Zelda laid back on her bed, undecided if she should take her hair out of its plait or not. She stared into the mirror for a solid while, wondering if there was anything else that might happen before the night was up that might require her to look presentable. Honestly, after her day, she was so mentally exhausted from dealing with Daltus that she didn't care if any visitors saw her in her royal regalia or her nightshift.

She'd seen Seres earlier, saying she'd return later that night to help Zelda out of her dress, to ready for bed. And in that same brief exchange, she also mentioned that her contact was more than willing to meet, though he was about to leave town on a short trip. He'd see her on his return.

In all honesty, Zelda could have rung the bell early and instructed the guards not to disturb her so she could just go to sleep now, but she liked Seres a lot, and didn't want to drag her away from whatever she was doing for Zelda's convenience, not when she knew she'd see her later.

Seres reminded Zelda of another one of her ladies back home, Marnie, who had been her most trusted lady, and close friend. Seres didn't seem much different, as if the two of them could have shared a soul. Perhaps Marnie's had bounced into Seres after the massacre. Or, perhaps that's the only way Zelda knew how to keep her old friend alive: by looking for her in someone else.

Resolved that she was far too disinterested in even entertaining the thought of a visit from Daltus, Zelda wiped her face clean and then began to pull several pins from her hair when she heard a light rap on her window. She grabbed her chest as she gasped and turned around, trying to slow her breath as she hurried to unlock the window. There was a small balcony, but it was for show more than practicality, especially since there was no door leading to it, and Link was casually leaning on the railing with his arms crossed as he watched her.

"What are you doing?" she hissed, unlatching and pulling the window open.

He just grinned and ducked through the window, looking around her room, studying it with an impressed expression. "Yours is nicer than mine."

Zelda, however, couldn't focus on him as she poked her head out the window. There was no path that connected their two balconies. "What, did you jump across?" she asked, finally turning to him with the most incredulous expression.

He laughed. "I know I'm impressive, but that's a bit much. I shimmied over."

She scoffed and poked her head back out, looking out again at the narrow ledge; there was barely enough room for an entire foot to fit on the small piece of wood that she imagined was not designed for humans to slide across, and then tried to avert her eyes from the long drop to the ground below. "You're absolutely mad, Link. I've thought it in the past, but you've just confirmed it."

He turned to her and offered a dramatic gesture with his hands, and a joking expression on his face. "Only mad for you."

"Dead for me is more like it," she said with one final look at the gap between their balconies before closing the window again. "This is likely going to be a such a stupid question to you, but why not just use the door like every other person in the world?"

"Where's the fun in that?" he laughed, throwing himself backwards onto her bed. "Besides, I didn't want your guards counting how long I'm in here."

"You did say you could find a way into my room."

"And I said don't ever doubt me." He stretched out. "Your bed is more comfortable too. I'm jealous. I might just stay here tonight."

Zelda rolled her eyes and sat beside him, looking down at him. "And when your… what was his name… Deacon? When Deacon comes to wake you up and you're not there, and Seres sees it's because you were in here with me? What then?"

"We'll time it. I'll go back before they come in."

"Across that stupid ledge," Zelda muttered. "I should get you a large plank of wood."

"Vines are less conspicuous."

She scoffed, still looking down at him. "I don't know which is worse: vines or that ledge. Neither was meant to hold you."

Link grabbed her and pulled her down to him. She yelped and felt herself laughing as she landed on the mattress off to the side of him. His head lolled over to face her with a dopy grin. "What I wouldn't do for you, Zelda."

"You're really something, Link," she said, sitting up and glancing at the door, to be sure no one had heard her soft screech and thought she was in danger.

"Nervous someone will come in?" Link asked, following her gaze. "It's not like we're doing anything scandalous," he whispered dramatically.

Gods, she could hear him actually controlling himself from saying something more. It was clear in the way his muscles tensed and his mouth narrowed into a tight line of restraint.

