"Father would sooner have me locked in my study than continue my research on the Guardians." Zelda paces her bedroom, mostly talking to herself, but appreciative to have someone to talk to. She's learned not to expect much input from Link, and attributes this to the precarious position he is in as a knight of the Royal Guard. She collapses onto the bed in a huff. "When must I go?"

Link clears his throat and replies. "Half eight."

"Lovely."

Link stands at the door to her room with his hands neatly clasped behind his hips. The only thing he can think about is his duty as Zelda's personal knight, to act respectfully. As the only knight, yet alone man, allowed in Zelda's boudoir, he's acutely aware of his actions, making sure to never step out of line. He often reminds himself that his job is to be her protector, not mentor, nor guide, nor partner. Even though she's warmed up to him, With the imminent threat of Calamity Ganon, they had no time for distractions.

"I understand I went against his wishes, of course, but Goddesses… am I truly expected to bend to his every will?" She rolls out of bed and walks to the wardrobe, considering herself in the full-length mirror, talking to her reflection. "Am I expected to accompany every strange foreigner who passes through town to dinner?" She pauses, fussing with her hair. "I can only hope there is enough wine to make it bearable."

Link chuckles, shaking his head. Zelda spins around, smiling at her success in making Link laugh, then shrugging. "I'm sure we'll find something to talk about."

She turns to her wardrobe, letting the different fabrics slide over her skin as she fingers through the dresses. Link tries to resist a smile as he watches her hold up dress after dress, considering the pros and cons of each. He notices how different she is when she isn't under the oppressive eye of the King, and he feels grateful he gets to see this side of her.

Zelda picks a long, navy, princess-line dress, largely for the way it fits across her chest and around her shoulders, adorned with white silk roses down to her sternum. She slips it over her underdress, fixing it just right around her waist. "Would you mind doing me a favor?" He walks over to her, watching as she takes all of her golden hair in her hands and pulls it to the side, turning to him over her shoulder. "Have you, perhaps, ever tied a corset?"

He remembers being a child and watching his mother tie up her own, and, feeling confident enough in his memory, he takes the ribbons on the back of Zelda's dress and starts to gently tug them together, loosening and tightening the slack until it's properly tied at the base of her spine, hugging the curve of her waist.

"Thank you, Link. What would I do without you?"

He can feel his breath catch in his throat, and any response escapes him. She promptly turns back to her vanity, picking out pins to use in her hair. Sensing he's no longer needed, he goes to the door.

"Wait for me, will you?"

"Of course, princess," he bows once more before stepping outside.

/

"To Princess Zelda." King Rhoam raises a glass of red wine, as does the rest of the dinner party. "May she fulfill her destiny and bring peace to Hyrule." The guests clink their glasses and drink heartily, resuming their lively conversations. Zelda proceeds to do the same, which earns her a questioning look from her father. She ignores this, turning to her supposed date for the evening.

"So, Erig, you're a trader, yes? How exciting must that be! Do you travel to lots of different areas in Hyrule?"

"Oh, certainly! From the peak of Mount Lanayru to the furthest reaches of the Eldin region. Why, I just got back from the Faron wetlands yesterday." He rambles on, speaking with such a thick accent it's nearly impossible for Zelda to understand, but she listens intently, as she was taught. "No matter where I go, there is always something surprising."

Link stands in the corner of the room; diagonal from Zelda, but still in her line of sight. She looks absolutely beautiful in the dress she picked. Her hair is pinned up in loops of gold and Link almost has to stop himself from swooning. She catches his eye and gives him a look that he can't quite discern before turning back to Erig.

"Have you ever been to the Gerudo region? We, well, I recently visited to work on the divine beast, Vah Naboris. I just think it's such an interesting place, and the Gerudo people are so kind. And of course I always enjoy my visits with Urbosa."

"Ah, yes, in Gerudo Town!" Erig turns to the table of noblemen and women. "Though they won't let just anyone in I hear. Believe me, I've tried!" There's a hearty laugh from the Goron on the opposite end of the table before he gets an elbow to the ribs.

Zelda takes another bite of her meal before turning back to him. "Mm, you must tell me about your time in Faron. I've heard it's just gorgeous there."

"Truly! The ruins there - I'm not sure if you've heard of the Zonai, the civilization from long ago? The ruins - well, you must see them for yourself, but I'll tell you this. I've never seen anything that took the breath right out of me like those statues!"

Zelda nods, anticipating the end of his sentence. "May I ask, did you happen upon any ancient Sheikah technology on your journey?"

"Now Zelda. That's quite enough." the King scolds, then turns his attention to his guest. "Erig, did you get to talk to Panet about the trade deal?"

