Chapter 3 She Can't

The sleep that night was probably the single greatest sleep Peach had ever had in her life. When she woke up, she felt well rested, so much so that she believed she wouldn't need to sleep again for the rest of the year. She rose with a smile, counting her blessings and thinking about all that had happened the day before.

Honestly, the suggestion that Peasley had made had seemed more and more appealing to her the more time she thought about it. Because really, wasn't she made to be a queen? Did she not attend to her lessons and duties with the utmost grace and poise? She believed she did, or at the very least tried to do as much. And sure, the possibility even ascending the Beanbean Kingdom throne would have been seen as absolutely ludicrous in her eyes before Peasley had offered it to her. But now? Not only did it appeal to her, it excited her. It filled her with such a joy and happiness because, on a very deep and personal level, it felt to her as though she had finally found her purpose. Now, she wasn't doomed to be married off to some prince that she didn't know, let alone love. Now, she had a clear set path for her life, a direction she could aim for and a destination that she wanted to reach.

With this thought, she put on a smile on her beanish face and got out of bed. The servants came to help her bathe and get dressed within no time at all, completely unaware of why their princess now felt like she was on top of the world. She debated telling them, but just as quickly wagered that it would probably be best for her and Peasley to tell their mother first. She was the head honcho after all, and this news was definitely something she needed to be aware of before anyone else. So, she kept her lips sealed.

By the time she was all set, wearing her favorite pink chiffon dress and glittering sapphire broach, she made her way out of her room with a smile on her face. She also walked with a sort of pride she never possessed before, a pride that put a spring in her step and helped her feel bigger and stronger than any thirteen year old could ever feel. She held her head high, and her delight only increased when she ran across her brother.

"So," she said, doing her best to not let her excitement bubble over. "And we going to tell mother?"

Peasley chuckled. "Of course! It's the most logical course of action." He faced the direction that would take the two of them to the throne room. "We should probably do it as soon as possible. After all…" he frowned. "Well, we need to make her aware that she shouldn't go through with the coronation a few months from now."

"Makes sense," Peach said with a nod.

With that, the two beanish siblings made their way to the throne room. Despite the silence, Peach didn't feel uncomfortable. If anything, she felt more comfortable than she had felt in months. Were comfort and a grand destiny two things that came in a package deal?

"I meant what I said last night," Peasley spoke up. "You'll make a great queen."

Peach's face grew warm. "Thank you," she said with a smile. "I… I feel inclined to agree with you. Plus… well, I think that would be the best course of action. Not just because you wouldn't feel comfortable with the position but also because… well, I want to do it." A warm feeling welled up in her heart, one that prompted her to put her hand to her chest and smile. "I would love doing it, actually."

Peasley grinned. "That's great to hear. And trust me; you're tailor made for the job."

With that, they continued with their walk. The reassuring words of her older brother echoed in her eyes, making Peach feel even better. She almost didn't care if her mother didn't approve of this. Sure, that would suck, and would certainly throw a monkey wrench in things, but… oh, this was going to go well. Right as rain and fine as felt, is how things were going to go. Peach had to believe that. She wanted to believe that with every last fiber of her being, so she would! She would, darn it!

With these thoughts in mind, Peach and Peasley entered the throne room. Queen Bean sat on the throne, while talking to Lady Lima, no doubt discussing something important. This theory was proven right when the siblings got close enough to hear.

"I think we should have a special dinner for Peasley after he gets coronated," Queen Bean said.

"Of that, I am in complete agreement." Lima sniffed. "Although, I am remiss to admit that the prince would probably react more positively toward good food than he would actually ascending the throne."

Queen Bean chortled. "He'll get into a groove within no time at all, I can assure you." She sighed. "I remember the first few days after I first ascended the throne. Oh man, was I a nervous wreck." She chuckled while leaning back in her chair. "It's a phase that I feel every royal goes through at first. But I am pleased to report that it doesn't last forever." She smiled. "And it most certainly last forever with Peasley either."

Lady Lima nodded, although she didn't look too terribly confident. "If you say so…"

Peach giggled, appreciating the wonderful irony wrapped up in this discussion. Peasley's eyes also twinkled with some sort of mischievous glee. He took a step toward the throne, clearing his throat as he did. Both the queen's and the lady royal's eyes brightened up when they saw the royal siblings.

"Why hello, Peasley darling!" Queen Bean said. She adjusted her position so that she was sitting up straight. "It's nice to see you here."

"Indeed," said Lima. It seemed that all of her frustrations from the day before had vanished overnight. "We have a lot to do to get ready for your coronation coming up, and I am very excited to start discussing and implementing them."

