Translated by MissQuestions-LaAmazingNabo
Beta reader: Chameleon EyesThanks to both of them for their work.
Thank you all for your reviews, follows and favorites.
This chapter has Ilia's point of view instead of Zelda's, I hope you like it.
The Legend of Zelda series and its characters are property of Nintendo.
Chapter 4
Ilia
Although it was not the first time she had been in Castle Town, it was totally unknown to her. The memories Ilia had of that place were blurred and confusing; now that she had completely regained them, the memories of those days were dispersed. Of course, she still remembered Telma, the Zora prince she rescued, and other people and events more, it was just that she couldn't remember the place well.
Weeks before, her father, the mayor Bo, had received an invitation to assist a ball at the castle. Said invitation indicated that he could go with company, so Ilia had decided to go with him. It had been months in which she hadn't seen Link and she wanted to see him again. Even though the young man had left the village, Ilia still held hope that one day he would return, and then begin their life together.
It was hours until the ball, so they decided to pass by Telma's Bar. Rusl and Colin were also going with them, for Rusl had also received an invitation, and since Uli couldn't come— she had to take care of her barely one-year old daughter— and Colin wanted to see Link so much, he decided to bring his son. When they entered, the bar was full of people and all the tables were occupied. As soon as she saw them enter, Telma went to them with a big smile on her face.
"Long time, no see," exclaimed Telma. "Have you come for the ball?"
"That's right, Telma," said Rusl. "Did you also receive an invitation?"
"Yes," she answered, still smiling, and turned towards Ilia. "By all gods, Ilia! Look at you! You are lovely. This must be little Colin, correct?" she said, addressing the boy. "You've grown much since the last time I saw you. Come with me, the rest are in the table at the back; you can sit there."
Once they arrived at the table, Rusl quickly greeted its occupants, two men and a woman. Ilia knew the younger man, he was Shad, the scholar who had gone to Kakariko in search of a clue about the Oocca.
"Let me introduce you," Rusl said, addressing Ilia and her father. "These are my companions in arms, Auru, Ashei, and Shad." He then addressed his associates, "Comrades, these are the mayor of Ordon, Bo, and his daughter Ilia, and my son Colin." He placed a hand on top of the boy's head.
After the presentations and greetings were over, everyone readied to sit around the table.
"I'm to assume that all of you are invited, aren't you?" Rusl asked his old companions.
"That's right," Shad replied. "But we don't know why we were invited. It said in the invitation that an important announcement will be made during the event so it's logical that the mayors and representatives of different communities and regions were invited, like mayor Bo here present, but I can't find any logic in inviting us."
"For what I know," said Auru, "the princess has invited us as a thank you for contributing to Ganondorf's defeat."
"That's very kind of her part, yeah?" Ashei said. "But it wasn't like we did much of a thing. Link did almost all of the work."
"Don't think she hasn't rewarded him as is due," Auru spoke again. "Not only does the boy have an important position within the castle's guard, he's also the princess' personal guardian, and he seems to be content with that. It seems like they have become very good friends, too much, I would venture to say."
Ilia felt a pinch in her chest.
"What do you mean?"
"You know well what I mean, Rusl. They're young and they spend lots of time alone together, strolling, chatting, and they also go out to ride."
Someone placed a hand over Ilia's shoulder. She looked up and saw that it was Telma, who looked at her with a comforting smile.
"Of course, I don't believe there's anything to be worried with," Auru continued. "The princess is intelligent and wise, and our hero is a sensible and formal young man."
Ilia had never been in such a huge and luxurious place. The ceiling was at a vertiginous height and was decorated with enormous crystal chandeliers. It was such an impressive place that it took her breath away, and it was only the lobby.
There was still an hour left until the ball, but the invitations indicated that they had to show at the castle beforehand to accommodate and prepare the rooms that were assigned to them to spend the night in. Some servants guided them through wide, elegantly decorated hallways with paintings and armory, and red carpentry covering the floor. The room she had to share with Telma and Ashei was as lavish and impressive as everything she had seen so far, the beds were soft and covered with smooth sheets and the rest of the furniture were simple but elegant. If the guestrooms were like this, she did not want to know what the princess' was like.
If Ilia thought the lobby of the castle was impressive it was because she had no idea what the ballroom was like. The room was enormous, as big as the entire town of Ordon, the floor was white marble, the huge windows were decorated with velvet purple curtains and the lamps on the ceiling were of gold and fine crystals that shone with multiple colors.