"I did, actually…"

Zelda's face falls. Link watches as she puts her hands in her lap and chews on her bottom lip. Rhoam continues his conversation and Zelda finishes her food, politely smiling at the other guests but not making any conversation. When she's done, she stands, pushing her chair back from the table. "I must excuse myself for the evening. But it's been a pleasure." She gives a tight smile before gracefully exiting the room.

The dinner guests go back to chatting, unperturbed. Link looks to the King for instruction, but he's already started talking again with Erig. Link defaults to following the princess, always six or seven steps behind.

/

When they get to the double doors outside her bedroom, Zelda stops and turns to Link. "That was rather abrupt, wouldn't you say?" He opens his mouth but before he has a chance to respond, she continues. "Link, I hope I'm not overstepping, but would you mind helping me take this thing off?" She gestures to her gown, tugging slightly at it.

He nods and follows her inside. She immediately kicks off her shoes and falls onto the bed, spreading out over the blankets. She yawns and stretches, groaning. "Link?"

"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you a question?" She sits up, her hair falling out. "Did you like that man, Erig?" Link can't help but chuckle as he walks around the room, lighting the oil lamps. "Come on, you can tell me the truth."

Link hesitates before answering. He considers that maybe it really matters to her what he thinks; maybe she wants his approval. Or maybe she's trying to get a rise out of him, which she's known to try to do. Finally, he says, "He seems nice."

Zelda mutters something under her breath, her hands twisted up in her hair. Her buns fall down, the golden loops twisting around her face before relaxing on her shoulders. "Can I ask you another question?"

He wonders why she's so troubled tonight. Did Erig's presence affect her that much? Did she… perhaps genuinely fancy him? Lost in thought, Link eventually assumes Zelda will carry on without affirmation, and he's right.

She walks over to the window and stares out over the night of Hyrule. "Do you think I am wasting my time? Just as my father says?"

Of course it isn't about Erig. "No." He walks over to her and she turns her back to him, pulling her hair over one shoulder. He can't see her face, but he can sense she has high expectations for what he's about to say. "You are the Princess of Hyrule." Obviously. He takes a minute to collect his thoughts, untying her corset and pulls on the strings, loosening it enough so she can take it off.

"I've always known who you were. But…" He looks at his hands. Rough and calloused from sword training, climbing up mountains and manipulating the leather train of a horse. How did he get here? How was he the one the legendary sword chose? "I don't think I really knew you - before -"

"And now?" She asks, her voice softer as she slips out of the dress and sets it on a nearby chair. She turns to him and smiles, her soft white slip making her glow in the moonlight that pours in from the window.

"Now." He avoids her gaze, his heart beating in his throat. "Now… I like to think I know you." She squints at him, a smile threatening her lips. Taking care with every word, he continues. "You are compassionate. You're so smart. You… I admire" - he shakes his head and swallows - "your resilience. I - I'm honored to be… your… your knight." His breath is uneven.

"Can I ask you another question?" She whispers now, waiting no time for a response. "Do you ever… think about me? In a different kind of way? Because…" She pauses and looks in his eyes. "Sometimes… I do."

Link's stomach drops and he walks over to the dresser with newfound purpose. He instinctively grabs the hilt of his master sword, his heart racing. "You've… had a lot to drink."

"I haven't." She follows him. Her hand reaches to his shoulder, but he doesn't move. "Link."

His breathing is heavy. "I'm sorry, princess, I -"

She rests the palm of her hand on his cheek, holding his gaze. Slowly, she moves her face towards his, tilting to the right as their noses touch. Their breath on one another's mouths, Zelda lets out a small laugh, slipping her other hand around his neck.

He doesn't dare move, his head dizzy with Zelda so close to him. The countless hours he'd spent imagining the soft touch of the princess could never have prepared him for the real thing. She smells sweetly of vanilla and something else he can't quite place.

Watching her eyes flutter closed, he does the same, and she leans her body into him, their lips finding each other, tentatively meeting. The softness of her lips makes his head swim. They fit perfectly together and he savors it, gently pressing into her. She responds in kind, her fingers getting caught up in his hair. He cradles her waist, holding her body close to his, feeling the warmth of the soul tied to his for all of eternity. If he was ever unsure of their connection, all his doubts are gone by the time he has to pull away to catch his breath. He can still feel the electricity from her touch. It's unlike anything he's ever felt.

They look at each other, sizing up the other through a new perspective. Zelda sees the longing look in his eyes as his chest rises and falls. As the stoic knight who follows six or seven steps behind, whose thoughts and feelings always elude her, she didn't expect to feel so close to him.

Suddenly overcome with embarrassment, Link jumps back. "I'm sorry Zelda - Princess - I - My apologies, Princess. I should…" He coughs and turns for the door.

"Link…" She furrows her brow at him.

He turns to her, his head in a fog. "I'm - Yeah. I need… I… my apologies." He bows before quickly excusing himself, leaving Zelda to herself.