“I heard about your little excursion last night,” Sheik says. He’s looking up at me as he holds the reins to my horse. I’m currently sitting atop the Royal Mare’s saddle.

The Royal Mare, as Sheik and I refer to her, is actually a mixed-breed horse that answers to the name of Epona. She’s a seven year-old creature, with a red-brown coat and a white spot down her nose. I know that she’s not a pure-breed, but I don’t care. She’s gentle and patient, and those are two very appreciated qualities where I’m concerned.

The basic idea of this course, I found out, is to make me ride side-saddle, for elegance, and to practice my back posture, which, if you ask me, is just another way for me to suffer. I’m lazy, after all. They’re asking so much of me.

Plus, you don’t realise how big a horse is until you’re standing next to it, wondering how to climb onto its back. It took me a whole hour this morning just to get the hang of climbing into the saddle ―with grace, please― without falling off the other side.

Sheik sniffs, leading Epona around the track. “When Link found out you were gone, he ran into my room, almost strangling me to wake me up. He was furious, and he was saying all this gibberish about his sister, alcohol, underage, and he was waving around a letter and saying that you were sorry, and he was really pissed. Frankly, I didn’t understand a word of what he said. Then, he left my room as fast as he came in, and I figured it was just a phase, so I went back to sleep.”

The idea of Link getting upset and angry about my departure is enough to make me both warm and chilled. Warm because it’s a compliment to know I can affect that blonde hunk, and chilly because I saw his cold glare and I don’t want to ever see it again.

“Can we not discuss this?” I ask, in mild embarrassment.

Sheik, predictably, ignores this request. “I wonder what made you come back.”

I sigh. I know it’s because of Link’s voice and the way he was looking at me. Also, the fact that I actually ―sort of― like my new life helped him out. That, and I knew I couldn’t reach home in time to tell the girls not to leave Lakeside to visit me.

“I don’t know. Just a feeling.”

“A good feeling, then,” Sheik concludes. “When I came in the kitchen to eat my breakfast this morning, Link was actually in a good mood. And he hadn’t even gotten his morning coffee yet. That’s how I heard about last night. I’ve never seen him like this before about one of his jobs. He looked almost…” I see Sheik shudder comically. “Happy.”

Oh my. That’s actually quite flattering, for Sheik.

“Oh, that’s awful,” I say, matching his horror-filled voice with a joke of my own. “Stop it. I’m going to have nightmares.”

“Alright,” Sheik says, flatly, “I confess. I exaggerated. Not happy. Link doesn’t do happy. But it was still a bit disgusting.”

I laugh a bit, but frankly, this conversation makes me seriously wonder what made me come back.

“I think,” Sheik says, somehow guessing in what direction my thoughts are headed, “that you knew all along and that you simply lacked the confidence to see that you’re the best for the spot.”

“I’m still not convinced,” I remind him. “But I figure I can at least work hard to become good enough.”

Sheik makes Epona stop, to practice my grace, then starts again. He looks up at me carefully; his reddish-brown eyes aren’t letting his thoughts shine through. Then, he smiles. He rarely does. He’s more of a dry wit, so it’s unusual to see him grin like this. “That’s all we needed.”

I smile down at him. I kinda like Sheik. He’s quiet, but his humour is a real treat. Plus, he’s great with horses. Malon would love him. I lean forward and ask him, a bit slyly, “Say, do you like redheads, or do you prefer brunettes?”

He looks up at me and blinks. His blonde hair falls into his eyes again. He brushes it aside. “That’s confidential. Why do you ask?”

I shrug, grinning. “I’m trying to extract information from you. Maybe I should just ask Link instead.”

Sheik snorts. “If I say it’s confidential, it’s likely Link doesn’t know it either, don’t you think?” He squints at me, urging Epona on a quick pace. “Besides, aren’t you blonde?”

I laugh. “I’m not asking for me.”

Sheik sounds casually suspicious. “Oh, it has to do with those friends of yours. The ones who’re coming in tomorrow.” He wags a finger up at me, tisking like an old granny. “You should know better than making it so obvious.”

I shrug. “Maybe, and maybe not. Besides, if you already have someone…” I let the sentence hang. I’m enjoying this conversation. Plus, Epona’s really smooth moving. It’s a pleasant morning ride, in spite of the being lazy thing.

Sheik looks up at me, breaking into an incredulous smile, “You’re shameless.” He shakes his head. “Stop prying.”