There were several people now, though there were few nobles among them still. Ilia recognized quite a few people among the crowd. There was Renado and his daughter Luda, the leader of the Gorons, Darbus, accompanied by the elder Gor Liggs and even prince Ralis of the Zora.
At the front of the room, at the stand, was the throne in which princess Zelda greeted the guests and at her left, standing and serious, was Link. He was stern, firm and incredibly handsome, covered with a golden armor and well-groomed. He didn't standout at all, unlike her and the other visitors from Ordon, in that too elegant and refined environment; he even seemed to be comfortable being there. Ilia supposed that after a year he would be accustomed. A year, which was the time that had passed since the last time she saw him. How she had missed him so! After all these months, having him so close caused in her a bit of nervousness.
Ilia and her father waited near the ballroom's entrance to be announced to go and greet the princess. They were not the only ones waiting, several nobles and representatives of towns were waiting their turn before them, and Rusl and Colin were also waiting behind her and her father.
Link didn't seem to notice their presence; he seemed to be concentrated on his job as a guardian. When the people whom the princess had been speaking to at the moment left, Link leaned towards her and whispered something to her ear while smiling, and the princess gave a small laugh in response. Ilia again noticed that pinch in her chest after seeing the close relationship they seemed to have.
"Mayor Bo of Ordon and his daughter, Ilia," the majordomo finally announced.
Ilia placed her arm around her father's and both walked towards the stand. For the first time that evening, her gaze and Link's crossed. Ilia couldn't contain the excitement when she saw the smile that adorned his face. When they arrived at the stand, Ilia and Bo made a great bow before the princess. She was nervous, not only was she seeing Link after so long, but she was also before the princess of Hyrule herself.
"What are you doing there bowed so long?" she heard Link say with an amusing tone. "Doesn't your back not hurt?"
Ilia raised her head a bit and saw her father, who seemed somewhat embarrassed, standing beside her. How long had she been bowing like that? She looked at Link, who grinned amusedly.
"You must be more alert," Link told her in a teasing tone. "You cannot always be in the clouds."
Ilia couldn't help blush before such comment, which prompted her friend's laughter.
"Link," The princess said in a serious tone, although it was noticeable that she tried to hide a smile. "Do not make fun of your friend. With the time that has passed since the last time that you have seen her you ought to be more kind with her."
Link laughed softly, and Ilia looked at him with reproach because of that. He in response looked at her directly in the eyes with a kind smile on his face, a smile that made the girl's heart melt in any circumstance; it was difficult to be angry with him when he looked at her like that. Ilia sighed, defeated, and centered her attention on the princess, who waited patiently for this little game to end.
"Mayor Bo, Ilia," said the princess. "Welcome to Hyrule Castle. I am glad that you are here. Link has told me much about you and Ordon. It is a pleasure to finally meet."
"The pleasure is ours, Your Highness," replied the mayor with a slight bow. "Not every day is someone of our category invited to the castle, not even for a ball."
The princess limited herself to smile kindly. Ilia observed her attentively. There was no doubt that she was a very beautiful woman, with long and glossy light-brown hair; the features on her face fine and delicate, her body thin and well proportionate. Her gestures were also elegant and delicate. She had to recognize that observing her made her feel a bit jealous, her hair was not that pretty, her face quite normal; she was thin but with few curves and somewhat short.
"Where's the rest?" asked Link.
"Rusl and Colin are waiting back there," answered Ilia. "Telma is trying to convince Ashei to wear a dress, and Shad and Auru are waiting for them."
"Ah, I see Rusl and Colin now," Link said, looking at the back of the room. "If you excuse me, Your Highness," he said to the princess.
"Go on, Link."
Ilia observed how Link went down the stand and headed towards the majordomo.
"Tell me," said the princess. "What is Ordon like? Link has told me about the place, but I would like to know more.
"The truth is that there is not much to tell, Your Highness," replied Ilia's father. "It is a very small town, peaceful and with little neighbors. We dedicate ourselves to grow pumpkins and raise goats to make cheese."
"Link once told me that his job was to help with the goats, is that true?"
"That is right. He was of great help on the farm, for many times the goats listened to him more than Fado. When these escaped, Link was the only one who could manage to stop them."
"That he told me also, but he does not want to explain to me exactly how he did it. He seemed rather embarrassed."
"Well you see…"
"What are you talking about?" asked Link, who came along with Rusl and Colin.
