3 more hours until she could finally see Link.
She felt a positive feeling stab her in the gut.
Wait-
Elgh, what was wrong with her? She hadn't even seen his entire face, and had barely even heard his name! And yet, when the thought of his name came to her head, the butterflies stirred. And when she matched it with his face, they flew all over her stomach, their wings flapping at her abdomen as her heart soared, pulling a trigger that caused her face to unintentionally turn into a grin. She didn't even know this man, barely knew what he looked like, and yet he was always on her mind... and when he was, she couldn't seem to focus on anything else.
Just 3 hours. One tea party with her best friends. It shouldn't be difficult! She wore a floral, soft yet formal dress and her hair was braided with curly loose strands as she made her way down to the garden, a basket of strawberries from the kitchen hooked on her arm. She rushed down the stairs and opened the glass doors into the garden.
The sunlight shone in her emerald eyes through the glass roof, designed to be able to see the beautiful stars through it. Flower bushes and fruit trees surrounded a small pathway, leading into a clearing, where there was a little stone table where she and her friends would meet for tea. She pushed a branch back to be greeted by the warm smiles of Daruk, Mipha, Urbosa, and Revali. Out of the group, Revali was probably her best friend, Urbosa was like her mother, Mipha like her sister, and Daruk like her strange uncle that tried to look cool. She beamed and placed the strawberries on the table, taking a seat. She shifted uncomfortably and looked around as she bounced her legs. Mipha and Daruk popped strawberries into their mouth as Urbosa and Revali watched her, brows furrowed. She caught their eye.
"...What?"
"If I may, whom are you so starstruck over?" Revali smirked, and Urbosa kicked him from underneath the table. "Ow!"
"What?! What are you talking about?! Utterly- ridiculous! Preposterous!" Zelda huffed and crossed her arms.
"See?! Ugh, you bird brain! I told you she would get even more defensive if you brought it up like that!" Urbosa said, rolling her eyes. Revali started to speak, but Zelda interrupted him.
"I have no idea what you two are talking about, and this subject is no longer a part of the conversation! Simply one making an assumption, and a silly one, at that," she said angrily. Mipha straightened her shoulders and cleared her throat, swallowing the last bit of strawberry.
"May I make a suggestion, Your Highness?"
"...Yes, Lady Mipha. Why not?"
"Well, uhm... perhaps you finally met someone at the masquerade ball that you took an interest in?" Mipha said, fidgeting with her fingers. Zelda sighed and tried to keep the blood from rushing to her face as the group grinned in realization. Revali snapped and pointed at Mipha.
"Yes. That is exactly what happened, isn't it?" He said, chuckling. Daruk suddenly gestured his fists in enlightenment, booming on the table.
"I saw who it was! Through the windows of the castle, while leading my Gorons up to deliver some ore to the King, I saw the Princess dancing with a Knight! Not a Prince! She was redder than the maroon lining on her mask!" Zelda tried to signal him to shut his abnormally large Goron mouth.
"Did you recognize him?!" Revali asked, as Zelda's eyes widened and she tried to hide her face with the basket of strawberries.
"Uh... yeah! He's that one really strong knight who took out the General after being challenged! He was unconscious for at least a full day, and I'm pretty sure the only reason the General didn't murder him is he didn't stand a chance in a professional fight." Daruk laughed. Zelda shrunk in her chair as the group burst into laughter.
"Wasn't that just the other night where she was going on about how much she hated men and love?" The laughter grew louder and Zelda hid a smile.
"Revali, shut up! I may have taken an interest in him, but I certainly do not love him! Swear on my life! I don't even know what love feels like!" She exclaimed, picking up a strawberry and throwing it at Revali. It hit him in the beak and he gasped, Zelda's eyes widening.
"Oh, it's on, Princess," He said, standing up and gesturing his head to Mipha, then to the little pond behind him. Mipha giggled and raised a hand, a small ball of water following it. She launched it at Zelda and she screamed, ducking as the water hit the wall behind her. The rest of the afternoon was Zelda dodging water balls and everyone else getting obliterated by fresh strawberries.
~
Zelda beamed as she carefully slipped out of her bedroom. It was right after supper, everyone would be bustling around and paying no attention to her locked door. She wore tan sandals and a white nightgown that flowed gracefully around her waist as she tiptoed towards the back door. She felt the crisp, chilly night air on her bare skin and she felt her goosebumps come in a wave, a chill along her body. She quickly ran across the cobblestone bridge, ignoring the ribbiting frogs below it that she would usually stop to greet. If anyone saw her, it was game over. So what if her best friends knew about it, they were joking. But the knights and maids would do anything for even a sliver of respect from the king.
