Act 4: The Perfect Match
Zelda walked down a hall full of portrait paintings of her ancestors. It was one hall of many. Zelda could see the stoic faces of her family on either side of her. Her favourite painting was the one of her great, great grandmother, Queen Zelda VI who ascended the throne after peace had been obtained sometime during the Twilight era. Zelda VI, who was also sometimes known as "Zelda the Dreary", was the last queen regent Hyrule had seen. So Zelda often looked to her ancestor for inspiration, especially in times of confusion. She felt connected to her since Zelda VI was the most recent female to ascend the throne, even though Zelda VI's reign ended nearly a century earlier.
The young crown princess looked up at the portrait of a woman who looked somewhat like her. The royals (especially the women of the family) were infamous for carrying on specific traits, so it didn't surprise Zelda that she looked like the former queen. Zelda admired the painting and could see the queen was sitting down and staring at the viewer with an aloof expression, something Zelda VI was often known for according to historians. With her hair in braids at the front and her tiara hugging her head, the queen had her right hand placed on the hilt of a sword, no one knew what sword this was as it was difficult to tell, but most people assumed it was the Ordon Sword that monarchs had used in knighting ceremonies since the Twilight era. It was the same sword Zelda had seen hanging safely in its scabbard on her father's hip.
Somewhere in Zelda VI's distant and oil based eyes, the young princess could find guidance. It was always this painting of the queen that Zelda found herself staring at. It had been painted just days before Zelda VI's official coronation.
Perhaps the queen's cold stare and dull expression reminded Zelda of how unhappy royals could be, and it made her feel okay to feel the things she was feeling. Zelda's tutors had always said that Zelda VI was a rather lonely and distant woman, but it was of her own doing. Historians had said the kingdom was shocked when Zelda VI announced her engagement, many thought she would become a spinster. Gossips allegedly whispered about the queen's government and court forcing her to marry and produce heirs when she wanted to be "married to her country". Of course there was also the rumour that the queen had taken a lover in the Hero of Twilight shortly after the defeat of Ganondorf and even remained "involved" with him during her marriage. It was said that she was not allowed to marry him for he was not of 'proper stock', so she went for the next best thing. This was just a story of course. But it got interesting once people began saying how Zelda VI's two sons did not look like the king at all. All the same, dull, old Zelda VI went down in history as one of Hyrule's greatest sovereigns.
Zelda traveled a little further down the hall after paying her silent respects to her great, great grandmother. She could see the painting of her father and her late uncle, Prince Darclus. The two young men were in some sort of uniform and standing side-by-side, and staring at each other with their arms crossed. Darclus had dark eyes and rusty, red hair, a rare sight in the royal lineage, but he looked very much like Zelda's own father when it came to the rest of his physical appearance.
Every time Zelda saw a depiction of her deceased uncle she couldn't help but feel angry. It was her uncle's death that caused her father to be put on the throne, and eventually she would take his place. Zelda could have had a simpler or a more easy going life had Darclus not died of a disease that was now curable. Of course it was foolish of Zelda to feel that way, even she knew that. But all the same, I am sure there are times when even you, my reader, have just been angry even though it wasn't justified.
Next to the portrait of her father and late uncle was a painting of her cousins. The pair that went missing and caused her family branch to take control on the throne, Prince Zolo and Princess Zola. Both appeared to be in their late-teens or early-twenties in the portrait, and both appeared to be very clean cut individuals, very royal looking. Zola was sitting at a desk with her hands folded and gazing at the viewer, whereas Zolo was standing diligently behind the desk.
Prince Zolo, Crown Prince of Hyrule, was a handsome individual and was slim and tall, yet muscular. He had kind yet intense looking grey eyes and neatly combed dirty blond hair. He was wearing a military uniform of sorts, much like the people in the paintings before him. He also appeared to have a sword on his back, and the detail in the painted hilt looked much like the detail in the actual Ordon sword. Zelda found this feature quite odd because this was the only painting, to her knowledge, that the person in the painting who was carrying the Ordon Sword was not the monarch or the soon-to-be monarch.
Then there was Princess Zola, Duchess of Ordona. She had fine, long, bleach blonde hair that extended down to her lower back and similar eyes to that of her brother. But her eyes had a certain level of intelligence and alertness to them. Zelda assumed Zola was wearing a dark purple dress in the painting, it was hard to tell.
Zelda's father had told her that the royal pair had been a number of years older than he was and that he was just a boy when they disappeared, so he couldn't remember much about them. King Gengo was the last person alive to have had contact with the missing royals, who had gone missing over five decades prior.
