"Princess Peach," Mario caught her attention. "Are you sure about this?" It's been roughly three weeks since the incident.
"Of course I am," The monarch responded as she looked in the mirror. She was fixing her hair. "What do you think? Up? Something new? How symbolic."
"It's a big change. And short notice. Do you think it's actually really fine?"
"Well, it's only hair," Peach sniffed. "I'm keeping it up.'
"I'm talking about telling the Kingdom, Peach." Mario responded in frustration. "It's the worst thing that my Brother won't even talk to me, now you're just going to go ahead and tell the entire kingdom? There will be riots. Toad wasn't happy either!"
"Bowser is already on the way, Mario." the princess sighed. She turned around to face Mario. "We've come this far. Everything will work out fine.
"It isn't fine, Princess." Mario said bluntly. Then he sighed, kicking at nothing. "Everything has already changed for me. How will things change for you?"
Peach moved back to put on her earrings. "I don't know, but it's time to make a change. I was serious about before. I've been way too immature before. It's time to grow up and tell the people who I really am."
"Are you serious?" Mario asked.
"What?" Peach asked, looking through the mirror to Mario. There was anger in his voice.
"You are NOT being the mature princess you think you are! If anything, you're stuck even further in that fantasy of yours. Do you think everything WILL just fix itself just like that? I have to sleep here in the castle because Luigi won't let me step foot in the house! You pretty much ordered Toad to shut his mouth about this! Someone who respects you. . .! And Bowser... Do you really think that the Mushroom Kingdom won't freak out upon seeing his airship and then be completely okay with the monstrous Koopa standing next to the Princess peacefully? With the Hero too? They're not going to rejoice Princess, they'll think he brainwashed us!" Mario panted out his passionate speech.
Peach was frowning now. "Well, what do you propose we do, Mario? Slowly wean into a peaceful treaty with Bowser? Two people already know because of you tongue kissing each other without being careful." Mario turned red at this. "Two people know and are acting completely different. Don't you think the people will start wondering, 'why aren't the Mario Brothers on good terms after defeating Bowser?' and 'Why is Toad acting strange?' We have to act now. We need to tell them in good faith before nasty rumors start flying about. We need to give them our version, not what Luigi saw, or what Toad suspected."
Mario crossed his arms. "Okay. Fine. I see your point. But don't pin the blame on just us either." he grumbled. "I hope you have something planned."
Peach stood up, "I do. . . .Kind of." she answered genuinely with a cute smile. "My speech for sure is. It depends on Bowser's entrance."
The plumber sighed. "Okay. . . Okay."
She looked stunning in the red dress she wore. Her hair pinned up, the red earrings she wore. Mario wondered how much she was going for symbolism today. Red. Passion. The color they had in common. All three of them now. Her crown seemed to shine brighter now more than usual. Either she polished it extra for today's occasion, or it was able to somehow reflect the monarch's strength, confidence, and excitement for today.
"Shall we go?" She giggled positively as she held an arm out to Mario.
"Aren't we going to wait for Bowser?"
"He won't mind missing the 'boring' speech. Besides, remember what I said about timing?"
"Yeah." Mario said absently. He was clearly still anxious.
Peach smiled and leaned down to kiss him. "Come on, My Hero."
Mario was easy to make blush. It was all it took to get him to calm down and finally hook their arms together.
The couple walked out of the room and down the hall. They were heading to the balcony to greet the people of the Mushroom Kingdom. Where Peach would announce the secret. Mario let out a quiet drawn sigh. The secret that's been held for such a long time.
They paused in front of the door, hearing the ruckus of the townsfolk. It sounded like happy chatter.
"Are you ready?" Peach asked him, sounding positive, but now he heard a twinge of anxiety.
Of course she was putting on a mask of courage, he should have known. It was what she's always done. Mario could have kicked himself. This was something they were all in together. And he wouldn't change it for anything. This was love.
"No," he answered honestly, and Peach was slightly startled. "But Let's-a go."
She smiled in relief, and together, they opened the large double doors to walk through to the balcony. This was it.
Author's Note: Yeah, I'm weak. This story caught my interest. I was going to cover the speech, but I feel it could have a dragged a little. So it was either going to be too long or too short. So the shorter route is best, I think. I have chapters planned out for both this and Personification, so I'll try alternating. I'll upload one more chapter in this before switching back to the other story. Besides, I'm trying to show off every part of the OT3. Yesm even the cheesy but cutesy let's-a go. Okay. Byeee.