Chapter Eight
“Heart to Heart”
Derek walked down the halls; he was dry by now after the long walk. He walked by Zelda’s room. Should he? He was curious about what Zelda was up to.
He knocked. No response...
He turned to see Zelda standing right behind him. He looked surprised for a split second before regaining himself. Derek smiled at Zelda and spoke, “I was just checking in on you.”
Zelda asked questioningly, “Where were you this morning?” Derek cleared his throat, “Errands.”
Zelda looked at him, “Well, I’m glad I found you, I wanted to talk to you about something.” Derek nodded slowly. Zelda opened her door and walked in, Derek followed. Derek shut the door behind him as Zelda turned to face him. Zelda took a deep breath and said, “Look, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
Zelda tried her best to look Derek in the eyes, “I know you must have realized that I wasn’t the most gracious supporter of this engagement. It’s just that it’s all happening too fast. I guess I was just denying it. I just want to apologize for being selfish.”
Derek looked at her understandingly, “It’s alright. To tell you the truth, I have someone back where I come from that I love very much. I haven’t seen her for years now, and I can’t help but worry. I don’t know why, because I’m supposed to love you. Just know that I know how you feel.” Derek meant this, it came from his heart.
Zelda looked surprised, “Oh, so you know about me...and Link?”
Derek smiled, “The way you looked at him at the party, I knew right there that it would be hard for both of us.”
Zelda thought for a moment and responded uneasily, “He told me something that surprised me last night. I wanted to run away with him because” she glanced at Derek, “I’m still very much in love with him, but he refused. Even so, I can’t seem to let go.”
Derek sat her down on the bed, he sat beside her, “I’m not forcing you to love me, I want you to understand that. But, I want you to know you have my support every step of the way. I don’t want you to be depressed like this for the rest of your life. And I know that Link as well as the girl I’ve loved wouldn’t want us to stay miserable because of this.”
Zelda turned and looked at Derek, “This girl...what’s her name?”
Derek smiled and thought for a moment, “Her name? It was quite awhile ago. I...” he thought again “don’t remember.” Zelda looked at him with a confused expression, “You don’t remember her name?”
Derek responded quickly, “I remember her face, though...she’s just as beautiful as you are. You two have got the same personality. The same eyes...” Derek blinked and shook his head. Zelda blushed.
“Sorry.” Derek said, embarrassed “I didn’t mean to-“
“-it’s ok.” Zelda interrupted.
There was a knock on the door that ruined the mood of the moment. Derek gets up and headed to the door, he opened it. Chancellor Gale was on the other side. Zelda got up also, wondering what was up. Derek turned to Zelda and said, “I’m sorry, we’ll talk later, ok?”
Zelda nodded slowly, not quite understanding what the chancellor would want with Derek. The door shut, leaving Zelda in her room with her thoughts.
Derek looked at Gale, “What are you doing? The meeting is tomorrow.”
Gale glanced around and replied, “It’s not that.”
Gale walked and gestured Derek to follow, as they rounded the corner, Gale said “I have a question.”
Derek asked, “What is it?”
Suddenly, two guards grabbed Derek by the arms, pinning him against the wall. Three more guards stepped in and drew their swords, pointing the tips of their blades at Derek’s throat.
“What is the meaning of this?!” Derek demanded.
Gale narrowed his eyes, “I’d like to ask you the same thing.”
