A/N: Sorry for the delay! I'm actually almost done with this, so I figured I'll have more regular updates on this!


Wendy stirred in her bed, blinking against the rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up in bed and stretched, a yawn escaping her lips. As her gaze wandered around her lavishly decorated chamber, Wendy couldn't shake off the feeling of weariness that seemed to linger within her. Being a princess was no easy task, she realized yet again, as the weight of responsibilities pressed down on her shoulders like a heavy crown.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her mind already racing with the endless list of tasks that needed her attention – diplomatic meetings with neighboring kingdoms, inspections of the mushroom fields, overseeing the training of the Koopa Troopas; possibly everything under the Sun.

But as Wendy sat there, her mind in a constant swirl and her heart burdened by the gravity of her royal responsibilities, she couldn't shake off the persistent ache that pulsed within her. It was a longing, an unquenchable thirst for something undefined yet deeply desired. A craving for adventure, to break free from the shackles of her title and the endless demands that came with it.

With a sigh, she rose from her bed and made her way to her vanity. She put on her bow and just enough makeup to hide her baggy eyes. As she made her way to the dining room, cheerful chatter and laughter drifted towards her as she approached. Pushing open the ornate double doors, Wendy was met with a wave of warmth and excitement.

"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Wendy!"

Her brothers were already gathered around the long dining table, their faces bright with smiles and anticipation. Bowser, the mighty king of the Koopas, stood at one end of the table with a cake adorned with unlit candles. His sharp teeth glistened as he grinned at his children, pride and affection evident in his fiery eyes.

Wendy smiled as she took her seat at her usual spot between Roy and Morton. She didn't necessarily forget her birthday; more like she had other priorities to focus on. So seeing the party came as a surprise to her.

"Thanks, guys!" she said.

"Now, as much as we want the cake, we need to have breakfast first," Bowser said.

Wendy and her brothers exchanged knowing glances before Ludwig, the eldest sibling and the most intellectual of the Koopalings, put his book down and lifted a fork and knife in mock protest. "But Father, can we not indulge in a slice of cake first? It's Wendy's special day, after all!"

Iggy, the eccentric inventor of the group, chimed in with a sly grin. "Or perhaps we could have cake for breakfast! A revolutionary idea, don't you think?"

Lemmy, known for his childlike innocence and love for mischief, clapped his hands enthusiastically. "Cake for breakfast! Cake for breakfast!"

Wendy couldn't help but laugh along with her brothers. Sure, sometimes they annoyed her or outright pissed her off, but special times like this make all those tough situations worth bearing.

Bowser chuckled deeply. "Even birthdays aren't an excuse to eat cake for breakfast. Servants!"

Wendy's stomach growled hungrily as a group of cheerful servants entered the room, carrying trays piled high with steaming food. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast fare - stacks of golden pancakes glistening with syrup, fluffy scrambled eggs bursting with flavor, and sizzling platters of crispy bacon. Wendy couldn't resist scooping up a generous helping onto her plate.

As she savored each bite of her meal, she couldn't help but observe her siblings at the table. Ludwig sat with a calm and focused demeanor, his eyes darting between his book and his plate. Iggy, always the inventor, was engaged in animated discussion with Bowser, gesturing emphatically as he described his latest breakthrough. Bowser listened with feigned understanding, nodding along to show support. Meanwhile, Lemmy skillfully juggled a few grapes from the fruit bowl, a look of concentration on his face as he expertly kept them airborne while sneaking bites of bacon in between catches.

"What do you want for your birthday, Wendy?" Morton, typically the most reserved of the Koopalings, set aside his towering stack of pancakes to address his sister.

Wendy halted her chewing and delicately placed her fork back onto her plate, meeting Morton's sincere gaze. His usually stoic expression was replaced with a vulnerable earnestness that caught her off guard.

The deep sigh that escaped her mouth was filled with both exhaustion and longing. "Honestly, Morty..." she said, her voice a mix of exasperation and desperation. "I need a break from all of these never-ending responsibilities. I'm burning out."

Wendy's words hung in the air, and for a moment, the lively chatter around the table quieted. Even Bowser's brow furrowed slightly as he regarded his daughter.

"A vacation, huh?" Roy, the tough-guy of the bunch, spoke up with a hint of curiosity in his gruff voice. "Where would you go, sis?"

Wendy frowned as she contemplated the question. She had always been so wrapped up in her work and responsibilities that she had never had time to think about where she would actually go if given the chance. "Huh… I don't know," she replied, feeling a pang of regret for not having explored her options sooner.

Iggy piped up, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You should definitely visit the Snow Kingdom," he said. "The crystalline ice formations there are said to be breathtaking, like something out of a fairytale. And don't even get me started on the aurora borealis displays—they're absolutely unparalleled."

Ludwig, who had been buried in his book until now, lifted his head and joined in. "On the contrary, the Mushroom Kingdom is where true cultural masterpieces can be found. Its opera houses are renowned throughout the land and have been hailed as some of the greatest in existence."

"Bah, those places are boring!" Roy scoffed. "If you want a real vacation, you gotta hit up Dinosaur Land. Nothing beats riding on the back of a T-Rex!"

Lemmy bounced in his seat, nearly knocking over his juice. "Ooh, ooh! What about the Beanbean Kingdom?"

As her siblings eagerly offered their suggestions, Wendy felt a whirlwind of emotions swirl within her. Their enthusiasm was infectious, but she couldn't help feeling a sense of unease. None of these destinations seemed to align with what she truly desired – something more meaningful.

"Those all sound wonderful, but..." Wendy paused, mulling over her words carefully as she struggled to articulate her inner turmoil. "Maybe these vacation spots aren't as fulfilling as they seem—"

Wendy's cut off when the door swiung open, and Larry stepped inside the dining room. His eyes were bloodshot and heavy-lidded, and his usual vibrant energy noticeably absent. He stumbled into the dining room, barely managing to stay upright as he made his way to the table.

"Happy birthday, Wendy," Larry said in a sleepy, slurred mumble as he stumbled into his chair. His eyes drooped heavily and yawns escaped him between words.

"Larry, are you feeling alright?" Bowser asked in concern.

Larry blinked slowly, struggling to focus on Bowser. "Yeah... just tired. Didn't sleep much."

Wendy raised an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and concern in her expression. "Were you up all night again, Larry? What were you doing this time?"

"Oh, you know, just couldn't sleep. Restless night and all that," he said, waving his hand dismissively.

Wendy narrowed her eyes, not entirely convinced by Larry's nonchalant response. She knew her brother well enough to sense when he was hiding something. However, before she could press further, Bowser's voice filled the room.

"Alright, enough interrogation. It's Wendy's birthday, let's focus on that," he turned to Wendy with a grin. "Speaking of which, are you ready to open your presents?"

A twinkle appeared in her eyes as she eagerly nodded her head in agreement.