Paya woke up late the next morning, for the first time on her own without Sidon knocking on her door. She stretched as she got out of bed, making her way to the doorway. She quickly looked out to see if Sidon was in the long hallway, and seeing no sign of him, she re-entered the room and shut the door. A small envelope on the floor caught her attention, and she realized it must have been shoved under the door.

Curious, she picked up the envelope and opened it. Inside was an elaborately decorated invitation. It read:

Dearest Paya,

I, King Dorephan, request the honor of your presence along with Prince Sidon and the Royal Advisor, Muzu, tonight at 6 'o'clock sharp in the Dining Hall. I would be greatly honored if you would accept this invitation to join us for dinner.

— King Dorephan

P.S. Make sure you come hungry!

Paya's stomach was in knots, and she had to re-read the entire letter to make sure it was real. The King wished to share a meal...with her? She was in shock as she stared at the little piece of parchment she was holding, unable to tear her eyes away from reading it once again. She immediately went to her closet, choosing a dress for later that evening. She chose the one she had first seen on her first day there, a beautiful evening gown with royal blue and aqua and intricate wave designs on the silky, shimmery fabric. It reminded her of mermaid scales with their shiny pastel rainbow colors reflecting off the fabric. It was simply gorgeous.

Paya decided she had time for a quick shower and time to do her hair. She quickly finished and was working on finishing her hair when she heard the familiar knock at the door from Prince Sidon, much later than usual.

"Come in!"

He slowly opened the door, and he walked to the back of the room where she was kneeling in front of the mirror. His gaze met hers in the mirror, and she blushed at how he was looking at her. She managed to squeak out a "Good morning my prince," and put the finishing touches on her hair before standing and turning to face him.

Sidon couldn't take his eyes off of her. "My dear, you are simply ravishing. Whatever is the occasion?"

Paya was shocked he hadn't received an invitation, and she quickly showed him the envelope.

"Ahh, yes. I should have known. My father always loves to share a meal with guests before they leave, if at all possible. It is his way of showing his care for others. I pray you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. I think it's sweet. I would love to get to know your father a bit more before...I have to leave tomorrow."

Paya, if I may ask...may we spend our last day together here within the walls of the Domain? I would love to take you out like we have been doing, but I want to savor this last day with you as much as possible, my sweet pearl. I would love to take you to the Royal Library and show you the books, and the Zora Ballroom to dance with you there. I have other places within the Domain I would love to show you as well."

"Sidon, that sounds perfect. I look forward to our day together."

They did exactly those things, and finally it was nearing the time to have dinner with King Dorephan. They made their way to the Dining Hall, and the Zora butler they had seen before was there, along with several more, busily preparing for the dinner ahead. Paya watched, fascinated. She was impressed with how everything came together in the Dining Hall with the butlers working in perfect harmony.

King Dorephan and Muzu suddenly came through the doors. Paya immediately curtsied and said "Your Majesty,"and he nodded at her and replied "My Lady. Thank you for accepting my invitation. I see you are early, which is a quality I very much espouse. And, if I may, you look stunning, my dear Paya. It is little wonder my son is so enthralled with you. And remember, there is no need for formalities with me, unless that is what you are more comfortable with."

Muzu smiled at her and nodded in agreement, and Paya blushed at the sudden praise and compliments from the Zora king. She managed to squeak out a timid "thank you, King Dorephan."

He smiled, then invited her to sit at the table next to Sidon. Muzu was sitting across from them, and the king was on one end, at the head of the table. Prince Sidon was dressed in his best outfit, and she loved the sight of him in something so formal, despite the fact that it covered up his torso a little more than she would have preferred.

The dinner they shared together was again one of the best meals the young Sheikah woman ever had. Course after course was brought out, with the butlers scurrying about, waiting on their every need. She felt like a queen being treated so formally and enjoying flavors of foods she never would have imagined to exist.

Their conversation was lively, with the king sharing funny stories of his life and young Prince Sidon and Mipha. Muzu joined in with the storytelling, telling of when the King and Queen of Hyrule first came to the Domain and had taught him much about the acceptance of others, namely Hylians, but really of all the races, and how he was a much happier, more relaxed Zora than he had been in the past.

They asked Paya multiple questions, and she told stories of her life growing up with her grandmother in Kakariko Village. They laughed at the humor and liveliness of Impa, and how they could see her qualities in her granddaughter. She told of when Link and Zelda sat her down and told her she was beautiful, and how she would someday find someone, and that she never believed them until now. She expressed her deep thanks to the Zora king for allowing her to stay in the Domain for so long, and for the great honor of allowing her to stay in the Champion's Quarters, no less.

Soon the dessert was brought out, and Paya was nearly full to bursting. She managed to finish her dessert, which was an elaborate cake designed in the shape of Vah Ruta, and it was the second best cake she had ever eaten. (The first place winner was the wedding cake at Link and Zelda's wedding, made by her locally famous chef, Koko from Kakariko Village.)

