xxxxx
"We shall wed here, amongst our kingdoms."
Wide eyed and stunned, Princess Peach stared at the Koopa King... her captor, her Kingdom's enemy and now...her betrothed. So swiftly he raised the date of the marriage, as if the event would magically conjure itself. There was the venue, the food, the guest arrangements and the politics... oh, the politics of it all. The reality of what was to come crashing down struck Peach near shell shocked, she could hardly articulate her racing thoughts.
"The ceremony, Bowser-"
Peach questioned Bowser worriedly, only to be hushed by the Koopa King. He abruptly silenced her and set a tone that conveyed to Peach that she leave the matter be. He lowered his voice, slowing his speech.
"Need not worry. I will have it arranged. Tomorrow we make the announcement." He assured her with careful and planned caution "Tomorrow all will know of what is to come of these lands. Peace will come. As will your happiness... I wish nothing more."
Peach attempted to question the matter further which only brought a frown to Bowser's face. As she began pestering the details, was cut off by a yawn in which she stifled immediately. Flustered, she looked to Bowser very remorsefully as well as embarrassed.
"Oh, how unlady-like. I am very sorry." She apologized, a gentle clear of the throat in her high pitch. "I am desperately lacking sleep."
"It is me who should apologize, I have kept you from sleep. I bid you goodnight and wish you pleasant dreams. Not another word of this until morning. I've kept you up far too long. "
Bowser stood from the floor slowly and brought himself back to full height. He stared at the Princess for a long moment and nodded once, turning his back to her. Her retreated to the door of Peach's bedroom and stopped in his tracks with hand on the door knob. As he hesitated to leave, the gears in his head turned. With a sorrowful expression he peered at her from over his broad shoulder.
"Are you certain you wish to sleep here?" He questioned her, a steady gaze upon her foggy and sleep deprived beautiful eyes." Tradition is merely but a stencil... Perhaps-"
"Goodnight, Bowser. Kindly shut the door."
xxxxx
Sleep came far more easily for the Princess once Bowser's footsteps dwindled in the distance. The hallway become quiet, the ground slowly coming to a still from the giant Koopa's heavy body making it's exit to the other side of the Castle. With a heavy breath and gentle exhale, Peach shut her eyes and surrendered to the grogginess that had plagued her for what felt like an eternity.
The metal click and clack of armored feet shuffling along the halls filled the Castle, a restless hum to the corridors that lined the structure's main passages. With sleep taking over the Princess, she was deaf to the invasive sounds of guards patrolling outside her door. All throughout the galaxy, silence took over... only Peach's Castle differed.
Upon waking up the next morning Peach was surprised to see sunlight shining through her window. The bright light shone across her entire room, the miles of galaxy gone and replaced with bright blue skies she so dearly missed.
"My beautiful Kingdom!"
In complete delight Princess Peach leaped from her bed in a flurry of soft, pink fabric. Her night gown was thrown from her body as quickly as she could muster, soon replaced with fresh clothes for the oncoming day. Excited and dressed properly, she hurried to her balcony in desperate need of fresh air, greatly anticipating the first breath to fill her lungs with familiar scent grass wafting by with the breeze.
Swinging the balcony doors open Peach was washed with sunlight and rejoiced, shutting her eyes in bliss. She breathed in the sweet air with a full smile, tears near coming to her eyes in relief. Not only was she out of the galaxy, she was Home.
Overcome with excitement she dashed from the balcony and back into her bedroom before fleeing to the hallway. Her heels cracked loudly, echoing down the vast corridor. Caught up in the excitement of light filling her home, Princess Peach failed to register the sound of guards approaching down the hall adjacent to hers. Metal steps stopped on a dime once spotting the pink skirts of the Princess zipping past in a hurry.
"Halt!"
One guard yelled to her, beginning to chase Peach as she hadn't done as she'd failed to follow his order. In a panic, Peach bolted, running aimlessly until reaching the hall with the main wing door. The guards yelled at her ruthlessly, closing in on her with furious speed. Their feet stomped on the tile angrily, their weapons swinging in the air. Peach had made it just a simple yard from the door.
"I SAID HALT!"
The door opened and Bowser emerged from it. Tears leaking from her eyes, Peach ran in to Bowser's enormous torso. She made contact with a swift impact of her body to his shell. Startled once hitting him, she tumbled backwards from the force. Bowser caught Peach and held her to him, one arm outstretched towards the guards.
"I demand you halt." he instructed, glancing down at Peach quickly to ensure she was alright. "What is the meaning of this? Why was she running?"
"She was escaping, your majesty!"
Uncertain, Bowser cast a wary eye down to Peach. He quickly brought his gaze to his guards with intimidation then back down to Peach with gentler eyes. Apprehensive eyes. Such a stare revealed he could not begin to fathom the idea of Peach running or, nor would he be willing to accept it.
"Peach?" he questioned, "Is this true?"
Peach shook her head. Relief washed over Bowser from within, immediately. Holding his authoritative composure for the sake of keeping the guards in check, he listened on as Peach defended herself.
"No, I assure you that is not true!" she explained to him urgently, coming in close to his body to distance herself from the guards who stood ready to apprehend her. "I woke to see the castle filled with light and rushed from my room joyfully. I merely wished to see more but these guards persuaded me without warning!"
Bowser turned a withering eye to both Koopas. Jaw clenched he shook with anger. Peach's small white-gloved trembling hands only worsened his anger.