Zelda felt herself blush at the thought. That was not something she could let her mind linger on right now. Instead, she lowered herself back beside Link, getting comfortable in a spot where she couldn't see his face. "A soldier and a princess unchaperoned in her bedroom isn't scandalous? The more you talk, the more convinced I am that you actually wouldn't mind being castrated."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm getting out of here!" he said, moving to sit up. But Zelda moved without thinking, pulling him back down before throwing herself across his chest, keeping him down. She didn't want him to leave. She was exhausted, and all she wanted in that moment was to return to the way things had been at the inns: to just close her eyes and wake up and find that somehow in the night, she'd wound up entangled in his arms, or could feel the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest under her hand.

He laughed and, as if he could read her mind—or simply wanted the same thing as her—wrapped his arm around her waist, shifting slightly so they were both more comfortable, one arm resting under his head, the other around her. Zelda rolled her arm over so her elbow wasn't poking into him, and she rested her head down into the crook of her arm so she could look at Link. His hand lazily ran along her back and he made a face, his fingers slowing over her spine. "Gods, how can you breathe? How many laces are even on this thing?"

Zelda arched an eyebrow. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

He rolled his eyes and Zelda watched his neck tinge red as he stared up at the ceiling.

"Link," she said quickly and before he could come up with a retort, "I have a serious question for you. I realized today that the original arrangement between us was that you'd get me here to my cousin because you were going to join his army. You've gotten me here. Despite what I would hope, I'd never presume to know your answer, but I was wondering if… are you staying?"

His head jerked back in surprise at her question, and his arm tightened. "What exactly are you asking? Am I staying with Daltus' army, or as your guard, or… some other option I can't think of right now?"

Zelda steeled herself and took a deep breath. "I'm asking… I wanted to know if you'd be willing to stay with me. I mean, if you want to, of course. But if you don't, that's also fine. It wasn't the original plan you had but… stay with me until the battle? Don't join his army."

She felt her heart thud under the intensity of his stare, as usual, though his effect on her never lessened no matter how often she was caught in it.

"Are you asking me that as Princess Zelda Aravis Thaisa Hyrule, who, as the future queen I would never say no to?"

Her lips twitched up. "You got my whole name right."

Link had a few different kinds of smiles. There were some that were genuine joy, some that were soft and affectionate, and some that just screamed that he was thinking something entirely inappropriate. So, he smiled. "Oh, I've been practicing."

She felt herself warm up again, fire where his arm rested on her waist even through the fabric of her dress and on her palms where they rested on his chest, despite never even coming near his skin. "I can't. I never know why I actually want you here," she laughed. But it faded quickly as she returned her focus to his question, and she sighed. "No, I'm not. I'm asking you as… as Linkle Green, Hilda Woods, and Zelda Forrester. Just as the girl you met who had to rub disgusting raspberries in her hair and couldn't stay on a horse without a saddle you knew before all this pomp and circus. Forget the title."

"I like that last name. There's a nice ring to it," he joked. As if she wasn't already red enough. "I kind of thought you already knew my answer to your question though."

She shrugged. "I hope I do, but I'm not going to assume anything on your behalf because everything we do now is dangerous, and I would understand if..."

But Link shook his head. "You'll have to do a lot better than that to get rid of me. Of course I'll stay with you, Zelda. I'll stay until you kick me out of your service. Or your room. Whichever."

"Not likely on either of those," she muttered, closing her eyes, comfortable against Link. His hand moved absently against her back.

"Then get used to me," he laughed.

"I am used to you," she snorted.

"Good. I'm used to you too," Link said before clearing his throat. "Okay, this is going to sound weird, but you brought it up indirectly and now I'm genuinely curious." She peaked her eye open and she was surprised by how honestly thoughtful his face looked, his brows scrunched as his brain kicked into overdrive. He made a face, but decided to keep going, despite the awkwardness he felt just asking. "I've never thought about it before, but does everyone take your royal surname when they marry? Like, if you marry some king, who gives up their name? What was your mother's last name again? I only ever knew it as Hyrule."

