AN:

So, another chapter has arrived! Still not Nintendo!

After I informed him of his probable rise to nobility, Link has been much more…aloof than normal. Yes, he generally is very quiet unless we are alone, but he doesn't seem to want to meet my eye. We aren't alone until that night, back in the garden. "Is something wrong?"

"No, your highness, why would anything be wrong?"

"You are acting strangely. Like something is bothering you."

"It is nothing to concern yourself with."

"Are you going to accept?"

"It does not seem like I have much of a choice in the matter. No sane person would refuse?"

"You threw yourself into battle against three SILVER Lynels and a horde of Bokoblins. I am uncertain as to whether you qualify as sane." This coerces a small smile from him. "You don't have to if you don't want to. If being a knight is what you are called to do forever, then we can promote you in the military and honor you there."

"If I accept the title of marquess, will there be a way to still spend time with you, like I do now?" Yes, but I fear you will not like the answer. Mipha certainly won't.

"You wish to still be around me?"

"Yes, even…even disregarding my oath, I want to make sure that you are safe. I want to protect you. I don't know what it is, just a large part of me wants to."

"Quite obviously the feeling is mutual." I look down at my hand, where the symbol of the triforce still glows strongly.

"So, is there? Is it allowed?"

"Were you a regular marquess, the only way for you to spend any amount of time with me would be for you to court me, and even then we would have to have a chaperone."

"But I am not a regular marquess."

"I don't know, I am sure that an exception could be made, but the court would go insane with the idea of us spending any time together and not courting. They would believe it a scandal." We remain silent for a long time, contemplating…something. My mind betrays me and thinks of courting him, about marrying him. No, no, he seems reluctant to accept the position and it is not allowed for him to court me without a noble title.

"We should probably start." He says eventually.

"You're right. You still have about a week to make your decision." I stand and he follows. "You will have my support either way."

"Really?"

"You are my friend, Link. I want you to be happy."

-oOo-

I teach him the nyma. He struggles more with this one than he has the others. "No, it's step left forward, right back, left side, together. I know it's fast, but-"

"It's fine. I'll get it. I just need to practice more."

"You know, after the first dance, you aren't really going to be expected to dance anymore. The garnell is always what opens the ball, and you know that rather well. I don't have to keep teaching you."

"No, I want to learn."

"Why?" I subconsciously cock my head to the side. "You were so reluctant the first time. Now, merely two days later you want to continue without having to?"

"I don't know."

"Are you possibly having fun?" I smirk.

"Possibly." We've started dancing again by now, he spins me around, before catching my waist at the end.

"We'll have to be quiet about this. You don't want to lose the respect of your fellow knights."

"I get to dance with the princess every night, I doubt that I will lose anything."

"Do you believe that you will gain enviers?"

"Oh, I am quite sure."

"I probably should say 'gain more enviers'." I note.

"Says the future monarch." We turn and bow.

"Good, you're doing good." I smile.

-oOo-

After he masters the dance he walks me back to my room. For the time being he is still in charge of my protection. "You've learned quickly. I am proud of you."

"Thank you, your highness." He smiles slightly.

"Do you think that you will be ready for the ball?" We're outside of my room now.

"I hope so."

"I think you will be."

"What's on the agenda tomorrow?" He leans slightly against the wall.

"Fittings, oh, we have a portrait sitting with all of the Champions."

"That's exciting." Sarcasm isn't a common occurrence with my knight.

"It isn't that bad." I assure him.

"How long will it be?"

"A couple of hours."

"Is there anything else?"

"I have to meet with my father. You don't need to be present for that, in fact I am quite sure that you will be sent away." I yawn slightly.

"You need to sleep." He starts to back up.

"No, I'm fine."

"No, you're not." He shakes his head. "When was the last time you got eight hours of sleep in one night?" I don't know. "See, you need to sleep."

"Going to sleep earlier isn't going to help."

"I'm still here, if you need me. I'm just down the hall." I don't really think, I just wrap my arms around him and hug him. He freezes.

"Thank you."

He slowly unfreezes and begins to hold me. "You're welcome."

We stand like that for a while, not speaking, just being.

AN:

See y'all later!