Chapter Text
“By order of the Court, and the agreement of King Lester of the Kingdom of Luxuria, a worker of the Incubi district shall join Princess Peach. Joining her, an incubus shall act as a right hand man. Any lustful actions against the Princess’s consent shall send the incubus to sudden death. Any complaints from the Princess shall be looked over and dealt with immediately.
Sincerely, The Court of The Toadstools.”
“Great,” Mario murmured, “an odd job for me… a spoiled princess surrounded by overprotective toads.”
Mario’s tail swayed beside him, the short tail hitting against the dark red velvet cushion of the carriage. The dark pink skin of Mario contrasted against the dark colors, his tusks attached to his lower jaw glistened in the night. Mario sipped on a small glass of whiskey, hoping to shake off his stress before meeting the Princess. The amber liquid swirled in the solid glass, clinking the ice together with each movement. The taste was bitter and burned in Mario’s throat, but it was enjoyable for the Incubus. He fixed his black suit by rushing his hands over his chest and stomach area, eyeing the back of the suit’s tail that was longer than the front, along with the red and silver lining. Luigi’s designs seemed to never fail for Mario.
“Oof… she’s hot though.” Mario smirked, flipping a paper over with Princess Peach’s face and body in her classic fashion. Her pink dress looked beautiful, tailored for each curve she had. Mario couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, and he felt a bit of pride knowing that she chose him out of all the incubi.
Mario grunted slightly, his tail flicking against the seating. His eyes wandered over the paper before reading out a part on the next page to himself. “‘The Rules: One, do not ever steal. This will lead to a year in jail. Two, any form of sexual behavior from the incubus will lead to disruption and disturbance of peace.’ Oh for gods’ sake! They expect a demon and embodiment of lust is just going to lower their hormones? Fuck… ‘Three, do not wander away from the princess. She needs supervision at all times.’”
Mario scowled, setting down the paper roughly and pinched his brow. They expect him to do this? Like a human? Blasphemy. And he means it. Damn toads and their rules always piss off the incubi and succubi community. They can’t even do their jobs right because of the rules!
Mario let out a small growl, and his pointed ears perked up with a sharp movement.
The sound of the banshee horses died down, and the carriage landed with a rough jolt. Mario yelped out, spilling the whiskey on the floor. Grumbling and looking down at the sticky puddle below, swimming around with shards of broken pieces of glass, Mario snapped his fingers. A pink flame erupted from the middle of the puddle, eradicating the liquid and turning it into steam. The glass shards melted away, and once the flame had vanished, the glass and puddle were taken with it. Mario stared at the sizzling waste left of the whiskey before pouring another drink, snatching another glass from the side door, the river of amber slipping out of the bottle wrapped by Mario’s tail with ease. Mario snapped the glass into his hands, nearly spilling the fresh drink onto the floor again.
Mario opened his mouth as wide as he could, swallowing the burning whiskey in one gulp. The burning sensation burned, causing Mario to cough from it. Mario groaned softly before he shook his head quickly, standing up. “Let’s get this job over with.” He murmured, and with a flick of his wrist the carriage doors opened.
The blinding sun hit Mario’s eyes, causing him to groan softly and squint, his pupils shrinking down to thin needles. Once regaining his sight, Mario took a deep and long look around the place. The Mushroom Kingdom was very bright for the incubus, the color was nourished compared to Luxuria. The mushrooms were high feet, and the air was thick and humid. Mario covered his nose due to the scent of dirt and flowers. It was overpowering and made Mario grimace from the power.
Mario mumbled as he walked down a visible dirt path, the dirt crunching underneath Mario’s sleek shoes. The sun only became more blinding the more the incubus walked, the tall mushrooms looming over him and acting as shade. Mario’s ears twitched at the sounds of the kingdom’s busy traffic and markets, which only made Mario agitated. Why the hell are they so loud yet so short? Off the horizon, Mario could see the hill with her castle. Princess Peach’s face embedded and colored into the large cathedral shaped window, with the red-pink roofs illuminated brightly by the sun. Mario groaned softly as he headed down the path, eyeing the gates to the mushroom kingdom. Two sleeping toad guards, a blue dotted and green dotted toad, flinched at the sound of a loud footstep in front of them. The blue dotted toad stood straight up, pointing the spear right at Mario’s face, but the demon didn’t flinch. Mario scowled slightly, but the green dotted toad paused for a moment. The green one stared at Mario for a few awkward seconds before speaking up. “Hey, isn’t this the incubus Peach ordered?”
Mario huffed at that, his tail flicking against the dirt, riling up a puff of dust. Ordered? Rude. The blue dotted one paused and grunted. “Oh yeah! Says he’s gonna be a slave for her.”
The two toads laughed quietly, before Mario snatched the spear, using his tail to toss it off to the side. Mario huffed out a bit of smoke, “can I go in and do my job since you fancy my work?”
