Hyrule

Link's new life as Princess Zelda's personal knight is a whirlwind of responsibilities and challenges. Each day starts before dawn, with the clang of the morning bell rousing him from his sleep. He barely has time to dress and grab a quick bite before his training begins. Sparring with the other knights, honing his skills with various weapons, and running through drills gives him a light exercise in the morning before his real struggles start.

His duties as Zelda's protector take over. He follows her closely, shadowing her every move, whether she's attending political meetings, visiting the library, or simply walking through the castle gardens. The responsibility weighs heavily on him, knowing that her safety rests on his shoulders.

Link finds Zelda's presence both comforting and challenging. She is often cold and distant, her formality a barrier he can't seem to breach. Yet, her moments of quiet determination inspire him. She never shows fear, even in the face of the growing threats around them. However, her disdain for him is clear. She often grins at the harsh comments thrown his way by others in the castle.

One afternoon, Link finds himself trailing Zelda through the bustling halls of the castle. She moves quickly, as if trying to outrun him, darting around corners and slipping through narrow passages. He can't help but feel she's testing him, seeing if he can keep up.

"Princess, please slow down," he calls out, but she only glances back with a smirk before disappearing around another corner. He quickens his pace, determined not to lose her. The chase leads them through a series of winding corridors, ending in a secluded part of the castle where Zelda finally stops, catching her breath.

"You're too predictable, Link," she says, her voice tinged with amusement. "A knight must be able to anticipate."

Link bites back a retort, nodding instead. "I'll do better, Princess."

The days blend into one another, each filled with the same exhausting routine. He barely has time to see Leona, their stolen moments together brief and bittersweet. Every time he catches a glimpse of her, he feels a pang of longing, missing the simplicity and joy they once shared.

At a political meeting, Link stands silently behind Zelda, his eyes scanning the room for any threats. He's surrounded by nobles and advisors, their heated discussions about Hyrule's future making his head spin. He feels out of place, a warrior among politicians. One of the nobles, a tall man with a sneer permanently etched on his face, catches Link's eye and smirks.

"Ah, there's our princess's pet," the noble says loudly, drawing laughter from the others. "Tell me, Sir Link, do you do tricks as well, or just follow her around?"

Link's jaw tightens, but he remains silent. He sees Zelda out of the corner of his eye, her lips curling into a faint smile. She says nothing to defend him.

Another noble chimes in, "I hear he's quite the swordsman. Pity he's wasted as a glorified babysitter."

The room erupts in laughter, and Link's face burns with humiliation. Zelda's silence cuts deeper than their words, her approval of their taunts a bitter pill to swallow. He feels useless, his purpose reduced to a joke.

After the meeting, Link finds himself wandering the castle aimlessly. The harsh words echo in his mind, gnawing at his confidence. He passes a group of guards who snicker as he walks by.

"There goes the princess's shadow," one of them jeers. "Does he even do anything useful?"

Link's fists clench at his sides, but he forces himself to keep walking. He doesn't want to give them the satisfaction of a reaction. The castle that once felt like a place of duty now feels like a prison, each corridor a reminder of his perceived inadequacy.

In the evenings, when he's finally free of his duties, he collapses onto his bed, too exhausted to even think. He stares at the ceiling, his mind racing with doubts and fears. What if he can't protect Zelda? What if he fails and all of Hyrule suffers because of him? The weight of his responsibility feels crushing, and he's more scared than he's ever been.

One night, after an especially grueling day, Link makes his way to Leona's room. He knocks softly, and she opens the door, her face lighting up when she sees him.

"Link," she says, pulling him inside. "You look exhausted."

"I am," he admits, sinking onto her bed. "It's been... tough."

Leona sits beside him, her hand on his. "Tell me about it."

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Everyone sees me as a joke. The nobles, the guards... even the princess. They think I'm useless, just following her around like a pet. And Zelda... she never defends me. She just smiles when they taunt me."

Leona's eyes soften with sympathy. "Link, you're not useless. You're doing an important job, protecting her."

"It doesn't feel like it," he mutters. "I feel... powerless."

Leona squeezes his hand. "You're stronger than you think. They don't see what I see. You're brave, determined, and you care deeply for others. That's what makes you a true knight."

Her words are a balm to his wounded pride, but the doubts still linger. "I just... I don't want to fail."

"You won't," she says firmly. "Because you won't let yourself. And I won't let you either."

Link smiles weakly, pulling her into a hug. "Thank you, Leona. I love you

"Always," she whispers, holding him close. "I love you too"

The next day, Link's routine resumes, but the sting of the nobles' words and Zelda's coldness still haunt him. He follows Zelda through the castle, attending meetings and standing guard as she studies ancient texts in the library. The tension between them is palpable, her formal demeanor a constant reminder of his perceived shortcomings.

During a particularly long meeting, Link stands behind Zelda, his mind wandering. The nobles are arguing about Hyrule's defenses, their voices a dull roar in his ears. He feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to see a young guard.

"Sir Link, you're needed in the training yard," the guard says.

Link nods, grateful for an excuse to leave the suffocating atmosphere. He makes his way to the yard, where the knights are gathered for their daily drills. As he joins them, he can feel their eyes on him, judging and scrutinizing.

"Look who decided to grace us with his presence," one of the knights sneers. "The princess's favorite pet."

Link's face burns with anger, but he keeps his focus on the training. He goes through the motions, his mind a storm of frustration and self-doubt. Each swing of his sword feels heavier, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him.

After the session in which endless Knights were thrown at Link, none coming close to beating him but all determined to at least get close to a hit for multiple hours, Link collapses onto a bench, wiping sweat from his brow. He looks up to see Zelda watching him from a distance, her expression unreadable. For a moment, he thinks she might approach, but she turns and walks away, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

As the days pass, the routine becomes more grueling. Link barely sees Leona, their moments together brief and filled with his worries. But he sees that they are still holding strong together, their Love making it impossible for them to lose each other.

One evening, as he stands guard outside Zelda's chambers, he hears voices inside. The door is slightly ajar, and he catches snippets of the conversation.

"...can't trust him," a voice says. "He's too distracted."

"He's doing his best," Zelda replies, her tone cold. "But his best might not be enough."

Link's heart sinks. Even Zelda doubts him. The weight of her expectations and the scorn of those around him feel like a noose tightening around his neck.

That night, he lies in bed, staring at the ceiling. The doubts and fears swirl in his mind, a relentless tide of anxiety. He feels useless, trapped in a role he's not sure he can fulfill. The future looms dark and uncertain, and he's more scared than ever.

In the quiet darkness, he thinks of Leona, her warmth and support the only light in his life. He clings to the hope that their love can guide him through the storm. But as the days grow harder, he wonders if even that will be enough.

Link knows he can't afford to fail. For Zelda, for Hyrule, and for Leona, he must find the strength to carry on. But each passing day tests his resolve, and he fears the weight of his responsibilities might crush him before he can prove himself.

The days blend into a blur of duties and doubts, the castle walls closing in around him. Link's heart aches with the strain of his new life, and the future feels more uncertain than ever. But as long as he has Leona, he holds on to the hope that they can face whatever comes together.