I stumbled blindly through the darkness, half-mad and hyperventilating severely. Branches of the pines caught onto my clothes and I bumped shoulders with their thick trunks, but I paid no attention to them. The dim lights of Zora's Domain served as my beacon.

My foot slipped and I skated over the edge of the waterfall. Immediately, with instinctual practice, I brought out the Paraglider. My freefall turned to a slow descend towards a parapet of the domain.

I didn't know if the tears glazing my eyes were from the wind or due to my own guilt.

There was a stinging sensation in my calves when I landed – like pins stabbing along the muscle until the joint. A crowd of Zora gathered around me. I felt suffocated.

"Lady Zelda!"

"She has returned!"

"Don't stand too close. She has the shock arrows!"

"Does that mean that the Lynel has been defeated?"

"Wait, where is the prince?"

They were too close. My breathing became shallower, and I felt my throat started to close. My chest felt too tight in the wetsuit I was wearing. A burning sensation raked across my skin, and I scarcely remembered clawing at the fabric in an effort to tear it off.

"Give her some space!" A familiar face broke through the crowd. Bazz leaned down to make eye contact; his body eclipsing the spectators until I could see the rainbow hue of his scales. "Are you okay? Relax for me. You're breathing too fast."

"I-I—We—Si—FUCK!" I yelled, overstimulated beyond imagination.

Bazz didn't show surprise at my outburst or lack of composure. In fact, he didn't even bat an eyelash at the situation. He quickly grabbed my hand – the one not gripping the shock arrows – and escorted me out of the center of the crowd.

I didn't know where we were heading. My vision had tunneled and so all I could see was the spear bouncing between his shoulder blades as he walked. But as the noise of the crowd began to fade, my breathing began to regulate itself.

"Stop pulling your shirt. You'll rip it," Bazz instructed gently.

I eased the iron-like grip on the spandex, but I kept the comforting weight of my hand on my sternum.

A heavy door creaked open. We were somewhere in the palace now.

"Bazz?" a frail, old voice crooned in questioning. "And Zelda? What is the matter?"

I raised my eyes. I registered the wide head of Muzu and his worried gaze before the tears blurred everything together in a disjointed mosaic. A sob climbed its way through my chest and up my throat. Dropping Bazz's hand, I ran to Muzu and barely gripped onto his hands before I collapsed by his feet.

"I'm sorry!" I finally got out, breaking into sobs.

And as the dam broke, the silence mended. Apart from my evening breaths and the rushing of water around us, there was a stillness in the air that wasn't there before.

Wary, but gentle fingers threaded through the crown of my head.

Bazz muttered a quick, "I'll let you two talk," before the door softly closed.

Muzu shifted into a more comfortable position, fully sitting on the floor as he braced the weight of my upper body against his legs.

For a moment, I felt childish. This was very unbecoming of the so-called Heroine of Hyrule to be so vulnerable and so fragile that she crumbles under the weight of the world. What would Ganon think if he saw me break down into tears on the polished floors of a castle?

But when that moment passed, all I could think about was how nice this was. To fall back and just cry, have someone coddle me as I expressed every emotion I was feeling in that moment.

It was childish. But then again, I was only – technically – seventeen.

"Oh, dear child," Muzu started. "What could you possibly be sorry for?"

He phrased it like I could do no wrong, but I felt the complete opposite. Ever since walking into Zora's Domain, I feel like my presence has been nothing but a harbinger for tragedy and misery – for the Zora, for King Dorephan, for Sidon, and, most of all, for Mipha. If I hadn't forgotten about her – hell, if I had just remembered her sooner – I could have approached the Zora with a lot more tact regarding their princess. Me brushing off Mipha and I's entire relationship as if it had meant nothing was a huge middle finger to everyone who loved her.

Then, there was the issue of returning Mipha's affections. I felt like an asshole for not reciprocating her romantic feelings. That's not to say I feel nothing for the Zora Princess at all. When I recalled that moment on Vah Ruta with her, I instantly felt the connection between us. I would accept Mipha wholeheartedly, support her in every way possible, and protect her even if she doesn't need it. But I don't feel the tingle underneath my skin or the flutter in my heart when we are together. I don't feel the soft glow of coming home when she looks at me. When I think spending forever with someone I love, I do not see Mipha.

Mipha is not the one I kiss goodnight every day for the rest of my life. But she is the one who will fix the white veil over my head before the wedding and will wipe the sweat off my brow when I give birth to my firstborn.

I love her in a different way than she loves me. Does that mean I love her less than she loves me?

"I don't deserve her love," I mumbled.

Muzu raises his eyebrows – not in surprise, but genuine curiosity. "Zelda, you have been staring at the floor for the past minute. I do not know what is racing in that head of yours. Would you care to tell me?"