The two toads quieted down and glanced at each other. The blue dotted one scoffed, grabbing the handle to the gates on his side before the green one followed suit. Once the gates fully opened, the toads glared at Mario as he passed. Mario only scoffed at them, his tail smacking one of the toads on the hand. Mario didn’t know who but it was endearing to hear their pathetic yelps.
The market bustled with toads and Koopas surprisingly, and some even stopped to look at the demon passing by. Civilians argued over prices, new stores and money. It was fun to hear all the juicy details of the market without even having to ask around. Mario chuckled lowly.
Heading up the hill, toads and Koopas glanced at the demon, and Mario could basically taste their disgust. It wasn’t uncommon for Mario to hear disapproving words or voices. He was only worried about the fact that THE PRINCESS PEACH ordered him. She was the beauty and the one in the spotlight no matter where Mario was. At least one person mentioned her name.
Mario let out a low growl as he saw another pair of guards at the Princess’s door, this time purple and yellow dots. The guards looked up, boredom embedded into their faces. The guards jumped up at the sight of Mario, finally realizing it was the package Peach was so delighted about. Taking a quick up-down look at the demon they hesitated. It was odd for an incubus, dark and gloomy, to be around the Princess. And an embodiment of lust with the exception of purity was never overlooked. It was judged harshly.
The guards eventually opened the gates, and the smell of fresh tea caught Mario’s nose quickly. His tail twitched before he walked inside, walking down the halls. The marble walls and floors were mixed with a pink gem and lined with gold, which Mario groaned at. At least be diverse. The bright red carpet felt soft for Mario’s tail, and every time his tail moved away from it, it ached for the softness again. Mario grunted before he spotted a red dotted toad with a blue vest, which made Mario realize. This was the Toad. Toad, the fuckin’ sidekick to Peach. Toad instantly spotted Mario, and he smiled wide. “Hey! You’re Mario, right? The incubus Peach bought?”
Mario paused and grumbled before turning to the toad before him. “Yes… and you’re her little servant that follows her?” Mario snapped back.
Toad only laughed at that. “In a way, I am! But anyways, she’s waiting for you in her throne room with her council!”
Mario paused. “Which is?”
Toad snapped his fingers, jabbing a finger down the hallway. “Go all the way down to the end, then take a right. Then once you see the pink and gold doors, go inside. Her council is judgy, just a small warning.”
Mario sighed deeply. “Great. Thank you for that, Toad.”
The demon instantly walked away, trying to ignore the cheery goodbyes from behind him. Mario just wanted to get this job over. It was odd, really. Why wasn’t Toad so.. judgy? Like the other toads, they didn’t fight back on being blunt. They were snarky towards Mario, not caring for his reaction. Mario grumbled softly as he turned a sharp corner. Why did Peach pick him specifically? Mario was just a middle class demon who just happened to be on sale. He was lucky to even be noticed by a royal, let alone Luigi too. Luigi was already ordered before Mario, but they still had enough time to indulge with one another before departing. Luigi went to Bowser while Mario went to Peach. Simple.
Mario flinched as he heard a loud elderly voice behind the large pink and gold doors, turning his head. His ears perked up, twitching towards the noise. “We cannot reason with Lester to take him back! That damned deity does not want to take back what is rightfully his. Daughter, please just know we cannot leave him alone with you. You are the only pure thing left in this perverted world!”
Mario paused. Toxic parenting, I see. Mario knocked on the doors, hearing whatever shuffling and chatter go dead silent. Mario backed away, waiting patiently before hearing that same elderly voice. “Who goes there?”
Mario paused and groaned softly. “Mario. The incubus.”
The doors opened fast, seeing an old toad scowl and death glare at him. Toadsworth. Mario recognized him by the grey mushroom on his head. Mario froze for a moment, eyeing the hallway to his sides before looking back at Toadsworth. The old toad moved out of the way for him, letting Mario step inside. Mario let out a small whistle as he stepped inside the room, the council of toads surrounding the staircase to a large throne. The throne had the pale princess sat, her light blue eyes widened as she saw the incubus. Her face warmed up instantly, as if her color had returned. Peach waved her hands at the council, shoeing them away from her. She had the room evacuated with a single twist of her arm, which Mario envied. Toadsworth stood at the doors before letting out a heavy sigh, shutting the doors behind him. Mario let out a small huff of relief, before turning back at where he thought Peach was only to see her face up in his. Mario flinched, his ears perking up instantly. Backing away, Peach followed him, a wide smile forming on her face. “Wow… you incubi really do have such beautiful skin.”
