Dear Diary,
Last night was quite the eventful night. I'm with a little of a hangover, my unremoved eye makeup smeared (it doesn't look bad actually, it is a bit "smoked"), my hair messy and I barely took off my dress. I seriously have no idea how Link wakes up before dawn almost every morning.
I must confess I have never been a "party person" -except for the Ordon parties, which I adore. I generally avoided grand balls and social gatherings of the Castle before - which in part earned me the 'Ice Queen' status after my father died. I would pick my cup of tea and a book, or a peaceful stroll around Castletown before any other outing, always.
But I enjoyed last night! I danced! I laughed! I got reasonably tipsy, just enough to find entertaining talking to people I barely know!
Let's start from the beginning: Link came from the barracks to pick me, all ready to "polish the floor with some swanky Ordonian dancin'"; I burst into laughter as he said it with his thickest accent and the most elegant outfit I had ever seen him in, apart from his gala armor and uniform: a midnight blue jacket with golden embroidery over a black shirt, the royal consort regalia over him, with black pants and brown boots. His hair was a little tamed, his bangs slightly slicked to the sides.
'I had no idea you would come ready!', I gasped, getting him inside.
'I had to match yer looks and surprise ya, love', he grinned. 'You look gorgeous, my moon and stars!'
'Impaz's works, as usual', I twirled just to revel on Link's delighted smile, before taking his hand to leave to the Castle foyer, where we were welcomed by the guests.
'Are you ready for this senseless display of vain people, except for our folks of course? '
'I am ready… to dance with you, and have a good time with our folks', he hummed, 'I couldn't care less about those ole boring fops, but some of them are actually not that bad'.
After entering the hall, I made a toast to thank everyone for coming, so the evening could finally begin.
Most of the guests were the few same old faces that frequented court, which we greeted politely and quickly, except for one I hadn't seen in a long time, that was received with all my joy: Edgar, my late friend Milena's husband. He took some time off his duties - he is a merchant and full-time father to their son- and dropped by to greet me. 'I sent your gift with Dame Impaz to your studio this afternoon', he commented, 'it's a little device from Termina that makes true to life images on a metal plate!. By the way, their Prime Minister is doing a good advertisement of Hyrule talking about your husband!'
'He thinks I just look like a hero of a local legend o'them', Link shrugged, containing a laugh.
'But you're a hero yourself! Maybe it's a funny coincidence, but a good one'. We all ended laughing at his remark, only Link and I knowing a certain ancestor of his could have ventured into those lands.
Anyway, it was comforting to see him doing fine. Once we bid him farewell, we greeted our group of friends, and made small talk about the event.
Link almost dragged me to the dance floor when the musicians were about to start playing, saying 'let's party, birthday gal!'
The first dance was only us, a merry and energetic waltz. It was the first time we danced together in a Castle event. In Ordon we had done it several times, first as friends, later as a couple. I liked how the physical contact of the waltz felt: my torso against his, his hand on my bare back, to grip on to his shoulder and hand, his hold on my body. It is just a type of dance, but suddenly it felt really intimate… like it was a private moment,although we were being observed by a crowd.
We spent quite a while on the dance floor, after several other couples joined us. I couldn't believe his stamina at first - I needed a break after the third piece - but then I remembered he never gets tired of something else, and tried to keep up with him.
A dozen dances later, I could finally catch a rest, have some drinks, and chat with my friends. It caught my attention Ashei was really silent. And sleepy.
'She hasn't been feeling well, sister', Naima commented. 'She's been under the weather for a week or so'.
'It's just a strong hayfever', she waved, sipping her glass.
'You should convince her to go see Renado', Telma urged me. 'she is so stubborn'.
'Maybe it will pass soon', I calmed her, 'Spring has made everything bloom'.
Ilia took me a little to the side with the excuse of talking about Ordon with Uli, who was across the room with Rusl and Link.
'I don't think it's a hayfever'. She was really serious. 'I think it can be something more… related to our gender'.
I was trying to figure out what she meant, besides her having her monthlies.
'Zelda, I am sure she's pregnant'.
My eyes widened, and I just managed to down my glass of sparkling wine, grab another from a passing waiter, and drink it in one sitting.
'What makes you think that?', I asked, feeling the fizz from the drink go down my throat.
'She is currently always sleepy and hungry, she ate three pulled pork sandwiches at Telma's the other day!', Ilia told me as discreetly as possible, 'and most importantly, she thinks everything stinks'.
That did not surprise me. That's just how she is.
'She almost threw up when someone passed with a flower arrangement before her and said they smelled like garbage'.
Now that was something. We agreed to convince Ashei to get herself checked up with her, as soon as possible, before being snatched again by Mr. Swanky Ordon Dances.
'We should totally sneak outta'ere, take a bottle of fizzy booze, and have a private party in our room', Link whispered while dancing to an energetic polka, 'whatcha think?'
I just smiled and nodded, and once the music ended, we made our escape as discreetly as possible, only informing Master Auru and Impaz.
We misbehaved a more than reasonable amount before dropping on the bed - and then some more.
I hope I don't fall asleep during the Council meeting. At least I know I will not be the only one.
With love,
Zelda
P.S. Shad told Link and I after the meeting he suspects the same as Ilia. Link's face was priceless.
He was all 'Goddesses! Yeti is preggos!', as he held his head in disbelief.
P.S. The device Edgar gifted me is called a pictobox. The images are just amazing!
