The abrupt news shook the walls of the Castle. The King mourned loudly through the early hours of the morning, so that not a soul slept.

Impa stayed with him for the purpose of comfort but found herself equally grief-stricken: the one who she had doted upon since her arrival in Hyrule Castle had been stolen from them. She feels as though she has failed in fulfilling her primary duty: to ensure the health and wellbeing of Her Majesty.

Although they had never succeeded in forging a friendship, there was nevertheless a bond between them that was now broken; one that simultaneously tore Impa's heartstrings in two.

The cold lifeless body of the Queen lies still in her bed, at the request of her husband as he cradles her in his arms. The intense sadness soon overwhelms her, and Impa is forced to take a breather outside.

The Castle Gardens are cold and still; not a bird nor insects stirs in the treetops above as they sway gently in the breeze. Impa rests on the hard marble steps with her head in her hands. Her body trembles with shock, even hours after the announcement.

"Psst!" a voice hisses.

Impa's head slowly rises. Her tear-soaked eyes peer into the darkness of the shrubs and she sees a silhouette: tall and slender, dressed in a peacoat, with blonde curls which bounced in the moonlight.

"Impa, it's me!" he whispers, emerging from the shadows. "Caedis!"

"I know who you are." Impa states plainly without rising from her seat.

"They're refusing to permit any visitors to enter the Castle at this time! Can you tell me what's going on?"

Impa climbs to her feet and confronts the Count face to face. "I'll tell you what's happened: Her Majesty gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She passed shortly after. The Queen is dead."

The Count presses his fingers to his lips as he pretty face turns ghostly white.

"Before she died, she told me all about your little fling." Impa advances closer. "And about your ongoing affair. It sickens me to the stomach that I was expected to play a role in your dirty deeds. And it sickens me even more that you were responsible for initiating an ultimatum which left the Queen considering the abandonment of the crown for some flight of fancy! You disgust me! You are a blasphemous symbol of the defamation of the Royal Family! This tragedy is a dark time for the Family; therefore, I suggest you go home, because you are not welcome here! This is a place for family only!"

The Count observes her cheerless frown. His hand holds on to the lapel of his peacoat as he takes a step back into the shadows. "So be it. My condolences."

He turns and vanishes into the shrubbery. Impa lingers a moment longer to ensure he does not return, before reclaiming her seat on the marble steps. With the Queen gone, the future is uncertain…what does this mean for her career? The answer is obvious: her new priority is the new Princess. Impa will care for her, teach her the ways of the world, and guide her on her journey through life. She will grow into a proud and fearless monarch: Princess Zelda of Hyrule.