"Your royal Highness," Lord Symper said, wringing his hands. "I find myself without words, the very breath stolen from my lungs in the face of your beauty."
Zelda bit her cheek to keep from smiling. The Lord was tall and slender, his auburn hair immaculately groomed. His eyes were a soft amber, his beard a perfectly trimmed and curled goatee. His fine robes were pristine, periwinkle blue, a lovely contrast to her navy dress. As he took her hand to kiss the air above it, she noticed his nails were neatly manicured, his palms soft and scented with lemongrass.
Outside, the sky was a dark grey, rain lashing the windows with a ferocity akin to the turmoil in her heart. They were in the entrance hall, Lord Symper having arrived with his entourage of young and handsome footmen not moments ago.
"Thank you, Lord Symper," Zelda said, as he stood back, crossing his hands in front of his stomach. The bouquet he had given her was an ostentatious thing, filled with a variety of florets she did not recognise, in every shade of blue. "I am honoured that you have agreed to join me."
Zelda watched the Lord carefully. His contrast to Lord Dool was astonishing. This man was reserved, almost shy, and he afforded her the respect deserving of her position. His deferential stance, his gaze just to the left of her cheek, the distance between them both spoke of a careful study of regal courtship.
A week had passed since her meeting with Lord Dool, and every day since then, a footman baring his yellow crest had arrived at the castle with armloads of gifts for her. Bouquets of yellow flowers, always yellow, boxes of fine chocolates and luxurious sweets, bottles of the finest wine and beautiful gowns encrusted with jewels. Most of these gifts sat in an untidy pile in the corner of her study.
"Please, walk with me," Zelda said, waving Lord Symper to her side. Her greeting rooms were a short walk away. Lord Symper offered her his arm, and she took it gently, appreciating his genteelness. He held his arm stiffly, as if unsure how close he should hold it to himself with the heir to the throne upon it.
"Have you visited before?" she asked, aware the Lord was staring around him.
"Only once, as a boy," he said. "Such grandiosity and splendour caught my attention. I have attempted to replicate such luxury in my own halls, and whilst they are sumptuous, I feel they pale in comparison to your beauty."
Zelda laughed softly. "You speak of my beauty often, my Lord."
"It dazzles like the sun, your Highness," he said.
They paused to allow a pair of nobles to pass them, the couple bowing to Zelda and peering curiously at Lord Symper. Impa stepped carefully ahead to open the side door for them, and they passed through, away from the prying eyes of the court.
"Oh, my princess," Sypmer said, as they walked along the richly carpeted corridor. "My heart is aflutter, quivering in your presence. To meet with you at last, after the exchange of our letters-"
"I'll kick your arse next time, just you wait!"
Zelda pulled up short, a gasp slipping from her lips. Ahead, Link and the stranger were traipsing through the hall at the end of the corridor, both soaked to the skin. Thoria was covered in mud, and Link was shaking his head. Zelda could not help but notice how tightly his clothes clung to him, emphasising the muscles in his arms, the shape of his legs, the curve of his as-
"You'll have to try a lot harder if you're going to improve," he was saying. "I lost count of how many times you dropped it."
"Ooh, you little-"
The rest of Thoria's words were lost as they disappeared through a door. Zelda mouthed silently for a moment, but Lord Symper recovered first. Zelda noticed he was looking as closely at the Hero as she had been.
"Was that… the Hero of Twilight?"
"Yes, it was," Zelda admitted, her cheeks colouring. "He is currently… watching over a guest in my castle."
"I would love to meet him," Symper said, seemingly oblivious to the ridiculous display he had been subjected to.
"Perhaps," Zelda said. "But I desire your attention today, my Lord."
Simper blinked. "Of course, your Highness, I never meant to offen-"
"Hush," Zelda said, leading him to the greeting rooms. Impa, again, slid in front, as silent and unobtrusive as a shadow, and opened the door for them. Entering, Zelda acknowledged the shining marble floors, the exquisitely woven rugs, the expensive furniture, the classy paintings on the walls. To her, it was simple elegance. But to Lord Symper, if the way he stared about and gasped was anything to go by, it was glorious.
