I breathed in and out, slow and measured. Soon, we would be put up on display before Hyrule's crown prince and he would choose who to take as a mistress of sorts. More like a slave, but with benefits that slaves are without. They would live in the lap of luxury for the rest of their days and only the royal family would be above them in station. Sounds like the deal of a lifetime, but the catch is having to bend to the prince's every whim and desire. Desire being the more troublesome one.

It's really a glorified whore that is offered up on a silver platter so that our tribes can go on living on Hylian land. Sick, really. I never wanted any part of it, but the village that has their sacrifice, as I put it, chosen gets a fine reward. Sadly, I was picked over all the others in my village. Why? Not sure. Guess the elders thought I was pretty or something. I don't know. Never seen myself in a mirror as I've never owned one. Not that I have much to worry about seeing as princes rarely choose a male.

"Nhanri of the Southern Aecor Tribe." Oh, I'm next.

I breath out my mouth one more time and step through the throne room doors as my tribesman gives the signal. "Sheik of the Western Sabulo Tribe." People are whispering about me, but I ignore it and keep my head high. Nothing they say will bring me down. I bow low as I stand before the man that currently has my fate in his hands.

A hand stops me as I go to step back off the stairs to the throne. "Wait. This one."

The king's deep voice rings through my body and I'm honestly terrified. "Are you sure, my son?"

"Yes. This is the one I desire." Piercing cerulean meet my gaze. "There is no doubt."

I barely see the king behind the prince's body standing from the throne. "There is still the allotted time. Surely, you cannot pick upon first sight."

"I said, there is no doubt." A wide smile lifts up those blazing blues.

"If you believe so, then there should be no issue with allowing the tradition to continue. Perhaps you will change your mind."

I gulped as the prince's eyes wandered my exposed body. More specifically, my legs. The long skirt would have covered me fine, if not for the slits going all the way to the top. "Not a chance."

This is a stupid tradition. The Sheikah have lived on the same land for over a hundred years. It's practically theirs. I see no point in excepting a damn sacrifice and have told my father such. He keeps begging me to continue with our ancestors' ignorant ways. I refuse again and again.

Or... I would if not for the next offering. He walks in with a confident gale and those eyes are like nothing I've ever seen. Most Sheikah have violet, silver, or pale blue eyes... But not this one. His are a deep crimson like that of freshly spilt blood or the reddest rose... A hot burning fire... Two pits of dangerous lava. I can see the whole court, for which are required to be here by law, murmuring amongst themselves. A few words reach me from the nearby council. The most important being 'pure-blooded.' My eyes widen. A pure-blood? Surely there is a mistake. Why would the Sheikah tribes offer up one of their most valuable persons.

I know before he steps up to the throne that I will choose him. A tugging at my core tells me he is the one. Not for this ridiculous tradition, but as a legitimate partner. As a lover. A trustworthy confidant. A blushing and beautiful bride. Er... He would probably hit me if I told him such.

I smile to myself as the pure-blood, aptly named Sheik, bows before me. I'll not let this one get away.

"Sheik?!" Heavy breathing came from the prince as he rushed down the hall, obviously in search of me. "Sheik?!"

His voice grew fainter and I stepped out of my hiding place that was a small space in the wall where a torch usually resides. I knew the prince would come searching this way soon, so I needed to act quickly. A nearby window was letting in a gentle breeze and I easily scaled the stone and settled in the small nook behind the curtain. I was bound by law to stay within the castle walls unless accompanying the prince, but I longed to go outside. Soon, the sounds of the wind and call of nature lulled me to sleep.

I see him climb up into the window and know he will only run more if I find him there. So, I walk past and down another hallway. I'll wait and see if he comes out.

Fifteen minutes later, there is no movement and I step around the corner intent on investigating. It is no small task climbing the wall and I mentally applaud Sheik for doing it effortlessly. Of course, it didn't come without a wonderful reward. There, sitting sound asleep, was Sheik. His head against the glass and arms resting on his drawn up knees. Those pouty lips were damned tempting. Nevermind the way the gentle wind picked up his hair and swept it away from the soft skin of his neck. That, the milky white pulled tight by the way his head was tilted, was truly temptation incarnate.

I guess there was a reason Sheikah aren't purely Sheikah anymore. The other races saw how beautiful they were and took it upon themselves to have them.

He stirred and those orbs opened slowly.

Leaves rustled below in the courtyard as I lifted my head from the place it had been laying. Blearily, I looked around because my eyes refused to focus.

"You're really cute when you sleep." I shifted back in surprise, but couldn't move far because of the wall.

Nervously, I leaned forward and let my hair hide my face. "H-how long have you been here?"

"A few minutes. Not long." A single finger has me lifting my head. "Why hide your beautiful face?"