Favorable side

by Gladys Garcia

  for more every chance she got. The rest of the world seemed to disappear whenever she enveloped herself in the world of lore, and she dismayed whenever she had to

  return to the dull, droll present. Verona smiled softly to herself as she sat alone at a table, just starting to really get into the book she was reading on the early history of

  the Twilight Realm when she was suddenly interrupted.

  "'Tale of the Twilit Folk'…" a male voice suddenly startled the young woman as it read the title of the book she was pouring over. Surprised, Verona glanced up to see a

  young male Twili, about her age, standing at the opposite end of the table. She had never seen him before, but she couldn't help but marvel at his handsomeness. He was

  tall and lean, the shadows of his bare, teal, toned chest visible thanks to the black cloak hanging over his shoulders, clasped together with a silver brooch at his neck and

  its hood lowered to reveal his dark red hair tied into a bun atop his head. His robe in and of itself told that he was of Twili nobility as well thanks to the elegant markings

  that adorned it as it hung almost down to the ground, complimenting his simple slacks that flowed out to bare feet, which was how most Twili walked about. His features

  were sharp and good-looking, his orange-yellow eyes bright and intelligent and his smile coy and charming as he raised an eyebrow at the young Twili woman sitting

  before him. "An engaging read. I've been searching this entire library trying to find it only to realize someone else had checked it out."

  His tone was easy and lighthearted, and after a moment or two of gaping at him, Verona couldn't help but smile a bit sheepishly, glancing away from him and towards the

  book in her hands. "It certainly is a classic…" she said somewhat shyly. "But… I'm sorry to say that I'm afraid I just started reading it…"

  "Oh," the young man said, cocking his head a bit as he continued to grin at her almost flirtatiously. "Well then forgive me for interrupting you, miss. I'll just be on my way

  then…"

  "Wait," Verona said quickly, before he could begin to walk away. She shut the book and held it out to him, her cheeks starting to burn with a flustered blush. "You can have

  it if you'd like… I've already read it several times."

  The young man laughed a little at this, lowering both the book and her hands down to the table. "So have I," he said before glancing down at the chair opposite to her.

  "Do you mind?"

  "Not at all," she said with a smile, motioning for him to sit.

  He did so, still giving her that same playful smile, one that usually would have annoyed Verona had any other young man been giving it to her, but for some reason he

  seemed more sincere than others who had tried to catch her eye in the past. "My name is Dehäan," he introduced himself cordially, giving her an expectant look as he

  extended a hand to her. "And you are…?"

  "Verona," she smiled warmly at him giving him her hand and allowing him to kiss it, as was the custom of nobility.

  "Verona…" he repeated, somehow making the sound of her name sound like the most beautiful thing ever. "So, Verona… I see you have an interest in history?"

  "Oh yes," she nodded eagerly. "The history of our people is one of my favorite topics. There's just so much to it all, from our origins, to our wars, to our

  accomplishments… It's all so fascinating…"

  "I agree…" Dehäan nodded, glancing down at the book lying between them on the table. "We have quite a history behind us, despite our somewhat shameful beginnings. I

  once read that many of the original Twili who were first banished here centuries ago had regretted the war they had caused in the world of light, and so to repent to the

  gods for their sins, they decided to reform themselves."

  "Ah yes," Verona said, continuing where he left off. "They had caught wind of the monarchy that those still in the world of light had built, the kingdom of Hyrule. And,

  inspired by this, they decided to move away from the former totalitarian society they had known, instead setting up a electoral monarchy all their own, one that has been

  in place ever since."

  "Well, you weren't kidding," Dehäan said with an impressed grin. "You certainly know your history."

  "As do you," Verona said with a soft smile, realizing that for the first time, she had met someone who shared her penchant for lore and history. "Care to discuss more?"

  Dehäan's grin widened as he shuffled his chair a bit closer, more than ready to do as she had asked. "Of course," he said as charmingly as ever, making the young woman

  before him smile with delight. "After all, I have all day…"

  Verona and Dehäan's meetings had quickly become a daily occurrence. They would spend days in the library, discussing and studying together, sharing knowledge as they

  discovered more than ever had alone. And history was not the only thing they learned more about.

  There would be days where they would go off topic on whatever they had been studying about, instead opting to tell personal stories or discuss their likes and dislikes.

  The pair had grown quite a comradery over the course of several weeks, their playful, casual friendship developing a firm foundation. Whenever they happened to

  encounter each other outside of the library, they would instantly drop everything and engage in conversation, one always delighted to see the other. It wasn't long before

  they began to eat together in the noble's dining hall, lore often filling their enthusiastic conversations as they spoke of brave Twili champions, great kings and queens, and

  ancient myths spanning the generations. Those who spectated on their conversations would merely smile and shake their heads at the two youths, both so invested in

  the same interests and ideals.

