"Missing?" Peach repeated, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Yes," Daisy nodded, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand, "for nearly three days now,"

"I assume that has something to do with your arm?" Peach asked, gently taking Daisy by her free arm and leading her over to the couch.

"It does, I'm afraid," Daisy sighed, sitting down. Peach sat close beside her and King Boo hovered, if a little awkwardly, off to the side of the room; far enough away to not impose but close enough to hear everything Daisy was about to say. Toadette dipped into a small curtsy that no one saw, before silently leaving the room through a side door.

"Tell me everything," Peach smiled reassuringly, placing a gentle hand on her friend's knee.

"I've told you once before that despite inheriting his parents' estate, Luigi is actually the younger of two heirs," Daisy stated and Peach nodded her head- she did indeed remember.

"Well, years before we met, Luigi's brother Mario was disowned from the family when their parents were still alive. I don't know much about the circumstances, but I know that Mario was not the type of person you would want your family name to be associated with. It wasn't long after this that he disappeared, then only a year later Luigi's parents were killed in an accident. At the time there was much gossip that Mario was behind their deaths, but there was never any evidence and no one had seen him since his disappearance so nothing could be proven. By the time Luigi and I were married, Mario had been presumed dead for years. Then a couple of years ago, completely out of the blue, we received a letter from Mario asking to meet Luigi in person,"

"And it was really him?" Peach asked, eyebrows raised. She knew as much as any other noble the rumour of the black sheep brother, but it hit her particularly hard that her best friend had found herself in amongst it all, and all for the sake of love.

"Yes, definitely. Luigi recognised the handwriting straight away. We didn't really know what to do, my eldest- Asha- was still very young at the time and the twins had only just been born, so this was all around a year ago now. They exchanged a few letters, Luigi asked where he was, where he had been this entire time, what he was doing, but Mario avoided answering almost any questions about himself and just continued insisting they met in person. After a while, Mario started getting more and more insistent, almost aggressive, about seeing Luigi face to face. We quickly broke contact after that, worried for our children as well as our own safety, as you well know"

"I remember," Peach nodded solemnly; that had been a rather frightening time in all their lives, but it all felt so long ago now.

"We didn't hear anything for a while after that, so we assumed Mario had disappeared again and it was all over. Then a couple of months ago Luigi suddenly started acting nervous and anxious all the time, even more so than usual. I tried to ask him what was going on, but he brushed me off every time. My husband is a very poor liar, but he simply would not open up to me. Then two nights ago four men broke into our estate. Thankfully I was woken when they smashed one of the windows to get inside. I went downstairs to confront them, and they quickly got violent. I injured three of them but one got away unscathed; ran for the hills, all of them! Clearly, they were expecting some meek noblewoman, instead they got me," Daisy grinned and Peach smiled back at her, grateful her friend's playful demeanour seemed to be returning. Since childhood, Daisy had always been an incredible fighter and never one to back down or shy away from getting her hands dirty.

"I'm guessing that's how you got that," Peach indicated towards Daisy's strapped up arm and the other princess nodded.

"They got in a few good hits I'll admit, but they paid for it I assure you," Daisy smiled almost proudly.

"I have no doubt about that," Peach laughed, shaking her head.

"Anyway, as soon as they were gone, I rushed upstairs to check on the children. All three were sound asleep, thank goodness. Nothing in the house was stolen or damaged either. But Luigi was... gone. There was no sign of him at all; as though he had just disappeared into thin air. I looked everywhere for even a hint of anything but there was nothing to find. Then I heard rumours that Bowser had been kidnapped by bandits and, well, I organised for the maids to look after the children and came straight here. I'm just so worried..." Daisy's bottom lip trembled as tears welled in her eyes. Peach reached out her arm and wrapped it around her friend's shoulders, pulling her closer.

"We'll find them, both of them," Peach comforted Daisy, her heart constricting in her chest. Few things were harder to watch than seeing the brave, strong woman she had always known be reduced to such sadness and fear.

"I know you will," Daisy said, leaning back and smiling sadly at Peach.

"We made progress looking for Bowser today and we will start again at first light tomorrow," Peach promised and Daisy could see a newly lit fire in her eyes.

"I wish I could come with you, but I don't think I'd be much good in a fight with the state my arm's currently in," Daisy sighed, glancing down at the sling but Peach shook her head.

"Don't worry, you've helped enough already, we'll take it from here," Peach smiled warmly before standing and offering her hand out to her friend. Daisy took it and pulled herself up to stand beside her.

"You must be tired after everything you've gone through. You are welcome to rest in the chambers you have here, I always make sure they are ready and waiting for you," Peach offered just as Daisy began to yawn.

"I think that would be best," Daisy nodded, covering her mouth with her hand. With a last smile towards Peach and a small curtsy to Boo, Daisy wearily took herself out of the room and up the stairs towards her guest chambers. Silence filled the room, Peach and Boo stood at opposite walls, looking at each other.

"This can't be good," Peach sighed, walking towards the king. Boo met her halfway across the room and pulled her into a gentle hug.

"You'll find them both, I'm certain of it," Boo reassured her, squeezing her softly before letting go.

"I certainly hope so..." Peach murmured, glancing towards the still-open door Daisy had left through just moments ago, a growing nervous feeling in her heart.