CHAPTER SIX
AN OFFER MADE

"I still remember when Mario shared the full account of Bowser's offer with me. It must have been a difficult moment for him. I cannot even fathom why Bowser would propose that Mario become the Chancellor of the Empire. How does one even respond to such a proposal? Bowser was not known for seeking help, especially from someone he often clashed with. However, perhaps that's precisely why he did it. I have a feeingl that Bowser had realized what we all eventually discovered..."

Peach Toadstool, Queen of the Mushroom Kingdom, The Reconciliation Years, History Channel 2526 AF

"Wait…. What the fuck?!"

The words tumbled out of Mario's mouth before he could stop himself. It seemed to him that the Emperor had lost his mind to whatever this affliction was. He stared in stunned disbelief at the outlandish proposal, his mouth gaping open. A scoff escaped him before morphing into a deep belly laugh, his hands clutching his sides in mirth. Mario struggled to catch his breath, gasping for air as his laughter echoed through the chamber. He lowered himself into a chair opposite Bowser, fighting to regain his composure.

The laughter slowly ebbed away as he caught his breath, sucking in deep breaths of fresh air. Surely Bowser had to be playing some kind of game with him. Mario shook his head in amusement, "Okay, okay, you got me with that one! I take back what I said about your sense of humor," Mario chuckled. However, his smile faded as he caught sight of Bowser and Kamek staring back at him with unyielding expressions. "Wait a minute, you're serious?" he asked, his tone now incredulous.

Bowser's voice rasped with an unusual patience, his tone weary but resolute. "Yes."

Mario let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I think that little experiment of yours has addled your brains," he exclaimed. "This is a terrible idea!"

Bowser wiped the blood from his mouth with a handkerchief and raised an eyebrow in polite curiosity. "Please, do explain," he said.

Mario held up two fingers to emphasize his point. "Firstly, I am not a political man, and I prefer to keep my enemies in plain sight," he said firmly. "Secondly, as a citizen of the Mushroom Kingdom, I doubt the Empire would accept me. One of your guards nearly pointed his rifle at me, and only Vossak's intervention stopped him from shooting me."

Bowser chuckled at that and turned to Kamek. "We will certainly need to make a note in the Commodore's files," he said before turning back to Mario. "But that aside, there is a proclamation in the Assembly ready to be presented. I had hoped that, as an outsider, you could act in my stead."

Mario felt his frustration boiling over and jumped to his feet, pacing back and forth. He noticed Kamek tightening his grip on his cane from the corner of his eye. A small scoff escaped Mario's lips. He had no intention of attacking anyone, but he could understand why Kamek might be on edge given the circumstances. And he couldn't deny that the wizard posed a far greater threat than any other person in the room. Mario mentally scolded himself for even thinking such a thing. True, it would be a golden opportunity to kill Bowser and throw the Empire into chaos. But… Mario was no murderer. He had taken lives before, but it was never in cold blood.

The plumber shook his head adamantly. "No," he declared, settling back into his seat.

Bowser interlaced his fingers and sighed. "Indulge me, just for a moment," he urged. "Let's speculate." He leaned back in his chair, fixing Mario with a steady gaze. "Suppose news of my impending death was to spread far and wide across the Empire. What do you suppose would happen next?"

Mario shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows? Maybe the Empire becomes full of depressed people, then they'll just go ahead and crown your heir," he hazarded a guess. "But honestly, Bowser, this isn't my area of expertise."

Bowser chuckled wryly. "The Empire certainly doesn't lack for ambitious nobility or military officers," he mused. "One might seek to serve as my son's regent." He ticked off one possibility on his hand. "Or perhaps they would seek to crown a different ruler altogether." His expression darkened. "That would result in a civil war, with each faction declaring their own emperor or empress."

Mario shook his head, his confusion deepening. "Two things, Bowser. I still don't understand how this affects the Mushroom Kingdom, and your officers said it had potentially devastating consequences for the continent," he pointed out. "And two, my being here is just as dangerous as any other aspiring warlord," he added.

