Chapter 1
Zelda. Everyone should know who she is. She is often widely known as princess Zelda. I know her quite a bit as well. She has long, brown, braided hair, blue eyes that glow deeper than the deepest oceans and seep with wisdom. I know this young woman's wisdom. Not to say that I'm not wise, myself. I have a concise pattern of elusiveness when it comes to people's wisdom. It was odd when I met her as a 9 year old girl. She had the wisdom of an adult. She had the wisdom of an otherworldly being. She was only 9 mind you. Zelda stood in front of the court's men, and the court's jury, deciding the fate of a criminal. With such decisive, and loving, sapiential nature, she decided on his term being that of a life sentence. No execution, no wrongdoing. The criminal did learn to rely on her for his future thought processes. Everyone in this world relied on Zelda for their thought processes. Zelda gave them intelligence when it seemed no one else would. The world doesn't need to rely on Zelda. Zelda needs to only care for herself.
Some might say I was the one who brought selfishness to Hyrule's princess. I might agree to it. What's a little selfishness when the reality of mind is included into it. Our nature, our being is that of selfishness. I need for this young girl who bended to others' whim, to become a self-serving woman. She was, for a while. Some may say I abused Zelda. I was only educating her in an old school of thought. A school of thought I grew up proselytizing. I loved my school of thought. For me to force something down a young woman's gullet, that's just crazy. Zelda was someone with skill, potential, and promise. I was someone with skill in my field as well.
My name is Drophy Akata. Some call me by my code name, Ms. Merry Christmas. I'm in my late 70's. But as fate would have it, I just so happen to be quite younger when our story begins. I was a pirate, living my life in a state of piracy, committing crimes. But as life had it, I had decided to become part of Baroque Works, and do some line of work recruiting agents. I decided to recruit young Zelda. Some might say for the thrill of taking her money, I opt for the thrill of being a sounding board for her. I've been friends with her….business partners with her for many years. I've shaped her essence since she was 9 years old.
Zelda. Her beauty, her radiance, her effective leadership, it drove me to inquire about her. She had come out of school one day, dropping her bag on the floor by accident. "Zelda". I said, gently. Zelda turned her head, responding to her name. "Y…y…yes?". Zelda asked. "You might have dropped something as you were traveling". "Here you are, darling". I said, gently, picking up her school bag. "Thank you". Zelda said. "I…I…I didn't know I even dropped it". "well…I knew…but I guess…I didn't judge".
"Hmm". I said, as my lips curled into a smile. "We often judge what we're not sure of…so as not to be hesitant". I said, gently. My purple lips seemed to purse a bit. "Did you not judge at the risk of being hesitant?". I asked, kindly.
"I guess….I guess I didn't judge…but I wasn't hesitant". Zelda said. "I'm usually not a hesitant person".
"Neither am I". I said, gently, as my voice coated in smoker's rasp, and a deep, feminine allure comforted Zelda, and swaddled her in a woman's nurture…a woman's fervor. She needed it after the death of her mother. "But that's what makes us so similar, isn't it?". "Our love of the assuring, and definite". "We needn't see past what already exists". "We only see what is there, and what makes up the exact". "We don't need other people's opinions, or fantasies". "We only need what is there, now". "We report on the facts". "I find you very interesting in that way". I said, gently. "Oh, well, thank you". Zelda said. "I find you interesting, too".
Zelda looked up at me, as she held her teddy bear close to her. "What's your name?". Zelda asked. "I'm Drophy". "It is a pleasure to meet you, honey". I said, gently. "I've been seeing just how gifted of a person you are, how lovely of a person you are, and I must say, we are one in the same, perhaps". "We know quite a bit for what we've been gifted".
"I know". Zelda replied. "People say I'm kind of gifted, also".
"Well, it's true, darling". "You are a gifted individual who will use her skills to make her essence, much better". "Your gifts will change the world". I said, gently. "Oh well, thank you". Zelda said. "I have something for you…in case you become thirsty for something hydrating". I said, gently. I handed Zelda a lemonade. "Just in case we both become thirsty for knowledge".
