Just in case you are wondering, I have this whole fanfic written out already so I will be updating spontaneously. Be sure to check a least once a week for more! Also, thank you so much for reading! I hope you will enjoy this story as much as I have.

Side note:

There might be times when I suggest a song for specific moments to make the story more immersive. I made a Playlist in Apple Music that holds all of the music that I am using for this fanfic! The link can be found on my Profile page. (There are also other songs there that I think fit the mood of the story)

If you have any questions or comments leave a review! And don't be afraid to suggest music of your own! I love hearing from my readers. :3 :3

Chapter Three

"Who are you? And why are you here?" Peach asked with a slight shake in her voice. She was used to having unexpected visitors pop in every now and then, but never when she was in the bathroom. Even if they had come while she was in the bathroom they would have waited outside until she was decent. It was common courtesy.

"My name is Kamella Koopa, a Magikoopa from the Dark Lands, and I have a proposition for you," said the purple-robed shadow.

"A Magikoopa?" Peach sighed crossly. "Bowser and his schemes can wait. Can you at least come back when I am out of the bath?" Kamella shook her head and stepped forward into the light.

"Though this visit may have something to do with the Koopa King, I assure you, I am not here to do his bidding. I have urgent business that needs to be discussed immediately," Kamella urged strongly, her round glasses glinting in the light as she walked out of the shadows.

Peach looked around for a towel as the Magikoopa spoke, but the closest one could only be reached if she got out of the water. "Fine. I'm all ears if you hand me that towel," Peach answered, pointing towards the fluffy pink towel hanging on the wall. Kamella shrugged and with a flick of her wand the towel was in Peach's hand. To Peach's vexation and Kamella's secret amusement, half of it ended up landing in the water.

As Peach squeezed the water out of the towel and tied it around herself, Kamella decided to cut to the chase.

"Are you in love with Bowser?" she asked bluntly.

"What?" Peach asked, completely stunned. "How could I…? No! No, I am not and will never be. I have told Bowser countless times that I am not legally married to him and there is nothing between us despite his infatuation with..."

"Will you create a Magical Contract with me that you will never fall in love with him?" Kamella asked, cutting the princess off impatiently.

Peach was silent as she stepped out of the tub clumsily and looked at the Magikoopa with confusion. She thought for a moment in silence. This was only getting more confusing.

Kamella began to pace the tiled floor and study Peach's face closer, "So you either are in love with him, have interest in him, or are uncertain whether or not you could ever have feelings for him? As part of the Investors, I am not pleased."

"The Investors?" Peach asked, ignoring Kamella's assertions. The Magikoopa was trying to rush her and keep her off balance in order to prevent Peach from taking control of the conversation.

"The League of Investors is a group of leaders who are invested in the prosperous future for both the Mushroom Kingdom and the Dark Lands and see Bowser's interest in you as a threat to that future," Kamella stated simply.

"I am unaware of such a group... but you can be assured that I do not plan to have any romantic relations with Bowser in the near or even far future," Peach replied shortly.

Kamella shook her head with a smirk, "You see, that isn't good enough. Bowser and his love for you are a threat to what our society has worked for and we plan to deal with this threat personally if you do not give us complete assurance."

Peach hated to say anything positive about King Bowser, but this statement seemed rather ridiculous. "Deal with what threat? I don't exactly have the best opinion of him, as you can imagine, but Bowser hasn't had a negative impact on the Mushroom Kingdom in years. If anything, he has been on agreeable terms with our kingdom since the kidnappings have been dealt with," Peach argued.

"Your kidnappings," Kamella corrected her. "Mario may deal with them well but just because you have escaped Bowser's clutches thus far doesn't mean that it will continue to happen. Princess, Bowser will keep coming for you so long as he has even a minute chance of earning your affections."

Peach bit back her rising frustration. "I am well aware of that. However, that doesn't mean you or the Investors have any power over my future decisions or my personal life just because nothing can be done about his. Especially, when your 'League' chooses not to meet with me in a civil manner over their personal disagreements."

"I understand your mistrust for our group, but actions will be taken against Bowser if you don't set the future in stone," said Kamella. Before Peach could ask for clarification, Kamella continued, "The reason why I volunteered to ask this of you is that I am a citizen of the Dark Lands. Bowser is my king, but he is sure you will reciprocate his feelings eventually. He throws away money on castles and armies to impress you and constantly loses to a one-man army, ruining the feared Dark Land reputation.

"You are also not the best influence on him. In the eyes of the Dark Lands, you are far too weak and your leadership is hardly inspiring. Bowser's kingdom wants and needs a strong and brazen Koopa King, which will never happen if there is even a minuscule chance of you caring for Bowser in return. Additionally, you are the only heir to the Mushroom Kingdom throne. Your life has been at risk continually since Bowser started kidnapping you. That is not to say that he would intentionally hurt you, but accidents happen and have occurred in the past. The scar on your right shoulder is proof of that," Kamella explained intently.

Peach inadvertently lifted her left hand to wrap her fingers around her right arm. She had received an almost fatal injury a few years ago when she had gotten lost in Bowser's Castle and unwittingly opened a trap door. Luckily, Mario had been in the area when he heard the booby trap go off. That had been the only time Bowser allowed Mario to leave without a Final Boss Battle. The Koopa King had felt so bad that he couldn't pluck up enough courage to kidnap Peach until two years after the incident.

Kamella continued, "The League of Investors recognizes that any connection between you and Bowser would spell disaster for the Mushroom Kingdom and the Dark Lands. Don't you see? Keeping both of your lives separate from each other is the only way to keep both kingdoms stable and their futures bright… Either that or Bowser has to die."

Peach balked. "Die? So killing the King of the Dark Lands will save the face of your Kingdom and solve all of my problems? That's outrageous! Also, why would I, the victim, ever form an intimate relationship with my kidnapper?" Peach asked angrily.

"Bowser has an heir to the throne. Everyone is replaceable, especially if the replacement is young enough to mold. As for your last question, you used to hate Bowser, but time with him has made you soft enough to defend him," Kamella reasoned. Furious disgust formed on Peach's face as the Magikoopa spoke. "Honestly, I hope you are soft enough to save his life."

"That is enough," Peach stated, crossing her arms as she stared at the Magikoopa indignantly. "Your intentions have been made clear. I think it is best for you to leave."

"I agree. Expect me at the same time tomorrow. We will be awaiting your decision," said Kamella and with a wave of her wand, she was gone.

"By losing a portion of my freedom, another gains the right to live? That would be a terrible decision indeed," Peach thought sourly.