"The simpler matter first, then," Bowser wheezed. "You said it wouldn't affect the Mushroom Kingdom? That's where you're wrong, my friend." His voice took on a somber tone. "Think about what would happen if war were to break out. How many innocent lives would be caught in the crossfire?" His expression hardened. "It would also spark a refugee crisis. Emperor Cedaris, King Russet, and even King Challah would never open their borders to thousands of Imperial citizens, out of fear of spies and saboteurs, or in Russet's case, plain hatred of the Empire."

Mario had to concede. Bowser had a fair point. There may have been other nations willing to open their borders, but the Empire bordered Sarasaland and the Mushroom Kingdom on land. The Waffle Kingdom was farther south, but that couldn't stop determined refugees from risking their lives on boats or airships. As he mulled over the situation, Mario couldn't help but recall something Belle had said to him in New Donk City.

"...Not only that," he muttered, "But then there are people like Prince Haru of the Flower Kingdom who would try to attack the Empire just to gain territory." He looked up at Bowser. "Are you saying that the situation would be so dire that the world would long for the days of your rule?"

Bowser hacked into a bloodied handkerchief before nodding grimly. "Yes. Or, it could lead to either Cedaris or Russet propping up a ruler who would be viewed purely as a puppet."

Mario let out a scoff. "So, we're back to the problem of my being an outsider, then. You want me to be your Chancellor, but I'm still an outsider."

Bowser raised a finger to emphasize his point. "True, you would be a foreigner. But there is one minor difference," he explained, thumbing his chest. "I would be the one appointing you. It would certainly be controversial, but less so in the face of foreign interference. Besides, your tenure as my Chancellor would end when Kamek manages to cure me." He frowned. "If not... well... the Chancellor's office doubles as Regent to my son. And I hope you wouldn't leave my son to fend for himself."

Mario shook his head in disbelief. "You're insane," he exclaimed. "I understand you're in a rough spot, but asking someone with no political experience to run an empire? I could find someone better suited to the job, but me? You'd be better off naming one of your generals..."

The ailing emperor only frowned, his eyes scanning the room as if he were looking for an answer to a question he hadn't asked. "And so, who would you choose?" He finally said. "Princess Peach? Princess Daisy? Princess Éclair?" He nodded thoughtfully. "All three are excellent choices, certainly. But... they are each the heirs to their fathers' thrones. Peach to the Mushroom Kingdom, Daisy to Sarasaland, and Éclair to the Waffle Kingdom. Yes, you would be a foreign ruler. But those three would be beholden to their fathers' whims. King Challah might have agreed to let Éclair serve as my Regent, but Cedaris and Russet would never consent. Even so..."

Mario frowned, his mind racing as he tried to weigh his options. "Even so," he echoed. "They would pose a problem for the common people. A bigger problem than I could ever present." He thought back to the passionate speeches he had heard from Belle and Vossak and lowered his head into his hands.

A muffled sigh escaped his lips as he struggled to make a decision. An uncomfortable knot had formed in his gut, and it only seemed to grow tighter with each passing moment. This was like choosing between a poison mushroom and a trial stew. Leaning back in his chair, Mario removed his cap and ran a hand through his hair, letting out another heavy sigh. There was temptation, and then there was temptation. And this was definitely the latter.

Mario lowered his head, his gaze fixed on Bowser. "I'm sorry, but the answer is still no," he said quietly.

Strangely, the guilt creeping up his spine did not abate with his response. What surprised him even more, was Bowser's reaction. Rather than getting angry or attempting to sway him, the Emperor of the Koopas smiled slightly and nodded. Kamek, on the other hand, did not disappoint as he bristled at the answer.

"So you're just going to leave us here—" he snarled before Bowser raised a hand to silence him.

"Kamek," Bowser rasped, the sound wet and rattling in his throat. He tapped his cane onto the ground. "Very well, Mario. It appears that your mind is made up on the issue."

Both Kamek and Mario mirrored each other's shocked expressions. Bowser shrugged. "Sire!" Kamek exclaimed.

Bowser's expression soured as he leveled a glare at the wizard. Mario frowned as he watched the scene unfold in front of him. "You and I both knew this was the most likely outcome," Bowser said, turning to Mario and smiling. "Regardless of your decision, Mario, I hope you recognize the opportunity presented to you."

"I beg your pardon?" Mario asked in confusion.

Bowser gestured around the room. "You're in the heart of my empire," he chuckled weakly. "More importantly, you're my honored guest."

