Translated by MissQuestions-LaAmazingNabo
Beta reader: Chameleon Eyes
Thanks to both of them for their work. Also, thank you all for your reviews, follows and favorites, I'm glad to know you like this story.
The Legend of Zelda series and its characters are property of Nintendo.
Chapter 3
Lord Wallace
Zelda had asked her old tutor, Auru, to teach Link how to dance. Auru had tutored her in varied disciplines as a girl, including dancing, and since he had helped Link during his adventure, the princess thought him the ideal person to teach the young hero.
The three of them were in one of the castle's ballrooms that afternoon. Zelda was Link's dance partner during lessons. They had been dancing to Auru's marked "one… two… three…" for a while. At first, Link moved clumsily and the tutor had to give him instructions on how to proceed, but the young hero had good coordination and agility, and soon began to progress quickly as the minutes went on.
"Let's pause," said Auru. "You have done better than I expected, Link. You have made much progress on such short time."
"He is right," said the princess. "I thought you would be clumsier."
"Thank you," he said sarcastically, to which Zelda giggled.
"I did not mean to offend you, but I have seen many guards at the castle try to dance and fail miserably."
"I believe there is something in their training as soldiers that make them hopeless at other disciplines," the tutor remarked. "I have also seen many warriors try and, above all, I have seen Ashei. It was a very depressing sight."
"I am sorry us warriors cannot do anything other than fight," Link said, clearly offended.
"Oh, Link." The princess laughed and rested a hand on his cheek. "We already said you were different. It is not like you are a talented dancer, but you are not bad also."
Link stared firmly at her eyes and sighed, resigned, to which Zelda laughed again.
"May I ask you a question, Your Highness?"
"Of course, teacher, what is the matter?"
"Why do you want Link to learn how to dance? A guardian does not normally participate in balls, they just watch. What are you planning?"
"I am sorry, but I cannot say, it is a secret," she replied with a giggle.
"You have always been a sly and mischievous character beneath that compliant and mature princess façade of yours."
Zelda laughed at the comment. In that instant, a servant entered the room.
"Your Highness," the servant said. "Lord Wallace, son of Duke Phillias Stain, has come to see you."
The servant bowed and left.
"I suppose we shall leave our lessons for tomorrow," said Auru.
"I am sorry, teacher."
"It does not matter, royal duties come first."
Zelda was seated on her immense throne as she waited for Lord Wallace to appear through the door. The audience room had been completely restored. The effigy of the goddesses and the Triforce was behind her as majestic as it had been before.
She glanced at her left, where, as usual, Link could be found standing with a serious expression on his face. He looked more nervous than usual.
"Is something wrong, Link? You seem tense."
"You know I always get nervous in front of nobles," he said without straying his gaze from the door of the audience room. "I am not of their liking, nor are they of mine."
Zelda sighed. She had noticed a certain tension between Link and many of the nobles, especially those who lived far from Castle Town. Apparently, they did not believe the young hero was capable of the prowess he claimed to have done. Only those who witnessed the events firsthand believed in him.
"Why do you think he has come, Highness?" Link asked softly, so the guards and attendants that were present in the room wouldn't hear them.
"I do not know. We would have to wait until he arrives to see."
She did know, of course. Lord Wallace Stain had presented himself before her without notice on previous occasions, and it had always been for the same reason, to ask her hand. The last time had been prior to Zant's appearance. Lord Wallace was not liked by either Zelda or the Council. He was nothing more than a pompous and conceited noble who spent his time showing off and scratching his belly without a care for the people. Which is why he was never considered as a possible candidate to the throne, despite being Hylian.
The door opened at last, letting in a young and handsome man, but of arrogant and impudent demeanor, accompanied by one of the castle's servants.
"Lord Wallace Stain, Your Highness," said the servant from the door.
"Enter, Lord Wallace," Zelda told the noble.
While the servant stepped aside, Lord Wallace walked to the throne and knelt before the princess, on one knee and with his right fist to his chest.
"It is a pleasure seeing you again, Your Highness. You are lovelier than I remember."
Zelda saw from the corner of her eye as Link fidgeted at the noble's words. It seemed he'd realized his intentions.
"I suppose the man at your left is whom they say is the chosen hero of the gods, is it true?" the noble continued with an ironic tone.
Zelda felt anger build inside of her at the noble's unpleasant tone.