Zelda studied the painting a little more for a moment and stared at the siblings. "What happened to you two? You two have to be one of Hyrule's greatest mysteries. There are those stories that neither of you wanted the throne, so you ran away and lived out your lives as vagabonds... no, that's just not done. It's just not royal. Royals can't just run away, can they?"
The thought of running away had plagued Zelda's mind several times. If Zolo and Zola were indeed a success story like the fables had said, than what stopped history from repeating itself? In Zelda's young mind, if two royals could get away without being found, it could be much easier if there was just one of them.
Zelda shook her head, trying to free her mind from the idea, no matter how temping it was to revisit time and time again. She walked away from the portrait, realizing it was triggering these thoughts. Though like most people Zelda knew, absence only makes the heart grow fonder... especially if it's an idea that could get you out of a prison.
Eventually Zelda's journey through the hall led her to one of her own portraits, the first one she ever posed for. A little girl holding an ocarina, wearing a pink and white dress with bright, blonde, medium length hair and kind blue eyes. She had a small braid in her hair as well. The memories of that day came flooding back to the princess as if it had just happened several hours prior.
"Don't smile Zelda." Gengo's strict voice ordered.
The artist sat behind the canvas and occasionally poked his head out to get another look at the princess he was painting.
"W-why not?" Zelda whined as she played with her braid.
"Because, it's tradition." Gengo sighed. "And don't move so much, you'll screw up Mr. Piva's work."
"Well, let's start a new tradition daddy!" Zelda exclaimed, dropping the ocarina to the ground.
Gengo gasped and the artist, Piva, cursed up a storm. "Bah, you little brat! I was only 'alf way thru sketching out your 'ands!"
"You talk funny..." Zelda murmured. "Where are you from again? Daddy, why don't you pick people from Hyrule to do our paintings? I think the people of our kingdom are easier to understand."
"'Ow dare you!" Piva shouted. "I am from the great Kingdom of Vidla! It is greater than this little dump! Some of the greatest artists 'ave come from Vidla!"
"You dare speak to royalty like that!? You dare speak of my kingdom in such a way!?" Gengo barked as he raised his left arm in the air. "Off with his head!"
Piva's eyes widened with fear as two guards grabbed the artist by the arms and dragged him off. "Oh no-no-no-no! Sire I assure you, I did not mean to insult you!"
Gengo was fuming, Zelda could see that. Not only was he angry at the artist's ignorance but also at his daughter's disobedience.
"Well, I suppose we'll just have to hire a new artist." Mihari, Gengo's magician, yawned as he emerged from the shadows. "I'm not a real fan of the Vidish anyway, nothing but slimballs. Perhaps your majesty would commission a Hylian artist to depict his little daughter's beauty instead? You would be giving one of your people a job."
"Great idea Mihari!" Gengo nodded and laughed heartily. "Glad to have you around!"
Zelda looked down at the cobblestone floor. It was that day that Zelda learned how much power her father actually had, and how much power Mihari held over her father.
Zelda could hear cannons being fired. She immediately snapped out of her daydream. She knew the tournament would start soon enough and she knew that she would have to pick a side to watch. Would she watch the nobles with her father or the servants and cheer on her kitchen boy, Link? "If only I could be in two places at once..."
"Perhaps I could be of assistance to your cause, my dear princess?" a seductive male voice chimed from behind Zelda.
Farore, Din and Nayru polo houses marched out into the field together and stared each other down.
Link scanned the field and saw that the other two teams were wearing similar clothing as he was, they were just different colours.
Algar looked back at his team and nodded. "Right then... everyone ready?"
Link, Nale and Finn all nodded back at their team captain.
"Then let's get that plate!" Algar smiled at Link.
"Right." Nale agreed. "Let's take it all this year boys."
Finn simply nodded again.
Link gasped in shock. It seemed like moments ago the team had doubted their victory and now that they stood out on the field, some form of confidence had taken them over.
The Din team let out a loud roar of laughter and jeered at the Farore team from the other side of the pitch.
Din's team captain seemed to command the most attention. It was probably because she was a woman and the only other female on the pitch was one of the players for Nayru House.
Her long brown locks swayed in the gentle breeze underneath her red cap as she approached Algar with a smug grin on her face.
"Perhaps you and your boys will quit now before you have to go up against Din?" she mocked as she ran her index finger down Algar's cheek. "Let's not forget last year's most embarrassing defeat, hm? Remind me sweet Algar, what was the score again?"