Mario muttered, "Yeah, so work your Imperial magic and get me on the fastest airship back home." The guilty feeling in his gut had solidified like a lead weight.

The Emperor chuckled. "Unfortunately, the only officer I trust not to try and kill you would be Commodore Vossak," he explained. "And I did give him and his crew shore leave."

"So… I'm stuck here. Is that what you're saying?" Mario snarled.

"Only for a short time," Bowser agreed amiably. "Knowing the Commodore, he prefers to take a short leave of three days at a minimum." He paused for a moment. "You're free to explore the Citadel and the city itself." With that, he rose from his chair. "This audience is now finished. Edmund!"

Mario's attention was drawn to the sound of the chamber doors opening. To his mild surprise, a Toad stepped inside, wearing a blackened mushroom cap with white spots and an immaculate black and red suit. The toad bowed deeply at the waist. "Yes, your Eminence?"

Guilt threatened to weigh heavily on Mario like a Thwomp as he watched Bowser descend into a violent coughing fit. Had he made the right decision? Surely Bowser would be able to find someone infinitely more capable than him. Yet, the haggard Emperor's appearance, rasping voice, and coughing proved the contrary.

"Take His Majesty's guest to his chambers," Kamek ordered, taking command in Bowser's absence. Though the malice was gone from Kamek's voice, Mario could still sense the wizard's intense dislike through his piercing gaze. "Ensure that he receives the utmost care."

Mario rose to his feet and moved towards the toad, Edmund, with a deep frown etched on his face. He shoved his hands into his pockets and let out a heavy sigh, eager to escape the sounds of Bowser's labored breathing. Even though the coughing had subsided, the noise had become a constant distraction. As he walked away, an idea began to form in his mind. Perhaps he could work with Kamek to develop a cure for whatever was ailing Bowser. It was a far better prospect than the one Bowser had suggested earlier. The devil they knew was infinitely preferable to the one they didn't, right?

"Oh...and Mario?" Bowser's voice rasped out, causing Mario to pause in his steps. Though he kept his back to Bowser, he listened closely. "If you change your mind...feel free to let me know."

Mario couldn't help but recall the one time Bowser had considered asking for help. The request had been made in typical Bowser fashion – an ask-but-not-really-asking manner. But this time was different. Bowser wasn't trying to hide his desperation anymore. Bowser was genuinely asking for his aid, his vulnerability on full display. And yet, Mario had refused to help. Of course, it was the right decision, but why did he feel such deep guilt?

"Please, follow me," Edmund declared, motioning for Mario to accompany him out of the chambers.

Mario trailed behind in silence, the heavy doors closing slowly behind them. The hallway was eerily silent, with only the soft clicking of their shoes against the marble floor. Mario's eyes drifted to the portraits lining the walls as they walked. The faces of past emperors and empresses of the Koopa Empire stared down at him, their eyes seeming to hold centuries of secrets. Something was nagging at him, a sense of unease he couldn't shake.

He stopped abruptly as a particular portrait caught his eye. It was of a Koopa wearing an immaculate black, red, and gold suit. Mario would not have guessed that he was looking at Bowser's portrait if not for the fiery mane of red hair. The Emperor looked... regal. He certainly didn't look like the domineering warlord that had terrorized the Mushroom Kingdom. He certainly didn't resemble the dying Koopa they had left behind in the previous chamber.

"You mustn't linger too long, sir," Edmund called out as he returned to Mario's side. He followed Mario's gaze to the portrait of Bowser and let out a resigned sigh. "Ah, I see."

"Your name is Edmund, right?" Mario asked quietly. "... What's the likelihood that he'll be cured?"

Edmund's expression turned somber. "I have served as His Majesty's chamberlain for many years," he began, his voice filled with loyalty and regret. "But unfortunately, the Emperor does not confide in me about everything. This is one such case." He regarded Mario with a keen gaze. "You are concerned, I take it?"

Mario felt like he was living in a nightmare. Bowser was on his deathbed, and the implications were staggering. It was true that the door to peace with the Empire had been cracked open, but something about the situation felt off. Mario couldn't shake the feeling that Bowser was right- the road ahead was likely treacherous. And yet, there was something bittersweet about the moment as well. The fact that the Mushroom Kingdom would never again be threatened by the Empire was a relief, but it also felt like a hollow victory.

