I immediately curtsy. "Your Highness."

He waves his hand. "Enough of the formalities. We're on the same step of the social ladder. Come. Walk with me." He extends his large arm.

I tentatively grab it. 

"Don't be frightened, Princess. I don't bite."

I doubt it, I wanted to say.

He leads me down the gloomy corridor. I keep looking behind us, hoping Bowser pops up out of nowhere to rescue me. 

"He's not going to show up, Princess."

I don't respond. If I do, I know I'll say something I regret. And I don't want that. I can't have that. I can't feed into my anger. 

"Now, darling, I know the advisors are fond of you."

I feel the start of a smile, but I know he must have something bitter to say about it. 

"I can get you out. Get you back to your father, who I know has limited time left." I gasp but he ignores me. "Wouldn't you like that princess?"

"Bowser could just come get me again."

Morton Koopa laughs, his laugh deep and booming and it sends shivers down my spine. "Bowser would never dare cross me. Darling girl, I think you know this." He opens a wooden door and motions inside. When I hesitate, he chuckles. "I won't hurt you princess. I have enough issues on my hands, I needn't worry about covering my trail at the moment."

I don't bother overthinking. I know I have no choice. I slip inside the dark room. He closes the door and a jolt of panic runs through me before he flips on the light. It resembles a parlor, but like everything else here, it's darker than the ones back at the palace. He walks across the room and sits in one of the wooden chairs. 

I remain frozen, watching him.

He sighs. "Princess. Sit?"

I nod and sit across from him at the small table. 

"Peach. Wouldn't you like to see your father before he dies?"

I look at my hands, which are folded in my lap. "No one knows when he's going to die."

He seems to ponder this. "Perhaps not." He coughs into his fist and adjusts himself. "These chairs are awfully small, don't you think?"

I shake my head. "I don't want to go."

He laughs again. "Princess, I think you know it's not really a matter of if you want to or not. It's if I decide to. I think it'd just be best if you went along with it."

I feel a lump in my throat. I swallow and choose my next words carefully. "I don't want to leave Bowser."

He shakes his head. "You go along with me, he won't think you left him. You have my word, Princess."

"Your word doesn't mean anything to me."

Morton smirks. "I like you, Princess. I do wish you'd go along with me." He stands and walks across the room to the door, where he stops and turns back to look at me. "Think about it?"

I nod once.

He smiles. "Oh, and Princess?"

"Yes?" I ask timidly.

"I think it would be best if you didn't mention this conversation to Bowser."

Before I can respond, he's walking out the door. I let out a deep breath I didn't even know I was holding as a million thoughts race through my head, tears springing to my eyes. I have to tell Bowser. For one, I have to tell someone and get advice. For two, I know he'd be very upset with me if I didn't tell him.

But then, if I did tell him, would Morton Koopa harm him?

I feel my chest tighten. No. He can't. He wouldn't. 

Right?

I stand up, knocking my chair down, and start to feel dizzy. 

Where is Bowser again?

In a meeting, I tell myself. What meeting? Did he mention it? I groan and stumble out of the room, my vision blurry. I get an odd look from a passing maid, but I ignore it. My tears threaten to spill and I know I'm not in the right head space to go barging into a meeting, if I could even find him.

I start sprinting down the hall to my room. I swing the door open and slam it shut, collapsing against it as I start sobbing, my breathing short as I fight to get air. The tears stream heavily down my face and I moan into my hands, unable to quiet myself. I crawl across the floor to my bed, where I slip into the heavy covers. I bury my face in the pillow, where my eyes eventually stop leaking tears and I fall asleep.