A/N Welcome readers.

This AU story is going to be set five years after BOTW and will mostly be based on events from Tears of the Kingdom and the resurrection of Ganondorf as the Demon King. As I enjoyed the 'whole puppet Zelda' doing bad things, I wanted to write something similar but with Zelda gradually being totally corrupted. Yes she'd probably be protected due to her goddess powers, but I'll attempt to work around that. It will also include references to Breath of the Wild. It is not a retelling and will deviate from the original story. I also wanted to make it a little darker and disturbing.

This story will not feature any time travel and there will be only mentions of the Zonai. I just didn't enjoy how they changed most of the Lore from Botw

For story purposes. I am going to keep using malice instead of gloom. Also Sefaro, one of the school children will feature more predominately in this story then his character in game.

There will be some Zelink moments too.

Chapter One

In the deepest, darkest confines of Hyrule Castle something stirred...

It was subtle at first...

The involuntary twitch of a foot...

Unfurling of previously decayed fingers...

Withered bones cracking, slowly snapping into place...

Eyelids fluttering...

The magical seal gradually weakening resulting in the black-magenta tar like substance known as malice to slowly seep from its body...

The awakening was already beginning...

It was only a matter of time.

Hateno village was the largest settlement in the Kingdom of Hyrule. Located in East Necluda and situated at the base of Mount Lanayru, it was a bustling community with an array of businesses' and friendly residents.

On this rather quiet and peaceful morning, Princess Zelda elegantly made her way across the field towards the village school. Symin the school's teacher had been summoned back to Lookout Landing on urgent business so she had offered to oversee today's lessons.

The school had been built a year after the Calamity as part of Hyrule's restoration efforts. Although Zelda had commissioned Bolson to carry out the work, she oversaw its construction from the ground up. She had been well aware of the large number of children in the village who were going to benefit greatly from the education it would provide.

From the day of its unveiling, Zelda had observed the classroom wherever possible. In fact, the children had become quite fond of her, with several students drawing pictures for her, some of which had been hung in the classroom, whilst the others she had gladly hung up in her study. However, due to her royal duties taking precedence lately, she hadn't been able to visit the school as often as she would have liked.

It was just before eight and from the distinct sound of chatter and laughter it looked as though the children were starting to arrive. She stepped outside the building in order to greet them personally. "Good morning, children," she announced in her soft, regal voice.

Upon seeing the princess, the children stopped in their tracks and immediately fell silent. Aster, one of the young girls with a bob cut shuffled forwards. "Good morning, Ms. Zelda. Are you going to be our teacher today?"

Zelda nodded cheerfully. "Yes I am."

Sefaro, the eldest boy in the class stepped in front of Aster, attempting to impress the princess. "I have been brushing up on my reading skills, including reciting some new material based on the Calamity. I really hope I can share it with you sometime."

"Impressive! Symin told me you were a very bright student. I look forward to hearing all about it," she politely replied.

Just hearing her say that boosted Sefaro's confidence. "Thank you, Ms. Zelda."

"Will Professor Link be joining us too?" Azhu added. "I really enjoyed his monster curry, it was amazing."

At the mere mention of Link, Zelda's thoughts drifted to the young knight. During the weeks and months following the Calamity the two had developed a close bond, which over time had blossomed into an even closer friendship, eventually leading to her knight's reluctance to even leave her side. Recently though he had received an invitation from Prince Sidon of the Zora, which mentioned details of a ceremony and the unveiling of a very important statue. He had departed just over a week ago and she had to admit she was rather missing his company.

"Ms. Zelda?" Azhu repeated.

The princess was slowly brought out of reverie. "I'm afraid Li...I mean Professor Link is currently out of town on important business." It had almost slipped her mind that recently Link had been announced as the new professor, although his new status did make her chuckle.

"That's okay. At least you're here. We've missed you," Karin said as she embraced the princess.

Zelda felt her lips gently curl up into a smile. "Well I've missed you too. All of you. Now why don't we all head inside, I have an exciting day planned."