He turned to the toad standing beside him, his fists clenched tightly. "This isn't right," he muttered bitterly. "I've never seen him like this before." He let out a sigh. "And now...I can't help but wonder if I made the right decision."

It frustrated him that he kept second-guessing himself. He knew he had made the right call, but it still weighed heavily on his mind. Edmund, the chamberlain, gave him a searching look. Mario couldn't help but wonder if the man was looking at him with pity or contempt. He could handle the latter- but the former was a notion he couldn't stomach.

Edmund let out a deep sigh. "You are nothing like what the Imperial propaganda would have us believe," he said with a sad smile. "But come now, we have lingered too long in these halls. I'm sure you are exhausted, sir."

As they continued their journey, Mario couldn't help but glance back at Bowser's chambers. His mind raced with questions, his thoughts a jumbled mess. Was Bowser seething with anger? If their positions were reversed, would Bowser have shown the same restraint he had shown now? Or would he have launched an all-out assault on the Mushroom Kingdom without a second thought?

Mario came to an abrupt halt as he realized where they were. It was a vast and luxurious chamber, larger than the combined size of his bedroom, living room, and kitchen back home. The walls and floors were still the same as the rest of the Citadel, but the lavish decor was a far cry from the modest accommodations he was used to. A sizable mirror was attached to one of the walls, reflecting a luxurious bathroom beyond a nearby door. He looked around in disbelief, taking it all in, before his eyes fell upon Edmund, laying out a set of clothes on the bed - a simple white button-down shirt and black slacks.

"I'm pretty sure I'm in the wrong place..." Mario murmured in awe.

Edmund chuckled warmly as he set out a pair of black boots. "Nonsense," he said. "These are to be your chambers for the duration of your visit with us." He patted the folded clothes with a flourish. "And these are a change of clothes tailored to your measurements."

Mario's eyebrows shot up. "Do I even want to know how you know my measurements?" he asked.

Edmund's smile broadened. "Such details were in your personnel files," he replied.

Mario blinked, recalling Vossak's mention of the extensive files that the Empire had on him. Was this an example of the Empire's meticulousness, or had Bowser anticipated his acceptance of the job offer? He glanced out the window and felt his jaw drop at the stunning city skyline view.

"Mama Mia..." he breathed in awe.

"Will there be anything else you require this evening, sir?" Edmund's inquiry interrupted Mario's thoughts.

The plumber snapped out of his daze and turned his attention to the chamberlain. "No, thank you," he replied, his tone absentminded.

Edmund took his leave with a bow, leaving Mario alone in the chamber's silence. Mario went to the window and gazed out at the city below, his brow furrowed with concern. The sounds of the bustling metropolis did little to alleviate the unease that had settled in his gut.

Removing his cap, he tossed it towards the large, luxurious bed and redirected his focus to the city skyline. The twinkling lights of vehicles and neon signs in the distance did nothing to assuage his troubled thoughts. None of this made sense. His mind drifted to the Emperor's health, and the implications of Bowser's impending demise. Mario had not thought much about the aftermath, and he found himself at a loss for what to do next.

He exhaled softly, his eyes fixed on the distant cityscape. As inviting as the plush bed appeared, he knew sleep would not come easily this night.

Belle reveled in the freedom that came with shedding her uniform and slipping into civilian clothes. Vossak had insisted that she enjoy her leave, an order she had every intention of obeying. She donned a crisp white jacket emblazoned with a phoenix emblem on the back and strode out of the Citadel, humming a tune.

The evening air was crisp, causing Belle to shiver slightly. She realized that her damp hair from her shower was probably not helping matters. Though the Vigilant had all the amenities civilians took for granted, there was something exhilarating about being able to venture out into the city after freshening up.

With her duffle bag slung over her shoulder, Belle descended the steps of the Citadel, nodding in acknowledgment to a couple of the guards on duty. The bag's weight was comforting, a reminder of the freedom she had been granted for the time being. She took a deep breath of fresh air and walked down the bustling city street. As she walked, Belle passed a colorful array of storefronts and vendors hawking their wares, from fragrant street food to glittering trinkets. The sounds of chatter and laughter filled the air, along with the occasional blast of music from a nearby club. The city was alive with activity, and despite her fatigue, Belle reveled in the energy of it all. Her first instinct was to go to her apartment and collapse on her bed. But a smile spread across her face as she checked her watch. Peering up, she turned left and walked down the street.

