**Chapter 7 Part 2** A woman in green entered the room, undeniably a woman. She looked like a gazelle determined to face down a wolf. Lucy locked eyes with Margaret. "I am Lucy, Your Highness, formerly Luigi. I have come to... say I'm sorry. I can't imagine what I've done." The green plumber felt her stomach tie in knots. “My entire childhood I looked up to Mario. I tried to emulate him as much as I could. When the truth came out I couldn’t stand to face anyone, especially you. For months I’ve hidden away on Yoshi’s Island. With the help of the denizens of the island I made peace with myself.” Lucy breath. “You are my best friend. I cherish all those memories we made together. I couldn’t give intimacy, but my friendship was true. I will always consider you my dearest companion. I will always regret hurting you like this. I submit myself to your scorn.” “You are forgiven.” “What?” She was taken aback. “You came here to clear the bad air between us,” she crossed her arms like she was dealing with a petulant child. “You desire redemption. You want to ask for forgiveness for your deceit. Atonement for taking a cowardly flight.” Lucy grew red in shame at such a casual dressing down. “I believe you when you say I was your friend. Probably your only if not first friend who didn’t spend time with you largely for your relation to Mario. I remember the way you looked at me, like a puppy that’s been pet for the first time.” Lucy was embarrassed but forced herself to maintain eye contact. “You wounded me. I wish you hadn't but you did. It all turned out for the better: the scars left behind taught me a lesson I will carry. No longer am I trapped in the shadow of Princess Peach. No longer are you a little girl pretending to be your brother. We are both no longer those pitiful little girls we were. We are new women. The woman I have become, Empress Margaret V of Sarasland, isn’t as petty to hold a grudge towards a woman getting over her low self esteem. I congratulate you for your metamorphosis. Return to the red one renewed.” Every word was even. Emotion contorted on Lucy’s face. Margaret believed Lucy was about to cry. She hoped Lucy wouldn’t, it would be embarrassing for both of them for her to be led out with tears streaming. She contemplated leaving Lucy here then sending a servant to fetch the red one. “No!” Margaret was lost enough in thought that she didn’t flinch, thankfully. She raised an eyebrow diplomatically. “You deserve better. You deserve closure. I know I’m not your friend or your favorite person but I’m not going to let you bottle this up. I’m going to stand right here until you do. If that upsets you then good. I won’t leave until you are done screaming.” Lucy stared her down, challenging her. Silence settled. Lucy stood firm. Margaret weighed her options. If she got angry that was giving Lucy exactly what she wanted. She founded the notion of calling guards too cowardly. So she settled herself into the staring match. They locked eyes like two petulant children. This continued for an hour. Lucy was out of steam. Margarets ice wasn’t cracking like Peach’s did. Mario warned her that not everything could be fixed or treated. Some wounds just fester. All she was doing was wasting the time of a monarch.