Royal Musings [Social]

[Deleted]

(( Cetus ))

Marin quietly made her way into the Zora's domain, her eyes turned down at the ground and one of her hands clutching at her heart in a rather anxious manner. She couldn't help but feel just a little out of place, having never been responsible for representing her kingdom before on account of her age and relative immaturity. Today she found herself inadvertently doing just that, however. It was likely that no one would recognize her unless they were familiar with the royal family's distinct eye-type, having always lived in her sibling's shadows in the public eye, but she had not come here with the explicit intention of keeping her identity a secret. She might not be strong like her sister, but there were other ways she could help their cause.

What would she say when and if someone recognized her? How would the Zoras even feel about the royal family after all this time? She probably should have sought Zelda out for advice before coming here, but it was too late for second guesses and what ifs. If she acted like a weirdo, someone would suspect her of being up to no good!

...Absolutely no one suspected Marin of being up to anything, besides maybe being a lost child. She was decidedly one of the least threatening looking people in the room. It hadn't stopped the guards from questioning her when she'd approached, but as she was answering a call for aid that had been a simple fix. She'd decided not to flaunt her title to them, not wanting to take a chance that they'd want to verify her identity if she went around making any bold claims. Today she was here to rendezvous with someone not unlike herself, the regal zora princess. She was to escort her to Death Mountain, a journey that would no doubt take the entire day--or two. She usually wasn't in a rush when she made trips like these, so she wasn't really sure. Speaking of not being in a rush, Marin could not help but stop to marvel as she approached the hallway leading to the throne room. She gazed about in wonder up at the various statues of past monarchs, pondering their identities and histories until a zora handmaiden finally approached her and snapped her out of her thoughts by greeting her.

[Cetus]

A MILLION STORIES THAT MADE UP A MILLION SHATTER DREAMS ~

It certainly was a most exciting day for Diplomacy between Zora and non-Zora. Princess Cetus had extended the offer of alliance to the Gorons of Death Mountain, and in return, received confirmation that they were willing to talk. Much rumor was abuzz about what these meetings could entail, about whether the Zora would be entering alliance against somebody or not. The palace was sealed off to all but the most important people that day, as the princess prepared to leave.

Her thoughts were buzzing as she glided through the water to her dressing chamber, finding it much easier than walking there. Emerging from the water, she saw her ladies in waiting fussing about her clothes, packing the chest that would be brought with them. She stepped out of the water, droplets shedding from her body as she fixed her hair. A fussy maiden coaxed her into a white lace sundress, adjusting it so she looked the part of the regal princess she was. Which, ironically, is what Cetus was expected to speak. She walked along as the others worked, a few accessories being put on, before the ringing of a bell signaled her appointed escort was here.

Stepping through the door behind the throne, she took a moment to brush a stray strand of hair back, the stepped around and to the front of the throne, her guards bowing as she walked by them. There, she stood and waited as her handmaiden brought the one who had answered her call for arms. She bowed low at the waist when Marin came in, straightening with a smile.

”You must be the one I heard was coming to escort me. I, and my people, are thankful that you decided to come along with us. Though you did say you represent some faction, and I am most curious what it is. If I may ask, what prompted you of all people to come along and assist? Not to deter from my thankfulness, I am genuinely curious, Miss…”

One of her guards broke from her post to whisper to the princess.

"Miss Marin?"

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

Marin's eyes widened in shock and mild alarm as she approached Cetus and the other bowed to her. ...Wh-What was happening? Princesses didn't bow to people! Especially people from outside their kingdom! Was this the wrong person? Did she know who Marin was? ...The now flustered princess had to remind herself that she was fully immersed in a different culture. B-But was she supposed to bow back? What if she didn't and it was rude? She'd never bowed in her life! It looked like the small woman might just be having trouble breathing as she stood there, slightly red in the face as she squirmed to grab hold of her composure.

"O-Oh! It's my pleasure, your highness. This is my first time visiting your domain, and I am here as a gesture of goodwill on... behalf of myself." Marin replied somewhat breathlessly at first before trailing off. She seemed a little nervous. ...That height-related pun was probably unintentional. Probably. "...My name is Marin Riya Hyrule, princess of the late Hyrulian Kingdom. It would be my honor to accompany you to Death Mountain." Marin would go on to state after a moment, sounding a bit more confident in her tone. Her composure had now fully recovered. One had to imagine that having a member of the supposedly lost and possibly dead hyrulian royal family show up on one's doorstep would be a bit of a shocker, especially the girl who had still been an even smaller child at the time of the kingdom's downward spiral.