“Oh, come on. Humour me. Redhead or brunette?”

Sheik rolls his eyes. “Is this a trick question?”

I try to look serious, and I ask, in a deep voice, “You must choose. If you were stuck on a desert island, for instance.”

“Who cares for the hair colour,” Sheik finally concedes, “if they have a nice face?”

“Oh,” I coo laughingly, “that’s so romantic. You’re so open-minded.”

Sheik sends me a mocking glare. “Well, I know for a fact you’ve got a thing for blue-eyed blondes yourself, and if you’re not careful with your interrogation, I might just reveal it to the world.”

I bring a hand up to my heart daintily. “Such threats.” I lean forward. “How did you come by such an interesting conclusion anyway?”

Sheik stops Epona. Then, he offers me his hand to help me down. “I don’t think you’d have come back if he hadn’t been the one to fetch you.” He raises a brow when I hop down.

I examine his insinuating reddish eyes, and then I scoff. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Not that ridiculous,” Sheik says, following me as I head towards the end of the track. He’s guiding Epona and trying to keep up with me. But I won’t let him catch up. This conversation is headed into dangerous waters. “Come on, admit it. You’ve got the hots for him.”

Yeah, like any straight, normal girl. I whirl around and shake my head. “Oh, please. He’s attractive, but nothing more.”

Sheik looks very amused. “Stop kidding me. If he’s nothing more, why are you trying to escape this conversation? You’re freaked out.”

I roll my eyes and slow down, to prove that I’m not trying to evade him. Which is a complete lie: I wish only to run as fast as my legs can take me. “I’m not freaked out. You’re making this out bigger than it really is.”

“Okay, then,” Sheik challenges, “then what’s this feeling that brought you back? Not a love of greater good, I’m sure.”

“Sense of duty,” I admit honestly. “I’m too far into this to back out.”

“I think you’re just too nice,” Sheik says, but before I can ask him to elaborate, we reach the stables and I notice that Tetra is waiting for us there. She looks a bit impatient.

“Uh-oh for you,” Sheik comments a bit amusedly, hurrying to enter the stables before Tetra can get a hold of him.

“Bastard,” I mutter, making him laugh. Tetra reaches my side.

As always, she looks great. It’s kinda depressing, since I can’t possibly look that good at the moment. I’ve just returned from a tiring riding session, and my hair is a mess, and my clothes have plenty of dust all over them. It sucks that she’s always so put-together. It makes me look like I’m just there to emphasize how perfect she looks.

“Alright, Zelda. Now what have you and Ralph Ambi been up to?” She asks. “I heard from Link that you both went to the Grave Yard lounge last night and that you found Aryll. Now, I don’t mind that you want to experience the night life,” she assures me, though I feel like protesting, “but would it have hurt you to warn us in advance? Also, you’re lucky no one found out you were in company of a minor. Because then, goodbye reputation.”

“Ralph,” I say, automatically when she finally gives me the chance. “He’s the one who abducted me. It’s because of him that I actually found Aryll yesterday night.”

“Abducted?” Tetra repeats, a bit incredulously.

I nod. “Yeah.” I see her face grow a bit dark and menacing, so I hurry to add, “But we’re okay now. Really.”

Tetra leans towards me and says, insidiously, “You’re not implying that there’s something bigger going on between you and Ralph, are you?”

I can’t help my jaw from falling. “What?” I know my face is going red. It always does when someone believes I’m involved with someone on the cute side. “No!”

Because of the blush, Tetra is obviously not convinced. “Why are you all red?” I don’t know why she’s so suspicious of me. I mean, even if I were involved with Ralph, what would it change? It’s not like she’s my publicist or anything. My reputation isn’t really her concern. She’s mostly a part-time press attaché, and even then…

“Look,” I tell her, “I’m not involved with Ralph. He’s too weird.”

“Too weird,” she repeats flatly. “Well, it’s just as well, since we don’t want you to get cosy with just anyone.”

Um, wait. Isn’t Ralph Ambi a lord from Labrynna? I mention this to her. She rolls her eyes.

“I’ve got nothing against Ralph, personally,” she says, but then she grins and winks. “I think it might worry someone else, that’s all.”

With that, she turns on her heel and heads back towards the palace.

Um. What?

