Cremia and Romani didn’t come alone.

It’s something Link explained to me. Though the sisters are grand duchesses and would have become empresses of Termina, their titles are merely symbolic due to their country’s democratic system.

And, Link reasoned, if they’re not ruling over Termina, someone else has got to do it.

That someone is Mr. Barthelemy Dotour. He’s the president of Termina and one of those invited to the coronation. He’s of a ripe age, with weak and tired features and dark hair that is greying unevenly. He’s far from handsome, with those unpronounced eyes, and his lithe frame is far from imposing. Still, his presence conveys something official and, thankfully, well intended.

I shake his hand with a smile. His hand is small and a bit bony, but his grip is firm.

“Miss Harkinian,” he acknowledges with a nod. “I hope you’re having a pleasant day.”

I am, I consider. This morning’s shopping spree got rid of most of my stress ―not including the friendly threats I suffered― and woke me up properly. Now I can focus.

“I am, thank you.”

Mr. Dotour smiles. He extends a hand to his side. “Allow me to present you―”

That’s when a colossal woman steps forward, practically shoving the tiny man out of the way. She grabs my hand with her own thick and ornamented fingers.

“Aroma Dotour, darling.” She pulls me to her massive breasts and kisses both of my cheeks wetly. “I am so happy to finally meet you, dear.”

Madame Aroma, as people call her, is really monumental. That’s the only word I can think of to define her. She also makes for an extravagant wife, considering how unlike each other she and Mr. Dotour happen to be. Still, there seems to be some companionable affection between the two. That is, at least, enough to have procured them a son.

Kafei Dotour, for some reason, inherited handsome genes from gods-know-where. His hair and features take after his father, minus the frailty of Dotour senior. Instead, he’s built thin but strong, and he’s as tall as his mother.

He’s Anju’s age, and he’s really cute.

And he’s really gallant, I mentally add when he greets me with a nod and a kiss to the hand.

I glance at Malon, Ruto and Anju, who are standing to the side. Link invited them to stay, for once, so they did. They’re grinning broadly beside him.

My mind goes back to their threat. How can they possibly expect me to make a move on Link within the next week? That’s preposterous and foolish. It’s like begging to be put back in my place. Frankly, I can’t see how Link and I could possibly pursue a romantic relationship, considering our all-important business relationship.

That’s assuming Link feels the same, besides, and I’ve never been good at figuring men out anyway.

The only safe way to make a move on him would have to be to figure out how he feels and going from there.

Unfortunately, considering our previously stated business relationship, the chances of him ever revealing his true feelings for me are next to nonexistent. This obviously means I’ll have to coerce it out of him.

But… how?

Kafei lifts his lips from my hand with a polite smile. He glances at Cremia and Romani, his eyes lighting up in pleased recognition. He seems to be familiar with them, which isn’t surprising. He exchanges greetings and pleasantries with them, though I don’t actively participate in the conversation because Link just accosted me.

“How was your morning?” He asks.

For a moment, I’m scared that Darunia or Aryll spilled the beans. That would be so cruel! But Link looks completely guileless and genuinely interested.

There’s hope he won’t find out about me loving him shamelessly.

“It was really nice,” I say. “Cremia and Romani are very sweet.” When they’re not teasing me about loving you, that is.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he smiles.

I remember when we first travelled together and he asked me if I was excited. I remember he’d been distant and uncaring.

I like this Link Forester better. This Link Forester is efficient and professional, but kind and funny and relaxed. I wish I knew what this Link Forester thinks of me. I wish things weren’t so ambiguous.

“―good to know you’re getting along with people of your new class.”

I focus on what he’s saying again just in time. I nod and smile. If he noticed me zoning out, he says nothing about it. I wonder if he really thinks I can surpass Ganondorf. Will a victory on my part surprise him? Impress him? It’s impossible to tell, but I want to win, just so I can find out.