[Cetus]

THE FACES OF PEOPLE I'LL NEVER MEET AGAIN ~

She blinked at the girl’s introduction. Princess of Hyrule? But that family had been rumored dead for quite some time now. Suspicions arose, but a sense of familiarity washed over her. The girl did look somewhat familiar, and it was possible Cetus saw her in one of her visits to Hyrule Castle at a younger age. Still, she had to be wary, but for now, she would buy it. After all, if she really was the princess, she would be a useful diplomatic ally.

”It is an honor to have one of the Hyrule royal line, that being the true one, here at the steps of my throne. Accept my welcome on behalf of all my people, your Highness. I must thank you personally for agreeing to this arrangement, on behalf of your order. Though, I must wonder why they would send a princess to do the task you are… Which means you can’t be the leader. They must be higher up. Tell me, is your sister, Queen Zelda, well? One can only infer she is alive.”

Gentle steps were taken down the stairs, so she stood before Marin, and she smiled once again. The girl seemed so pleased to be there, so eager. She would make good company. That was a good thing, these trips got so boring.

”Out of curiosity, will we be meeting with your sister at all in our journey? I wish to actually meet her myself one day.”

A few steps took her behind Marin, and she turned around, smiling.

”And I wish to thank her for sending somebody so radiant as an escort. Shall we head out?”

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

Marin could feel a tightness in her chest releasing as Cetus chose not to acknowledge their exchange verbally. That meant she couldn't have done too bad, right? ...Note to self. Get advice from big sister before trying this again. She'd feel a lot better going in with a solid plan, as opposed to trusting her rather flimsy instincts. She once again waited patiently and quietly for the other to finish, watching Cetus attentively as she spoke even as the other walked past her. Only once she finished would Marin open her mouth to reply, having turned to face the other. "...You're too kind~" she replied somewhat bashfully at the other's remarks. "But it was actually my decision to come here!" Marin would quickly go on to correct rather enthusiastically. Like many of her late exploits, no one even knew where she was. It was probably far more dangerous than she ought to be playing things, but this notion was lost on Marin. "So... I'm afraid that my sister will be unable to join us. I'm sorry if I got your hopes up. Though, the queen does live. As great as our kingdom's ... struggles are, it's also important not to forget those we've called our friends. I may not be my sister, but I'm doing my best to fight for a better tomorrow just like she is." Marin would go on to explain, bowing her head for a moment in silence reverence. It seemed like she held Zelda in high regards. "That being said, I'm ready to leave as soon as you are. I have food and drink with me for the journey. Maybe we can talk more about this during our travels!" Marin would suggest after the moment of reverence passed.

[Cetus]

'CAUSE IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOUR HEAVEN'S TRYING EVERYTHING TO KEEP ME DOWN ~

“Whether or not Zelda shows is of no importance to me, at least for now. I have another leader I am meeting, as you know, and that Is my current priority. Regardless, I commend your bravery in deciding to come on your own, Marin. We are truly a step closer to a better tomorrow, thanks to your actions.”



Everything seemed to be in order. Her belongings she would need were packed, and loaded onto her pack horse. Her personal horse was waiting for them outside, a large stallion bought for her when she was little. And, ironically, one of only two horses in the entire domain. As they didn’t travel much, the Zora saw no need for the beasts, but Cetus made a note to herself that they could be useful in the upcoming times.



With everything ready, the two walked out of the palace, a guard of six Zora, three of male and female, moving as their guard. People bowed s they left the great city, waterfall parting to accommodate their exit. As soon as they stepped foot outside the domain, Cetus stretched and looked around, smiling. She always loved the look of Hyrule Field, it was so wide and vast. So open. So free. She spotted her stablemaster standing nearby, with the horses, and gestured for Marin to follow. The horse nickered as she came close, and she rubbed his muzzle, smiling.



“Maelstrom here has been with me since he was just a foal. He’ll get us there efficiently.”



