The following days were extremely eventful. After returning to Emerald City aboard Tug, many of the OZ leaders branched out to journey back to their homes. When Amber asked where all the citizens of Emerald City had gone, Scarecrow told her that they were most likely scattered across the countryside. Either that, or hidden amongst their homes originating from Winkie Country, Munchin Land, and so forth. They knew spreading the news of the Jester being driven out of rule would make a large difference. As it turns out, Wiser was glad to volunteer for the job of doing just that. He and the rest of his species, whom Amber had yet to meet, proposed that they'd fly all over OZ to make sure everyone knew the land was now safe. By then, lots of people were coming and going to help repair what they had lost. Even Marshal Mallow had departed with the China Princess on a mission back to Dainty China Country in order to make up for the loss of time. The two married two weeks after the whole catastrophe, both happy to be with one another. The flying monkeys were released and all left except for Silas. Neither Dexter nor Amber knew why he stayed, but when he did, he made it his mission to be their protectors. And just like Wiser, he volunteered. Atticus retired and humbly took Marshal Mallow's place as second in command at Candy County. Being engaged and all, the Marshmallow man wouldn't have time to watch over his homeland as often as he could anymore. Most of the city had to be rebuilt, everything except for the main palace which mostly had to be cleaned. Both Glinda and Dexter gladly assisted with lifting the fog. And while the scepter was gone forever, it didn't mean that he no longer had magic.
Amber had assigned herself to clean up duty even though Scarecrow told her she didn't have to lift a hand if she didn't want to. "Dexter, can you pass me the broom? I'm seeing more cobwebs in this corner." She called to him. They were in the Wizard's chamber, which was in a tall tower at the end of a long and ominous hallway. With Glinda and Scarecrow's permission, that was where she and the former Jester were staying. Even though there were several rooms in the palace, both of them didn't quite understand why they got saddled with this place of all places. Nevertheless, they were grateful. Amber was dressed in a simple green dress that had an even lighter green apron. Her hair was tied back with a white ribbon in a rather out-of-control ponytail. And as for him, he no longer had to wear the costume that had driven his life for so long. Instead he wore a white shirt, a dark green vest, and matching shamrock trousers. She had to admit that when she saw him for the first time in normal clothing, she would've dared to call him handsome. He stood in the corner of the chamber, trying to sort through the Wizard's belongings. But when he heard her voice, he stopped what he was doing. "One broom coming up- dollface!" Snapping his fingers together, the wooden broom that once sat on the floor hovered over to her slowly, landing perfectly in her right hand. "Thank you." She replied with a grin, stepping up on a nearby stool to reach the cobwebs in the corner. "This is going to take some getting used to, I'm already famished! Why can't we just take a break?" He plopped down on one of the stairs to take a break. "Well, you should've thought about that before making your grand entrance into this place. You knew there was a door, right? Your minions didn't have to break the windows. Besides, it took ages to clean up all that oil Tinman spilled." She reminded him, turning her head back with a smirk.
He raised his hands, rolling his eyes playfully, "Alright, alright, I can take a hint. But there's one thing we haven't entirely cleaned up yet." He stood up and made his way over to her. She stepped down from where she stood and asked, "What is it?" Now it was his turn to smirk. Reaching inside his vest, he pulled out a familiar deck of cards. With his powers, he unleashed the deck into midair, allowing it to levitate as it dealed itself. "We never cleaned up our game of go-fish, did we, puppet?"
Amber tilted her head at him, a blush creeping onto her face. Now that she had grown closer to him, she had no trouble at all. Dealing four cards, she now had a deck in her hand. They decided to sit on the stairs leading up to the back of the room where the former Wizard once showcased his "all-powerful" display. "Do you remember the rules?" He asked. She nodded, "If either of us guesses right and collects the other person's card, that person has to answer their question truthfully." Amber recited. Dexter chuckled lovingly, "That's my girl. Just for that, it's your call." He held his cards like a fan in front of himself, careful so that she couldn't see what he was holding. "Any jacks?" She called. "Go fish." He answered shortly. Amber couldn't help but notice how eager he was. He hadn't been this eager since their time back in the Wicked Witch's castle. It was strange, he was definitely hiding something. She ignored it and drew another card from the deck. "Any Queens?" He called next. Amber paused as she scanned through her cards, letting out a sigh as she drew one from her deck. "I hate you, y'know that?" She shook her head, handing it to him. He hummed in triumph, and she expected him to take a moment to think of a question. But instead, he already seemed to have one ready. "Are you happy here in OZ? Or do you miss your grandmother back in Kansas?" Granted, it was technically two questions at once, but for once she didn't mind. "Honestly..." she breathed, "I don't want to leave. I love my family, but that's the only real reason I have to go back to Kansas. I have too many reasons to stay here, I..." she looked into his hazel eyes. "I love you, and I can't imagine a life without you. I love everyone else too, Scarecrow, Tinman, Lion, the list goes on! In Kansas it was so hard for me to feel like I belong, but here in OZ, I finally don't feel so lost anymore. Because of that, I'm not going anywhere."