Belle had been apprehensive when Vossak had assigned them to track down Mario, but in hindsight, it had turned out to be one of the more fascinating missions they had undertaken. It was a refreshing break from their usual routine of pursuing pirate gangs. To her surprise, the plumber was nothing like she had anticipated – surprisingly so, in fact. What would Lucinia say when she learned about Belle's adventure with Vossak? A smile played at the corners of her lips as she pondered the thought. Lucinia had been apprehensive when she met Vossak, but the kremling's appreciation for the arts had quickly won her over.

If she was judging this just right… Belle grinned at the sight of the building she wanted to find. Golem Academy was one of the Empire's most distinguished military institutions, a place that she and Vossak had been sent to by the Emperor when the kremling had first arrived in the Empire. She couldn't help but smirk at the memories that flooded back to her. She wondered how many of the well-connected cadets had tried to sabotage them simply because they didn't fit the mold?

As she rounded the corner, Belle reached into her pocket and withdrew her military ID. Flashing it to the guards stationed at the entrance, she waited momentarily as the guard looked at the ID closely. The guards nodded in recognition, waving her through without a second thought. Belle strode forward and into the building itself. Turning once more, she grinned at seeing a lone open office and positioning herself just out of view, she wrapped her knuckles against the frame.

"If it's not an emergency, Cadet Claythorne, then it can wait," a weary voice called out from within.

Suppressing any questions she may have had and stifling a chuckle, Belle sauntered into view, smirking at the slender woman seated at the desk wearing an Imperial uniform. "Wait till when babe?" she teased.

The woman's head of long violet hair swiveled, and her silver eyes widened in surprise. "Belle!" she exclaimed before bounding up from her seat and rushing over to embrace her.

Belle's duffel bag hit the ground with a soft thud as the woman pressed her against the doorframe, their lips meeting in a fervent kiss. Belle grinned into the embrace before pulling back and cupping the other woman's cheek with her hand. "Glad to see you too, Luce," she said, her tone affectionate. "Thought I'd surprise you." She frowned at the tired expression on Lucinia's face. "You alright, Lucinia?"

Lucinia smiled and nodded. "Much better now," she said, stifling a yawn. "Sorry, it's just been a struggle juggling all these entitled rich kids who think they deserve special treatment because of their parents."

Belle let out a light laugh. "Ah, it's good to see that the Academy hasn't changed much," she remarked wryly. Her expression shifted, "So who's this Cadet Claythorne? Need me to whip her into shape?"

Lucinia sighed before shaking her head, "Honestly, she's a spoiled brat. But nothing I can't handle." She then placed her hands on Belle's hips, "When did you get back?"

"Just a few hours ago, actually," Belle said. "You wouldn't believe the mission I had to go on. The Commodore-"

"Wait...Vossak made Commodore?" Lucinia tilted her head. "I thought he was just a captain?"

Belle clicked her tongue. "Oh yeah...we didn't get a big ceremony," she said, shaking her head before kneeling down and opening the duffle bag. She pulled out her own bronze oak leaf and held it out. "We both got promotions, actually."

Lucinia smirked. "So when should I start saluting you?"

"Oi! Don't go all formal on me now, Luce!" Belle huffed, feeling her cheeks warming.

The violet-haired woman grinned before planting a quick kiss on Belle's lips. "You know what? The rest of the paperwork can wait till later, and I don't have to get it done until three days later anyway." Lucinia smiled. "I'd rather spend time with you."

Belle smirked. "Oh? How do we normally spend our off time? Greasy junk food and bad movies?"

"That, and you can tell me all about this big mission you and Vossak were on," Lucinia replied as she began filing away her paperwork. "It wasn't another pirate raid, was it?"

"Nah, trust me when I say it, hon, you wouldn't believe it. I still can't believe we pulled it off," the redhead shook her head. "I'll tell you about it when we get in the car."

"Alright, deal," Lucinia grinned.