“Zelda,” Romani calls, “why don’t you introduce your friends to the Dotours?”

She snaps me out of my reverie for good. I smile and step forward, leaving Link to observe from the sidelines.

While Mr. Dotour looks officious, both Kafei and Madame Aroma look genuinely interested ―is Kafei checking Anju out?

Shrugging the thought off, I say, “With pleasure. These are my friends, Malon London, Ruto Watters and Anju Stoke. Anju is also from Termina.”

Kafei seems to find this interesting. He steps forward to nod his head at them.

Is Anju checking Kafei out? I don’t blame her. He’s really quite handsome…

“And how did you meet?” Aroma inquires, politely curious.

When they learn that we are childhood friends and that Anju was my guardian until very recently, Kafei looks at Anju with newfound interest and respect. He compliments her on her big heart.

You’d think Anju would resist such obvious flattery or something, but apparently not.

Oh my gods. Anju and Kafei are interested in each other!

... I think I just figured out how to get Link to talk.

It’s simple, but it’ll demand guts. Considering that I have no reason to be anxious though, as I’ve got nothing to lose, that’s a problem I can easily shove aside.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Kafei Dotour.”

We all turn to Ralph. He greets us with a grin, winks at me without subtlety, and heartily shakes Kafei’s hand, greeting Madame Aroma with a warm hug. She blushes with pleasure at his practiced compliments.

“Long time no see,” Ralph comments to Kafei.

“I’ll say.”

My main priority, I consider, is to find someone who will willingly help me and still play natural. Someone who wants something I can afford to give in exchange; someone who will agree to my nonsense.

“What happened last time?” Kafei is asking Ralph. “You left in a hurry.”

Ralph gazes at our guest flatly. “You started talking in riddles. It didn’t feel quite right.”

Or, of course, someone who simply wants to toy with Link.

No. No, not Ralph. He’s not my style and he’s already done too much for me. Besides, he’s been jokingly hitting on Aryll, so he’s already toying with Link without my intervention.

I notice a smile on Kafei’s lips. He’s been glancing at Anju for the past five minutes.

Now this is something I can play on. I just have to snag Kafei before he makes a move on Anju, because here’s my reasoning: you can’t get my friend without deserving it, even if you’re Termina’s president’s son. You have to work for the reward.

And what better way to be rewarded than to help me make Link jealous?

All right. I know. It sounds stupid. It’s the sort of thing you see in movies and it always resolves itself by having the love interest snap and declare their undying passion, thus making everything end well.

I don’t expect as much from this admittedly stupid, immature and desperate plan. Rather, the point of making Link ‘jealous’ is to find out if he actually cares enough to be jealous in the first place, not to make him react with despair and love. I’m not pretentious enough to expect that. He’s managed to keep his true opinions under wraps so far, or maybe I just don’t see them, but either way, I need to know, before I make a move on him, if there’s the slightest hope we could be more.

At this point, I figure professionalism can be thrown away. It isn’t my thing for now. Besides, if anything, I want to know how he feels before any possible coronation, in case I need to elope with him and abandon my duties.

Hah. I wish.

Besides, he’s the first man to ever make me feel genuinely appreciated and cared about. Malon, Ruto and Anju’s threat is only secondary, really, an excuse.

So… Hello there, Mr. Kafei Dotour. Consider yourself my new best friend.

Now, obviously, I wish I could say I know how to seduce someone into following my stupid plans without them realizing it, but I’ve not yet acquired that level of sneakiness.

I’m actually impressed by my conviction skills because the next thing I know, at least, I’m standing aside with Kafei and he’s amusedly nodding in agreement. I didn’t even have to beg. Much. Apparently he’s known Link ever since Link started working in political publicity, and he’s been dying to crack Link’s eternal professionalism. In a way, it’s good to know I’m not the only one.