Peasley chuckled himself, the sound dripping with a joy that the prince had never really expressed before. "Actually, I have something to discuss in regards to that." Queen Bean leaned forward while Lady Lima looked interested. They probably expected the young prince to say something along the lines of "I'm going to start taking my lessons more seriously," or "I had some ideas that we could try for the ceremony." So, when Peasley spoke, they both were in for quite the rude awakening.

"I have decided to abdicate the throne and give the birthright to my sister, Peach!"

Silence. Queen Bean and Lady Lima stared at Peasley with the utmost level of shock. Queen Bean's jaw dropped. Lima's eyes kept traveling between Peasley and Peach, looking like she had just been told the fate of the world depended on the two of them.

"What?" Queen Bean squeaked. "You're not serious." She laughed, clearly trying to salvage this situation. "You're joking, honey bun. Please tell me you're joking."

Peasley shook his head. "I am not joking Mother. I have thought long and hard about this, and I believe it is the best course of action."

Even with those words, Queen Bean and Lima still looked shocked. Lima in particular tried to speak, but couldn't get her tongue to cooperate with her. If Peach didn't know any better, she would assume the advisor was about to faint.

"You… you…." Lima stuttered.

Taking that as an invitation to express her own opinions regarding the topic, Peach took a step forward. "I would be honored to rule the Beanbean Kingdom, mother. I know the history backwards and forwards. I am familiar with the political landscape of our neighboring kingdoms, and have even tried to brainstorm possible solutions to our problems, both present and future." She smiled. "I would love to rule. I love this Kingdom with every last fiber of my being, and know I would serve it with all the strength I have at my disposal."

Interestingly, Queen Bean's shock lessened up a little bit upon hearing those words. In fact, her whole face softened into a more… accepting state. "Peach," she said, her voice soft and light. "I… I…"

Unfortunately, before she could say more, Lima cleared her throat. Everyone looked over at her, into her heated eyes and taken aback expression. "Your Highness, you can't do that."

Another silence befell the room. Peach in particular felt a bit of heartache upon hearing those words come from her teacher and mentor. It hurt so much that, despite every last inch of herself telling her that prying wouldn't be wise, she decided to pry.

"Why not?"

"Because you are not prepared for this. No one has taken the time to straighten that particular path for you." She looked over at Peasley. "Your brother, meanwhile, has been trained for this. He has been told from the minute he could walk til now what his duty to the kingdom is. He knows all the ins and outs of how to rule." She looked right in the Princess's eyes. "You, my darling, do not."

Peach felt as if she had been stung. She opened her mouth to say more, but Peasley beat her to the punch.

"But I don't want to rule!" He took a step toward Lady Lima, looking as serious as the Blorbs. "Lima, you've seen how I am in lessons. You know how much the call for adventure appeals to me. You yourself said less than five minutes ago that I wouldn't be super excited to take the throne. I think this is for the best!" He frowned. "Why can't you think that too?"

"Because it is not!" Lima exclaimed. She looked at Peach now, her eyes practically boring into the young Princess's soul. "Peach is the second born of the royal family. Her role doesn't demand as much focus or dedication as yours, Peasley. The idea that you want to thrust her into a role she is not ready, prepared, or even capable of dealing with is… quite frankly, ludicrous." She shook her head. "Princess Peach can't take the throne. She can't."

Peach felt as though she had been stabbed. She lowered her head, thinking about these words. She couldn't do this. She wasn't prepared. She wasn't capable. She wasn't ready…

"That's where you're wrong!" Peasley objected. "You have five years until Peach turns eighteen. That gives you more than enough time to prepare for the role of queen!"

Now Lima actually looked angry. "Five years is not nearly enough time. And besides, what is supposed to two months from now, when the whole kingdom is prepared to watch you take the crown? How are they supposed to cope with the disappointment of knowing their prince doesn't care enough about them to take care of them?"

It was Peasley's turn to look angry now. "I do care about them! That's why I'm doing this, Lima! I would be a terrible ruler! That's why I'm leaving the throne in the hands of someone who is far more capable! Shouldn't that be proof enough that I care?"

Steam practically shot out of Lima's pointy nose. "Why you… you little… you selfish…!"

"Lima!" Queen Bean interrupted. She looked at Peasley before settling her soft gaze on her daughter. "If Peasley wants to give his birthright to Peach… well, then he may. It is his right."

Lima opened her mouth to object, but ended up shaking her head and groaning. "Very well." She looked at Peach. "It looks like you'll be queen instead, your Majesty."

Despite how wonderful that idea seemed before, hearing Lima says those words now felt… wrong.