April 22nd
Today I again ate lunch alone at the fountain by which Princess Zelda and I ordinarily meet once a week. I knew in all likelihood that she wouldn't be there, as I hadn't seen her around at all since the day she sneaked off on her appointed knight, but the routine had developed into something of a habit for me, and I suppose my longing for her company also fed into my motivation to be there, just in case. A lump of apprehension was forming in the midst of my chest, what with my having allowed her to ride off without an escort against my better judgment. What if the boy had failed to catch up to her, and something unthinkable had happened? What if he were the unthinkable thing that happened, furious that she had humiliated him in that manner? My imagination continued to run wild until a single, frigid raindrop landed squarely on my nose. Was she, too, facing this dreary weather? I prayed she was safe and warm as I dragged myself off the fountain's edge and began to meander west toward home, glad I had opted to don my cloak this morning.
Carlaisle and two acquaintances caught sight of me on their way to the castle from the forest park, and every soul in East Castle Town turned as my name bellowed across it in his jovial voice. For his friends' sake I made a nominal effort to subdue my annoyance with him as they approached, until I realized that they were merely Hugh and Khloe.
Of the entire Hyrulean Orchestra, I'd say those two are by far Carlaisle's closest cohorts. I've always been impressed by how well they get along despite their glaring differences. Hugh, the conductor, is a rigid, balding man with oversized spectacles that nearly always manage to gleam right into my eyes, while Khloe is an elegant cellist about Carlaisle's age with a curious sense of humor - the fact that she appears to delight in his company being a case in point.
I dutifully exchanged the typical formalities with the trio, and Carlaisle extended an invitation for me to join them for an impromptu accordion-cello session in the castle. "You could play your violin!"
"And Hugh's bringing cookies," Khloe added, already carrying a melody in her voice. I glanced at Hugh, who shrugged the wrapped bundle clutched snugly in one arm.
I must have needed an escape from my worries. "...Sure." They appeared a bit surprised that I had accepted, but they all seemed genuinely pleased.
We were nearing the castle under a tease of sprinkles when by chance my gaze wandered westward, quickly drawing into focus upon a young woman pacing slowly toward Central Square.
It was her.
I halted abruptly and was nearly bowled over by Carlaisle's abounding belly. I blinked at all of them, suddenly breathless. "I...just recalled something to which I must attend, immediately. My apologies. I'll catch up with you." I didn't even await their responses before setting off in the princess' direction, the lump in my chest swelling ever larger.
She was wearing an informal dress, an indication that she had been home for some time. Her movements were so sluggish and indeliberate, her emerald eyes a hundred miles off.
"...Your Highness?" I finally called to her as I drew near. She stopped and slowly lifted her face, breaking into a faint smile.
"Good morning, Mister Sweet." Her greeting intensified my concerns; it was well after noon. It's very uncharacteristic of her to hold such a loose grasp of time.
"Is everything all right? You seem...not quite yourself."
"Oh, yes, forgive me. I'm afraid I've got a lot on my mind. We just got back from the Gerudo Desert last night."
Last night? And she had missed our lunch? It was also considerably unlike her, but I dared not bring it up. I instead sought to clarify another aspect.
"We?"
"Link and I."
I stood staring for a moment, scouring my mind for someone of that name, to no avail. "Link...?"
"My, um," she paused to tap her head as if to nudge the words free, "appointed knight."
"Oh, oh yes, of course! I take it he caught up to you, then?"
"Yes. And I apologized for...everything. I should apologize to you as well. It was very discourteous of me the way I behaved at the stable."
I huffed at that. "Nothing doing! You've nothing for which to apologize to me, Princess."
Our words were cut short by a distant rumble of thunder, soon thereafter the rain began its true onslaught. I promptly urged Her Highness to take her leave, but not without offering her my hooded cloak. She declined at first but quickly caved to my staunch insistence.
"Thank you, Mister Sweet."
"And I also insist you call me Edwin. Again."
She knew it was far from the first time I'd made that request, and the smile I adore so finally emerged. "Thank you, Edwin."
With that, I saw her off, standing soaked in Central Square as her figure faded into the descending torrent. I never did join Carlaisle and the others afterward. My heart was too heavy, as were my clothes.
Mulling it all over now, I'm dreadfully unsure what to make of it. The Gerudo region is a solid distance from here; perhaps she was simply tired from the long journey. Or is there something she's not telling me?
And did she ever recall our missed lunch date?
