Princess Peach & The Gang Set (1/2) (Patreon)

Peach finally had the castle to herself.

No Bowser smashing through the walls.

No Toads racing down the hallway with “urgent” paperwork.

No missing Power Stars, suspicious pipes, or cake emergencies that somehow required a full rescue mission.

For once, the Mushroom Kingdom was quiet.

Just a soft couch, pink pillows, warm sunlight, and one very pleased princess ready to enjoy the rarest treasure of all:

A normal afternoon.

Peach settled in with a sweet little smile, her dress neatly arranged and her crown sitting perfectly in place. She looked exactly like a princess who had survived enough chaos to deserve one peaceful break.

“Maybe today,” she thought, sinking into the pillows, “nothing strange will happen.”

Then—

Knock knock.

Peach opened one eye.

“Oh? Mario must be early.”

Another knock.

Then another.

Then several more, faster this time.

Her smile stayed soft, but her fingers paused against the edge of the couch.

That was too many knocks.

Too many footsteps.

And definitely not Mario.

Peach slowly turned toward the door, her royal calm beginning to crack.

When Peach opened the door, it was not Mario.

Instead, a whole group of unexpected guests stepped inside.

Peach blinked, then quickly gathered herself, because being surprised was no excuse to forget royal manners.

“Oh my… welcome! I don’t remember arranging a visit today, but please, make yourselves comfortable.”

Unfortunately, they took comfortable much more seriously than she expected.

One guest settled in. Then another. Then the couch grew crowded, the room felt warmer, and Peach’s quiet afternoon began drifting far away from anything that could be called normal.

She tried to keep things proper at first, smiling through the confusion while her cheeks slowly turned pink.

“Now, gentlemen,” she said softly, lifting one hand in her best princess-warning gesture, “let’s not get too carried away.”

But the Mushroom Kingdom had never been very good at reading warning signs, and apparently that rule applied inside the castle too.

Before long, Peach realized she had lost control of the schedule, the seating plan, and possibly the entire royal living room.

Her crown was still shining.

Her smile was still trying.

Her composure was doing its very best.

Then, somewhere between one awkward laugh and one very crowded couch, she quietly gave up.