"My princess," he said. "Such grandeur! You have the finest tastes."
"The castle was furnished by my great-grandmother," Zelda replied. She took an elegant seat on the closest sofa, one that offered a view of the whole room, the other seats angled deliberately to face her in such a way that she barely had to turn her head. Symper's footmen outside, Impa stood in the corner and seemed to become one with the room.
"She had exquisite style," Lord Symper offered, perching on the edge of a seat. Zelda smiled, and allowed the silence to blossom in the room between them. From what she had read, Symper held reasonable lands and a great deal of wealth, though he had few forces to speak of. His commons spoke kindly of him, but the impression that she had gained, and was currently being reinforced, was that he was not much of an authoritative man. As the silence grew and Symper began to fidget, Zelda maintained her composure, at ease in her castle.
"I need a king who can rule by my side," she said, breaking the quiet. Symper looked up, his expression eager.
"I would bow to your every whim, my princess," he said. "I would take it upon myself to see that your laws were upheld, whilst your every want and need is cared for. You would never need lift a finger again, save to love our… many children."
Zelda smiled. "The ruling of Hyrule is an arduous task. It is best undertaken by a strong couple. I would expect my king to be able to stand his ground if he felt a decision is not in the best interests of the kingdom."
"Of course," Symper agreed. "As you command, it would be so."
"And if the council disagree?"
"There… you would know the best way to govern, my princess," he said. "Were I your king, you would have my unwavering support."
"And what would you have of me in return?" she asked, quietly.
"Nothing but your love," Symper responded.
"Your stance is honourable," Zelda said. "But all men want for something. My hand, the throne, lands, titles or more wealth. What do you desire out of our potential partnership, my Lord?"
"It would be unbecoming of me to ask you of anything but your love, my princess," Symper said. He leant forward, earnestly. "My princess, if you would have me, I would be nothing but loyal. I would be your humble servant, content to sit the throne at your side, to be close to you and your Chosen Knight is all that I would ever ask."
Zelda kept her smile on her face. "My Chosen Knight serves me, and me alone, my Lord." She watched carefully as Symper's smile flickered.
"Your Highness," he said. "Of course. He is your servant. Only, I wonder if he would serve us… both?"
Zelda's smile did not falter. "He would. But as a knight only, my Lord."
Symper swallowed. "His duties-"
"Are whatever I command," Zelda said, calmly, though her heart began to beat a little higher in her chest. "And there are certain things I would not command of my Chosen Knight. Other servants, perhaps, would agree to engage in… personal matters, however, as my king…"
Symper jumped from his seat. "Your Highness, I must protest! What you are suggesting-"
"I have suggested nothing," Zelda replied. "My Lord, you are a fine man. You are courteous and gentle, and you have a kind demeanour." She rose. "I would happily consider a partnership between us." She glanced at Impa. Her face was impassive. "However, I would request that you… think carefully about what such a partnership would mean for your happiness."
Symper seemed to deflate before her eyes. With a sad sigh, he stepped forward and took her hand, kissing the air above it.
"I would be honoured to be your king," he said, softly. "But I… perhaps I need time to consider what such a position means."
"I think that wise," Zelda replied, gently removing her hand. "I am pleased to have met with you, my Lord."
"And I you," Symper said. He stood tall, and strode with dignity to the door. As it clicked shut, Zelda flopped back on the sofa.
"At least he did not stare at my breasts," she said, as Impa came forward.
"He would be the better choice," she said. "If only for your welfare as a person."
"But he would make for a weak king," Zelda replied, draping a hand over her eyes. "He has no spine. He agreed with everything I said."
"That is not always a bad thing," Impa said, producing a goblet of wine that she handed over. "Provided that he listens to you, and not the council."
"I cannot risk it," Zelda said. "Besides. I believe his affections are focused on another."
"I agree," Impa said. Zelda looked up and caught the mischief dancing in her aide's eyes. She allowed herself a smile. Impa always knew.