Hello readers, Chapter 164 is here! This week the royal dance continues!
"Are you doing alright there, Your Excellency?" a maid asked, looking over King Reinald as the royal dance continued through the night.
"Ha ha ha! I'm just fine!" Reinald laughed out, clearly getting a little tipsy as he took a drink of his cocktail, "It's been quite a while since I've been able to unwind like this!"
"Um, Princess? I believe his majesty needs some assistance!" the maid called out to Zelda.
"Oh dear, Father's getting carried away with the liquor again." Zelda sighed, "Sorry Darius, I better go see to him. Go ahead and have fun."
"Not a problem, my lovely wife!" Darius laughed, "You deal with your drunken duke of a daddy!"
"Oh you and your alteration." Zelda rolled her eyes, sporting a light smile.
As Zelda went off to scold her father, the young prince took a glance over at Nabooru who had just finished her conversation with a crowd of nobles and they dispersed. The Gerudo woman sighed and looked over to see Link who was trying to speak to a nobleman, but not having much luck.
Nabooru considered going to go help Link, but the Gerudo was stopped when Darius strolled up, reaching out his hand and flashing a pearly white smile.
"Hello Lady Nabooru, would you care to join me in the next dance?" Darius offered.
"Really, me?" Nabooru raised an eyebrow, she took another glance at Link, "I… suppose, but are you certain your princess wouldn't mind?"
"It's fine, we already agreed it was important to dance with others to help establish relations at this party." Darius said with a bow.
"…alright, good point." Nabooru nodded, taking his hand, "But I warn you, if you step on my feet, I'm going to stomp on your own."
"Ah ha ha! I knew I should have worn my steel boots to this dance!" laughed Darius, "Come, let's take to the stage!"
The two began a new dance together, holding each other's hands in unison as they stepped to each note Countess Roesia was singing. Nabooru was able to keep Darius in motion, mostly motivating him with the fear of her breaking his toes.
"So why dance with me in particular?" Nabooru asked, "Surely there must be other ladies worth your time."
"Honestly I've been curious about you for a while now Lady Nabooru." Darius said, "Link told me it was you who took the Gerudo and reshaped them into a true society. I'd love to go out there and meet your people for myself."
Nabooru was surprised by his words, "Huh, that sounds good. Maybe we can arrange that if things so well tomorrow." she smirked lightly, "Speaking of which, I truly appreciate your support for our case."
"What can I say? You and King Link did a fine job making me see things your way." Darius shrugged, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you might actually be a real hypnotist!"
"Drop that thought or I'll drop my foot." Nabooru said in annoyance.
"Dully noted!" Darius nodded.
Back with Link, he pulled away from the droning conversation with the nobleman. He was going to speak to Nabooru, only to see her dancing together with Darius.
"What the heck…?" Link asked in confusion.
"So where did you learn to dance like this?" Darius asked Nabooru.
"Well, I'd rather not say. It's sort of a touchy subject for me…" Nabooru spoke distantly, but she had to move quickly to avoid being stepped on by Darius' clumsy feet, "Though it appears you may have learned how to dance from a newly-born horse."
"For such a young mare, he was a strict teacher, I'll tell you that!" Darius laughed, "Now would you like me to show you some moves I learned from a drunken Octorok?"
"Very well." Nabooru chuckled in amusement as they continued to dance.
'Guess it's good they're getting along.' Link thought.
He had to admit he was getting a little jealous seeing them together, almost as bad as when he saw Ruto with Halarden earlier. He wished he had asked Nabooru to join with him sooner. Link shook his head, he needed something to distract himself from this. He looked over to see Ruto was at the food table, and knew he probably shouldn't get in the way of her eating.
Link ultimately decided to try his luck with some of the noblegirls he hadn't spoken to yet, but…
"Oooh, can you dance with me next Gerudo King?" asked a young woman, along with the few others who looked just as eager.
"No, me! Dance with me!"
"Please pick me? I swear I won't trip or anything!"
"Uh… um…" Link looked frantically around at the doe-eyed girls, not sure of who to pick.
"Excuse me," spoke up a voice. They all turned to see Princess Zelda herself walking up to Link and the girls.
"Oh my, the princess?" gasped one of the noblewomen.
"Gerudo King, I apologize for interrupting you, but I have an urgent matter to speak to you about." Zelda said with a serious tone.
