Time slowed to a stop, but not in a good way. The Toads' various expressions– ranging from disgust to anger to fear to simple blankness– all settled on him, cold and unmoving. For a good long moment, Bowser felt as though he were trapped in a painting (Stars above, would the Toads ever blink– did they ever blink?).

The silence, also, was indescribably loud. It thrummed in Bowser's ears, making it near impossible to hear his own thoughts. Not that his inner voice was much help anyways, as all it did was scream at him to do something– anything– to move past this awkward moment and act like a freaking king before all these beings. However, all that he was able to do was keep up his painfully wobbly smile and stand frozen in place as every last bit of confidence left his body in thick, sweaty droplets.

Bowser seriously considered if he should just turn around and go home. Peach would forgive him, right?

The tension was so painfully obvious that even Kamek could not stand it. "I shall park the carriage, sire!" he cried, slamming the door of the carriage and rubbernecking away before Bowser could even open his mouth to protest (or plead to go with him).

He spun back to his less than welcoming audience, panicking to find the right words that might smooth over his introduction and possibly salvage a shred of happiness during this visit.

Peach beat him to the punch, however, as she softly cleared her throat and stepped forward. She smiled warmly as she greeted him.

"King Bowser! Welcome to the Mushroom Kingdom," she said with a polite curtsy. Bowser blinked and quickly remembered to bow in return.

"Princess Toadstool," he replied. He started towards her, taking slow, intentional steps, trying his best to look confident. His racing mind calmed down a bit as he met her eyes. He tried his best to focus on those, instead of the hundreds of beady black pairs that bored into his backside– and especially the pair at her side.

As they finally crossed the seemingly infinite stretch of red carpet between them, Peach took Bowser's hands and gave them a grateful squeeze.

"Thank you for coming," she said quietly, and Bowser felt all (well, most) of his anxiety melt away. It was replaced by a warm fuzzy feeling as he noticed her engagement ring (now it's proper size) sparkling in the sunlight as she held his hand.

Now that he was closer, he noticed that she looked nervous, as well. Of course, she hid it well with her dazzling smile (which looked a little forced, now that he thought about it), but there was also a subtle weariness in her eyes. Certainly, getting things in order in her own kingdom must have taken a toll, especially if her subjects were hesitant to support her.

Bowser felt a small flare of anger at the thought. How dare they demonstrate such disloyalty towards their princess? How dare they treat him as though he were some lowly, unwelcome stranger? He was the King of the Darklands, for Piranha Pete's sake!

His previous discomfort forgotten, he boldly glanced down at Toadsworth while still clinging to Peach's hands. Toadsworth made an expression that fell somewhere between disdain and wariness. While it wasn't a very reassuring reaction, it wasn't nearly as cold as the look he'd shot at Bowser earlier. Maybe he'd imagined it?

"Toadsworth," Bowser said with a polite nod. Wait– did the old Toad just blanch?

"King Bowser. I hope your travels were not overly tiring," Toadsworth replied. Bowser wasn't sure what to make of his clipped tone.

"Please, come inside and rest before dinner, your Highness," Peach quickly interjected, tucking her arm into the crook of Bowser's elbow. Bowser reluctantly let her lead him to the massive double front doors of the castle.

He could still feel the Toads' gazes even as they shut behind him with a conclusive thud.

Everything about the castle screamed Princess Peach. Though the interior was mostly done up in white and gold, there were still plenty of splashes of pink and other pastels to accent it. The elegant royal theme continued to the dining room, where a massive table (large enough for Bowser, fortunately) was set up, covered in a pink tablecloth, and adorned with fine white china, crystal goblets and goldware.

Bowser contemplated the dozen different utensils set before him, many of them foreign, as he endured the awkward silence that settled over the diners. It was difficult to ignore, especially since he was seated at the head of the table. Peach was usually seated there, but had offered him the spot as he was her guest, and the king of a foreign land, no less. Instead, she sat on his right, leaving Bowser to sit directly across from Toadsworth.

For several minutes, it was just the three of them, politely sipping on sparkling water (or in Toadsworth's case, simply glaring across the table) while waiting for dinner to be served. Suddenly, the doors burst open, and Bowser looked up expectantly. At least with food, there would be something to fill the awkward silence.

However, instead of food, two more guests filled the table. Walking side by side was Kamek (at whom Bowser shot a dirty look for abandoning him), and a girl who looked quite similar to Peach, only with tanner skin, red-brown hair, and a yellow dress (she looked vaguely familiar, but Bowser couldn't recall where he'd seen her before). They chatted rather loudly with one another as they came in, talking as though they were old friends. They seemed so engrossed in whatever they were talking about that they failed to acknowledge the other guests at the table before taking their seats, with the girl across from Peach and on Bowser's left, and Kamek between her and Toadsworth.

