Chapter 11: Under the Starry Night Sky

As they continued their leisurely stroll, Mario turned to Peach with a curious expression. "You know, Princess, we've told you a bit about ourselves," he said. "But we were wondering, what's your story? Where are you from originally?" Luigi nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Yeah, we've always been curious about your past, Peach." Peach's smile faltered for a moment, and she looked up at the stars as if searching for answers. "Well, to be honest, I don't really know where I'm from originally," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness. Mario and Luigi exchanged a surprised glance. "You don't know?" Mario asked, his brow furrowed in curiosity. Peach shook her head. "No, I don't. I was just a baby when I stumbled into a Warp Pipe that brought me to the Mushroom Kingdom. I don't remember anything about my life before that, but the Toads found me and took me in. They raised me as one of their own, and when the time was right, they trained me to be their princess." Luigi's eyes widened in amazement. "Wow, that's incredible! I had no idea." Mario nodded thoughtfully. "That must have been really tough for you, not knowing where you came from or who your family was." Peach shrugged, her shoulders barely visible in the dim light. "It wasn't easy, but the Toads were always there for me. They taught me everything I know, and I'm grateful for that. I've grown to love the Mushroom Kingdom and its people, and I wouldn't trade my life here for anything." As they walked, the silence that followed was filled with a sense of understanding and empathy. Mario and Luigi could sense the complexity of Peach's emotions, and they knew that she had found a sense of belonging and purpose in the Mushroom Kingdom. After a moment, Luigi spoke up, his voice gentle. "We're glad you're here with us, Peach. You're an amazing princess, and we're honored to know you." Peach smiled, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Luigi. That means a lot to me." As they continued their walk under the starry night sky, the three of them felt a deep connection, one that went beyond their roles as heroes and royalty. They were simply three friends, enjoying each other's company on a beautiful evening.