"Thank you". Zelda said, as she glanced around. Her father, the young and brash King Daltus came to pick her up. He was a gentle individual. "Zelda, I thought perhaps it was said you weren't to talk to strangers…wait…who is this?". Daltus asked. "Oh, my apologies for not introducing myself earlier; my name is Drophy". I said, politely, shaking Daltus's hand. "I'm a consult for the acquisitional leaders of Hyrule". "I see potential in your beautiful daughter, here". "She truly has a mind that is so advanced for her age".
"She does". Daltus replied, liking the compliment. "I've seen her solve diplomatic problems that were too advanced for us to solve, she has an exemplary level of maturity".
"She is very beautiful as well". I replied, with gentleness, as I bent down to Zelda's level, stroking her face with a somewhat wrinkled hand. "I wish I had youth like hers…wisdom like hers, she does a lot of wonderful things". "You must be a proud father".
"...she is beautiful in her own special way". Daltus said. "I feel good that your compliment helped us in many ways". "How would you like to come by for dinner?". "We are having some Lamb Udon".
"Mmm". I nodded, gently. "I am available for a drink, although lamb does bother with my high blood pressure". "That, and I have a bit of an ulcer". "I'd be happy to discuss certain things with you if you'd like". I said, gently.
"That would be perfect….if you're gain to do it". Daltus said. We both agreed, as I nodded. "I have a vehicle we could ride in, if you wish". I said, gently. "But I do need to watch as my back could give out at any moment".
"We're quite alright". Daltus agreed. The three of us went back to the house, as I smoked my cigarette. The smell of ashen smoke made Daltus want to cough, but I knew he was being polite for my sake. "I'm sorry if it's bothering you". I said, politely. "I've been a smoker for many years, quite a few of them involved me gaining incentives by having cigarettes". "Hmm….what a plight that was".
"No, it's quite alright". "We have quite a bit of them here in the kingdom". Daltus replied. "Mmm, and some of them are women, I will guess". "How obstreperous, the turnaround". I said, as I finished. "In any case, your daughter; my Zelda, has influenced and inspired women everywhere with her diplomacy". "She truly is a product of wisdom, and intellect". "I love how outspoken she is".
"She definitely is that, and has been that for many years". Daltus said. "I remember her as being 2 years of age, and already able to recite the alphabet". "She can do anything she wishes".
"There is truth behind that statement". I said, with politeness and assurance. "She is able to do anything she wishes". "With her knowledge, she can be the best philosopher, leader, and Queen there ever was". "All if you allow me to invest in her, take her on trips, and be a confidant to her". "She can do anything she wishes". "With your permission of course". The corner of my lip twitched a bit as I said this. "She can…although we have to be sure she wishes to". Daltus said.
Zelda had been paying attention as she glanced upwards. "Yes?". She asked. "Would you like to become World Renowned by traveling with Drophy?". Daltus asked. "More than ever!". Zelda said. "Trust me, my darling". "We'll see the world, we'll have some fine cuisine, we'll meet all sorts of dignitaries, and have expenses on our travels". "It will be a lovely time". I said, gently. I smiled a kind smile, seeing the nonchalance, and processing might, the acquisition of positivity in Zelda, as she glanced upwards. I knew this young woman was right for me. "My Zelda, we seem to know more than the average person when our minds come together". "I promise you we won't fail". "Join me, and you'll be the best there ever was". I promised, gently. "Ok". Zelda agreed. I smiled a kind smile, knowing this girl would be made a woman soon enough.
A smile curled across my wrinkled, painted lips, cracked with a smoker's essence, yet hidden by the paint it had. The rest of my face had smoker's wrinkles. "I'm very glad you agreed to it, Zelda". I said, gently. "You're someone with much skill, and proprietorship". "I commend you".
"Thank you". Zelda said. I took a sip of my wine. "So, what do you like doing when you're by yourself, darling?". "Is there a special place you like to go, or a special thing you like doing in order to escape?". I asked, gently. Zelda and I had some time to ourselves now, as Daltus was called into a meeting. "I like to sit in my room, and I like to read". Zelda said. "I like reading about mythological heroes, and Yokai, some of the time". "Sometimes, I read about Astronomy, sometimes I read about math…like multiplication, and division". "I like reading the books my birth mom gave me".
"Mmm". I nodded. "Your birth mother….that's a curious fact".
"I was originally adopted". Zelda said. "My birth parents were killed in the great war that Hyrule had years ago….and I was adopted into the royal family". "I was adopted at 6 months, and my adoptive mom died when I was 3". "But I'm ok….I have my dad….and my grandma Impa". "Her name is Impala Koatiri, but the courtsmen shortened it to Impa for some reason".
