Royal Wedding - Part Two

Summary: Zelda and Royce host their wedding reception at Hyrule Castle, celebrating their love and union. Mipha and Link are reminded of their own wedding day in more ways than one, as Mipha uses one appetite to overcome another, keeping Link on his diet.

Amidst the resounding cheers and applause from the gathered crowd outside Hyrule Castle, the newlyweds Zelda and Royce, their hands now intertwined, stood on the observation deck. With a wave that was more than a mere gesture, they symbolized their union and the beginning of their shared journey as King and Queen of Hyrule.

Meanwhile, the invited guests had begun making their way from the Sanctum to the lavishly decorated dining hall. The air was filled with the sweet scent of fresh flowers, their vibrant colors mirroring the joyous atmosphere. The castle staff, dressed in their finest attire, hurried to put the final touches on the already breathtaking room. Bouquets of vibrant blooms were placed throughout the long dining table, and elegant place cards were meticulously arranged before each seat.

As the guests entered, they were greeted with radiant smiles from the staff, their warm demeanor setting the tone for the evening. They were guided into a receiving line, an opportunity to congratulate the beaming couple upon their arrival personally.

"What a truly magnificent sight!" exclaimed Sidon, his voice brimming with awe and uncontainable excitement as he and his family eagerly lined up.

"This is the most thrilling day since Zelda's coronation," added Link. "And the castle was not as fine looking back then as it is now."

The castle orchestra arrived next and took their places, followed by someone designated as the wedding photographer, obviously using Zelda's Sheikah Slate. She was followed at once by Zelda and Royce, causing the room to erupt in applause.

"Thank you," said Zelda, acknowledging the applause. "Royce and I want to thank each of you now personally. But I know we're all eager to eat and dance, so let's keep this brief. There will be ample time to catch up during the reception. I'm famished, by the way. I didn't have much breakfast this morning - too many butterflies in my stomach."

"That makes two of us," laughed Royce, squeezing her hand as the guests chuckled.

"What a peculiar expression," whispered Tidon to his sister as the room chuckled. "Butterflies in their stomach?"

"Shh!" hushed Raypha. "It means jitters from nervousness - like we say, stomach bubbles. They didn't actually eat butterflies, silly."

People in line then began offering their congratulations before being escorted to their seats at the table. Link and his family were towards the middle of the line.

"We can all congratulate them together as a family," suggested Mipha. "It will speed things up for Zelda and Royce, as Zelda suggested."

When their turn came, Link embraced Zelda.

"I am overjoyed for you, Zelda. You look stunning, and the wedding was beautiful. Or perhaps it's the other way around? Both are true," smiled Link.

"Thank you, and thank you for sharing this special day with me, Link," chuckled Zelda. "It means a lot to me that you could be here."

Then, it was Mipha's turn.

"I couldn't have managed without your help this morning, Mipha," said Zelda gratefully. "You are truly a dear, dear friend."

"I'm glad. And I wish you and Royce nothing but happiness in the years ahead," replied Mipha sincerely.

The children also offered their well wishes and were thanked for being present.

Then Link, Mipha, and their family were escorted to their designated seats at the table. Two chairs at the table's head, facing the guests, were reserved for Zelda and Royce. Link found himself assigned the first guest seat closest to Zelda. Mipha sat beside Link, followed by Sidon, Raypha, and Tidon. The Best Man, Ryan, was already seated across from Link, and they exchanged greetings. Ryan would be sitting closest to Royce during the reception.

The number of guests was relatively small, so the receiving line moved quickly. And it was not too much longer before Zelda and Royce finally made their way to their designated seats at the head of the table. The master of ceremonies, who was in charge of the wedding and reception, cleared his throat and spoke up.

"To accommodate our esteemed guests' wide range of palates, Her Majesty has chosen a buffet for this evening's meal. However, our attentive staff will be happy to take your drink orders," he announced. "Please help yourselves in an orderly manner according to your assigned seating positions."

Of course, Zelda and Royce would be served by a waiter, but guests began rising to obtain their meal.