Sheik comes back outside from within the stables and raises a brow. He probably handed Epona’s reins to a stable hand and overheard the whole conversation, since he asks, “Ralph Ambi? Link failed to mention that. Then again, for some reason he can’t get along well with Ralph lately.” He sounds a bit teasing now. “Maybe it’s because you’ve been naughty with a green-eyed dark redhead?”

“I thought you said I liked blondes?” I say this because I certainly don’t want to give Sheik any more ammunition.

“Just asking,” Sheik shrugs. “Maybe you’re like me. No discrimination.”

“For your information,” I say, walking with him casually back to the palace gardens, “I have not been 'naughty' with Ralph Ambi. He prevented me from escaping last night, and took me to the Grave Yard. A bit forcedly, I’ll admit.”

“I see. Well, you might want to thank him for it, then.”

I grimace. “Thank him for what? Foiling my original plans?”

Sheik shrugs. “I guess so. Without him, we’d all be in big trouble.”

I fall silent. In a way, he’s got a point. It’s tough to admit, but frankly, I am sort of grateful that Ralph stopped me after all. I don’t know where I’d be today if he hadn’t stopped me last night. And my friends would have travelled all the way here to find out that the possible future queen of Hyrule had vanished… In a way, I do have Ralph to thank for stopping the chaos that was sure to have arisen.

Damn it all, Sheik’s right. That’s one of the things about him. You think you’re in control of the conversation, and then he flips it around and holds it to your throat. He’s like a vocal ninja.

“I’m just saying,” he says to my silence. “I happen to know exactly what might make Ralph Ambi the gladdest man in the country.”

“If you’re about to be lewd,” I speak up warningly, “you might as well quit now.”

“Oh, it’s nothing like that,” Sheik says. I realise he’s extremely amused at the moment. “Actually, I came across this knowledge rather by accident. Very few know about it.” He knows he’s luring me with the gossip. I can’t help it. I’m listening. “It’s a little known fact that Ralph Ambi has had a crush on Nayru Ages for the longest time. He’d probably kill to get her autograph.”

I laugh. “Yeah, that’s funny, Sheik. There’s just a little problem.” I stop and look at him blankly, wondering why everyone seems so forgetful today. “She’s a star and I’m not.”

“Wrong again,” Sheik corrects me. He flicks my forehead with his index. “Remember? You’re about to become queen. You can do almost anything.” He leans forward conspiratorially, and says, “Besides, there’s been planning of a magazine special for you with Nayru Ages, Din Seasons and Farore Secret. I think it’s next week,” he adds, lightly.

I blink at him. A magazine special with the three most beloved artists in the Hylian Alliance? I can’t help but laugh. “Nice one. I almost believed you there, for a moment.”

“I’m not kidding.” I can see in his face that he’s not. “It’s a rather daring publicity stunt, if you ask me. Once the world sees how cool you can be next to the pop icons of this century, it’ll be a matter of time before you get chosen for the throne.”

“How lovely,” I say, but frankly, this new information is terrifying news. “And, tell me, Sheik. How am I supposed to be level with the three most beautiful women in the Hylian Alliance, all of whom bear the very names of the Holy Goddesses? Hm?”

What kind of screwball thought of a stunt like that anyway? I bet Link thought it’d be a great laugh.

Sheik rolls his eyes. “Will you stop with the anxiety thing? You’re as good-looking as any model.”

And that’s probably how Link sold his idea to the other laughing people of his firm.

“Yes,” I say, sarcastically. “Is there any other event I should be warned about? One in which I might humiliate myself even further, I mean?”

“Well,” Sheik says as we stroll in the palace gardens, “I certainly hope you can sing decently in front of a crowd.”

I stare at him and freeze in my tracks. “What?”

He looks at me, as he slows down. He’s examining me. “Sorry, I had to do the joke.”

I heave a relieved sigh. “Thank goodness. I really thought I was going to have to do something stupid like record an album or something equally insignificant.”

Sheik shrugs. He doesn’t exactly look like he found his joke funny. Something fishy is going on… I just can’t put my finger on what.

I’m not sure that’s reassuring, if you see what I mean.

Why is it that everyone keeps hinting at all sorts of stuff and I’m left to wonder and decipher whatever they throw at me? It’s annoying and stressful. I should have a talk about this with Link.

Except that Link is busy in his office with Mako, discussing guest lists or something and minding Aryll, who woke up this morning with what she claims is a volcano sized hangover, something that Darunia has been chuckling about for most of the past hours. So I can’t discuss it with Link, since I’d end up discussing it in front of everyone else, and that’s not what I want. I’m not trying to make a scene. I just want updates on what they’ve got in store for me.