"Oh, Your Majesty! Excuse us!" one of the girls exclaimed, gesturing to the others to give the princess space. They all cleared out, leaving Link and Zelda alone.
"H-Hi, Princess" Link spoke, rubbing the back of his head, "Uh, thanks for saving me from them, I was getting overwhelmed."
"Oh yes, it must be terrifying to be surrounded by such lovely young women." the princess joked with a sweet giggle, "It's remarkable how despite all that's changed about you, some things, like your humbleness, remain the same."
"Heh…" Link chuckled a little, then he asked, "So… uh, what did you want? Is you father okay?"
"Oh he's fine, I just made him drink some water." Zelda nodded, "I was just wondering… would you care to join me in a dance? I do believe you owe me one from that little outing we had back at that tavern." she said with a small grin.
Link was surprised at the princess' proposal, he looked back at Darius and Naboru dancing together.
"Are… you sure Darius will be okay with it?" Link asked with uncertainty.
"Well he's dancing with your queen right now, so I think you're fair game." Zelda said smugly, holding out her hand, "How about it?"
Link was a little hesitant, reminding himself of how tempted he had been with her back when they shared that inn bed together. He took a deep breath and collected himself, assuring himself that this was just for fun, and gently took her hand.
"Okay then, we'll show them how to really dance." Link grinned, as he took her out to the floor.
Much of the crowd was shocked to see the Gerudo King about to dance with Princess Zelda. Countess Roesia herself saw the two of them and smiled lightly. She gestured to the music band and then spoke out to the crowd.
"Attention everyone, this next song goes out to the four royal people on the floor right now," Roesia said, "It's called 'When We're Swinging Hip to Hip'."
The band started up a jazzy tune as Roesia began singing a much more upbeat song than before. Link got a feel for the music, as he and Zelda started their dance. Link used all his dancing skills that Nemisa taught him to swiftly move and step with each note the countess sang. Surprisingly, Zelda was doing a fine job keeping up. As the melody picked up, she gripped his hands firmly and took the lead.
"You're really good at this." Link said, "Makes me wish I had taken you up on that dance at the tavern after all."
"Told you." Zelda stuck her tongue out childishly, taking the lead and puling him around the dance floor.
Darius glanced over at Link dancing with Zelda, seeing that the four of them were the only ones on the floor, the young prince sported a grin.
"My dear friend and my darling princess, dancing the night away as well?" Darius commented, "Tell me Lady Nabooru, how would like to challenge them to a duel of the dance?"
"Sounds like fun, what do you two think of a dance-off?" Nabooru called out to them with a smirk.
"Alright," Link grinned, "You game for this Princess?"
"Oh yes!" Zelda giggled, "Let's show them!"
Darius and Nabooru moved left and right to the music, with the Gerudo leader doing most of the work, but the Fargent prince was adapting quickly. He rose his hand up and twirled Nabooru around, and she responded by pulling him towards and away from her, spinning around and letting him catch her. Darius almost fell backwards due to her height, but held his ground.
Link and Zelda took the dance a step up, with Link wrapping his arm around her waist and sent the two spinning. Zelda squealed out from the speed, she was having too much fun with this.
Darius looked to Link and Zelda again, before he started taking the intuitive with Nabooru and moving across the floor. The desert ruler was surprised to see him start to actually dance with some more competency than before, it seemed Link was inspiring him, so she went along with it.
In a daring move, Link grabbed Zelda up around the waist and swung her back and forward, before spinning her in place before throwing her to the side and catching her with his other hand. Zelda quickly responded with an elegant backwards poise at the very end, before Link twirled her back close to him.
"Careful King Link," Zelda said with a light blush as they were mere inches from each other's faces, "Don't get too carried away or Darius might actually get jealous."
"I've been dealing with that half the night myself. Let him be jealous." Link grinned smugly, going right back to leading Zelda along in the dance.
The crowd was surprised to see the two pairs dancing together, some of them already began whispering about possible affairs between them, some wondering if Nabooru was going to join the Fargent Kingdom throne, and others wondering if the Gerudo King was looking to add Princess Zelda to his harem.
As for King Reinald, he wasn't thinking anything about either of that, but instead beaming happily at how well the four of them were getting along. He reached out for his cocktail drink, unable to find it for a moment, but then took the glass and sipped from it.
'I admit I was worried how things would turn out initially…' King Reinald thought. 'But I'm certain these four are fine beacons for the bright future of this land.'