I pulled back from his lap, resting on my haunches as I graced him with a look that conveyed my exhaustion and fatigue from the past 17 hours.

"I remembered her…I remember Mipha."

If Muzu felt any surprise, he didn't show it. He merely settled on the floor, getting comfortable for the rant I was soon to unleash. "And what do you remember of her?"

I glanced down my chest, to the opalesque scale that came from Mipha herself. This armor that coats my skin…it was an embodiment of her love for me. If I didn't love her back in the way that she hoped, does that mean I have no right to wear this? Suddenly, my skin prickled underneath the spandex. I pulled the cloth and felt it tent over my chest – allowing air to flow between the suit and my skin.

"You said that Mipha loved me. This armor is a testament to that," I began. Then, I braced myself to say the words that could turn Muzu – the only ally privy to my honest thoughts – against me. But it would kill me to keep these musings to myself a moment longer. "I know now that Mipha loved me. But when I remembered her…I didn't feel anything romantic towards her."

Muzu remained silent after my confession. I hazard a look at the Zora elder and expected a scathing glare, maybe a frigid scowl to mar his wrinkles.

But there was simply none. His face was perfectly passive, neutral as if he was waiting for more.

So, I reiterated myself, "I don't love Mipha."

"Yes, that is what you told me," He responded. "Is there more?"

My brows scrunched together in confusion. "You're…not mad?"

Muzu reacted then. His eyes widened in disbelief at my prediction as he clutched the emblem hanging from his neck as if appalled. "Mad at you for feeling an emotion? Goddess, no!"

"But aren't you mad on behalf of Mipha? She crafted this armor for me, wove a piece of herself into it, just to get rejected? Doesn't she deserve more than that?" I argued, gripping the fabric of the Zora Armor even tighter. The scale was digging into my palm now.

Muzu gently grabbed my wrist, easing the fist that had gathered the spandex together. He laid my hand down on my lap.

He smiled, but it was melancholic. "I am sad that Princess Mipha's affections were not returned. I loved her like my own child so naturally I feel the same despair; as will any parent consoling their heartbroken child. But do I personally hold a grudge over you for not having the same feelings as Mipha? Of course not. Regardless of your reasons for not returning her affections, you are entitled to your feelings. No one can force you to feel what you simply do not feel."

"Then, why did Sidon react so viciously?" I wiped my tears. "When I told him that I didn't love Mipha back, he said that Seggin was right. Mipha had loved me with every fiber of her being…and she got nothing in return." I slumped in defeat, a heavy exhale for my inconsiderate feelings. "They were right. I don't deserve Mipha's love."

"Deserve?" Muzu parroted incredulously. "Who said anything about deserve?"

I frantically combed through my hair before smacking the tops of my thighs in frustration. "Is that not what this is all about?!"

Muzu startled at my outburst but retained his composure.

"Seggin, Prince Sidon, King Dorephan, you. All of you have told me how special I was to Mipha, how she tore off a piece of her skin as a sign of her devotion to me, how she would follow me to ends of the earth if I asked. And all I could muster up in return is how I appreciated her in my life as a friend and as an older sister figure." I laughed, but it was dry – almost mocking. "Don't you hate me for that? Don't you think Mipha deserves someone who could return the love she gave? Because I do! I hate myself for not loving her the way she loved me. Mipha deserves more than an unrequited love."

An awkward silence suspended itself between us for what seems like hours. Then, Muzu deliberately cleared his throat. Leaning closer, he made direct eye contact with me.

"Love is not about being deserving,"Muzu stated gently, but firmly. "Mipha could not have predicted your response to her affections. The princess could not help falling in love with you in the same way you cannot help your lack of romantic feelings."

"I still feel a bit selfish. She gave me her armor, her scale, her love. And I have nothing to give in return."

Muzu leaned back a bit before a wistful smile spread across his wide face. "Mipha loved in the all-encompassing way: to protect, to cherish, to guide. She did not love for it to be returned. If one were to only give love when they were 100% certain that the recipient would return their affections, I'd say that would be more selfish than expressing one's honest feelings."

I steeped in this revelation in the silence that followed. Muzu was right. Who Mipha loved wasn't in my control. It had been Mipha's choice in who she entrusted her love. She blindly, but proudly entrusted it to me and didn't expect anything in return. She loved me simply because she could. She loved me simply because she wanted to.

Mipha really was…amazing.

"And it is not like you gave her nothing in return," Muzu said, breaking me out of my contemplative silence. "You said earlier that you love Mipha like a friend and like a sister. Do you truly mean that?"

I didn't even hesitate. "With my whole heart." I closed my eyes and breathed easier than I had this entire night. "When I remember her, I feel cared for. Even if my earlier memories with Mipha are still cloudy, I know I can always depend on her. Like diving through a free fall and trusting that someone will catch you at the bottom."