It would have been nice, after all, to know about any type of magazine ad with any type of model, let alone the Godly Trio. For mental preparation and all.

It’s like they’re trying to avoid giving me too much information because they think I might implode from the pressure. Which is stupid. I’m stronger than that. Right?

Do they think I’m retarded, or child-like, to the extent that I can’t handle too much information? I don’t want to just be a figurehead. I want to be more than a puppet. But how can I become more than their little rag doll if they won’t tell me what’s going on?

I’m not going to back out anymore, I’ve already decided. I can’t and won’t try to escape or shirk my duties. If they all want me in this thing so much, they’re either completely insane or completely convinced that I can do it. Since Link doesn’t seem crackers in my opinion ―and so what if I’m biased, ― I’ll assume it’s the latter option, and that means that I could afford to try my hand at ruling a country.

How many girls get that opportunity anyway? Realistically, I’m the only one of my generation.

Which doesn’t mean that I should be treated like a moron. I don’t think so, at least.

“I’ll have to leave you, now,” Sheik says once we reach the palace back. “Tetra wanted me to keep an eye on her assistants. And you know how that works.”

I nod, even though I don’t know how that works. Well, it’s not like it matters much anyway.

“Link asked me to tell you that he wanted to speak with you. He’s in his office.”

Whoa. That has me going. I leave Sheik to his fate ―or whatever― and I hurry inside the palace. I’m beginning to know a part of it well, now. I hurry up the stairs and towards Link’s room, which doubles as his office, which means he sleeps in his office, which kinda creeps me out. But whatever, he’s hot, so he can do whatever the heck he wants.

Right before I enter, I make sure to check that I’m not too breathless. Even though Sheik has sworn to get me into shape, I’m a lazy person at heart. Plus, the thought of entering Link’s bedroom ―or office, whatever― infallibly makes me breathless.

Maybe Sheik has a point about blue-eyed blondes, but…

I’m about to knock on the door panel when it swings open. I stare down at Mako, who looks up at me and pushes his thick glasses up the bridge of his nose. He takes notice of me with a squint ―I think maybe his glasses aren’t the right prescription, but it’s none of my business― then turns back and says, “Hey, Link. She’s here.”

I hear someone shifting inside the room, and then Link steps into view.

I’ve mentioned already how great he looks. This morning, he’s wearing faded black jeans ―yummy! ― with a plain button-down work shirt. I even get a glimpse of his mildly tanned throat and collarbone, which, suffice it to say, makes me wonder what other great sights are hidden beyond that shirt.

Oh, Din. It’s like I’m a vampire or something. Admiring his collarbone? What kind of freak am I?

Though it’s a very sexy collarbone. With taut, pale brown skin and a steady pulse and―

“There you are,” he smiles. Okay, swoon time. Again.

“Yep,” I say, because if there’s one effective thing I’ve learned in Link’s company, it’s that lecherous thoughts are best kept for oneself. “I’m here. Sheik said you wanted to see me.”

Link nods sagely. “Sheik is ever knowing. Come right in.” He steps aside and gallantly, if teasingly, invites me inside.

Mako has vanished. I ask Link where he is. He shrugs. “I sent him for a little errand. He should be back soon.”

So I’m alone with Link, in his room, with no one else but―

“Hey, Zelda,” a voice croaks, “how come you don’t have a killer headache?”

No one else but… Aryll?

I turn to her. She’s lying on Link’s bedspread, like a wounded princess, holding a cold compress to her forehead. She looks bleary-eyed and tired. I do not envy her at all.

“She doesn’t have a headache,” Link answers in my stead, in the tone of reprimand, “because she had the sense not to get blind stinking drunk.”

Aryll cringes, holding a hand to her temple. “Aw, Link, do you really have to call the Temple choir to say that? It hurts my head.”

Link rolls his eyes and steers me towards his desk, on which a mess of paperwork has been spread. But he doesn’t seem to acknowledge it. He offers me his chair, but I refuse it. I’m tired, but I won’t sit if he has nowhere to do the same.

“Have a decent night’s sleep this morning?” He asks me, a bit sardonically, I surmise. He’s a bit of a bastard, when he wants to.

“It was dandy,” I assure him with a broad, sarcastic grin.

