Dislcaimer: None of the characters from the realm of Nintendo, including Mario characters, belong to me.

Chapter Eight

"Princess, Kamek wishes to speak with you." Anna informed her, opening the door. "I'll be outside the door if you need me."

The magikoopa entered the room. "Thank you, Anna." He told her. She bowed and left, closing the door behind her.

"Princess," Kamek said, "please, have a seat." He motioned to one of the chairs setting by the table.

"I'd rather stand." Peach retorted sharply.

"As you wish." He also remained standing, seemingly unbothered by her tone. "I trust you slept well. An I see you have eaten. Excellent. Have you found everything to your satisfaction?"

He asked, although Peach doubted he actually cared.

"Yes, I suppose," she started to reply calmly, "except for the fact that I'm a prisoner!" She finished angrily. "So how could I be satisfied here?" She asked mockingly. "You know you won't get away with this! Mario will come and rescue me!" She stared at him, furious. Why did they always have to do this? She was tired of being kidnapped!

Kamek seemed fazed by neither her outburst nor the way she was glaring at him. "Mario will rescue you?" He asked, and once again he sounded almost amused. "Perhaps. But I would not count on it, Princess."

With those words, he turned as the door flew open and hit the wall with a BANG! Kammy was standing there, and she seemed irate, to put it mildly.

"Kamek!" She said smugly. "King Koopa wishes to speak with you about the events of last night." She was definitely smirking, Peach worried. Why would she be so happy? Had something happened to Mario? "Better hurry, Kamek. He's not in a good mood."

Kamek turned to Peach. "Please excuse me, Princess." He said with a bow. "I am afraid I have some business to attend to. If you will excuse me." He turned and swept out of the room, and as he left a nervous-looking Anna reentered the room.

"What do you want?" Kammy snapped at the younger magikoopa.

"I-I am the Princess' servant, ma'am." Anna stammered nervously.

"And?"

"And I'm supposed to stay with her, ma'am."

"I wish to speak with her alone." Kammy said flatly.

"Of course," Anna replied with a bow, "but it would mean my job, ma'am."

"And yet you left Kamek alone with her." Kammy angrily pointed out.

"Yes ma'am, but I stand to lose more than my job if I disobey him, you know." Anna explained timidly.

"Very well." Kammy snapped. "So be it." Then she turned to the Princess. "So you think Mario will come to save you?" She sneered.

"I know he will." Peach answered with a false confidence.

"Then it may interest you to know that he is in the castle as we speak."

"I knew he would come for me!" Peach replied triumphantly.

"You don't understand, Princess. He didn't come to rescue you. He's locked in our dungeon."

"Your lying!" was all Peach could think of to say.

"Am I?" Kammy asked. Peach looked the magikoopa over. Her eyes were visible and full of malice, but held no trace of lying.

"Good day, Princess." Sneered the magikoopa, turning and leaving the room.

Anna stood, shocked, and watched her leave. Peach could barely hear her say, "I'm in trouble now."

"You knew?" Peach asked Anna.

"Yes, Princess, and I am sorry for not telling you, but I was commanded not to." She looked at the Princess sadly. "But never fear, Princess, there is still hope."

"I don't see how." Peach muttered tearfully.

"Someone is still coming to try to save you."

"Who?"

"Toad?" She suggested tentatively, uncertain of the name.

"Toad?" Peach almost laughed. "Figures." He wouldn't give up easily, but he could end up hurt, Peach worried. "Alone?"

"Of course not. Yoshi is with him."

"Oh." Peach wondered if she would ever be rescued, and if maybe she should try to find a means of escape herself. She desperately hoped she would not be trapped here for the rest of her life.