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“Your Highness, your father is summoning you to his study.” A guard bowed out of the room following his words.
Prince Daphnes of Hyrule sighed as his sister snickered in the corner. “You’re in trouble~” He shot her a look, only to have her laughter come out louder.
Queen Zelda shook her head at her children’s antics and shoo’ed off her youngest. “Worry not, dear. It’s nothing bad.” She reassured him. “Do you really think your father would scold you on your birthday?”
Mother has a point there… The Prince thought. His mother came over and ruffled his blond hair for a short moment and walked with him. Walking through the halls and past the various soldiers, they walked side by side. ‘What does dad want to see me about?’ He signed to his mother.
“It’s a Father-Son tradition. And because you turned 15 today, my dear son, he has something special for you.” She kissed the very top of his head as they arrived at his father’s study. His Mother knocked on the large mahogany door before opening it a short moment later. “I’ve brought our son as you’ve requested, my love.” She smiled, placing a hand on Daphnes’ shoulder.
“Thank you, my queen. ” He heard his father as he faced the two. Daphnes watched as his father planted a short kiss on his mother’s cheek. “We’ll come find you in a few.” The queen blushed lightly before waving the two off and leaving the room, the door clicking shut. “
Daphness looked around the study, casually glancing over the family portrait sitting atop his father’s desk, the numerous books and scrolls sitting on the book cases, stopping momentarily on the Hylian Shield that hung over the open window where he could see the sun setting in the horizon.
The Shield his father had used when defeating the Great Calamity 21 years ago. It hung, polished and void of the tiniest speck of dust. He knew his father often cared for it, even wandering down to the barracks to ‘ inspect ’ the blades of the soldiers who served their family. Even as the years continued on, his father could always be found either at his desk or sparring with captains, the years seemingly forgetting to affect the King’s 40-something year old body. Truthfully, some even said he moved with almost as much agility as he did in his prime.
When the prince turned his eyes back to his father, he was waving him over for what seemed to be a few moments. “Come sit. I have something for you.” His voice resounded clearly, a small hint of softness in his tone. Daphnes came to sit in the chair across from his father’s desk, only to be redirected to his father’s comfier chair. “I’ve been wanting to give you this since morning, but your mother’s adamant that I follow tradition strictly on this.” He said, pulling out a small black case. The small box was placed in the Prince’s hand.
Lifting the cover, sitting on a small velvet cloth, sat two small emerald hoops. He slowly picked one up and held it up to his eyes. They were identical in everything but colour to his father’s personal pair. “These were handed down from my father,” He watched his father’s gaze briefly land on the hand-drawn portrait of his grandfather, his aunt and himself when they were younger. “and he received them from his, and so on. Today, on your 15th birthday, these are now yours.” Pulling out a small bottle and a separate case. A short silence stayed for a few seconds before he continued to talk. “You grow up too fast, you know. 15 already.” He heard a small chuckle escape his father's lips. “A fine young man, if you ask me.”
‘ Thank you for the gift.’ He signed back when his father’s eyes locked on him. He anticipated receiving a pair of earring eventually, but he had no idea when the day might come. ‘ My ears aren’t pier ced.’ He told him. He knew what was likely to follow next, but he let his father speak anyway.
“You have two options: I can do it here for you and you can show your mother, or I can call one of the nurses from the medical wing to do it for you when you’re ready.” He numbered off from his hand.
Daphnes looked at the two hoops, admiring the sparkle reflecting from the sunset. A hand unconsciously raised to his earlobe.
“Dad! Dad! Can I wear your earrings?” A young Daphnes tugged at the monarch’s ear roughly as his legs swung from his shoulders.
Covering up the short ‘Ack’ with a hearty laugh, his father gently unhooked the child’s fingers from his blue earrings hanging from his ears. “Not until you’ve proven yourself worthy Daph!”
“But I am!” He argued back loudly, causing him to flinch.
Link chuckled as he lifted his son from his shoulders and into his arms. “My little hero.”
The Prince looked up from the case and glanced at the box sitting on the large desk. There was a small bottle of disinfectant and a white cloth accompanying the mystery container.
No less than an hour later, Prince Daphnes emerged from the office with his father following closely behind, both brimming with excitement to show off the new accessory he had received.