Chapter 3: The Monarch Kingdom

In the hilltop palace, there's a human-sized anthropomorphic monarch butterfly, but its wings are white with jewels on the spots while it is wearing a king's crown. He is the King of this butterfly kingdom, wearing forest king attire. He is seated in the throne room, looking unhappy. Next to him is his queen. She's a monarch butterfly but jade green with red pearls on the spots while having a forest goddess attire.

"What to do? What to do? After the Royal Food Supplier went rogue, our food suppliance decreased tremendously," said the King.

His queen then said, "He has battle experience. Not one of our best knights was able to defeat him. Our people will starve if we can't do something about it."

A Bhutan Glory butterfly arrived and said, "Your Majesties, the delivery has arrived. The Bhutan Glory Battalion has brought them, and they deliver."

"What good news that we need. Let's hope this supply of food will last us a bit longer. Bring forth the delivery people.," the King responds.

The doors open for the Bhutan Glory Battalion to enter the throne room while carrying the Cup Trio and their cargo. They gently put the Cup Trio on their feet and continue carrying the cargo.

"At least they put us down," said Cuphead.

The Guardian Pet Trio appeared through the entrance and quickly surrounded their owners in guard mode. They growled at all the butterflies as they defend them.

"Easy there, you three. They just let us go," Chalice said

"You must be the delivery people for Chef Saltbaker's Bakery. Thank you for coming all this way. A servant will gladly give you your pay," said the King.

"Oh, my milk. A bejeweled great white monarch butterfly king and a red pearl encrusted jade-patched cattleheart monarch butterfly queen," Mugman commented as the Cup Trio took a knee regarding the rulers.

An orange-barred Sulphur butterfly arrives with a satchel and hands it to Chalice. When she looked at it, she was shocked to see a hundred gold coins.

"Wait! This is so much, even for a year's worth of these goods. Even for me, too," said Chalice.

"Please take it. It not only pays for the goods but also for your hard work to bring it and gratitude for helping our people," the Queen said.

But the Queen paused when she spots the Cup Brothers. She stood up and walked toward them. The Cup Brothers were perplexed when she came before them. Sugarcube and Creamer stood their ground to ensure their masters' safety.

"You two…Do you know Mocha?" she asks.

"As in Mocha Latte Cappuccino? She's our mother," said Mugman.

"Then…you must be Cuphead and Mugman. Your mother is a best friend of mine, practically sisters. I'm Queen Monica of the Monarch Kingdom, and he's my husband, King Makoto. You two can call me, Aunty Moni. You and your friends can enter the Monarch Kingdom whenever you wish, and don't be afraid to ask for help."

She pats the brothers' heads as the Guardian Trio calms down after seeing the butterflies not hostile.

"Having an aunty who is a queen is the best," Mugman smiled.

"So, Aunty Moni, I'd like to ask you something. I notice that there are fewer butterflies on the Isle. Is there something wrong?" Cuphead asks.

"Oh, yes. We had to call in all the butterflies for emergency lockdown because the Royal Food Supplier went rogue," Queen Monica answered.

"Rouge? Why?"

"He served our family for so long until he demanded to reward him with our daughter's hand in marriage for his servitude."

"Marriage?" the Cup Trio confused.

King Makoto then said, "I know. Unbelievable. I mean, she's around you three's ages, and he's an adult. Why would he think of something like that?"

"You're right, Dad. It's unbelievable," a female voice arrived.

Everyone turned to their right to see a rainbow monarch butterfly with gold nuggets on the spots in forest princess attire. She was reading about gardening.

"Oh, hello, sweetie. This is our daughter, Princess Melissa," said Queen Monica.

"A gold pierced rainbow melissa blue monarch butterfly? And a beautiful one, too. Nice to meet you, my lady," Mugman said, trying to act like a gentleman.

But Princess Melissa locked her eyes on Cuphead, who smiled and waved at her.

He rizzed her so much when he said, "Hello, Melissa. I'm Cuphead, and he's my brother, Mugman. I hope we get to know each other well."

"What a cutie," Princess Melissa thought with hearts floating above her head.

"Since you're Aunty Moni's daughter, that makes you our cousin."

Hearing this shocked Princess Melissa's heart as her father continued, "Since we refused to make his request, he blocked all entrances for our food supply. If we bring him back to his senses, he might understand how crazy he has gone."

"Maybe we can help," Cuphead spoke up.

"You will?" Princess Melissa is trying to act as fair as she looks.

Chalice and Mugman stared at the scene in jealousy.

"My brother stole another one from me," Mugman mumbled.

"Why are girls always after my Cuphead?!" Chalice tried to hold back her rage and balled up her fists.

Chalice quickly grabs Cuphead's arm and leans on it to say, "You can count on us to bring your supplier back to his senses."

Princess Melissa realized what Chalice was up to.

So she answered with her jealousy hidden and said, "If you complete the task, we might reward you with anything you desire."

"Oh, great. I actually have an award in mind," Cuphead winked.

Princess Melissa blushed in happiness, and Chalice was in jealous shock.

"Clearly, you are Herb and Mocha's child, Cuphead. We'll give you the map to wear our former Royal Food Supplier is," Queen Monica said.

"We'll do our best, Aunty Moni," Cuphead answered.

"You can count on us," Mugman added.

"Sugarcube, Creamer, Acinus, can you help us with this?" Chalice asks.

The Guardian Pet Trio barked, meowed, and chattered in agreement as the Monarch Royal Family smiled in assurance.

Back at Inkwell Hell, the Devil is sulking on his throne while Thea Camellia Rebelwish files his fingernails, and Caffina Lungo Gardener polishes his horns. The two cousins are in their demon forms.

"Down at the dumps, boss?" Thea asks.

"I just need a break from that Cup, his brother, and his girlfriend, he answered.

Hearing that Chalice looks like Cuphead's girlfriend to the Devil, Thea filed his claws so hard that it made him scream.

"Ouch! Watch it, Rebelwish!"

"Sorry, Your Evilness," Thea apologized.

"At least you are taking a break from going after his Soul, my Lord. It may not be good for your health and reputation if you keep doing it all the time," Caffina said.

"Good point. But I can't help feeling we're missing out on something," the Devil said.

Thea and Caffina then said, "We are?"

"Well, whatever it is, I don't care."

"Mhmm."