Welcome to chapter eight! I have quite a few ideas for later in the story that I hope to get to soon. Thank you to my reviewers since I added chapter seven- Kurumi-chan; adrian-air-fire; Omega87; Spiritual Stone; sasukeuchiha180; Futuristic-dudette; Ericketiting; The Al Bhed Princess; Infernal Flame Zero; Sheik's twin; TheGoddessKnight; Sakurelle; Kariah; Belle89; Gir Crazy; Silvara; and lilykat14.
Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of the Legend of Zelda series.
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"How dare she?" I cried, pacing back-and-forth. I was back at the castle, in my bedroom.
"Princess, please settle down," Impa said. "You do not know for sure that Malon was talking about Link. And even if she was, who is to say that Link reciprocates those feelings?"
I sighed and flopped onto the bed. Impa was right, as usual. Still, it bothered me to know that one of my best friends could have her eyes on my man.
Wait- Link isn't my man. All this time that I've been moving about angrily, I've been behaving as if Link and I are a couple. But we are not, and probably will never be.
As this realization again hit me, tears welled up in my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.
"Princess, please do not cry. I know you worry about losing Link, but remember that it is your royal duty to marry someone of noble birth."
I only cried harder. Thanks for the reminder, I thought, depressed.
Impa sighed, sitting next to me on the bed and handing me a handkerchief. I wiped my eyes and tried to relax, and finally stopped crying.
"I just love him so much, Impa. I know of my royal duties, but I'm determined to find away to get around them. Surely there must be a loophole."
Impa actually smiled at this, puzzling me. "What is it?" I asked.
"I think I know just the thing that will permit you your happiness. All we need to do is convince your father that Link is right for you."
I actually laughed at this. "Please tell me you aren't serious."
"I am, Princess."
"And how exactly do you intend to do that?"
"I'll find a way. Although I sense that Link is already proving his worth right now."
"But how can we convince my father without even knowing if Link likes me?"
"Trust me, he does," Impa insisted, walking to the door.
I started to ask her how she knew, but she had already left the room.
I opened my eyes to find Link bent over me, bathed in moonlight. His cerulean eyes were twinkling from beneath the strands of golden hair that had fallen into his face. He brushed them back as he leaned further over me, stopping a few inches from my face.
"Good evening, darling," he said in a tone I'd never heard from him before. It was even deeper than his normal voice, and quite... seductive.
"Hello, Link," I barely whispered, lost in his eyes.
He grinned at me before closing the distance between us. I could feel him press his lips to mine, surprised, as always, at their softness. After he pulled away from me, he continued to smile and stare into my eyes.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered. "I love you."
"I love you, too," I found myself saying.
Suddenly, Link walked to the other end of the bed and crawled in next to me, pulling the covers over himself. I rolled onto my right side to face him, and he pulled me closer and kissed me again. He gently parted my lips with his tongue, deepening our kiss.
A moment later, we pulled apart, and he pleaded me with his eyes and voice. "Please, let me have you, Malon."
I awoke with the a start. Link had mistook me for... Malon? Oh, I've never been so mad! Okay, almost never...
Enough of this! Whether Link likes Malon or not, I'm not about to let her take him away from me! It's time for something drastic! Something like...
I went to the wardrobe and pulled out one of my closest-fitting dresses. I hung it on the door for later, knowing my father, the suitors, and the guards that attended them, including Link, were expected back just in time for the evening meal.
Link's going to see a different Zelda tonight, I resolved as I dressed for breakfast. I'm going to look more stunning than ever.
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My client looked on eagerly as I rubbed my crystal ball. "Ah, yes, Anju, Kafei will surely ask you to marry him soon," I insisted in my fake accent. "I sense a little danger in the future, but once it passes, both of you shall go on to live very long, happy lives together."
"Thank you, Madame Hexe," the tall brunette said. I'd heard from servants that had gone into town that she keeps cuccos and is quite strange, but she seems nice enough to me, and I sincerely hope that she'll have a happy marriage.
After Anju left, another client entered. I spent some time with him, quickly discovering that he felt the need to give me a lot of details. Just as I finally finished with him, it was time to pack up for the day and return home, to prepare for the feast to welcome home the hunting party.
When Impa came in to help me dress and saw what I'd picked out, her eyes went wide. "Are you sure, Your Grace?"
"Of course."
"Ah, concerned that Malon will steal Link, I see," Impa said with a chuckle. "Well, fear not. It is quite obvious to me that he only has eyes for you, Princess."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I have my ways," was all she would tell me.
I pulled on the dress, and Impa laced up the corset, but not tight enough. "Pull the strings tighter," I insisted.
"But Princess..."
"Tighter."
Impa sighed and did as I said. I drew in a deep breath as she tied the corset, and, letting it out, was surprised to discover that I could still breath comfortably.
"Is that tight enough now?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Can you breathe alright?"
"Yes."
I went to the mirror, and noticed that the dress definitely fit right. It was a deep blue, almost the hue of Link's eyes. The sleeves were short and off-the-shoulder, and the low scoop neck did a wonderful job of showing off my cleavage, pushed up by the tight laces, which also flattered my tiny waist.
Impa untied the strips of fabric from my hair, allowing the curls to tumble down my back. As she did my hair, carefully pinning back the sides, I put on my makeup. When we finished, she stepped back and looked me over.
"You look beautiful, Your Grace," she said, smiling warmly at me. "All eyes will surely be on you tonight, including Link's."
"Just what I'm hoping for. Thank you so much, Impa." I returned her smile, giving her a hug.
"You are welcome, Princess. Now, go on, all are waiting for you."
I put on my shoes before leaving the room. I went to the staircase and noticed that Link, my father, and the suitors were awaiting me at the bottom of the staircase, although none appeared to be looking in my direction. I took a deep breath and carefully made my way down, ignoring my nervousness. When I was about halfway down, my father suddenly looked up and gasped, prompting everyone else to turn around.
I smiled as I continued my descent. Impa was right- all eyes were on me. Especially Link's. Just as I wanted.
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