Disclaimer: Link, and Zelda do not belong to me, they belong to Nintendo.

After all of the champions had been assigned, they all went back to their respective regions to meet with their Divine Beasts.

Mipha had returned back to Zora's Domain to pilot her Divine Beast, Divine Beast Vah Ruta. The other champions had done the same. Daruk had returned back to Death Mountain for Vah Rudania, Revali had returned back to Rito Village for Vah Medoh, and Urbosa had returned back to Gerudo Desert for Vah Naboris.

Link had remained at Hyrule Castle. Being the princess's appointed knight, he was always by Princess Zelda's side. As a result, she had come to notice something about Link that seemed to worry her, though she wasn't going to bring it up to him. Mainly because she still doesn't fully trust him since he was assigned to be her appointed knight almost out of nowhere. In her eyes, that position was practically thrusted onto him. Sure, she heard from her father and from other sources that Link had exceeded expectations and would often prove himself, but all the same, she wasn't really present at those times, and he was given the title of being her appointed knight practically without her knowledge. So, she felt like Link didn't fully deserve the position, but what's done is done. There wasn't anything she could do either.

Quite a while had passed after being appointed and since the Champion's ceremony, something seemed to bother her. Something small, and admittedly petty, but it still bothered her, and she intended to get to the bottom of it, and it heavily had to do with Link and what she deemed as worrying for her.

Link had waited outside of Zelda's study room inside the castle, while she was inside researching what she could on the Sheikah Slate, to see exactly what that artifact was and the kind of power it really possessed.

"Quite a unique device, indeed."

She looked at it closely again, admiring the complex yet sleek design of the device. She noted that it didn't seem to be on as it looked like something would either be on as far a light source, or would flow with some kind of energy source, not even the screen was on.

"I wonder… Is there any way to turn this device on?"

She kept fidgeting, turning the device around, but still nothing.

"I suppose I can get Purah to take a look at this for me to give me any additional insight of what I can use to help further my research. Perhaps maybe Robbie can help if he's there too."

She giggled at the thought and got excited at the possibility of maybe finding what she needed to figure out the Sheikah Slate.

"I am trying my best and am working hard on my training, but if I can help to figure out this device, maybe I can be of help for the Champions for when the Calamity strikes. I can surely help as a means of backup if and when it's needed."

She grabbed the Sheikah Slate and smiled.

"Yes! That's what I'll do. Surely, I can be of help by other means! Just the thought of it is getting me excited for the possibility!"

She got up and went to turn around, almost bumping into Link as a result, and freaking her out too.

"By the goddess! I almost forgot you were here."

He had peeked inside her study room, getting into the habit of doing that every now and then, making sure she was safe, as he took his position rather seriously. He stepped in when he noticed that Zelda was getting rather loud, and he worried something may have happened.

Regardless of this, Zelda's excitement could be seen as she looked back and grabbed the Sheikah Slate.

"I digress, but I need you to look at this!"

He tilted his head, leaning over a bit to see what it was, and she turned back around and showed him the Sheikah Slate. Currently, it was off, but she was rather excited to show him it regardless.

"This ancient but special artifact is said to hold great potential and power! And I intend to figure out as much as I can to see what I can do as far as adding my contribution to the fight against the Calamity in case my training with getting this sacred power to come out doesn't come to fruition. Of course, I will work hard to make sure I am able to unlock that power, but I was thinking that this would be a measure that could be taken just in case."

Her excitement more than showed, and she couldn't help but just be absolutely overjoyed at the possibility of her discovering the potential of the Sheikah Slate and to be of help like she really wanted to.

"So, what do you think? An excellent plan if I do say so myself. What do you think, Link?"

Link still had that same expression on his face, one that to anyone else would be a blank, unenthusiastic stare. He did nod and a very small smile did curve at the edge of his lips, but for the most part, he still looked rather uninterested in general.

Zelda saw that Link hadn't changed expressions, and she started to get rather annoyed with this. She sighed and stared at the ground.

"So, I'm assuming it isn't such a good plan…?"

She looked back up at him and saw as he lightly shook his head.

"No, I think it's a rather smart and good plan." He said, speaking from what felt like his heart for what seemed like the first time in… Well before the ceremony in all honesty.

She smiled but it quickly turned into a scowl as she crossed her arms.

