Chapter 6

The sun rose on a tranquil morning as Mark and Keira sat side by side, enjoying a peaceful breakfast. Mark leisurely spooned his cereal, his mind wandering to the tasks that awaited him on the farm. However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Keira, who was voraciously devouring an extraordinary amount of curry. It was a sight Mark had grown accustomed to, yet he couldn't help but marvel at Keira's unwavering dedication to her beloved curry, consuming it religiously every morning, noon, and night. The contrast between their eating habits amused and puzzled Mark, creating an intriguing dynamic between the practical farmer and the curry-loving Keira.

Despite Mark's efforts to expand Keira's culinary horizons, her pickiness remained steadfast. Any unfamiliar food was met with an immediate dismissal, as she adamantly stuck to what she recognized. Mark, determined to find a solution, sought advice from acquaintances, hoping someone would be familiar with Hanabishi-style cuisine. To his disappointment, no one he knew had even heard of such dishes. Mark's heart sank, realizing the challenge ahead. Nonetheless, he held onto a glimmer of hope, aspiring to discover alternative foods that would delight Keira and bring newfound joy to their meals together.

Midway through their meal, a resounding knock echoed through the house, jolting both Mark and Keira from their thoughts. They exchanged curious glances, their attention drawn to the front door. “Who could that be,” asked Keira.

“I don’t know. Flora was just here the other day, so it can’t be her,” answered Mark.

“Perhaps Lady Flora has forgotten something and returned to retrieve it.”

“I don’t know. Let me check it out.”

Mark steps into the living room and reaches for the doorknob, slowly swinging the front door open. What he sees on the other side leaves him momentarily breathless. Standing before him, holding a neatly wrapped box, was none other than his dear friend, Muffy. Mark's heart skipped a beat as he registers the surprise visit, his mind racing to comprehend the unexpected encounter.

“Hey Mark,” cheered Muffy.

“Muffy? What are you doing here?”

Muffy places the gift box in Mark’s arms and answers, “I came over to drop this off. The receipt is inside in case you need to exchange it.”

Muffy playfully hip bumps him aside, stepping inside the house with an air of familiarity. Mark's confusion deepens as he observes her curiously exploring his living room, examining the little details of his home. Yet, his attention soon returns to the box nestled in his arms. It feels light, but there's a subtle weight to it, hinting at its contents. Questions swarm his mind like a buzzing hive—why did Muffy choose to visit him unannounced? What lies within this mysterious box she handed him? And most puzzling of all, why is she wandering around while heavily pregnant? Uncertainty fills the room as Mark grapples with this whirlwind of unanswered queries.

“Um, Muffy? What’s going on? What’s in the box?”

“Oh that? It’s your wedding present silly!”

Mark’s face turns pale once she mentions his wedding. “Wait, how did you know I got married?”

“Flora told us. Of course, I kinda forced it out of her.”

A few days ago, I had a meeting with the other girls in the club. As we discussed our plans for the summer, I noticed something was bothering Celia. She was pretty distracted and wasn’t paying attention to what we were talking about. I thought that maybe her son was sick or something. So we all grouped up around her and as what was wrong.

“Toby is fine,” she answered. “I’m just worried about the summer harvest. I put in a request for some seeds from Mark’s farm, but we haven’t heard from him. We could get the seeds from Mineral Town, but Mark’s seeds are cheaper and much better. I wanted to drop by the farm and see if Mark is okay, but I’m pretty busy with Toby. Marlin is too busy preparing the field to check on him too.”

Of course, we all noticed that you haven’t been around lately too. But Flora stepped in and said, “Don’t worry about him, he’s just fine. I’m sure he’s just busy with his new wi-” she quickly covered her mouth. Of course, we all heard what she said. We all crowded around her. We knew she was keeping a secret, and we all wanted to know what’s going on.

“What did you say,” I asked.

“Nothing! I didn’t say anything! My tongue just slipped, that’s all.”

Of course we didn’t buy that. We knew whatever she was hiding had to be huge. If it’s something related to our friend Mark, we had to know. So I nodded to Celia and Nami, they knew what to do. They each grabbed her arm to make sure she doesn’t escape. We were going to get the truth, one way or another.

“You know something! Tell us or else!”

“I can’t! Mark would never forgive me!”

“Fine then. Looks like we’re gonna do things the hard way.” I then turned to Leia, “you know what to do.”

“Okay,” Leia said just before laying on her belly. She then used her tail fin to tickle flora in her most sensitive spots. She laughed, but Name and Celia restrained her to make sure she doesn’t run away. Flora put up a good fight, but it didn’t take long for her to spill the beans.

“Okay, okay! Stop tickling me! I give up! . . . Mark got married five days ago. . . He took some time off work to spend time with his wife! Please let me go!”

Nami and Celia let her go once we knew her little secret. We all gasped at the news; our friend Mark has finally tied the knot. While everyone else was excited, they all see the horror on my face.

“What’s wrong,” asked Celia.

