Kamek plugged his fingers into his ears as he approached the door to Bowser's room. The heavy-metal music coming from the other side was booming so loudly that it even made the thick door rattle on its hinges. Kamek muttered to himself about losing his hearing in his old age, then proceeded to knock as hard as he could. As expected, there was no reply. Kamek sighed and opened the door regardless, wincing as the music grew even louder without the door to soften it.

The first thing he spotted was Bowser's monstrous go-kart sitting in the middle of the floor, its twin speakers thrumming with each deep note of whatever song Bowser had chosen. Kamek rolled his eyes at the sight, but at least the Koopalings' creation was being used. The second thing he spotted was Bowser standing in front of his massive floor-length mirror, swaying to the beat and raking his claws through his hair in an attempt to tame it.

"Your Jovialness!" Kamek shouted over the music. Bowser didn't seem to hear him, which honestly wasn't all that surprising. Kamek whacked Bowser's knee with his wand, which made the latter startle so badly he tripped on his tail and crashed to the floor.

"Kamek! When the shell did you get here?" he yelled, though Kamek could barely make him out.

"Turn down the music!" Kamek commanded. Bowser squinted at him in confusion.

"What's that?"

"Turn down the music!" he repeated.

Bowser got up, shuffled over to the go-kart and reached in, then the thundering music finally stopped. Kamek shook his head as his ears rang, and shot Bowser an annoyed look.

"You shouldn't play music that loud, you'll go deaf, Your Stubbornness," he warned.

Bowser shrugged, unconcerned. "Well, it's my pump-up song, so it has to be loud."

"Pumped-up? For what?"

Bowser shot him a sheepish grin. "I may or may not have asked Princess Peach to have a dance with me tonight."

Kamek gasped. "Oh, oh! Sire, why didn't you tell me sooner? We must begin preparations at once!"

"Well, to be honest, it was a spur of the moment thing– I didn't think she'd actually say yes," Bowser admitted.

"No matter, no matter! I'll get right on it," Kamek's eyes lit up. "I'll send Ludwig and Wendy in to you right away, too! Don't you worry about a thing, sire, tonight will be perfect."

"Thanks, Kamek. But what exactly are Ludwig and Wendy going to be doing..?" Bowser eyed his advisor with suspicion.

"Why, someone has to get you looking presentable for tonight, don't they?"

Bowser opened his mouth to protest, but Kamek suddenly poofed away in a cloud of purple smoke. A surprisingly short time later he reappeared with the two aforementioned Koopalings, who looked at him with mischievous delight.

"Never fear, King Dad, I shall ensure your fiery red tresses are styled so impeccably that not even Morton could find fault with it!" Ludwig proclaimed.

"And I'm gonna make sure your outfit tonight is, like, so good. It'll make all the other koopas look down at their outfits and gag," Wendy added.

Bowser backed away slowly as his two children approached him with eager eyes. "Uhh, Kamek, is this really necessary?"

"Yes," he said. "Think about it, things only started going well between you and Peach after you got rid of your horrible purple cape, so by adding a little extra zing to your appearance, you're sure to win her over!"

"You're lucky I know you're kidding," Bowser grumbled. "But fine, yes, if you think adding some 'zing' will help me at all, I'll trust you."

"Excellent! I'll begin getting things ready for the ball, enjoy your makeover," Kamek cackled and teleported away.

"Ok kiddos, do your worst," Bowser sat down in the stylist chair Ludwig had brought with him, and grit his teeth as Ludwig began teasing his hair.

"Alright King Dad, what kind of style are you looking for tonight? Something daring? Something charming? Something in between?" Ludwig chatted on as he continued to brush.

"I have no idea, bud. To be honest, I had no idea you even did hairstyling stuff," Bowser chuckled.

Ludwig clucked his tongue. "How else do you think I am able to create such an impressive coiffure on myself without outside assistance?" He tossed his head of eccentric blue locks for effect.

"Alright, alright. Just… surprise me," Bowser relented, hoping he wouldn't regret his decision.

"King Dad, what do you think of this for tonight?" Wendy waved him down, and thrust a bright red suit into his arms.

Bowser cringed and handed it back. "What else do I have to pick from?"

"No, no, King Dad, you have to stand out! This red, like, totally brings out your eyes," Wendy insisted.

"No offense kiddo, but I think it brings out a little too much," Bowser countered.