With help from her stablemaster, she was hoisted up on the horse. Taking the reins in hand, she walked him over to Marin, holding her arm out.



“There’s plenty of room for two of us. Just hang on.”

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

A very grateful and flattered Marin would follow Cetus outside, her hand drifting back to her heart as if to physically quell its rapid beating as she stepped out into the breeze. Listening to Cetus talk about her horse reminded Marin of her own royal steed. It was customary for royalty to grow up with their horse, at least for her family it was, to ensure that it would be fully comfortable accepting her a rider. ...She hoped that her old friend was doing alright now. She hadn't been able to take him with her when she was driven out of the castle with her sister. Hopefully someone was taking care of him. The idea that he was abandoned hurt her conscience. ...But he was a good horse! Surely someone would want him. Perhaps he missed her as much as she missed him. Looking up from her thoughts, Marin found herself staring into Cetus' hand. Wait--... She wanted Marin to ride ... with her?? The princess was momentarily frozen in surprise. Once again, this wasn't something one normally did with royalty. The high dignity royalty was held to demanded a certain sense of personal space! Or at least, that's what she'd come to believe. In this case, at least, it was very clear that Cetus did not see it that way and she didn't have to worry about being rude in her response. The very short woman would bashfully accept the hand that had been offered to her, her grip very gentle, and pulled herself up behind Cetus, sliding up to the other and cautiously wrapping her arms around the other's waist for support. Already familiar with how riding a horse was done, she used her thighs to further cement her place on the animal.

"Ready." Marin stated in a matter-o-fact tone, letting Cetus know it was safe to begin moving. "...He is quite the stud now, isn't he~?" Marin remarked rather light-heartedly. ...Okay that pun might not have been on accident. "How old is he..? Also--on an unrelated but important topic. I hope that my presence will not alarm the gorons. I've had more than a few incidents where others have not believed me when I tell them who I am. Ehehe..."

[Cetus]

'CAUSE IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOUR HEAVEN'S TRYING EVERYTHING TO KEEP ME DOWN ~

She hadn't expected the red tinge on her cheeks until Marin had already slipped her hands around her waist.

What was going to be the start of a casual conversation was drowned in a flustered blush, and even as she spurred her horse onward, she looked down, nervously. She hadn't expected the contact to feel this comforting. But here the Princess of Hyrule was, holding her as she rode with Cetus, and she shook off her thoughts. Better to ignore it than incite a scandal. She picked up where she had left off, trying to disregard the distracting hands.

"Yes, he is quite the noble steed. He's around 6 or 7, I can't remember when my father bought him. But he's well taken care of, and has served me greatly."

Her musings about the Goron were met with a light chuckle, and a shake of Cetus' head.

"Your secret is safe with me, if need be. You don't have to out yourself as a princess just yet."

Some time went by, as she enjoyed the ride, still painfully aware of the hands on her. With the silence, she got flustered again, not because it was unwelcome, but because she liked how it felt. Not many people really even touched her, so being held on to felt so intimate.

Or maybe she was just a hopeless romantic. She made an attempt at small talk.

"S-so, does Her Highness Marin have any cute men out for her hand? I'm sure that someone must be pining for you, despite you hiding and whatnot. I'm technically promised to a Zora prince from faraway, but my father doesn't kn- He... He made the wrong choice."

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

Marin took a deep breath, utterly unconcerned with her embrace. As much as she was comfortable, the implication of any sort of intimacy was lost on her. Why, this was just how you rode a horse with company! Safety first! The princess also nodded in acknowledgement of the other's response. There were many reasons she didn't want to just up and tell the gorons who she was, not the least of which being that she didn't want to make this important diplomatic meeting about herself. In all honesty, she had nothing to offer the meeting itself and--wait hold up. What did Cetus just ask her?! Marin snapped out of the thoughts alloted to her by the silence when Cetus asked about ... a man. A man? A man?! was she being teased right now??