“Think about it,” I answered. “None of us married him, and Lumina is dating Rock. There are no other single girls here in the valley. . . Except Witch Princess!”

Once that reality hit them, the bar quickly fell into chaos. They ran around screaming bloody murder thinking that Witch Princess took her first steps to taking over the valley. Images of small baby witches and wizards filled our heads, each of them with the ability to curse anyone who cross their path.

“Everyone stop! Relax,” shouted Flora. “He did not marry Witch Princess, I promise!”

We all stopped. We then crowded around Flora and asked, “if not Witch Princess, then who?”

“I already said too much. If you to know who Mark’s wife is, then just ask him yourselves.”

“Fine, I will,” I answered. Of course, I told everyone to let me find out first. Everyone else had to pretend that they knew nothing until I was ready to come here and find out what’s been going on since we last saw you. And now I’m here!

“No wonder Flora apologized the other day,” Mark said under his breath.

Muffy then pinches Mark’s cheek firmly as she yells, “I can’t believe you! Getting married without inviting me to your wedding. I didn’t even know you had a girlfriend to begin with. I am so mad that I could just tear this face right off. And of all people, you told Flora before me?”

She releases Mark, then continues, “well speak up! What do you have to say for yourself!”

“I’m sorry. But things were a little more complicated than you think,” answered Mark as he rubs his cheek.

“Oh never mind, I forgive you. So, where’s your wife? I am dying to meet the lucky lady!”

Panic surges through Mark's veins, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. He realizes he's not prepared to introduce Keira to the villagers, especially not to someone as boisterous as Muffy. Words jumble together incoherently as he attempts to speak, but his tongue feels heavy and clumsy. The overwhelming whirlwind of events leaves him torn between telling the truth or concocting an elaborate story to navigate the situation. The weight of it all becomes almost unbearable, and for a fleeting moment, the thought of fleeing from the valley, leaving everything behind, seems like an enticing escape. The certainty of messiness looms over him, no matter which path he chooses, compounding his anxiety.

“Oh Mark,” said the voice of Keira.

Mark's body stiffens, a wave of realization crashing over him. He had forgotten to instruct Keira to remain in the dining room, oblivious to the unfolding situation. Now, in this moment of dread, the inevitable collision between Keira and Muffy seems imminent. He gets goosebumps with the weight of the impending introduction, leaving Mark feeling trapped, with no escape from the circumstance he inadvertently created.

“It appears that we are out of curry. Could you please pick some up, and-” Keira gasps once she sees Muffy.

Muffy smiles and approaches Keira saying, “so, you must be Mark’s wife! . . . Oh, you sure are beautiful! No wonder Mark kept you a secret. He probably thought I’d be jealous.”

A rosy hue tinges Keira's cheeks as Muffy's compliment reaches her ears. Usually, strangers would trigger an uneasiness within her, but this time it's different. Muffy's kind words wash over her, wrapping her in a comforting embrace. A sense of warmth and happiness blooms within her, as if a fragile flower unfurling under the gentle sunlight. It's a rare and precious feeling for Keira, to find solace and acceptance in the presence of someone unfamiliar. Muffy's compliment manages to break down the barriers of unease, forging a connection that holds the promise of newfound friendship.

“So tell me, what’s your name,” asked Muffy.

“Keira! My name is Keira Hanabishi. . . Or is it Keira Artisan now? I apologize, I’m still trying to understand the culture around here.”

“Oh my goodness, I just love the sound of your voice. It’s so cute and high pitched. And you have such an elegant accent. I could listen to it all day!”

“Is that so,” answered Keira.

A light, joyful giggle escapes both Keira and Muffy, their laughter intertwining like a harmonious melody. Mark, taken aback by the instant camaraderie between the two, can't help but feel a sense of relief washing over him. He had feared that Keira's unease around new people would hinder their interactions. Yet, to his surprise and delight, Keira is embracing this newfound connection with Muffy with open arms. It sparks a glimmer of hope within Mark, as he envisions a future where Keira can forge meaningful relationships with the other residents of Forget-Me-Not Valley. A newfound optimism fills his heart as he imagines a community where Keira can truly belong and thrive.

“Okay, I’m dying to know. How did you meet Mark,” asked Muffy.

“We met underground,” answered Keira.

Mark's heart races as panic washes over him once again. In the rush of events, he realizes he forgot to tell Keira to keep her true identity hidden. The thought of the other residents discovering that she is a princess from the past fills him with worry and apprehension. How would they react? What would it mean for their lives in Forget-Me-Not Valley?

“What do you mean by that,” asked Muffy.

“Mark and I met in the bottom of the mines. He then helped me get out with the help of some friends. But soon learned that I would perish without intervention. So we got married to give me a second chance at life. Isn’t he so nice?”