Toadsworth's accusatory gaze finally broke from Bowser and turned towards Kamek as he sat down. He cleared his throat noisily, pausing the newcomers' conversation.

"Apologies, but I don't recall sending you an invitation, Mr. …?"

"Kamek, just Kamek. I am King Bowser's high mage. I do hope my presence is not a disruption, but I could not let my king travel to a foreign land alone. Surely you understand," Kamek said smoothly, leveling Toadsworth with a cool glance.

"It's fine! Kamek is a friend, I'm glad he is here," Peach said, flashing the Magikoopa a smile.

"Yeah, relax Toadsworth! Kamek and I happened to run into each other on the way here. He was telling me all about the Darklands and stuff, he's cool," the girl added with a casual wave of her hand.

"I suppose that's why you are tardy to dinner, Princess Daisy?" Toadsworth commented.

The girl– Princess Daisy– shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so, sorry." As she sat, she suddenly noticed Bowser on her right. Her green-blue eyes nearly popped out of her head, and she gasped.

"Woah! Peachy, this is your fiance?" she blurted.

Bowser was about to be offended when she grinned and extended her hand to him.

"Hi, I'm Daisy!" she introduced herself cheerfully.

Bowser, taken aback by her boldness, gingerly took her tiny, white-gloved hand. He flinched as she grasped his claw with a strength he wasn't expecting and shook it vigorously. At least he knew she wasn't hesitant around him like the Toads.

"Uh, I'm Bowser, nice to meet–"

"Oh, I know! My cousin Peachy here never shuts up about you these days," Daisy interrupted with a mischievous half-smile. Across from her, Peach blushed profusely.

"Daisy!" she cried, mortified. Bowser, for the first time since arriving, had a smile tug at his lips. It faded when Toadsworth made a small, dissatisfied grunt.

Bowser felt another twitch of anger. What was this guy's problem? He wanted to say something now that they weren't in front of a huge crowd, but just then the doors connecting to the kitchen flung open dramatically.

"Ahem!" a red Toad with white spots and a chef's hat stepped forward proudly. "Dinner… is served!"

A host of Toad waiters dressed in formal serving attire entered in a coordinated formation, each bearing trays of various sizes and bearing various dishes. It was rather amusing to watch them carrying trays larger than themselves, and to only see the tops of their caps as they approached the tall table.

Bowser's stomach growled as a massive cheep-cheep steak was placed before him. Similar exquisite looking entrees were set on the table, their aromas mingling to create a scrumptious aura, and the warm sizzling filled their ears.

"Well!" Peach clapped her hands. "Let's not just sit here with our stomachs rumbling, everyone please dig in!"

"Don't mind if I do," Daisy rubbed her hands together and started filling her plate.

Bowser, of course, reached for a steak first. He cut into it with ease, the meat was so tender it was almost like butter. He was about to place an oversized bite in his watering mouth when Toadsworth suddenly set his goblet down with an exaggerated clink.

"So," he began, "King Bowser, may I be so bold as to ask you about the kind of living arrangements you and Princess Peach will have once you are… married?"

The question had a less-than-subtle barb to it. Bowser's fork dangled in midair, halfway between his open mouth and his plate.

"We… haven't really discussed it, yet," Bowser replied hesitantly. He shared a look with Peach; she gave him a small nod in confirmation. "I'm sure Peach is just going to come and live with me," he added as an afterthought. When he glanced back at Peach, she was shaking her head and waving her hands at him discreetly. Bowser quirked an eyebrow, had he said something wrong?

Apparently he had, as Toadsworth gave a great harrumph at his answer. Bowser clenched his fork in his white-knuckled fist.

"You plan to take the princess away from her home, then, and leave us without an heir?" Toadsworth pressed while he unfolded his napkin with a harsh snap and placed it onto his lap.

"Toadsworth," Peach admonished.

Bowser raised a hand. "No, no, he may speak freely." He leaned forward on his elbows, narrowing his eyes as he took a swig of his sparkling water. "What makes you say that, oh grand steward?"

Toadsworth cleared his throat and blinked rapidly (ah, so Toads did blink). "Well, I hardly think that the two of you are going to be able to create–"

Bowser promptly sprayed his mouthful of sparkling water across the table. It burned his nostrils and made his eyes water as he hacked and coughed. Everyone else at the table watched in silent concern for several painfully long minutes until Bowser was finally able to breathe again.

"I d-don't think that's really a concern… I-I've got seven lovely brats back home that already consider Peach to be their mother," Bowser stammered as a burning heat spread across his face and down the back of his neck. Peach looked similarly red-faced as she took a small bite of salad.

Toadsworth only sniffed.

"Your Amazingness, why don't you tell the grand steward about the Darklands, and the palace?" Kamek encouraged him quickly.

