Peach was vaguely aware in the back of her mind that Daisy was still talking to her. But all Peach could hear was a distant, incoherent mumble somewhere off to her right. Instead, all her focus lay on Prince Bowser, his bright green eyes staring at her from the other side of the ballroom. If she thought King Boo was handsome, his brother was otherworldly. Unable to stop herself, she took a step towards him. In reaction, Bowser stood up from his chair, neither breaking eye contact. Peach felt Daisy's hand on her arm but she quickly brushed her away and began slowly walking across the ballroom towards Bowser, almost in a trance as the gentle music echoing through the room filled her soul, propelling her forwards. Wordlessly, she approached the prince and, once close enough, lowered herself into a soft curtsy. As she rose, Bowser bowed towards her in response.
"Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom," Peach smiled and held out her hand. Tentatively, Bowser took her hand in his own and placed a tender kiss on her gloved fingers.
"A pleasure to meet you, Princess Peach. I am Prince Bowser," Bowser offered with a smile, lowering Peach's hand.
"I know who you are," Peach motioned upwards to Bowser's horns and instinctively he reached up to touch them, "although, you're far less scary in person than I thought you would be,"
"So, you're not afraid of me then?" Bowser asked with genuine surprise, raising his eyebrows at her.
"I see no reason to be afraid of you," Peach replied almost casually and Bowser's surprise only grew.
"I hope I'm not pulling you away from anything interesting," Bowser glanced over Peach's shoulder towards her friend on the other side of the room, who was watching them both intentely.
"Quite the contrary, you're the most interesting thing to happen to me all night," Peach fluttered her eyelashes prettily.
"Well, you certainly have a different definition of that word than most," Bowser smiled down at her, his heart skipping a beat.
"Oh really?" Peach smirked teasingly, sipping at her wine, "And how would you define the word 'interesting'?"
"As a beautiful princess who swanned her way into my brother's castle and instantly stole my heart with her smile," Bowser felt a blush creeping across his cheeks as he spoke and Peach instantly laughed, a hand covering her mouth as she did so. And Bowser thought it was the most wonderful sound in the world. They continued to talk for a while, joking about all the gossiping eyes and lips around the room, Peach as enchanted by the prince as he was by her. Bowser was shocked to find she wasn't bothered in the slightest at everyone watching them and whispering behind their wine glasses; in fact, she seemed to rather enjoy the idea of everyone's focus being on them.
"Would you like another drink?" Bowser eventually asked, motioning to Peach's empty goblet in her hand. Peach considered his question for a moment before setting her goblet down on the table behind them.
"Actually, I would like to dance," Peach smiled up at him and Bowser could do little to hide his surprise at her request.
"Won't people stare?" Bowser nervously glanced about; as much as he was used to such things, the last thing he wanted was to bring embarrassment to this beautiful angel of a princess.
"Who cares? There's lots of other people dancing, why should we be any different?" Peach shrugged, and she wasn't wrong. The ballroom was filled with couples dancing with one another beneath the chandelier.
"Well then, may I have this dance?" Bowser smiled, holding out his arm with a sudden burst of confidence; anything to see Peach smile.
"You certainly may," Peach returned his smile and placed her hand on his offered arm. Gently, he led her through the crowd and into the centre of the ballroom. People parted easily, almost jumping out of their way. But all Bowser could focus on was the way Peach was looking at him, completely without fear or judgment. He had never known anyone to look at him like that. Once they reached the centre of the floor, Bowser stopped and pulled Peach's small frame steadily towards him until one arm was wrapped around her waist, his hand fitting comfortably into the small of her back. As he clasped his free hand in Peach's, Peach tentatively reached up and placed her other hand on Bowser's shoulder.