"No wonder Zelda placed you in the first seat," Mipha playfully teased Link as they stood up and walked toward the lavish buffet table.

"Very funny, sweetheart," laughed Link. "But I'm glad she did. I'm starving, too!"

"Perhaps I should choose some healthy, nutritious fish for you, Dad," Raypha suggested.

"But since this is a special occasion, let's not be too hard on your father, Raypha. He can also indulge in some healthy vegetables too," chimed in Mipha, a warm smile on her face as Raypha laughed.

However, when they reached the buffet table, Link's eyes widened at the array of mouthwatering dishes laid out across it. He had never seen so many delicacies at one time before. His excitement was evident as he turned to his family.

"Look," he exclaimed, unable to hide his eagerness. "There's too much exquisite food here to pass up. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I think I can indulge a little."

As they stood in line to fill their plates, the chatter and laughter in the dining hall filled the room with life. Behind them, Sidon talked animatedly about the castle's architecture he had seen together with Raypha and Tidon, who listened eagerly.

After filling their plates with various dishes and a steaming bowl of soup, they returned to their table. While the rest of the family concentrated on fish, Link couldn't resist sampling quite a number of delicious food options and ended up carrying two full plates back to his seat.

"Mom, I think Dad is overdoing his meal a bit," whispered Raypha. "I know you want him to stay in shape, but I guess nothing can top his legendary appetite."

"You think so, sweetheart?" said Mipha with a coy smile. "That may have been true when he was single, but it's not true anymore."

As plates were filled and people settled back into their seats, the joyful atmosphere of the meal continued. Laughter and conversation filled the dining hall as guests chatted and savored every bite of the delicious food. The orchestra's talented musicians added to the ambiance with a series of beautiful melodies floating through the air. Finally, Ryan rose from his seat.

"To the newlyweds," Ryan began, raising his glass above his head.

His voice echoed through the dining hall, silencing the chatter and laughter.

"To love as deep as the ocean, and as eternal as the stars in the sky. May you always find joy in each other's company and walk hand in hand through any storm that life may bring."

The guests raised their glasses to echo Ryan's sentiment. Zelda and Royce drank deeply, their eyes meeting over the rims of their glasses. Then, the room filled with applause once more after everyone followed suit.

Right afterward, the orchestra started playing a soft melody for the traditional first dance. Zelda and Royce took to the floor, holding each other close as they swayed gracefully to the music. They glided effortlessly across the floor, with Royce leading Zelda with gentle precision while her eyes were locked onto his.

"Thanks for encouraging me to practice dancing," Royce whispered to Zelda. "But you dance so well you make it easy for me."

"Dance lessons were the easier part of Princess training," laughed Zelda as she squeezed his hand. "At least now I have someone I can dance with regularly."

Royce laughed, and then they kissed and resumed dancing.

"They look so happy," Link whispered to Mipha. "I guess just as we did at our wedding."

"I'm glad you remember," said Mipha.

"Of course I do!" Link insisted. "You made my dreams come true."

After the dance was completed, other couples were invited to join Zelda and Royce on the floor. Mipha looked at Link with a playful smile, interrupting his attempt to sample more of his meal.

"Shall we, Linka?" she asked coyly, offering him her hand and reminding him of their emotional dance at the Gerudo Voe and You class.

"Oh, um, of course, sweetheart," replied Link, putting down his knife and fork and taking her hand in his.

Making their way onto the dance floor, Link positioned his hand on Mipha's waist and held her other hand. Dancing to the slow melody that the orchestra was playing took them back to their own wedding day.

"It's not Lakebed Lullaby, but it's still a nice tune," said Link.

"Yes, it will do fine," said Mipha.

Mipha ran her thumb across the back of Link's hand, and he looked up to gaze at her, admiring how her eyes radiated a warm golden glow in the room's light. Mipha had an almost magical way of making her eyes so expressive, full of care and affection, but also hinting at something more mischievous and seductive. As she pulled him closer, his heart began to race. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of her soft skin against his, and moaned. She felt so desirable at this moment he couldn't think of anything else. He squeezed her hand, and she caressed his back, sending tingles up and down his spine.

