Chapter One
(A.N. Well, well, well! After how many years/months/whatever after finishing To Take Chances, I've finally decided to write the promised sequel! Usual things to blame the hiatus: school, graduation, holidaying, etc. Now I'm in University, so I finally have an excuse to procrastinate from doing my work again. LOL. But this also means that this fic may take a while to finish, due to the extra workload. So I'll thank you all in advance for your patience. So I hope you like this fic, since I hope to get the ball rolling on some fics that I've been working on for the past time I've been away!)
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda characters or anything related to it. Nintendo does, the lucky people.
Princess Lila, the youngest child of the current Queen of Hyrule, sat on a bench outside of the stables, watching the sun as it rose over the horizon.
It was the day of her twin sister Dahlia's betrothal celebration ball and Lila felt almost left out. Being the age of seventeen, she knew that she'd have to find the right husband soon before being considered 'too old' by the gossipers.
She sighed as she brushed away a strand of her golden coloured hair, an inherited trait from both of her parents. She never really understood why she needed to marry in the first place, noticing that being the youngest child and daughter of royalty didn't help in the slightest.
Lila jumped when the sounds of the stable doors opening and the face of the stablehand looked out at her. "Good morning your highness," he said in a cheery voice. "Ophea is already awake and ready for your attention."
Lila nodded to the man. "Thank you," she replied as she entered the stable and was greeted with the sounds and smells of the horses. She made her way towards her own horse, a chocolate brown mare with caramel socks and mane. "Hello Ophea," she murmured as she got out a brush.
The horse nickered at the sight of her owner and began to relax into the routine of getting groomed.
Lila sighed as her thoughts began to wonder while she did her chores, even though it was unnecessary for a Princess to do so. She wondered why she never really considered herself to be a proper protocol Princess that was dictated to her since birth, since she never really understood the whole concept of getting dressed up for every breakfast, lunch and dinner she had with her family, and why embroidery was considered to be the main activity for her and her sister.
Her sister Dahlia was a smart person, but Lila suspected that she was contented in her life as the perfect Princess due to her wanting to govern and deal with politics.
Lila was not the typical Princess, as most people realised as soon as they laid their eyes on her. She lost her patience quickly and was not skilled with the needle. She was more into the games of the boys in the towns and villages and, when she was younger, would often join in. She enjoyed the outdoors and never minded hard work involving getting mud and dirt all over herself. She was like her father- the great Hero of Time.
Lila was shaken out of her thoughts by a knock on Ophea's stall door. Since it was only four feet high, she could see who it was.
"Reese, good morning," she said to her visitor.
Reese Stenos was the stablehand's oldest son and was two years older than Lila. He was raised on horse handling, so his gentle manner was part of the personality that came with the life job. He had a worker's tan, a golden brown that was only acquired through years of working out in the sun; deep and thoughtful brown eyes and, contrary to his other features, reddish brown hair that was often so unruly that it stuck up.
"Good morning to you Princess," he said, his voice quiet and calm. "I heard the news of your new nephew the other day."
Lila smiled. Yes, her brother Derek, who was married to the Princess of Termania, and heir to the Hyrule throne, became a father earlier that week and celebrations were held across both countries. Their mother was so thrilled that she cried- and it was a first in Lila's point of view.
"It'll take time for me to adjust in being an Aunt," she replied as she checked a hoof. "And it's going to take time for my father to adjust in being a grandparent."
Reese laughed softly. "Time goes on and people have children, so he'll get used to it eventually."
Lila checked the last hoof before declaring her chores done. "I might as well go back inside and have breakfast," she said, weariness in her voice. "After I get myself into an annoying dress."
Reese kept the smile on his face. "But you do so well in presenting yourself when necessary," he replied. "Just try not to complain too much about it while you eat- the others may lose their appetite- and it is your sister's day to shine."
Lila nodded, hoping that she'd one day obtain the same patience and geniality as her life-long friend.
Lila cringed as she walked down a set of steps in her high heels towards the small dining room that she and her family ate in on a normal day. Since tonight they were to have their banquet and ball in the Dining Hall, it didn't matter that they ate in the small room.
Lila shook out her long plain turquoise dress and re-adjusted her simple crown on her forehead- the traditional Hyrullian gold with the protective ruby in its centre.
