Princess of Ruins

Mutual Exclusive RP blog for Zelda from Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

[princessofruins]

onehundredyearnap​:

“No, it’s…” The words were coming easier to him now, both from Zelda’s presence and the elixir working its wonders. “… it’s really nice…”

He may have been her knight, but never he property. Even when she kept trying to reject him like a bratty child who wanted a brunette doll instead of blonde. He had actually grown quite used to her friendly shoulder pats, the taps for his attention, even little things like this…

There was a pensive pause, then he added in an sheepish murmur: “… people don’t… really play with my hair much anymore…” Or, really, give any sort of friendly touches anymore. Nothing beyond the rare handshake that, if he was lucky, would replace a salute.

Zelda’s gaze softened substantially, her shoulders relaxing in relief. He was growing more and more comfortable speaking to her, it seemed, even when speaking about personal things.

“They don’t play with mine, either. Urbosa is the one exception,” she said, her voice fond. “But your hair is quite lovely, you know.”

She crossed her legs, pulling herself into a sitting position. “You may have been raised with the expectation of being a knight, but the life you led before was very different, was it not? That’s why the expectation makes it hard for you to speak.”

Zelda paused, before asking, “What was your life like before coming to the castle?”

[princessofruins]

onehundredyearnap​:

The monsters were growing restless. Link couldn’t put his finger on it, but he could swear they were getting… smarter. Or at least more organized. He’d have been lying if he said it didn’t make him nervous.

But for now, he focused on his duty: protect Zelda, keep her safe, mow down any monster in his way. And that he did, even if it left him breathing heavy and hunched in weary fatigue. Hell, the moment Zelda got him to sit down, he started to relent the idea of getting back up.

Here. Something cold was pressed into his hand, and when he looked down he found an elixir. He could hear Zelda mentioning fairy dust between glugs, wiping the back of his mouth to find the bruises on his arms already shrinking away. Well damn. It had him looking over the now empty bottle curiously, even as fingers gently ran through his hair…

It wasn’t until her work was finished that he offered her a soft sound of surprise, a hand reaching back to trail over the braid she had delicately woven. Oh…

Zelda removed her hand, looking over him to see that the potion had done its work. His battered body was mending itself. She offered a small, relieved smile, lifting his arm for a closer look.

“Yes, that seems better. How does it feel?”

However, once he lifted a hand to his hair, the smile dropped. “I-I’m sorry, was that unwelcome? I should have asked. I had only thought...it might be more comfortable.”

She wrung her hands. “...I suppose I’ve picked up a bad habit of touching you without your permission. The last thing I want is for you to feel that...that I see you as property of some kind.”

[princessofruins]

@onehundredyearnap asked for Sweet

He’d been working himself too hard, as he usually did, but Zelda couldn’t help but blame her presence. Why else would so many monsters try to ambush them? Surely creatures as unintelligent as Moblins couldn’t plan this on their own, let alone Bokoblins.

Something was amiss. It left her ill at ease.

But what Zelda could immediately tend to was her weary knight. Once they’d gotten past the evaporating corpses, she’d insisted he sit down under a tree and catch his breath. She handed him an elixer.

“Here, try and drink this. It will make quick work of those scrapes and bruises. The primary ingredient is fairy dust, so the restoration effect is quite potent. You’ll be feeling better in no time.”

At least, so she hoped.

Zelda sat down behind him, fidgeting, trying not to curse herself for not being able to help fight. With her birthright still out of reach, she was little more than a target. At least she could find a mundane way to help, surely?

His hair was falling out of his ponytail. She reached forwards, gathering it in her hands and braiding it, fixing the band tightly to the end.

“There, that should keep it from falling onto your neck again.”

[princessofruins]

bluelionhearted​:

“From what little I’ve heard of Hyrule, it sounds to be a unified kingdom. Fodlan is not a kingdom, but a collection of countries - most of whom have fought tooth and nail for their independence from the Empire.” Dimitri sighed. “Truthfully, Faerghus and the Alliance are fledgling nations compared to yours. Unfortunately, there will always be those that seek to take advantage of times of instability.”