"Indeed, Lord Wallace," Zelda replied, appearing calmness. "This is Sir Link, the man who saved us," she stressed the word 'saved', "all from the clutches of the tyrant."
"It is difficult to believe that one man could defeat an army of monsters by himself." That remark made Zelda stare at him coldly. "I am just stating an opinion, Your Highness."
"Why have you come, Lord Wallace?" Zelda asked, coolly. "Or did you only come to question Sir Link's legitimacy as the hero?"
"I have come to ask your hand, princess."
"And what makes you think my answer will differ from other times?" The princess was beginning to feel irritated with this man's presence.
"I have been thinking that in light of what happened a year ago it is about time a king sat on the throne. My family, friends, and servants always tell me I am the perfect candidate for it, that I am very intelligent. Furthermore, I have been trained in the handling of the sword by the best of teachers, I could defend you from whoever dares threaten you, Your Highness."
What this man stupid? the princess thought in that instant. Lord Wallace had himself in high esteem, but he was nothing more than a narcissistic idiot. Zelda began to ruminate the best way to get rid of him. She smiled to herself; she had just the right idea.
"You are right, Lord Wallace." Zelda saw from the corner of her eye how Link looked at her curiously. "It is true that after the invasion this kingdom needs a strong, intelligent man; especially one skilled with a sword." The princess saw how the noble smiled, satisfied. He had swallowed the bait. "I just came with an idea. How about you participate in a duel with Link? If you manage to defeat him, I shall have in mind your offer."
"I believe it is an excellent idea, Your Highness."
Zelda watched as the noble gave Link a challenging look while sporting an arrogant smirk. How guileless. She looked at Link then, who returned Lord Wallace's gaze with apparent indifference, but Zelda could see a certain gleam in his eyes.
"Well then," Zelda said, calling the attention of both men. "It is best to rest for now, Lord Wallace, and tomorrow we shall celebrate the duel. Is it all right to you?"
"Yes, Highness."
When the details of the duel were defined, and Lord Wallace had left the room, Zelda hurried to retire to her chambers, Link in tow. Once inside, the princess fell onto her bed, and in an inelegant manner, burst into cackles.
"This attitude is not proper of a refined and elegant princess like yourself, Highness," Link said to her with a smile while standing beside her. "What will people say if they saw you like this?"
"Oh, come on, Link. Now you are telling me you did not find it hilarious," she replied, standing up and placing herself in front of him. "The fool really believes he can defeat you. It is amusing. What's more, you ought to be grateful. I have given you the perfect opportunity to get revenge from him for his offensive words."
"It is not like I mind what he thinks or says of me, but you are right, princess. Thank you," Link told her in a sincere manner, giving hint of a sweet smile.
"Thank you? Just that?! Do you not believe I deserve something more than a 'thank you'?" she asked him coquettishly, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I am just a simple soldier, Your Highness," he said, playing along. "What can someone of my category offer to a princess such as yourself?"
"I don't know; I am sure you can come up with something."
With that, Zelda pulled away with a wink and tuned her back to him. She noticed how Link grabbed her from the arm and turned her towards him again. She could see a mischievous grin on his face.
"How about this?" He pulled her close to him and gave her a small kiss on her forehead. "Thank you very much, Zelda."
Zelda noticed how her legs trembled and how her blood rose to her face. In that instant she had a small déjà vu, the situation was very similar to the one she had lived in Castle Town when he agreed to the engagement.
"Has that been sufficient payment or do you want more?" Link still had that grin that made Zelda's heart beat rapidly. "And if you think that a kiss on the forehead is not enough I can give you another."
Link leaned very close to Zelda. The princess could note his breath on her face. She knew that he was kidding, it was impossible that he behaved so brazenly in that manner if it wasn't because he was joking, he was too timid and formal. But she loved him and wanted that kiss he was offering her.
The young hero laughed and pulled away from her. He made a small bow and hurried to the door.
"Where do you think you are going, Link?" Link turned towards her, confused. "Do you really think that was enough? You have offered me another one if it was not enough, so, what is taking you so long? But I do not want a kiss on the forehead or on the cheek like a little girl."
Zelda observed how Link turned red as a tomato and babbled unintelligible words. If he dared to joke he had to be willing to go through until the end. She walked closer to him and grabbed him by the collar of his tunic, tugging at it so that they were at the same height.
"What are you waiting for, Link?" Zelda whispered. "Or is it that the great hero is not brave enough to kiss his own fiancée?"