"A--...A man? Oh! Oh no. No. Nooo-ooo. I'm not--I don't--" Marin replied, stumbling all over her words like a clumsy oaf. She would sigh after a moment, averting her gaze rather shamefully. "I'm... not sure I'm ready for that. It doesn't feel right, you know? I know I'm an adult now, but I barely even feel like a lady sometimes. Haha... I'm really glad that I'm not being pushed into an arranged marriage, though. I like the way some of my books portray love. You know--with romance..? It seems a lot nicer. ...Have you tried speaking to your father about it? The marriage, that is? Surely he must give your feelings some thought..." Marin went on to explain somewhat nervously. It seemed like she was still trying to figure out love.

[Cetus]

'CAUSE IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOUR HEAVEN'S TRYING EVERYTHING TO KEEP ME DOWN ~

Her face blushed bright red at the response, and she covered it with her hands to hide her embarrassment. How had this become about her? She was trying to divert the topic from her emotions, but somehow they’d ended up coming back around. And, oh goddesses, she could feel the hands on her hips again. Curse her overactive imagination. She had to try and save the situation as best she could. She spent a second pondering the scenario, collecting herself, before she continued, attempting level-headed grace.

”I… I’ve tried talking to him about it. My father is a cruel and selfish man. He’d sooner marry off his daughter into fame and fortune than consider her feelings. I’ve delayed the marriage as long as I can, but everyone is so excited for it, and I can’t let my people down. I suppose it’s my duty to do this. After all, I suppose it’s not all that bad…”



She suddenly sighed, looking to the ground to the side of Maelstrom as he cantered along. Something seemed to be eating her, a secret burning in a pocket too long. White teeth chewed lip as she pondered how to phrase the statement, and to hide that she couldn’t shake the fact that an object of her sudden attraction was touching her. The hands felt nice, so relaxing, so- No, she had to snap out of it. With another sigh, she continued.



”In truth, I don’t like what my father wants me to. From a young age, I realized that I saw no favorable traits in men, especially pompous Zora princes. They were all so hyper and eager to show off to each other. In short… I like girls. I’ve always been attracted to them, and I’ve always wanted to… Feel that romance you spoke of. No arranged marriage, no pageantry. I want to know how it feels naturally, on my own. Sadly, our race isn’t very tolerant of those of the same sex together…”

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

Marin would lean ever so slightly over to get a better look at what was going on up front. Was Cetus facepalming right now? ...No, but she definitely felt the other's frustration. Listening to what the other had to say, though, Marin wasn't exactly left in the dark as to why. She'd always wondered what it would have been like to know her parents, but hearing this somehow made her grateful to have known only her nursemaid. As much as she resented the thought that this could have happened to her, she couldn't truly rule it out and it felt wrong not to appreciate the woman who did raise her at a time like this for being better than that. What a complicated situation the zora princess now found herself in. She did have a duty to her kingdom, and it didn't seem like there were a whole lot of ways out of it. She supposed she saw exactly how the other felt and--...Wait hold the dang phone. Did Cetus just say she liked girls?!


...There really wasn't a dull moment around this girl. Marin's eyes widened with sudden realization. How could a princess like girls?! ...You couldn't continue the royal family line with two girls! ...Could you? That confusing thought aside, another thought abruptly body checked its way into Marin's head. Hold up! If Cetus enjoyed the fairer sex, then ... What was going on here? Something was screwy. Her hands around Cetus' waist. Leaning into the other for support and stability. Her freshwater scent gracing her nostr--AAAAAAAA! Let go of her waist!! No wait--Falling off horses was bad! Don't let go of her waist! Oh sweet Hylia, she wasn't prepared for this! Not now! ...Cetus could feel Marin's body tense as she silently screamed with anxiety, her grip on the other tightening ever so slightly as she tried to sort through this awful cocktail of emotions. For a long moment, Marin would be silent as if she were considering Cetus' words. Anything she said could be disasterous. How did she even feel?? Now fully aware of the tension between them, Marin made her new goal to break that tension by any means necessary. She spoke softly, barely above a whisper. If her mouth weren't so very close to the other's ear from her current position, Cetus might not even be able to hear her.

"...I guess I could see the appeal. I've always enjoyed the company of my fellow sister, and I'd be lying if I said I did not appreciate the feminine, um--beauty." Marin replied rather sheepishly, inadvertently raising questions about her own tastes in the process without actually confirming anything. In truth, Marin had never considered such a notion before. It was only now as she contemplated Cetus that she found herself self-conscious enough to question her desires. "It seems that you're in need of a miracle. It sounds like it might take one to get you out of this marriage without repurcussions..." Marin would go on to muse aloud, attempting to distract herself from those thoughts that made her tummy squirm.