At least he’s very smart and, I think, just as sneaky as Ralph. The main difference between the two hunks is that where Ralph boasts, Kafei merely smirks. It’s like his craftiness is just an ace up his sleeve, to be used whenever convenient. Like now, for instance.

“It’s about time someone tried getting him to react,” he says softly. That’s another difference between Kafei and Ralph. Ralph is loud and obnoxious. Kafei is soft spoken but intense.

Either way, I’m glad he agreed to my stupid plan. Sure, I might have promised him a date with Anju, but he didn’t have to go along with it. He’s hot enough to get his own date.

Whatever.

“So. I have to take up a role typically played by your publicist in order to…” He trails off with an eloquent look.

Um. Yeah. “Right. I promise I won’t force you to do weird stuff or anything. Just… pretend to teach me something simple. Like how to ballroom dance. He was supposed to teach me, but if you do it―”

“I’ll take the floor from under his feet.” He raises his brows. “Interesting ploy. Though ballroom dancing is far from simple.”

I sigh. “Please?”

He looks amused. “You know the guy has become a workaholic when the future queen, who happens to be blessed with looks, brains, humour and a girl-next-door attitude, has to make up sneaky plots to actually get his attention.”

I can’t help a blush. Kafei rolls his eyes.

“Please,” he murmurs when a lot of people begin to notice we’ve been standing aside for a long while, “enough bashfulness.” He smirks. “I’m your new teacher, is that right?”

With that, before I can even add anything else, he’s taken my arm and is taking me to a side room ―I keep getting astonished by how many side reception rooms this palace contains― and says, loudly enough that everyone else can hear him, “Back straight. Left hand on my shoulder.”

I can see, out of the corner of my eye, how everyone is gathering at the door to look at us with curiosity. Malon and Ruto seem perplexed, Anju looks a bit disappointed, Aryll looks sceptical, Ralph seems amused, and Cremia and Romani are doing their best to distract the Dotours.

Where’s Link? I want to see how he’s—

Kafei takes my right hand in his. “Take a step closer to me.” With those words, he’s pulling so I’m flush against him.

Flush is the word. Just because I’m in love with Link doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a hot body.

Kafei seems amused. “You’re probably the last girl of your status to blush.”

I prickle at this. “What, is it going out of style?”

He just chuckles.

“Take a breath. I’ll suggest a step forward. You’ll move your right leg back to accept it. One.” He moves. I follow. “Two. Three.”

I whisper curiously, “Where did you learn this?”

He seems amused, making me practice the back step, one, two, three, again. “Who do you think accompanied Cremia to her debutante ball?”

“What’s a debutante?”

At this, he laughs outright. He’s got bright brown eyes, bordering on the red, contrasting with his deep black hair. “You’re certainly something new, aren’t you?”

I can’t help but look worried. “You won’t hold it against me, will you? I learned how to govern properly and everything. It’s not like I’m completely incompetent.”

He grins. “With a regular teacher like Forester, I fail to see how you could be less than capable.”

“Thanks for the compliment, Dotour.”

I turn my head, and I see Link. He’s examining us flatly. I didn’t see him coming up so close to us, but judging from Kafei’s lack of surprise, he noticed him beforehand.

Behind him, I can see that Malon has caught on to my plan. She is now giggling excitedly and sharing the observation with Ruto, who has to leave the room to keep from squealing.

Still, Kafei doesn’t let go of me. He’s got the whole thing down pat. You’d think he has practice or something. He smiles and says, “Spoken from the heart, old friend.”

“I’m sure,” Link responds politely. “And may I inquire, what are you both attempting, exactly?”

Kafei manages to look completely guileless. I can’t believe this. He’s even better than me at feigning an almost childish innocence. It’s crazy. “Why, your pupil and future queen asked me to help her with dance steps. I thought I’d be doing her a service. You don’t mind, right?”

I can see Link wants to say something, but then he glances at Mr. Barthelemy Dotour and Madame Aroma, and decides for a pleasant, “Right. Teach away.” Though I notice he sends me a sharp glance and an ironic little smirk as he steps back.