Zelda noticed how Link's trembling hand was placed on her shoulder. She saw how he gulped while coming closer to her. Just before their lips touched, he stopped and looked at her in the eyes. Zelda could see the nervousness in his gaze. Finally, he closed his eyes and she hurried to do the same. Instants later, the princess felt Link's warm lips aligning gently over hers.
It barely lasted a few seconds, but during that time Zelda had been able to feel how her heart pounded strongly inside of her chest as if it were to pop out.
Link pulled away from her and, after bowing his head, hurried to leave the room. When the doors closed behind him, Zelda retreated until she reached her bed, where she fell on her back. She remained there for a while looking at nothing, trying to calm the beating of her heart.
The next morning, Zelda was taking breakfast at the castle's dining room accompanied by Lord Wallace. The situation was very uncomfortable to the princess. The noble did nothing but flatter her or himself, counting all and every supposed virtue that he possessed. Zelda was beginning to bore, she even had to dissimulate a yawn however she could, when Lord Wallace suddenly changed the subject.
"Where is the hero today?" he asked with arrogance. "I thought he was like your shadow, always sticking to you, Highness."
Zelda felt like punching him across the face, but she had to conserve her manners. Link would later be in charge of putting him in his place.
"Sir Link is in charge of training the recruits in the mornings," she answered coldly. "He is doing a good job with them; it has been a while since our soldiers have been well trained and disciplined."
"It is a shame that being heir to the house of Stain, I cannot enter the guard," he said proudly. "I am certain that I could teach those soldiers many things. With my abilities I could quickly reach the rank of colonel."
Arrogant fool, thought Zelda.
"Why don't you display those abilities during the duel?" Zelda asked with a false smile. "Link holds the rank of captain, but only because he did not want a higher rank, whereas being my personal guardian is only an honorary rank, so I am certain that your duel will be a sight to see."
The combat was scheduled to be held an hour before noon. After breakfast, Zelda had excused herself before Lord Wallace, arguing that she had work, and had asked one of her secretaries to show him around the castle. In reality she didn't have much work, but she couldn't take another second next to him.
When the time came, Zelda, now accompanied by one of her maids and some attendants, hurried to the training grounds where the duel would take place. There, inside the barracks where all the training equipment was kept, was Link, ready for the combat, surrounded by some of the recruits he trained and some other officer of the guard.
Zelda dismissed her entourage and entered the place. Seeing her, Link also excused himself before his companions and approached her. He didn't seem affected in the slightest by the events from last night, by the end of the day, it had only been a joke, a game, or at least that was what he had made her believe.
"Nervous, Link?" Zelda asked even though she knew the answer.
"What do you think?" he replied jubilantly, to which she gave a giggle.
After several minutes of pleasant chatter, Zelda saw how Link suddenly became quiet and his expression turned serious while he looked at the entrance. She turned and saw Lord Wallace approaching.
"You are already here, hero." The way in which he pronounced the word 'hero' clearly denoted contempt. "And it seems like we have public also."
Zelda poked her head outside and saw how a large number of servants and soldiers had gathered in the highest parts that surrounded the grounds to contemplate better the spectacle. While Lord Wallace was helped by some soldiers to put his protective gear on, Zelda and Link continued talking.
"I want you to give him such a beating that he cannot stand up for a month," Zelda said in a hushed voice, grabbing him by the tunic.
"Highness!" Link exclaimed, trying not to raise his voice. "That is not something a young lady like yourself should say, it is too cruel of your part."
"It is not a big deal and it is you whom he insulted, you ought to be furious," she reproached him while taking him by the tunic with both hands.
"It is not like I am not mad. I simply do not let myself get carried away by that." Link looked at Lord Wallace from the corner of his eye. "He is looking at us. He does not seem happy."
Zelda also looked from the corner of her eye. Indeed, he didn't seem happy, as a matter of fact, he looked intensely at Link with furious eyes. Zelda smiled at an idea. She let go of the tunic, placed her hands over Link's chest and leaned close to whisper in his ear.
"Do you not think it is fun to make him mad?" she whispered while not missing a detail of lord's reaction.
Link leaned slightly to bring his lips closer to her ear.
"You are a very cruel woman, Zelda," he answered, also whispering.
Zelda felt shivers run through her body as she noticed Link's breath on her neck. She observed the noble, who seemed to ignite sparks through his eyes due to wrath.
"Are the two combatants ready?" asked a soldier from the entrance of the barracks.