"Tears stain her face mere moments prior to awakening, the fault being your own. What do you utter wastes of scales and flesh have to say for yourselves? "he demanded, enraged. "Out with it! This instant!"
"Bowser, Sir, she looked as if she were escaping...she had done so yesterday so we presumed she had done so again!" One spoke up, displeased with his commander's anger towards him.
"And how would you know that?" Bowser inquired.
"Sir, we encountered you two last night. Has your memory failed you?"
A look of realization crossed Bowser's face, memory of the guard cursing at a shaken peach in his arms. He glared menacingly at the guard whom wore a sour expression. Pointing a finger at him, he spoke venemously.
"You." he growled. "You were the guard who tried assaulting my Peachy. She shed tears then, and she's wastes tears on you now. You displease me."
Holding up two claws, Bowser waved them warningly.
"Two strikes." he stated ominously. "Do not let there be a third. Have I made myself clear?"
Giving an affirmative answer, the guard and his colleague were dismissed. They hurried back down the hall and out of earshot. Peach watched them flee with a relieved expression and wiped her eyes.
"How foolish I feel..." she remarked.
"It is behind us."
xxxxx
In the dining hall, food sat prepared atop of the grandiose table. On one end sat the Princess with her betrothed. As she ate her breakfast idly, Bowser debated on bringing up an important matter. Deciding it was best to simply do so, he summoned the princess's attention.
"Messengers have been sent out across our lands, they are announcing our betrothal as we speak."
Peach promptly looked up from the plate of food set before her.
"By noon everyone shall know. They will all attend the ceremony, as by law."
Peach ceased her eating and nodded in understanding, before something crossed her mind.
"…Has a date been arranged for said ceremony?" she questioned, picking up her tea for a drink. "We should begin giving it some thought."
"Tomorrow evening."
Peach nearly spat her tea everywhere. Some managed to go down the wrong way as she swallowed and as a result she began coughing. Bowser reacted rather quickly. Standing, he tapped her back until her airway cleared. Servants rushed in and filled her tea once more, urging her to drink and soothe her throat.
"Thank you, ladies." he expressed with gratitude, ushering them away. "Are you alright?"
Catching her breath, Peach struggled to articulate. How on Earth was a wedding to take place a single day after betrothal. Once able to breath normally, the Princess turned to the Koopa King completely flabbergasted.
"Tomorrow? " she scolded. " Bowser, I don't believe-"
"We cannot afford to leave our kingdoms divided any longer, it is time we set things right and quickly." he reminded her with urgency "Early this morning, as you slept, there were threats of an uproar."
Peach blinked twice, fear beginning to blossom in her eyes,
"...all of which were handled." He tried soothing her. "That being said, this cannot wait."
Xxxx
"Raise your arms, your highness."
In her bedroom, Peach stood atop of stool as a group of seamstresses took her measurements. Long, lovely tarps of black silk were unrolled and held to her dainty frame for a visual starting point. Red and green fabric were pulled from their totes along with sheer sheets of shimmery orange cloth, meant to be used for later detailing. They set to work rather quickly, creating her gown.
"Black clothes... how peculiar."
None of the shimmery orange cloth was used and Peach wondered why it had been taken out, but brushed it off and admired the seamstress's handy work. The dress had capped sleeves with matching sharp ruffles on the deep green skirt. The bodice was a vivid orange with red bleeding in to the edges. The dress reminded her of Bowser.
Initially Peach expected a white gown, just as her mother had worn. Such a dress was traditional, but this arrangement was anything but. Accepting the wedding dress for what it was, she approved. It was beautiful, just very unique. She vaguely wondered if her late mother's crown would match it.
Having no choice due to the time restrictions, Peach spent the afternoon overseeing the wedding preparations. Maids and servants cleaned rooms from top to bottom. Chefs gathered ingredients and adequate supplies for the reception after the wedding, storing them until said time. All the staff insisted there was nothing for her to help with and shooed her away endearingly as she yearned to be of assistance. Dejectedly she left them to their work, evening approaching.
That being said, she was delighted when Bowser summoned her for help with something after supper. Unsure of what it could be, she allowed him to guide her to the kitchen. A platter filled with small dishes of cake samples sat upon a table top. Bowser encouraged her to taste the various samples and choose which would be served tomorrow.
"Oh, I couldn't..."
"I insist. Go on."
Bowser pulled out a seat for her, taking his place across from her.
"We have honey, lemon, orange, chocolate, espresso, vanilla and red velvet, Peachy." he mentioned softly, "You will choose which you like best. These the best the baker has to offer."
A silver spoon touched each plate between sips of tea. Contemplation got the better of Peach as she struggled to choose between flavors. As trivial as choosing a cake was, it was the only thing she really had a say in...
"These are all lovely..." She pondered. "How can I choose?"
Her attention eventually narrowed between two plates. Bowser spooned her a bite of each and Peach made her final decision. As lovely as the lemon cake was, the red velvet won her favor.
"Excellent choice."
Bowser nodded in approval and notified the baker of Peach's decision before requesting more tea for his parched bride to be. When the stout man returned with the tea pot, Bowser took it and poured her more to drink. Peach sipped it gratefully. The excess of cake crumbs and frosting had left her quite thirsty.
"Sweets frequently do this to me. Sugar... it has its evils."
Bowser watched fondly as his bride to be washed down the desserts. Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice him watching her. He prepared to speak, when a loud crashing resonated throughout the castle. Alarmed, Peach gasped. An intense, solemn look spread across Bowser's features.
"We have company."
xxxxx