Muffy stands there, stunned by Keira's answer. Her heart had yearned for a love story that would deeply move her, like passionate love letters exchanged between distant villages or a fateful encounter on a journey. But instead, she is met with an explanation that leaves her utterly perplexed. It feels like receiving a puzzle piece that doesn't fit, causing confusion to cloud her thoughts. Muffy had hoped to be swept away by a tale of love and destiny, yet the response she received seems to exist in a realm of its own, disconnected from her expectations. She is left bewildered, struggling to make sense of the mismatch between the story she envisioned and the perplexing explanation before her.

Mark then grabs Muffy and Keira’s hand and leads them to the dining room saying, “looks like the cat is out of the bag. Come on Muffy, I may as well tell you everything. Keep an open mind, things are about to get a little weird.”

In the dining room, Mark takes a seat across from Muffy while Keira sits beside him. With a deep breath, he begins to recount every detail of their journey since the moment he discovered Keira in the hidden room deep within the mines. He holds nothing back, except any involvement of Witch Princess for obvious reasons. Every now and then, Muffy's gaze turns to Keira, seeking confirmation for the incredible tales being told. Keira, unfaltering, assures her that it is all true, no matter how fantastical it may seem.

As the minutes turn into an hour, Mark continues to weave the intricate tapestry of their recent experiences. He had anticipated Muffy's reaction, bracing himself for her to flee in disbelief. However, to his surprise, Muffy remains seated, attentively listening throughout the entire explanation. Her commitment to staying put despite the astonishing revelations amazes him, fostering a newfound appreciation for her open-mindedness and resilience.

“And that’s how I ended up married to Keira. Sorry that I didn’t say anything sooner, I couldn’t figure out how to tell everyone,” concluded Mark.

“Well, um. . . That is quite the story. But all the weird details aside, I’m happy that you finally got married. So, congratulations!”

“Putting the whole marriage thing to the side, I’m more surprised that you are not so freaked out that I found a princess from the middle ages in the bottom of the mines. What’s up with that?”

“Trust me, I would have died if this was back in the city. But here in the valley, weird stuff happens all the time. Don’t forget that Leia lives here too.”

“Yeah, now that you’ve mention that, you do have a point.”

Muffy turns to Keira and asks, “so tell me, how do you like living here in the valley? You like living in modern times?”

“Um. . . I don’t really know. I haven’t left the farm since I’ve regained the ability to see clearly. Even outside the house can be really frightening for me. I have never left the walls of my room when the castle was around. Not to mention that everyone I have ever known is gone. I am just glad that Mark is here to protect me.”

“Oh no, that’s so sad. I wish there is something I could do to help. . . Wait a second!” Muffy turns to Mark and continues, “Mark, she should join my club!”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? Keira does get a little nervous around strangers, and the other girls might be too much for her.”

“Oh don’t worry, we’ll take care of her. After all, she is married to you, so she should fit in just fine. And she will learn so much about living in the valley from the rest of us.” She then turns back to Keira and asks, “what do you think? Want to join us?”

Keira turns to Mark and asks, “you think I should?”

“That’s up to you,” answered Mark. “But if you want my opinion, I think you should. You can make some friends there and get used to being outside the farm. I think you’ll love exploring the valley.”

Keira nods. Then then turns to Muffy and answers, “very well, I shall accept your invitation to this club of yours.”

“That’s great! The next meeting is this Saturday. See you there!”

After their lengthy conversation, the trio continues to engage in pleasant chatter, savoring the moments of newfound understanding and connection. However, as time passes, Muffy reluctantly announces her need to return to the bar, bidding farewell to Mark and Keira. As soon as she departs, Mark's body sinks onto the couch, a mixture of exhaustion and relief washing over him. He finds himself grappling with the whirlwind of emotions that accompanied their encounter with Muffy. It's difficult for him to fully comprehend what just transpired, amazed by how well Muffy accepted the truth. This unexpected outcome fills him with a glimmer of hope, and he clings to it tightly. He yearns for the acceptance of the rest of Forget-Me-Not Valley, praying that their hearts and minds will be as open as Muffy's, embracing Keira with the same ease and warmth.

“What is this,” asked Keira.

Mark looks over and finds Keira inspecting the gift box that Muffy gave to him. Mark walks up to her and says, “oh right, I forgot about that. It’s a gift from Muffy. I wonder what she got us.”

“Please open it, I am also curious as to what people gift each other these days.”

With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, Mark carefully unties the ribbon adorning the box and lifts the lid. What he discovers within leaves him dumbfounded, his eyes widening in shock. Nestled inside the box is a black lacey lingerie set, complete with stockings and a garter. His mind whirls with confusion as he tries to process the unexpected contents before him. As if adding to the surprise, a note accompanies the lingerie, its words sending a shiver down Mark's spine. It reads, "please use this to your heart's content. The valley will be expecting a lot of kids from you and your wife."

“What an unusual piece of fabric. It looks beautiful! What is it for,” asked Keira.

Mark’s face turns red in embarrassment as he slams the lid back on the box and yells, “nothing! I’m pretty sure that Muffy just picked up the wrong box from the store. I’ll just return this as soon as I can!”