The courage to find me - The fate of us: Part I

Chapter 14: An exemplary specimen

POV Zelda

Tauro gently strokes my face in a comforting way.

"I have to go, I need to stop by the lab this morning. Purah asked for my help to figure out something about the 'logic of teleportation' and how to 'integrate that with the Purah Pad,' whatever that means," he says, playfully.

I nod in agreement, and he stands up to go to the door. He opens it, but as he's about to leave, I stop him.

"Tauro... wait," I get up and walk over to him. I'm still in my pajamas, but the chalet is secluded, so I doubt any curious neighbors are watching.

He pauses and looks at me, smiling. He's always smiling, making any place feel lighter. I reach him at the doorstep.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," I say timidly, in a low voice. "I thought I was ready, but... I couldn't."

Tauro shakes his head as if I'm saying something absurd.

"Zelda, I loved every second of yesterday. I could listen to you talk for hours... it was wonderful. Don't worry about anything. We'll move forward only when—and if—you feel comfortable," he reassures me, concerned about my feelings. He also speaks softly, as if we're sharing a secret.

I blush at his words. I place my right hand on his arm, and slowly slide it down to hold his hand.

"Thank you," I give a slight smile. He smiles back. In a gesture that has become routine for us over the past weeks, he bends down and gives me a gentle kiss on the lips.

Just then, I hear a dull thud, like something falling. Tauro frowns, concerned.

"Did you hear something?" he asks, his voice a bit louder.

I wait a few seconds, listening carefully, before answering.

"I think it was just the wind."

He shrugs, smiles again, and finishes saying goodbye to me.

I watch him walk away and stop in the middle of the bridge, looking around, puzzled. I see his gaze linger for a moment towards the tree. Curious, I look too; but I don't see anything unusual—probably just some fruit or branch that fell. Tauro resumes walking, and I enter the chalet, closing the door behind me. Leaning against the door like a teenager, I get lost in memories.

It's been just over three months since we met at the Sacred Spring in Faron. Right after he rescued me from nearly drowning, Purah came running into the chamber.

"Zelda, are you okay? I thought I heard you scream, but then I didn't hear anything else and got distracted and... oh, who's your friend?"

Sitting up quickly, I straighten my posture.

"Hi, Purah, this is Tauro. I just met him... he stopped me from drowning in the spring."

Purah looks at the pool and frowns—its depth barely reaches a meter—then looks at me. She shrugs as if me drowning in a bowl wouldn't surprise her.

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Purah, one of Hyrule's scientists," she says, addressing Tauro. "Thank you for saving the princess."

"Princess?" Tauro looks confused.

I grimace slightly, nodding.

"Yes... I am Princess Zelda, of Hyrule."

He immediately bows, staring at the ground.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, I didn't know I was in the presence of royalty. I should have studied more about these lands. I never imagined I'd encounter a member of the royal family in such a remote region."