Fortune Favors the Courageous

Chapter 39: After. Part 1

after
n. what follows; future
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"Are you nervous?" Paya asked, separating a cluster of Forget-Me-Nots from the bouquet in her hand.

"Not really, no," Zelda answered, sitting still beside the vanity, though the mirror was only visible in her peripherals.

"Hylia, I don't know how you do it," Paya swooned. "I'd be a sweaty, shaky mess."

"Oh, I'm definitely sweating," Zelda laughed. She felt the tug of Paya weaving the flowers into her braids. Today, her hair was entirely up, allowing her to savor the autumn breeze that came through the open window to caress her neck—the only saving grace in this hot, stuffy room. "But anyways, you can't convince me that you're such a nervous wreck around Tauro. You two have been courting for—what, eight months now? Surely you don't shake and sweat like you say."

"Of course I do! Have you seen him? Gods above!"

Zelda laughed, though she understood the sentiment. "He is very handsome, yes."

"But anyhoo, today isn't about me," the ruddy Sheikah redirected. "The Indigo-Gos are playing tonight, right?"

"Mhm." Zelda tried to catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror, but Paya straightened her head forward again with a tsk, and Zelda sighed through a smile. Then she went on; "Link has been lingering around all their practices. One time Evan invited him to play, just for fun. And Paya, when I tell you it was horrible..."

"No!" she gasped dramatically. "Really!? I didn't think there was anything Linky couldn't do!"

There came a knock on the door, followed by, "Ooh, are we shitting on Link in here?"

"Hi, Midna."

The redhead came in dressed in a suit, carrying on seamlessly, "You know what else he can't do? Tie a damn bowtie."

Zelda snorted, but Paya pursed her lips skeptically and proceeded to pull apart more flowers. "I would think it's not very easy with one hand."

Midna shrugged. "I stand by it. And anyways, I— Oh." The redhead stepped into the room and stared at the princess. "Boy, is Link gonna shit himself when he sees you."

"Doesn't she look beautiful?" Paya burst with eager agreement. Zelda again tried to check the mirror, but Paya twisted her head forward again. "No peeking!"

Zelda resigned with a playful eye roll. "So what do you need, Midna?"

"Real question is, what do you need, Zelds? Can I bring you anything?"

"No, I'm fine, thank you."

"You sure? Showtime's in one hour... Are you startin' to get nervous?"

"Everyone keeps asking me that," Zelda acknowledged with a line between her brows. "Is it such a requisite that I have nerves on my wedding day?"

"No," Midna ceded right as Paya asserted, "Yes," and the two eyed each other.

Then Paya shrugged, tugging at Zelda's braids once more before beaming, "Aaand finished! Are you ready to see?"

"Yes," Zelda laughed as she was spun towards the mirror, "I've only been trying to see this entire t—"

She stopped short.

"Well?" Paya urged. "What do you think? The Forget-Me-Nots totally compliment your eyes!"

It was true, the periwinkle was a lovely pairing for her emerald irises, woven into the intricate, sweeping braids of her updo. There were two wisps of hair framing either side of her face, and as Zelda stared into her reflection she couldn't believe it was her own.