[Cetus]

'CAUSE IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOUR HEAVEN'S TRYING EVERYTHING TO KEEP ME DOWN ~

The tensing of the Princess behind her caught her attention, and Cetus froze, curious what thoughts were going through the Hylian princess’ head. Surely she couldn’t feel the same sentiment, could she? The Hylians had always been painted as the race equal in grace and tradition to the Zora, and certainly their Princess couldn’t feel affections for women, right?



Marin’s voice in her ear was barely a whisper, a secret kept between them, one that felt so intimate and personal. Marin couldn’t miss her blush now, it was so prominent on her face. She saw the appeal in women. Goddesses above, Cetus didn’t know how to react. Here she was, blushing like some maiden being courted, and she didn’t even consider the other girl’s feelings. Her next sentence was a good transition however, and Cetus leaped on the opportunity to answer it.



”The plan was to find a suitable female to court and bring her before my father. I was going to beg for him to change how the system worked, but… I know he wouldn’t be accepting of it. My only real hope is that his days are numbered and I can step up, but… One does not wish their own family ill. Still… I’ve longed for the touch of someone for some time, I want somebody not to see me as a Princess, but as me. But when you have a people to support, things aren’t always that easy… I envy you for having siblings that could take all the royal duties, Marin. Surely they’d have no qualms with who you married.”



Almost absentmindedly, she looked around, spotting her Zora guard running in formation, quite a distance away, and sighed in relief. Thank goodness they weren’t listening, she didn’t want to have to explain it.



”I often fantasized about meeting somebody who wasn’t a Zora… They wouldn’t treat me like some sort of porcelain doll that had to be coveted and gently handled. Not to make implications, of course, I mean in general.”



But was she? To herself, she found she enjoyed Marin holding her. Goddesses, was she saying the right things? She wanted it to stay like this, so much as the simple contact blissful, but it embarrassed her. The other would never agree, it was simply a foolish hope.



”But it seems I’ll have to make do with this prince. Nobody yet has come to mind, and I’m short on time…”

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

...Marin considered Cetus' words carefully. She was ... lucky to be standing in the shadows of her siblings? Now that didn't sound right, but she wasn't oblivious to what the other meant. Was she lucky, though? The idea that she had somehow escaped an awful fate by being forgettable was terribly depressing when she really thought about it. What sort of silver lining was this, anyway? Nobody cared who she loved, so she could love whoever she wanted?? Bah. This was why she preferred to get her daily dose of romance from books. ...Would her big sister even approve of her marrying another woman? Not that she was currently planning a marriage, but well--It wasn't something she'd ever considered before. The princess shook her head without understanding. What a mess of thoughts this was. Cetus was making some implications that she couldn't even identify and she barely had any idea what to say. "Well, that is one way to look at it..." Marin relented. "You said your father's heart was for fame and fortune, right? I suppose that the only thing that could match the influence and luster of a zora prince would be... another princess!" Marin went on to offer. Wait--Why had she said that? The implications of the thought she'd found so brilliant hit her almost immediately after the words passed her lips. She wasn't used to watching her words like this around other girls, and to be honest she kind of hated it. The ability to be more open without sacrificing her dignity was something she appreciated from other girls. Why couldn't she just... treat Cetus like anyone else without thinking of her as one of the guys?

...The thought occurred to Marin that she actually wasn't sure. She quickly ran through several scenarios in her head, trying to rationalize her feelings. However, she could do no such thing. Alright then--Maybe it was time for an experiment. She'd try ignoring the revelation Cetus has given her! The princess relaxed a bit, her grip on Cetus loosening slightly. "Sorry--I'm not trying to say silly things on purpose, I promise~" she apologized rather light-heartedly. "But you do have a point. We all must act in the best interests of our people, which means that if you were to make a gesture even grander than his such as say, a royal intermarriage to promote peace and unity among two kingdoms, he would be unable to deny your request. You would only need to find someone willing to stand up to him." Marin went on, her tone suggesting that she was either unaware of the implications or unfazed by them.