"Are you feeling even a fraction of what I am right now?" Link breathed out, becoming overwhelmed by desire. "You're driving me wild!"

"Am I?" Mipha replied with a smile as she gently ran the tips of her pointed fingernails up and down his back, making him moan once more. "I guess being at a wedding reminds me of our wedding night. And being so close to you like this, holding you in my arms, makes me hungry for you, even on land. It's instinctual for me to want to create the right mood between us."

"Right mood? I'm burning up!"

"Is my gentle touch really doing all that to you, sweetheart?" Mipha purred, her voice low and full of promise as they slowly moved to the music. She continued running the tips of her nails up and down the length of Link's spine, causing him to shiver in anticipation.

Link's heart pounded faster as they continued dancing and held each other close. Her touch was igniting a burning desire within him. Using his arm around her waist, he pulled her even more tightly against him, which, of course, made matters even worse.

Link groaned and whispered, "You're making me ache so much for you. Can we go to our room?"

"What? And leave your fabulous meal unfinished?"

"What meal? I can't stand what you're doing to me," Link moaned as they continued to hold their bodies pressed tightly together. Her skin was so unbelievably soft to the touch, and he adored the feel of it. "Nobody will miss us, and we can be back for the cake-cutting ceremony."

"Well … if you insist, dearest," said Mipha playfully as she took his hand, and they began making their way out of the dining room.

"Let's hurry," said Link as he tugged at her hand, and she giggled.

It was only a short distance to the guest room where they were staying, but it seemed to take forever for Link as they negotiated the turns, finally reaching the door. They entered the room, and Link kicked the door shut behind him. Then they rushed into each other's arms.

Meanwhile, at the reception, the orchestra finally finished the song and took a moment to prepare for the next one.

"Where did Mom and Dad go?" Tidon asked his sister as he looked around when they did not return from the dance floor.

"Oh, Dad looked a bit flushed. Mom probably took him back to their room to help him feel better," said Raypha.

"Why are you grinning?"

"Never mind," laughed Raypha.

The orchestra struck up a new tune, and this next song had a much faster beat.

"Finally! Some decent music," Raypha exclaimed as she began nodding her head in time to the tempo.

"Tidon, let's dance together!" Raypha nudged her brother playfully. "You could use the practice in case some girl actually grows to like you."

"Very funny, Ray. But where did you learn to dance?"

"My friend Fara and I practiced during lunch breaks at school," confessed Raypha with a grin. 'Did you think we spent our whole free time discussing math problems? Come on, Tidon! Don't be a snail in the mud."

"Fine," Tidon relented. "But if I embarrass myself, you have to promise not to laugh."

"I promise," Raypha said, taking her brother's hand.

As they reached the dance floor, they began to move to the music, Tidon trying to imitate Raypha's movements. At first, Tidon was stiff and awkward, but as the song progressed, he relaxed, allowing himself to follow his sister's lead better.

Just then, Sidon was startled by a voice from behind him.

"Sav'aaq Prince Sidon. It's a shame not to enjoy this delightful dance music, and I am here alone. Would you like to dance?"

Sidon turned to see Gerudo Chief Ryla standing behind him, and he stood up at once.

"Oh, yes, of course, Chief Ryla," said Sidon.

Sidon followed Ryla to the dance floor and began moving to the music. Ryla was obviously a highly skilled dancer and turned quite a few heads with her graceful movements and somewhat revealing outfit.

"You dance like a professional," Sidon murmured, then blushed, making Ryla laugh. "I meant that in a good way."

"I know what you meant. It's part of our 'meet and keep a Voe' training," laughed Ryla. "But Sarqso."

Zelda had also managed to coax Royce onto the dance floor, her gracefulness contrasting with his slightly awkward but charmingly earnest attempts to keep up.

"I know I need more practice with fast dances," muttered Royce.