  The growing attraction between them was obvious, which was why no one was surprised when Verona and Dehäan began to hold hands wherever they went. Verona was

  admittedly rather shy by nature, which was why she had at first flinched away when Dehäan had reached for her hand, but she had hesitantly allowed him to take it upon

  a second attempt. At first, she found it somewhat awkward, but the more he did it, the more she began to take a liking to it. Not long after this, the pair soon began to

  trade their long hours in the palace library for long walks outside of it instead.

  It was on these strolls that their hand holding soon shifted to more affectionate forms of touch; instead of merely using words to greet one another, they soon began to

  embrace nearly every time they met. They both always felt warm and secure in each other's arms, the mere thought of being together simply filling them both with joy

  and pleasure. It was clear that they both adored one another, to the point that they had grown past the point of friends. Verona could scarcely think of a time when she

  was happier than when she was in Dehäan's company. His warm kindness and brilliant mind drew her in and his sweet affection towards her made her stay. No one had

  ever treated her with such gentle care before, and she had no reservations about giving it all back to him in return. They cherished each other and the bond that they

  shared, and with each passing day that bond was quickly blooming into something more.

  Their first kiss was an unceremonious event. It came about as they stood alone together on an outcropping of stone, overlooking the endless Twilit expanse that their

  home was known for. They had stopped talking long ago, instead choosing to stand together in each other's arms, gazing out at the solemnly beautiful view before them.

  And then, without any provocation or warning, they were kissing.

  It started slow and soft, like one would fall asleep. And then, it grew, diving deeper and deeper into dreams and comforting bliss until there was nothing else at all. They

  reveled in it, and in each other, for
what seemed like a perfect eternity, and when they finally did break apart, they still remained close together, still wrapped up in the heat

  and passion of the moment.

  Their lips were still lightly brushing together as they gazed into each other's eyes, both of them breathing deeply to regain lost air. "Verona…" Dehäan whispered softly, his

  breath feeling warm and sweet upon the young woman's lips as she lightly pressed hers against his for a brief moment. However, she was quick to pull him into another

  full kiss upon hearing his next statement, words she had been waiting to hear from him for so long now. "I love you…"

  It was a moment of sheer glory, perhaps the greatest one of Verona's entire life. And she wished for nothing more than to freeze it and live in it forever as she laced her

  hands behind Dehäan's neck, lightly smiling before he kissed her again as she gave him her soft spoken response. "I love you too…"

  And yet, like all good things, their love was doomed to die.

  It had been about a week since they had admitted their love to each other, and yet, Verona had scarcely seen Dehäan at all since then. She had checked the library, the

  dining hall, and many of their other favorite spots, but she had not been able to find him, something that perplexed her greatly. Why would Dehäan be trying to avoid her

  so soon after telling her that he loved her? Certainly he couldn't be ashamed to be seen with her, as he never had been before. But then what could be keeping him away?

  Verona had spent most of the day sitting alone in the place that her and Dehäan had shared their first kiss in, worrying for where he might be, when he finally came to see

  her. Upon seeing him approach her, Verona's heart swelled with excitement as she rose and rushed to him, throwing himself into his arms and not even noticing his

  morose, troubled expression.

  "Dehäan, my darling," Verona said with a warm smile, kissing him on the cheek as he held onto her loosely. "Where have you been? I've looked all over for you."

  "I… I'm sorry for worrying you, Verona," Dehäan said, the trepidation and edge of grief in his tone well concealed. "But… there is something you must know… I only just

  found out about this myself, and I didn't want you to find out, so… so I avoided you instead, hoping that I wouldn't hurt you… But… you should know the truth…"

  "What?" Verona asked, her smile fading as she gave him a look of confusion. "What is it?"

  "Verona…" Dehäan said, closing his eyes tightly as he was no longer able to look at her out of shame. "I… It turns out that I… I am betrothed…"

  "What?!" Verona gasped in shock, gripping her love's arms tightly. "To whom?!"

  "To the next heir to the throne, the next Twilight Princess…" Dehäan said, his eyes downcast as he shook his head in remorse. "I have been ever since I was little, but my

  parents had never told me until recently… They said it was so we could keep the royal Twili bloodline strong, but I don't care for any of that. I only wish to be with you,

  Verona, my love…"

  Tears began to sparkle in Verona's eyes as Dehäan stroked her cheek lovingly. "But… but, Dehäan, an heir hasn't even been chosen yet!" she exclaimed, knowing how Twili

  politics worked and how rulers were chosen by the people from among the nobles of the realm.

  "I know…" Dehäan said with a sigh. "But if the chosen heir is female, then I must be wed to her… I cannot apologize enough, Verona. If there was any way that I could

  stop this, that I could spend the rest of my life with you and you alone… then you know I would do anything…"

  "Maybe there is something we could do…" Verona said, an idea already forming in her mind as she wiped her tears. "What… what if I put in a claim to the throne? I am

  eligible, after all. I have just as much as a chance as any other noble."

