Chapter 2 - Recommendation?
A man made his way towards the king’s quarters just right around the corner, every stride purposeful. Separating him from the corner that leads to King Rhoam’s study was a ten feet gap. Eight. Five. Three…
The shocked adult watched as Princess Zelda stormed around the corner, fuming with anger. The frown that was permanently stuck on her face at the moment was replaced with surprise, but it only lasted for a few seconds before the anger seeped back in.
The princess curtsied in a hurry, mumbling a quick, “My apologies, I didn’t see you there,” and practically ran away.
The man frowned, wondering what had happened when Princess Mipha rushed out, shouting, “Zelda! Wai-Oof!”
She bumped into him. Had it not been for the man’s quick reaction, Mipha would’ve surely fallen on the floor.
“Thank y…you?” Her eyes widened. “Sir Asher!? My, what are you doing here?”
The captain of the royal guard quickly explained how the king had requested him to come by a few minutes after 10 in the morning. “I’m assuming it had something to do with Princess Zelda running off in a hurry?”
Mipha sighed, “Yes, I’m afraid you’re right. Nothing ever goes right when King Rhoam and Princess Zelda have a conversation with one another. However, I should be on my way. My sincerest apologies. I’m sure the king would be able to fill you in. Farewell!”
Asher nodded farewell and walked over to the wooden door. Taking a deep breath, he knocked.
King Rhoam looked up, startled. “Come in.”
Asher peeked his head in as precaution before sliding his ody through the gap of the door and closed it behind him.
Kneeling, he inquired, “You requested my presence, Your Majesty?”
“Asher, stand up. No need with the formalities. I’ll be retiring soon, as my daughter shall take my place on the throne. I’m asking you, please, help me out.”
Asher, shocked, stood up. ‘What happened?’
“King Rhoam, I’ve never known anyone as strong-willed as you, except maybe the late Queen and Princess Zelda. So, as the captain of the royal guard, I shall help you out. Not many have heard for you to ask for backup or support of any kind, so it must be dire.”
The elder man shook his head in awe, “In all my years, Asher, I’ve never met anyone as loyal to the people they serve as you are. I’m grateful. I’m rather positive that you’ve seen the state my daughter was in when she walked out of my study, yes?”
Asher nodded, “She was rather…” he searched for the right word. “Furious, Your Majesty. If I may, what happened?”
“I was just planning on talking to you about it. My wife passed with one final wish. Her exact words were: “Love, when Zelda grows older, I wish for her to be happy and have someone she can love and trust in her life. Whether that be you or someone else, so long as she’s happy, I can cope with not being here when she matures." Having said that, I lived with one more lifelong purpose: to fulfill that one wish that my beloved passed onto me. Zelda never agreed to forced marriages. She believed in true love. If that what she wants, then I will leave her be. However, at the current age she’s at, it’s far too dangerous. If she were to take the throne after me at the age of eighteen, many foreign kingdoms could take advantage of that, and target her. Asher, you are a father yourself. Could you bear the thought of your children at risk?”
Asher, whose eyes always held sympathy for others, shook his head.
King Rhoam continued, “By letting her find love with time, I’ve worried more. She’s 17, yet she still hasn’t found a lover. Seeing this, I talked with her this morning. I told her she's going to find love the way she sees fit, but she will get a personal knight, chosen by me.”
Asher was shocked, “Princess Zelda refused?”
The king nodded, “She said she was capable to take care of her own. The girl has never held a sword in her life and didn’t participate in offense and defense training with the knights when offered the chance.
“Asher, I said I would choose the knight for her, but I don’t know who to pick. I need someone capable, strong, and determined to keep going up until their last breath.”
Asher sighed, “I believe I know just the person you’re looking for. However, this changes the routine of everything that has happened over the years.”
King Rhoam frowned, clearly confused. “Who?”
Asher kneeled down once again and looked up, determination glinting in his eyes, “Your Majesty, I ask for you to take my son, Link Wild, as Princess Zelda’s personal knight.”