"Mayor Bo was about to explain to me how you stopped the goats when you worked at the ranch," replied the princess.
"Why would you want to know that?" Link asked while scratching the back of his neck, embarrassed. "It is nothing of importance and it embarrasses me."
"Why does it embarrass you, Link?" asked Colin. "It's very cool what you do."
"Explain to me, please," the princess asked Colin with great curiosity.
"Well…" The boy stuttered, bashful from speaking to the princess directly. "When the goats come running, Link puts himself in front of them, feet planted on the ground, leans forward, and grabs them by the horns, stopping them. Then, he tosses them to a side, knocking them over." Colin was gaining more confidence as he spoke to the point that he grew more and more excited with the explanation, gesturing in an exaggerated manner. "After that, Link simply dusts his hands and goes on his way as if nothing."
The princess seemed quite impressed after Colin's explanation and looked at Link attentively, who looked the other way, flushed and self-conscious.
"I do not know what you are embarrassed of, Link," the princess said to him. "I think it is rather impressive. If I remember correctly, Ordon goats are quite huge."
"Well, let's leave it as it is," Link said, still blushing as he tried to change the subject. "Let me introduce you, princess. These are Rusl and his son Colin."
"Little Colin. Link has told me much of you," said the princess with a big smile. "He says that you are very brave. In truth, he has told me much of all of you. Someday I would like to go to Ordon, surely it must be a beautiful place."
"It would be an honor for us to welcome the princess of Hyrule herself in our humble community," said Bo.
"Is something wrong, Ilia?" asked Link. "You have been quiet all this time."
Ilia looked at Link and shook her head no, but subsequently lowered her gaze again. The truth was that she felt somewhat self-conscious in front of the princess. She felt a bit foolish, for even Colin, who was quite timid, didn't seem too uncomfortable. She looked at Link again, who was chatting excitedly with Rusl, and observed how much he changed since he left Ordon. Although he hadn't changed much physically, Ilia could note certain changes in him that weren't so evident, like his form of speech and movement. They were subtle changes, but she knew him since they were little, it wasn't difficult to perceive them. But even with those changes, she could see how his gaze and smile continued being the same; deep down, Link was still himself.
The ball took start the exact moment in which the sun disappeared in between the mountains. A considerable amount of couples danced in the center of the room, other guests chatted excitedly while servants passed among them, holding trays with snacks or beverages.
Ilia and the rest were next to the stand, talking to Link, whom the princess had dismissed a while ago from his duties so he could speak to his friends. The topic of conversation turned primarily around how Link's been doing during the time he left Ordon. He seemed really happy with his current job, in the mornings he was dedicated to train new recruits and in the afternoons he accompanied the princess wherever she needed to go.
"It might seem boring and monotonous to accompany Her Highness everywhere," Link said to them. "But in reality it's quite fun. Don't be fooled by that appearance of a serious and calm princess, she's really clever and mischievous."
"I heard that, Sir Link," said the princess from her seat on the stand with a reproachful tone, though she didn't really seem bothered, she had a small smile in her lips.
Link limited to laugh lightly and didn't say more.
"So it seems like things are going well for thee here, aren't they?" asked Rusl, to which Link affirmed with a nod, sporting a smile.
"And it also seems that life here in the castle sits well with you," Telma remarked. "Look at you, you look like a prince with that majestic armor, no wonder girls in Castle Town are crazy for you!"
He limited to lower his gaze, embarrassed, and to scratch the back of his head. Everyone laughed at the boy's shyness.
The evening went on peacefully and without incident. After a while of talking with his friends, Link had returned to his post behind the princess, but instead of positioning himself on her left like before, he was now at her right. Seeing this, Auru had remarked how strange it was, for the right was reserved for nobility.
"It could be that the announcement for which this ball was organized is Link's entrance into nobility," Shad commentated after Auru's explanation.
Despite that hypothesis making sense, everyone thought it was not fitting of someone as humble as Link to accept such rank.
When the party was at its fullest, the music stopped and the princess stood from her seat, calling the attention of all the guests. She waited several seconds for everyone to keep quiet before speaking.
"As indicated on the invitations," she began. "I have gathered you here, tonight, to make public a very important announcement. It is something I have been postponing for a long time, in wait for the ideal candidate to perform such an important role within our beloved kingdom." The princess paused before continuing. "After many years of searching along with the members of my council for said candidate, I can finally announce my engagement."