  "Are you sure?" Dehäan asked with a frown. "You know that the path to the throne is a brutal one for anyone who tries to take it. I wouldn't want you to get hurt even

  more if you… you don't win…"

  "Oh, Dehäan…" Verona laughed, her smile returning as she kissed him briefly before he returned her smile at last and pulled her in closer. "Have some faith in me. I will do

  this, my love, believe me. For you, I will do anything…"

  She had tried. She had tried so hard. She had done everything in her power, looked to every option, put her heart and soul into this great effort, all for him, for them.

  But she had failed.

  Verona glumly stood among the large crowds as they hailed their new Twilight Princess, her own cousin, Midna. Her claim to the throne had made sense, considering her

  father was the current reigning king of the Twilight Realm, though in his advanced age, he was ready to pass the throne along, especially to his sole child, his beloved

  daughter. The only other one who had contested Midna and Verona to the throne was another, lower-level noble, an ambitious man named Zant, who, as far as the

  opinion of the Twili people went, was far too incompetent and greedy to become their king. And so it had come down to the two cousins, both from two semi-separated

  families that had been at silent war with each other for generations, even though they were loosely bound together by marriage. And yet, even aside from their familial

  grudges, Verona and Midna had never liked each other on a personal level either. However, throughout her campaign to the throne, Verona had let go of her dislike

  towards her cousin, instead solely focusing on the main reason why she was doing this: Dehäan. Throughout the deciding period, he supported her in any way he could,

  helping her win the favor of as many of the Twili as possible and promoting her best leadership qualities. In truth, Verona cared very little for the power or prestige that

  came along with being the ruler of the Twilight Realm. The only thing she wanted was to be with her beloved Dehäan, and the only thing Dehäan wanted was to be with his

  beloved Verona.

  And yet, despite all of their dreaming and hoping, it was not to be. The people had chosen their next monarch, and it had not been Verona. The moment the couple heard

  the horrible news, it was as though their entire world had come crashing down around them. They were inconsolable, knowing that even though they had tried so hard,

  their love could not survive. Dehäan would be forced to marry Midna, and Verona would be bereft of her true love for the rest of her life.

  Tears streamed silently down Verona's face as she blended into the happy horde of people, all of them cheering on their new Twilight Princess as she appeared before

  them confidently. However, Verona's hands clenched into tight fists at her sides upon seeing Dehäan come to stand beside her as their arranged engagement was

  announced. Both Midna and Dehäan gave the citizens forced smiles, but it was clear that neither of them were too keen on the idea of getting married to each other.

  Verona felt her heart clench as she watched the two of them hesitantly hold hands, knowing that it should have been her standing there alongside Dehäan instead of

  Midna. Midna didn't deserve to know Dehäan's kindness and love. Midna didn't even know Dehäan like she did, much less love him. Verona, on the other hand, truly loved

  Dehäan. She needed him.

  And now, she would never get to have him.

  Verona let out a choked sob as someone announced the wedding date of the newly engaged couple. All at once, her heart was being completely decimated, and there

  was nothing at all she could do about it. And yet, a small part of her wanted to try and free her love from this dreaded arranged marriage, to find a way to run off with him

  so that they could be together without anyone trying to separate them ever again.

  And… perhaps… there was a way…

  A newfound idea swirled around in Verona's mind as she cast her gaze
to the ground, away from Dehäan and Midna as her fellow Twili continued to revel all around her. It

  was a risky plan; in fact, it was downright dangerous, and if she failed, then it would certainly mean death. But it was still worth it if allowed her to be with Dehäan. She

  would free her love from the role that their restrictive society had set upon him so they could at last be together.

  She would do whatever it took to be with him.

  Verona smiled softly to herself as she stood just outside the Palace of Twilight, feeling power welling up within her. It had taken several months of toil and research, but

  she had finally accumulated all of the magic that she needed to follow through on her plan. She knew that a great deal of the magic she had trained herself in was

  forbidden under the laws of the Twilight Realm, hidden away in obscure tomes that were not available to most common Twili. The penalty for practicing such magic was

  severe, but Verona was desperate. Simple shadow magic alone would not be enough to serve her needs. She had to act swiftly, stealthily, and strongly.

  She took in a deep breath as she threw her hood up over her head, satisfied that it concealed her identity enough so that she wouldn't be recognized. If by some chance

  she was discovered, then it would all be over instantly. Of course, she had waited until it was fairly late, when most within the palace would be asleep, so hopefully she

  would not encounter anyone but Dehäan alone.

  After gathering up all of her courage, Verona stepped forward towards the palace, knowing that there was no turning back now. She hurried towards the large closed

  doors, knowing that they were tightly locked and under guard. However, she smiled to herself as she cast an enchantment upon herself, cloaking herself with an invisibility

  spell so that the guards never saw her. Instead of heading for the front doors directly however, Verona opted to slip in through the gardens, grinning to herself at the irony

  that she was essentially breaking into her own home. Yet she knew that such methods were necessary, for the last thing she wanted was to be found slipping into the