Muzu quirked an eyebrow at my metaphor as if amused. Then, he began speaking. "You know, years ago, an ancient civilization – known as the Zonai – recognized eight variants of love. They would consider us primitive for using the same word to convey affection for a lover versus a sibling. And the youth!" Here, he laughed broadly – divulging in his own private musings. "I have noticed amongst the Zora youth that there is this strange fascination with romantic love and finding your true soulmate. I honestly blame it on the legend of the Goddess and her Chosen Knight."

I shot him an inquisitive look, but Muzu was too busy laughing at this so-called legend. I decided to ignore it for now.

"But back to what I was saying," Muzu clarified. He cleared his throat before resuming the previous train of thought. "This ancient civilization believed that there are different types of love: ranging from familial love to self-love and even lust. But there was one type of love that the Zonai valued above all else." He paused before leaning close once more, emphasizing the importance of this information. "Philia – Friendship Love."

I raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Really? Over romantic love?"

Muzu nodded sagely. "It is the deepest love a person can hold for another person. And quite often, it is the basis for romantic love in the first place. Philia is virtuous in nature and can transform initial physical attraction to spiritual understanding. This love includes loyalty, honesty with emotions – both good and bad, shared sacrifice, and intimate companionship." A gracious smile lifted the corners of his mouth, eyes crinkling in genuine mirth. "It seems even the ancient Zonai had it all figured out. As rare as true love is, true friendship is even rarer. You and Mipha were lucky in that regard."

We were lucky…I kept repeating in my head. Romantic love wasn't all that there was. And just because I didn't love Mipha romantically didn't mean I loved her any less. I loved her differently, but just as ardently. That was something not to be taken for granted.

But Muzu's lesson on different types of love highlighted another issue; one that I had been tossing around since I first met him.

"Do you think that's why Sidon is so angry with me?" Muzu tilted his head in earnest confusion, so I continued. "You said that the Zora youth have a strange fascination with romantic love. Do you think that's why Sidon placed me on such a high pedestal with even higher expectations? That if I had returned his sister's affections, it would have made Mipha's sacrifice mean something."

Muzu hummed contemplatively. "You might have a point. Before knowing about the Zora Armor made for you, Prince Sidon eagerly awaited Prince Link's return so that he may deliver the Hylian Prince's own armor. I think he was trying to justify Mipha's sacrifice with the love she had for Prince Link. And until recently, the love she had for you."

"That's the thing. I don't think Mipha trained rigorously and piloted Vah Ruta only so she could fight alongside me and Link. She was also doing it to protect Zora's Domain – her home, her family."

"I do not follow, Zelda."

I quickly got up, a renewed vigor coursing through my veins. "Sidon. Seggin. The Elders. They don't believe that Mipha loved them enough to sacrifice herself to the Calamity. They believe that Mipha only fought in this war because Prince Link and I were involved, but they couldn't be more wrong. Mipha loved her kingdom. She loved her little brother. She would face Ganon head on if it meant Zora's Domain could see another sunrise. It's a different type of love – a love for her country and its people, a love for her father and brother – but just as powerful as the one she held for me and Link."

I finally dispersed the shock arrows into my quiver. I fixed the Zora Armor properly, securing it around my shoulders and patting the opalesque scale fondly. With a Lynel bow in hand, I strode towards the exit.

He's an idiot. I'm gonna punch him when I see him.

In prioritizing Mipha's relationship with me and Link, Sidon devalued his own connection with his sister.

"Wait, Zelda, where are you going?" Muzu asked, scrambling to catch up to me.

My eyes were steeled in determination. Like a rock to water, I cleaved through the crowds of Zora on my way to the East Reservoir. The rain streamed down my face, but it no longer obscured my vision. In the distance, the water sloshed dangerously over the rim of the dam and Vah Ruta bellowed into the brightening sky.

"I'm going to stop the Zora Prince from doing something completely stupid."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed reading this! This chapter was more dialogue heavy than action-packed, but not to worry because the Vah Ruta and Waterblight Fight is coming soon.

I know I've teased it several times, but I hope this clarifies the relationship between Mipha and Zelda. It's essentially the different types of love according to the Ancient Greeks. (I half-debated crediting them into the story, but I decided to be cheeky and compare them to the ancient Zonai). I really wanted to do a deep dive into different types of love and what they mean, especially love between friends vs. love with significant other. They are different, but I think they are equally powerful. One shouldn't be viewed as "more important" than the other.

And I also wanted to put out my own thoughts on what it means to love and to be loved. We often see a lot on the perspective of the confessor, but not a lot on the person receiving love. I also wanted to explore the feelings of someone who plays the part of the "rejector".

The Mipha and Link side of the love triangle will be addressed in a later chapter.

Hopefully, the lessons I tried to write were clear. If not, feel free to give me some constructive criticism.

Have a great rest of your week!