Zelda grinned at his train of thought. "You know her last name, actually. It's in my name: Aravis. But yes, traditionally, anyone who marries into the royal family will take our name. If it's two royals joining kingdoms, usually we'd both keep our birth names and just add theirs as one of our middle names. Though, there have been instances of shared names with some other marriages. My great grandfather was Gustav Teravin, a noble. When he married my great grandmother, they both combined their names together so Gustav Teravin-Hyrule and Zelda Teravin-Hyrule. My grandparents dropped the Teravin to return to traditional names, which usually happens after one person goes rogue. We can thank their marriage for making me related to Daltus, who actually has Teravin as one of his middle names to honor them. Anyway, there are a few others who've done that to their names, but I believe my great-grandparents were the most recent. Don't quote me."

"Would you ever do that?"

Zelda grinned deviously, catching his attention by running her finger over his chest in a light circle that had his breath hitching. "Why? Are you thinking of marrying me again, Link? One fake marriage to me wasn't enough? You ask a lot of questions about my future marriage."

He chuckled and closed his eyes, keeping them off her. "No. I'm a soldier, remember? I can't afford to dream quite so big. I just wanted to know how to address you in my nightmares."

She raised an accusatory eyebrow at him anyway. "Maybe you can't afford to dream it, but you're still doing it anyway."

He peaked one eye out at her and smirked before closing it again and pulling her closer against him, though she hadn't thought it possible from her position.

"There's a beautiful woman literally lying on top of me. Forgive me for having a few forbidden thoughts."

Zelda leaned her forehead down into his chest to hide her face as it burned. His chest bounced with laughter. She shook her head, trying to slow her heart-rate, which was rarely a successful endeavor around him.

Instead, she looked up at him. His eyes met hers, tired and drooping though they were. There was an indestructible smile on his face as he stared, and she could feel her own lips mirroring his.

"You look tired," she said, feeling the weight in her own eyes threatening her.

"You too."

She pushed herself up and pressed a soft kiss to Link's lips. He freed his hand from behind his head to push some of her loose hair back over her ear, though it didn't stop it from falling forward and tickling his neck. She shivered as his thumb traced a quick, light line down her jaw and rested on her chin, his fingers brushing her throat.

She pulled away, genuinely surprised at how breathless such a chaste kiss could make her.

"I thought we couldn't do that anymore," Link grinned, his hooded eyes looking between hers and her lips.

"Well," Zelda muttered with a guilty tone, "True. But honestly, who will know unless there's a spy in my closet?" Sitting back, she couldn't help but take a quick glance into the doors where a few dresses were hanging.

But she turned back to Link to see his eyes sliding closed. "Hey, no, you can't actually stay here, remember?"

"Just give me five minutes, then I'll go back," he muttered before feeling her head back on his chest.

"Fine, five minutes," she said, getting comfortable against him as her own eyes drifted shut.

Link woke up with his arm incredibly numb. Looking over, he could see Zelda still sleeping, and his discomfort was forgotten, worth it. He slowly slid his arm out from where it rested while trying his best not to disturb her so he could go. But something wasn't right.

And then he noticed the mortified expression of someone standing just inside the doorway.

"Shit," Link muttered. He should have known. He never woke up unless something caused him to wake up. He shook Zelda. "Wake up. We have a problem."

"What?" she whispered, not making any move to wake quickly.

"Zelda," he said more urgently.

That had her sitting up, and she followed his gaze to where it rested on the dumbstruck Seres. Zelda's hand went to her waist, and she groaned remembered that she was still in her dress, and Seres was here to help her change.

"Seres," Zelda said, springing to her feet, holding out a hand to the girl. "I hate to do this to you, but you know you can't say anything, right? You can't tell anyone what you just saw. Prince Daltus or Niko might do something rash."