She ran farther, down the gravel path until she reached the stone wall, taking a sigh of adrenaline, excitement as she walked through the tiny garden gate and out to the castle grounds. She bit her lip, holding back a grin as she jogged over to the area she believed Link was talking about. She mapped out the area- long, green grass, a dirt path that lead to the training grounds, and a large tree that covered the ground below it with its blanket of leaves. She beamed as she realized this is where Link wanted to meet her. She walked over there and flattened her dress, sitting down properly. She looked out at the moon, waiting for him.
5 seconds.
10 seconds.
Ugh, this is taking so long! He probably bailed on her. A prank, pulled by her friends. Besides, why would he ever want to meet her, let alone talk to her-
"AGH!" Zelda yelped as Link slid down the tree from above, nearly landing on top of her. He casually placed his feet so that he could put his hand under hers, lift it and kiss the top of it. She jumped back, startled, but blushed as she realized what the rest of his face looked like. He really was quite handsome.
"Smooth, right?"
"E-excuse me?"
"Go on, answer," he said, one brow raised as he sat down next to her. Zelda sighed and looked up at the moon, a puzzled look on her face.
"Hmm... lower grade, but smooth, I guess," She giggled. Link grinned and looked at the ground, his smirk staying glued on his face.
"I'm surprised you came."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"We had just met, and what type of Princess would want to meet a simple, boring knight in the dead of night, having to sneak out just to see him?"
"...Me?" Zelda said, not even 100% knowing her real reasons- not that she wanted to reveal them. He gave an audible exhale, his version of a laugh.
"Yeah, I guess so. But why? Why risk so much to meet someone like me?" Link asked, attempting to make eye contact, his ocean blue eyes soft and sympathetic.
"...You're not boring. You're kind, and funny, and I hear you're a very skilled knight."
"Average, I suppose. But you're not answering my question." He said, looking back out at the sky. Wow, he was very insistent. There was a moment of silence, crickets and frogs louder than ever.
"To be honest, I don't completely know. I believe when I met you, I had this feeling- this feeling that you wouldn't be like the others."
"The others?"
"The other pervert princes. They're horrible, I tell you. But you just felt worth coming out here for... you seemed nice, and I just felt instantly attached to you. Like I've known you for hundreds of years." Zelda blushed at the last bit and turned her head away. But he nodded his head understandingly.
"No, I get it. I kind of felt the same." He said bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck.
"But I must ask... why haven't you taken your mask off? The ball is over, and I'm interested to see what your entire face looks like," she said. Link looked down again.
"Not to be rude... but your father doesn't particularly like me, or the other knights at the grounds. I don't want you to be in trouble for being around me- so it's best you just- don't know what I look like," he said, smiling warmly. Zelda rubbed her head and opened her mouth to argue, but stopped.
"...You're right. I'm so sorry... he's just-"
"He's doing a father's job, just a little more protectively. It's alright." Link said reassuringly.
"My father really can be terrible. Being a Princess- it might seem like the best and all, but really, I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I never go out, I can't make my own decisions-" She choked on her tears and Link scooted a little closer sweetly. "It's like I'm not even living- I'm just existing."
"I understand. I'm so sorry... I kind of know what it's like. My dad always wanted me to be a knight, and don't get me wrong, I do, but I was also invested and cooking and he wanted me to stay far, far away from that. I make a meal every now and then, but..." Link said, trailing off.
"...You feel like it's some sort of crime to make your own decisions... even though it's your own life."
"Exactly. Of course, my situation isn't half as bad as yours, but I thought I would try and relate." Link muttered. Zelda nodded, sniffing.
"I know we just met, but it feels like I can talk to you about anything. Like we know each other so well. You're a great person to confide in." Link smiled and it seemed to melt Zelda. She suddenly let a few tears fall, accidentally. His smile faded. "I just despise it. Everything." She whimpered, and Link placed a hand on top of hers.
"It's alright... even if the world goes to hell, I will be here for you. Just let me know if you're in some trouble, and I'll get there as quick as I can." Link said, smiling down at her. Zelda wiped her tears.
"Thank you, Link." She sniffed.
"Any time."