The princess extended her arm towards the right with the palm of her hand facing down, as if waiting for someone to take it. Ilia, as did the rest of the guests, looked towards the right of the stand, where a large number of nobles were gathered. Everybody waited expectantly for several seconds for the fortunate one to get up on the stand and take the hand that awaited him. But the hand that took the princess' didn't come from her right, it came from behind. To everyone's astonishment and Ilia's horror, Link took the princess's hand and stood beside her.
"I have the pleasure to announce my engagement with Sir Link, the chosen hero by the gods." The princess announced with a big smile. "Whom after the wedding will continue being my personal guardian, but shall also perform the role of royal consort."
Silence reigned in the room for several seconds. The guests looked among each other, confused.
Ilia was paralyzed with a horrified expression on her face; the man she loved for many years was going to marry another woman. They had always been together, since they were little, and they were the only ones similar in age in Ordon, so it was normal of her to think that, one day, Link would ask her in marriage. That certainty had disappeared the day he left, but she had held hope that he would one day return to her side. But now that had vanished completely.
She noticed how someone placed an arm from behind her back in a comforting manner. She knew without seeing that it was Telma, for she was the only one to whom she had confessed her feelings for the boy. She could hear how Telma told her words of consolation. She could also hear Colin ask his father what was going on and him answering that Link was going to marry the princess.
When she was finally regained awareness of everything that surrounded her, she saw how the guests parted to give way to the newly announced fiancés, who were walking towards the middle of the room, arm in arm. For a moment, Ilia's eyes and the princess's locked, but Ilia couldn't stand it and averted her gaze.
The couple danced several musical pieces in solitude until other couples joined them. Ilia observed how both talked happily while dancing, and she even observed how the princess told Link something in his ear. After that both separated and the princess returned to the stand while Link went towards Ilia and the rest.
"Congratulations!" Ilia's father exclaimed once Link was at their side.
"Thanks," the young man answered shyly.
"Eh, Link, are you really going to marry the princess?" Colin asked excitedly, to which Link affirmed with a nod. "So you will be king?"
"No." Link crouched to be at the boy's height and placed a hand on the child's head. "Zelda will be in charge of ruling. I'll only be by her side, helping and supporting her."
"Oh…" Colin lowered his head, disappointed.
"Huh? What's with the face?" asked Link, feigning indignation. "There's nothing wrong with not being king. It was me who preferred it that way."
"Perhaps Link will not turn into a king," Shad said. "But his title is equivalent to that of a prince."
"Really?" Colin's eyes sparkled with admiration and excitement.
Link laughed at the boy's reaction and ruffled his hair.
"Link, can we talk for a moment?"
The young hero looked at Ilia, confused, but then nodded. Both strayed from the group and went to one of the room's extremes, near the window, where there was no one.
"What's wrong Ilia?"
Ilia couldn't look at him to his face, she feared she would cry if she did. Suddenly, she noticed one of Link's hands on her shoulder, the other taking her chin to lift her face. Just as their eyes met, Ilia noticed something warm sliding down her cheek and a salty flavor on her mouth.
"There's no need to cry, Ilia," said Link in a comforting tone. "Even though I marry the princess, we'll still be friends. Nothing will change."
That was precisely the problem, everything would continue to be the same between them, and she wanted more. She lowered her head and dried her tears with the back of her hand.
"You're right," Ilia said, forcing a smile. "But tell me something. Why didn't you tell me you loved the princess? You have written many letters to me but in none have you mentioned your feelings for her."
Link averted his gaze from her and sported a small smile, but it wasn't one of his kind and jovial ones, it was strange. It seemed to reflect a bit of sorrow, of affliction, but it wasn't at all sad neither.
"This doesn't have anything to do with what I feel, Ilia," Link said, not looking at her eyes.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, confused, for which he sighed heavily.
"The princess's feelings or mine don't have any importance in this engagement, we do it for Hyrule's sake. It seems that the people of Hyrule have me in very high esteem, and seeing their future queen hand by hand with the hero is something of which they would probably rejoice. Besides, Zelda needs someone trustworthy by her side."
"You're telling me that this is a marriage for convenience?"
Link affirmed with a nod. All that was difficult for Ilia to assimilate. She had heard many times that marrying for love was not common amongst royalty and nobility, it was more normal to marry for politic or familiar interests, but she couldn't understand why he also had to do so, he was sacrificing his own feelings for the sake of the kingdom.
"Are you really going to do it?" Ilia asked with affliction in her voice. "You don't prefer to wait for a woman you love?"