"I should warn you," Bowser whispered, feeling his heart pounding in his chest, "I'm not a very well-practiced dancer,"
"You'll be fine, just follow my lead," Peach replied with a quiet chuckle, pulling Bowser ever so slightly closer to her. The music around them swelled and the two began drifting effortlessly across the floor. Peach felt her body almost melting in Bowser's arms as they danced to the music that somehow filled the huge ballroom. Bowser smiled softly down at her; he wasn't even aware of what his feet were doing, he simply followed Peach's lead and allowed himself to be whisked away. Seconds, minutes, hours- neither of them had any idea how much time had passed as the two of them became one with the music. Bowser spun Peach around, her silvery laughter filling his heart as he caught her and gently dipped her. Peach's breath caught in her throat, her gaze flicking down to Bowser's lips just for a moment before returning to his eyes as he pulled her upright again. They became lost in one another, feeling they were the only ones in the room as the rest of the crowd faded from their minds. Only when the music began to dwindle into silence did they drift slowly back into reality and found themselves alone in the centre of the ballroom. Looking around, it seemed the party had come to a close while they had been dancing, the majority of the crowd already disappearing outside and back into their carriages to return home. The few people that remained had dispersed into small groups, spread along the edges of the room.
"I can't believe we danced for so long!" Peach gasped, unable to remember the last time she had been so lost in such happiness that she had completely missed everything that was happening around her.
"I should let you return to your friend; I have kept you for long enough already," Bowser motioned towards Daisy, who was stood alone by one of the drinks tables, sipping on her wine and still watching them. Peach smiled at him, gave a quick curtsy as he bowed to her, then all but skipped over to where Daisy was stood.
"Did you see who I was dancing with?" Peach giggled once she reached Daisy's side, overcome with giddy joy.
"I did, it was hard to miss..." Daisy said shortly, staring straight ahead, not daring to look at Peach.
"Oh Daisy, it was so magical! I haven't felt like this in... well, forever. He's actually very sweet, Prince Bowser. Nothing like everyone says he is. He's really quite charming, to be honest, and a very good dancer," Peach gushed, feeling herself blush as she spoke, "and you'll never guess what he said to me about Lady Pauline-"
Bowser watched Peach talk to- or, more accurately, talk at- her friend before turning around and scanning the room for his brother. Eventually, he caught sight of him near one of the side doors off to the left of the room. Boo looked over to him and Bowser gave a small wave, beginning to walk over to him. But Boo just smiled at him and nodded approvingly in his direction, before grabbing the hand of one of the smirking young lords next to him and disappearing behind the door, closing and locking it behind them. Unsure of what to do, Bowser hovered awkwardly, quickly feeling very exposed while stood alone in the middle of the huge ballroom. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see Peach standing behind him.
"I've very much enjoyed our time together this evening," Peach blushed, looking down at her feet nervously.
"As have I," Bowser smiled, placing a finger under Peach's chin and gently lifting her face so their eyes met; he truly believed he could gaze into those gorgeous blue eyes forever and never tire of the sight.
"I suppose I should get going soon, it's a long journey home..." Peach sighed, not at all enjoying the prospect of seeing her parents again. Upon hearing her words, Bowser felt overcome with a sudden sadness at the idea of losing her so soon.
"You could stay here in the castle, if you wish? There is much of the Koopa Kingdom I would like to show you," Bowser offered and Peach's eyes widened in surprise.
"Really?" Peach asked, unsure of what to say.
"It would be my honour. You are welcome to leave, of course! Please don't feel that you have to stay if you don't want to, I simply-" Bowser began rambling nervously.
"I would love to stay longer," Peach beamed and Bowser smiled back at her.
"I'll send one of the servants to fetch your handmaid and belongings from your carriage and I'll have them set up one of the guest rooms for you," Bowser said, already signalling towards one of the servants nearby, who immediately rushed off.
"Thank you," Peach nodded, her smile widening further.
"Now, how about a tour of the castle gardens? I think the stars will look rather wonderful tonight," Bowser offered out his arm to her.
"That would be lovely," Peach linked her arm with Bowser's as he led her across the room and out a set of small double doors into the night air. Daisy stood ridged to the spot, watching them leave the room. Her hand gripped her goblet so tightly that her knuckles turned white under her gloves. Once she was certain the pair had left and would not be returning any time soon, she set her long since emptied goblet down on the table with a loud thud and walked as gracefully as her emotions would allow her back to her carriage. She climbed inside and began the long journey home, completely alone.
