Hello readers! Chapter 159 is finally here! I apologize about the wait.
This time Link has a personal meeting with the king of Hyrule, and takes a moment to reflect on their sour history together.
"So that's how it all transpired…"
King Reinald spoke as he sat across from Link as the two were having some tea together. It was the day before the meeting, and Link had gone to the king to speak about something important, but decided to discuss some other recent matters with him first.
"Yes, Your Highness." Link spoke, "Mr. Burbok was hunting down noblemen and killing them to eliminate the blackmailer."
"Well Gerudo King, I'd like to thank you for your help in learning the truth behind the Widowmaker." the king nodded, "I can only hope the Hylian citizens can rest more peacefully now."
"It was mostly thanks to your son-in-law Prince Darius, he was the one who got me involved to begin with." Link pointed out, "He had apparently suspected Burbok for a while, but needed to confirm it."
"Huh, Prince Darius said that…? Interesting." Reinald spoke stroking his beard in thought for a moment. Link was confused, but the king continued, "Still, to think the owner of the Bombchu Bowling Alley was behind that grisly affair…" he shook his head and muttered, "And in the end it was his employee Ms. Jovie who ultimately struck him down. What became of her?"
"We were able to prove she did it in self-defense, and she was pardoned." Link nodded, "Countess Roesia of the Parliament even put in a good word for her."
"I see, that's rather unlike her… But then again, her husband was one of the victims." the king muttered, stroking his beard, "As for Ms. Jovie, perhaps I should consider sending her an invitation to the castle to be commended for her actions?"
"Ah… I don't think she'd be too happy about that." Link said in an uneasy tone.
"Hm? Why not? A commendation from the Royal Family is considered by many to be a great honor." the king spoke in confusion, "Should I perhaps have frosted crepes prepared for the occasion as well…?"
"N-No it's not that!" Link spoke frantically. He glanced downwards somewhat sadly, "What I mean is, despite all the horrible things he had done, Jovie still cared a lot about Mr. Burbok. In some ways, he was like a father figure to her…"
The king's eyes widened at Link's words.
"...and I don't think she'd be happy to be commended for the death of someone she cared so much about."
"Ah… I see your point. It would indeed be an awkward and difficult experience for the poor maiden. It seems even a ruler of my experience can overlook sensibilities like that…" King Reinald sighed out,
"You'll have to forgive me, that's something I've been trying harder to improve on, especially after how I treated others in the past…"
The bearded monarch frowned as he gazed at Link,
"...including yourself, my boy."
"It's been awhile since then…" Link nodded, as he thought back years ago, back when he was still in-training with Impa to go on his seven year journey…
Flashback
"Okay… hold it steady… hold it steady…" an almost eleven year old Zelda spoke to herself as she held her bow and arrow, aiming it at a target on a small haystack placed in the Castle Courtyard.
"You can do it Zellie!" a voice cheered out.
Zelda gulped as she looked over at Link and Impa, both of which were watching her from the sidelines. Link in particular was supporting her with his go-getter enthusiasm.
"Keep it up, princess." Impa spoke out.
"You're both distracting me and making me more nervous!" the princess shouted.
"Distractions can occur on the battlefield." Impa spoke, "Stand firm and focus on your target."
"O-Okay…" Zelda took a deep breath, and pointed her bow at the target, she pulled back as far as she could, her hands were a little shaky, but she gripped the bow as hard as she could to not slip it out like before, then released the arrow…
...only to yelp out as the string caught on her long fingernail, causing the arrow to fly up and overshoot the target, impacting with a smack into a window, and falling harmlessly down into the bushes below.
"Darn it! Not again!" Zelda spoke in a fit, throwing down her bow and folding her arms in a grumpy pout, "I still can't get it down!"
"It's okay, you're making progress!" Link pointed out, "At least this time it didn't fly backwards!"
"Gee, thanks." Zelda spoke sarcastically, she sighed out and set her bow aside, "I'll go fetch the arrows I shot so no one finds them."
"Poor thing, she just has no luck with archery." Impa spoke to Link, she looked down to him and smiled lightly, "Regardless, it's sweet of you to help her try."