Trays of various fruits and homemade ice creams were brought out along with the cake, and by the time Paya and Prince Sidon were finished, they could hardly move. Their conversation continued, and they laughed with one another as each of them told another story in turn.

The King suddenly clapped his hands, and the butlers all scurried to clean the tables. They pulled out each of their chairs, extending a hand to them as they stood, and they all stepped away from the table in the dining hall.

Paya immediately curtsied toward the king. "Your Majesty, thank you for this indescribably wonderful dinner. I have never experienced anything like that in my entire life, and I cannot thank you enough in words for this and for everything you've done for me. I will surely miss you and this entire place when it is time for me to leave tomorrow."

He gently bent down and lifted the Sheikah woman's chin with his fin and looked her in the eyes for several seconds, not saying anything. She was shocked and trembling at the sudden contact of the king, but his face was kind. Finally, he opened his mouth to speak.

"My dear Paya. Your heart is as pure as the way my son described. It was my complete honor to have you join us in Zora's Domain for the last moon, and I only pray you will come back to visit again. If I ever get around to traveling, I would very much like to meet your grandmother to thank her personally for raising such a remarkable Sheikah woman such as yourself."

Her heart was pounding at the compliments of the king toward her. "King Dorephan, you flatter me. I-I don't know what to say." She lowered her head again, and the king once again lifted her chin to look into his eyes. "Paya, please. You may call me Dorephan. There is no need for any formalities between us now."

She audibly gasped and quickly relaxed. The king continued. "The hour grows late, and if you don't mind, I would like to speak with my son privately. He shall meet you in the Champion's Quarters shortly. Muzu, won't you please show this young lady to her room?"

"Yes, my king."

Muzu walked Paya back to Mipha's old room, laughing and talking the whole way. He expressed his full agreement with everything the king had said, and she thanked him and bid him farewell. She collapsed onto the waterbed, thinking to herself at how this whole experience truly was a fairy tale dream come true. Her heart ached to leave, but she would definitely be back soon. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay away for long.

The sudden familiar knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts, and she quietly called for Prince Sidon to come in. He did, and he sat on the edge of her bed, leaning down to kiss her. He lifted his head after a minute or two, and he looked at her with pure love in his eyes. "Paya..." His voice broke as he turned away, his tears threatening to make themselves known. "I am so blessed to have had this time with you."

"My prince, you know I feel the same. We'll just have to make sure we visit each other often."

"You are correct, my sweet flower."

After kissing her goodnight once again, Sidon stood and gazed at her sadly, knowing this was the last time he would be kissing her goodnight for a while, until either of them could visit one another again.

"Goodnight, my beautiful Paya. I shall see you in the morning." Before he had a chance to open the door to leave, her voice called to him from the back of the room.

"Sidon, how did I ever get so blessed to have you? I never thought I would ever find someone."

Sidon looked at her in shock and ran back toward the bed and kneeled on the floor. "My dear! Why in all of Hyrule would you ever think something like that?"

Paya giggled. "You saw me from the beginning. I fainted in your arms! I was a stuttering mess. I was so awkward, always blushing all the time, and you know me…I still do many of those things. I didn't know how to handle myself around the opposite sex. You won't believe this, but I used to have a major crush on Link, and every time I would see him I would almost die. I used to be so awkward, Sidon."

Sidon gazed into her eyes deeply. "My sweet flower...I love the color of your face when you blush. I love the way I hear your pulse race at my touch, and at the sound of my words. I love how you stutter sometimes and how shy you can be. Please don't ever think you are unworthy of love. You are simply perfect, Paya. Your 'awkwardness,' as you say, was what made me fall in love with you...I...I love you, Paya."

Paya looked at him with tears in her eyes. He had never told her he loved her before, and she desperately wanted to tell him but never did. "Sidon…I love you, too, so very much." She kissed him deeply once again, realizing she had truly fallen hard for her prince. Now she really didn't want to leave tomorrow.

As if reading her mind, the Zora prince spoke again. "This past moon has been the best moon of my life. I never want to be apart from you, my pearl. What would you think about me staying in Kakariko Village with you for a while?"

Tears were rolling down her face, which Sidon gently wiped away. "I couldn't possibly tear you away from your royal duties here, Sidon."

"Nonsense, Paya. My father and Muzu have things under control, and I leave quite often anyway as it is."

Her heart leapt. "If it's not too much of an inconvenience for you, I would love for you to come and stay in the village with me, Sidon!"

He kissed her sweetly on the lips. "It's settled then! We shall pack first thing in the morning." He reluctantly lifted himself off the bed, and he bent over and kissed her goodnight.

"Goodnight, Sidon. I love you."

"And I love you, my dear Paya."