"You're doing fine. I like slow ones better anyway," laughed Zelda.

Meanwhile, as they moved to the rhythm of the lively music, Tidon found himself enjoying the dance. Raypha, true to her word, did not laugh but encouraged him. By the song's end, Tidon had mastered a few basic steps.

"I told you it was fun," Raypha said, grinning broadly.

"Alright, I confess, it was," Tidon said, panting slightly. "That was more fun than I expected."

As the song ended and a slower melody took its place, Tidon and Raypha returned to their table, soon followed by Sidon.

"Wow," said Sidon as he took his seat. "Chief Ryla is an amazing dancer. I think everyone near us couldn't help but stare at her."

"Besides her dancing, I think her beauty and outfit helped, too," noted Raypha.

Meanwhile, Mipha and Link had abandoned all pretense of attending a wedding reception. When the door to their room closed behind them, they were upon each other like starving animals. Their hands roamed desperately over each other's bodies, their lips locked in a heated kiss that left them gasping for air. Link's fingers trembled as he traced every curve and dip of Mipha's body, his breathing growing more ragged with desire. And Mipha responded with a shudder, her hands quickly removing his outfit. After several more deep kisses, they collapsed onto the bed in a fiery explosion of passion, losing themselves in each other until they were both spent and completely sated.

Afterward, Link sighed contentedly as he struggled to catch his breath. "That was amazing," he murmured.

"For me, too," Mipha gasped between breaths. "Let's cool off in the water," she suggested. "Using my gills will help me recover faster."

They intertwined their fingers and walked towards the slumber pool, where they spent the next hour sharing kisses and basking in each other's presence. As they cuddled and kissed, Mipha eventually broke the silence.

"I'm feeling much better now. Maybe we should get going before being close to you in the water … I mean, I might need things to get heated between us again, sweetheart," Mipha suggested, gently caressing his cheek.

Link chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's probably best to head back. We've been gone for some time."

They quickly exited the slumber pool, and then Link dried off and dressed. After ensuring they both looked presentable, they left their room and returned to the reception.

They arrived just as Zelda and Royce were about to start the cake-cutting ceremony. Link and Mipha quickly took their seats, their faces glowing with an unmistakable sheen of happiness. Waiters had already cleared all the guests' dinner plates and utensils, including Link's largely uneaten dinner. He took a sip of wine instead.

"Whew! Just in time," whispered Link. "But see? Nobody cared that we were gone."

The wedding cake was magnificent, with multiple layers and a pristine white frosting. Along the edges were intricate designs of Silent Princess flowers crafted from sugar. It had been placed on a large circular table that must have been set up while Mipha and Link were absent. The soft glow of the candlelight from the chandeliers cast a warm, romantic ambiance over the scene.

Zelda and Royce took their positions behind the table, hand in hand, their faces beaming with joy. The photographer readied the Sheikah Slate, capturing the moment as the couple picked up the elegant silver cake knife together. They paused momentarily, exchanging loving glances and savoring the significance of this symbolic act. As they plunged the knife into the cake, Zelda looked at Royce and gave him a warm smile.

"Here's to new beginnings," she whispered, her words only audible to her newly wedded husband.

Royce nodded, his eyes mirroring Zelda's fondness. "To a lifetime of happiness," he added.

Then, with gentle guidance from each other's hands, they made the first cut into the bottom tier of the cake, and the guests erupted in applause and cheers. The newlyweds then carefully fed each other a small piece of the cake, their eyes locked on one another, smiles never fading. The sweet gesture represented their commitment to nurturing and caring for each other throughout their married life.

"I wonder what flavor it is," Mipha whispered.

"Knowing Zelda, it's probably filled with fruit," Link grinned. "She always loved fruitcake. By the way, why didn't we have a wedding cake?"

"Not a Zora tradition, sweetheart," Mipha giggled. "You married a Zora, remember? But it figures you would find a food-related item to complain about."

