They all went back to the castle. Pete and the weasels were immediately put in jail. Margot, King, and Queen greeted Minnie with relief and happiness until they saw her sad face.
"It's Mickey..." Minnie sobbed slightly.
"Mickey..." Malcolm went closer, until he saw Mickey in Goofy's arms. "My brother..." Malcolm started to sob. "You may have been born a pauper, but you'll always be royal at heart." He hugged Mickey slightly.
As Goofy carried Mickey over to the royal doctor, Minnie told everyone the story of how Mickey fought for her safety and how he got hurt saving her life. King and Queen thought it over...
"Minnie," King said. "Your mother and I were wrong. Anyone who would risk their life to save yours is worthy enough to be your husband. Besides, we now realize that Malcolm is right: Mickey is royal at heart."
Minnie smiled at them gratefully, but was too worried about Mickey to keep smiling. Margot on the other hand kissed Malcolm, relieved that they could be together. Malcolm kissed her back, feeling the same way.
Time passed, and Mickey didn't die to everyone's relief. When he woke up Minnie visited him first.
"I was so worried that you were going to die." Minnie said, happy tears in her eyes instead of sad ones.
"I probably would have, if I had stopped thinking of you." Mickey smiled. "But even when I was unconscious I still kept thinking of you, and the life we might share in the future. My love for you and your love for me kept me going, and gave my heart a reason to continue beating."
Minnie smiled and kissed him, and he returned it. Their kiss strengthened Mickey's heart even more, and he knew that he would make a complete recovery.
"We will have a future, my parents have allowed us to end up together." Minnie said as they broke free.
Mickey was so happy that tears formed in his eyes.
Mickey's friends visited him next, and Malcolm was the first to spoke.
"Mickey, when I became scared of losing you I realized that you truly were my brother." Malcolm smiled. "So I had the jeweler make you a real crown, for now you are Prince Mickey." Malcolm put Mickey's new crown on the table beside him.
The crown was gold, and obviously smaller than Malcolm's king crown (it didn't have the red cloth part for one thing). It also had ruby hearts and diamond...er...diamonds (both the gem and the shape I mean) dotting the middle.
"The hearts stand for how you're royal at heart, and the diamonds reflect your virtuous soul." Malcolm continued smiling.
"This means so much to me...my brother." Mickey smiled gratefully.
Goofy and Donald also expressed their relief of Mickey's recovery, and Pluto licked him on the cheek. Since he didn't want to accidentally hurt Mickey, Pluto refrained from jumping on the bed and instead rested his head on Mickey's chest, letting Minnie scratch him behind the ears.
Mickey did make a complete recovery, and afterward was officially crowned a prince and Malcolm's official brother. Malcolm then announced that he and Margot were engaged and a celebration begun. The next day, Mickey proposed to Minnie, who of course accepted. There was a double wedding, and when it was over Mickey and Minnie stayed for the reception, and then went back to Minnie's kingdom with King and Queen. Pluto and Goofy went too, for they were truly part of Mickey's life. Goofy became captain of the guards, but also continued his jester duties. Pluto resumed his life as head of the guard dogs, except this time he had new dogs to lead. Donald missed watching Goofy perform, but knew that he really belonged with Malcolm just as Goofy really belonged with Mickey. The two couples and their friends visited each other often though, for true friendship, like true love, can never be kept apart.