Link looked at her at the eyes and after a few seconds of silence began to laugh.
"I don't see what's so funny," reprimanded Ilia.
"It's just that Zelda asked me the same thing when I accepted the proposal," he answered, doing all that was possible to contain his laughter. "The two of you worry too much for me, but you don't have to. I know well what I'm doing."
Ilia felt bad because of that comment even though it was meant to comfort her. It wasn't like she worried for him, it was because she was jealous. In that moment she wanted to confess what she felt for him, but she realized that it was too late. She could see the determination in his gaze, said what she said, it wasn't going to make him change his mind, and she preferred keeping him as a friend than losing him forever.
They returned to the rest. It seemed that while they talked, other people had joined the group. Darbus, Gor Liggs, Prince Ralis and even Princess Zelda were there, who was speaking to the young Zora prince.
"The groom is here-goro," said Darbus once he saw them arrive.
"Oh, Link, congratulations for your engagement," Prince Ralis said politely, shaking Link's hand.
"When is the wedding?" Mayor Bo asked.
"On the beginnings of the tenth month," replied the princess. "Of course, everyone in Ordon is invited."
To the exception of Ilia, all of the Ordonians there present smiled at that; it wasn't every day that some peasants like them were invited to a royal wedding.
"Everything is swell, but when are we going to see a kiss-goro?" said the elder Gor Liggs jubilantly, catching the attention of the engaged. "It's bland to have a party to celebrate an engagement if there's no kiss-goro."
All the guest that were nearby and had heard the words of the Goron elder turned towards them. Link lowered his head and turned as red as a tomato.
"Oh come on, what are you embarrassed of, Link?" the princess said, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and pulling him towards her. "It is not like it is the first time."
Link became even redder. Many of the guests laughed at the hero's shyness. Ilia limited to look at them. Link had told her that their engagement was only for Hyrule's sake, that there weren't any feelings in between, but the princess had implied that they have already kissed before. If he didn't love her, why did he kiss her? Then Ilia remembered that in no time did Link said he didn't love the princess. Not only that, she knew him well, she could tell what his eyes reflected as they lay over those of the princess as he went to kiss her.
Ilia didn't want to see more. Just as they were close in distance, she turned and swiftly left the room.
When she woke the next morning, she noticed the trail of dry tears on her cheeks. It seemed she had fallen asleep while crying. She rose from the bed and went towards the bathroom to wash her face. One she saw herself in the mirror, she noticed that her eyes were red. She had a horrible aspect.
She filled the pile with the water that was in a ceramic pitcher and soaked her face with it, and she felt great relief when she noticed its freshness on her skin. She dried her face with the towels that were on the stand and exited the bathroom.
In the room, Ashei still slept and Telma had already gone to open the bar. Ilia hurried to dress and left. She needed to get out of the castle, take a walk and breathe some air to clear her ideas. Luckily, she didn't have trouble to leave and the guards told her that she could come in later on.
The Central Square of Castle Town was full of people. Some went and came from the south zone with their shopping baskets, others were drinking coffee peacefully on the terrace that was southeast of the plaza, and a great number swarmed around a platform. Ilia crept closer to see what was happening. There was a sign hanging on the platform in which the princess's engagement with the hero chosen by the gods was announced.
"The princess is so lucky!" Ilia heard a short and somewhat plump, middle-age woman say.
"Tell me about it!" another woman, also middle-aged, replied. "The hero is a very polite and handsome young man."
"It's a design of the goddesses," she heard a man say. "That boy has come to bring us fortune and prosperity."
"There's no one more ideal than him to remain at our princess's side," said another man.
"Without a doubt, it's a blessing from the goddesses," an older woman added.
Ilia continued her way. While she walked, she heard people comment over the recently announced engagement. Without noticing, her steps took her to the stairs that descended down to Telma's bar. When she entered there wasn't many people inside. She could see the postman crouched in a corner, looking at a paper, and a pair of guards at the back taking their breakfast. Ilia decided to sit at the counter, where Telma dried some glasses with a cloth.
"You've gotten up early," Telma told her as she scooted close, to which Ilia nodded. "Do you feel better?"
"Yes, I believe so," she replied, placing her elbows on the counter and her head between her hands. "I've been strolling through Castle Town and it had helped me to think with clarity."
"And what are you going to do?"
"Is there anything for me to do?" she asked in a rhetoric manner. "If that's something he really wants to do, I don't have the right to interfere."
