THE HIDDEN PRINCESS

CHAPTER 6

::MARIDIA POV::

Finally it's the day of the tournament, which means that hunk of a prince, Link will be here. Just the thought of those deep azure eyes staring back into mine causes me to shiver and blush slightly.

Suddenly, a soft groan is heard from behind and I glance over my shoulder towards my bed. The guard I slept with last night stares at me from the bed with sleepy eyes and a half smile as he props himself up on an elbow.

"Hey there beautiful." He says with what I assume is his attempt at a charming smile, trying his best to lure me back into bed with him.

I just roll my eyes and go back to getting myself ready, I must look my best for, Link. Goddess, just his name causes me to shiver with anticipation. When I first met him on his 18th birthday, I couldn't help but wonder what that toned, muscular body of his would feel like against mine, his callused hands roaming every inch of my body, those perfectly shaped lips on the skin of my neck, whispering words of pleasure as I run my fingers through his beautiful dirty blonde hair. Just the thought makes me blush and bite my bottom lip as I close my eyes.

My thoughts are interrupted however when the man from last night walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my shoulders while placing soft kisses up from my shoulder to the nape of my neck, causing me to groan in annoyance. He doesn't hear the annoyance in my groan and takes it as something else as he moves up to graze the length of my ear with his teeth. Sighing, I stand up and force him away from me before going to my wardrobe to pick out the perfect dress.

"I was thinking we could have breakfast together.'' He says while coming to stand beside me.

"No thanks, I already made plans with my family."

"Well, how about we-"

I cut him off and turn to give him my best glare, which causes him to move away slightly.

"Look, Ben-"

"My name's, Charles." He corrects, earning him an annoyed eye roll as I slip into a crimson red gown.

"Charles, what happened last night was a one time thing. Don't take it as anything more than that." I state simply as I adjust my dress under my breasts to make them look more perky.

"But-" He starts before I look him dead in the eyes and place a hand on my hip.

"Look, for one. I'm way out of your league. And two, I'll be meeting my future mate today, and while thinking of his perfection I needed a release. You were the closest man I could find, so I used you." I say in a matter of fact tone, causing his jaw to drop before he came back to his senses and started getting dressed.

He mumbles something under his breath but I ignore him so I can continue to get myself ready. He then leaves the room in a huff, slamming the door shut behind him as I admire myself in the mirror. My natural makeup is done to perfection with a bit of liner to make my hazel green eyes pop, my long brunette hair is curled on either side of my face while the rest is placed onto the top of my head in a loose bun, held in place by a red ribbon adorned with gold accents.

Once I'm satisfied with my appearance, I blow myself a kiss in my full length mirror and walk out of my room to have breakfast with my family. As we're all eating and conversing around the table about the events for today, Lucian decides to go train with his Beta and Gamma before the tournament begins, leaving my parents and I alone. They explain how I'll be sitting beside them in the judgement box at each event, along with King Harold, Queen Althea, and Princess Zelda. I nod in understanding, excited to see, Link in action.

A few hours later, I decide to go for a walk around the grounds to get a feel for things when I spot my brother stalking two people in front of him. The one person I notice is my little sisters maid, but the other I can't tell who they are since they're hidden behind a cloak. Curiosity getting the better of me, I follow behind him while sticking to the shadows. My brother stops the maid and begins to question her. Once I get close enough, I duck behind one of the walls of a house that make up the grounds of the castle, it's one of the servant homes I gather and soon, I strain my ears to hear their conversation, which isn't too hard with my wolf hearing.

"I-I was just t-taking my friend here around, t-they wanted to see w-what it was like since this is their first time in our k-kingdom."

I hear her stumbling out an explanation and roll my eyes, 'he really isn't going to believe her with an excuse like that' I think to myself. Then I see my brother walk towards the cloaked figure, much to the maids dismay, and spin the cloaked figure around quickly, causing their hood to fall from their head.

