Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I know that most of the heroes didn't even go to school or learn anything to help them with such situations, but how do they have so many problems even holding basic conversations here?

The words of my tutor of the castle yells in my head, as it seems even after almost 10 years, he'll make that I'll never forget.

"It's quite simple, Link. Be polite, smile, and nod. Let the other talk and give an excuse to leave without seeming suspicios or rude. But remember to not let them step on you, be confident. You'll make the whole family look worse if you simply stand there and take it."

I've been managing on my own here fine. Warriors is busy talking with Artemis—this era's Zelda—and Impa about important buisness, so I've decided to try and help the other bafoons before they make it worse.

"Excuse me for intruding into you two's conversation, but I must speak to my fellow hero. Alone.", I say with a smile, but it seems the man isn't as easy to talk to like others.

"Might you wait a few more moments? I was planning on introducing him to my daughter, you see.", he says, and I hold in my sigh. Sky literally has his marriage ring on his finger, and looks uncomfortable as well.

The only reason he hasn't either escaped the situation or punched that guy in the face is because he has to hold some face here, extra to not make Wars look bad.

"He's already wedded, but I'm sure your daughter can meet another young and handsome guy to dance with this evening.", I say, and though the man silently glares at us, he lets us go.

"...What did you need to talk to me about?", Sky asks once we've moved far enough away from the man, but I only shrug.

"Nothing. Just needed you to stop talking to him.", he looks at me confused, so I simply continue talking.

"Just be here and eat or somethin'. I'll go and check if Wind's exploded anything yet.", I leave before he can respond, but I can feel him smiling at me even if I don't look at him.

Chapter Text

The sounds of a piano echeoes through the room, the soft hum of my tutor accompanying it, though I can only frown. I'm already 17, a hero, and was only allowed back in the castle since they remembered that I was a prince.

Yet I still have to learn how to be a proper prince, continuing the same lessons I had when I was a child? Honestly would have just said no if Zelda didn't ask me to.

I'm tired. We've been going over the basics again and then playing one song again and again and again and again...

"Once more, from the top. I'm not letting you go until you've got no mistakes.", I glare at her, but do as told. Honestly, she should not have that much attitude to someone that can easily beat her up.

I repeat the song again. And again. And again. And--

"May I take a break?", I ask as we finished the song again, but she huffs, and I can tell even from here that she's rolling her eyes.

"What part of 'not letting you go until you got no more mistakes' do you not understand, Link?", she says. I take a deep breath. Link, really? It's as though she forgot I was a Prince, using my first name like that.

"And I thought you knew your manners by now.", I mumble, but it seems she heard me as she lets out an offended gasp.

"Excuse me?", she says, and I turn around to glare at her.

"First you're bossing me around, and now you're calling me by my first name? Even my pet bird knows better than that.", I respond, and she says silent as she knows she's in the wrong.

"For shame. Now, we'll continue this lesson later...unless the word comes around to the Queen that you've been rude to the her one and only brother.", I say with a smug grin, and I can see the life leaving her eyes as I stand up.

"N-No wait, I'm sorry your highness! I'll swear that I won't be so informal next time, and I won't boss your around!", she began, and I roll my eyes. Right. She's definitely apologizing because she feels sorry, not because she wants to keep her job.

"No promises.", I say with a smile, and I she's already accepting her fate as I walk back to my room, already ready to gossip about her to Zelda at the dinner table later.