"I can tell she's been enjoying this training." Link nodded, as he thought about when she took on the identity as Sheik in the dark future, "And I know she's got it in her to get really strong!"
"You think that, huh…?" Impa spoke, looking back at Zelda again, "We live in a time of peace now, I pray there won't be a time when she'll ever have to use these skills…"
"Yeah…" Link whispered, finding himself thinking about when she changed from her disguise as Sheik, revealing herself as being the princess, and the sad eyes she had as she lamented about what had transpired…
"Alright, that's all of them." Zelda spoke out carrying the arrow quiver back to them, she looked to Link and smiled brightly, "You think we can work on some swordplay next?"
"Sure!" Link nodded, with his spirits brightened at her smile.
"Hello Father, you called me for something?"
Princess Zelda went walking into the throne room with Impa later that day after Link left. She had just cleaned herself up and was about to get to her studies when she was told her father needed to speak to her. The king sat on his throne with an odd folded cloth on his lap.
"Ah Zelda, thank you for being so prompt." King Reinald nodded, "It's customary for a good member of royalty to maintain a sense of urgency and duty."
"Yes Father," the princess nodded with a polite curtsy
"That said, I was curious about what you've been doing this past day...?" the king spoke, "You've been rather busy during your free time as of late."
"Um, mostly just spending time with Lady Impa in the courtyard!" Zelda said half-truthfully.
"I see, and I know you would be mindful of Zelda's safety, correct Lady Impa?" the king asked.
"Of course Your Highness." Impa nodded, though having a strange feeling about where the king was going with this.
The king nodded, "So then tell me, how can the two of you explain this being found in that same place?"
Much to Zelda and Impa's shock, the king pulled open the cloth to reveal a familiar looking arrow.
"Um… that's…" Zelda gulped, "Perhaps a branch from an odd tree…?"
"If trees could produce branches like these, the Hylian army's archery budget would be drastically trivial." the king said crossly as he lifted up the archery arrow in both hands.
"How… did you find that?" Impa asked, knowing the jig was up.
"One of my royal guards heard the arrow impact into a window he was passing by, and went to investigate." the king spoke with a furthered scowl of his brow, "It just happened to be at the same time you two were out there."
"I-I see." Impa spoke, mentally kicking herself for letting down her guard.
"Oops." Zelda groaned.
"Explain yourself, my daughter." the king said crossly.
"Your Majesty, if you'll allow me to-" Impa spoke, but was cut off.
"I asked my daughter." the king spoke, "Explain yourself, Zelda."
"Father, I…" Zelda gulped, "...it's just something… I wish to do to help me get stronger!"
"Your place is not to get stronger, but to lead our people as Queen someday." King Reinald strictly pointed out, "You have knights to fight on your behalf."
"This isn't just about defending myself!" Zelda said, "I want to… to…" but she started losing her nerve at her father's cross stare.
"It's clear not even you are sure of what you want." the king spoke shaking his head, "From this day forward, I strictly forbid you from these 'training' sessions."
"But Father-!"
The king interrupted her, "As for you Lady Impa, I ask that you reflect on what has happened due to your negligence."
"...y-yes your highness." Impa spoke lowering her head shamefully.
The two left the throne room shortly after, with Zelda casting her gaze downwards. Impa patted her on the shoulder to reassure her.
"Don't let him get you down too much Princess. I can understand his worries, he is finally trying to become more of a father to you after all." she said.
"Yeah I guess…" Zelda muttered.
Some time after Zelda was born her father had been very emotionally distant from her. Much of it may had been attributed to when her mother died due to post-birth complications, and there was speculation from those within the Royal Family that the king blamed Zelda for his wife's death.
After Zelda pleaded with her father about putting a stop to Ganondorf before he attacked the castle though, the king had gone through a change, and started opening up to her. However, it seemed he was still trying to learn to be a proper father, and in trying to be protective of her, that he was getting too overbearing, at least in Zelda's point of view.
"The real issue… is what am I going to tell Link?" Zelda asked sadly, "He was so enthusiastic about letting me train with him…"
"We'll think of something." Impa said, "For now though let's go focus on your lessons."