[Cetus]

'CAUSE IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOUR HEAVEN'S TRYING EVERYTHING TO KEEP ME DOWN ~

Marin was talking sense, that was for sure. She was still vaguely shocked at the bold suggestion, but Cetus nodded. That was a way around it all. But… One issue persisted, and she found herself glancing down, the small tidbit of hope gone. Her father didn’t like her to meet other diplomats before she took over, and she had to deal with a closed off kingdom when she did. This meeting with the Gorons was her first real talk of alliance with another race, or with any other royalty in general.



”Unfortunately, I was kept rather… Separate from other royal families when I was young, so I don’t really find myself knowing any princesses that would be willing, or haven’t been married off. The only royalty I’ve seen is you, and-“



She paused, pondering what that meant. She’d been able to be open with Marin, been able to tell her that secret that alienated her, and yet her escort was still here, encouraging her to break off a wedding that would happen in a month’s time. Marin was saying she could find a princess and convince her otherwise. And yet here one was, riding behind her, and she was being open. Was she too forward? Was she insinuating anything she shouldn’t? Flustered, she gulped, and composed herself.



”Regardless, we should make for the east. There is a river nearby that I have camped neat before, and I’m sure my guard would appreciate the chance to rehydrate. I certainly could go for a swim, myself, and some food.”



In reality, she was flustered, worried that she had been too forward with Marin. She was attractive, yes, and she enjoyed Marin’s company, but was it too forward to tell her that? Would she even be interested? Cetus had no clue, and instead of talking, she let herself overthink it as the sun travelled through the sky. Twilight had begun when the river was in sight, and she sighed in relief. Water was always a grounding element for her.



Within minutes of them stopping, their tent was erected by her guard, large cloth tent adorned with cots, fur blankets, and a large fire before it, where she chose to sat in a small chair made of driftwood they had assembled. Her eyes were anywhere but on Marin, embarrassed, and she was doing a really bad job at hiding it.

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Deleted]

Marin once again considered Cetus' words, several questions coming to mind. She wanted to help the other, but of course that meant traveling down an unfamiliar path and potentially regretting her choices. ...But! If those bad romance novels had taught Marin anything, it was that forbidden love was good stuff. ...And also that wolf people were apparently very attractive. She wasn't so sure on that last one; it seemed like a lot of hair for her tastes. Back to the course at hand, though, Marin was honestly relieved to hear that Cetus was willing to tolerate her lack of acknowledgment towards any tension going on. That was just the way she wanted to have this conversation, as comfortably as she could imagine. "I can share in that sentiment. Back when we lived in our castle, I wasn't considered ... 'mature' enough for court life. And well, now that we're out there isn't a court left, so you're actually my first experience with diplomacy." Marin would go on to admit. ...For her first time, she was noticeably very observant of how these sorts of things worked.

...Not long later, the two were sitting down in the assembled tent. Marin had her legs pulled up against her chest and her arms wrapped around her knees, curled into an evil smaller little thing than she already was where she sat. Her chin was restily lazily upon her knees as she observed the other. While she was doing her best to ignore the tension, it didn't seem like she was really... getting to Cetus. She had to change that, but how was she supposed to do that? "...I think it's really wonderful that you know what you want in life, Cetus. Honestly, I don't think I do." Marin remarked, attempting to break the ice by bringing her feelings into the matter. "I've always felt really ...weird about love. I had suitors and they were very sweet, but there were certain... expectations that I have never felt at peace with. My mother--Well, my caretaker. I always called her mother, though. She always told me that I was just... not ready yet. But a part of me thinks I won't ever be ready. That it just isn't for me. I never really gave it much thought until I met you, but..." Marin went on, explaining her frustrations about love. One could only hazard a guess at what exactly she was referring to when she spoke of expectations.

"But, maybe that's a blessing in disguise! What would you think if I ... offered to 'help' you with your problem?" Marin went on to finish, seeming to consider her words very carefully when she made that offer. She'd made a point to make it clear that she was not professing love at first sight or anything incredibly romantic, and crazy, like that. Instead, she'd chosen to use very platonic words to describe what she was very clearly offering. Noteworthily, she hadn't asked for anything in return for this 'help'. This left her motivations unclear, for now.