A year has passed since Diana left to travel the world to learn more about the political stances of the other kingdoms and empires.

The incident with the attempted kidnapping left Diana with difficulties falling asleep, not even the guard assigned to her helped. But that was due to the fact they made themselves clear that they were there to take her if need be, along with what they'd do if she spoke out.

But coming home, Diana had a plan to rid herself of this guard.

That plan was Link.

The carriage carrying the princess, the knight, and the king arrived in front of the castle, where they were greeted by the staff.

Staff: Welcome home.

King: Sir Knight, how long will you be staying?

Knight: As long as the princess needs me.

King: Diana?

Diana: Your services will only be needed for a little bit longer.

Knight:(glare) What do you mean, princess?

Diana: Why would I need you when there's someone better?

King:...

Diana: I mean... I wouldn't want to take you away from your home for long when there's someone else who could do a better job.

King: Who do you mean?

As if on cue, Morgan and Link arrived.

Morgan looked no different. Link however was a different man.

He was taller, his hair long, yet tied on the back and sides. His clothes were simple, both a mix of common and training gear. Yet only a hint of his wild nature had remained.

Link:(smiles)

His eyes fell on the princess, making him smile.

Diana had changed as well. Her figure had matured and with her dress and long hair, she no longer seemed like a princess, but a Queen in the making.

Knight: Please stay back-

Diana: Move it.

Running up to Link, the two embraced. Diana took the opportunity to whisper something to Link.

Knight: We have procedures for this.

Diana: No need. He's your replacement.

Knight: This kid?

Knight:.... Why does he look familiar?

Link: I'm here to take the role of Diana's knight. And there's only one way to make sure I'm fit for the role.

Link: Defeating you, in a little spar.

Knight: I don't fight kids.

Morgan: You've already lost then.

Knight: Hm?

Morgan: Underestimating Link is a death sentence.

Taking her right hand from behind her back, she reveals it to be in a splint.

Morgan: Link has defeated me in battle, and I'm lucky I'll be able to use this hand again.

King: What...?!

Link: I said I was sorry...

Morgan: I'm not mad.

Link: Still...

Knight:(sigh)... Fine. Let's get this over with.

Diana gives Link some space as he pulls his sword with its scabbard off his back.

Link: Do you want me to go easy on you?

Knight: Give it your all.

Link: I'll go easy on you.

The two get on the grass. Link balances his sword on his palm as Knight stands with his arms crossed.

Link: When you pull out your sword, the fight begins.

Knight:....

Knight: Alright kid. Let's get this over-

The moment his blade leaves his sheath, Link tosses his sword in the air, and whilst it is in the air, he pulls it out of the scabbard with great swiftness.

This surprised Knight, who was fast enough to raise his blade to block, but it wouldn't be enough.

(SHATTER)

With one hand, Link destroyed Knight's blade. And once he raised his blade for the second swing, Link sent Knight flying.

As he landed, Link allowed his scabbard to land over his sword.

Knight:(grunts)

Link:(smirks) Oops. Maybe I should have held back a little more.

Knight: Tch.

Link: Have a safe trip back home.

Knight: There's more to being a guard than just power.

Link: Then go hide and try to attack the princess.

Link:(glares) You'll see how impossible it is.

Knight: Very well...

King: Is that truly-

Morgan: If the fool wishes to humiliate themselves more, let them.

Diana: Link, I was thinking of celebrating my return with a lap around the kingdom.

Link:(holds out arm) As you wish.

Diana:(giggles)

Locking arms, the two go for a stroll. The two smugly glare at Knight as they leave.

Knight had a mission, thus he would do whatever he needed to stay.

He stalked Link and Diana, as the princess went to greet the town folk who she'll one day rule over. Along the way, she picked up a picnic basket and sheet, before heading out to look for food to fill it.

Having covered himself in a cloak, the knight approached with a hot candle. He was going to use it like a knife, and staining Diana's dress would prove Link's incompetence in the role of knight.

He walked past, and quickly jabbed at Diana, subtly.

After a few steps, Knight turned around and got a book thrown at his face.

Knight: Bah!?

Link: I got you a book on fashion. Read it and maybe you'll actually blend in.

He looked at the book to see wax stains, revealing that Link used it to protect Diana from the hot candle.

Diana:(smugly) Hehe, I guess your threats were hollow.

Diana: Maybe you should go back to knight school.

Diana and Link continued on their merry way. Filling up their basket with many delights and making the people smile with the knowledge that the princess was home.

Taking a little break at a tea shop, the two sat outside and shared a light drink.

Link: So, did you bring back any special meat from your journey?