A servant opened the door for her as she walked into the dining room, noticing that her family was already there having their morning meal, knowing full well that Lila was prone to being late most mornings.
"Morning all," Lila said as she sat herself beside her sister Dahlia, who wasn't eating the food in front of her. Taking the advantage, Lila took the toast that was resting on her sister's plate and took a bite.
Dahlia looked at her in annoyance. "That was mine you know," she said, her voice nervous, despite her facial expression. "I'm just taking my time."
Lila rolled her eyes as a plate laden with food was placed in front of her. "I took advantage of your excitement and butterflies that were suppressing your hunger," Lila replied simply before getting started on her own meal.
Queen Zelda looked over at her two daughters, her gaze falling on Lila. "Don't tease your sister Lila, you know how big events like these make her lose her nerve." She turned to her husband, who was trying hard not to laugh at the antics of his youngest child. "She's more like you every day," Zelda commented to him, smiling slightly.
Link looked at his wife of seventeen years. "She provides us with the entertainment we need every meal," he replied, still grinning. "And don't think that you weren't like that when you were her age."
Zelda sighed. Link was right, as usual.
Lila looked over to her parents as they had their conversation on the other side of the table. She knew of their story on how her mother had been married to a horrible man of royalty from another country who treated her like he treated the rest of the citizens of Hyrule: like vermin. And how her father, ever the hero, saved her from that fate of unhappiness. They married soon after her much hated husband had died from a stab wound by a village man, a simple revenge for the pain and grief that was inflicted upon the people of their country. Nine months later, she and her sister were born, Dahlia being the oldest by three minutes. Although people said they looked the same, Lila knew that they had grown out of that phase of 'identical twins', since they were not. Dahlia had reddish tones to her blonde hair, a trait from their father's side of the family. She was also the shapelier of the two of them, having being an early bloomer when they were younger. Lila knew she was jealous then, but out grew it when she herself gained womanly traits, three years later, in their sixteenth year.
Lila forked a piece of egg into her mouth as her thoughts went to her older brother Derek, who was currently visiting Termania with his wife, on a small holiday that was dedicated to presenting their son, Declan, to Jamilla's home country; then coming home that afternoon for Dahlia's engagement Ball. Lila missed them all terribly, especially her brother, who was the one who had introduced her into the motivating world of horse riding and hunting.
"Lila?" a voice shook her out of her thoughts. "Gone to the clouds again?"
Lila looked at Dahlia, who looked a lot calmer before and was beginning to eat. "I was in the middle of thinking about what to wear tonight for the Ball," she answered her sister's question with the simple lie that she used whenever she didn't want to be bothered.
Dahlia saw through the lie and nodded. "Just make sure you pick a pair of shoes that'll match," she replied, her answer being translated to Lila as an apology.
Lila smiled and patted her sister's arm "You'll be fine tonight," she said truthfully. "Just remember those countless boring lessons in how to act in public and you'll be fine."
Dahlia laughed, her laugh slightly shaky. "You always know how to make things seem so simple," she commented. "But I'm sure Sean would be making sure that I'm not too nervous."
Lila raised an eyebrow, a teasing expression on her face. "And where is my dear future brother-in-law?" she asked, laughter in her voice. Sean was the son of nobility who shared many of the same interests as Dahlia and had been the object of her affections since childhood.
Dahlia scowled lightly, but gave into giggles. "Stop being a tease Lila," she said. "He went out this morning for a ride with his brother."
Lila sighed inwardly, as she pasted a fake happy smile on her face. Dahlia saw right through it, but said nothing. As much as Lila was happy for her sister and Sean's engagement, Lila had never warmed up to Sean's older brother Michael, who was the complete opposite of his brother: he was a notorious womaniser and was never faithful to a relationship. Lila once found herself being pursued by him once, a few years back, and refused any partake in a relationship. He had left her alone from that day, but both Dahlia and Lila both had their suspicions that he still wanted Lila to this day.
Lila placed her napkin beside her now empty plate. "May I be excused?" she asked her parents, who were still in the midst of a conversation.
Link looked over at her. "You are excused Lila," he said, giving her a fatherly smile. "Just remember to be at the Ball by six, no later."
Lila resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she rose from her seat. "I will be there as promised Dad," she replied, before leaving the room.
TBC(A.N. Whoo! A chapter is done! Hope you like! Please don't flame me! If you don't like, then don't read.)