Land of Despair
Princess Hilda had always been serious to a fault. Her father, the king of Lorule had died before she was even born. No one was safe in Lorule, especially the royal family. The king had been struck by a stray arrow as he walked outside the castle walls one day. It was later determined that this was no accident. The perpetrator was apprehended, but it was already too late. The queen sank into a deep depression. Her majesty, who was with child at the time of the king's demise, became angry and bitter. As a result, she lashed out at her servants who were only trying to help. Tragically, the queen never got over her king's death. She died giving birth to Hilda.
There had been many servants working at Lorule Castle back then. There had been an old woman, who was the queen's attendant. She had delivered Hilda herself. She also assumed the responsibility of raising and educating the young princess. The history of Lorule and the Triforce had been ingrained in Hilda's mind from a young age. If only the Triforce hadn't been destroyed, Lorule would be more prosperous and maybe my parents would still be alive. These thoughts used to keep Hilda awake at night.
There was Ravio, who was around the same age as Hilda. Hilda used to push Ravio to do heroic things, hoping he would one day save Lorule in her name. "But, I'm scared," little Ravio would tell her. Hilda would only get frustrated at this and cry. She knew Lorule was hopeless without its Triforce. But still, she daydreamed and longed for a day when there would be heroes like in the legends of old.
And then there was an older servant boy named Yuga. When he was sold to the royal family by his own father, the old woman had pitied him and taken him under her wing. Before he became a servant, he'd spent the first eight years of his life growing up in Misery Mire. It was something he rarely admitted to or talked about, but when he did he spoke volumes about his mother. "None of those other toothless hags in Misery Mire could compare to her beauty. After all, she gave birth to me!" he would say proudly. "And my, could she sing!" Sometimes Hilda caught him humming a strange tune.
As Hilda grew older she only worried more about her crumbling kingdom. Her greatest wish was to see Lorule restored in her lifetime.
Lorule only seemed to deteriorate faster by the day. Over time the number of servants gradually dwindled. The old woman grew ill with age and passed away, leaving Yuga to take her place as Hilda's attendant. Many of the servants left to live out their own desires. If Lorule was doomed, they would do as they saw fit! Others became monsters. These hideous transformations were enough to lead a small handful of servants to take their own lives when they showed the first signs of change. It often left Hilda shaken. She never expressed her worries aloud, but Yuga knew. "You grow more beautiful by the day, Your Grace." This seemed to comfort her, even if only a little. Yuga was the only one to refer to Hilda this way – as 'Her Grace' - a reference to her divine lineage.
Yuga never wanted anything to do with the other servants. In Yuga's mind, he was above them. Yuga was a little too proud of his position as Princess Hilda's attendant. It gave him personal satisfaction. It was in this way that he was a leech, a least that was Ravio's perception of him. Yuga had a way of influencing Hilda in subtle ways. He had a hand in nearly every facet of her life, both personal and political. Hilda never quite realized what was happening. She was far too caught up in her concerns for Lorule. He showered Hilda with compliments and gifts such as jewelry and cosmetics. Much to Yuga's dismay, his compliments went unrequited and often times unacknowledged.
With only Hilda and Yuga left, the once lively castle was now a desolate place. Princess Hilda was growing more anxious by the day.
His dear, Princess Hilda..they were growing closer, but Yuga was still unsatisfied. Hilda was like a beautiful flower growing among the weeds. He longed to possess her beauty all to himself.