Wendy sighed dramatically. "Fine. I'll, like, be right back." She retreated back into Bowser's closet.

Bowser winced as Ludwig caught a snag in his hair. "Sorry, King Dad, but when was the last time you actually utilized a comb? Your claws don't count."

Bowser muttered under his breath, "I shouldn't have agreed to this…"

"King Dad, King Dad! How about this one?" Wendy reappeared, a sparkly forest green sequin suit draped over her arm on display for Bowser to see. Ludwig "oohed" in fascination.

"Wow, why do I even have that one?" was all Bowser said.

"Ugh, you have no taste in fashion," Wendy rolled her eyes.

"Listen, listen, King Dad, you must endeavor to express your true feelings for Peach, tonight is the night!" Ludwig said, changing the subject.

Bowser felt his insides squirm at the thought of confessing his feelings to Peach. "I'm not sure I can do this."

"Ludwig is right, you have to tell her the truth! You, like, care about her, don't you?" Wendy pressed.

"Of course I do, but I just…" Bowser trailed off.

"Just what?" Ludwig and Wendy asked at the same time. They shot each other dirty looks for jinxing one another.

"It's just… what if she doesn't feel the same way? What if I make her uncomfortable or scare her away?" Bowser fretted.

"Hello, is this King Dad we're talking to? You're usually so determined when you know what you want! You have to, like, be bold and daring!" Wendy encouraged.

"This is different. I'm not the same Koopa I was before."

"Thank the Stars for that," Ludwig agreed. Bowser shot him a warning look. Ludwig chuckled nervously and returned to working on his hair with double the focus.

"Anyways, what I was going to say is that I think you should be just fine, King Dad. This night will be, like, so romantic. Music, candlelight… it makes me giddy just thinking about it!" Wendy gushed. "There's no way Peach won't feel it, too."

Before Bowser could reply, Wendy disappeared and returned shortly with another suit.

"Ok, how do you feel about this one?" she asked, her eyes shining hopefully.

"Wait, wait, King Dad, what do you think about your hairstyle?" Ludwig interrupted, shoving a mirror into Bowser's hands.

Bowser looked between his reflection and the suit. "They're both perfect," he said, grinning from horn to horn. "It's showtime!"

Peach adjusted her tiara in the mirror. Not her usual one, which still sat in the closet, but a delicate swirling gold creation with a sapphire set into the middle of it. It perfectly matched her small teardrop earrings, which perfectly matched the brooch on the front of her dress, which all perfectly matched her eyes. She fidgeted with the edge of her white ballroom length gloves, and smoothed the front of her gown. She leaned in close to the mirror and inspected her light makeup. Twice.

Now, as a princess, she was fairly confident in her ability to dress herself for a ball (or a dance, or whatever Bowser wanted to call it), but tonight she felt the extra need to look pretty. She couldn't quite explain why, but she felt like tonight had to be perfect. She briefly wondered what dancing with Bowser would be like. Was he rusty, or well-practiced? What kind of dances had he planned out? Peach blushed as she imagined herself swirling across a ballroom in Bowser's arms, but she wasn't really unnerved by the thought.

Exhaling slowly and taking one final glance in the mirror, she decided she was ready. The sun was just beginning to set (though it was always hard to tell here), so it was time to depart. An invitation had magically appeared (literally) on her pillow some time after she returned from the banquet, simply giving her the arranged time and a request to dress elegantly. She wasn't sure where she was supposed to go, however.

That question was quickly answered as she opened her bedroom door and looked down to see a trail of peach-colored flower petals leading down the hall. Peach giggled and rolled her eyes at the cliche, but went along with it anyway. Goodness, it was like Bowser was trying to be romantic!

That thought put a serious pause in her stride. What if… Bowser had developed feelings for her? Recently, the way he had been acting around her certainly seemed different. She didn't want to read too much into it, but Bowser treated her with such gentleness, and he seemed to constantly be seeking out her attention these days. Maybe that was just how he was with friends, but she honestly had no way to confirm that, since Bowser had no other friendships she could compare it to. If anything, he treated her more like family than a friend.

That thought made her feel warm and fuzzy inside. She hurried her pace as she followed the trail of petals. She kept expecting it to end as she approached one of the many ballrooms, but the path continued right past them. She found herself amused by the quest; just where was she going to end up?

Eventually, the petals stopped, and she found herself in front of the back doors leading to the palace gardens. Two Koopas dressed in formal attire bowed as she approached, and slowly opened the doors for her. What she saw on the other side stole her breath away.

