When Peach opened her eyes the next morning, she had to take a moment to remind herself where she was; last night really hadn't been a dream after all. As she lay in bed, slowly waking up, she smiled at the memories of the previous night filling her mind- dancing with Bowser, him smiling at her and leading her through the gardens, making her laugh more than she could ever remember laughing in her life. Sighing softly, Peach eventually pulled herself out of bed just as a knock sounded at the door.

"It's me, my lady," came the quiet voice of Toadette from the other side.

"Come in," Peach called out and Toadette slipped inside, quickly closing the door behind them to protect their mistress' modesty.

"It's really rather wonderful here, don't you think?" Toadette smiled as they opened the curtains to let some light in, then began to help Peach dress for the day.

"It is," Peach nodded, picking up her brush and running it through her hair, watching the sunrays cast shadows along the floor in front of her. Through years of practiced routine, Peach was ready within minutes of Toadette entering the room. She admired her reflection in the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. Her dress was far less extravagant than it had been the night before, being of light weight blush pink and white cotton, the white lace of her petticoats visible just above her ankles. Her blonde hair lay free in soft curls that framed her face, reaching past her shoulders and down her back.

"You're to meet Prince Bowser by the stables this morning, are you not?" Toadette asked, absentmindedly brushing away a piece of stray fluff from Peach's shoulder.

"I am, yes," Peach nodded, already feeling herself begin to blush.

"Perfect!" Toadette smiled, stepping back, "One of Boo's manservants showed me the way to the stables earlier this morning, I can take you there now,"

Toadette led Peach out the door, down the corridor and several flights of stairs. Peach was grateful that at least Toadette knew where they were going, this place was still like a maze to her; it was going to take her a long time to fully figure out how to get around everywhere, and she hoped that she'd get the chance to be there long enough to actually learn every room and corridor. Eventually, Toadette led her outside into the warm summer sun and Peach smiled as she felt the warmth hit her face, closing her eyes and breathing in deeply, smelling the scent of freshly cut grass around her.

"Princess Peach," a familiar, deep voice called out from across the small stone courtyard at the front of the stables. Peach opened her eyes and her smile widened as she saw Bowser walking over to her. He smiled back at her, his eyes full of nervousness yet also a quiet excitement as he approached her.

"I'll be here when you return, my lady," Toadette whispered to her, giving a small curtsy, and then turning to assist one of the stable boys with a particularly heavy looking bucket of water, to prevent him spilling it all over Peach's dress. Peach couldn't help but giggle to herself at the sight before turning back towards Bowser as he reached her.

"Good morning," Peach greeted Bowser with a curtsy and Bowser dipped into a small bow in response.

"Good morning, princess. Did you sleep well?" Bowser asked with genuine curiosity as he stood up straight again.

"I slept very well, thank you," Peach nodded and smiled.

"I'm glad to hear it," Bowser held out his hand to her, "shall we?"

"I think we shall," Peach laughed, placing her hand in his. He led her over to the open door of the waiting carriage and helped her inside before climbing in after her. The inside was more spacious and plusher than the carriage she had arrived to the Koopa Kingdom in only a day ago. The ceiling was also a lot taller and, once Bowser sat on the cushioned bench opposite her, she could see why; despite the raised roof, Bowser's height meant that his horns just missed the ceiling of the carriage and, if Peach looked carefully, she could see several dents and scrap marks caused by the tips of his horns on previous journeys. Within moments, they were moving across the small courtyard and out towards the gates.

"We'll be cutting across the surrounding countryside today, so the views should be rather lovely," Bowser smiled, gesturing towards the windows either side of the carriage. Peach smiled back and gazed out the window, watching the outer walls of the castle slowly disappear behind them. And Bowser was true to his word; rolling fields of lush green, tall orchards, and sprawling woodland surrounded the carriage, all beautifully lit by the late morning sun.

"This place is beautiful," Peach sighed, glancing back to see Bowser smiling at her with such an intimate softness in his eyes that it made Peach blush.

"It is, I am very lucky to have grown up in a place so picturesque," Bowser nodded, folding his hands in his lap.

"What was it like, growing up here in the Koopa Kingdom?" Peach asked, tilting her head slightly.

"It was beautiful... but lonely," Bowser sighed, looking down at his hands.

"I know how you feel," Peach smiled sadly and Bowser raised his head to look at her again, a confused expression on his face.

"But surely you couldn't have been lonely. Everyone must have adored you, it's impossible not to. You're... you're like sunshine," Bowser almost whispered, unable to comprehend how this wonderful angel of a princess could have had anything other than the perfect life before meeting him.

"Looks can be deceiving," Peach shrugged, her heart tightening in her chest at the purity of Bowser's words.

"Like no one would ever believe that you could be anything other than how they see you? That you couldn't possibly be worthy of a love you don't deserve?" Bowser nodded slowly, beginning to feel that the two of them were far more similar than he had first realised.

"But you are worthy of love, I can see it in your heart," Peach smiled, raising a hand to cup his cheek. Bowser leaned into her touch, placing his hand over hers.

