Chapter 5 Coronation Jitters

5 Years Later

Oh, how Peach wished her brother could see her now.

She let out a breath as one of the servants helped to put up her hair. She couldn't believe that this day was coming up. It felt like just a week ago that Peasley abdicated the throne and left it to her. Time had rushed by her like the swiftest of horses, and now here she was. Two days away from her coronation. Two days away from officially changing the course of her kingdom's history. Two days away from fulfilling and validating the belief that her brother had shown to her, all those years ago.

It was terrifying.

Peach tried her best not to shake as the servant put her hair into a very stylish french braid. Of course, a pit in her stomach had formed about a week ago, and the closer she got to the coronation date, the stronger and more noticeable this pit became. It now threatened to consume her, spread through her body like a cancer and ultimately take over her mind. Peach had tried to combat it, tried to tell herself that she needn't worry. This was going to be fine. This was how it was supposed to be, and she wasn't one who backed out of a situation thanks to the most obvious and most pitiful hurdle she had to overcome. No, she was stronger than that. She was a princess after all. A beanish princess too, the type of princess that lived in a culture that emphasized and valued bravery. She could suck it up. She could be the leader that this whole kingdom needed her to be. She could be the leader her brother believed that she could be.

"And… done." The servant smiled and pulled away, all while Peach touched the braid. "Would you like to see, your majesty?"

Peach nodded, and the servant got out two mirrors. Peach smiled when she saw the braid. "Oh, it is beautiful, Pinto." She smiled at him. "For a guy, you do a very good job when it comes to doing women's hair."

Pinto laughed. "Well, I have three daughters. It kind of comes with the territory." His grin grew brighter. "If it pleases you, I can do something similar for your coronation in two days?"

Peach's stomach flip flopped when that was mentioned, but did her best to hide it. "I think that would be lovely, thank you."

That got an even brighter smile out of Pinto. Bowing, he left the room, leaving Peach to marvel at the beauty of his handiwork. At least, when the thought of her future coronation wasn't so overwhelming. She tried to ease her worries by doing the one thing that she had done countless times over the last five years: gripping hold of the sapphire broach Peasley left as a parting gift. She squeezed it, the last part of her brother that she would possibly ever have. The strength of the squeeze was comparable to the hugs her brother gave her when they were little kids. As such, she couldn't help but visualize his face, keeping it front and center in her minds eye in order to make sure that she could handle all of this.

Because she could handle it. Peasley had said as much. In fact, very few people nowadays doubted that Princess Peach would make a good queen. Even Lady Lima had warmed up to the idea eventually. Sure, it took about two years and a boatload of different lessons, but she eventually did display her faith in her princess. Peach still smiled to this day as she thought about the first time Lima ever told her that she was just what the kingdom needed.

Just what the kingdom needed… what a great thing to have someone call you. What an amazing thing to be labeled as, a high honor of Peach had ever received one. What made it even better was that she knew it to be true. Or, at the very least, she believed and wanted it to be true.

WIth this thought in mind, Peach sat down on her bed. Yes, there was nothing to worry about. Sure, a coronation ceremony could be stressful. There was a lot that had to be one hundred percent perfect. Not only that, but the entire kingdom would be there to watch. They would wait, with bated breath, to see the crown placed on Peach's head. They will all be anticipating when Peach took the vow that she would protect and serve her kingdom to the best of her ability. Everything would be seen. Everything was at risk of going wrong…

Peach shook her head. No, no, she shouldn't worry about that. The coronation was in two days; she had no reason worry about this now. There was an old Beanish proverb that said "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Now, Peach wasn't an expert, but she imagined that statement was doubly true for an event that would happen the day after tomorrow. It only made sense.

So, with a shake of her head, she pushed all her worries to the back of her mind. As she did, she reached for a fantasy book that she had been reading on her nightstand. She opened it up to the page she left off, and began reading. As she did, she couldn't help but notice how brave the main character was. Sure, she had always known about that trait; in fact, it was probably the main reason she found both the book and character so compelling. But now, it was really noticeable. It stuck out to her in a way that it never had before. So much so, in fact, that Peach became envious. She wished she could be as strong as the protagonist. She wished that she could tackle fearsome situations and obstacles with this level of confidence. Oh, wouldn't that just make her an amazing queen?

Knock knock.

Peach scurried to put the book back on her nightstand. "Come in!"

The door instantly opened, allowing Lima to enter the room. "M'lady," she said, her tone reverent yet also somewhat proud and doting. "I think it is high time that we select the dress you are going to wear for the ceremony."

Peach hesitated for about a minute. A minute too long, as Lima's brow noticeably furrowed. However, it went back to normal when Peach smiled and stood up. "Yes, I think that would be a good thing to do."

So, with a smile, Lady Lima led Princess Peach out of the room. The two walked in silence, a symptom of how comfortable they had grown to be around each other. As Peach followed the advisor, she couldn't help but wonder what was going on in her head. She looked so confident, so sure. Did that have anything to do with the coronation? Was she already writing off as a success, devoid of any of Peach's internal struggles?