The next day Zelda was sitting in the courtyard with Impa. Normally she would have been doing some exercises to prep herself for her training with Link, but instead she was sitting at a tree reading a book. Impa was off in another area seeing to the guard's patrol route.
"Psst! Hey! Hey Zellie!"
Zelda's eyes perked up as she looked towards some bushes, where Link climbed and stumbled out of.
"Oh, Link…! How are you today?" she spoke. She noted the bird's nest that had gotten on his head and tried her best to stiffen her giggles.
"Just great, you know that horse I told you about, Epona? Well I talked with my friend over at Lon Lon Ranch, and she says I can use her when I go out on my journey!" Link said grinning.
"Oh, that's good to hear…" Zelda smiled, though Link could tell she was bothered by something.
"Well if you're ready, how about we start working on our training for today?" he proposed.
"Um… I don't think that would be a good idea." Zelda spoke, confusing Link, "I… uh, have been feeling tired and… um…" she started stumbling over her words again out of nervousness.
"Hey it's okay, I'll go a little easier on you today! Now get your sword and-" he looked over to see the training equipment Impa usually prepared for them was missing, "Huh? Where did everything go?"
"That's the thing… Link, I think it would be for the best if we should stop with the training." Zelda spoke sternly, "I… um, need to focus on my royal studies."
"Huh? This isn't like you." Link frowned, "What's the matter with-" but then a thought dawned on him, and he grinned smugly, "Ooooh, I get it! You're getting tired of me beating you so much, huh?"
"Th-That's not it!" Zelda said in a huff, "The thing is, I cannot-"
But Link grabbed a tree branch laying on the ground and held it up at her, "Come on, even if we don't have swords we can at least practice with these! Put em up!"
"No Link, I cannot-! Um…!"
Zelda tried to speak, but as Link darted around waving the stick at her, she started to grow irritated. Her true inner desire to train with him was creeping up inside her, and she couldn't take it any more.
"Okay, that's it!" Zelda spoke, snatching a thin branch and knocking it into Link's.
The young lad was startled at how the swipe managed to block off his attack, but Zelda quickly swung her stick at him again, forcing him to go on the defense. He grinned and two started duking it out with their makeshift weapons. As much as Zelda should have avoided going against her father's orders, she was having too much fun playing with Link at that moment.
Link was even more impressed by Zelda's skill with the stick she was holding, it wasn't a very blunt stick, instead rather long, thin and pointy. She was swiping it around, focusing on using the tip to strike, as well as thrusting it quickly at him.
"You're doing a lot better than before!" Link said, dodging an attack and swinging out his branch.
"I'm just getting started!" smiled Zelda, as she ran at him for another attack
"What's going on here?!"
"Oh no…!" Zelda gasped out in shock, looking up to sure enough see her father standing before them along with his royal guards.
"Hooboy." Link gulped.
"What is the meaning of this, who is this intruder?! Guards!" King Reinald demanded as two guards ran up and pointed their swords at Link, forcing him to put his arms into the air.
"Li-!" Zelda was about to speak out, but was unable to talk all of a sudden.
"Princess!" Impa spoke, running up to the young girl, she looked in panic at Link being held at sword-point, thinking to herself, 'Damnit, I had only just noticed the king coming here and was a second too late!'
"Drop your weapon, you scoundrel!" spoke one of the royal guards, he noted the bird nest on Link's head, "And remove your helmet as well!"
"Wait, I can explain!" Link said frantically.
"Don't tell me that our enemies are hiring children as assassins now?" the king spoke walking up to Link, glaring down at him.
"Look, this is all a misunderstanding, I wasn't trying to-!" Link spoke up, but was cut off by a guard pointing a sword at his throat.
"No, I think I understand now..." the king spoke, he turned to Zelda,
"Father, I…" Zelda began to speak.
"So this is why you were training with Impa, you were trying to protect yourself against attackers like this boy?"
"Huh?" Link spoke in surprise.
'Is that seriously what the king is taking from this?' Impa thought to herself sweatdropping.
"That's… I…" Zelda spoke, hanging her head downcast.
