The Dryad's Loyalty

Chapter 18: Something Missing

Dinner went rather smoothly; the minion's morale wasn't back to its usual levels just yet, But seeing how the king hadn't taken his defeat too harshly and, on the contrary, was cracking some jokes with Hazel and seemed to be having a good time, they also felt allowed to relax a bit and forget about that huge fiasco from earlier in the day. After all, nothing had changed, they were still at odds with every kingdom and princess Peach still hated their king.
They just couldn't understand why he was still going after her- especially seeing how happy he looked just being around the dryad.

However, as Hazel would also soon notice, there was one empty chair next to Bowser... Junior's. They wondered where the little koopa kid might've been. They hoped he was somewhere safe at least.

Once the meal was over, the minions began walking back to their quarters, and although the dryad would've loved to spend more time with the koopa king, they still had to abide to minion protocol to an extent, so they went back to their room with Sherald and Goombronio.

"Man... today was crazy-" Sherald commented, stretching a bit "At least the food was good"

"Yeah, but it looks like we're back to square one- the boss will probably go back to kidnapping princesses again... aaaand we'll have to go back getting stomped on..." Goombronio sighed.

Hazel looked to the side; they knew it wasn't their fault but... they still felt bad for failing their friends! "I-I'm sorry I couldn't do anything, guys..."

"What are you apologizing for, Hazel? I mean- you've been the only one so far who's managed to convince Bowser to even TRY another way aside from kidnapping to conquer Peach's heart! Maybe if you push more it'll work again!" the green-shelled koopa replied, smiling kindly.

"Yeah yeah! I mean, from how things are going- maybe soon he won't even WANT to kidnap the princess anymore" the goomba chuckled, earning a confused look from the dryad.

"What do you mean...?"

Sherald laughed out loud "Oh come on! Everyone saw you two cracking jokes and nudging and poking each other during dinner! He's never been so chummy with anyone else before, aside from his son! It's so obvious he likes you!"

That comment caused Hazel's face to go beet red, Bowser? Like them?? There was absolutely no way that could be true! Even though... he had been acting quite affectionately with them in those last few days. And though previously they'd always been the one initiating things with a pat on the shoulder or... a dance; that evening, Bowser had just- suddenly hugged them of his own volition, he'd wiped their tears away, caressed their face-- the more they thought about it, the harder it became to deny the facts: he DEFINITELY had feelings for them, what sort or how deep they were, they didn't know, but they were definitely there.

Seeing how Hazel seemed to be lost in thought, Goombronio spoke up as well "And what about you? Do you like him?"

"I- I mean... I don't really... know? I've never been so close to anyone else, that's for sure... but that's because I've spent so many years on my own- I never really experienced things like... love, so I'm not even sure how it's supposed to feel like" the dryad admitted, hoping the two wouldn't be let down by that answer.

However, they would never get an opinion from either of them, because as soon as one opened their mouth to speak, another voice talked over him! A feminine, slightly snobbish voice, one that the trio immediately recognized: it was Wendy O. Koopa!

"Hazel!" she called out, power-walking towards the three minions. "I knew I'd find you here, listen, I need your help" she hurriedly said.

"M-my help? For what?" it was almost bedtime, did they seriously had more stuff to do?