The rise of a Hero

Chapter 12

Knight's Code of Honour

10. He takes pride in being a knight and is fully aware of the privilege and responsibility that comes with his title.

oOo

The queen was poisoned.

This sentence echoed continuously in Link's mind ever since he returned to the castle. Subsequently, he had been unable to sleep. Impa had decided to keep the story quiet until Ganon was defeated, to avoid causing upheaval in the castle. This way, she left their enemies in the dark, though she still seethed with anger over Berthe's suicide, which she deemed cowardly. The queen would never get justice, and that was something the Sheikah couldn't accept. She had to find the perpetrator of this assassination, someone hiding somewhere in Hyrule, plotting dark plans to bring down the heroes.

The morning after those events, Zelda found her appointed knight exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes. She expressed concern for his condition and immediately asked if it was a side effect of the Sheikah medicine. Link reassured her, saying it was just a bad night and nothing to be alarmed about.

"In complete confidence, I spoke to my father about what happened yesterday," she informed him. "We have taken measures: you are authorized to dine at my table indefinitely. At least, you can have dinner peacefully without worrying if there's poison in your plate."

"Are you sure?" Link asked.

Zelda sighed, almost rolling her eyes. 

"Link, if I tell you so... don't be intimidated."

She gave him a smile to put him at ease, which seemed to work.

"Remember, to this day, you hold four titles," she reminded him, hands clasped in front of her. "The court cannot reproach you."

Indeed, Link was the Chosen of the Master Sword, the Hylian Champion, an appointed knight, and captain of the Royal Guard. No one had ever held all four roles before. Eventually, Link was convinced and agreed to the new arrangement. Plus, indirectly, he could enjoy better meals. Another compelling argument. They both resumed their walk within the castle.

"I postponed our journey to tomorrow," she told him while inspecting the work of a maid a few meters away. "You can rest before we depart. I think you need it, especially if you didn't sleep last night."

She turned to gauge his reaction, but she saw only an impassive face, as usual. She wished he could be a bit more expressive now... but one couldn't change someone overnight.

"During the ancient times, when Hyrule was still young, a damsel with a pure heart fulfilled her destiny," recited a masculine voice coming from the opposite direction.

Both chosen ones looked up to see Cassius cheerfully singing one of his compositions, accompanied by his beautiful accordion. He spotted the princess and immediately stopped singing, his lips curling into a smile.

"What a joy! I have the honor of crossing paths with the most beautiful woman," he rejoiced, approaching her.

Zelda felt flattered by the compliment and briefly averted her eyes to hide her embarrassment.

"Are you having a good day, Princess?" he asked, closing his instrument. "You see, I was just singing a tune I wrote last week."

"I'm doing well, thank you," she replied, offering the royal priestess a sincere smile. "You are always so inspired, Cassius."

He blushed slightly and nodded to confirm her words. "As long as you are here, my songs will always be written with you in mind."

The Sheikah recognized Link, who was hiding behind the princess. He always stayed one to two meters behind her, and the poet couldn't overlook this detail.