Diana:(rolls eyes) Yes....! Gold lam jerky. And several variations of the recipe.

Link: Yes!

Diana: You're supposed to be my knight right now.

Link:(monotone) Yay.

Diana:(smiles)

Link:(smiles)

He leans closer to Diana who seems surprised but is accepting of it. Link then takes her tea and splashes it in Knight's face as he tries getting close to touching Diana.

Spinning around Diana, Link kicks the knight away.

Knight: Ugh!

Link: You may be older. But I've trained my whole life to be a great warrior.

Link: Especially after a year of my Momo trying to hit me while I sleep.

Link: Nothing is ever going to get past me. So give it up.

Link: Or else next time, I'll give you a taste of my full strength.

Knight:(glares)

Diana uses her middle finger to rub her eyes and insult Knight with a smug grin.

Link and Diana head to the forest where they set up a picnic, and begin enjoying each other's company in private. Here, they caught up and got to understand how they've changed.

Diana/Link:(chuckles)

Link: So, did you actually learn something? (snacks on fruit)

Diana: Oh, I learned a lot. For example...

Diana:(blushes) I missed you more than I thought I would...

Link:(chokes)

Link:(coughs)!

Link: I-Is that so...?

Diana: But let me guess. You didn't miss me a bit. Especially since without me, all the ladies would swoon to you.

Link: I will neither confirm nor deny that last part.

Link: But as for the first part...

Link: When I think of how strong I've gotten... I can only see myself using it to protect you.

Link: And when I look for a reason why that is... I find the answer to be...

The two lean closer to each other.

Diana:(blush) To be what...?

Link: I... I would like to be by your side.

Diana: You already are.

Link: But closer...

Their words become whispers, their lips, the width of paper apart. No longer kids with crushes, but young adults with feelings for one another.

Diana:(whispers) Is this close enough...?

Link:(whispers) We could be closer.

(WOOSH)

But in an instant, it was ruined by Knight, who swung a branch at Diana. Link swiftly pulled his blade from his back, the butt of his blade knocking the branch to Diana's side, and once fully drawn, pinned it to the ground.

Swinging his blade towards Knight, Link made the guard leap back.

Diana: Kill him! Gouge out his eyes, and kill him! I want him dead!

Link gets up, prepared to fight.

Link: Strike three. You should have gone home after I embarrassed you.

Knight: I can't do that. I have a job to do.

Link: I realized that possibility. That's why I didn't cave in your head during our first match.

Link: But don't worry. You'll go home alive... As a living warning to everyone.

Link: This time... I'm going all out. And using both hands.

Knight: That's a one-handed blade.

Link: Then let me educate you...

With the blade in his right hand, he holds it near the left side of his body, placing his left hand on his wrist.

Knight:....

Tossing the branch away, Knight pulls out his Proto weapon, which is a dagger.

Knight: You've piqued my interest.

Link:...

Knight:...

The two dash towards one another.

(Wooosh)²

(SHATTER)

Knight:!?!

Using both hands, Link's slash was too powerful to block, Knight tried with his dagger but his arms gave out and the blade struck just below the right pec, smashing Knight's chest plate, and striking him in the liver.

Knight's legs instantly gave out.

Link raised his sword, and with both hands, struck his shoulder, completely shattering it, and cracking the bones beneath.

That left arm will never properly heal.

Knight:(coughs blood)

Link:....

Knight: N-Now I know why you're familiar... Y-You look like Prince A-Adam...

Knight: B-But you fight like his father...

Diana:?!

Link: You have until sunset to get out of the kingdom. If you're still here by tomorrow.

Link: I'll aim for the head.

Cleaning up the picnic, Diana and Link leave.

Diana: Link...

Link: Hm?

Diana: Tonight... Could you sneak by my room?

Link: Uhmm... Sure.

(Hours later...)

After sneaking out of his house, Link climbs up the tower of the royal castle to get to Diana's window, which she left open.

Link: Hello?

Diana: Come in.

In a night dress, Diana fluffed a pillow and placed it on a mattress beside her bed.

Link: Uhm... So what do you need?

Diana:... Could you sleep over...?

Diana: Just until I fall asleep?

Link: Why?

Diana: I-I don't feel safe...

Link: That loser can't hurt you. Not after-

Diana: No, it's not him... I.. I just don't feel safe. I know I am... But I can sleep easy knowing you're here.

Link:...

Without her makeup, Link saw the bags under her.

Link: Sure.

Diana: A-And do you think we can do this for at least a week?

Link: Whatever you want.

Diana:(smiles) Thank you... You're the best.

To be continued....