Chapter Eleven

"Bowser, what is this?" Peach asked, with a smile on her face. He shivered a little as her eyes met his... Maybe throwing in the towel would be worth it.

"This is my gift to you and your kingdom," Bowser said, gathering himself up enough to give her his signature grin. "And proof that the most badass king that ever lived was friend zoned…"

Peach stepped through the doorway and out into the open. A rooftop garden had been added to the castle. The garden was filled with plants that could be found in both the Dark Lands and the Mushroom Kingdom. Stone walkways wound through the scenery, which was lit by hand carved hanging lanterns. It was the most beautiful landscape she had ever seen. Framing that beauty, was a large stone archway. The words "Friendship Gardens" were carved into the stone with an insignia of a mushroom in the middle of a metal studded circle, which looked suspiciously similar to the armbands Bowser always wore on his arms.

"I had them take off the ceiling and renovate it... but do you remember much from the last time we were in this room? " Bowser asked, suppressing a grimace. He would rather forget about it, but it was essential for her to remember that night so she could fully understand what he was about to say.

Peach only nodded. She remembered perfectly well.

. . . . . . . . . . .

7 Months ago

"GWA HA HA HA!" Bowser laughed as he laid on the floor basking in his genius.

"Bowser! What did you do to Mario?!" Peach walked into the Final Boss room. She left Mario in the library to rest. Stars know he needed it.

"Hey! Don't blame me! He is the one that started..." Bowser began as he got up from the floor and dusted himself off.

"He is covered in... sewage!" she stated with (graceful) frustration.

"What can I say? It's our 30th anniversary. I had to give my maaaan a proper gift!"

"I can't believe this. Mario only came here to save me from you! Don't you think covering him in manure is going too far? He could very well get a disease or something! The poor man looks half dead as it is," Peach frowned angrily.

"I know I never asked him to come save you. Did you ask him to come save you? If you did, then I will personally go clean him up right now!" Bowser frowned back at her stubbornly.

"I don't have to ask! This is the 30th time you have taken me against my will," Peach stated angrily.

"And you have loved every minute of it," Bowser growled in a low voice with a devilish grin.

Peach stepped back from him and shook her head, too aggravated to look him in the eye.

Bowser threw his claws in the air, "Oh, common!... Peach, just admit it." Peach looked up to see Bowser's face soften as he took a few steps forward to close the gap between them. "You smile when you are with me. I know you enjoy bantering with me! When have you ever done that with Mario? Has he erected castles, built kingdoms from the ground up just to impress you, or even so much as tried to hold your hand during a romantic date under the stars like I have?" Bowser stepped closer and gently extended his claw to tuck her hair behind her ear.

Peach shook her head in exasperation and smacked his claw away. "He may not be impressively rich or romantic, but he has strength and bravery in spades! And who says he hasn't held my hand under the stars? Not that it is any of your business," Peach stated curtly, getting more angry with Bowser.

"Everything about you is my business, Princess. Also, you didn't answer my first question. Does Mario talk to you like I do? I once heard that love breeds fools and fools are known to talk a great deal. Has he ever spoken more than five words in a row?" Bowser asked.

Peach balled up her fists. "Stop it. Mario is different, Bowser!"

"Ahhh… That is where you are right. He is different - from me. I see and appreciate the beauty standing in front of me. If he appreciated it like me he would have made you his years ago, but he hasn't. He doesn't love you, Peach. Please, let him go. I have done all of this for years just to…" Bowser pleaded for her to listen.

"Just to what?" Peach snapped, cutting him off. "Steal my heart? You are very talented when it comes to stealing, cheating, and lying. Congratulations! You have accomplished soooo much of it. But here's what you don't understand: you can steal me from my castle, storm the world with your oh-so-impressive armies, and have your childish temper tantrums but you will never touch my heart. You are nothing but a bully and a coward who takes advantage of others so you can reach for something that you never had any hope of getting. I will never love you," Peach said coldly, turning to make her way back to the library.

Bowser was stunned and his blood went cold as she walked away. He had failed, again.

. . . . . . . . . . .

"Peach…" Bowser took out a square red velvet box and looked her in the eyes.

"Bowser, you know I won't..." Peach's facial expression became nervous and she began to refuse, but Bowser opened the box before she could finish.

"You were right," Bowser stated.

The princess reached out and pulled a golden key from the box. It had the same insignia as the Friendship Garden arch carved into the bottom of the handle. "What is it?"

"It is the Master Key to Bowser Castle. I had Kamek put a spell on it so it will work for any lock in the castle," Bowser explained. "You are free to come and go when you choose. You haven't really been a prisoner since the fourth time I kidnapped you, but you are now able to go wherever and whenever you want." The princess put a hand up to her mouth in shock.