Soon the song got to it's final notes as Link and Darius both looked to each other and nodded. They quickly spun Zelda and Nabooru out at each other. The two girls joined hands for a moment to spin around together, before joining together with the opposite men, who both caught the ladies and ended the song with graceful poses.
A loud applause roared out from the guests as Link held Nabooru, and Darius was holding Zelda.
"Ha ha, that was quite fun!" Darius said proudly, "We need to have a rematch someday Link!"
"You too Darius, but make sure the princess trains you properly." Link pointed out.
Darius simply laughed out while Zelda rolled her eyes and dragged the prince off to chat. As Link waved to the people who were applauding the four's dancing, the young king realized he was still holding Nabooru rather tightly.
"So you going to let go anytime soon, or did your hand fall asleep?" Nabooru asked with a knowing smirk.
"Honestly if I could, I'd hold you forever." Link spoke smoothly.
"Heh. Nice try, but people are watching." Nabooru chuckled, pushing her finger against Link's chest to make him back off.
Countess Roesia stared silently at Link and Nabooru as the crowd cheered. She frowned and put a hand to her chest, and gave a heavy sigh, before speaking out to the crowd with a gentle smile.
"Thank you all, this has been a wonderful night. Now for my last song of the evening, this one is called, 'Crazy For That Guy'."
"Hey, did you want to join me for this one Nabooru?" Link offered as the music started up.
"I…" Nabooru looked into Link's eyes, but shook her head with a smile, "Sorry Link. But I need to get back to hobnobbing with the guests." she placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a kiss on the forehead, "But I'm sure one of the fine ladies here would be happy to join you instead."
"Oh, sure." Link said softly as she watched Nabooru walk off to greet another noble, thinking to himself, 'Shot down again. She's really putting up a tough fight, even more than usual lately...'
Link decided to set his issues with Nabooru aside for now, and looked around for another willing lady to dance with.
"Gerudo King?" spoke a new voice,
Link turned to see it was the widowed Duchess Jezebelle strolling up to him. She pulled up her black veil to give Link a good look at her purple-shadowed eyes. She seemed hesitant, staring downcast for a moment, but soon looked up and spoke from her equally purple-glossed lips,
"Would… um, you care to join me for this dance?"
Link was surprised to see the somewhat timid widow take the initiative. Looking back at Nabooru for a brief moment, he decided to go with it. He closed his eyes and listened carefully to the song that Roesia was singing, getting a feeling of the rhythm, he reached out and took Jezebelle's dainty hand.
"As you wish, Duchess." Link replied, giving her hand a gentlemanly kiss.
"Oooh… I'm afraid I won't be a duchess for much longer after this." she pointed out sadly, "As of tomorrow my place as a noblewoman will officially be over." regardless she sported a gentle smile, "But I think I'd like to enjoy my status for just this one last evening."
Link nodded, taking the older woman by her hands, and began leading her in a dance to the slow music, Jezebelle allowed Link to take her and followed with his steps.
"Hey look, the Gerudo King is dancing with the Rochchild widow now." spoke a guest.
"Even after what her husband did? I swear that desert king is a real enigma." frowned another.
"If I were him I'd watch my back around her…" spoke a third.
Link saw the bothered look in Jezebelle's eyes from overhearing those comments, so he took her closer in his arms and led her away from the voices of the guests.
"It's okay, let's just have some fun with each other tonight." Link whispered gently in her ear.
"That… sounds lovely…" Jezebelle smiled lightly, "You're truly a man of many surprises…"
Link chuckled as they continued their dance together.
Meanwhile over at the refreshment table, the young girl Petra was staring up at the food platters, annoyed it was too high up for her to reach very far. She wondered what she could grab within range. She hopped up and down a few times, managing to grab a piece of what looked like some pork and popped it into her mouth, only to revolt in disgust at the overly rich taste. She looked around left and right frantically before spitting it into a nearby planter.
"Blimey that was course!" she stuck her tongue out, "I swear I never liked this fancy stuff!"
"Did you need some help, little one?" spoke up Ruto, walking over to Petra and leaning down at her, "Forgive me, but you looked like you were having trouble."
"Gack!" Petra exclaimed in surprise at the Zora Queen, before folding her arms and looking away with an annoyed pout, "I-I can fish or cut bait just fine! Sod off ya pollock queen!"