"I don't understand why you didn't just come to us about it, but I suppose if this little snake was this slippery to evade the guards, that stepping up security wouldn't do much good." the king spoke with a heavy sigh,
"My daughter, I'm sorry about misjudging you. But not to worry, I'll have this assassin dealt with immediately and-"
"NO!" Zelda suddenly shouted out, she ran up to Link and hugged him, forcing the guards to back off, "I won't let you do that to Link!"
"What?" exclaimed the guards.
Link was left speechless, feeling a strange combination of terror and embarrassment from Zelda holding him like that.
"What are talking about?" the king spoke, "You know this child after all?"
Zelda nodded, "Of course I know him, he's my-!"
"No Zelda, don't tell him!" Link said frantically.
"Wait… don't tell me that you're…" the king spoke, glaring down at Link with cold, shadowed eyes.
"Your Majesty, this is a big misunderstanding, you see-" Impa spoke up, but the king cut her off.
"...you're in love with my daughter?!"
Everything came to an absolute standstill, as Link, Zelda, Impa and the guards all looked to the king blankly.
"Huh…?"
"What did you just…?" Link spoke with a light blush.
"E-Eeehh?" Zelda exclaimed, pulling away her arms from Link with a bright red face.
"You vile fiend, you dare intrude into my castle so that you can whisk my daughter off in your arms?" King Reinald shouted in raging flaming fury, "I won't allow such a thing!"
Zelda put her hands to her cheeks, blushing bright red, "F-Father, th-that's not what…!"
"Woah, time out!" Link said defensively, "I-I don't think of your daughter in that way, I swear!"
"Oh, so now my daughter isn't good enough for you, you ne'er-do-well?" King Reinald shouted, looking even fiercer than before, "You dare insult the patrimony of the Royal Family?!"
"I think this situation has gone over the king's head." one royal guard whispered to his partner with sweatdrops running down both of their heads.
Link was unsure of what to say anymore. He looked to Zelda, who looked completely tongue-tied, and he gulped, thinking carefully about what to say.
"Link…" Impa whispered.
"So, what do you have to say for yourself, boy?" the king glared down at him.
"…the truth is…" Link looked up to the king, took a deep breath, and spoke,
"You're absolutely right Your Majesty,"
"Huh?" Zelda spoke in confusion.
Link spoke, "I have fallen in love with your daughter, and I had come here to whisk her away with me to a faraway place where we can be together forever."
"L-Link…?!" Zelda whispered with a bright red face.
"You're kidding…" Impa groaned, putting a hand to her head.
"WHHHAAAAATTT?!" shouted the two royal guards.
"…" the king stood motionless, his facial features shadowed, making his expression unreadable, as he spoke, "And the training…?"
"The training was merely so she could defend herself on our travels." Link spoke, bowing down on one knee with his head down, "But with your permission, I'd like to ask for your blessing to take her away with me. I swear, that I will always protect your daughter, and make her happy."
"Link…" Impa whispered, shocked at not just his absurd words, but also strangely impressed that he would speak like that to the king.
Zelda meanwhile was turned multiple shades of red, as steam rose up from her head.
The king himself just stared down silently at Link, everyone remained still, unable to tell what to do do or say.
But then, the king brought back his arm, and swiftly thrust it forward, smashing it directly into Link's face.
"AAAAAAHHHHH-!"
Everyone looked in shock as Link flew backwards form the impact, and crashed into the wall behind him. He fell forward, and crashed to the grassy ground in a daze.
"Link!" Zelda exclaimed, but Impa held her back.
The young lad slowly forced himself up on one elbow as he looked up at the king, who was glaring down at him angerly.
"You are a foolish child… if you think you can just come here and make such a ridiculous request." King Reinald spoke, "To say you would steal my daughter away, taking her away to an unknown land… to place her precious life in possible danger… as her father I shall never allow you to bring harm to her!"
"Father…" Zelda whispered, torn between her worry for Link, yet taken aback at how fiercely protective King Reinald was being of her.
"Since you're acquainted with the princess, I will overlook this just once." the king narrowed his eyes coldly, "But if I ever see your face here again, boy… you regret it for the remainder of your days in this mortal coil."
Link got onto his knees, he gulped nervously and nodded, "I… yes, Your Majesty..."