Algar looked down in embarrassment and muttered his reply. "Fifteen – nothing."
She raised her eyebrows and smiled. "Fifteen –nothing." She then turned and looked at the Nayru team. "I bet you won't even beat Nayru this year. Oh wait, you didn't beat them last year either."
Nale's face went bright red in anger. "Now hear this you conniving little harpy! Just because you're team wins the servant tournament every single year doesn't mean a damn thing! Everyone here knows that once you face off against one of the noble teams in the finals, you get your sorry arses handed to ya!"
The Din captain sighed. "Oh Nale, Nale, Nale. I suppose you are right. But I'll have you know, for the last fifteen years, Din house has made it to the finals. So what does that say about Nayru and Farore? Or do you suspect that you will win this year?"
"Damn straight we're gonna win! We've got him!" Nale pointed back to Link. "He's one of the best players the servant teams have ever had."
The Din captain raised her eyebrows again as she walked up to Link. "Ah, fresh meat. It's good to have some new blood on the pitch every now and again, both figuratively and literally. What's your name buddy?" she rested a flirtatious hand on Link's shoulder. "Or shall we skip the names and just get down to it, hm?"
"D-down to what?" Link laughed nervously as he watched the captain's boney fingers tap on his shoulder.
Finn glared at the Din captain for a moment before he spoke. "She means, taunting you. She did the same to me last year."
The captain rolled her eyes as she removed her hand from Link's shoulder. "Oh Finn, you're still the same stick in the mud I see. If only your polo playing did not match your personality."
"Get lost Elsa!" Algar barked. "You're making my new player nervous!"
The captain smirked as she began to walk back to her teammates. "Very well then, have it your way. But don't even think for a minute that Farore can take the servant tournament, you're nothing but a bunch of losers."
Nale was seething as he swung his fist in the air. "Yah? Well we're gonna prove what a bunch of losers Din house is! Sore losers that is!"
She said nothing more as her teammates clicked their tongues at the Farore players and continued to mock them.
"Well that settles it! We've gotta win now! I'm not losing one more game to that harpy and the Dim Dins!" Nale shouted at Algar, Finn and Link."And we're not losing to the freakin' Nay-Nays either! We're going all the way this year!"
Finn rolled his eyes. "That's what you said last year."
"Yeah, but we didn't have Link on our team last year." Algar nodded his head towards Link who seemed to shy away at the mention of his own name.
"Who was that anyway?" Link asked obliviously as he pointed to the back of the Din team captain's head.
"Only the biggest she-wolf bitch in the history of Hyrule, Elsa of Din." Nale scoffed. "She's a chambermaid who is more beautiful than a sunny day after a bunch of rainy ones, more deceptive than a corrupt politician, more deadly than all of the soldiers in Hyrule, and more man than you could ever aspire to be. She's also a cocky braggart."
"You left out the part where she's one of the best servant polo players in the history of the King's Plate." Finn added. "She's led the house of Din to victory since she was thirteen years old. That made her one of the youngest players ever, and also one of the first females to take part in the King's Plate."
Link shook his head confused. "How is she more man than anyone could ever aspire to be? She seemed pretty feminine just a moment ago."
Algar laughed. "Oh-ho-ho! She's a beast on the pitch. She plays like a man. She fights like a man. She curses like a man. She's as violent as a man. She eats like a man. Yet she has the body of a harem woman."
Link squinted at his teammates for a moment. "So that makes her... manly?"
Finn sighed. "Some men just aren't use to seeing women take on such a role, this being a prime example. I personally think she is a good player, but a bad person."
Suddenly there was the sound of trumpets roaring into the air. One of the king's attendants rushed out into the field with a stack of note cards in his hand. "Ahem, on behalf of his majesty, King Gengo the Second and the royal family of Hyrule, I declare the King's Plate, Servant Tournament-
"Wait!" a girl's voice shouted from one of the windows up above. "Wait!"
All of the players, soldiers, assistants and spectators looked up at the far south window to see a girl with blonde hair waving down at them.
"H-her highness..." the assistant shuddered as he slowly entered an awkward bowing position. "Well don't just stand there you fools! Bow to your princess!"
There were some confused looks but eventually everyone in the field had bowed down and were now trying to get a better look at the young lady who was waiting to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, her Royal Highness, Zelda, Crown Princess of Hyrule!' the assistant shouted as he introduced the girl in the window.
"Gee thanks." Zelda rolled her eyes at the introduction. "I'll be right down!"