"Oohohoho, now I see why Link is so fond of you. You've got the bite of a shark!" Ruto laughed in a haughty tone.
"Eh? H-He's fond of me?" Petra asked with wide eyes.
"Oh sure, he's talked about you a lot to me. In fact, just look at how he's taking to your mother." Ruto said, gesturing over at the two dancing together. Petra looked to them and her eyes widened.
"Is that… Mum… and Mr. Link…?" Petra whispered.
"How about we leave them to that, and I help you pick something tasty out?" Ruto suggested. She gazed over the spread, before taking a few pieces onto a plate and giving it to Petra, "Here try this."
"Oh… thanks Queeny Pollock." Petra whispered, accepting the plate and taking a taste of it,
"I've been known to be a little rebel in my youth, and I could tell you aren't too different from how I was, still am honestly." Ruto smiled, "Thanks to my training in becoming a queen I've become quite the gourmet over the last year or so, and I believe that would suit your palette of taste. What do you think?"
"Hey, yer right! This ain't half bad!" Petra gave a toothy grin, "Thank you Queenie!"
"Ah, so you do have a polite side to you!" Ruto said with delight, she grabbed Petra's cheek and squeezed it, "And you're rather precious when you're smiling!"
"Gah! Sod off already, ya pollock!" the noblegirl complained in a fit, but Ruto only laughed again.
'I know it's strange, to be crazy about that guy… not a single bit of it, feels like it's genuine to admit...'
Back with Link and Jezebelle, the widowed woman was leaning against Link's chest as he held her around the waist, slowly dancing to the song Roesia was singing. Link was finding himself enjoying his time with the woman more and more, the way her arms clung around his waist, and her large, soft chest pressing against him.
'I know I'm not like those young schoolgirls, but I can't help but fall for his grin-like pearls… to be crazy about that guy...'
"This is so nice," Jezebelle whispered softly, "I wish this night would never end…"
"Hey, it's okay." Link assured her, thinking about how he stopped the dark future form happening, "No matter what may happen, trust me when I say there's always possibilities for tomorrow."
"You really think that way…?" Jezebelle spoke, she nodded, "I suppose you may be right."
'Crazy… about… that guuuyyy…!'
Soon the song came to an end, the crowd applauding for Roesia's final performance, as Link and Jezebelle broke from their embrace, but still holding hands.
"Thank you so much for the dance tonight King Link." the duchess spoke gently, "You're a far more welcoming desert king than the rumors suggested."
"Trust me, I get that a lot." Link grinned, "But thanks for giving me the chance."
"Oi, mum!" spoke up a voice, as the two looked down at Petra tapping her foot with a grumpy look, "You gonna just spend all night with this bloke?"
"Petrafina, remember what I told you? You need to be more dignified here." Jezebelle said waving her finger.
"Y-yeah… right…" Petra said, folding her arms and looking away, "Sorry Mum…"
"Hey Petrafina, how you doing? You enjoying the party?" Link asked, kneeling down at her.
"I… I guess." Petra muttered, kicking her foot against the rug.
"Hm…" Jezebelle paused for a moment, she heard the band starting up another song, "Listen, I have an idea King Link. Would you like to dance with my Petrafina next?"
"Huh...?" "WHAT?" Link and Petra both looked to her with wide eyes.
"I think she would be happy to have a little dance with you, what do you think?" Jezebelle suggested
"Well…" Link looked down at Petra, "Sure, I guess? As long as Petrafina's okay with it."
"I… um..." Petra tried to avert her gaze, but then she rose her hand up to Link, "I suppose… if you really wanna…" she grumbled, "B-But I'm too short, it's gonna look really stupid in front of everyone here!"
"I don't mind." shrugged Link, taking Petra by both her hands, "Come on, I'll lead."
"E-Eh?" Petra turned red at him holding her hands, as he started to take her to the floor.
Jezebelle sported a small smile, chuckling lightly and walking off, leaving the two to their dance.
As the music played, Link was slouching forward so he could hold Petra's hands, she was trying her best to dance, but her legs were too short and her dress was too long.
"Oh, look at that!" spoke a guest, "Now the Gerudo King's dancing with the... Rochchild's daughter?"
"What do you suppose that's about?" asked another.
"I hope he's not seriously considering what I think he is…" muttered a gentleman with a disturbed look on his face.
"Aw, don't think of it like that. I think it's cute!" giggled an older woman, "It's almost like what a father would do for his daughter!"
