Many events followed after Bowsette's release from the hospital. Or should I say, Andrea Bowsette Alecksonn. Calling her by the true name was going to take time to get used to.
By Bowsette's royal authority, Kamek was accused of treason and was sent to a three-year-long exile. She also added to his sentence the mission to search and investigate other godlike threats like the Shadow Queen. If there were forces of the same caliber, it would be of the highest importance to know how to face them; armed and ready for the next time. Before his departure, Bowsette made the wizard promise to come back if he were to face a dangerous threat. Despite all that happened, he was family to her, and she wanted him to return safely. He was a capable Koopa; she knew that he would be all right.
Before his departure, Kamek had opened a portal leading to a mountain's top. At this location, he had taken care of making it as a sacred burial site honoring the late Lady Scarlett. A large statue carved into the shape of an angelic figure resembling her. It was surrounded with a garden of wonderful and majestic flowers. At the monument's base laid a stone tablet that held the following words, "Here lies Lady Scarlett Joan Alecksonn, proud and strong mother of Princess Andrea Bowsette Alecksonn." The Koopa sorcerer made a special crystal that would open a portal to this sacred place if she ever wanted to re-visit it to her heart's content.
Clein being skilled and well-versed with a pen had been asked by Bowsette to write and publish the story of her life, except for certain vivid details. We all had found the request odd, but she had explained it to us in the simplest way. She had told us that she would always be known as Bowsette throughout all the kingdoms and no amount of time would change such matter. Yet she wanted to carry the name given by her mother as quickly as possible to the people's eye. For the princess, it was the most precious gift and proof of her mother's undying and unconditional love.
Bowsette along with the entire Koopa Kingdom announced a peace treaty towards the Mushroom Kingdom and Sarasaland, represented by their political figures, Princess Peach and Princess Daisy, a statement that was highly celebrated by everyone from these three countries. The commemorating picture of the three leaders looked more like three sisters having the most enjoyable moment of their lives.
With the Koopa Kingdom rejuvenating with blossoming flora right after the Shadow Queen's death, this land became very habitable for residential homes and commercial businesses. Within a few months, the country's capital became a great livable city with a growing and diverse community and economy. It also was a renowned place known for hot springs.
Clein had become the successful novelist that he had always wanted to be. His stories of a proud and strong warrior maiden and her adventures—inspired by Bowsette—were a grand success throughout the three main kingdoms.
Following the political advices of Princess Peach and myself, Bowsette had named qualified and experienced persons as ministers to help her run her kingdom. Among them, the Hammer brother Larry became the ambassador of the Koopa Kingdom. To return the favor, Bowsette and Larry offered to re-organize our military forces. She mentioned that it was too easy to infiltrate the kingdom and kidnap the princess. For the number of times that she had succeeded in her abduction attempts, we were welcoming their advices.
Peace had been truthfully achieved.
...
Enjoying a sunny day on the outskirts of a reborn Koopa Kingdom, Andrea and Mario sat on a green hill that gave an incredible view onto the vast land. Andrea wanted to be alone with the man that her heart held dear and Master Mario welcomed the timing to be left alone with her.
Out of duty, they wore plain and casual clothing. I had to admit, it felt more humanizing to see them as such. Mario wore jeans along with a white t-shirt under an unbuttoned short-sleeved red shirt. For Princess Andrea, it was simply a white buttoned shirt with rolled-up sleeves and a crimson short skirt and her signature spiked wristlets and necklace. Even in plain clothing, she looked astonishing.
While being closed to each other, she realized that she had never told him what she had wanted him to hear the most; the sacred words only meant for loved ones. Their actions and time spent together was more than enough to define such words, but she wanted to tell him. It was understandable; a first time for such occasion was very important for a woman's heart.
"Hey, Mario," she said with a light blush on her face, "do you remember what I told Peach during the Star festival?"
Mario remembered. It was, after all, the most memorable moment in the event. "How can I forget-a? You really had put Peach on the spotlight with that. Thank God you're as close as sisters now. But why bring that up?"
"Because I never got to say what I truly wanted to tell you. And now, I want to say it, so I can say it every single day to you."
"Oh," it was his turn to blush to her words. "I'm-a listening."
"I... Well..." shyness suddenly made her embarrassed. "What I wanted... to tell you... all t-this time..."
"Yes?"
"Well, I..." she finally sighed in frustration. "You know, it's not easy to say when you're looking at me like that!"
"Well, what am I supposed to look at? The grass?"
"Just... just look at the castle for the moment!"
"Okay, that's-a ridiculous!"
"Do it, or I'll punch you to the moon!" she waved her fist to him.
"Geez, always so violent I see!"
As asked, Mario looked in front of him, grumbling. But such mood would change quickly as his princess took a deep breath to expel those sacred words.
"I love you," she said to him.
The magical words pulled Mario's attention to her. Her face dressed a shy and innocent look. At that moment, Mario found in her a sense of celestial beauty; a charm that surpassed the physical appearance. And just like that, he was falling in love with her all over again.
Mario smiled to her. "I love you too, Andrea."
A blooming happiness exploded in her. Hearing the same, but lovely and meaningful words from him was all that she wanted. She was greatly rewarded.
She closed the distance and pushed Mario onto the grass to lay herself on him. His hat and her crown falling as well, Andrea captured his lips with hers through a passionate and lovely kiss. I could not tell how they felt in the moment, but a bursting love as vibrant and burning as stars could perfectly fit the idea.
Their love was real, endurable and perfect. After the storms that they have gone through, a million blessing rays were shining on them and their beautiful bond. No force in the universe would succeed to tear them apart from now on. The Shadow Queen had failed to do so; that alone was a monumental statement to their united strength and love for each other.
"Say, Mario," she said parting from their kiss, "how do we say 'I love you' in your language? Italian, right?"
"Yes. It's Ti Amo."
"Ti amo, Mario."
"Ti amo, Andrea."
Her face lit with enthusiasm. "I really love the sound of this!"
"I could teach you-a some if you want."
She hummed, thinking particularly about a certain idea. Andrea's face suddenly bore a rather naughty mischievousness.
"Teach me some dirty talk then," she said.
"What—" Mario asked only to be interrupted by her whispering and secretive words to his left ear. His face boiled to a vivid shade of red like he had ingurgitated large portions of chilli peppers.
"So, what do you think?" she asked, still looking naughty with a twist of seductiveness.
"Mamma Mia..." Mario sighed with smile.
"I'll take that as a yes."
THE END.