She had been gifted surprises several times in this castle before– her bedroom, that Mushroom Kingdom style banquet, and her personal kitchen to name a few– but none of them came close to the dazzling and breathtaking display before her. The gardens, which had been a work in progress, now resembled an enchanted scene from a storybook. Floating lights suspended in the air by magic created a soft multi-color display. The flora, most of which had been seedlings just yesterday, were now in full bloom, and many varieties glowed with faint bioluminescence, which only added to the stunning lighting effects.

What Peach's eyes settled on, however, was Bowser, standing halfway up the staircase with a hand extended towards her. He was dressed in a smart looking black suit with light green and orange flames embroidered along the sleeves and pant cuffs, and a green undershirt to match. His hair, too, had been styled differently, and swooped over to one side in a dapper way. His eyes were what drew her in the most, as they gazed at her with such tenderness she felt her heart do a backflip behind her ribs. She thought to herself that if Bowser had been acting differently recently, she definitely had been, too.

She graciously took Bowser's hand and let him lead her down the stairs and to the stone courtyard, which was freshly sanded and smooth as a polished marble floor.

"You look quite dashing tonight, Bowser," she said quietly, speaking as though she was afraid that by raising her voice, she'd break the spell over this enchanting moment.

"You… look absolutely stunning," he replied, just as softly.

Peach blushed, though she had purposely chosen her gown knowing it looked good on her. It was a pastel pink (a color she had not worn in some time) with a pink bustle that draped all the way to the floor and matched the side paneling of her bodice. The paler pink in the middle sparkled, along with the gauzy outer layers that flowed over the skirt and pooled onto the ground like water. A modest off-the-shoulder cut with ruffled sleeves completed the look, along with the sapphire accessories she'd added earlier.

As they stepped onto the pavilion, soft music floated into her ears. It was classic yet dramatic, melodious and old and new all at the same time. Yes, it would be the perfect song to dance to.

"It is indeed a lovely night for a dance," Peach commented, curtsying as Bowser bowed, then joining hands as they started off into a slow waltz.

"I'm happy you agree," Bowser hummed, putting most of his focus into his dance steps.

It was a simple dance, and only required the partners to hold hands and sway to the melody. Peach was content, though, as just being here with him felt like a special evening. She wasn't afraid to admit that now that she was here.

"Do you dance often?" Peach asked politely. Bowser met her inquisitive gaze with a small nod.

"Yes and no. I don't really do a lot of traditional ballroom stuff, I only know the basics because of royal etiquette lessons. The kind of dancing I'm into isn't quite so… proper," he said with a smirk.

"Oh?" Peach curled an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Yep, I'm really into rock-and-roll," Bowser finished.

"Why does that not surprise me?" Peach laughed. "You'll have to show me sometime."

"Sure thing, but not tonight. Tonight's all about what you like."

"That's sweet, but you don't always have to go out of your way to make me happy."

"Oh, but I want to."

"Hm, and why's that?"

Bowser paused before answering. "Well… lots of reasons. You're so cool, and kind, and brave, and talented, and–"

"You really think so?" Peach interrupted, looking up at him with shining eyes. "I'm far from perfect, you know."

"–And modest too!" Bowser added with a cheeky grin. Peach playfully swatted at his arm.

The music became more upbeat just then, and Bowser started to adjust his position so that they would be in a more traditional waltzing formation. He hesitated to touch her though, so Peach guided his hand down to her waist then placed her own hand on his shoulder (or as high up his arm as she could reach, at least).

The music's rhythm quickened, and Bowser led her through a series of spins and gentle dips.

"For someone who doesn't do this often, you're quite good at it," Peach commented, her face flushed.

"What can I say? I'm a Koopa of many talents," Bowser purred.

As they twirled, the lights and glowing plants created a kaleidoscope of soft colors bouncing around them, and the atmosphere smelled heavily of the perfume of flowers; Peach could've sworn there was almost a dreamy haze surrounding them. Time seemed to slow down and speed up all at once, and she lost herself in the numerous dances and the weightlessness of being in Bowser's arms. If he ever started to act shy at their contact, she'd gently hold him and flash him a reassuring smile.