The assistant looked up at the window in shock as the servants all rose up from their bows to see that the princess had left and was in fact on her way to the field to open the tournament.
"This is... this is... this is just... outrageous!" the assistant yelled at his underlings. "The royals have never opened the servant tournament before, nor have they ever even sat and watched the servants play. What is going on here?"
Link couldn't help but smile as more and more confusion filled the air. So she's keeping her word. She sure is some princess.
Within moments the Crown Princess of Hyrule was marching out onto the field as trumpets sounded again, announcing her official entry. The assistant that was supposed to be opening the tournament rushed to Zelda's side and began pestering her.
"Oh I am so sorry your highness. If I had known you were opening the servant games I would have arranged to have the royal carpet rolled out, had your flag being flown and I would have had the royal anthem played."
"Tavis... it's fine. It really is, just fine." Zelda shook her head and sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I don't need all of the fuss anyway. I'm not worth it."
The assistant's jaw hit the ground in outrage and disbelief. "Your highness! Of course you're worth it! You're the-
"Future queen, I know." Zelda cut him off. "And as such, I believe I should be able to relate to my future subjects. My servants are my future subjects. Since I am not allowed to interact with my people, I figured I could get some practice here at home. Goddess knows I don't learn anything from my father."
Link watched the princess interact with the royal aides for a few moments before she did her speech. He could tell just by watching her that she had no idea as to what she was to do, and that she was nervous. But yet she carried herself with the dignity and pride of a queen, even though that was a destiny that was thought to be far off.
Zelda eventually stepped in front of her assistants and cleared her throat as she looked over the assistant's note cards for references. "Ahem... hello. Welcome everyone to the servant tournament of the King's Plate. As most of you know, the winner of this tournament goes on to battle the noble tournament champion for the King's Plate." Zelda looked down at the notes and back at her audience, she could feel her palms dripping sweat. "I would like to thank all of you who support this great sport that brings so many people together, and has almost become Hyrule's second religion."
The servants laughed a bit, knowing that the princess was poking fun at the religious disputes going on between young Hylian colonies who choose to worship the deity know as Hylia and some of Hyrule's greatest religious maniacs. It was a strife that had been going on for years and the threat of a religious war that most people did not want to fight, was soon to be on the hands of the royal family.
"Though I will not lie to you, I am quite nervous as to be doing this. It is my first time out on my own, but don't tell my father. I find you people much more interesting than the nobles I have to sit around during this tournament."
There was more light laughter and one woman even shouted out. "Yeah, that's because we care about our princess, not like those bloody noble who only want her power!"
Zelda only smirked and giggled at the comment as the servants laughed and someone in the crowd shouted "amen!"
"Well without further delay, on behalf of my father, the king, I declare this tournament officially open." Zelda bowed to her servants. They gasped of course, it wasn't normal for a royal to bow to the help.
The Tavis swallowed hard as the princess turned to him unsure what she did wrong. "Your highness, you-you bowed!"
"Annnnnnnd?" Zelda shrugged.
"T-that-that... it's just not done! You're royal! You're divine! They are below you!" Tavis protested.
Zelda rolled her eyes as she headed towards the benches. "Well, we're all equal today I guess."
Tavis was sweating nervously, unsure if the princess's presents had been blessed by the king. He knew it would be the dungeon for him if he didn't act correctly, but Tavis had a sweet spot for the princess. She was like a daughter to him, and he knew the king would be furious with her, Tavis didn't want that. "But wait... the king must have noticed that her highness is not present at the noble tournament. It is going on right now as well in the other courtyard. So he must have blessed it indeed!"
In fact the king hadn't blessed this at all. As far as he knew his daughter would be attending the noble games with him, where he would introduce her to more suitors.
Of course Zelda's absence worried the king. She was not there for the opening ceremony or for the reading of the rules. The fact that Gengo's trusted magician, advisor and confidant, Mihari was missing as well. This only gave the king more stress.
King Gengo was old, obese and grey, but he was not deaf. He had heard the whispers among servants, advisors and courtiers alike. Mihari was a suspicious character, he always had been, but Gengo accepted it. Gengo was not perfect either, that's why he needed Mihari.
The only thing about Mihari that Gengo had ever questioned was how he never seemed to age. Mihari looked no different than he did the day he met the king many years prior. But the stories worried Gengo. Stories of the 'disappearances' having something to do with the magician worried Gengo. The fact that his daughter was missing at the same time Mihari was missing worried Gengo. For the first time ever, Gengo doubted Mihari.