"Blimey I was right, this is so stupid…" Petra muttered, "How come you ain't embarrassed about doin' this with me?"
"Cause it's fun." Link snickered, raising up one of her arms so he could slowly twirl her, she was trying her best to be careful with her steps as he did. She almost tripped, but Link held her hands tightly to keep her from stumbling over,
"Mostly fun seeing you bumble around like that." he added with a cheeky grin.
"You bloody dodger!" Petra complained, swatting his arm, but Link just laughed as they continued.
"Look at that, how sweet of him." Zelda smiled as she, Darius and King Reinald were sitting at the royal table, watching the scene of Link and Petra dancing together.
"Yes, at times I wish I could have spent more time with you when you were that age." King Reinald spoke. Someone handed him another of the cocktail drink he had been having most of that night, and he took a sip, "Maybe I would have been able to understand you sooner…"
"Oh Father, don't talk like that tonight, this is a time to relax." Zelda assured him, "Tomorrow we're going to show our support for the Gerudo to be freed from the banishment law."
"Ha ha, perhaps you're right." Reinald chuckled finishing his drink, he made a small hiccup, "Excuse me. On that note, I think I'm getting a little too tipsy. I'm going turn in for tonight."
"Do you need help going to your quarters?" Darius asked concerned.
"No, I'll be just fine." King Reinald said with another hiccup, "I'll have my guards escort me."
He stood himself up, but took a moment to place a hand on Zelda's shoulder and smile down to her,
"Don't worry Zelda, I'm certain things will go well for everyone in the end. Just have faith, okay?"
"Very well…" Princess Zelda looked up to her father with a strange sense of uncertainty, but nodded, "Good night Father."
King Reinald nodded, "That's my daughter. Good night."
With that, Zelda watched as King Reinald walked off with his knights up the staircase and out the door.
'What is this feeling I have…?' Zelda thought to herself.
Back with Link and Petra, the two were continuing to dance through the song. Some of the crowd had dispersed at that point, but others continued to watch the cute scene. A number of them being some noblegirls who were enamored by Link being so sweet to the child he danced with.
"Aw, look at how cute that is!" spoke one girl.
"You know, despite how I felt earlier, the Gerudo King is such a sweetheart!" said another.
"Right? He looks like he's going to make a great father someday!"
"You know with this in mind… maybe I don't quite disapprove of him having a harem after all…" spoke one girl with a heavy blush, already getting wild ideas in her mind.
"You alright there Mr. Link?" Petra asked, "You look like you got chills allava sudden."
"I dunno, I got a certain uneasy feeling all of a sudden." the young king said as the noblegirls were all staring right at him from behind with eager eyes.
"Um… listen, Mr. King Link…?" Petra spoke glancing downwards, "Thanks for puttin' yerself out for me like this… I know I've been a pain in the neck for you since we met. I should be more of a polite noblelady like my mum wants."
"Hey, don't think like that." Link grinned, "If anything, I like that little attitude of yours."
"You... mean that?" Petra asked tilting her head.
"Definitely. Maybe I could try talking to your mother to loosen up a little about it." Link said.
"...I don't get it, why you bein' so nice to me?" Petra asked, "After everything I've done to you?"
"Well… I guess cause I know what it's like to feel out of place from everyone." Link said, "I lost my parents when I was young, and I grew up in a place where most of the kids didn't treat me as one of their own."
"Really?" Petra whispered.
Link nodded, "Despite that though I did have a few who helped me through it all, and I think I just want to do the same for you."
"Mister…" Petra stared up at the young king, as he continued to lead her through the dance.
Just as the song reached it's final notes, Link gave Petra a little spin before dropping her back into one of his arms. The crowd applauded the little dance between the two, along with some squealing by the nobleladies.
"Thanks for the dance Petra." Link grinned, "I can still call you that instead of Petrafina, right?"
"…" Petra stared up at Link for a moment. She quickly punched him in the side with a painless jab, before grinning and giving him a mischievous wink, "Of course ya rummy blighter!"
Link laughed just before a bunch of noblegirls came running up, crowding around him once again to chat.
"You were so sweet dancing with that little one!" squealed one girl.
"Would you like to dance with me next?" asked another.
"No me!" said a third.
"Maybe you'd like to join me elsewhere instead…?" one spoke suggestively.
