A Cold Shadow (DimentioXMr.L[SPM AU])

Alone Palace

The group of four continued their journey, now with Timpani leading at the front. Morale seemed to have been improved dramatically ever since they found Timpani. Blumiere happily followed his wife as they made their way through the black snow tundra, a smile on his face at almost all times. Marvin somehow had an even bigger smile than Blumiere on his own face, which seemed impossible, yet he managed to do it nonetheless.

Mr.L seemed to be the only person whose mood hasn't changed at all. Yes, he was happy for Marvin and Blumiere that Timpani had come back, but he still felt something wrong deep in the back of his mind. As they all walked through an icicle-coated pathway, Mr.L pulled back out the small present that he had yet to give to Dimentio.

"You still weren't able to give it to him?" Marvin asked.

Mr.L jumped a little, unaware that Marvin had been staring over his shoulder.

"Yeah, I didn't get the chance to." Mr.L admitted, "Now I'm afraid I'll never be able to..."

"Looks like somebody cares for the prince!" Timpani cheered.

Mr.L flinched again and fumbled with the box, trying to keep himself from dropping it.

"Geez, it must be genetic for sneaking up on people!" Mr.L replied, "And what are you talking about, Timpani?"

"Well, I think that it is quite obvious that you are in love," Timpani stated matter-of-factly.

Mr.L practically choked on air as his face turned a deep shade of red in an instant.

"W-what?! What makes you think that?!" Mr.L quickly exclaimed.

Timpani giggled and landed on Mr.L's shoulder.

"I'm a tattle Pixl, I can see right through you, Luigi," Timpani told him.

Mr.L sighed heavily and blushed as he looked down at the gift in his hands.

"I just... It's not like I'm ALLOWED to like him... It's literally against the law." Mr.L stated, feeling like he might as well come clean if she could just see through his lies.

"Now hold on, there's no law saying that a man and a man cannot be together!" Timpani retorted, "Love is love no matter how you dress it."

"Well, there IS a law saying that a prince can't marry a man." Mr.L muttered, pocketing the present.

Timpani harrumphed.

"And who made that law?" Timpani questioned.

"The Pixl Queen and literally every other kingdom..?" Mr.L replied.

"And what position of authority does Dimentio now have?" Timpani asked, a smile in her tone.

"He's the king..." Mr.L warily stated, unsure where she was going with this.

"So, if he cares about you the same way, Dimentio could simply just change the law! Right?" Timpani said.

Mr.L scoffed and shook his head, waving her off with a dismissive gesture.

"I can almost guarantee that it is NOT that simple." Mr.L scoffed, "It can't be! It's just not! Right, Blumiere?"

"Actually, it pretty much is." Blumiere replied, still leading them up the ice path, "Dimentio can now theoretically declare a law invalid or make a law as long as his advisor, which is me for the record, approves it."

"R-really?! Ha!" Mr.L laughed, "But wait..."

Mr.L sighed and shook his head.

"Never mind. He probably doesn't like me like that. It would be stupid to think he'd change the law for something so stupid." Mr.L muttered, doubt getting the better of his mind.