CHAPTER 12 – LUIGI

He stood off to the side and watched The Princess Peach work her magic, "I'm sorry but something has come up suddenly. It is inexcusable of me to invite you to stay in return for your hospitality but I hope that you will forgive me. We must ensure that no further conflict breaks out between The Mushroom Kingdom and The Koopa Kingdom."

"My lady, think nothing of it. These things do happen, and you are quite right, you cannot afford any further confrontation." Said Prince Peasley.

Luigi privately agreed too. This world had seen enough war and deaths. It needed time to recover.

"Yes," Began Lady Lima, "You have the right of it. We of The Bean Kingdom understand the importance of peace. My Lady, let me accompany you on your party of diplomacy. We all benefit. Please allow me to you."

For an instant, Luigi saw the anger and joy cross the prince's face. Then the wall returned, and he was all smiles and charm. He wasn't sure what to make of that… They went on in this fashion, patting themselves on the back for being good people and caring about the safety of their people, but it was all just words and a verbal dance each must do. He tuned out what they said and watched Peach instead.

One of the reasons he'd gotten tangled up in the war was because of her. She was radiance and his longing for her was real. Luigi had hoped that she might consent to be marriage but it was wishful thinking. Even if she'd consented to marry a commoner, it would not be this brother. The true war hero was the older of the two. His heart gave a long thump. Even more likely is that she'd marry the prince in front of her. It would combine their strength and both would greatly benefit. His heart gave another unpleasant lurch. To steady himself, he took a deep breath and held it. It had to be this way. He tried to be happy for Princess Peach, but couldn't.

The conversation ended and it was agreed that The Lady Lima would join them. It made no difference to him. He put a smile on his face as he helped them gather supplies. Since this was for diplomacy the party decided to use the princess's carriage instead of a large automobile. It would let all those who saw them know who was on board. As Peach explained, their goal was to create peace and trust, not to sneak into The Koopa Kingdom unnoticed. It made no difference to him.

And so they set off, Princess Peach, The Lady Lima, himself, and a few Toads. The women chatted, but he spent most of his time staring out the window. Why had Peach leapt at the idea to see The Great Bowser; surely not out of love? They'd have to be a fool to take him in marriage, the man was a dictator who would steal her lands. No, it was most likely that her feet itched, and she wanted to get out. She was a good Princess, but her impulses sometimes got the better of her.

They brought him into the conversation from time to time, and he did his best to be amusing. The women laughed, both crone and beauty. All too soon they were passing through the Koopa Kingdom and had arrived at The Great Bowsers door. His Koopa stewards met them and saw to their things. Luigi noticed that some sort of gentrification had been at work. The Koopa's were polite, if not well-mannered, and while the great statue of Bowser still stood proudly over the city, there was evidence of new building and development everywhere. Luigi was highly impressed that the streets were lit with mechanical lights and were not gas-fed at all. They were tall, impressive, and a sleek deep black. This place was prospering and he found that odd. They'd lost the war but had grown richer in the process. How?

Before he could dwell on it, the big man himself came out.

"I called for Mario, not his rag-tag team of misfits!"

"Lord Bowser," Princess Peach curtsied, "My apologies, Mario is overseas on a diplomatic party."

"Humph, Damn inconsiderate of the man." He turned to his stewards, "What are you all dragging your feet for. Get their things and take them to their rooms, not gawk!" he bellowed.

They all moved to obey as he watched with his arms crossed, tapping his foot, "Laziness is what it is. You think they'd have the decency to do what I tell them."

Luigi nodded, just to be doing something. Bowser caught the gesture and turned on him, "Who asked you little green man."

Luigi smiled, Bowser had not changed over the years; still as aggressive as ever.