Paya was awakened by the sound of knocks at her door once again, telling Prince Sidon to come in. She yelped when she realized it wasn't actually Prince Sidon opening the door, and she quickly moved to cover herself completely with the blankets at the sight of King Dorephan.
"Oh! Apologies, my dear. I should have announced who was at the door. I wasn't thinking."
"Y-Your M-Majesty!" She wasn't sure what to do, if she should get out of the bed and curtsy in her nightdress or if she should stay where she was.
King Dorephan sensed her fear, and he addressed her again. "Young lady, please. No need to fret. Considering I came barging in on you like this, I don't expect you to be formal toward me. In fact, I dislike formalities in general."
"Y-yes, Y-Your M-Majesty." I guess that runs in the family.
He chuckled kindly at the flustered young woman. "You know, young lady, underneath this crown I am simply a regular Zora."
She stopped trembling and peeked out at him from behind the blankets that had been covering her eyes. She took a deep breath, and looked up at him in the eye. He was much taller and larger than Prince Sidon, and he towered over her. "Th-thank you, King Dorephan. That helps me to think about it that way."
"Excellent! Now, dear Paya, the reason I am here is because I wanted to personally apologize for my conduct last evening. It was very unbecoming of me, especially as a Zora. I never meant to cause distress or harm to anyone, and I fear I have done so to both you and my son."
She took a deep breath before speaking, trying her hardest not to stutter. "King Dorephan, thank you for apologizing. I know your intentions were only good, and there was no harm done. The food was unbelievable; I have never tasted such flavors! Thank you for that divine meal I shared with Prince Sidon last night. It was excellent! I only ask that you leave out the Blue Nightshade if you plan to do that again. Do we have a deal?" she was smiling at him warmly, and he grinned at her.
"Paya! My dear, you are a delight! And yes, we have a deal." He bent so far down she thought he was going to fall, but instead he held out a fin, and she awkwardly shook it.
"Also, my dear, you are most welcome for the meal. I should be going now. Prince Sidon wants to see you. I just wanted to tell you how truly sorry I am."
"All is forgiven, Your Majesty. Thank you for taking time out of your day to personally come talk to me. That alone is an honor."
He smiled and looked into the Sheikah's eyes kindly. No wonder my son is so captivated by her.
King Dorephan left, and Prince Sidon was nearly right behind him.
"May I come in?"
"Yes, Sidon." He walked through the open door.
"I talked to my father last night. I assume he apologized to you?"
"Yes, he did Sidon. You have quite the honorable family. I see the apple does not fall far from the tree."
Sidon blushed at her words. He suddenly bent down to her on the bed and pressed his lips against hers again, in another passionate kiss that made her blush even more than she had been blushing with the king.
"I have another surprise in store for you today."
"What is it? May I have a hint?"
The Zora prince thought for a moment, then exclaimed, "If I give you a hint it will give it away! Come, follow me. It won't take us long to reach it."
Curiosity got the better of her, and she quickly followed Sidon out to the wilderness slightly beyond the domain. After walking for a while with Sidon, she could see something large with blue lights on it coming into view. She suddenly gasped. "Sidon! Are you taking me to Vah Ruta?"
"Yes, I am, Paya. She truly is a sight to see."
Paya could hardly contain her excitement. She grew up hearing stories of the Divine Beasts, but she never thought she'd see one in person. She was always with Grandmother in Kakariko Village, never venturing out beyond its borders.
They reached the top of a cliff where Vah Ruta was sitting, and she took in the sight of the Divine Beast that was even bigger than she had imagined in her mind.
"I don't know why, Paya…but sometimes when I come up here by myself to sit with Ruta, I can nearly feel my dear sister Mipha with me. It's almost like she never left." Paya noticed his sad voice again, and a tear that was rolling down his cheek. She quickly placed her arm around his side.
"Sidon…I know what it means to lose someone. I lost my mother when I was very young. It was one of the worst things that ever happened to me, and I was too young to understand. I imagine it might have been similar for you, losing your beloved sister at such a young age. I am so happy that you are able to come up here to the Divine Beast and feel her presence with you. She is with you always, Sidon."
A sudden, soft-spoken echoing female voice startled them both. "Sidon, she is right. Listen to her."
Paya and the prince's eyes grew wide.
"Mipha?" Sidon was looking up, and Paya followed his gaze to a bright orb of golden light that was settling down on the cliff where they were standing. In a blinding flash, the spirit form of Champion Mipha was standing in front of Sidon and Paya. Their eyes grew wide, and Sidon ran to the spirit form of his sister, unable to feel her as he wrapped her in his arms.
"Sidon, you've sure grown since I last saw you!"
He looked down at her with tears in his eyes, but he couldn't speak. Paya couldn't stop her tears as she watched what was happening in front of her in disbelief.
"My dear sister," Sidon said quietly.
"Sidon, it is so wonderful to be with you again. I don't have much time, but the Goddess grants me time with Ruta, and I saw you approaching with someone this time. I admit I may have pushed my privileges a little too far. I just had to see you, my dear brother."
"I am overjoyed you're here, Mipha."
"Sidon, who is this lovely young woman?"
Paya immediately blushed and looked up, smiling at Mipha.
"Mipha, this is Paya. I met her at the Royal Wedding, and she has a heart made of pure gold, I am certain of it." He kissed Paya's hand as he introduced her.
Paya could finally speak. "Mipha, I grew up hearing the stories of your endless compassion and selfless love for others, and of your bravery during the Great Calamity. I know all of those stories were true. It seems you have taught your little brother well, Mipha. I see all of those things in him. You were clearly the perfect big sister for Sidon."
Mipha smiled at her. "Thank you, Paya. You greatly honor me, and you greatly honor the Zora. Thank you for being a comfort to my brother's broken heart. Please, take care of him well. And Sidon, thank you for protecting our Domain, just like you promised me you would. I'm so proud of the Zora you've become. Please remember that, my dear brother."
Sidon had tears running down his face at Mipha's words, but he managed to speak. "Mipha, I know I never said it, but I love you. I always looked up to you. You made me the Zora I am today."
Mipha put her arms around Sidon, wrapping him in a hug he could not feel. "I know you do, Sidon. I love you too, my brother. Please tell Father I am very happy now and at peace in the Spirit Realm, and we will all see each other again one day."
"I know our hearts will never be apart, my dear sister. I know you're always watching over Zora's Domain."
"That's right, Sidon. I must go now, but I am here with Ruta quite often. That's why you feel close to me here. If you need to talk, or anytime you miss me, please feel free to visit Ruta."
Prince Sidon nodded.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Paya."
Her spirit faded, and Paya held Sidon close as his tears wouldn't stop flowing, then slowed again. "I apologize, my sweet flower. I didn't expect that, and I don't mean to cry in front of you."
"Sidon, you can cry all you want in front of me. It tells me you have a tender heart, and I like that in a man…er, male Zora." He grinned at her through his tears, and they held each other close on the cliff in the lingering presence of Mipha's spirit and the shadows of Vah Ruta.