Silence reign between both after that. Seeing that Ilia didn't say anything else, Telma walked away from there to, in the span of a few seconds, return with a plate, a slice of bread with cheese on top of it, and a glass of milk, placing it in front of the girl.
"I've been hearing how everybody talked about it while I came here," Ilia said just after she finished eating. "Everyone seems to be happy with the news. I suppose that just as he told me, this is the best for everyone. I can't be selfish when he is willing to do anything for the sake of others."
"Those are very mature words from your part," Telma said while cleaning the counter. "It's not easy to set aside your feelings for other's sake."
"Despite everything he said, I think Link hasn't been at all sincere with me. I saw how he looked at her. It was a look full of affection. I've never seen him like that."
The hallway through where she was guided was decorated in a different manner than the one that leaded to her assigned room. Heavy curtains of blue velvet and golden tassels decorated the huge windows and the floor was covered with blue carpentry. After returning to the castle, she was told that the princess wanted to talk with her, so there she was, walking through the most luxurious part of the castle, guided by one of the servants.
After several minutes of walking through long and intricate hallways, they arrived before a big, hard-wooden double-door. The servant called at the door and opened it.
"Your Highness, Miss Ilia is here," said the servant.
"Bring her in," they heard the princess's voice say.
Ilia entered the room. During the walk over here she had believed that they were heading towards the princess's chambers, but apparently she was wrong. Before her was an enormous room with bookshelves filled with books and scrolls, in the center of the room, in front of a big window, there was a big oak-wood desk, a few armchairs, and a tiny tea table nearby. The princess was sitting on one of these armchairs with an open book on her lap, but once she saw Ilia enter, she set it aside and stood up.
"Sit down, please," the princess said while motioning towards the armchair in front of her.
The girl sat on the armchair as indicated while the servant left, closing the door behind him. Zelda sat down again.
"I have made you come because I want to apologize to you, Ilia," Said the princess.
Ilia looked at her, confused. She didn't understand that there was a reason for which a princess had to ask forgiveness from a peasant like herself.
"I do not understand why you apologize, Highness."
"It is for taking Link from you."
She didn't know what to say for that. It seemed that the princess had realized her feelings for her friend.
"From the things Link has told me, I suspected of your feelings for him," the princess continued. "Though he always denied that there was something between you. But yesterday, when your eyes crossed with mine after the announcement of the engagement, I realized that I was correct. I am very sorry."
The princess had no need to apologize to her. Although she didn't want to recognize it, deep down Ilia always knew Link didn't love her the same way she loved him, so in reality the princess wasn't taking him from her.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Highness," Ilia said after several seconds of thinking what to say. "I have played my cards a while ago, but still did not get to win his affection. You have played yours and won, there's nothing to be sorry for. For him, I shall always be a good friend only."
Ilia tried with all her willpower to not cry, but it was a difficult chore. She could see how the princess looked at her eyes with intensity and sorrow. It was evident that she felt bad for what she had done, and that made her struggle against her feelings even more difficult. After a few instances of staring at her intensely, Zelda sighed and looked away.
"You do not understand, Ilia," said the princess without looking at her eyes. "Link has not chosen me above you. He, in his role as the hero, has done this for the Hyrule's sake. He assured me that he did not love any woman, but I fear that he might regret this in the future."
"I do not want to sound impertinent, Your Highness, but I have to ask you this," Ilia said, catching the princess's attention. "Do you love him?"
In a first moment, Zelda had looked at Ilia directly in the eyes, but then averted her gaze and didn't answer. Now Ilia understood the reason of all this. The princess also loved him, but was afraid of coming in between him and his real wishes. In that instant, Ilia comprehended that the princess and her weren't so different, both loved the same man and both suffered for not being corresponded, but Ilia also understood that there was one detail that made them very different, Zelda was closer to him than Ilia will ever be. This thought caused a great sorrow inside of her, but she wouldn't let that affect her for long. Things between Link and her would never change, did what she did there was no solution now. She had to forget him and move on.
"Do not worry, Your Highness," Ilia continued with a small comforting smile. "I do not believe Link would be so foolish as to sacrifice his own happiness. If he accepted, it is because he really wants to do it. I believe he appreciates you more than you think."
The princess looked at her and a small tear trickled down her cheek.
"Thank you," she said while bowing her head in gratitude. "Thank you very much, Ilia. Link always said that you were a kind and good person; he wasn't wrong."