Belle observed with satisfaction as Lucinia methodically filed away her paperwork, relishing the sense of contentment that filled her. She knew that Mario's impending arrival in the Capital would no doubt send Lucinia into a state of mild panic, but for the moment, she only wanted to enjoy some quality time with her girlfriend. After all, the fact that the Citadel had yet to implode was a reassuring sign that things weren't as disastrous as she had initially feared.

As they walked towards the car, Belle slung her duffle bag over her shoulder and tossed it into the back seat before settling into the passenger's side. "I'm surprised you didn't insist on driving," Lucinia chuckled as she took her place behind the wheel.

Belle returned the grin. "I'm half-dead on my feet, and I know how protective you are of your baby," she replied, nodding toward the car. "Besides, I don't think Sofia would be pleased if I wrecked your car!"

Lucinia let out a snort of amusement. "Speaking of Sofia, did you know she's on track to become a quartermaster?" she remarked, pulling into the traffic flow.

Belle's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I always assumed she'd become a mechanic or something like that," she said with a smile. "I still remember you telling me how she dismantled your dad's truck."

Lucinia smiled warmly. "Yeah, Dad wasn't too thrilled about that," she recalled. "Sofia's been eager to get on a naval ship, and she's heard about your exploits with Vossak."

Belle wrinkled her nose. "They're hardly as exciting as the Ministry makes them out to be," she remarked, stifling a yawn. "Half the time, I got bored until Vossak discovered something or involved me in poring over numbers and shipping manifests."

"Speaking of which...how did you and Vossak get promoted?" Lucinia asked with a curious glance. "Last I heard, captains usually have to wait seven years before they can even dream of being promoted."

Belle let out a snort. "Yeah, that's what I thought too. But then we were called back to Caldera, and I had this inkling that Vossak had done something to tick off some noble," she said with a smirk.

"Not the first time," Lucinia commented with a grin.

"Yeah, yeah…" Belle groaned. "So instead of facing another inquiry, we were summoned to meet with the First Minister himself!" she exclaimed. "We were offered a mission to go to the Mushroom Kingdom."

The car had now pulled up in a line at a fast-food restaurant. Lucinia frowned as she regarded Belle. "So...why did you have to go there?" she asked warily.

Belle's expression turned serious. "Yeah…" She trailed off sheepishly, "That's the part you're not going to like," she admitted. "Apparently, His Majesty needed Mario Segale's help with something."

It was good that Lucinia had her foot on the brake as she whipped around and stared at Belle wide-eyed, "Hold on a moment," she exclaimed. "You guys actually went to retrieve the Pyreburner? And Vossak agreed to take on that job?"

Belle nodded, hoping to ease her girlfriend's worries. "Yes, that's right," she confirmed. "I had the same reaction as you, but I believe Vossak felt it was his duty to accept the task."

Lucinia's frown deepened as she shook her head in disbelief. "I just can't wrap my head around it," she said, her voice rising in frustration. "Why would anyone in their right mind agree to take on such a dangerous mission?"

Belle let out a small chuckle, recognizing the familiar pattern of Lucinia's worry. "You know how Vossak is," she said, trying to sound reassuring. "He's always felt a sense of duty and responsibility towards the greater good." She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "But… I think the Ministry might have gotten some things wrong about Mario. It might sound crazy, but—"

"Yeah." Lucinia cut in sharply, "It does sound crazy…."

Belle placed a reassuring hand on Lucinia's to calm her nerves. "I understand it's difficult to believe," she said, her voice gentle. "But, Luce, think about it. Vossak and I spent five days on that ship with Mario, and he was free to move around as he pleased."

Lucinia rubbed her temples wearily. "He was probably plotting how to set fire to the Capital," she grumbled.

Belle shook her head, her patience unwavering. "No, that's just it. He didn't act like a prisoner," she said, her tone even. "When we passed over the Frontier, he seemed genuinely amazed." A small smile played at the corners of her lips. "It was almost comical. I don't think he ever expected the Empire to be anything more than the Dark Lands."

Lucinia took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Alright, I'll have to trust you on that," she said, although Belle could tell from the glint in her eyes that she wasn't entirely convinced. "Anyway, you're back now and not leaving again for a while, right?"

"The Emperor has granted us shore leave," Belle said with a smirk. "I don't think the Brass will object to Vossak being out of their hair for a while. But knowing him, he'll probably want to leave after a few days."