King Reinald turned to Zelda, "As for you my daughter, I would like to put this matter behind us, and focus on the future of Hyrule. Your free time periods will be reduced so that you can focus on your studies for the time being."
"Y-Yes Father." Zelda spoke hanging her head down.
"Guards." the king turned his back and brought up his hand, snapping his fingers, "Take this boy away out of the palace grounds, and increase security around the courtyard." and with that, he went off on his way.
"Sir!" the guards saluted, taking Link by his arms and beginning to haul him off.
"Wait, just a second! If I can say one last thing!" Zelda called out to the guards, running up to Link and whispering to him, "I don't understand, why didn't you tell my father the truth?"
"Cause, if I did, you'd probably be in bigger trouble than you are, as well as Lady Impa." Link spoke with a smirk, "Besides, I'm going to leave soon on my journey anyway, I may as well do something to help you before I go…"
"Link…" Zelda whispered with her face lightly red.
"It's okay, I'll be fine." Link assured her, "Just knowing you're safe, that's all that matters to me."
With that, the royal guards carried Link off, leaving Zelda alone with Impa, both of them speechless about what just happened.
"That was so foolish of him…" Impa spoke, but smirked lightly, "And yet… I can't help but admire him for making that sacrifice for your sake, Princess."
"Y-Yeah…" Zelda spoke, looking down with a slight smile.
End Flashback
'I only saw her one more time after that, when we met in secrecy so she could give me the Ocarina of Time…' Link thought to himself, he looked to the king who was rather mortified about bringing up the past like that.
"I'd like to take this time to formally apologize for all the trouble I caused you back then King Link." Reinald bowed his head, "It wasn't until years later that I stumbled upon Zelda secretly training with a rapier in private, and she told me the real truth about what you were doing for her."
"Guess she just couldn't resist. Sorry I was a bad influence on her." Link chuckled.
"Don't look at it that way, my boy. Prince Darius and myself have never liked the princess training in swordplay, but I suppose it is helping to help boaster confidence in herself, and I can't disapprove of that." the king said with a smile, "And you encouraged her to take that extra step. Between that and what you said about Ms. Jovie, you seem to have a real understanding of people and keeping their best interests in mind."
The king laughed out merrily, "To bare witness to a young king such as yourself making choices like that, it gives me great hope for the future of this land!"
"It's no big deal." Link said modestly.
"It honestly makes me curious about your parentage." the king spoke, "You mentioned in your story that you had been orphaned as an infant, and raised in Kokiri Forest?"
"Funny you bring that up I… actually just learned recently about my parents." Link nodded, "My mother was an academy professor named Aleena and my father was a night named Sir Warrick. Were you familiar with either of them?"
But Link looked to see the king's jaw was now agape, seeming to be at a loss for words.
"Your Majesty?" Link asked.
The king slumped back and looked upwards with his hand over his eyes, before running it down to his beard, and let out a sigh, "Sir Warrick... I didn't think I'd hear his name again..."
"So you knew him?" Link asked, "I was told he was a great knight of his time."
The king nodded, "It was a tragedy to find out after all he had done in his career as a knight that he had perished by the hands of that monster attack in Mabe Village. I was told at the time that his wife and newborn son had both disappeared, and were presumed dead..."
"Did you ever find out what that monster attack was about?" Link asked.
"From what I was told by the knights it didn't seem to be a typical hunt or bandit raid." Reinald spoke stroking his beard in thought, "There wasn't very much in the way of vandalism or injuries of the villagers. In fact Warrick himself was the only casualty."
"Sounds like an organized attack then." Link spoke, "You don't think Ganondorf was involved, do you?"
"I did. In fact after his capture, I did have him interrogated about the attack." King Reinald shook his head, "But Ganondorf claimed no responsibility for what happened. He didn't even know where Mabe Village was, or anything about the types of monsters that were involved."
"Huh…" Link pondered to himself, 'Then who could it have been… and why…?'
"Hard to say, Sir Warrick could be a mystery at times. He was always a stubborn one, never allowed himself to be promoted in rank, yet always did what he could to assist in dangerous missions, even when his superiors told him to stand down. We truly lost a great man that day…" Reinald lamented.