I gasp at the person I'm seeing, I know they're using illusion magic, and I know I haven't seen them in years, but there's no denying that the person in front of my brother is none other than our little sister, Lilly. The envy and jealousy I feel because of her beauty bubbles to the surface again, but this time it's all consuming and I clench my fists against my side. Her silver hair that falls in waves down along her back to her butt and flawless creamy white skin seem to glow with an ethereal light even with an illusion cast upon her, her curvy yet slender athletic body wrapped in a lavender tunic and brown leather corset, with brown tights and black knee high leather boots just add to her beauty, and her almond shaped violet eyes look gorgeous even when she's sobbing in front of our brother.

If, Link happens to see her, even with her illusion, I won't be able to compete with her. Why? Why does she not only have to be the chosen child of prophecy, but also the most beautiful woman to grace this earth. It's not fair, it should be me. It should be ME!

As I'm fuming at my thoughts, a voice seems to drift into my mind and take me by surprise.

"It can be, you can have everything you've ever wanted." The voice says, causing me to look around in panic for the source of the voice but to no avail.

Seeing my distress, the voice chuckles in my mind.

"I'm not here, Princess Maridia. But I know you and what you truly desire. If you help me, I will give you everything you want and more." The voice states, causing me to panic more as flashes of, Link and I making sweet love to one another enters my minds eye, me being his queen, and Lilly gone.

"If she stays, you'll lose everything." The voice says, then flashes of Lilly taking my place in Link's bed and by his side enters my minds eye, making me sick with fury and envy.

"So, what do you say princess? Will you help me and in turn, help yourself?" And just like that, my mind and heart are consumed with hatred towards my little sister.

I smile wickedly as my hazel green eyes darken. "Tell me what needs to be done."

The voice cackles menacingly, causing my smile to widen as I watch my brother and sister arm in arm as they make their way out towards the grounds.

"Soon, things will finally go my way. So enjoy this while you can, because it's about to come to an end." And with that, I slowly make my way back into the shadows, heading back to my room to converse with the voice inside my head and formulate a plan.

::LINK'S POV::

As we get closer to the tournament grounds I sit up straight and run a hand back over my hair, making myself look like the prince people expect me to be. My sister watches me and giggles softly, earning her a confused look. She just shakes her head and places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Link, dear brother. Everything will be fine. Just be yourself." She says with a soft smile.

I return her smile and nod before she takes her hand from my shoulder and looks straight ahead. Even though we're twins, Zelda has always been the perfect royal, with dignity, grace, and an unwavering sense of justice. Compared to me, the prince who loved to rough house, climb trees, sneak past the guards to go exploring outside of the castle town, and cause a ruckus when I would chase chickens to the point they'd attack me, she is everything a royal should strive to be. Or so my parents like to say, constantly.

Once we reach the grounds where the tournament will be held, I notice the King, Queen, and Princess are all standing there waiting to greet us. I internally roll my eyes and groan at the sight of the princess, knowing that once I step out of the carriage, she'll practically throw herself at me like she did on my 18th birthday. Remembering that day, even my wolf gags which causes me to smirk. At least I'm not the only one who found that disgusting.

With a quiet sigh, I follow my family out of the carriage to greet the others.

"Harold! How've you been old boy?" King Roland exclaims as he pulls my father into a hug.

My father chuckles and returns the hug while patting the king on the back. "I'm good, Roland. And who are you calling old?" My father asks in amusement as he lightly punches, King Roland on the arm, causing them both to burst out laughing.

After introductions are made, and a few compliments towards myself and my sister from the king and queen, and vise versa, we see another figure running up to us. His light blonde hair is slicked back and he's wearing a light blue tunic under a black vest with black leather leggings and boots to match. I assume this is, Lucian.

Suddenly he stops and sniffs the air before he looks directly at, Zelda who in turn gasps and brings a hand up to her slightly trembling lips. My parents, along with King Roland and Queen Gertrude seem to know exactly why the two are acting in this manner and smile.

I just look between the two of them, trying to figure out what's going on when I hear, Lucian whisper.

"Mate."