The prince blinked, pulled from his thoughts as the princess continued on. “Ah, Claude isn’t a prince - not in the technical sense. The Alliance isn’t a traditional monarchy, though it’s not quite a fully-fledged democracy either. It’s run by a council of noble families, with House Riegan leading the charge.”

He offered her a gentle smile, unable to stop a swell of empathy from rising in his chest at her excitement to be seen on the same level as her peers.

“But in any case, I assure you: you’ll have no trouble making friends in Garreg Mach. Everyone here is quite used to dealing with nobility. It’s rather refreshing. You may be held at arm’s length by a few of the commoner students at first, but I firmly believe it’s of the utmost importance to break down any social barriers between the classes. We’re ultimately the same, after all.”

“Hyrule is a unified kingdom, yes. I am finding that there are more differences between Hyrule and Fodlan than I first expected. But that merely means we have more to learn about one another.”

Zelda blinked at this news. “The Alliance is run...by a council of nobility? Nobles who differ from those of Faerghus or the Empire? Truly, Fodlan has a staggering amount of noble families. I must start making lists if I wish to keep from offending someone.”

How could they keep track of so many bloodlines? Maybe they had to, if they had so many more families bearing important gifts from the goddess.

His assurance was met with a radiant smile. Zelda didn’t have the desire to subdue it whatsoever.

“I couldn’t agree more. No one can choose the circumstances of their birth, from where their cradle rests to who they call their parents. Surely, with all of us here pursuing knowledge, we are on more equal ground than ever before.”

She knit her fingers together, raising her hands to her chest, her gaze lowering, abashed.

“Casting aside my title and living as nothing but a student, even temporarily, would be a tremendous gift. One that I...never thought I’d be able to have. This chance will not go uncherished.”

[princessofruins]

@bluelionblondies

Zelda had been kneeling before the statue of the goddess for several hours, deep in prayer. Praying in the early morning afforded her more privacy. Though, once she finished her prayers and stood, she found she was no longer alone.

“Are you here to pray as well?”

[princessofruins]

bluelionblondies​:

She wondered if this girl had been training to be a healer or perhaps a member of the church. “Even if you could only pray once a day, or even once a week, every prayer means something. Big or small. I like to think the goddess would just be happy to know we still think of her.” 

She clasped her hands together and smiled brightly. “You’re correct in your guess. I’m Mercedes. Which house are you going to be a part of?”

“I wasn’t sure if she was hearing me at all,” Zelda murmured, her relief showing through in her tone. “But perhaps having me sent here is her answer...”

Zelda’s expression warmed and brightened. “Ah, then we are to be classmates! Link and I are joining the Blue Lions. How wonderful to meet you.”

[princessofruins]

bluelionblondies​:

“That long? Goodness, I didn’t think anyone spent that much time other than me and Marianne when she’s not hiding.” A lot of the staff tended to be found praying here, occasionally the other students. Mercedes had spent many times sitting for hours here before suddenly realizing she was mostly alone again.

“No need to worry about me, I pray here all the time. I’ll end up back here again later today. I’m sure the goddess wouldn’t mind if I talked to you instead, I love meeting new people.”

“Hours of intense prayer have been part of my training since I was a young girl,” Zelda admitted, glancing down and rubbing her arm. “If I’m being honest, I have...been praying less than usual since arriving, but I feel as though my prayers have been more meaningful.”

“If I might ask...are you a student in the Blue Lions? Flayn has mentioned there is another devout student.”

[princessofruins]

bluelionblondies​:

“Oh yes, I had some time between classes and thought a nice chat with the goddess would be relaxing.” She had tried her best to be quiet when she walked up. “I didn’t interrupt did I? I promise I can be very quiet if you need to get a few more prayers in.”

“Thank you, no. I have been here since dawn. I believe I’ve emptied my heart out.” Zelda offered a faint smile. “I haven’t been able to thank her for much lately. It’s refreshing to bring her praise.”

Surely Hylia had steered her steps towards Garreg Mach, and the Officer’s Academy, on purpose. At least, that was what Zelda wanted to believe.