Link had to chuckle, and then they shared a quick kiss. Raypha glanced over at her parents, taking in their joyful expressions.

"Mom, is Dad feeling better?" she asked, leaning past Sidon after their kiss ended. "I noticed he didn't eat much of his dinner."

Mipha smiled warmly. "Yes, both of us are doing well, sweetheart," she reassured her daughter. "He just seemed to lose his appetite for food somewhere along the way."

"All right, everyone," said Zelda in a clear voice, drawing the attention of all the guests to herself and Royce by her side. "Royce and I hope you will all share our wedding cake now as a symbol of our hope for prosperity and harmony across Hyrule."

Waiters then took charge of the wedding cake and cut slices to bring to each guest. As Link expected, the inside was fruit-filled, and the delicious aroma of baked pastry and fruits permeated the air as the guests indulged in the cake.

"Wow! All I can say is delicious!" said Link as he took another bite.

"Indeed," agreed Mipha. "Zelda sure knows her desserts."

Sidon turned to Tidon, gesturing towards his plate. "You should try some. It's excellent!" he exclaimed.

Tidon hesitated, eyeing the slice before him with suspicion. "I hope it's not too sweet," he grumbled. "I don't trust Hylian food - it's not flavored as I like. "

Raypha rolled her eyes at his comment. "Try a bite first before making assumptions," she suggested mockingly.

Reluctantly, Tidon picked up his fork and took a small bite. His expression morphed from apprehension to delight in an instant. "This… isn't bad," he admitted.

Raypha smacked him playfully on the arm.

"Told you so!"

After everyone enjoyed their cake, Zelda stood up again.

"Thank you all for being here with Royce and me today," she began, her voice conveying gratitude and happiness. "It warms my heart to see so many I count as friends. May love and prosperity follow each of you wherever your paths may lead."

The guests erupted into cheers and applause once more, raising their glasses in a toast to the newlyweds. Afterward, the orchestra resumed playing, and some guests began dancing again. But others approached Zelda and Royce to wish them well and bid them good night. Link noticed Purah and Robbie had apparently already left, probably to resume their research. Mipha was busy talking with Ryla about how well Sidon danced, and when there was a break in Zelda's conversation, she turned to Link.

"I hope today of all days you're not planning to hurt my feelings, Link," said Zelda.

"Sorry, Zelda? Do what?" said Link as he rose from his seat.

"You haven't asked me to dance the whole night. I even looked for you earlier," said Zelda.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Zelda," said Link as he blushed. "I needed to go back to our room for a bit. All the excitement was too much for me. Then you were busy cutting the cake and so on when I returned. But is it too late to ask you to dance now? I'd certainly like to."

"Come on then," said Zelda as they made their way to the dance floor.

Link put his arm around her, and she took his hand. As was often the case, Link wasn't sure at first what to say, so he fell back on pleasantries.

"Everything went perfectly today," said Link. "It was a beautiful wedding. You look gorgeous, and the reception is amazing."

"Thank you. Was the food not to your liking, Link? I noticed you left a lot of food on your plates when they cleared the table," said Zelda.

"Oh, right," said Link. "No, the food was great, Zelda. I loved it. But you know me, how sentimental I can get. I became overcome with emotion thinking back to my own wedding during my dance with Mipha, and I didn't want to embarrass myself at your reception. I just needed some time away to compose myself. But congratulations again. Mipha and I are both so very happy for you and Royce. May I ask your honeymoon plans?"

"We're leaving for a week together in Lurelin Village tomorrow," said Zelda. "But I want to take this private moment with you to thank you for all you've done for me, Link. We've shared some special moments together, and I'll never forget them. And my marriage will not change our close bond: I still expect you and Mipha to visit often."

"We will," said Link. "We both love seeing you and especially seeing you happy."

"Remember when you put me to bed and stayed all night with me in Kakariko Village? I think that was the first night I rested well in such a long time, sensing you were there again as my faithful knight protector. That time, you were protecting me from myself - from my feelings of guilt. You and Mipha put me on the road to recovery on that visit."