Her voice was softer than the toads, and kinder. It felt nice hearing it, like a kiss to the ears. Peach chuckled at his silence, caressing Mario’s chin before pulling back. Mario felt his nerves tingle under the human touch, craving the same warmth like his tail to the red carpet. The demon cleared his throat and kneeled down on one knee, lowering his head. Polite gestures usually got Mario far.. but Peach only smiled at him. “We don’t have to be formal, Mr. Mario.”
Mario let out a small grunt, but a light feeling erupted at the bottom of his stomach at the name. She was being formal back.. and it did something to the incubi. Mario didn’t want to think about it but it brought a small bit of… joy? Damnit. Peach squatted down, her white silk gloved hand reaching down. She gently pulled Mario by his chin, smiling warmly. “Come on,” she murmured. “Get up. We need to talk about what you were hired for.”
Mario stood up, his tail wagging weakly behind him. The tail became more excited as it touched the carpet, wagging faster than before. Mario scowled and stepped on his tail, letting out a groan. Damn tail. Peach chuckled, standing up slowly. “Does your tail have a mind of its own?” She asked.
Mario paused for a moment before nodding. Peach tilted her head, slowly starting her steps towards the exit. Mario followed close behind, looking up at the princess. She spoke up. “You know, I’ve always had a keen eye for demons. I know stamp types, gender, and even magic.”
Mario let out a small huff, looking down. “Yeah?”
Peach nodded, brushing down her gown with her hands. “I’ve always wanted to meet one. A kind one of course…”
Mario grunted back, his tail flicking back down to the carpet. “Mhm. Most aren’t so…”
Peach chuckled softly, glancing back at the incubi. “I know. But if buying one is all it takes…”
Mario sighed deeply, looking at the formal paintings. They varied between Toadsworth and Peach, both present and past. Peach noticed his interest and spoke up. “My father had these painted after my crowning. I never knew what he meant by it, but I only know it’s based on his love for me.”
Mario paused, his ears perked up. He eyed the Princess, noticing her staring blue eyes. “Interesting… looks just like you.” Mario replied.
Peach sighed, her hand resting on her chin. “Yes… I just wish he didn’t have to show his love through the arts. He could’ve just given me a small gift that said ‘I love you’, y'know?"
Mario paused. “No. I-… I don’t know.”
Peach chuckled softly, “come.”
Seeing the Princess walk ahead, Mario followed close by her side. He didn’t want to point fingers, but Peach sounded very very isolated. And for such a beautiful girl, demons never could bind with her. What a shame.
Peach’s heels clicked on the marble floor, her gown flowing elegantly behind her. It was hypnotizing for the incubi next to her. Once reaching the end of the hallway, Peach stood in front of two doors and turned to Mario. “Mario. I do have one request,” she started, “please do come with me to a ball.”
Mario froze. “A what?”
Peach sighed. “It’s a short ball, Mario. A royal party if you may.”“I know what it is…” he hissed. “But that’s not what I was bought for!”
Peach paused, grabbing Mario’s hands. “Mario, please… my father is forcing me to do this and I know we just met but I don’t want to be alone.”
Mario paused and sighed deeply, his eyes narrowed. “Fine. Who’s going?”
Peach sighed in relief. “The Kongs, The Koopas, The Toads-.” “Thank god there wasn’t another kingdom starting with K..” “what?”
Mario paused. “Hm?”
Peach cleared her throat. “But… Do you have a human form?”
Mario scowled. “I’m not answering that. And even if I said no, you’d make me stay back.”
Peach paused, guilt flickering in her eyes. Mario grunted. “Not my first time.”
Peach froze for a second, eyeing Mario before looking back to the doors. “You’re coming with me. You need to mingle with other demons, since..” “Since what?” “Lots of other royals have bought a demon for an act of a form of slavery. Having the ball every weekend lets our bought demons rein back into normalcy.”
Mario paused, glaring at Peach before letting out an audible huff. “The Koopas are coming, correct?”
Peach nodded, noticing Mario perk up slightly. His pink skin became slightly vibrant, as if reacting to his sudden emotion. “Do you have family in that kingdom?”
Mario huff, but he didn't deny it. Peach grunted at him, gesturing for him to go inside the room. The demon growled as he walked inside, freezing halfway through. This was his new room; cold, elegant sheets with stains on them, red crimson color theme, and a wooden desk. Mario froze for a moment before Peach reached inside and shut the door. With a soft click, Mario felt as if he was about to be slaughtered. This room was awfully quiet, and it made Mario squirm. Demons are much more social animals than toads or humans - skin contact is an instinctual necessity! Mario sighed deeply, slipping off his shoes and knocking them away. He let out a pleased groan, looking down at his goat-like legs. His hooves shifted, a small smile forming on his face as he released them from those suffocating pieces of leather. Mario’s mind began to wander back to the princess, a small twist in his stomach. Her image stayed stuck in his mind, and he felt his ears warm up. What magic did she possess to make him feel so awkward?