"If you'd announced yourself, I wouldn't have had you imprisoned, cousin!" Daltus exclaimed, practically tripping over himself as he led the two of them from the cells and to the other side of the estate. The rooms became gaudier as they went on. It almost made Zelda sick.

Daltus was not old. He was in his mid-thirties, but he acted like he'd only just reached puberty. He was known for using his status for expensive companionship, be it buying friendship or other relationships. His parents were both still living, and they held the throne fairly securely, so he never felt the need to worry. He'd been coddled his whole life, yet he'd grown up to be a fairly competent leader, if spoiled and self-centered. But in some ways, that selfishness was a blessing, because it extended to his family's kingdom. He would do a fair few illicit things for his kingdom.

"I didn't want to reveal who I was to anyone but you. How are Auntie Teleria and Uncle Edmund?"

"They're doing quite well. Saddened, of course, to hear of the losses of Uncle Nohansen, Aunt Llyan, and my dear, sweat baby cousin. Her loss was the great tragedy of this all. But by the Goddess' blessings, you are alive!" His smile was a hard mix between genuineness and forced civility. But that was easily overtaken by a genuine disgust as he actually looked at her for the first time.

"Oh," he balked, looking at her weathered boots, and to Link's. "You look… well… what happened to your hair? I can see how you passed as a pauper. You truly look horrible."

She gave him an exasperated look. "Thank you, that means my disguise to cross a kingdom unnoticed worked."

"What in the bloody name of Din happened to your hair?"

Zelda turned to Link for a brief moment of needed relief from Daltus' face. Link bit back a grin, but said nothing.

"Maid!" Daltus said, snapping his finger to stop her. She bowed. "This is my cousin, Princess Zelda of Hyrule—"

"Daltus!" Zelda exclaimed. "Not yet!"

But he pointedly ignored her. "She needs to look presentable. Tell the local seamstresses to gather a team or whatever they must do to get her appropriate attire, take her to the best guest room, and clean the filth off of her."

The maid was slim but looked as if she could comfortably scale several flights sof stairs without being winded. That was something Zelda desperately wished she could say. The girl had dark hair that was tied up and out of her face, much as Zelda had done while on the run.

Daltus' eyes flickered to Link. "Who exactly are you again?"

"Link Forrester."

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" Daltus chuckled.

Zelda stepped between them. "He's my guard. He's the reason I got out of the castle alive, so show him respect, cousin."

"Fine, the barracks are out back. You may stay there during your stay."

Link nodded and bowed automatically. He was used to orders and simple, direct commands, but he hadn't realized that he'd forgotten his place a bit while travelling with Zelda.

But she didn't care and grabbed Link's arm to stop him. "No. Daltus, he is my one and only guard. I trust him far more than I'll trust anyone you assign to me. Give him the room closest to mine. I'm sure Niko has plenty to spare."

And it seemed that, despite the bizarre news of his cousin's return, the idea of a guard getting his own room was the most outrageously unacceptable thing he'd heard. "A guard! In a private room! Never in my years!"

Zelda squeezed Link's arm and then let go, holding her hand to her mouth and stifling a sob. "Daltus, sweet cousin, I hope you never have to go through the horrors I have. This man… he's the only reason I am alive. I owe him! Please, find it in your heart to make an exception. Life debts are serious things, and I mean to begin repaying mine with the simple comforts a private room can offer. Look at us! We are dirty, and we're tired. He's been sleeplessly guarding me day and night. I would hate—"

"Fine, fine!" Daltus grumbled, waving a hand to the maid. "Take them both to their rooms, and get them something decent to wear… not that… mud-riddled attire. And ensure the Princess has suitable clothes by tomorrow. I expect something fit for royalty."

"That's not necessary, and we really must speak now. I've come a long way and through many dangers."

"Relax for a night, and we will speak tomorrow when you are rested and presentable. Niko will not want his furniture ruined. And that… orange color in your hair," he turned to the maid, "See to it that she looks as she used to."

"Do I have a say?" Zelda asked with crossed arms.

Daltus stopped and smiled. This time, it was not carefully concealed, but a very obvious look of disdain on his face. "You do not come here unannounced when most of your kingdom believes you to be dead, as I did until just now, and give orders to me. We are equals, and I am dealing with a great load on my shoulders. The least you can do is to look your part and you can then take your place with us tomorrow. Now, excuse me. I must find Niko and tell him what has transpired."

"Your Majesty, Sir Knight," the maid bowed, "If you'll both follow me?"

Link hurried up to Zelda's side and gave her a look that was the epitome of 'whoa' without words. She returned the sentiment silently and they climbed a tall flight of stairs, headed down a long hallway, and were finally led to two doors just beside each other.