After wishing Link luck, Zelda hurried to leave the grounds and placed herself beside her entourage to contemplate the spectacle. The first to come out was Lord Wallace, who greeted and smiled seductively at the servant-girls that congregated at the top part. They looked at each other while laughing and blushing. Thereupon, Link came to the grounds accompanied by a great ovation. Zelda saw how the lord's arrogant smile disappeared completely once he heard how the same maids whom he flirted with shouted effusively the name of the hero.
Both combatants positioned themselves in front of the other. Lord Wallace wore as protection a breastplate, armbands, greaves, a helmet, and a shield. Link, however, only wore as protection a chain mail beneath his tunic and his inseparable Hylian shield. Both drew their training swords and stood on guard, waiting for the signal to start.
Lord Wallace huffed exasperatedly while he observed Link unsheathe his sword.
"Is this some kind of a joke?" he asked indignantly, lowering his sword, addressing Zelda. "What do you intend with this, Highness?"
"Is something wrong, Lord Wallace?" Link asked, confused.
The noble looked at him with eyes full of fury.
"What are you doing drawing your sword with the left? Is that no one has taught you to correct that anomaly of yours?"
"Lord Wallace!" Zelda exclaimed, but Link stopped her by raising his hand towards her.
"I am sorry to have offended you, my lord," Link apologized coldly. "But as know, I am only a goat herder whom the light spirit Faron gave this tunic one day and told that he was chosen by the goddesses to be the hero. My only teacher was the specter of a warrior from the past who, casually, was also left handed."
"Lord Wallace," Zelda interrupted, "this is the condition I have set. If you want me to consider your proposal, you only have to defeat Sir Link."
Lord Wallace begrudgingly adopted combat position again and the duel could finally begin.
"You can do it, Sir Link!" the servant girls shouted.
"You can beat him, captain!" encouraged the soldiers.
When the commander Aster of the army of Hyrule, who served as arbitrator, gave the signal to start, the first one to attack was Lord Wallace. He lunged towards Link with eyes full of fury, gripping the sword with both hands. His sword defined a horizontal arc until it clashed with that of his rival, who blocked it without much difficulty. Link dedicated himself to dodge and block without much effort the furious thrusts of the noble. Finally, after a stab from Lord Wallace's part, Link jumped above the noble, positioning at his back and, before the other could react, placed the tip of his word on his neck, ending the combat.
"The winner is Sir Link," the commander announced, gabbing his left arm and lifting it. A great ovation followed the announcement.
"Congratulations Sir Link," Zelda said, standing beside him to later turn towards Lord Wallace. "Are you all right, Lord Wallace?"
The noble didn't answer, he simply turned and headed towards the barracks to take off his protections.
"You've been splendid, boy," said Aster while the spectators started to disperse. "Although we have to recognize that your rival was not your match."
"Thank you, commander."
"You have been too soft with him, Link," Zelda reproached him, slightly indignant.
"It would have been wrong from my part to be too hard on him," he replied timidly.
"But he has insulted you since he arrived."
"I know. When he reproached me the use of my left hand I thought of humiliating him in front of everyone, but when the moment came I could not see me capable of doing it. I am very sorry," he said while lowering his head, ashamed.
Zelda sighed. She raised her hands, placed them on both sides of his face and lifted it in a manner in that both were face to face.
"You do not have to apologize, Link. It is I who got carried away by anger, you have done well. You are the most kind and good man I have ever known, and I do not want you to change for anything in the world."
Link's bangs fell, covering his eyes lightly. Zelda hurried to set them aside with her right hand, softly caressing his forehead with her fingertips. They were like that several seconds, until they heard the commander clear his throat. They turned towards him and saw how he signaled them towards the barracks with his head. They looked at the barracks and saw Lord Wallace exit from there. He still seemed frustrated, but Zelda preferred to ignore this fact and headed towards him.
"You look tired, Lord Wallace," she told him. "Why do you not go clean yourself and rest, and meet later on at my studio? You, too, Sir Link."
Before the noble could have time to reproach, Zelda called for a servant, whom she indicated to escort the lord to his room and help him clean and change himself.
Zelda and commander Aster were at her study waiting for Link and Lord Wallace. They were sitting on some armchairs, one in front of the other, while peacefully drinking tea and conversing over the combat.
