Age of Prosperity

Chapter 6

                      Malon's POV:

"Father, who was that man?" I ask, almost daydreaming about the man in blue who just bought supplies from us. "Link, you know, the princess's knight! You used to play with his sister all the time! I'm so glad he's here!" My father, Talon, said with so much enthusiasm. Right, Aryll. I honestly don't know how I forgot about both of them, but then again I didn't have the best memory.

It's like he becomes a star when we have important guests, it's weird but endearing. He cares so much about our ranch, even if he is quite lazy at times.

We live at our family ranch, Mabe ranch. It's around the middle of  Central Hyrule. It's a quiet, difficult at times, and rewarding life. I love the fresh air, smell of the farm, and the taste of fresh food and drink.

Ingo, our ranch hand, helps us out from time to time. He's a bit snooty and quite bossy, but still a hard worker. He gets quite frustrated with my father's laziness, as he always says, This farm would be much prosperous if he quit napping during work!"

It's a bit funny to see him so frustrated. I just try to stay out of his way to not get an earful of his yapping and 'lessons'.

We've seen people such as that knight come to get supplies, especially during the calamity. We've established a trade with Hyrule Castle, milk, wheat, meat and others for rupees and farming tips.

We also have and care for horses. All kinds, spotted ones, blue ones, white ones, you name it, we probably have it. As much as I love this life, how nice a change would be. Living in the castle perhaps, maybe even alongside that knight...

He's cute. He probably likes me, how could he not? Every boy I meet loves me! He's probably hiding his affection. Next time I must chat with him.

He could probably use some time away from that terrible princess, Zelda. She could barely even awaken her powers on time. He has to despise  her like I do.

Her mother was too pathetic for this world, that's why she passed away so earlier. My father adores them, yet I hate them. They're all so pathetic.

Zelda, what a disgusting name, is only holding Link back from his full potential. In fact, the whole royal family is holding Hyrule back from its potential.

I'll have to tell hin next time all of this, he'll agree and we'll get married and he'll leave that pathetic princess in the dust. She'll be alone like she deserves to be.

He'll take me to a luxurious life, and I will get everything I deserve. I'll be treated like the queen I am, no, I'll be treated like a god!

The god I am, and the god I deserved to be treated like! Not some, peasant ranch girl! I will make this happen at all costs!

Link's POV:

As I walked with Zelda,I was nervous, thinking of every way things could go wrong. What if I lost her in the crowd, or someone hit on her, or she got too drunk?

I think she noticed my silent anguish, as she started whispering to me. "Link, it's ok. I'll hold your hand the whole time, and won't go away by myself. Please stop worrying, I can protect myself even if we are separated from each other." She said in a gentle and sweet whisper.

Goddesses , her voice is more beautiful than an orchestra. "No guarantees," I say with a small smile. I feel better, not the best, but definitely better.

"Link, have you ever drank before?" She asked, making small talk as we entered the tavern. "Yes, the knights often drank on the weekends when we weren't busy. I have a high tolerance than most, so it didn't affect me much"

"How about you, have you drank before, Zel?" I finished with, eagerly listening for an answer. "I've was handed a glass of wine at 6," Zelda answers with a small laugh.

That laugh... wait did she say 6? "Did you say 6?!?!" I say, trying to keep my jaw from breaking in the floor." Special occasions, it can be healthy in small accounts." She said.

"Huh, didn't know that!" I replied impressed. Incredible! "How many things are like that? They seem unhealthy but can be in small amounts?" I ask wondering what more I could eat and pass off as healthy.

"Popcorn, I think. I'm not entirely certain on that one, but it does come from corn." She said with a shrug.We finally made it through the incredibly drunk, loud, and especially pushy crowd.

"What would you like, Zel?" I had to say in her ear to avoid shouting. "A red wine!" She shouted in my ear, as the crowd had gotten louder. "Got it!" I shouted and turned to the counter.

"I would like one red wine, and a simple ale please!" I said, no, shouted to the bartender. "Alright! Pick a table and I'll be right with you!" The bartender shouted back and went into the drink room.

"How about that one? It's empty and looks clean!" Zelda recommended. "Sure!" I said in reply. We went over and sat down in a corner.

Our chairs were right next to each other in such a way that you couldn't see her. This was only intentional. "Would you like to get some food?" I asked.

"Sure, I haven't eaten just yet. I did tell father I wasn't going to be back for a while, maybe even gone for a day! So we have a while" she said excitedly.

"He let you do that!?" Link said trying not to break hole in the table with his jaw. "Yeah, he only smirked when I told him I was with you, it was really weird." She said with a thoughtful expression.

They thought for a bit, before a waitress snapped them out of their thoughts. "A red wine and a simple ale! Need anything else?" The waitress set down the drinks.

"Yes, can I get a menu?" I  asked, moving the drinks as to not spill them. "Sure thing, honey" the waitress said, and walked off to find a menu. "Here's your wine, Zel," I slid the drink to her.

"Thanks! I can't wait to see the difference!" Zelda said, while staring at the wine like it was an alien. "Cheers!" I  said bumping Zelda's glass. "What was that Link?" She said, staring at him like he burned a Korok on a cross.

"You've never done cheers? It's basically clinking your glasses together, it's a supposed sign of good luck." I  said, all while astonished she didn't know about it.

"Good luck?" She asked. "So your drink isn't poisoned"  I said simply. She responded with a simple nod. "Here's your menu! I'll come back in a few minutes to check on you, ok?" The waitress said.

"Yes, that's fine," I said with a small smile. It was quieter here somehow. "What do you want? I'm probably gonna get a steak." I said, eyeing the menu like a predator to its prey.

"Same!" Zelda says, not looking at the menu but him instead. "You ready to order sir?" The same waitress said. "Yes, I'll have two steaks, please!" I said, trying to keep my mouth from watering at the idea of steaks.

"Got it! Two steaks coming up," the waitress said writing it down on her notepad before walking off. " Oh Link, you haven't touched your ale!" Zelda said, trying not to worry too much. There had to be an explanation.

"I'm saving it to go with the steak"  I said simply. "Hmm, I probably should do that as well." Zelda decided.

——
Woah, Malon's plotting.
This chapter hurt, first I had to write Malon as a terrible person, when she's really not. And second, I had to write all that terrible stuff about Zelda and her family.

I have some stuff planned, a lot of stuff. Anyway, have a good day/night

Kameron out