"Yes," laughed Link. "I was happy to do it and see you get some much-needed rest. That seems so long ago, but I'll never forget those days either. I was also happy that Mipha was so understanding about our night together. I never realized how jealous female Zoras can get until I innocently spent a day getting some swimming exercise with an old girlfriend. But the main thing is you've moved on from all those regrets now, Zelda, and can look forward to a happy future."

"As can all of Hyrule, thanks to you, hero," said Zelda as she smiled at him.

The music was ending, and so was their dance.

"Be happy, Zelda," said Link. "You deserve it."

"I'll do my best," she laughed. "And you stay happy too."

Then they closed their eyes and embraced for a moment. Finally, with a squeeze of their hands, they parted, Zelda to return to Royce's side to wish guests farewell and Link to find his family.

Royce was currently occupied expressing his gratitude towards his best man.

"Thank you, Uncle Ryan," Royce said sincerely. "You handled all your duties flawlessly."

"I'm just glad I could help," chuckled Ryan. "I must have double and triple-checked to ensure I had the rings. Your father always used to say you were destined for greatness, even when you were just a little giggling toddler on his knee. He would bounce you gently and say, 'We chose a name fit for royalty, little Royce. Someday, I just know you'll achieve great things.' Little did he know how prophetic his words would be."

"I don't remember that moment, but thank you for sharing it with me. I wish my parents could be here to witness this special day. But of course, Zelda wishes the same for her own parents."

As the guests slowly said their goodbyes and wished each other well, Link and his family gathered to bid farewell to Zelda and Royce. Although they would spend one more night at the castle, they wouldn't see either of them in the morning when they left for home.

"Thank you all for coming," Zelda said with gratitude. "As I mentioned in my letter, you are all family to me, and your presence here means so much."

"And if you call Zelda 'aunt,' then that makes me your uncle," added Royce. "I hope you will think of me as such. An uncle played a significant role in my life."

"Oh, let me return this beautiful Zora necklace, Mipha," said Zelda as she unclasped and handed it back to Mipha. "It was very kind of you to share it with me."

"We believe it will bring blessings to your wedding and your life together," Mipha replied with a smile.

"Now we really must be off," Link chimed in. "Our children are getting too big to carry, and I think they're exhausted from all the dancing and fun."

"Oh, come on, Dad! We can handle it!" Raypha laughed.

"Anyway, goodnight, everyone, and enjoy your time in Lurelin Village," Link grinned. "It's the perfect spot for a honeymoon."

After exchanging hugs, Link and his family headed to their rooms for the night.

"I hope Gaddison and Rivan are doing well," said Mipha as they neared their room.

"Knowing them, they're most likely enjoying the festivities in Castle Town," said Link. "We will probably hear all about it tomorrow on the way home."

Meanwhile, the orchestra was packing away their instruments as the last guests prepared to leave, saying their final farewells to Zelda and Royce. Finally, only they and the staff remained. Zelda approached Anton, the master of ceremonies.

"Thank you so much for making everything perfect, Anton," she said gratefully. "And please extend my thanks to your staff as well. You all deserve a week of vacation, and I insist you take it at your convenience. You have all worked tirelessly, and I am truly grateful."

"And thank you from me as well," Royce smiled.

"Thank you, Your Majesties," Anton replied with a bow. "I will inform the staff, and I am pleased to hear that everything was done to your liking."

"Goodnight," Zelda said as she bid him farewell.

Zelda and Royce turned one last time to look back at the dining hall as castle staff did some cleaning up and extinguishing candles.

"What a lovely end to a perfect wedding day," Zelda sighed.

"End?" Royce exclaimed as he took her hand. "Our wedding isn't quite over yet, is it sweetheart?"

"It's not? Did I forget something?" Zelda asked as a playful glint shone in her beautiful emerald eyes.

"Only the most important," said Royce. "The chance to show you how much I truly love you."

Then they both laughed before stealing a quick kiss and walked hand-in-hand to her room, their cheeks flushed with excitement.