“Besides, I should like to speak more with my fellow students. But am I holding you back from your own prayers?”

[princessofruins]

crestblooded​:

“I have been told by both Brother and other students that he dates girls and dumps them without a care.  I would not accept any invitation from him.” Flayn’s lips were pursed at that point.

“I didn’t intend to. From anyone, for that matter. I do not have the luxury of indulging in idle romantic fancies.”

Zelda’s gaze fell at that, before raising back again a moment later. “Besides...I have been afforded an entire year devoted to learning and ensuring diplomacy. The time must be spent wisely.”

[princessofruins]

crestblooded​:

“Perhaps he’s simply waiting for you to lower your guard.  I have seen quite a few girls from the nearby town crying because of him.”

Well that had her stiffening. “If that is the case, perhaps my perception of him was incorrect. I shall be more careful in the future.”

[princessofruins]

crestblooded​:

Flayn hung her head.  “He is a smooth one, I will give him that.  But Brother has warned me that I shouldn’t go near him, and I have yet to.  He says Sylvain will attempt to siphon my innocence right out of me!”

Zelda had to pause at that. “I admit I have only spent one conversation with him,” she said slowly, “But...other than the invitation, he behaved in a casual, but gentle manner. He did not act unbecoming?”

[princessofruins]

@bluelionblondies

Zelda had been kneeling before the statue of the goddess for several hours, deep in prayer. Praying in the early morning afforded her more privacy. Though, once she finished her prayers and stood, she found she was no longer alone.

“Are you here to pray as well?”

[princessofruins]

crestblooded​:

That caused her to huff.  “It most certainly is not!  Sylvain flirts with anything that identifies as or looks female, and has probably slept with most of them as well!  I wouldn’t trust anything that comes out of his mouth.”

Zelda’s cheeks went bright red at that. “H-He’s what? He has? He didn’t-- h-he only asked if I wanted to eat in town -- of course I said no but it was because I didn’t know him and I can’t be seen on a date with anyone, to say nothing of never being asked before and--”

She snapped her mouth shut to keep the anxious stream of thoughts inside.

“I...s-suppose that was what he meant by saying my...reputation might be impacted from speaking in his room...”

[princessofruins]

crestblooded​:

Flayn’s cheeks went a bit red.  “I suppose so, though it is quite distantly…” She averted her eyes for a moment.

“Oh really?  That’s fantastic!  I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.” There was a pause.  “Though I would be remiss to not warn you about Sylvain…”

“I have already formally met him, after being directed by Yuri to ask him about his family and their relationship to crests. It was...a more personal conversation than I had anticipated, but he was shockingly open about it.”

Zelda colored a bit, clearing her throat. “...and then he...promised me further answers in exchange for taking me on a...date. Is that typical of Fodlan students?”

[princessofruins]

crestblooded​:

@princessofruins​

“Oh, your highness!  I heard you’ve been able to speak with some of the students.  How has that gone?”

“Very well, actually, thank you,” Zelda replied, “Though...you needn’t be so formal, Flayn. We are family, after all.”

She smiled. “Your praise for your house leader was quite deserved. I had a very productive conversation with Prince Dimitri. I have agreed that Link and I should join the Blue Lions, effective immediately.”

[bigskycastle]

free

[princessofruins]

underestimatedoutsider‌:

Claude had a lazy grin on his lips. “Because that’s how long they’ve known I exist. I wasn’t raised in Fodlan. All of this is just as strange to me as it is to you, princess.”

Zelda stared at him, blinking as she processed it. “You are intended to rule the Alliance, but they only just learned of your existence? Were you hidden away for your protection?”

[princessofruins]

underestimatedoutsider‌:

“Er, they get together and vote on big decisions, so I guess together?” He tilted his head, realizing this had suddenly turned into a lesson.  “I might be the heir, but I’m really not the guy to ask.  I have a year of schooling on it and that’s it.”

Zelda gaped at him. “...they’ve only taught you about your duties for a year? Why have they started so late? It must feel overwhelming to try and learn everything now...!”