Link was once again tongue-tied by the pack of noblegirl's advances. He looked around for a way to get out of it, but then noticed Duchess Jezebelle was looking out the window of the ballroom, namely seeing the sad look in her eyes.
"…sorry girls, but there's someone else I'd like to talk to right now." Link said, politely moving them out of the way and walking with Petra to go see the widow.
"Oh, King Link…?" Jezebelle spoke softly upon seeing them come up to her, "Thank you so much for looking after Petrafina."
"No problem, she's a lot of fun to have around." Link nodded.
"That's… nice to hear." she paused for a moment, before smiled lightly, "Listen, I need to cool my head a little. The balcony is unoccupied at the moment, would you be willing to escort me outside? I think I would feel safer with you around."
"Sure thing, but what about Petrafina?" Link asked.
"Don't worry about me none, I'll go hang out at the food table again." Petra shrugged, going off without even waiting for response.
"Are you sure about that Petrafina?" Jezebelle asked.
"Oi, I said I'd be fine, mum!" Petra snapped in annoyance, before working to climb up the table to get at one of the brownies on display at the end.
"Well, shall we then Duchess?" Link suggested, bringing up his hand. Jezebelle nodded and the two went off together out to the balcony.
Meanwhile, Countess Roesia had just left her dressing room to attend the party. Some of the nobles greeted her and complimented her singing. While she thanked them, she wanted to get through the crowd and meet a certain man attending the party that had her interest.
But when she finally found Link, she saw him escorting the Rochchild widow outside to the balcony.
"What is she of all people doing with him…?"
The Countess frowned slightly, before she went off to go see to other matters.
The cool breeze blowing through the area was indeed a welcome change from the hot noisy dance room. The balcony also had a fine view of the royal gardens and fountains. Link could easily make out the area where he used to sneak through to meet with Zelda back when they were kids.
"What a lovely view." Jezebelle smiled, "To think there was a time when I thought Welsom's estate yard was the most exquisite."
"I used to live in the forest as a kid, so when I came out here for the first time, I was surprised to see such tall buildings like this." Link said leaning on the balcony, "And the castle has always been a fascinating place for me."
"It sounds as though you've lived a fascinating life." Jezebelle spoke, she stared out at the garden, "…I wish I could have lived like you."
"Why? What was yours like?" Link asked.
"Believe it or not, when I was young, I grew up as a commoner." Jezebelle spoke, "Most of my childhood had been rather mundane in our village…"
"So how did someone like you end up marrying a guy like that Welsom bastard?" Link asked.
"Well you see… my parents were careless with money, and they ended up falling into rather substantial debt. In desperation, they had sought out someone who they could ask for a loan… but he insisted on having collateral for it."
"I take it Welsom was the one who loaned the rupees to them?" Link deduced.
"That's correct." Jezebelle nodded, "Unfortunately, my parents couldn't make their payments properly, and they didn't have anything to give him that he desired," she then spoke distantly. "…except for one thing…"
"What would that possibly- Wait…" Link paused as he saw the pain in her eyes, "You mean… they gave you away to him?!"
Jezebelle just stared out at the garden, speaking softly, "I was only thirteen when I was taken away from my home and village, to live with Welsom in his grand estate…"
"….and I had just turned fourteen… before I bared my first daughter."
"By the goddess Aifet…" Link gasped out in shock, it seemed Welsom was an even bigger monster than he knew, "I-I'm so sorry, I had no idea."
"It's okay, it means a lot to hear someone tell me that…" Jezebelle smiled sadly,
"There was no love between me and Welsom, all he wanted was children in order to boaster his worth as a nobleman. But when my first daughter turned seventeen, he deemed her unfit to inherit the family estate, had her thrown out of the house, and he made me bear him a second child."
'That was Petra…' Link thought, "Did you ever find out what happened to your first daughter?"
"From what I've heard, she lived here in the Market Town for some time, but disappeared long ago, and has never been seen again." Jezebelle said, she looked to Link, "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to bring all this drama onto you."
"Don't be, I'm glad you could get it off your chest." Link shook his head, "Anything to help both you and your daughter feel better."
"It makes me happy to see you get along so well with her." Jezebelle spoke softly, "She never tires of speaking about you since she came back to me. Especially with the way you helped her back during the Widowmaker incident."
"Heh, really now?" Link grinned.
