10

"Absolutely, you should go." I encouraged my husband, dismissing his concerns for my wellbeing. "Your friend needs you. We will be waiting for the both of you when you get back, won't we Aiken?"

Our little boy, perched in my arms, looked at his father in a confused manner. "Daddy leaving?" He mumbled, perplex.

"Yes." Link laid a tender kiss on his platinum hair. "But I will be back, very soon."

"Soon." Aiken echoed.

As much as it annoyed me to admit it, I had not played a big part in the design of this child, apart from carrying him for nine months – he could be his father's clone. But he did have paler hair, bordering on the pure white of my own. I caressed the small yet growing bump on my belly, wondering if it was going to be a little girl or boy this time.

Resting on the stone bench, I close my eyes for a few peaceful seconds, listening to the songbirds twitting in the garden. Aiken is happily exploring the castle's yard, clumsily humming to himself as he has seen Link do a thousand times. My son has not been easy since his father left two days ago for his mysterious quest, and I fear I might fall asleep if I don't open my eyes soon. If parents aren't supposed to have their favorite, the rule definitely doesn't apply the other way around. For the time being, our little boy has one resolute obsession: Daddy. I am told it will pass, eventually, but it's hard not to take offense in the meantime. The sound of my name brings me back to reality.

"Paya?"

I turn my head around to see Zelda purposefully walking my way. I smile, pleasantly surprised. It has been a few weeks since she has approached me for any reason.

"There you are." She sighs, her tone business-like. "I wanted to talk to you, but I have been so caught up at the court and with this whole real estate affair."

"It's no problem," I reassure her.

A short silence ensues, and she forces a crisp smile on her face. She seems uneasy, as if forcing herself to remember her good manners.

"How are you doing, Paya?" Her attitude is friendlier, like it used to be before so many worries weighed on her mind.

She sits next to me with all the familiarity of a sister.

"I'm doing great, just a little tired that's all." I confess. "But I can't complain when I see you working so hard every day. Are you doing alright, with all those tasks all by yourself? You know I could surely help if you needed me to."

"Don't be ridiculous, you probably get less hours of sleep than I do." She replies seriously. "Although, if you wanted some time off to be more involved at the court, the offer of the nursemaids still stands. They would just love to snatch this little troublemaker for a few hours a day. And he would be in very good company, with the children of the other royal guards."

"That's very g-generous." I stammer – a thing I do really less often now. "I suppose I should think about it."

I glance at Aiken as he stumps the ground in an attempt to jump at the small butterflies hovering above his head. No matter how much the thought of being separated from him – even for a few hours – is painful, I have missed working at the queen's side. In an effort to secure the Kingdom's future, many years ago, she had named me Stewardess to the throne. Even though I was used to Zelda's friendship and governing matters at the time, it had been quite a shock! But I had gladly dived into the arduous endeavour of helping my sovereigns in managing the kingdom.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I ask her, for she is now silently watching my son.

"Oh." She seems to be awaking from a sad dream. "Nothing in particular, I reckon. I just realised we had not talked in a while."

I would like her to know that I am always happy to listen to her – but I fear it might sound like I'm putting her at fault for the recent distance between us.

"I'm here now." I smile softly. "Is something on your mind?"

She gives me an undecided look. I know her well enough to read through it: she is torn between the desire to relieve her burdened heart and the need to protect me from her troubles.

"Let me rephrase." I gently take her hand. "Something is on your mind. Do you wish to tell me what it is?"

She holds my gaze, keeping her composure, then sighs.

"I –" She begins hesitantly. "I am unsure wetter I was truly meant to rule."

I would like to immediately deny that affirmation, but I take a leaf out of Link's book, and patiently wait for her to explain herself.

"I have found confidence in building this kingdom back from the ground – even if I was, at least partly, responsible for its demise." She adds, covering my hand with hers. "Everything I do, I try to do in the best interest of Hyrule and its people. I do not know when I started to feel… differently. I cannot remember, it would seem the feeling crept up on me insidiously. But now, I am doubting myself once more. I am constantly questioning the purpose of everything."

Aiken lets out a gleeful shout as he manages to catch one of the butterflies, which startles Zelda. She rarely smiles when she looks at him – today her gaze is pained.

"There is… something I desperately need." She continues – I know exactly what it is, but I respect her choice not to tell me. "Or want? I do not know anymore. I thought I was serving my people, but I think I just… want it for myself now. Either way, I am failing them. And… I think I am going mad, Paya."

Her hand leaves mine and she grabs her forehead, wincing. I was concerned by her attitude of late, but now I am thoroughly worried. I know I would probably feel just as desperate as she does, were I in her position. But she seems to be… losing herself somehow. I fear the great lengths to which she might resort in order to obtain what she needs.

"Zelda, listen to me." I search for her gaze until she looks at me. "You are a good person. Nobody asks anything more of you than what you are already doing for Hyrule. You have already achieved so much. Whatever it may be that you think you need for us, know that we are perfectly content with you as you are."

She frowns, scrutinizing me – it is really hard for me to uphold her regal gaze, but I strive to demonstrate my certitude. Finally, she nods a few times, as if needing to remind herself of her own agreement. She gets up, smoothing the folds in her dress as she does, and begins to take her leave before turning back.

"You wouldn't happen to know why Sidon and Link went to Lanayru, would you?" She asks, back to her usual formal tone.

"Alas, Link just told me he needed to help Sidon with something. I didn't even know where they were gone!" I chuckle slightly. "Link is not exactly talkative."

"Doesn't it worry you when he does that?" She asks me, incredulous.

"No." I honestly answer. "I believe in his capacity to make it back home in one piece."

Zelda lets out a small forced laugh. "You and Sidon are much alike in that regard."

Author's notes: a big thank you to those who have recently started following this story, and those who faved. The more the merrier :) Don't hesitate to comment, I really try to adapt the story to its audience's reaction. I want you to enjoy it as much as I do!

OnePunchFan8: thanks for the regular comments. I slightly toned the argument down following your comment, although I received other feedback saying Sidon's reaction was credible, so I didn't change it too much. I hope you are still enjoying the story ;)