Forbidden flame: A Zelink story

Chapter 2

"It's just so unfair!" I yelled as I threw a pile of books onto my bed, still searching for my crown for tomorrow. "Why does he have to do this?! Appointed knight?! Is he crazy?!"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, I don't know. I only came up here to bring you some tea." Arabelle quietly murmured, her head pointed towards the ground.

"I don't want tea. God, I don't want any of this!" I shouted, sitting in a slump on the end of my bed.

"Do you want me to take the tea away?" She asked, her face showing visible signs of discomfort.

"What flavours are there?" 

"lemon, mint and Jasmine, your honour."

I paused for a moment. "It's okay, leave it. I like lemon."

Arabelle nodded hastily and scurried out of my room. I groaned and fell back onto my bed, stretching my arms out and letting my eyes trail the patterns on the ceiling. Why did my life have to be so uptight? Would I ever meet somebody who made me feel free?

The sun began to set as I let its orange rays paint my face. 

"Tomorrow, you must wear that dress your mother used to wear. And make sure to be there prompt and early; at least thirty minutes before schedule. I want you seated and prepared when people start to arrive. After the ceremony, you are to continue with your training, do you hear me? No silly business tomorrow. I want none of it."

I didn't look my father in the eyes as I ate my food. I kept my head drooped low.

"Zelda? Is something the matter?"

I raised my head and shook it unconvincingly. "No, father."

My father sighed. "Zelda, you musn't worry. I can't quite understand why it bothers you so much." 

I gave no reply. 

My father remained quiet for a moment or two. "The morning after tomorrow is the ceremony in which the knight of choice is officially awarded the position of your appointed knight. The champions will be present, and so will I. But nobody else. Have you learned the scripture you need to say aloud?"

"Yes, father."

"Good. That's settled then. Do sit up properly."

I straightened up my back and tucked my hair behind my ears. 

"What have you done today?" He began.

I shrugged. "Just some research. It's a time-consuming task."

"Research? For what exactly?"

"Nothing much. Guardians, and such..."

My father sighed once more. "So no training?"

I opened my mouth to talk before promptly shutting it. 

"That shan't happen again. From now on, your appointed knight will be there to ensure you are training when you should be." 

"What? Father!"

"No objections. If I cannot trust you, then I will have to police you. You brought this upon yourself, Zelda."

"Father, that isn't fair! It's an invasion of privacy; Worse, a distraction from my ability to learn properly!"

"Enough. You will have to get used to your appointed knight being with you wherever you go. The only acception will be your bedroom."

"What, he'll be here when I eat dinner?"

"He will only be standing by the door, just like the guards are every night, see?" He beckoned to the guards who stood either side of the double doors, who nodded in response. "he'll hardly be right next to you. Don't be fussy, Zelda."

"Father..."

"Enough now. Rules are rules. Traditions are traditions. I will not let up on that."

I began to feel tingles of fury run through my body. Had he no brain, for god's sake?

"I'm finished. I am departing to my room now."

My father nodded. "Rest well. I will see you at eleven, at the latest."