"As are you, and how no one has ever told you that before is beyond me," Bowser smiled back at her, turning his head slightly to place a gentle kiss in the palm of Peach's hand. They paused for a moment, gazing at each other, the space between them neither decreasing nor increasing.

"What about now? What's it like for you in your brother's kingdom now?" Peach asked quietly as she slowly lowered her hand, instantly missing the feeling of Bowser's warmth against her palm.

"Still lonely, I suppose. But, at least most people aren't brave enough to say anything directly against me anymore. Our parents were... complacent when it came to how others spoke of me in the kingdom, especially within their own court. But since Boo ascended, he's tried to push through to people I'm not the monster they seem to think I am,"

"I don't think you're a monster," Peach shook her head, her curls bouncing slightly as she did so.

"You may very well be the only person in the kingdom who believes that," Bowser smiled sadly at her and Peach felt her heart constrict in her chest.

"Well, whoever doesn't agree with me has clearly never danced with you before," Peach giggled and Bowser couldn't help but laugh in response.

"What about you, princess? What's life like in the Mushroom Kingdom?" Bowser asked her with genuine curiosity once their laughter subsided.

"You are the first person in a very long time to ask me that, you know?" Peach sighed, looking out the window towards the rolling fields and woodland.

"I get the sense that not everything is as perfect as your king and queen would have us all believe," Bowser said, reaching out and holding her hands in his own.

"You would be right in that regard," Peach nodded, turning to face Bowser once more, "my parents would have the entire world believe their life is a picture of luxury and complete joy before admitting, even to themselves, that I am nothing more than a disappointment to them both,"

"A disappointment? How?" Bowser's eyes widened in shock.

"Because I'm neither the son and 'true heir' to the throne they desire, nor the quiet, mild mannered, delicate daughter they think I should be. I was doomed in their eyes from the moment I was born, especially to my mother. I've always known it," Peach's eyes welled with tears as she spoke.

"I know we haven't known each other long, but from what I have seen and felt in the time we have spent together, I can tell you in all honesty that you are nothing but the most wonderful person I have ever known. Never let anyone tell you differently. You are exactly who you are supposed to be," Bowser gently squeezed her hands and gave her a reassuring smile. Peach squeezed back, grateful for both the gesture and his words.

"Thank you, Bowser," Peach smiled, her sadness slowly fading. They continued to talk with each other about their lives in their separate kingdoms until suddenly, the carriage came to a gentle stop and Bowser's eyes lit up.

"We're here," he explained, just as the footman opened the carriage door. Bowser stepped out first, quickly brushing himself down before holding his hand out to Peach. She took it and climbed out the carriage to stand next to him.

"This way," Bowser smiled, keeping hold of her hand and leading her towards a clearing in the treeline. Peach followed him, enjoying the feeling of their hands fitting so perfectly together. After a moment, the trees parted and Peach couldn't help but gasp at the view that emerged in front of them. They had stopped at the top of a hill and Peach could see the vast expanse of the Koopa Kingdom rolling out beneath them- areas of farmland with lush fields and orchards, small hamlets and villages scattered about forming small gatherings and communities, patches of woodland and forest that seemed almost endless in their depth, and just visible in the distance was the great stone walls of the castle itself. It was beautiful. Speechless, Peach felt another gentle pull from Bowser's hand in hers. She turned as he led her further along the hillside before stopping beside a large oak tree. Beneath the tree lay a checker blanket and a picnic basket and Peach couldn't stop the smile that began to form on her lips.

"Lunch with a view," Bowser smiled, sitting down on the blanket, and facing out towards the view of the kingdom.

"And a very wonderful view indeed," Peach nodded, sitting down beside him. The two of them sat together and ate, talking and laughing as loudly as they pleased. Bowser pointed out all the landmarks they could see from their vantage point and Peach couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the kingdom that was so often covered by the dark cloud of suspicion and rumour. They stayed late into the afternoon, far later than either of them had intended, until they realised the sun was beginning to set.

"We should probably get going soon," Bowser sighed, not really wanting to leave.

"We could at least stay until the sun sets, it's such a perfect sight," Peach smiled, wrapping her arm around Bowser's and leaning her head against his shoulder.

"I suppose we could stay a little longer," Bowser smiled down at her, watching the glow of her pale skin in the golden hue of sundown. She turned her head to look up at him and time seemed to slow down until it almost stopped entirely. The air was beginning to chill around them, and Bowser felt a shiver run down his spine. But to him, all that mattered right now was how incredibly beautiful Peach looked as she gazed up at him, their arms wrapped around one another. Peach giggled and blushed, turning away and burying her face in the crook of his arm. His smile widened, his heart pounding in his chest at the feeling of her body so close to his. They stayed there for a while, both watching the sun disappear below the horizon. Eventually, once darkness began to take hold, Peach turned back to face Bowser once more.

"You're beautiful," Bowser whispered before he could help himself. Peach blushed and leaned back slightly, the final rays of the sun gleaming in her eyes.

"As are you," she smiled, playfully tapping the end of her finger against his nose. Laughing at his slightly confused expression, Peach jumped and held her hand out to Bowser. He took it with a smile and together they gathered up the blanket and basket before walking back towards the carriage. They both climbed inside and began the journey back towards the castle, their hands still intertwined.