The children broke out into fits of excitement as they barreled inside and quickly scrambled into their seats, whilst still ensuring they were on their best behavior.

Once the students were settled, Zelda addressed the class. "So I'm afraid Mr Symin was called away unexpectedly so I'll be standing in for him today. I do apologize for not being around lately, but running a kingdom almost single-handedly is far more difficult then it looks. Anyway, shall we begin?"

The day began with some English and Math, before moving onto Zelda's favorite subject, science—biology to be more precise. The children were quite intrigued to learn all about the different flora and fauna, but they were especially fascinated with the silent princesses. Once an endangered species they were now known to commonly grow in the wild. She also chose to share a rather funny story at how during one of her research trips she had found a hot-footed frog and teased Link about becoming her test subject. It was rather amusing and the first time she had seen her knight genuinely panic-stricken.

Upon hearing this, the children too broke out in fits of laughter.

After morning classes had concluded, Zelda decided to take advantage of the warmer then average weather and allowed the children to eat their lunch outside. They were able to run freely, use the play equipment and they even challenged her to a game of tag which she gladly accepted. Unfortunately, the children were quite adept and needless to say she was simply no match for them. She silently berated herself for opting to wear one of her traditional dresses as opposed to her more casual attire.

The afternoon involved taking a trip to a cooking pot in the village itself. She was going to teach them how to make her favorite fruitcake. She informed them of the benefits it provided, like being known to clear one's head and to stay focused, something which she had taken full advantage of during her research of ancient technology. Luckily the recipe was rather simple to follow, and once she had provided them with the ingredients, Tabantha wheat, cane sugar, and a selection of fruits, the children were quick to put their culinary skills to the test in no time. However, once back in the classroom where she was going to judge each cake there was some fierce competition as to who's was better.

"Look Ms. Zelda, mine is the most perfect," Serfaro gloated.

Aster elbowed him out of the way. "I'm the better cook here. See, I decided to use an extra fruit so mine is way healthier."

"Well at least mine looks more round," Azhu piped up, laughing softly at his friends' efforts.

"Do you need glasses? Mine is perfectly shaped," Sefaro hissed, the exuberance in his voice now replaced by a tone of annoyance.

Karin placed her cake gently down, not wishing to get involved in the argument.

Zelda flicked her green eyes between all four cakes and they all looked and smelled delicious. However there was only way to settle this minor dispute. "Well, I believe this calls for a taste test." She went on to sample a portion from each child's cake and after a long silence she had made her decision. "You know what, they all look and taste exquisite. Top marks to you all."

As Sefaro sauntered back to his desk, he huffed.

Aster poked out her tongue, whispering, "I still say she liked mine better."

"She only said that because you're a cry baby."

"Am not," Aster retaliated.

"Are too," Sefaro countered.

"Children, please settle down," Zelda demanded, having to raise her voice for the first time. "Now, how about a story to finish off the day? Any suggestions?" Immediately a small hand shot up.

"I know, I know," Karin shouted.

"What was it like fighting the Calamity for one hundred years?" Sefaro interrupted.

The princess's face paled and Aster, Azhu and Karin exchanged horrified glances. Zelda had never spoken about that with anyone, not even Link. It was too unbearable, the pain overwhelming. "Perhaps it's best we talk about something a little more light-hearted.

"Tell us how about how you and Professor Link first met," Karin blurted out.

Serfaro crossed his arms. "Really?"

Zelda inhaled deeply. She had always struggled with a sense of shame at how she had treated her appointed knight. From those first introductions she was angry and jealous of how he was the chosen one and that whilst his skills had come with ease she had struggled immensely to unlock her powers. She recalled how she berated him at the Ancient Columns, throwing a temper tantrum and storming off like some spoiled brat when he was just carrying out orders. Then whilst on a field trip in the Gerudo desert she had managed to slip out of Gerudo town undetected, trekking off into the desert alone. This act of arrogance and carelessness had almost cost her her very life at the hands of the deadly Yiga Clan It was only after that she chose to evaluate her thoughts and feelings and warmed up to him. "Well I...I..."

