Link shuffled his feet, trying to figure the best place to put his hands.
While they naturally wanted to rest at his hips, he found the pose perhaps less than ideal when trying to hide a forming pooch of a tummy. His tunics fit him just fine, that was luckily still thee truth. Though, the addition of the weight at his middle did not need additional attention called to it. It would do that all on its own, in time.
He turned his attention back to the task at hand, trying to quell the nerves in his chest. He was thankful that he had only thrown up once this morning before his stomach had settled down, as nauseousness with these sorts of nerves could only spell disaster.
He and Sidon stood before the King of the Zora, with Muzu at his side, as always. Sidon himself had requested this late morning private audience, telling Dorephan that they needed to speak with him about a delicate situation.
For all the reassurances Sidon had given him, he could see that the Prince was nervous before his father.
It was in the way he clutched his hands in front of him, how the fins on the side of his face twitched just ever so slightly. Normally so sure of himself and charismatic, seeing this very relatable side to the Prince endeared him to Link more.
He listened as Sidon dove head first into the facts of their situation. How Link had found a mask filled with magic, which Link was prompted to demonstrate the abilities of, much to his chagrin. That same pain from before, that same perimeter of pain encircling his abdomen, had him pulling the mask off after only a few moments in his Zora form.
"Astounding!" it was the King who said this, leaning forward for a moment in surprise.
Link did not miss the fact that Muzu's brow furrowed. He could not tell if it was in confusion or anger. He sincerely hoped it was the former.
"So, father, as I was saying, it was because of this mask that Link was able to attend our Celebration as a Zora."
Link could see the smallest tint of a blush form on Sidon's face as he continued.
"We spent the night together and…we, how should I put this. It seems that Link is now with child, because of that evening spent together."
A judgmental sounding scoff fell from Muzu's mouth at the Prince's admitence.
"Muzu, please, allow Sidon to finish." The King said, sitting back into his throne.
"Well, father, there is not much else for me to say. I only humbly ask that you grant Link, Princess Zelda, and her attendants to remain within the Domain until the child is born."
It was then that Sidon bowed deeply, something he had not warned Link that they should do. Before he could bow himself, Sidon was upright again, holding his father's steady gaze.
Dorephan wore an unreadable expression for a moment and Link was nearly thrown into a panic from it. There was certainly something unspoken going on between the two, something that he just did not have the tools to decipher or pick up on-
"Link."
He's snapped from his thoughts as the King's voice rumbles lowly. The King had turned that same, unreadable expression to him, nearly turning his legs into jelly.
"Yes, King Dorephan?"
The King paused for a very long moment before his expression cracked under a large and friendly grin.
"Is it true that you're carrying my grandchild?"
Link blinked, confused and embarrassed by the wording of the question.
"Um, yes, King Dorephan, that seems to be the case."
The King, in a gesture of joy Link had never seen from him, clapped his hands together and laughed heartily.
"This is just fantastic news. How wonderful! Congratulations to the both of you!"
Sidon and Link shared a look, somewhat confused. The King had still not answered their question.
"T-Thank you father. I suppose then, this means you're alright wit-"
"Yes, of course my boy! Link, please stay as long as you need and let me know if there is anything I could do for you. You'll have to forgive my excitement, it's not every day one learns they'll be a grandfather!"
Link let out a sigh of relief he didn't know he was holding and smiled, allowing himself to get caught up in the King's boisterous and excited laughter.
All three of them missed the sour look on Muzu's face.
In all the years that Madame Meeda had known Muzu, she had come to learn how to read the subtleties of his moods. The meaning of a long, thoughtful pause, how his brow knitted together in such a way when he was concerned or worried. Sometimes, however, he was like an open book.
"This is ridiculous." He said as he sat down to their weekly lunch in her office, his arms crossed and expression grim.
Sometimes he even read the book out loud to her.
"I'm sure I would love to know the context of that statement, my dear guppy." She said, sipping at a small cup of tea.
He bristled ever so slightly at the pet name, something that remained from their younger years. Back when he was to marry her, back before the Calamity, back before his duty to his King was more important than anything else.
She pushed that old heartache back where it came from; the pet name was a reminder of a more carefree time and she wouldn't let her or his terrible memories sour it.
"I know your memory hasn't gone bad yet, Meeda. I've asked you not to call me that."
"And I've asked you to discuss funding for the infirmary with the King once a week for two months. Sometimes, my dear, you don't always get what you want." She said this with a smile.
With his grumpy sigh of defeat, she gently pushed aside the papers and files crowding her desk and setting out the food for their meal. Muzu grumbled quietly to himself as he tucked into the meal she had prepared: hearty rice balls, pickled fleet lotus bulbs, and a helping each to a salted crab salad.
"Well, out with it then Muzu. Do tell me what you're finding ridiculous this week." Meeda said with another small grin as they ate.
Muzu, ever polite, finished chewing his bite of food before beginning.
"There been a…situation brought to the attention of the King, involved with Sidon and the Hylian Champi-"
"They took care of that hurdle much quicker than I thought they would." Meeda said, popping a bite of crab into her mouth.
Muzu's looked more concerned about having been interrupted for a moment before her words sank in.
"Wait a moment, do you already-"
"Muzu, darling, I've been Prince Sidon's physician since before he was born. Who else would he trust to confirm an unplanned pregnancy?"
Muzu sputtered at her forwardness, something he had once said made her unique and wonderful.
"W-well, perhaps unplanned by the Prince, but I can't be so sure about the Champion."
Meeda let her characteristic grin drop at Muzu's words, raising her brow to question him as she ate a rice ball.
"Pray tell, Muzu, how on earth was a Hylian supposed to know the nuances of Zora mating customs?"
"That's not what I mean, Meeda. I always had my doubts with his intentions in spending so much time with Princess Mipha. That concern was laid to rest once I knew she had crafted him the Zora armor. But now, here he is again, trying to forge a tie to the Royal family and, this time, with an illegitimate chil-"
"I'm going to stop you right there, Muzu." Any playfulness that had been in her voice before was gone. "Do you recall the discussion we had, only a few months after the Calamity had taken the Princess from us?"
By the softening of his expression, Meeda knew he remembered. Muzu had been beside himself in his grief, blaming himself time and time again of not trying harder to convince Mipha that the position of Champion need not be filled by Royalty.
"Do you remember how you were behaving then? Every little whispered rumor was a conspiracy to take down the throne. You wore yourself ragged chasing after phantoms. This, this thought of yours that Link somehow meant for all of this to happen, it's just another figment of your imagination."
"Well, how can you be so sure?"
Meeda's thoughts turned to Link's face when she last saw him; eyes red and puffy, head swollen from where it had been smacked against a table, reporting morning sickness happening like clockwork. Worst of all, that tired, confused, and worried expression he'd worn the entire time.
There was no way that poor boy could have planned for something like this to happen.
"Muzu," she began again, "I can promise you, on my life and profession, there is no way Link could have planned on carrying Sidon's child."
His expression softened again, though the faintest trace of doubt remained.
"I just…I fear for the Prince. He is the only one that remains with a claim to his father's throne. He is painfully kind hearted and I would hate for him to be taken advantage of."
"If he had been with anyone other than the Hylian Champion the night of conception, I would be inclined to agree with you, my dear. But, this is Link we are talking about. This is the same Hylian who risked life and limb for all of Hyrule. The same person Princess Mipha was so in love with. Do you really think he has so much as one selfish bone in his body? Or would ever intend harm on for the Zora people?"
Muzu remained quiet, as Meeda knew he would.
"That's what I thought. Now, finish up your meal, I have to be making my afternoon rounds here shortly."