Chapter Twelve

"The transportation level of the castle is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day for anyone except me. I can make them take me anywhere whenever I want. With that being said, I would appreciate it if you let me know when you want to leave so I can go with you or have an escort take you if that is what you would prefer," Bowser continued to explain. Peach looked at the key in her hands and her mind started racing. If that was true, she could go home tonight if she wanted to.

Bowser could see the cogs of her mind turning so he added, "There is only one thing I want you to do for me. You don't necessarily have to, but I would like it very much if you would stay until next Monday morning. You can leave at 1 a.m. if you want to, but I told the Koopalings you would be staying long enough for each of them to have a turn sitting next to you at the dinner table." Peach looked at the key in her hands quietly. "Also, I created a maze for Mario, which I'm sure he has already started by now. I wouldn't mind having a sparring session with him and letting him win his princess from me one last time. Besides, it would be rude to make him go through the whole thing and not be there for him at the end. Don't you think?"

Peach stood motionless as the gravity of Bowser's words hit her. He didn't know Mario was gone. He had also listened to every word she had said and though, it didn't fix the broken relationship between their kingdoms, it made Peach feel a tinge of regret for calling Bowser a coward.

"I don't know what to say," Peach said in a small voice, trying to loosen up her constricted throat.

"Say you will stay… please?" Bowser asked quietly.

Without thinking, Peach looked up and instantly regretted it. Bowser tried to hide it, but there was a trace of hope in his eyes that she didn't have the heart to crush and, upon closer inspection, she noticed the bags under his eyes were darker than usual. How much sleep had he lost to make sure his gift was as perfect as possible? She could see the worry on his face as he waited for her answer. For a moment, she felt a small but sudden urge to touch his face and wipe his uncertainty away. Peach flinched at the idea and thought, "It must just be a motherly instinct. I do the same thing for Bowser Jr. and Lemmy when they have bad dreams."

"Peach?" Bowser asked, apprehension seeping into his voice.

The princess snapped out of her thoughts. "I'll stay as long as I can," Peach answered, "Is there any chance I can use a phone?"

Bowser deflated a little, "Sure." He snapped his claw and Kamek the Magikoopa popped out of thin air, handing Peach a pink cell phone.

"Here you are, your Highness," Kamek said with a low, respectful bow.

"Bowser really did pull out of the stops this time. Kamek hardly bows to Bowser let alone anyone else," Peach thought to herself.

"This is a regular cell phone with magical modifications. You can call anyone anywhere in our world. You might even be able to contact other worlds if they are close enough to our own. Also, don't worry. There isn't a tracker on the cell phone. You won't be followed by anyone here at the castle or anywhere else. There aren't any limits on its use except for battery power, which can last up to 4 days if you hit the… Preserve Power mouse-button doohickey," Kamek explained the best he could. "Also, Princess? I would like to meet with you tomorrow morning before breakfast to speak with you concerning your wardrobe." Peach nodded her head in agreement and with a wave of his wand the Magikoopa was gone.

Bowser snorted. "Yeah, because we all know how much you love her dresses, Kamek," he thought to himself with a smirk on his face. "Would you like to walk through the gardens?" Bowser asked Peach, politely holding out his arm to her.

"I would be delighted," she answered, accepting his arm. They walked for a few minutes in silence as she took in every detail. Bowser had thought of everything. She could tell he had chosen things that match both of their personalities so that the garden was a perfect mix of her and him

"Bowser, thank you," Peach said with a glowing smile.

"You're welcome," The Koopa King grunted awkwardly. Peach wasn't just thanking Bowser to be polite. She was genuinely thanking him.

Once they had made a full circle, Bowser walked the princess back to her room.

"Thank you for bringing me all of the way back. You didn't have to," Peach said with a small smile.

"It was my pleasure. Besides, Ludwig told me that you got lost on your way here earlier," Bowser said with a mischievous grin. Peach giggled with some embarrassment. "I will be sure to post some of my servants in the more neglected halls of the castle. You have always been as curious as a cat but, with that key, you could get yourself hurt. Please promise to be cautious if you find yourself wandering the halls alone."

"I will do my best and… I am sure I will get the hang of this castle with some practice," Peach said confidently. "Goodnight, Bowser."

With that, Peach closed her bedroom door leaving Bowser by himself in the hallways. Had she opened the door again, she would have witnessed Bowser fist pump and grin like a madman as he made his way to his room.

"She's willing to spend time here!"

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Peach set her back against the door as she thought over all of the freedom she had lost and gained in just one day. She opened her hands and looked at the gifts she had received. Both the cell phone and the key gave her the freedom to do as she pleased without being hindered or held back. There were definitely some things she wanted to do, but first, she had to call Daisy.

A little hesitant, Peach flipped the phone open and dialed Daisy's number. She hadn't heard from Daisy since Mario's death. His passing had been a hard blow for both Daisy and Luigi, but it was unusual for either of them to go so long without contacting Peach. She had attempted to contact Daisy a few times, but the servants at the Sarasaland Castle always told Peach that Daisy was busy and would call back when she could. She had also tried to contact Luigi, but her letters were never answered or returned.

Taking a deep breath, Peach entered Daisy's number into her phone, pressed send, and sat down on the edge of her bed. After the first three rings, a familiar voice answered, "Hello?"

"Hey, Daisy. I know you have been busy but…" Peach started.

"PEACH?! I haven't heard from you in months! How are you? It's so damn good to hear your voice!" Daisy practically squealed with excitement.

"Yeah, it has been a long time! I am doing fine right now, but I missed you, so I decided to call. How is Luigi? Is he doing better?" Peach asked with a smile as she listened to Daisy's voice. Peach had almost forgotten how good it was to talk to her cousin.

"Eh. Luigi has his ups and downs. Hey, Weegy! Come and say hi to Peachy!" Daisy ordered. Peach giggled as she heard a rustle in the background and something that sounded suspiciously like a smooch.

"Hello, Princess! It has been a long time! I hope everything is ok where you are," Luigi said.

"Yes! I am doing well. It's still the same old Bowser's Castle, so you know how it is," Peach said with a sigh.

"Wait… What about Bowser?" Luigi asked with surprise.

"Give me the phone!…. Peachy?" Daisy came back on the line. "Where are you? Are you okay?" Daisy asked worriedly.

"Oh, I thought you would have heard by now. Bowser kidnapped me from the Mushroom Castle this morning," Peach told her casually. "I am fine. No big deal."

"How is this not a big deal? Mario has been gone for months, and now you are in Bowser's Castle without anyone to save you?!" Daisy all but shouted.

"That's probably why no one told her," Peach thought, smacking her forehead in frustration. "Daisy, calm down! It will all be okay! I am fine. You know Bowser would never hurt me. But you can't let anyone know where I am. If word gets out that no one is coming to save me, then my whole kingdom would be in hysterics."

"Okay…" Daisy said trying to get a grip on herself.

At that moment, Luigi took the phone. "Don't worry, Princess Peach. No matter how far away he is, Mario will always come back to save you. He will turn up! I just know it!"

Peach's mouth dropped open. "What did he just say?"