"Oh! Uh…" Bowser tried to think of how to paint his home in the best possible light. It was his last chance to steer the conversation to a place that Toadsworth might approve of (it was also a subject that didn't make him want to burn the musty old Toad to a crisp– he was very lucky that Peach was there). "My castle, well, it's very… nice. Big, and uh– warm, and dry. Lots of cool stuff and… oh! We have a huge garden, I know Peach loves taking care of it–"

"Are you certain that's all true? Because I seem to recall the Darklands' palace to be rather bleak, especially the prison cells," Toadsworth cut in, tearing a piece of crusty bread in half.

"Oh boy…" Daisy mumbled, hunching her shoulders as she stuffed a bite of some cheesy side dish into her mouth.

Bowser clenched his jaw and forcefully slopped a portion of mashed potatoes onto his plate. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"W-why don't we discuss this later? The food's getting cold!" Peach exclaimed with a forced grin. "I baked a lovely cake that we can all enjoy after–"

"I mean the way you treat your prisoners, King Bowser," Toadsworth interrupted. He took up a pepper grinder and twisted it violently. "I seem to recall having a rather unpleasant experience as one myself. I only wonder how you might treat your wife."

Bowser's heart thudded against his ribs. Oh. Oh. Oh no.

He looked to Kamek, but the old Magikoopa could only hide his face behind his hand and cringe. Peach had a similar expression as she avoided anyone else's eyes and looked down at her plate.

"Your dessert is ready!" the Toad chef chirped as he reentered with a large three-tier cake that was obviously decorated by Peach herself.

Bowser didn't blink, not even as the white and pink ribboned cake was set before them. What could he say? What was there to say?

"Well?!" Toadsworth rose from his seat so he could see over the cake, his face rapidly turning beet red. "Do you intend to lock her away in your castle as soon as you're married, like you did to her before? Like you did to me?"

"Toadsworth–!" Peach tried.

Bowser felt an unholy concoction of rage, indignation, and shame churn in his gut. It all made sense now. Why Toadsworth hated him so much. Bowser might have cared, if the old Toad wasn't so clearly trying to ruin his and Peach's happiness by bringing up his past.

"No," Bowser said, his voice dripping with venom. "I'd never keep Peach from living her life like you have!" He abruptly stood and yanked the cake toward him. He was going to have a big slice, then get the shell out of there. Forget about winning over Toadsworth, the fungus was clearly delusional, clinging to the past like he was.

"I was afraid of this…" Kamek muttered to himself.

"Bowser, please!" Peach turned to him, but was ignored.

"You, Your Highness, have no idea what all I've done to protect my dau– the princess!" Toadsworth retorted, pulling the cake back to the center of the table.

Bowser snorted, and reached for the cake platter again. "That's so funny, because you're the one who's coddled her all her life and made her feel like some helpless trinket who had to rely on a stupid plumber!"

Toadsworth had to practically crawl onto the table to get to the cake once more. He grasped the platter with his two stubby hands, determined to drag it back and away from Bowser. Bowser, however, stood and snatched it again.

"I only did all that because I love her! You wouldn't understand," Toadsworth seethed. He engaged in a tug-of-war with Bowser over the cake. It lasted only a second, as Bowser's immense strength sent the golden platter flying into the air when Toadsworth inevitably let go.

"Toadsworth!" Daisy gasped.

"Bowser!" Peach chastised him.

"Peach!" Bowser said defensively, looking and pointing at Toadsworth.

"Princess!" Toadsworth added with a huff.

"Daisy…" Peach groaned, looking to her cousin for help.

"Uhh… Kamek?" Daisy turned to the silent mage on the slim chance he might magically fix the situation.

All went silent as the cake landed with a wet splat. It was no doubt ruined, just like the evening.

Peach was the first to react as she shoved back her chair and stood erect. Her chest heaved as she blinked back tears and clenched her fists at her sides. She shot a withering look at Toadsworth, then at Bowser, and then turned on her heel and stormed out of the dining room.

Bowser reached out into the air like he wanted to go after her, but paused.

"I hope you're happy," Toadsworth spat, dusting off his hands of cake crumbs.

Bowser growled and opened his mouth to give an angry retort, but suddenly he found himself frozen in place by an aura of purple magic.

"Thank you for the lovely meal!" Kamek said quickly, standing and forcing Bowser to come with him. They were gone and out the doors before either Daisy or Toadsworth could say anything.

Once they had made it to the guest suites (directions provided by a trembling Toads servant), Kamek released Bowser from his magical restraint and winced in preparation for the rebuke that was inevitable to come.

"Kamek, what in the flying blue shell was that for?" he said in a low, menacing tone.