Commander Aster was a tall and very corpulent man. For years, he had been the commander of the army and Zelda's late father, the king's, most trusted man. After his death, Sir Aster retired from his position, but, after the Twilight Invasion and seeing how low the army had fallen, the princess had asked him to return to restore its glory of old. He was a man of noble character and simplicity, characteristics that, along with his great abilities as a swordsman and strategist, had made him loved and respected among the rest of the soldiers.
"There is one thing I want to ask you, Highness," Commander Aster said after finishing his tea.
"What is it?"
"I want to clarify that my question is for simple curiosity and that I do not intend to question your decisions."
"Go on commander Aster, do not cut yourself."
Sir Aster observed Zelda for a moment to later sigh.
"What's with all this?"
"I do not know what you are referring to, commander."
"I am referring to this combat. I know that you do not like Lord Wallace and that you never had qualms in rejecting his propositions openly, so I do not understand what is with the combat against Link. Everyone knows that the boy would win before it even started."
"The reason is simple, commander Aster," Zelda answered after taking a sip from her tea. "Since his arrival, Lord Wallace has been insulting and underappreciating Sir Link. I only wanted to give him a lesson thereon, although I should have imagined Link would be soft with him."
"I understand but, and all that flirting?"
Zelda noted the heat on her cheeks after the commander's question and looked away.
"You have been flirting with Link all the while in front of Lord Wallace. Was that also part of the punishment?"
Zelda simply nodded. She saw how the commander stood up, headed towards one of the windows and remained there in silence, his back turned towards her, observing the gardens. It was clear that he was not very happy with her behavior. Having been a friend of her father, Zelda had a close, almost familiar, relationship with him since she was little, so she felt a bit bad for disappointing him that way. Even though that she didn't stand Lord Wallace, she recognized that she had been very disrespectful with him.
"You know, Highness?" The commander finally said, breaking the silence. "I have plenty of fondness for that boy."
Really? Could it be true that someone as humble as Sir Aster could be fond of someone as arrogant as Lord Wallace? Zelda didn't know what to think of the man's words.
"He is an honest boy, kind and with a big heart," Aster continued. "I cannot permit you play with him in this manner."
Now Zelda was beginning to understand his words. He wasn't precisely referring to Lord Wallace.
"I have noticed his eyes of adoration with which he sees you." The commander turned to her while he continued speaking. "Link appreciates you more than you think, Highness, and I do not want his heart broken the day your future husband is chosen for you."
So that was it? Zelda couldn't help but smile at his words. If that was all that worried him, then he didn't have to. The princess debated whether to explain commander Aster about the engagement or not. She knew that he was an honorable and discreet man, that he wouldn't open his mouth if she asked.
"I believe I have to tell you something, commander," Said the princess. "But I beg your discretion about the subject. It is something that has not been made public yet and will be during the next ball."
"You have my word that I will say nothing, princess."
"Very well. You will have to know that I am already engaged, Sir Aster."
"How?" The commander asked, astonished. "Since when?"
"Since a bit more than two weeks."
"And he knows?" Aster demonstrated certain sorrow in his tone of voice and in his face.
"Of course he knows, commander," Zelda answered with a big smile. "After all, it is him whom I am engaged with."
The princess watched how the commander's face changed in expression with great swiftness. From the initial sorrow it passed to one of stupefaction and finally one of great joy. When he couldn't contain himself any longer, the commander burst into chuckles.
Just in that moment, a few knocks were heard on the door, followed by its opening. Link entered and closed the door behind him. He looked baffled at the commander, who was still laughing sonorously. Zelda noticed that the young hero, as he usually did when he didn't have training, didn't have his chainmail on or his shield, and his gloves were on hanged on his belt.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, confused.
"Link, my boy! Congratulations!" the commander shouted, heading towards him and hugging him tightly. "You really played that one close to your vest, eh?"
Link looked at the princess with an inquisitive expression, to which she only smiled. The commander let go of him and began patting him on the back.
"Her Highness has explained the engagement to me," the commander said, seeing Link's confusion. "You don't know the luck you have, boy. Several men would kill to be in your skin."
The commander laughed again and Link flushed and scratched the back of his head, embarrassed from his words. Zelda confirmed once more how adorable Link was when he blushed. In that instant, the door opened again and one of the servants entered.
"Highness, Lord Wallace wants to see you," the servant announced.
"Bring him in," she said, standing from the armchair.
Lord Wallace entered and the servant left, closing the door behind him. The noble had an unfriendly face – he didn't look very happy – and Zelda imagined why. He looked at Link with even more contempt than he had shown him until now. Zelda saw how the commander frowned as he noticed this occurrence.