“Wonderful,” he comments, then changes the subject to, “I have to cover two things with you before you go down to lunch. One, this afternoon, you’re getting your first lesson with Impa Shades, and I’m telling you right now that she’s going to try to break you. If you show her you’re stronger than that, you’ve got a good start.”

I try not to let my mouth gape. “Um. Thank you.”

He looks amused that I’m still unsure. How nice of him. “More seriously,” he says, “Impa doesn’t take slackers lightly. It’s best that you do your best, take plenty of notes, and make sure to look confident in your obedience.”

“How can I look confident in my obedience?” I ask him, because it seems like a logical question. I mean… Really?

Aryll, from where she’s lying, laughs to herself weakly. “Pretend that you’re in an intense session of―”

“Shut up, Aryll, or your headache might worsen accidentally,” Link says, his voice dripping with warning. I have the feeling he just prevented Aryll from making a dirty comment. How thoughtful of him.

“Oh, come on, big brother,” Aryll whines, but I sense her good-humoured taunt, “it’s not like you haven’t thought of it yourself. You’re not that mysterious, you know.”

Link looks on the verge of strangling his dearest sister. I’m assuming this sort of thing occurs often in the Forester family, and so I only look up at him, wondering what the heck Aryll is talking about.

“Do excuse me,” Link politely says then turns on his heel to stride towards his sister, who, upon seeing his approach, has grown steadily more panicked.

“Link, have mercy. Please. I beg you. I was just kidding―” She breaks off into a shriek as Link hauls her over his shoulder and heads towards his couch, where he dumps her inelegantly.

Dusting his hands off when Aryll loudly complains of her hangover, he strides back towards me and says, “Just do as Impa says, but don’t lose any dignity or grace as you do so. You’re her student, but are as mature as her.”

“That’s a compliment?” I ask, cautiously.

He laughs. “I guess. Number two of today’s subjects,” he continues, blatantly ignoring Aryll’s complaints as she drags herself back to the bed, looking like a war veteran that lost the use of her legs, “tomorrow your friends are coming to Marcastle. Incidentally, I thought tomorrow would be a great time for a Basics course. If you promise to focus on the guard review the day after, that is,” he raises his brows at me meaningfully, “I took the liberty of inviting your friends over to the palace for the day.”

I stare at him in awe ―and mild adoration, which hopefully he won’t have noticed. “You… Really?”

“Yes, really,” he chuckles at my expression. “What, did you think I forgot about your sanity? Clearly, you’re in need of Basics, and fast.”

“What’re Basics?” Aryll asks, having returned to the comfy bedspread and sounding like a train hit her. “Doesn’t she already know the basics?”

“She doesn’t,” Link assures her. It’s like their wrestling match a minute earlier hasn’t registered in their logbook. “But we’ll have to make it a regular course if we want Zelda to stick around, won’t we?” He sends me a wink.

I glare at him, but there’s no doubt about it: he knows how to get me to stay. He’s only too ready to provide a reason. Needless to say, I love having my publicist strive to entertain me. It’s a great feeling that makes me all fuzzy.

And that’s without the fact that he’s gorgeous, which just makes it even better.

“Ooh,” Aryll suddenly chimes, “my brother just winked at the future queen. Scandal.”

Link averts his gaze from me to look at his sister. “You know that I do not suffer from any form of headache, right? And that you are too much of a wimp to keep me from throwing you out into the hallway?”

“What?” Aryll responds, managing a teasing sarcasm, by what seems an impressive effort, “So you could have the bed all for yourself and Zellie?”

Whoa. I think my face just melted.

“That’s it. Find someone else to leech off of.” Link strides back towards his rapidly panicking sister, who has begun to screech her head off with cries for help.

That’s how Darunia finds the scene when he suddenly steps in. He looks between Link, a screaming Aryll, and my very red face, then sighs and grins. “I was wondering what all the ruckus was about. But by all means, manage your sister and her hangover in a way that keeps us all sane, bro.”

“Traitor!” Aryll exclaims, trying to keep from laughing at the tickles her brother is making her endure. “You have no sympathy! Stop that!” She adds, for her sibling’s benefit.

Darunia turns to me. “Dinner’s ready, by the way.” He frowns suspiciously. “You okay?”

I shake my head clear of erring thoughts and smile. “I’m fine. Yes. Let’s go.” And I follow him out the door, leaving Aryll to suffer her brother’s wrath.