"But to think his son would still be alive after all this time, and that he had become the Gerudo King." the king said let out a lofty laughter, "You certainly are full of surprises King Link!"
"Trust me, it was a surprise for me too." Link grinned, "Your daughter is actually the one who helped me find out about my parents."
"So that's why she was cooped up in the study for so long. Even after all these years, she truly possesses a deep respect for you."
The king pondered to himself for a moment, before smiling at Link,
"Listen, don't tell the princess or the prince I said this… but honestly, had I known about your role as the goddess' chosen, and well as your parentage with Sir Warrick, I might had actually considered offering my daughter's hand to you."
"Ah heh heh, th-that's quite an honor Your Majesty." Link said nervously, recalling the outing he had gone on with Zelda a few days ago, and how awkward things were when they were sharing an inn bed together, "But I don't think I would have accepted based on something like that."
"Haha, I merely jest." King Reinald chuckled, "Even if Prince Darius didn't take her hand, the law prohibits the Hylian Queen from marrying another king within Hyrule's territory." he spoke, "That law was established to encourage relations and cross bloodlines with other kingdoms rather than bias with local tribes, which is part of why she and Darius were brought together to begin with."
"Right..." Link pondered on that, "Speaking of bloodlines, I understand the Parliament is pressuring them to have an heir, but Darius is hesitant due to what happened with the late queen."
"Hm, very true..." King Reinald said stroking his beard, "Regrettably I wish we could have determined the exact cause of death for my dear wife so we could be assured of my daughter's safety, but the law also prohibits the desecration of deceased Royal Family members."
"So you can't even do autopsies to find out how they died?" Link frowned, "Sounds like there's a lot of difficult laws you have to deal with."
"Yes, though while there are some circumstances that could be implemented to override certain laws like those, an actual queen would need to be the one to make them. Even with my rank as king I can't do anything about it."
"So Zelda would have that power when she assumes the throne?" Link asked.
The king nodded, "Indeed. Between you and me, she could even have the power to disband the Hylian Parliament should they be proven to be unfit to remain in their positions. Though something like that would be very difficult."
"Really now?" Link pondered, recalling his outing with Zelda, and how she exposed that shady merchant who had been working under Duke Geronim.
"To be able to officially disband them, they would need to have a collective number of proven severe infractions against the kingdom, and that wouldn't be simple to put together and prove."
"I see…" Link spoke, he found himself thinking about Countess Roesia for some reason, but put it out of his mind.
"Well I suppose that settles everything I wanted to speak of. Tell me, was there anything else you wanted to discuss?" the king asked.
"…actually there is." Link spoke, he took a deep breath and looked straight at the king, "You know that Lady Impa has had a child recently, right?"
"Of course, Shikki is such a dear young child." the king chuckled, "A bit too unpredictable at times, but Impa seems so much happier now that she's had him. It pleases me to know that the Sheikah have a potential future now."
"Has she told you about the father of him?"
"No, not yet. Though I admit I am mildly curious about who could have the sheer gall to-"
There was a moment of pause, as the king realized why Link would bring up something like that out of the blue. He stared at Link with widening eyes, and the young king nodded to him.
"It... was you?!" the king gasped out in shock.
"Yes, I laid with Impa some time ago, before I was officially recognized as the Gerudo King." Link said, "It was originally just a means to help her continue her bloodline…"
"However, as time has passed, I've seen how she had grown as a Sheikah ninja, a caretaker to you and the princess, and as a mother to Shikki. I can say I've come to truly love her, and I would like for her to stay by my side. With that in mind, I'd like to formally ask you King Reinald…"
Link then whistled out, and the door guard nodded and opened the door, allowing Impa to come walking in.
"Lady Impa?" the king asked.
"Hello Your Majesty." Impa spoke, standing by Link and putting a hand on his shoulder.
Link took a deep breath and put his hands to the table and bowed his head respectably.
"King Reinald, I'd like to receive your blessing to marry Impa, to make her my wife, and be a father for not just Shikki, but her future children. To have to and hold for the rest of our lives."
Link's request was met with complete silence, it was starting to remind him of what happened back when he pretended to ask for Zelda's hand back when they were kids. While he had gotten Zelda's blessing, he wanted to hear what the king had to say about it.