"Are you and Professor Link going to get married?" Karin interrupted.

"Married?" she gasped as her eyebrows shot up. The question took her even more by surprise.

Sefaro scoffed. "Don't you know that a princess has to marry a prince. Although, Professor Link may be heroic, he isn't a prince."

"He's right. I am a princess and there are certain rules and traditions to adhere to."

"But what if you really love him?" Karin questioned further. "You already live together."

It was true. After Calamity Ganon's defeat, she had come to the realization that she had lost everything. Her family, her friends, even her home was in a state of disrepair and deemed inhabitable. Her knight was all she had, the only Link between then and one hundred years prior. So when he invited her to stay with him, how could she refuse? Of course she had never wanted to intrude or be a burden, but he had been quite insistent. Although he was probably regretting that decision now seeing as she had kind of taken over the place. "I'd like to actually think of it more as co-habiting," she went on to explain. "Once the castle is rebuilt I will be moving back there. Besides, Link is just a really good friend."

"May I add that technically you'd actually be a queen instead of a princess," Sefaro was quick to remind her. "And as queen you could make your own rules."

Zelda thought for a moment. "Actually you'd be correct, how very perceptive of you. However I've yet to have a coronation and princess somewhat suits me better, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yeah, Queen Zelda doesn't quite have the same ring to it," a familiar voice chirped up.

Zelda averted her gaze to the figure who was leaning casually against the door frame feasting on an apple. His shaggy blond hair, his vibrant blue eyes, his blue tunic, his cheeky smile. Yes there was simply no mistaking her appointed knight. "Link! Whatever are you doing here?!"

"Visiting my bride to be it would seem. Although it's the first I've heard about it. I don't even have a ring."

Zelda blushed and the children giggled, except Sefaro who just rolled his eyes.

"Well children, I think that's enough for today. Class dismissed. Mr Symin hopefully will be back to teaching tomorrow, so be punctual and on your best behavior."

"Yes, Ms. Zelda," they replied in unison.

"Will you promise you'll come visit us again," Karin asked.

"I promise."

Sefaro was the last to leave and as he brushed past Link he shot him a glare before sprinting across the field.

Link ignored him and strode towards Zelda. He seemed both thoughtful and amused. "So about this impending marriage, Your Highness?"

The children do have a wild imagination," Zelda noted as she backed away from him and proceeded to tidy up the classroom.

"Oh yeah, absolutely. I mean it's just outrageous to think you and I..."

"You know what, Link," the princess interjected. "I have so much work to do. I'll see you at home and then you can tell me all about your trip to Zora's domain. I'm rather excited to hear about your latest adventure."

"I've been gone a week and this is the kind of welcome I get."

Zelda apologized. "I'm sorry, it's just I've been rather busy. I took a trip to the Floret Sandbar where Magda helped me plant some of my favorite flowers. You know how overprotective she can be when it comes to flowers. I've also commissioned Bolson to begin reconstruction on the castle and although I offered him some of Hyrule's finest workers, he was insistent that he would only employ those whose name ended in son. Madness! Then Symin just took off to Lookout Landing with nothing but a note to say Purah needed his assistance, with what exactly who knows. And then..."

Link came to stand in front of her, placing a hand on each of her shoulders. "Zelda you're tense, just relax. Why don't you leave all this and come home?"

She relented. "I suppose you're right. Just give me a moment and I'll be along shortly."

"Okay, but remember it's your turn to cook. I quite fancy a hearty stew. After all, you do know what they say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

Zelda shot him a rather bewildered look. "Wherever did you hear such a thing?!"

"My mom told me. It's one of the wisest things I can remember her ever saying to me whilst she was alive."

She nodded. "Well a Hearty stew it is then."

A/N More to come...