"Oh, I am so sorry to be late my lord. Her highness the crown princess is, unwell. I was busy mixing up a batch of my special illness elixir. She should be better by tomorrow morning." Mihari's seductive voice sighed from behind the king's temporary throne.
Gengo turned around to see his pale face magician smiling back at him. "How did you...? Never mind. Is she bedridden?"
Mihari shook his head sadly as he watched the noblemen on horseback chasing the ball up the field. "Unfortunately, yes. She had some of my elixir and fell asleep. I made sure that would be the effect. It is most terrible to be awake when you are ill."
Gengo nodded and turned his attention back to the polo match. "I am most grateful to have someone like you by my side Mihari. These years without Deidre have been difficult, but you help me out quite a bit. I don't know what I would do without you."
Mihari smiled a twisted smile and bowed dramatically. "Oh and your majesty knows that I will always be here whenever he needs me. I am but his most humble servant."
The king said nothing more as he nodded in assurance. In his mind he saw no reason to doubt Mihari. After all, the magician had just taken care of the king's heir as if she was his own.
The king and his magician watched the polo match in silence before Mihari spoke again. "So, what team are you pulling for this year, your majesty?"
"The Kakariko Boys are a favourite this year. Their captain is one fine lad as well. He's the grandson of the man who taught me how to ride a horse!" Gengo folded his hands in his lap. "He's definitely royal material. He was raised in the rough, unforgiving terrain of the Gerudo Desert, a real man's man. He is someone who could take care of my daughter."
Mihari simply chuckled quietly to himself as the king went on and on about the new suitor. "Do you know his name?"
"Of course I do!" Gengo bellowed. "It's... it's... it's ummm... Gordo! In fact there he is right now! Gordo my boy!"
A handsome young man with messy, bright red hair, golden eyes and tanned skin looked over at the king from the sidelines in surprise. The young man pointed at himself and made eye contact with the king. Gengo then nodded and waved the man over.
Mihari whispered in the king's ear as Gordo began walking towards them. "Your majesty, he looks a bit like your deceased brother, don't you agree? It's probably just the hair though."
The young man known as Gordo slowly approached the royal box. A gentle, warm breeze swayed his red tunic slightly and kicked his long red cape around. The sun glistened off of his silver and gold breastplate, giving the affect of a godly presents.
"Your majesty, it is truly an honour." Gordo bowed down on his knee. "Just so you know sir, I would gladly take an arrow for you."
Gengo raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh, how... courageous? Most young people these days won't even finish school, let alone take an arrow for their king."
Gordo stood up in shock. "The young people of Caste Town neglect their education?"
Mihari eyed Gordo up like a piece of meat while Gengo answered. "Oh, we've had education problems for years. There have been problems since the Twilight era." Gengo patted on his daughter's empty temporary throne. "Please, have a seat."
Gordo gave the old king a shocked look as he looked around to see if anyone was watching. Mihari continued to smirk as he watched the young man sit awkwardly in the chair next to the king's.
Gengo continued to chat with the handsome young man as two of the noble teams played their match. Though, the king was barely interested in the game. Mihari was shocked to see Gengo taking an interest in Gordo. Mihari was more than pleased with this revelation to say the least. He's perfect.
"So do you fight?" Gengo questioned. "Like swordplay, archery and so on?"
Gordo took a moment to form his reply. "Well, I'm not very good with a bow. But I'm alright with a short-sword and a javelin. Oh, and with the right shield, I can work wonders."
"Oh? What sort of short swords do you wield?" Gengo nodded and stroked his bread.
"The gladius is my personal favourite."
"Oh of course it is! How silly of me to ask! You're from the desert wastelands, that's where they make gladius swords."
Mihari shook his head and chuckled. "Just a short-sword? What about a long sword or a rapier? I've seen the servants practicing with long swords, for the unlikely case that some evil doers broke through the guards and got into the castle." Mihari then looked at Gordo. "I don't suppose you could beat a servant in a long sword battle?"
Gengo furrowed his brow and looked at Gordo with a sense of expectation. "Well, of course the lad could best a mere servant in combat. Couldn't you, my boy?"
Gordo stuttered. "Oh, oh of course I could beat a petty servant in combat. Though long swords are not my forte, I could surely beat a servant in a battle."
"You see Mihari, he's a good, strong lad." Gengo smiled and nodded.
"I suppose you are right, your majesty. It was wrong for me to doubt him." Mihari bowed. "But I don't suppose he could prove it to us sometime? After all, I would say this boy is a contender for your daughter's hand, no?"
Gordo swallowed hard. "E-excuse me? Daughter's hand?"
