Bride of Bowser

Invitation

Tonight is the Gathering of the Koopa Ball. Where the king celebrates his territorial victories and discusses new war plans against the Mario brothers from the Mushroom Kingdom.

This night, however, Lord Bowser is looking for a new queen. Since escaping from containment and returning to rule over his citizens, he has no interest in marrying Princess Peach. Since he has no successor he is at risk of being overtaken by other kingdoms.

Instead, he's invited royal families from neighboring lands to send their possible suitors so that he may find love again. A new queen to rule by his side.

I found the letter sitting at my desk in my study. I could hear my adopted siblings snicker down the hall and I try not to roll my eyes. Wonder what they've done now...

They had found me abandoned in the castle gardens when I was a baby and took me in. My mother was always kind but the rest of my family thought less of me because I wasn't blood. After she died, the belittlement of my self-esteem was one of their favorite pastimes. Especially with my siblings.

I almost rip up the letter thinking it's just something hateful but I hesitantly decide to open it. Oh...

The Koopa Kingdom does not have a well-known reputation. It's had major political conflicts with many kingdoms even ours. I guess the king was desperate if he was sending invites to everyone. Why would they give me this?...

I study the contents of the letter carefully. Technically I'm not related to the royal family but I was anointed as a princess because I was the only girl among my brothers before my little sister was born. My father saw it as an opportunity to branch out our kingdom and marry me off for money.

Unfortunately for him, his idea didn't go to plan. Because I wasn't conventionally attractive with blonde hair and a slim waist, considered proper, or born into my title; most possible candidates didn't think I'd be a good match. Whether that be for wealth or lineage.

I found myself feeling hopeless romantically. I think my siblings had noticed too because they would badger me about it constantly. I mostly stayed inside the castle walls because of how isolated I felt. This letter was their cruel way of making me feel worse.

"Prim would be too scared to go to a ball..."

"Like she'd even have any luck finding a suitor let not even that monster would want to marry her..."

I could hear their grading voices swimming around in my head. Making me doubt myself. Making me feel like I'd be alone forever.

No.

You know what... I'm going to that fucking ball. I don't care if I have social anxiety. I don't care if my family sees me as a joke. I'm going.

I storm out of the study with renewed vigor. "Going somewhere Prim?" my little sister asks in a mocking tone, my brothers smiling behind her.

"Yes actually." I slam the door to my bedroom. Damn, that felt good. I rummage through my closet and find my best dress and gloves.

After getting ready, I step back out into the hall. Lilly is still there. "That was very rude and unladylike" she huffs crossing her arms. I hate how much she acts like she's above me.

"Since when did you care about being rude?" I retort "And if anything, the only unladylike thing here is that tight dress you're wearing" I point at her cleavage.

I can't help but let out a stifled laugh after seeing the dumbfounded expression on her face. "Did you hear what she just said to me, Oliver?!" She gasps turning to my oldest brother.

It looks like he's trying not to laugh too. My other sibling Fern nudges his shoulder to stop him. "Prim," He clears his throat "You have a lot of nerve saying that to your future queen," he growls. "Yeah," Fern chimes in.