at the opposite end of the table from my future husband. Even though we weren't married yet, this seemed the proper place for me to take when I ate at the dining table, though I still snacked in the kitchen.

While Junior happily took his own seat, Bowser was looking at me from across the table, leaning his head on his fist. His eyes were slightly narrowed. "I don't like you all the way over there," he informed me.

I was a little taken aback; he had never mentioned it before. "I always sit here. Well, ever since we've been engaged. Isn't this the proper spot for the future queen?"

"Proper, shmoper. Get up here with me where you belong."

I flushed a little to be having this exchange in front of my proper-loving parents, but at the same time I was secretly pleased that his love for me took precedence over keeping up appearances. I trotted down the table and took the seat usually reserved for Ludwig; Bowser took my hand and kissed it softly, clinging to it afterward. I flushed again, but this time with pride. I was glad he was so comfortable with showing me affection at pretty much any time or place.

Across from me, Junior was already digging in, though I tried subtly to keep his normal table habits to a minimum via passing him the things I know he liked best - to keep him from crawling across the table to get them himself. The koopalings returned, looking fresh and clean, but as naughty as ever. I opened my mouth to say something, but Bowser beat me to it.

"We have guests," he said sharply, "so be on your best behavior."

Lemmy bugged his eyes out at him. "Does this mean Roy can't teach me how to shoot peas out of my nose?" he asked innocently.

I bit back a laugh, while my mother looked horrified. "Later, sweetie," I said, since there weren't any peas on the table at the moment.

They sat with their usual grace; chairs scraping the floor and banging into each other as they fought over the dishes. Wendy was the most reserved, since she was busy trying to impress Clarabelle with her endless knowledge of fashion and makeup.

Clarabelle looked a little nervous, but at the same time she looked ready to laugh as the food threatened to fly, as it always did. I had always suspected that, underneath all the layers of perfection and white lace, Clarabelle was the most likely of my family to let loose once in awhile. She at least had the best sense of humor.

Fortunately, most of the food stayed on their plates, though they still remained oblivious to the eating utensils. While I took a sip of fruit juice - a refreshing mixture known as a tasty tonic - I felt a sharp poke to my ribs. I looked and saw Ludwig glaring up me.

"You're in my seat," he informed me, though I could tell he was only pretending to be grouchy. Mostly.

"Your father insisted," I said simply.

"How come?" he wanted to know. "I'm the oldest."

"Because she's my future wife and you're not the future ruler of this kingdom," Bowser informed him, "so that means you get to sit wherever you want. Except where I tell you not to, that is."

He looked at Bowser, who glared back, daring his son to contradict him. Ludwig flashed a crooked grin and took my hand like he was about to kiss it - but gave me a raspberry instead. He ran, giggling, to sit with Morton, while Bowser rolled his eyes. "My oldest," he repeated with a sigh. "You'd never know it, would you."

My mother suddenly spoke up with interest. "If the oldest isn't in line for the throne, then who is?" she wondered.

"That's me," exclaimed Junior, with great pride. "You know, once I'm all growned up and stuff."

I laughed and took another sip of my tasty tonic, while my father looked thoughtful. "That's highly unusual," he commented, "for the eighth child in a royal family to be considered the crown prince."

It certainly was. But I understood why now, and knew that the arrangement would never change.

"I'm it," said Junior, beaming. "Even if Mama Rosie makes me a big brother, I'll still be top koopa around here."

I nearly snorted tonic up my nose. My parents exchanged embarrassed glances. "Junior, please," I muttered, sitting lower in my seat. "We're not even married yet."

"He's right, though," said Bowser in a firm voice. "Nobody who doesn't go by the name of Bowser takes the throne around here. You'll make sure to hand it over only to Bowser III, right Junior?"

"You got it, Dad," said Junior cheerily.

He went back to eating. My mother was searching for a napkin, until it dawned on her that there weren't any. Sitting back with a frown, she said, "With so many children, you must have been married before."

I caught my breath and looked at Bowser, whose expression had turned dark. "Their mother is gone and won't ever be back," he said in a low tone. "That's all I have to say on that issue. Ever."

Sensing she was treading on dangerous ground, my mother quieted. I reached over and rested my hand on Bowser's; he absently turned it over and gave my fingers a squeeze.

Chatter kept to safe topics after that. All in all, breakfast didn't go too badly, and afterward my brothers went off to explore the castle with Roy and Morton, while I personally escorted my parents around the areas I didn't think they would find too shocking.

Come nightfall, their rooms were all ready...though probably not what they were expecting. My brothers were taken to a set of bunks normally used by the guards, while a large bed had been added to the trophy room for my parents. Clarabelle, despite being older than her, had taken quite a liking to Wendy and said she was fine sharing her room.

I happily went to my own bedchamber, though I didn't go to bed once I changed into my nightgown. Slipping my silky robe on, I padded barefoot to my future husband's room and knocked softly on the door.

"You don't have to knock, my dear," came Bowser's rumbling voice from inside.

"It's only polite," I said crisply, pushing the door open and closing it behind me. "How did you know it was me?"

Sitting up in bed, Bowser smirked at me. "No one else around here knocks that delicately," he informed me.

"Right. Silly question."

I stepped over to the piano, where I sat down and played a few bars. Bowser folded him arms beneath his head and lay back, a relaxed look on his face. "Your boring music is beginning to grow on me," he commented.

I snorted and banged out a few thunderous notes, then closed the lid. Bowser chuckled and beckoned to me. "Commere."

I looked at him, lying there so calm and comfortable, and felt quite tempted to move closer and be taken into the warm circle of his arms. I shook my head and stood. "I better not. Goodnight, my love."

He looked disappointed. "Why not?" he asked as I started for the door.

"We're not quite married yet," I reminded him, flushing as I remembered how that hadn't really bothered me a while back.

Bowser seemed to be remembering this, too, his eyes half-closed and dreamy. But he didn't try to coax me to stay, and neither of us ever spoke of that night again. When I reached the door he told me, very softly, "Say that again."

I paused. "Goodnight?" I guessed.

No. Not that, silly girl. I smiled. "My love," I repeated, soft and loving.

He smiled and closed his eyes. "Goodnight, my sweet little Rose," he called as I left. "Sleep well. I'll be dreaming about you."

When I fell asleep later, I dreamed of him too, and the day I couldn't wait to arrive.