Wanting to avoid thinking about that, Peach finally spoke up. "How is Mother?"

Lima chuckled. "Right as rain, your highness." Her chuckling grew to laughter. "I spoke with her about half an hour ago. She said she is looking forward to a long retirement and vacation after the coronation."

Peach snickered. "That sounds like her."

Lima nodded. "On that subject… I have to say, I am getting up there in age, your highness. I would be more than willing to serve as your advisor for a short time, but…" she giggled. "I think my creaky bones are in need of some good rest and relaxation as well."

"I understand," Peach said. Although, in all honesty, she didn't know how to feel about this. She didn't blame Lima for wanting to retire, but at the same time, she was one of the most competent advisors Peach had ever run into. Trying to find someone who wasn't her, and yet still served as a viable replacement, was certain to take quite some time.

And with those thoughts came a whole new mountain of stress. She once again thought about her coronation, as well as the reign that would follow that. I am just what the kingdom needs, she repeated on a loop in her head. I am just what the kingdom needs, I AM JUST WHAT THE KINGDOM NEEDS!

"Princess Peach?" Lima asked. "Are you alright?"

Peach did a double take, just noticing for the first time that she and Lima had arrived at the room where they wanted to go. She breathed in deeply. "Yes, Lima," she said, doing her best to use a confident tone. "I am just fine."

Lima raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. She opened up the door, and Peach walked in. What met her eyes were two different outfits, situated on two different mannequins. Both were very regal in their own special way. The first was a cyan dress, with diamonds on the skirt and a long, flowing purple cloak that trailed behind. The second one, a sunshine yellow dress with amethysts, and its matching cloak was red.

"So, Your Highness," Lima said. She gestured toward the gowns. "Which would you prefer?"

"Um…" Peach studied them for a minute. "I like the blue one, honestly."

Lima chuckled. "You have immaculate taste." She gestured for Peach to stand on a stool. "Now, why don't we try it on?"

Peach nodded and stepped onto the stool. Lima help her remove her usual attire, which unfortunately included the sapphire broach. Peach did her best to not let this bother her, but it was certainly a very gruesome uphill battle.

"Uh, Lady Lima?" Peach asked as Lima started to tighten the bodice she wore. "Do you… do you think I'll make a good queen?"

Lima smiled. "Only the best, dear princess." She grabbed the gown off the mannequin. "I've told you that many times before."

"I know, I know." Oh, how Peach longed to hold onto her broach. "I just… I just want to serve the kingdom well. I fear that I'll mess up." Lima, much to Peach's shock, burst out laughing. The sound was kind of maniacal, somehow scarier than any part of the coronation could possibly be. Needless to say, Peach's heart skipped multiple beats. "What's so funny?"

Lima placed her hand on her belly as she tried to calm down. "Peach… dear Peach, you don't have to worry about messing up." Peach breathed a sigh of relief, but instantly sucked it back in when Lima said the next sentence. "Worrying about it will make it more bitter when it does happen."

Peach squirmed. "You think I am going to mess up?"

"Of course!" Lima said. "But that has nothing to do with your competency, my princess." She made Peach hold her hands up to the sky as she put on the dress. "Messing up is inevitable. We are mortal beings, mortal beings that have flaws and weaknesses. Not even royalty is exempt from this, mind you." She went to grab hold of the cloak. "Your mother has made several mistakes during her reign as queen, mistakes that I've pointed out." She strapped the cloak over Peach's shoulders. "But that doesn't make her any less of a good ruler. If anything, it makes her better."

"Better?" Peach asked, her incredulity rising. "How?"

"Because she's learned from her mistakes. She's taken them and found ways to better herself, become a better ruler. That is the reason why the Kingdom sees her as wise and good. She's been through the wringer, but she always manages to come out on the other side." She walked over to a dresser on the other side of the room. "You know, I think a diamond necklace would complement this appearance, don't you?"

Peach's thoughts immediately jumped to her broach, but she pushed those thoughts away with a sigh. "That would be good, yes." Lima smiled and brought the necklace over. "So, you think that I can become as good a ruler as mother even if I do make mistakes?"

"Not 'even if,'" Lima said. "I think you'd become a better ruler because of those mistakes." She chuckled. "And sure, there are some mistakes that common sense suggests you should never make. But even still, you can become a great leader because of those too." She put the necklace around Peach's neck. "I believe you can, Peach. Don't you?"

Peach bit her lip as she felt the diamond necklace around her neck. "I…" she eventually sighed. "Yes, yes I do."

"Good." Lima took a step back, admiring the attire. "Oh, this is beautiful. Would you like to see?"

Peach nodded, and Lima went to the other side of the room to fetch a full-length mirror. She dragged it to in front of Peach, who actually managed to smile when she saw her reflection.

"Wow."

"Indeed," said Lima. She walked up to stand by Peach's side. "And just think, my dear. This is going to look even better when they put the crown on you at the ceremony."

Peach frowned before nodding. "Yes. It… it certainly will…"