At once every land proclaimed her as Queen.

She watched as her Kingdom was rebuilt

With him by her side at every step of the moment

She didn't know of the trials that awaited her,

Otherwise, Zelda would've spoken the truth

"I love you."

My Curse

By: PlumBlush

The warm hints of summer came in the form of wind. It brushed against the bareness of my arms, pulling at the fabrics of my nightgown. I was surprised, it was night and yet the air still held a bit of heat in it.

The Kingdom of Hyrule was alight with lights. Song and laughter could be heard all the way to my corridors. I appreciated their enthusiasm on this day, it brought a certain day to the anniversary of Ganon's defeat. Third anniversary. It's been three years since his sealing, and every day I find myself reflecting upon that day. Perhaps it's tattooed to my very soul.

People see it as a happy day, and yet I find it hard to celebrate the day that came one-hundred years too late. If only I had…realized how to unlock my powers sooner…

After that day, Link and I ventured to all territories and domains, introducing ourselves as Champion and Princess of Hyrule. Support and enthusiasm were met by all Gorons, Ritos, Gerudo, and Zora, along with the promise to support the reconstruction of Hyrule Castle and Kingdom. With their funding and supplies, we had already rebuilt over half of what was lost.

Which was why Castle town remained as populous and festive as it was.

The tapping of footsteps sounded behind me, I already knew who it was.

I stretched my arms along the balcony rails, "It's a nice night isn't it?"

"Hmm," Came the hum of reply, I waited for his footsteps to draw closer before turning to my sworn Knight.

Moonlight danced along the highlights of his hair and even glittered among his lashes. Link's blue eyes reflected the warm glisten of the festival lights, flashing red, yellow, and orange. He was adorned in his Champion's tunic, a fitting outfit for today's celebration, which he shyly attempted to hide beneath the cover of his cloak. Link hated attention, which no doubt he was every year of this day. His blue tunic was like a beacon that attracted crowds.

My lips couldn't help but smile whenever he was near, just being with Link was a reason to be happy.

"Did you have fun at the festival?"

"You're funny," Link muttered, staring at the Kingdom's lights, "I was about smothered."

I couldn't keep the laughter down in my throat, it blasted through my lips when I thought of Link's face when a swarm of people came to meet him in the parade. We had walked side by side before being ambushed by the crowd. I had managed to weasel away, Link wasn't as lucky.

Though Link hated the attention, especially the kind he received from lovestruck women, who'd fangirl at his every movement and shout, "I love you!"

Honestly, I quite envied how they could express their emotions so easily. It was those three words that were forever stuck on the tip of my tongue. I could only express it, in these three words instead, "Thank you, Link."

My hand brushed up against his shoulder, causing him to look over, "For what?"

"I don't know…for everything?" I thought of every moment spent together, from the times I detested him being by my side, to the day of calamity, and every moment in between. All the good and the bad, "I have so many things I want to thank you for… I'm just grateful you're by my side…"

Link looked startled, quickly averting his gaze before shyly scratching the back of his head. A habit for when he's feeling timid, "Where's this coming from?"

"I just…wanted to tell you." I kept my eyes trained on Castle Town, trying to provide a distraction from this moment.

It happened in an instant. Pain struck across the entirety of my right side. The sensation was as if lava was pulsing through my veins. My knees gave way, causing me to fall to my side. I barely felt the collision of my body and stone, this wretched feeling distracted me from all my senses. Never before had I been in such agony.

I realized that Link had been screaming my name, screaming for help—which never came. I felt his arms wrap under my knees and shoulders, pulling me close to him. The corners of my vision were beginning to dot black. Through the haze, I could make out Link's face.

My love, those were my last thoughts before everything went black.