Eventually, though, it had to end. Both weary dancers rested on the stone benches under the pavilion, which was draped with all manner of flowering vines. Small (harmless) bioluminescent spores floated in the air around them, creating an effect similar to stardust. Peach looked out at the gardens wistfully, wondering how such a desolate place had become so beautiful with only some tender care and attention.

"Peach?"

"Hm?" Peach turned back to Bowser. His eyes were bright and his cheeks were flushed. Peach was sure she looked the same.

"Are you happy here? With me?"

Peach glanced back out at the gardens before replying, "Yes."

"You hesitated," Bowser pointed out, his face falling.

Peach hurried to cover her slip. She hated seeing Bowser looking so crestfallen after all he'd done for her. "Oh, no, no! I've had such a lovely time, tonight was simply magnificent. The only thing that could've topped it would be if we were able to see the stars, but the plants here recreate it so wonderfully!" she waved a glove in the air, causing some of the spores to swirl and glow brighter around her.

"Would you like to see the stars?" Bowser asked, a new note of excitement in his voice.

"Well, sure, but I understand it's not possi– Whoa!" Peach cried as Bowser suddenly swept her off her feet. Before she could protest, Bowser took off and began scaling the side of the castle walls, using one arm to hold her around the waist while the other he used to climb. Peach clutched onto his bicep for dear life as they quickly ascended the towers, only stopping once they'd reached the tallest point.

"Are you insane?" Peach gasped, more startled than angry, as he set her down on the slanted roof. She still clung to his hand, though.

Bowser grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, sorry. But you said you wanted to see the stars so…" he gestured at the sky with a grand flourish of his arm. Peach followed it and looked up into the sky, which was no longer a murky cloudy canvas as it always was, but rather a sparkling starlit work of art.

"Oh Stars… the stars!" she exclaimed, beaming.

"The illusions around the castle are much thinner up here, so you can see above the clouds," Bowser explained. "But it's a real pain in the shell to get up here, so that's why we don't do it often."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you take me up here just to see the stars," Peach apologized.

"Don't be, I wanted to," Bowser said with a smile. "They are beautiful, aren't they?"

"Yes…" Peach trailed off, staring off into the night sky. A cold breeze whipped her skirts around her legs, and she shivered.

"Ah, the other reason we don't come up here often is because it's so far from the lava moat– much too cold." Bowser wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"W-what're you doing?" Peach chattered.

"I've literally got a fire inside of me, I'm keeping us warm," Bowser said. "U-Unless it's making you uncomfortable!" He suddenly realized and pulled back.

"No, not at all. I appreciate it," Peach replied, leaning into Bowser's touch. She hoped the cold wind would be a good enough excuse for her red cheeks.

They stood there in silence, watching the stars twinkle and dance in the inky black expanse above. Peach wasn't sure how much time passed like that, until Bowser suddenly whispered her name into the still air.

"Peach?"

She turned in his arms and looked up at him. "Yes, Bowser?" she whispered back.

"Why um… why did you hesitate earlier?"

Peach bit her lip, trying to think of how to best respond. "I truly am happy here, you and your family are wonderful to me. You treat me like I'm special, but not because I'm a princess. It's all so… refreshing," she began. "But…"

"But what?" Bowser's eyes begged for an answer.

"If only I could return home, even if just for a day, to see Toadsworth. I miss him and the others so much… and I worry what state my kingdom is in," she admitted. Bowser took in her answer silently.

"Peach," he repeated softly, and suddenly he unwrapped his arm and knelt before her, so they could see each other eye-to-eye. He held her hand gently. "I know that things in this place are not always what they seem, and that you've been so gracious to look past that and have compassion on us. I think you are a wonderful person and I want to tell you…" he stopped, and opened his mouth to continue, but no words came out. His lips formed different words, and he seemed to change his sentence halfway several times. Peach could tell he was struggling to say what he wanted to say to her, and the silence was suspenseful.

After several moments of deep contemplation his eyes darkened seriously, but not because of her. "I want to tell you about the curse," he stated. "You deserve to know."

Peach found she did not know how to respond, so she simply nodded at him.

Bowser looked away, and Peach knew she saw a deep guilt riddled in his features. He took in a great, shuddering breath before he said, "The reason this place is cursed, why no one remembers it, why my kingdom is in shambles, why the sky is never clear, why my adoptive children are so estranged, why I keep that fire flower… it's all because of me. It's because…" he looked back at her, and his eyes were brimmed with tears. "It's because I tried to invade the Mushroom Kingdom."