Lucinia smiled faintly. "Well, I received an invitation to brunch tomorrow," she said slowly. "It was an open invitation, so..."

Belle snorted. "Come on, Luce, if you want me to go, just say it," she teased, arching an eyebrow. "Who invited you, anyway?"

"Countess Sapora from Crestwood," Lucinia replied with a small smile.

Belle's eyes widened at the name. "Oh, well, in that case, I definitely want to go!" she exclaimed. "I've never had the pleasure of meeting her."

Lucinia chuckled. "Well, you and Vossak were off hunting pirates when she was granted the old seat that Count Crawford...vacated," she said with a wry smile.

Belle rolled her eyes. "If by vacated, you mean tried to overthrow the Emperor and was declared a traitor," she said dryly.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by an angry honking sound. Lucinia jumped, startled, as she maneuvered the car forward to place their order. Belle leaned back in her seat and breathed a contented sigh, enjoying the simple pleasures of a carefree evening. Soon enough, they pulled up to the window, and Belle was immediately tempted by the delicious aroma of burgers and fries. She surreptitiously reached for a fry, only to have Lucinia playfully swat her hand away.

"Not in my car, Belle!" Lucinia teased with a grin.

Belle pouted, her stomach growling in protest. "But I'm so hungry, Luce!" she whined.

"Just wait a few minutes until we get home, and then we can eat," Lucinia replied with a smile.

Belle shook her head in resignation and sat back, doing her best to ignore the tempting scents wafting from the bag. As they drove, the faint sounds of music caught their attention, and Lucinia turned up the volume. Belle bobbed her head to the beat, lost in the moment, before beginning to sing along with the lyrics. Admittedly, she knew she couldn't carry a tune to save her life, but Lucinia didn't seem to care as she joined Belle in singing along with the music.

Before she knew it, they were pulling into the parking lot of their apartment complex. Belle's muscles protested as she clambered out of the car and grabbed her duffle bag. As pleasant as the evening air was, Belle watched with a hint of envy as Lucinia strode confidently up to the apartment door, key in hand. The sound of the lock clicking open was like magic to Belle's ears.

The warmth of the apartment was a welcome respite from the chilly night air and the sterile environment of the Vigilant. As they entered, the sound of Lucinia shutting the door caused Belle to let out a long, drawn-out sigh. "I'm beat," she muttered. "I don't think I could have lasted another month on that ship!"

Lucinia snorted with amusement. "I was half-expecting Vossak to show up," she remarked, glancing warily at the door.

Belle shook her head in exasperation. "Don't even joke about that, Luce," she groaned. "I need a break."

Lucinia stepped forward and rested her hands on Belle's sides. "I'm so glad you're here, love," she murmured, gently kissing Belle's lips. "So, are we thinking comedy, adventure, or horror tonight?"

Belle tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, if it's a truly terrible movie, I'll laugh regardless," she said with a smile. "I think we should go for comedy tonight, and I'll just change real quick."

Author's Note

Initially, this chapter was meant to focus solely on Mario's immediate aftermath of Bowser's offer. However, the bleak ending left me unsatisfied, prompting me to consider including Belle's perspective. Yet, the challenge was to differentiate her experience from Mario's. And that's when inspiration struck: the introduction of Lucinia, a character referenced in the previous chapter. Belle, Tari, Lucinia, and Lucks are all characters from the show Meta Runner by Glitch Productions, with Belle and Tari also featuring in the SMG4 YouTube channel. I found their personalities and dynamics fitting for the tone of Amanita Chronicles, hence their inclusion. As the show concluded with the fan theory of Belle and Lucinia being a couple made canon, I wanted to try something I had never done before.

I must confess that I am critical of how LGBTQ+ representation is handled by some big corporate names. It often veers into relying on offensive stereotypes or gratuitous content. There are obviously exceptions, but I find the community deserves better representation for the most part. As such, I aimed to write Belle and Lucinia's relationship with the sensitivity and respect it deserves. Although this story may allude to intimacy, it will never be explicitly so, reflecting my belief that inclusion doesn't require explicitness or borderline tastelessness. It may be a surprise that this is my first public depiction of a same-sex couple. Nevertheless, I hope I have done justice to Belle and Lucinia's relationship, representing it in a genuine, respectful, and tasteful way.