"Mmm". I nodded, as I sipped more of my wine. "That must've been traumatic for you…losing your mother at that age". "3 years is a traumatic time for anything to happen". "Our minds are still so fragile, and susceptible to anything". "We can't afford to lose anyone that close to us…or have anything discerning happen to us when we're still little". I said, gently.
"I know…but I'm ok". Zelda said, attempting to move past the subject. "How did you feel in that moment….knowing your adoptive mother, who cared for you, loved you, and praised you as if you were hers; biologically; was gone?". "What were your thoughts?". I asked, softly with gentleness.
"well….I guess I thought that she was sleeping in that moment, but I knew she wouldn't wake up". "I was kind of depressed….but I knew it would be ok". Zelda said. "I'm ok as of now…and I don't need anyone really".
"Well, life is a complex thing…and even though you may feel as if you're secure in your endeavors, you do need someone, anyone to dissent to you". "You need someone to guide you along, even when I know you're an independent woman". "You need royal treatment, because you are my royal, and I need you beside me, as much as you need me". "Zelda, darling, we should never hesitate to bring forth some actualization to our measure". "The actualization is, that you need someone to mother you, to give you love, and strength". "Why not let me do your bidding, and give you the love you desperately need". "My love for you is strong, Zelda". "Your love for me, is essential for a woman's fervor". I smiled a gentle smile. "I need you, my beautiful Zelda".
"I know". Zelda replied. "That is such a beautiful name, Zelda". "I wish I had a beautiful name like yours". "Your birth mother gave you your name?". I asked, gently.
"I guess". "I think". Zelda said. "My birth mom….I don't know much about her, because she died young". "I don't…I don't know". Zelda sniffled, as she glanced upwards. This allowed me to bend down to her level, stroking her face. My darling princess… my sunshine's lovely, porcelain face. I will follow her until she loves me. ;).I promise I'll be kind, but I won't stop until she is mine. Which now, it looks like she will be mine.
"I know right now is difficult to determine….but I promise you, things will be quite easy for us…easy for you". "Do you know why that is?". I asked, in a soft, gentle voice. I was kind to my Zelda, maternal. "I…I…I don't know…I…I". Zelda stammered. "Take a guess". I encouraged, kindly. I smiled a gentle smile. "I don't know…and I can't determine it, easily". Zelda said.
"Mm, it's because you have me". I said, gently, with kindness. "I'm always here for you, at your bedside, making certain you have all you need". "You have someone who is a mother to you". "You have someone with a lot of essence". "You are someone with skill, and proprietorship". "You, can do anything, with me by your side". "I can make even the most impossible wishes come true". "With me, anything can be plausible, as long as you have the fortitude, and willingness to work alongside me, and allow me full control of your wishes". "You have someone, who loves you just as much as your parents do". "Allow me to be that woman". I chuckled a bit. "We'll do anything just as skilled, if not better than the men do". "We'll have leverage over the men".
"Ok". Zelda agreed. "You do understand that if we are to excel at anything, you do need to follow my direction, darling". "Allow me full control". "It may be painful at some times, and the apt pain you'll feel will be the equivalent of treading on sharp knives". "Are you certain you wish to endure this?". I asked, gently. "I am". Zelda agreed. She perhaps thought; at that age, that she didn't have a choice in the matter, and that everything was decided for her. Impa decided that she was at the threshold of business. "Very well then". "I know you're quite young, and you're still improving handwriting techniques, but if you sign this, it will be a binding contract". "Essentially relegating you into the business proprietorship with me". I said, gently. "You're an easygoing woman, you can follow directives easily".
"I know, and I can". Zelda said. She signed on the dotted line, essentially turning over her royalties to me. I smiled, signing my half, as I folded the document up, placing it into my pocket. "Wonderful now". "Welcome aboard, darling". "I know we'll have a lovely time coalescing together". I said, gently. "A beautiful, intelligent woman such as yourself, need not waste your talents". "We can do anything…my favorite". I chuckled as I said this, kissing Zelda's cheek, gently. Zelda felt comforted by this, as she nodded. It was a comforting factor. Even now, when things were at their most equivocal. It was a certain faction. Hmm….well then.