A moment of silence passed, giving him time to inhale her response. Kansas was still a dreary topic, so she was the one to break the silence. "Any tens?" This time it was his turn to mentally groan. He picked two cards from his deck, handing them over. Amber, like him, already knew what she wanted to ask. "I've never seen you nervous before, but I can tell your hiding something. Was there something you wanted to tell me?" She asked. Dexter's face went slightly red. He hesitated, but instead of denying anything like he would've initially done, he smiled warmly. "You got me, dollface... You really got me. Is it alright if I bend the rules a little bit so I can ask you a different question?" He asked, a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. Amber felt confused, but knew even though he wasn't a Jester anymore, he still managed to hide a few tricks up his sleeve. "What's the question?" Her voice caused his heart to pound. He tried to remind himself of his promise to Scarecrow, to give him the confidence to do what he was about to do. Slowly, he took a deep breath and stood up. When he was off the stairs, he looked back at Amber with the best smile he could've mustered. Then, he did something he never thought he would ever do in his entire life.
"Amber Gale Ridiculamare," He began, kneeling down on the floor. Amber, realizing what was happening, dropped the deck of cards she was holding. They flew all over the ground as she covered her mouth with both her hands. "I know I've made too many mistakes to count, and that I might not deserve your love... but for what it's worth, I want to be with you." Reaching inside his vest, he pulled out a colorful striped box that was hardly considered formal. It popped open with ease, revealing a simple silver ring that had a beautiful amethyst gem in the center. Reflected in the light, it changed colors ever so slightly. It went from purple to bright red, flecks of emerald engraved in it. With teary eyes, he went for the question he had been dying to ask,
"Will you marry me?"
Amber felt tears beginning to pour down her face. Her throat was extremely knotted, so all she did was nod profusely. "Y-Yes!" her answer was muffled. He got a little more anxious upon seeing her cry, "Puppet? Are you alright? Was that a yes?" He stood up again to make sure she wasn't crying tears of sadness. "Yes! Of course it's a yes!" She threw herself at him, almost causing him to fall over. Amber didn't know why, but her eyes continued to bawl. She didn't think she'd be this emotional! All her life, she had convinced herself no man would ever want her. She thought that love only existed in fairy tales, yet here she was! "Are these happy tears, I'm seeing?" He asked, chuckling. "Yes, yes they are!" She felt her whole body quiver excitedly. He felt his hands shake as he slipped the ring onto her finger. Afterwards, they leaned in for a kiss, feeling stronger than they had ever been before. Cleaning duty seemed to stop after that. They stood there for a while, taking the feeling in together. The first person they decided to tell was Scarecrow. After all, Amber had gotten closer to him since the return to Emerald City. He was extremely supportive and proud, almost like a happy grandfather when he learned the news. They told Lion and Tinman at the same time, and while both were still trying to forgive what the Jester had done, they both said they were happy for them nonetheless. Glinda seemed to take the news as if she already knew it would happen, but that didn't stop her from giving Amber her blessing. On behalf of Amber, she sent a letter inviting Marshal Mallow and the China Princess back to the city so that they could tell them in person. And when they arrived, she never guessed how excited the porcelain woman would be.
"Congratulations! Oh, I'm so happy for you two! There's so much to be done!" She hugged Amber. Even though she wasn't that close to the China woman, she was happy to receive it. Gasping, the princess pulled away and said, "You and I should have a girl's day sometime! I would love to help you find your wedding dress! Besides, I've been dying to get out of the palace and Marshal could use a break from all the pressure of being the new prince of Dainty China Country." She eyed her husband, who chuckled sheepishly. "Prince, eh?" Dexter placed a hand on his hip. "I-I'm still getting used to the title." He shrugged. Amber giggled, and answered her kindly, "Thank you, your highness, that would be lovely."
The China Princess let out a laugh, "Please, my real name is Catherine. I'd be honored if you used it." With that, the four walked down the streets of Emerald City. Amber talked to the China Princess as if she were a long lost best friend. And as for Dexter and Marshal, their relationship grew as well. Even though Dexter had a lot to apologize for, Marshal was surprisingly understanding. "I don't understand, you don't have any anger inside you? No grudges? No trauma from all those horrible things I did to you?" He asked. "A soldier never forgets, but that doesn't mean he can't forgive. What you did will always be in my memories, but rest assured that the past is the past. I can tell you regret what you've done, that's why I've already forgiven you. You are worth redemption."
"Wow, that was deep." Dexter chuckled.
Marshal smiled slyly, "The name's Mallow, not Shallow."