✿︎𝐅𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞✿︎

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨: 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭

The sun rose slowly over Hyrule, spilling its golden light across the fields and illuminating the village with a warmth that felt foreign to her heavy heart. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the faint glow of dawn failing to chase away the darkness that lingered in her chest. Each cough from the night before echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of the petal that had slipped through her lips-a tangible symbol of her love for a hero whose heart belonged to another.

She sat up slowly, the weight of reality pressing down on her. This was the price she paid for loving Link, the Hero of Hyrule, a love that was as unattainable as the stars twinkling in the morning sky. With each passing moment, the tightness in her chest grew, and the knowledge that she had started down a path she might not be able to escape consumed her.

The village began to stir outside her window, the sounds of laughter and chatter drifting in with the breeze. She knew she should join them, but the thought of facing her friends, of pretending that everything was normal when her heart was breaking, felt unbearable. Instead, she pulled herself from bed, the wooden floor cool against her bare feet as she moved to the small mirror hanging on the wall.

She looked at her reflection-pale skin, dark circles under her eyes, and a flicker of sadness in her gaze that she couldn't ignore. "You have to pull yourself together," she whispered to her reflection, hoping to summon some strength from within. But the words felt empty, as hollow as the promise of healing.

After a long moment, she dressed in a simple tunic and stepped outside, the bright sun momentarily blinding her. The fresh air washed over her, invigorating yet tinged with the bittersweet scent of blooming flowers. She took a deep breath, trying to ground herself, but as she exhaled, a sudden cough caught her off guard. Instinctively, she raised a hand to her mouth, feeling the tickle at the back of her throat.

When she lowered her hand, she gasped. Another petal lay in her palm, this one soft and white, almost ethereal in the morning light. It trembled as she held it, a gentle reminder of her unrequited love. She quickly tucked it into her pocket, a painful token of what was growing within her-a love that bloomed only to suffocate.

Forcing herself to move forward, she wandered through the village, the familiar sights and sounds blending into a blur. She greeted a few neighbors, exchanging polite smiles and words, but every interaction felt like a masquerade, each laugh and cheer echoing hollowly in her ears.

"Hey! You!" a cheerful voice called out, breaking through her reverie. It was Miri, her childhood friend, running toward her with a basket of fresh herbs. "Where have you been? You've been so quiet lately. You should join us for the festival preparations!"

"The festival..." The word felt heavy on her tongue. The annual celebration was always a joyful occasion, but the thought of it now felt like a weight pressing on her chest. She could already imagine the lights, the music, and most importantly, the sight of Link among the festivities, laughing with Princess Zelda, his true love.

"Come on! It'll be fun!" Miri insisted, her enthusiasm infectious. "I need your help! I can't do it alone!" Her heart ached at the prospect. She didn't want to be around the laughter, the joy-she didn't want to witness Link's happiness with someone else. "I... I'm not sure, Miri," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Don't be silly! It's going to be great, and I promise you'll feel better!" Miri reached for her hand, her grip warm and reassuring.

With a sigh, she relented, feeling a flicker of warmth from her friend's kindness. "Okay, I'll help," she said, though the words felt like a lie.

As they made their way toward the center of the village, she tried to focus on the tasks ahead-hanging decorations, preparing food-but her thoughts kept drifting back to Link. The more she pushed him from her mind, the more he invaded her thoughts. She recalled the way his laughter rang like music, the way his eyes sparkled with determination, and how he fought fiercely for everyone he cared about.

With every glance at the colorful streamers and flowers they hung, another petal bloomed within her. By midday, her heart felt like a storm, a maelstrom of hope and despair battling within her. And with each movement, she felt the tightening in her chest, the weight of unexpressed love threatening to suffocate her.

Later, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the village square, she found a quiet moment to herself. She stepped aside, pretending to adjust a decoration but using the excuse to breathe. The air felt thick, and she coughed again, this time more violently. A second petal emerged, bright red and vibrant, contrasting sharply with the earth beneath her feet.

Panic surged within her as she stared at the petal, a vivid testament to the deepening grip of Hanahaki. Each petal that fell represented a part of her heart, a part of her spirit wilting away. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the flutter of something fragile within. This was not just love; it was a disease, a curse that twisted joy into agony.

What if she couldn't escape this? What if the flowers kept blooming, consuming her until there was nothing left?

The laughter from the festival echoed through the square, and she turned her gaze toward the gathering crowd, her heart sinking at the sight of Link. He stood near the center, his head tilted back in laughter as he spoke with Zelda, the light in her eyes radiant, glowing like the stars above. The sight felt like a dagger to her heart-sharp and unrelenting.

She stepped back, her breath hitching. A new wave of nausea washed over her, the realization hitting her like a tidal wave. Link was not just a hero; he was a beacon of hope and light, and she would forever be cast in shadow, hidden behind the petals of regret that choked her.

With a choked sob, she turned away, stumbling toward the edge of the village, desperate to escape the laughter, the joy, and the love that could never be hers.

As she walked, each step felt heavier, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her chest. The cool night air surrounded her, but it did little to ease the burning ache within. She needed to find a way to free herself from this torment, to sever the roots of this unrequited love before it consumed her entirely.

In the distance, the festival lights twinkled like stars, but she could no longer bear to look. She pressed her palm against her heart, feeling the soft flutter of petals within, and whispered into the night, "I can't keep living like this. I have to let go."

But as the words left her lips, she knew the battle ahead would be anything but simple. The journey to reclaim her heart from the depths of Hanahaki.