"Indeed." Jezebelle nodded, she gripped at the balcony fence and stared back out at the garden,
"You know, I was merely jesting the other day when I suggested she marry you, but if I were to be completely honest…"
The duchess turned to Link with a deep, warm smile on her purple lips, batting her eyelashes slowly,
"I… wish it could had been possible for you to have been Petrafina's father instead."
"Duchess…" Link blushed deeply, stunned by the meek woman's bold words. He averted his gaze to look out at the garden for a moment. He took a deep breath and spoke out,
"…well… If you truly want that, maybe… I could still be."
"Gerudo King…?" Jezebelle looked up to him.
Link spoke, "I haven't known Petra for very long, but after getting to learn about and understand her, I think I'm warming up to the idea. Her father was an irredeemable monster, but she herself has grown into a good kid. I'm willing to bet you had a hand in that."
"Well, I suppose…" Jezebelle blushed a little.
"That said, I think you could stand to let her loosen up a little and speak more naturally." Link pointed out, "She's a lot happier when she gets to be her real self."
"Yes, you do have a point…" Jezebelle trailed off in thought, "It's not like we'll be nobles any longer after tonight anyway…"
Link looked back out at the balcony as the cool breeze blew through his hair.
"Speaking of which, I think now more than ever that Petra needs a real father in her life, one that could protect and raise her through her youth, so she can grow into a strong adult someday."
"And… you think you would be the most qualified for that?" Jezebelle asked, twirling a finger in her hair as she glanced to him.
"Probably not." Link shook his head, confusing the noblewoman,
"So far the children I've fathered with my royal childbearers are barely even a year old, but I've been learning a lot with them. I know I probably wouldn't be perfect at raising Petra, but I would do my best for her sake."
He looked down at Jezebelle, boldly putting his hand over hers.
"And who knows? If things go well between the two of us… maybe someday you and I could give Petra a little brother or sister or two to care for as well."
Jezebelle looked up at Link, spacing out in confusion of his words for a moment, before her pale face turned a bright red,
"Y-Your Highness!" Jezebelle gasped, "A-Are you suggesting that we…?"
"Maybe I am." Link smiled warmly, squeezing her hand, "What would you say, Ms. Jezebelle?"
"King Link… I…."
The two gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, before Jezebelle slowly brought up her hand to Link's face, and kissed him gently on the lips. Her face was cold from the outdoor weather, but he took to it well. He soon wrapped his arms around her waist and firmly returned the kiss back.
As they embraced, Petra went walking out to the balcony eating a brownie she swiped from a nobleman's plate, only to be shocked to see her mother and the Gerudo King kissing each other. She clung to the door frame, her eyes widened with shock at seeing her mother, and her hero entwined in such a way.
Soon Link broke the kiss between the two of them, he noted Jezebelle felt much warmer than before. The noblewoman gasped out for breath, having never been kissed with such vigor and passion.
"Perhaps… you and I... could leave the party early?" Jezebelle suggested, making sure her soft, round chest was pressed against him.
"Maybe I could ask someone to look after Petra for the night?" Link suggested as a reply.
Petra quickly hid behind the door frame as Link and Jezebelle both came back inside. While she didn't hear their conversation, what she had just seen with her eyes had been enough to tell her what had been going on. She could feel her spirits lifted at such a sight, wondering if this meant what she had hoped...
'Could… he be…?'
If any of the partygoers bothered to notice her, they would have seen Lady Petrafina bearing a beautifully bright smile on her fudge-caked lips.
As Nabooru was busy chatting with a nobleman, someone came up and tapped her shoulder to get her attention.
"Hey Nabooru, could I ask you a favor?" Link asked.
"Link?" Nabooru turned and noted Jezebelle standing beside him, "What's going on here?"
"I think I'm going to leave the party now. Can you possibly ask Sarami if she'd look after Petrafina for the night?"
"Well I'm sure she'd be happy to, but what's going on, is there an emergen-?" Nabooru noticed how Link and Jezebelle were discreetly holding hands together, and she caught on quickly. She sported a knowing smirk and nodded,
"I see... Okay then. I can arrange that. You have fun tonight," she winked, "Both of you."
"Thanks." Link smiled, as he went off with Jezebelle together.
Nabooru chuckled as she watched them leave, before going off to track down Petra's whereabouts.
'Link, you may not be the best at sophistication, but you're a damn good charmer when it counts.' she thought to herself.
As Link and Jezebelle walked towards the stairs, a number of noblepeople starting chattering at the sight of the Gerudo King with the widowed duchess.