"No, Majesty, I would never," she said, barely audible. "But how did Master Link get in here?"

Stressed, Link ran his hands through his hair after looking at Zelda. "I'm sorry. I dozed off."

"It's okay, so did I," she said, brushing it off. It wasn't just on him. "I don't know why, but I trust Seres. But it's probably best you go back."

"Same way?"

Zelda nodded, and Link hesitated.

She gave his arm a light push. "I'll be okay. Go."

He groaned and ducked out the window, watching for a few moments before disappearing from view.

And it left Zelda alone to clench and unclench her fists. "Seres, we traveled together for a long time..."

"You don't need to explain. I understand. Believe me, Princess, I wouldn't say a word. My loyalties are with you. I used to work in an apartment attached to the palace. Your family always treated me very well when they were around. I only ever saw you from a distance, but I knew your lady's maid, Marnie. She spoke highly of you. I can see why. Please, don't think I'd betray your trust. I will never tell a soul."

Zelda's forehead scrunched up, questioning how true this story could be. Seres knew Marnie by name. She didn't spot any of the obvious signs of deception in the girl, but she could see that, despite her nerves over the situation as a whole, her voice was steady, and her eyes were unwavering. Her gut was screaming that she could be trusted. Besides, it's not like she was in the habit of beheading people she didn't trust or anything like that. She almost found herself with little choice but to trust her. "Who did you work for?" There were multiple apartments, and she didn't know which Seres was referring to.

"Sir Galvin Rutherford."

Zelda's mouth dropped. She recognized that as the son of one of the most prominent noble families in Hyrule, so much so that they lived in the apartments just a hallway walk away from the actual palace itself.

And thanks to that, all the Rutherfords had died in the massacre.

"I'm sorry," Zelda said, finally closing her mouth.

Seres took a step forward. "I don't work for your cousin or Master Niko out of love or loyalty. I was in the city visiting my dying uncle when the castle was attacked. I would never have left my household during the attack. I would have gladly died to try to give them time to escape. They treated all of us like family. I want this war to end with the death of the usurper, and I want you to be the Queen. I know that's what the Rutherfords wanted as well. We were all undying in our loyalty to your family. Your cousin doesn't share that sentiment. From what I understand, he is pleased that you survived, but he would have been happy if you'd died as well."

"He'd kill you for saying that," Zelda muttered.

Seres nodded. "I know. But you said it yourself: you need allies who are willing to help you. Let me start to prove myself to you. And let me share one with you as well: Prince Daltus will likely not act if he found out about you and Master Link if he knows you're aware of his secret. He has a forbidden romance he'd like to keep to himself as well. If he says anything to you, you have leverage."

"What? Who?"

"The master of the house. Master Niko."

Zelda narrowed her eyes. "Forbidden? Niko is a noble. There's nothing forbidden about th..." she stopped herself, feeling stupid. "No legitimate heirs."

"Exactly."

"How do you know this?"

Seres began to set out a nightdress for Zelda, holding it up as if that were answer enough. "Servants in this house are invisible and inconsequential. We know far more than we should."

"That's horrible," Zelda whispered, thinking back to Marnie or Helena. Her ladies maids were her closest friends.

But Seres smiled darkly, a forced and trained smile, and begin to undo the laces. "That's just life, Princess."

"It shouldn't be."

"You were blessed by the Goddess with an affinity to notice those who are otherwise invisible. I heard stories today about your time in the war. The person closest to you is a soldier you met in a prison cell. You are actually talking to me, whereas Master Niko would ask why I sneezed if he was requesting silence. You are a good person. You'll be a great queen."

Zelda stared at the floor. "I think… I trust you. Besides, you haven't tried to kill me with a knife yet, so I'll call that a step in the right direction."

And for the first time, Seres actually laughed without looking like she'd done something horrible. "I'll keep taking those steps, Your Majesty."