Oh, screw you, Link Forester, you bastard.

I smile sweetly then I ask, to Kafei, “What about forward steps?”

And a minute later, I’m brushing my leg up against Kafei as we alternate between our simple forward and backward steps. He makes me turn once, and I notice in the twirl that Link hasn’t stopped looking at us.

“You’ve got the attention,” Kafei breathes, low enough that I only I can hear him. “Time to create the desire.”

Right. Time to turn up the heat.

I pause our practice. By now, Aryll, who noticed our little game, has suggested that the Dotour parents leave the room for tea. I couldn’t be more grateful, because I cannot predict what is about to happen next and I would like my upcoming actions to be kept under locks as long as possible.

“Sorry, Kafei,” I smile. “It’s just that it’s a warm day. Give me a second.”

I slowly remove my thin wool cardigan and drop it on the chair next to Link, who is now staring so intently at me that I could probably call it a glare. I’m now just wearing a clean little sleeveless dress.

If I were any good at reading body language, I’d say he’s frustrated that I gave his official duties to someone else.

But I’m not sure that is actually jealousy. Oh well. Too bad for him.

“You look lovely,” Kafei says honestly and pleasantly. I’m pretty sure he said that to annoy Link as well. “I’m sure you rival the Godly Trio.”

I can’t help a giggle. “So they told me.”

His lips pull up at the corners. “Now, with a little step and a turn, you’ll let me lead you from behind.”

“Like this?” I can’t help but grin a little. Faking flirt is almost too easy. I turn on my toe and end up with my back against his front, our hands still held together by the fingers.

I wonder if maybe I wouldn’t have been better off enjoying this lesson with Link after all.

Oh, well. Too late to turn back. I can’t exactly be sad. It’s like I’m going from one hot guy’s attentions to another’s care. A sane girl won’t complain, you know.

“One, two, three again,” Kafei says into my ear. “Close your eyes, do it by instinct.”

I close my eyes. His lesson is actually helpful. I’m getting the feel of basic dance steps like I’m in an actual dance class.

“One, two, three. Back. One, two, three. Forward.”

Eventually he stops telling me the cues. We just manage the dance steps in silence. A twirl. He catches my left hand when I accidentally let go because I turned a little too fast.

His hands are warm.

The thought makes me flush. I think maybe we should tone down the joke, because this isn’t what I wanted. I wanted to make Link jealous. Not to get warm for Kafei. I don’t love Kafei.

I open my eyes. I see Ruto, Malon, Aryll, Ralph, and even Anju, looking in amusement back at me as Kafei ushers them out the door, asking them to be quiet.

… Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

If Kafei is over there ushering them out, then who is it holding my hands right here?

…

Oh. My. Gods. Oh my gods.

This is not happening.

I can’t seem to formulate a sentence, much less a single word. Before I can call for help, they’re gone and I’m left all alone with the one guy whose wrath I fear most at the moment.

Oh gods. Thanks, Kafei. Thanks a whole bunch.

“So what exactly was that all about?” I hear Link ask from behind me. He hasn’t let go of my hands and is still swaying to unheard music.

I can’t seem to speak normally. When I do, my voice is a bit more high-pitched than it should be. “Um… what?”

Oh. Way smooth, Zelda. Congratulations. You win this year’s most eloquent speaker prize.

Link makes me turn. I’m facing him again, but he’s still stubbornly swaying the two of us to silent music. His eyes are way too blue with the sunlight hitting them like that. “What was all that dancing thing with Kafei about, exactly?”

“Why did you replace him? He was doing just fine.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

I try to stop swaying, but he steps forward. Reflexively, I step back, and we’re on another waltz.

“Scared I couldn’t teach you dance moves properly?”

He sounds slightly upset.

I frown. “No. But he was nice and I thought I could get to know him better this way.”

