It was late afternoon in the Koopa Kingdom. Bowser stood in front of the full-body mirror in Peach's old room. His face was so close to the glass that his nose almost touched its surface. He put the pad of an unclawed finger on the thin skin under his eye and pulled down. It was strange to him that his face was so pliable. A sheaf of red hair escaped from behind his ear and fell across his face. How annoying.

Bowser had spent most of his life vaguely wishing to be human. Now that his wish had been realized, he couldn't be more displeased. Several months ago, Princess Peach had gone back to the Mushroom Kingdom to mourn the death of her father and to do what she could for her people. Meanwhile, he had taken advantage of the energy and enthusiasm that had spread through his kingdom after Toadsworth's curse had been broken to launch a massive reconstruction effort. The old roads were being repaired, and new buildings were rising in the old, ruined cities. His soldiers, armed with weapons their newly flexible fingers had no trouble operating, were finally driving the island's dangerous wildlife away from inhabited areas.

Even without an enormous spiked shell weighing him down, Bowser found that he was easily exhausted. Being human took some getting used to. Apparently, humans couldn't jump from great heights without getting injured, and they had to bathe more than once a week. When he swallowed food without chewing, he would choke. Getting dressed and undressed was a huge pain. His fingers were constantly getting squashed by machinery. Looking in the mirror, which reflected the late afternoon sunlight into his face, Bowser was pleased to note that his teeth were still sharp, and he had retained his horns, the birthright of the royal family. If nothing else, at least he could still breathe fire.

Bowser rarely had time to be alone like this. All throughout the fall and winter, he had been busy restoring his kingdom. Since Peach had returned home, he had nothing better to do than to attend a constant stream of meetings while touring the country to oversee various projects. He had sent a diplomatic team to the Mushroom Kingdom, and their efforts at forming an alliance between the two kingdoms seemed to be going well, yet Bowser had not attempted to contact the new queen directly. As winter ceded to spring, he still had not been able to find an excuse to visit her. There was not a day that went by when he did not think of her, however; and now, in the few free moments he was able to wring from the day, he somehow found himself in her old room.

Suddenly, he heard a sharp crack behind him. He spun around and caught a whiff of a sweet floral scent. A second later, Peach materialized next to the window. The rays of the sun, which had just started to set, sparkled brilliantly on the jewels of her small crown.

Bowser was mortified to be caught in such a private moment. "What are you doing here?" he roared.

Peach laughed. "I should ask you the same thing. You've been so busy that you haven't even written a letter to me, and here I find you alone in front of a mirror!"

"I – " Bowser started, embarrassed to find that no words of explanation jumped into his head.

"Well," Peach said, walking toward him, "I just figured out how to jump from one place to another. Magic is quite fascinating, really."

Bowser felt his cheeks burning, a sensation he had never experienced before. "And just what did you come here to do?"

Peach grinned. "I came to kidnap you."

"I'd like to see you try." Bowser laughed, but he found it difficult to keep his voice steady. Peach was standing so close to him, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from hers. In the soft golden light, her hair shone like honey, and her eyes were as deep and blue as the sea. Bowser could feel his heart beating in his throat.

"I bet I wouldn't have to try very hard." Peach reached up with both hands and took hold of his horns. She brought his face down to hers and kissed him.

How amazing it was when her lips met his. Bowser stepped forward and encircled Peach with his arms, drawing her close to him. How wonderful it was that his body matched up so perfectly with hers. When their kiss ended, Bowser held her tightly.

"I thought you would have hated me," he said.

"I did. For awhile, anyway. But then I couldn't stop thinking about you. And it made me so mad that you never came to visit! Even though you could leave in the morning and be back by dinner."

"What about Mario?"

"Don't be silly. I never got irritated if I didn't see Mario for a few days."

"It's been a few months," Bowser corrected her.

Peach smiled and kissed the stubble at his jaw. "I've been busy."

"So you've come to kidnap me," Bowser said, finding it increasingly difficult to talk. "What exactly are you planning to do with me?"

"I think we should get married. It would be strategically convenient."

"Ah," Bowser said, grinning as he kissed her forehead. "A political marriage. Your proposal is unexpected but not without merit. I will have to give it careful consideration. You'll have to excuse me, but I must consult my ministers."

Peach laughed. "Of course. But first I'm going to kidnap you."

"Will Mario come save me?"

"You foolish man. Are you ready to go?"

"Not yet."

With that, Bowser drew Peach to him and kissed her again. Against the light of the setting sun, they formed a perfect silhouette of two lovers, one topped with a crown and the other with horns.