Death By Princess {Complete}

CH 14

The day in Winterton was spent a little differently. Everyone ended their work by mid afternoon to prepare for the festival which is quite new for Link and Lillian. Apart from weddings, birthdays and new years, there wasn't many events or festivals back in Koraria. Link watches as villagers set up paper lanterns and tables with fried foods, soups and hot drinks.

"Excited for the festival?" says a voice approaching Link's side. It was Abe. He has been Link and Lillian's unspoken mentor as they learn the ways of the village so they have become fairly close.

Link thinks about the question. He often dreads events but his mind doesn't sift for the most appropriate excuse.

"Yes," he says. "I am looking forward it." Excited is still a little too strong of a word though.

"You going with Lillian?" says Abe.

"I am. How did you guess?"

Abe laughs. "Everyone is just waiting for you two to get married. Actually most everyone was surprised that not only were you not married, you weren't even courting."

"We have been friends for a long time," says Link, almost defensively.

"Oh, I know that and so does a lot of young bachelors in the village. If you don't keep your eye on her, someone else won't be long swooping in."

Link wants to go on a rant about he hasn't had the chance to swoop in as duty required him to spend years away from her. The sound of children's excited squeals interrupts Link from his pity party.

"Well," says Abe looking at the kids run around and play. "Tonight's festival is going to be fun but it's even better for me as a father."

"Oh?" says Link.

"Oh yes. Nothing like watching them experience it. But I am also looking forward to my in-laws taking the kids so my wife and I can enjoy the dance."

Great, thinks Link. A dance.

"You think you'll have kids?"

It wasn't something he thought too much about. He just assumed that it would happen someday and while he still feels that way, he isn't prepared to do so anytime soon. Hence the 'someday'. "Yeah. Probably," he tells Abe.

"Piece of advice. Have them while you're young so you got the strength and energy to raise them. They require a lot of you."

"Daaaaddy!" yells one of the kids they saw from before.

Abe chuckles. "Anyways, I best be going. As you can see, my girls are geared up, all ready for the festivities. See you tonight. Maybe I'll meet you at a booth so  I can beat you in a game of something," he says waving over his shoulder as he walks away.

Link arrives to his house but takes his hand on the door knob, opting to knock instead. After a moment, Lillian appears in the doorway. She is wearing a thick white fur coat with matching hat and gloves and boots.

She leans against the door frame. "You're knocking now?" she says.

"If it's a date then we should treat it like one. Doesn't the man usually pick up the lady?"

She shakes her head rolling her eyes through her smile. "Typically dates don't live together."

He shrugs.

"You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"I do," he says. He offers his arm which she links up to and they make their way out to the village to see what the night has to offer.