Maybe I shouldn’t still be playing the false-interest ploy, but at this point, I have nothing left to lose. If Link wants to be angry with me because I spend time with another guy, he’s not exactly a dream guy after all.

“You didn’t think you’d get to know him at dinner or something a little less exclusive?”

Whoa. I would swear that sounds like a wounded boyfriend speech. Except Link doesn’t get wounded that easily and he’s not my boyfriend.

Also, I’m an awful judge where guys are concerned. Maybe I’m misinterpreting it. Maybe he’s just frustrated because my flirting with Termina’s first son could damage my reputation.

I really hope that’s not it, but knowing Link and his ways, it’s far too likely for my comfort.

“So what if I danced with him? You said on the flight here that dancing is a great way to nurture a positive diplomacy.”

“And taking your cardigan off too, I presume?”

Oh. So he did notice. Fun.

“Well, it is a warm day.”

I mean, just feel those hands of his. They’re scalding hot over my fingers.

Speaking of my fingers, he lets go of them now. I meet his gaze and he looks down at me in exasperation.

Uh-oh. That’s not exactly the look of a man dying to tell me about his hidden and passionate love and jealousy at the thought of me being with another man. It’s not the look of a man about to ravish me with kisses either.

It’s more of a ‘what am I going to do with you, you can be so frustratingly childish sometimes’ look.

Well, dammit. Don’t tell me I’ve failed!

“You know,” he says, when I do my best to conceal how disappointed and annoyed I am at him, “you didn’t have to ask Kafei Dotour to help you dance beautifully. I signed a contract to help you out, and I’m not one to back out on my word.”

Oh, way to go, Link. You signed a bloody contract. Now you have to help me come hell or high water or the government lawyers will be on your back.

That is so romantic. Not.

“Thanks, Link, but at least Kafei wanted to help me.”

Did that sound bitter or was it just me? Right. It was me and I sounded bitter.

I break away from him and calmly go to pick up my cardigan.

“Maybe if I didn’t feel like a charge all the time,” I say, “and, by the way, I hate the word ‘charge’, it makes me feel like I’m a stack of paperwork, I’d be just a little more eager to let you help me. Maybe if I didn’t feel like I’m a burden or troublesome, it’d be nice. As is, I already feel like I was polished just a little too hard, like I’m a duckling trying to fit in with the swans. I don’t need your comments and reminders that I wouldn’t be anything without you. I know it, all right? You don’t need to shove it in my face all the time.”

I decide against putting my cardigan back on. Instead I just head for the door. Maybe if I walk fast enough, I’ll reach the others in the parlour without hearing too much of Link’s repartee.

Damn. He’s blocking the door.

His eyes are sharper than ever. I can’t recognize the guy who was smiling at me just yesterday about shopping sprees. His face betrays nothing but intensity and raw honesty.

“You are not a burden,” he says, in a near-growl.

I should be angry at his rough tone. I really should.

But dammit, he doesn’t have to be so sexy about it.

Maybe that’s why I can’t help doing what I do next.

That is, I kiss him full on the lips. Right then and there, while he’s blocking the door and since I can’t reach high enough with my mouth I tugged him down roughly by the tie, to his complete surprise.

He tastes like coffee and mint. His mouth is so warm, like all his heat comes straight from those lips. I knew they were the stuff of dreams.

What am I saying? What’s wrong with me? What the heck am I doing?

Holy gods. What. The. Heck. Am. I. Doing??

I break away from him breathlessly. My stomach is tied into a million knots and I almost feel sick. Oh. My. Gods.

I so blew it. Oh gods I am so, so screwed. For real, this time. It’s real bad. Oh gods.

It’s hard not to hyperventilate when my only love interest is staring back at me dumbfounded, probably still too surprised to figure out what just happened.

Except I know what just happened.

That’s why I shove him out of the way and run out of the room, doing my best not to cry.

I am in big, big trouble.