"Don't you realize? He's interviewing you." Mihari divulged with a laughed as the king shot him a mean glare.
"And you passed with flying colours!" Gengo barked.
Gordo's face went red. "Princess Zelda as my wife? Wouldn't that one day make me..."
"King!" Mihari exclaimed. "King Gordo the First!"
Gordo had heard many stories of the princess's beauty, but like many people, he had never seen her. Zelda was said to be one of the most beautiful women in Hyrule, and also the most desirable. For Gordo it would have been a done deal, but there was that one little catch that made him unsure. Gordo would become a prince upon his marriage to Zelda and eventually be crowned king. Gordo didn't want the responsibility, like most people in the kingdom.
"Well, gosh..." Gordo scratched his head.
"Do you accept my proposal for you to become one of my daughter's suitors?" Gengo smiled as Mihari looked over his shoulder intently.
"Um..." Gordo sighed. "Can I meet her first?"
Gengo stared at the boy blankly for a moment but eventually broke into hysterical laughter. "Oh-ho-ho! But of course you can my boy! Of course you can! How silly of me to not have you introduced at first."
Gordo sighed in relief. At least he had dodged the answer. One does not simply say 'no' to the king of Hyrule, especially if he is asking you to potentially wed his daughter.
Suddenly there was a round of applause as one of the noblemen players from either side jumped off of their horses and shook hands in the middle of the field in front of one of the officials.
The official raised his hands in the air and shouted. "This match has been decided! The West Castle Men have claimed this match and will move on to the next round!"
Gengo sat up in his chair and clapped. Gordo took his cue from the king and clapped along with him. Mihari did nothing but smirk with his arms crossed.
"Now for the next match!" the official cleared his throat. Two other officials wheeled a large blackboard onto the field. The official grabbed a piece of chalk and crossed off the name of the losing team and circled the name of the West Castle Men. He then pointed to the next set of teams who were to play. "Next match will be between the Ordon Stampeders and the Kakariko Boys! You have ten minutes to prepare yourselves. Good luck to you all."
Gordo then stood up and bowed to Gengo. "Excuse me your majesty, but I must get ready."
Gengo nodded to the young man. "Of course. Good luck my boy. May the golden goddesses guide you to victory."
And with that Gordo was off.
"Definitely king material, hm?" Mihari nodded as the young man vanished from sight. "Could keep your kingdom and daughter safe for years to come, no?"
"Yes, most definitely. I like his look. It's the look of a monarch!" Gengo nodded. "He and my daughter would look most wonderful together. Their children would be most wonderful as well."
Mihari just laughed at the old king's reply. "And what if your daughter does not like him?"
Gengo stared off as he watched Gordo's team mount their horses and put on their heavy metal helmets. He watched Gordo fix his cape and adjust his sandals for a moment before he replied. "She'll have no choice in the matter. He's the one. There is no one else left."
Mihari smiled. "What about the boy from the kitchen who the princess is smitten with? You know, the one I told you about last night."
The king stroked his beard as he looked up at his flag flying in the wind. The king's standard (which always flew when he was in the castle) was light brown with a large, golden "G" in the middle of it. The silver numeral two (II), overlapped the "G". Above of the "G", was small golden Triforce. This was the format for most royal flags. It was Gengo's grandfather, King Laertes I, son of Zelda VI, who brought in the idea of monarchs having a personal flag. Laertes felt that his people had the right to know if their king/queen was in residence or not.
After reminiscing over the flag for a short while, the king replied. "She can't have the kitchen boy. I will not allow it. Her birthright will not allow it. This institution is as old as Hyrule itself. I will not allow her to ruin thousands of years of tradition by marrying a nobody!" the king watched as the polo players took their positions. "And I will not allow her to be like my old great grandmother, Zelda the Dreary. No secret lovers allowed!"
Mihari gave his king a most intrigued look at his last statement about Zelda VI. It was much like the look that one would get from a child who had just found out what their birthday present was. "Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh! Well, well, well, well, your majesty. So Zelda the Dreary was not that drab at all. She had skeletons in her closet, eh? Or should I say lovers?"
Gengo's face was grave. He knew he had said too much. The fact that Zelda VI had a lover was often speculated, yet behind closed doors, in the royal household it was a well known secret. Gengo was sworn to secrecy. He had not even told his own daughter, Zelda. But would he want to? Would she want to know? Would she even care about a lifelong fling of her ancestor? Perhaps this tale would sweep away any thought his daughter had of running away with the kitchen boy.