"Lord Wallace, why don't you take a seat?" Zelda indicated one of the armchairs in front of her, and he accepted.
The commander took his seat again and Link positioned himself at her side, standing as usual.
"Well, Lord Wallace," Zelda began once he sat down. "You could not beat Link so, as agreed, I have to reject your proposal."
"You ought to reconsider that, princess," Lord Wallace said, indignantly. "You will not find better match than me. You cannot compare the abilities of someone of high birth such as myself with that of an unpresentable yokel."
Now it was Zelda who felt indignant. How dare this pompous and arrogant man insult Link in that manner? Although he was right in one thing, there was no comparing between them, Link's nobility and courage was way more valuable than anything that foolish and presumptuous noble had to offer.
The princess looked at her left from the corner of her eye and saw Link tense, his fists tightly closed and with a look cold as ice. She was convinced that if Lord Wallace looked at him in that same instant, that look would chill his blood.
"The truth is that the result of the combat was pretty predictable," the commander said, receiving a hateful glare from Lord Wallace. "After all, Link is our best warrior. Princess, if you expect to marry a man who can defeat him, be prepared to be left on the shelf."
Zelda looked at the commander with interrogating eyes, to which he responded with a wink of complicity. It seemed that commander Aster, now that he knew the truth, also wanted to participate in this little game of humiliating Lord Wallace.
"Perhaps you are right," Zelda said as she rose and stood in front of Link, who looked at her confusedly. "Sir Link is the strongest man I know, not for nothing did he defeat Ganondorf himself with his own hands," she continued while seductively placing her hands over his chest and caressed him lightly, noting the hardness and firmness of his pecs over the tunic. "Maybe I ought to choose him as my future husband, do you not think?" she asked, turning to Lord Wallace.
"You are not saying this seriously, Your Highness?" the noble shouted, standing from his seat. "He is a commoner."
"And?" she questioned. "He is also the chosen of the goddesses, there is nothing nobler than that."
Zelda observed how Lord Wallace widened his eyes, horrified, and his entire face turned red from fury. The noble bowed and hurried to leave the room, slamming the door in the process. The princess couldn't help but laugh at that behavior. While she laughed, she noticed a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Link looking at her with reproach.
"I think you have gone far this time, Highness."
"You are too kind, Link," Zelda replied, looking at him intensely. "That man needed someone to put him in his place. No one who insults you in front of me can go scot free."
Both remained staring at each other, practically without blinking, not letting themselves be intimidated by the threatening gaze of the other, until the commander's laugh resonated throughout the room.
"Shouldn't you wait for the wedding for this type of fights?" he said, trying to contain his laughter.
Link and Zelda looked away from the other, ashamed, which made the commander laugh even louder.
"I think I will leave you alone so that you fix your little marital fight," the commander said as he left, closing the door behind him, still laughing loudly.
An uncomfortable silence possessed the room after the commander's departure. Zelda observed Link in front of her, who seemed to be cross. She didn't understand why he was mad; she had done it for him after all. Well, in reality, she did understand. Link sighed and let himself fall into one of the armchairs.
"Link," the princess called while approaching him slowly, her head low. "I understand that you do not like the way in which I cruelly treated Lord Wallace, but I am not going to permit anyone to insult you in that manner. I do not care who they are; a noble, a prince, no one has the right to walk above you, no one is superior to you."
Zelda hadn't raised her gaze at any moment, she was afraid of lifting it and finding those beautiful eyes fixed on her, full of reproach. Without warning, she noticed his hand over her arm as he tugged her until she fell, sitting on his lap. Link wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. Her arms were imprisoned between both.
"I know what you have done for me, Zelda," Link said, pressing his forehead on her shoulder. "But I don't want you to have more problems with them because of me; I know that many do not take you seriously because you are a woman. I fear that the situation will worsen the day the engagement is announced."
Link loosened the hug a bit and Zelda could finally free her arms. The princess pressed her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. She breathed deeply. She could feel Link's aroma mixed with another, a fresh one that she couldn't identify what it was. That mix soothed her and she noticed how her body relaxed before it.
"You oughtn't to worry, Link; I am strong, I shall know how to manage. I have been through worse situations, you know that." Zelda heard a small giggle from him and blushed at that. "Moreover, I know you will always be besides me, helping me and comforting me when the situation turns ugly."
Link pulled her towards himself in response.