"Then why not show that you think it's good by changing your look? A smile wouldn't hurt you, you know?"

Link closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath through his nose and looked at her.

"With all due respect, princess, it's not really that simple."

"What do you mean? That sounds like an excuse."

"Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't. but that doesn't concern you. Again, with all due respect."

"It very much does concern me!" She practically shouted. "You were given the position as my appointed knight, and if anyone knows that and sees that you are miserable, then they will think you are."

"Let them think what they want. My only concern is protecting you, as per my new position." He said simply.

"Then explain to me why you always have that look on your face."

"I beg your pardon."

"You heard me. Why do you have that look on your face like you are miserable or uninterested?"

He shook his head and turned around.

"You wouldn't get it…"

He sighed and went to walk out, but Zelda had stopped him.

"I order you to stay here and explain yourself!"

He turned back to look at her and sighed again.

"You want an explanation, very well then." He said. "Ever since being appointed your knight, and ever since the threat that the Calamity's return is inevitable, I've kept my emotions to myself so as to not burden anyone with my emotions, possibly making them worry or even doubt my abilities to carry out what I need to do."

She blinked, understanding where he was coming from, but still shook her head, not getting the practical significance.

"But why do that? And does that expand to you showing other emotions like happiness or sadness?"

"I feel my explanation answered that already. But as for the second question, yes, it does expand to those other emotions as well."

She kept her eyes on him, then looked down and shook her head, closing her eyes as well.

"You are a fool…"

"Excuse me?" He sounded rather disheartened to hear that from her.

She looked up at him, looking rather upset too.

"If something were to happen, you're saying you would keep that same expressionless face the whole time?"

He looked away, shaking his head.

"You wouldn't be the first to think that…"

"I beg YOUR pardon?"

He clenched his fist a bit and looked at her.

"Everyone around me already thinks that I'm just a blank slate and that I don't express any emotion when the time is appropriate. I don't outwardly express how I feel, but that doesn't mean those emotions are not there."

She was shocked to hear this and let him continue.

"I also do express and change the look on my face. Though, I will admit, it is subtle… Very subtle, and everyone is still going to say that I express no emotions whatsoever. But that is something I've grown to accept, because they can think what they want at the end of the day, but they only assume that because they are used to others doing that, and want me to express the same way, when I simply can't. And they verbally attack me for not being the way others are."

When he was done, Zelda was at a loss for words and he sighed and put his head down.

"I'm sorry for the outburst, princess. But I had to get all of that off my chest, but I apologize that it was on you… I just–"

He stopped mid-sentence when Zelda had come up and hugged him. Without any hesitation, he hugged her back, and they both remained in the embrace for a while.

Zelda pulled back and put her hand on his cheek.

"You don't need to say anything else… I understand now, and I apologize for being so worked up like that… It was just something I expected, but that's still no excuse to try to make you feel bad about a personal decision you've made… whether or not it's voluntary or involuntary is irrelevant, and I'm truly sorry for trying to antagonize you, Link…"

He chuckled and shook his head lightly, a bigger smile than what he showed before was shown on his face.

"You're forgiven, princess. I'm just glad I was able to explain myself, though I didn't want it to come off as rude or aggressive."

She smiled and giggled.

"Don't worry, you didn't. But I am glad you trusted me enough to tell me."

"Of course."

He went to cup her cheek with his hand, making her blush, but quickly pulled away, remembering his position and figuring that may not be the most appropriate thing to do. To his surprise, however, Zelda grabbed his hand and put it back on her cheek, nodding to him. He smiled and continued.

"You deserve to know the truth, especially from your appointed knight."

She smiled and started sniffling, feeling a few tears well up in her eyes, absolutely touched by his words.

"Thank you."

He smiled and went to turn back but Zelda had spoken up.

"W-Wait."

He stopped as his hand was about to touch the door handle and looked back at her.

"Yes, princess?"

"That thing you told me before, a-about hiding your emotions so as to not burden anyone… W-Was that true?"

He closed his eyes, chuckling a bit before opening his eyes to look at her.

"It's a secret to everybody, but yes, it is. You're the only one I've told, but you are the most important person in Hyrule, at least in my position, and like I said, you deserve to know the truth."

She felt her heart skip a beat, smiling and nodded to him.

"Thank you, Link."