But this dead silence was unnerving. Despite that though, he remained in his position, waiting for a response.
"To think… that you would ask such a thing…" muttered King Reinald, "You realize Lady Impa and myself go back a long way, she was a dear friend and protector of my late wife… you could say they were almost like sisters to a point."
"…" Link continued to keep his head down. Impa smiled somewhat sadly, as she couldn't deny that herself.
"And you truly intend to take her from the Royal Family for yourself, take her away from her duty to Princess Zelda… even possibly removing her from becoming next in line as the Sage of Shadow, to live among you and the Gerudo."
"I do." Link spoke without hesitation, "I want for her to live as she chooses to now, just as I vowed when I went back in time to save my friends from their fate."
He brought his head up and looked directly into the king's eyes once again.
"And just as my father fought to the end for my mother and myself, I vow I'll do everything I can to give Impa the happiness and peace she truly deserves."
Impa blushed brightly at Link's words, she put a hand to her cheek as she thought deeply about what kind of life they'd live together.
King Reinald meanwhile was taken aback by those words, for a very brief moment, he could have sworn he saw a certain blonde-haired knight in Link's place, namely a young Sir Warrick with determination in his eyes, asking to leave the knights so he could be with the woman he had fallen in love with.
"…"
The king remained in silence for a moment, before he started chuckling lightly, and brought his hands up to clapping, surprising Link and Impa.
"My boy, you truly keep surprising me at every turn." King Reinald chuckled, "To know Impa will be safe and happy with you, working to continue her people's legacy, it fills me great joy to hear. Of course you both have my blessing."
Link was surprised at how well he had taken it, but smiled and bowed his head.
"I'm honored, Your Majesty." Link bowed.
"As for my dear," the king then turned to Impa, "It makes me happy to see you've finally found your own happiness in life. I'd like to formally thank you for all the hard work you've done as caretaker for the Royal Family, and I wish the greatest of futures for you, and your descendants, Impa."
"…!" Impa to her king with wide eyes, tears started to form in them as she bowed her head,
"Thank you, my king. Once I'm finished with my final preparations, I'll be taking my leave to formally join Link and his family in Gerudo Town."
"That will be just fine." the king nodded, "Well now, I suppose I'll leave the two of you to yourselves." he got himself up, "Good day to both of you, and good luck on your futures together."
Link and Impa both nodded as they turned and left the room hand in hand. As they past the guards, Impa suddenly pulled Link a little closer to him, whispering in his ear,
"Tell me my love, is Lady Nabooru in your bedroom at the moment?"
"Not that I'm aware of." Link spoke softly to her.
"Good, because I'm feeling the urge to continue working on our future family together." Impa said licking her lips devilishly, "I'm not about to rest until Dr. Sarami confirms my next child."
"Hooboy." Link groaned as Impa practically dragged him off for a wonderful time together.
King Reinald meanwhile saw himself out of the meeting room into a hallway to head to his own quarters.
"Hohoho, that boy certainly does have a promising future ahead of him." he spoke wholeheartedly.
The king took a moment to gaze out the window, it was already nighttime, and the moon was shining through the clouds. He bore a look of worry somewhat.
"Still, I can't help but wonder what will happen when that day comes… when the blood moon rises, and this 'Ebony Sisterhood' attacks the kingdom…?"
He paused on that thought for a while, but shook it off and continued walking until he heard a slight thumping sound. He glanced at a door that partially open, and recognized what it was.
'Hm? The royal study? Who could it be there at this hour?' the king thought. Thinking it might be Zelda, he creaked the door open to take a peek.
And it was there he saw a very shocking sight; a certain person was in there reading through some documents, and there was something very odd about them. The king was so startled he accidentally bumped the door, getting the figure's attention.
King Reinald backed up out of view before the figure could see him, and hurriedly ran down the hall to get to his personal quarters.
And that ends the chapter, next time it's finally come, the meeting with the Hylian Parliament! How will things turn out? Will Link and Nabooru ull through for everyone? You'll have to wait and see!
Sorry again for the unannounced hiatus, I was going through some personal problems. I'm going to try and get back to writing again soon.
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