"Your room, Sir Knight," she said, gesturing to the first door.

Link cleared his throat. "I'm not a Knight. I never made that rank."

"Oh," the maid said, embarrassed. "What… what shall I address you as, then?"

"Link?" he shrugged. Zelda bit back a smile. That would never fly for this household.

And it was immediately proven by the maid's flaming red cheeks and stutter. "I-I-I'm afraid that is improper! I cannot!"

"Sir Link will suffice," Zelda offered. And though he was about to protest, her glare silenced him. "It is not improper to address a soldier as Sir."

"He's not a Knight," she protested before realizing with openmouthed horror that she'd just backtalked the Princess of Hyrule. She threw herself to her knees. "Majesty, forgive me!"

Bending down, Zelda rested her hand on the young maid, and turned to Link. "Just go inside and they'll send someone in soon. I'll see you in the morning. Be nice and do what they say. It'll make life far easier." He rolled his eyes and went inside, allowing Zelda to turn her attention to the young servant. "Please, don't worry about it. You're right; he isn't a Knight and you have every right to point that out. But we are just trying for a compromise. Now please, never fall to your knees before me again." Zelda helped the girl to her feet and grasped her hands. "What's your name? What should I call you?"

"Seres, Majesty."

Zelda smiled. "That's a beautiful name. Named for one of the Seven Maidens of Legend?"

"Yes, Majesty."

Zelda let herself into the room, despite Seres hurrying to beat her to the door, and she looked around, taking a deep breath. "Wow."

Seres hurried ahead to smooth the silk bed and draw the curtains before ringing a bell on the wall to summon others. "Master Niko keeps every room prepared for guests at any moment."

"It's almost as grand as the palace," Zelda muttered, taking in the introcate carvings along the baseboards, the gold, the royal blue. Niko clearly had an inferiority complex, as this guest room could outdo several of the least-used rooms back home.

"I wouldn't know that, Majesty, but I know Master Niko loves this aesthetic."

Zelda grinned. "That's very polite of you to say."

Seres tried to hide a smile, but it broke through just as another maid appeared at the door, looking inside with wide, curious eyes. After receiving whispered instructions, the girl took off again.

"Majesty, the seamstresses will be up for your measurements, and I have Wynn getting clothes for today, as well as some warm water for a bath."

Zelda sat on the bed, reveling in how comfortable it was. She imagined Link might have already passed out on it. "You don't have to call me 'Majesty' all the time. I'm actually quite used to being called Zelda, though I gather that's not quite something you'd be comfortable with."

"No, Your Highness, it's not."

"We'll work on it." With a sigh, she ran a hand through her hair. "Any idea how to get raspberry out?"

"A few washes should do it, depending on how long ago you first put it in and how many times you've washed since."

A knock on the door had Zelda jump for a moment, but Seres answered it and several women came into the room, crowding Zelda in a way that reminded her of home. Several women stripped Zelda of her dirty clothes and offered her a long, silk robe before taking hers away for washing. Two women began to measure Zelda, jotting some notes down before leaving. While that was going on, a tub was filled with warm water and topped with freshly plucked rose petals.

Soon, Zelda found herself lying back in the water and felt like she was drowning, her head and hair dunked into the water and scrubbed aggressively. It took some time, but soon the clear water of the tub was filled with the remnants of the red raspberry dye she'd made, and her hair was back to normal, though she felt that it had almost been a waste to wash the rest out so soon.

Finally, after all that, she found herself in a nightdress with a beautiful silk robe over it, ready for the night. It was still late after being removed from the cells, and Zelda was tired. Seres helped her comb out her hair and prepared the bed for her, warming the sheets with coals from the fire tucked into a neat container at the foot of her bed before answering a knock at the door.

"Deacon, who was with your guard, says that he has been sufficiently cared for and is headed to sleep. He will see you in a few hours," she said as she returned to help Zelda out of the robe.

"Thank you for helping me tonight, even despite the late hour."

Seres smiled and bowed. "It is an honor, Majesty. I will wake you in the morning as well. Hopefully, the seamstresses will have one suitable garment ready for you."

"Get some sleep yourself, Seres," Zelda said as she showed the girl out.

Zelda almost threw herself onto the bed, but reached to her discarded boots in the corner, glad that they'd been forgotten, and pulled out her knife, sliding it under her expensive pillows before her eyes closed faster than she could even realize that it was her first night alone since Link had helped to save Saria. And as much as she loved feeling his warmth beside her, she also liked stretching out as much as she could.

But when light creaked through the window, she recognized that she'd been spoiled, and her past love of sprawling out had been replaced. She realized just how used to Link's presence she'd become. And she already missed it.