Chapter Text
It was far from the first time that Princess Peach had become stressed out by her royal duties. So much was expected of her, and even if the only thing she was required to do was be present at a meeting, the feeling of never having time for herself intensified every day. She loved being ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom. She loved the kingdom. She loved her people. And for the most part, she took her responsibilities in stride... but everyone needs a break sometimes, don't they?
That's what she thought, but it was difficult to express her opinion without being thought of as lazy. Her friends supported her, of course, but they had no power to change the way her advisors or fellow leaders regarded her. Week upon week, Peach held her head up and faced every challenge without flinching. The seasonal sports tournaments were a breath of fresh air, a desperately needed moment of relief, even if she still had to maintain decorum there.
Until they weren't enough. She sought a clean break from it all. One tedious meeting too many had driven her to a point where she could no longer work efficiently, and her bad mood was spilling out visibly. Toadsworth had voiced his concern and advised her to take a break – but for him, a 'break' meant a hot bath or an hour spent relaxing on the balcony, with all of her duties still looming ahead.
Peach needed more than that; the urge to get away gnawed at her insides like a bad stomach cramp. It was becoming more and more difficult to hide her stress from those around her. She had never needed a break so desperately before. One night, as she lay restless on her pink four-poster bed and gazed at the sky through the french windows, a mad idea came to her.
It won't cause any real harm if I just... go away for a while. Toadsworth can take over most of my duties, and I'll sort everything out as soon as I come back.
She bit her lip as she watched the curtains fluttering in the night breeze.
How long is too long? More than a weekend, definitely. But maybe... just one day, away from everything?
Only sheer frustration and tiredness could have driven the hardworking Princess to this point, but she had finally reached it. She was a person too, damn it! She wasn't just – a machine designed to smoothly and efficiently carry out the task of keeping the kingdom in order. Toadsworth was a well-meaning man, but he should understand that she needed time to herself in order to function. Her friends were the real heroes, the ones who always wanted her to take time off and have fun, even when she couldn't.
Her feelings were a confused yet strangely ecstatic tornado of relief, determination and worry as she pulled the quilt over her head and prepared to sleep. Was she really going to do this? Disappear for a day, leaving all her responsibilities to someone else? Was she being selfish?
She expected to change her mind, but instead, she became more resolute the longer she thought about it. The only thing that really bothered her was Mario. That sweet man. He'd rescued her from some enemies who planned to seize control of the kingdom a month ago, and if she disappeared – even while leaving a note to explain her absence – he would probably think she'd been kidnapped again.
She wanted to relax, not cause him panic.
The answer came to her surprisingly quickly. Take him with you. What? He would most likely appreciate a break, too. And it would save him from worrying. For she knew that Mario could fret. Toadsworth would be worried, but mostly agitated by her behaviour. Daisy would laugh raucously and be proud. But Mario, dear Mario, would worry himself sleepless if he knew she was in another land, alone.
That's settled, then. Tomorrow... I'll get up early and perform my morning duties... and then I'll find Mario and ask him to accompany me, in secret. It'll be a wonderful little adventure, even if it doesn't last long.
Her mind now at ease, she smiled slightly before drifting off to sleep, finally able to rest now that she had a plan.