This is, at last, the final chapter of this fic. But don't worry, I have already started writing the sequel and planning the rest of the series! I hope you have enjoyed reading this story as much as I have loved writing it and I will see you in the next one.
And so, the story of Princess Peach and Prince Bowser continued. Reunited, they lived happily together in the castle of the Koopa Kingdom. Privately, King Boo apologised to both his brother and sister-in-law for the distress he had caused them, and he was met with open forgiveness and acceptance in their hearts. He finally gave their union the blessing he had always wanted to bestow and, in a grand ceremony several months later, he officially proclaimed Bowser as the rightful heir to his throne, along with any children that he and Peach may have one day. Many nobles grumbled and muttered at the king's declaration but all either of the brothers could do was roll their eyes; despite the changing perspectives of many people throughout the Koopa Kingdom, they both knew there would always be those who would see Bowser as nothing more than a brute. But Boo knew different- he knew better. His younger brother would make a brilliant, intelligent, fair king one day. And Peach would make a powerful, steadfast, loyal queen who would protect the kingdom fiercely alongside her husband.
About a month after Peach's safe return to the castle, she reached out to Daisy through a letter, explaining everything that had happened and hoping that they might have a chance to reconcile their friendship. Only days later, she found Daisy stood on the stone steps in front of the castle, suitcase in hand (which instantly dropped to the floor once she saw Peach step outside), and they ran to hug each other, whatever bitterness that may have passed between them already forgotten. They walked the castle gardens for hours, just like they had done when they were younger at Peach's parents' home. They reminisced about those times and how innocent they had been back then. A lot had changed. But, then again, a lot had stayed the same.
"Bestest friends forever?" Peach asked with a smile, echoing the words she had spoken to Daisy all those years ago.
"Forever and ever," Daisy replied, just like she had done when they had first made that promise. They hugged each other, cementing both their friendship and their promise in their new lives. With this promise, Daisy re-ignited another tradition. The following summer, she arrived at the Koopa Kingdom castle, suitcase yet again in hand. And she would continue to do so for every subsequent summer thereafter. At first by herself. Then, after a few years, with her husband Luigi by her side as she found herself genuinely falling in love with him and finally able to let go of her old feelings for someone she would never have been happy with. And, several years after that, with the first of what would later be three beautiful children. Peach loved them as though they were her own and both she and Bowser quickly became honorary aunt and uncle to Daisy and Luigi's children. In a brief conversation one evening, Daisy mentioned in passing that a man claiming to be Luigi's long-lost brother 'Mario' had attempted to make contact with them a few months ago and asked to meet with them both. Luigi had responded in kind and several letters had passed between them, but they had so far been putting off the request to meet in person. Peach and Bowser thought nothing of it.
Toadette continued in their position as Peach's handmaid, remaining as loyal as ever to their mistress, and finally free from the controlling demands of Peach's parent's. The entirety of the castle staff took to them instantly and they were loved and respected by both servant and noble alike. Peach had been wandering through the castle in search of her handmaid sometime later and had stumbled across them sat on a bench in the castle gardens, a rose held delicately in their hand as a pretty kitchen maid with flowers woven through her hair sat opposite them. They were both giggling quietly and blushing. Smiling to herself, Peach made a quiet retreat, her heart warmed by the sight.
Peach enjoyed the peace and love this new life had brought her. She knew it wouldn't always be perfect; there would be up's and down's, new challenges to face and overcome. But she was grateful for the story of her life so far and that she would be able to continue telling that story for years to come. Because that's the thing about storytellers, they always like to tell the same tale. And Peach's life had been anything but a fairytale story from a children's book. From what she had found, it seemed that the 'bad guys' who kidnap the beautiful damsels aren't always who you would expect and the ones who save them are often the ones that storytellers don't want to write about.
So, Peach wrote her own story.