"Oh my, is that the Gerudo king with that woman?"
"No fair, what does he see in her?"
"How scandalous, isn't she a recent widow?"
"She must truly be as bad as her husband."
Jezebelle once again felt awkward about their snide comments, but Link pulled the noblewoman close,
"It's okay, don't let them bother you Jezzie."
"…of course." Jezebelle smiled softly at the petname he gave her, leaning closer to the young Gerudo King as they began up the staircase.
This didn't miss the gaze of Ruto, who watched the two go up together. They stopped to speak to Aviel and Nemisa, the former of which gave Jezebelle a big hug with her wings, before they left out the door. Ruto was a little surprised, but smirked lightly.
"Good luck with her Link, she seems to be quite a handful."
Link and Jezebelle soon arrived in the noblewoman's personal quarters. The two were already making out heavily as Link kicked the door shut, and Jezebelle fumbled to reach into her pocket, yank the key to her room out of it and lock the door tight and secure.
The two of them sat down on the large soft bed, kissing just a little more before breaking the embrace and looking into each other's eyes.
"Never… have I been kissed… with such passion before…" Jezebelle gasped, "Gerudo King, I..."
"Shhh," Link whispered, putting his finger to her lips, and his other hand laid on her thick thigh, "You can just call me Link now if you want."
"Link…" she whispered, putting a hand to his chest, "Are you certain of doing such a thing like this with me…? I fear I may be too old for one as young as you…" she cast her gaze aside, "...not to mention that I'm used goods… of that monster I was once with…"
"Hey, I don't mind at all, I've been with some experienced women too." Link nodded, "Some of them have been with even worse men…"
He took Jezebelle by her chin and made her look at him eye-to-eye, smiling warmly,
"...and if you really think you're too old for me… then you're one of the hottest old ladies I've ever met."
With that, he began by removing the black choker from her neck, then taking the strap that held her dress on and expertly undid it, causing her large chest to bounce out freely from the corset.
"O-Oh my, Link I-!"
Jezebelle gasped out as Link started kissing at her bare neck, as he fondled at one of her bare chest mounds. She moaned out lustfully as she took his shoulders and pulled him forward as she laid back on the pillows, allowing her new lover to do take charge with her body. Link's kisses went along her neck and down to her collar area. His curious hands roamed around feeling at her curves. The way he kissed at her while fondling her most sensitive body parts were driving her crazy. She had never been treated like this in her life.
It didn't take along after that for the bottom part of Jezebelle's dress to fall to the floor, and Link's formal attire to come down soon after,
…and the young king and the widowed noblewoman shared a wonderful night together.
Meanwhile, in another area of the castle, a knight was busy doing his patrols. He rounded a corner, beginning to go down the hall of King Reinald and his late wife's bedroom. The knight would have liked a little excitement for such a boring patrol night, but at the same time he appreciated nothing was going wrong to spoil the dance party.
But as he arrived near the king's quarters, he noticed the knights that were supposed to be watching the door were instead both sitting and slouched against the wall with their heads down.
"Hmph, dozing off on the job are they?" the knight muttered in annoyance, he took the shoulder of one guard and shook him,
"Hey, wake up! Just because the king is sleeping doesn't mean you two lazybums can go and-"
But when he nudged the knight enough they fell to the ground with an impact and their helmet fell off, revealing they had somehow been beaten severely. The knight looked in surprise to see the other guard was just as badly injured.
"Ooooh…" groaned one of the them, "What happened…?"
"What the hell?" the knight then looked to the bedroom door and opened it, seeing in alarm that the door was unlocked. He quickly burst into the room to see to the king's safety.
"Your Highnesss, is everything oka-?!"
But much to the knight's shock, he saw laying on the large bed motionless was the great Hylian ruler and Zelda's father, King Reinald Ingelramnus Hyrule...
...and the gold dagger that was impaled into his chest.
And that ends this week's chapter. Next time, what seemed to have ended as such a hopeful and joyous night for some, has turned to tragedy.
Just what happened to the king, and what will this mean for Link and his friends? Find out next time!
In case you're wondering, yes the songs Roesia sang were homages to classic 40s-50s songs like 'Mad About the Boy' and 'Dancing Cheek to Cheek'. I wanted to avoid using the actual songs since it would seem out of place in Hyrule, so I went with these modified knockoffs.
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