Kamek swallowed hard. "You were bound to say something you would regret, Your Ragefulness. I came here to help you, so that is what I did."

Bowser pinched his brow, a deep growl rumbling in the back of his throat. If it were anyone but Kamek, Bowser would've throttled them. "This is all that blasted Toad's fault! If he hadn't–"

"With all due respect, sire–"

"No, no, no. We'll talk about this later, I've gotta go check on Peach." Bowser stomped off to his fiance's room without waiting for a reply, and Kamek didn't dare try to stop him this time.

Bowser had cooled off a bit by the time he reached Peach's door. He was still mad, of course, but dealing with Toadsworth would come later. As he went to knock, he stopped short as he heard faint sniffling coming from the other side. A rush of guilt flooded him and he bit his lip. Maybe she would prefer to be left undisturbed…

Bowser sighed and knocked. She could always tell him to go away if she wanted.

"Come in, Bowser," she said softly.

Bowser poked his head in shyly. "How'd you know it was me?" he asked.

Peach sat at her desk, and looked up at him wearily. Her red eyes betrayed that she'd been crying. "No one else in this castle makes the floor shake when they walk," she said with a weak smile.

Bowser rubbed the back of his neck as he came in. "Are you okay?" he asked, although he was sure he already knew the answer.

Peach sighed. "I wish you hadn't blown up at Toadsworth like that. He was already on the fence about our engagement…"

Bowser puffed out a tiny cloud of smoke. Why was she chastising him? "Hey, he was the one who started it. I was really excited to come here! I wasn't expecting everyone to treat me–"

"Bowser, I told you that most of the Toads were going to be cold towards you, I told you that Toadsworth was going to try to provoke you," Peach interrupted, a note of confusion in her voice.

"What? When?" Bowser gawked.

"The note! The note I put in your invitation!" Peach exclaimed.

"What note?!" Bowser's eyes widened.

Peach clutched her head. "Oh no… did you really not get my note?"

"No!"

"I put it in your invitation, I wrote it right here from this very desk–" Peach turned to her stationary set, and stopped in her tracks when she saw a small folded square of pink parchment tucked under a stack of papers.

"Oh Stars above…" she flopped back in her seat. "This is… oh Bowser, I'm so sorry…"

Bowser tore a hand through his hair. "Well, at least nobody was tampering with my mail."

"This is all my fault, I should've waited to let Toadsworth throw this ball after I'd gotten my workload under control," she said, her voice muffled as she buried her face in her hands.

Bowser placed a hand on her shoulder. "This is not your fault, Peach. If I had a member of council as problematic as Toadsworth, I'd–"

Peach snapped her head up. "I agree Toadsworth was out of line, but Bowser, he does have a decent reason not to trust you. You didn't exactly spark his confidence tonight…"

Bowser retracted and frowned. "Please don't tell me you're taking his side."

"I'm not taking anyone's side!" she insisted. "I only wish you hadn't overreacted to Toadsworth's prodding."

Bowser scoffed. "I was not overreacting. Your little steward took things way too far!"

Peach pursed her lips. "Toadsworth is not just the steward, he's my family. He's just trying to look out for me. Like I said, I know he was out of line, but he's really afraid of you because of what happened back when you first met."

Bowser rolled his eyes. "I thought that was all in the past."

"Well, it might help if you apologized to him for it again."

Bowser's train of thought came to a screeching halt. "Um… again?"

Peach's eyes widened. "Oh fungus, please tell me you formally apologized to Toadsworth for wrongfully imprisoning him!"

Bowser gulped. "U-uh, well, there was that big speech we gave once the curse was broken, a-and I thought that–"

"Bowser!" Peach cried. "Toadsworth wasn't there! He was sick in bed because of what happened to him and I!"

Bowser threw his head back and gave a dramatic sigh-growl. "This is getting way too complicated. Can't we just forget about making an alliance and I'll take you back to the Darklands instead? Kamek can marry us!"

"No. This alliance isn't just about our marriage, it's about integrating the Darklands and your Koopas back into society! You need allies, Bowser. Friends outside of the Darklands," Peach explained.

Bowser pouted. "I still like my option better. I don't want to be allies with a kingdom who hates my guts."

Peach looked hurt. "That's certainly not true of everyone here."

"Maybe so, but that's not enough," Bowser grumbled, turning away from her with crossed arms and looking out of the bedroom window. The sun was just beginning to set, and its red-orange rays painted Bowser's hard features like fire.

Peach seemed to mull over his words for a long moment. Then, she silently stood from her desk and made her way to the door. She looked at the back of Bowser's shell with sad, blue eyes.

"You know," she began softly, "I gave you and your kingdom a second chance… I wish you'd give my kingdom the same. But if you can't… then perhaps you should just go home."

Bowser spun around at her words just as she shut the door behind her.