King Sheik is assassinated

Life, Death

King Sheik is assassinated in his bed, supposedly by his own son-in-law, Prince Daphnes, who he had named his heir. The true killer is his daughter, Zelda Belloa, though Hyrule will never know the truth.

The elderly king Sheik falls ill, and word spreads fast that the pacifist king may not have many days left. The nation prepares to mourn. Princess Zelda Belloa's mind races, rather than grappling with how she will go on without her father however, she ponders how she will secure her place on the throne. Some time ago, King Sheik revoked her right as successor to his throne, naming her husband and his son-in-law his heir instead, as Sheik disapproved of Zelda's penchant for violence and command. She would not be denied her crown.

She visits her father in his chambers with a secret up her sleeve. In the dim, dusty room she approaches the king's bed in which he lays prone and frail. She whispers to him,

Father, these past years have dug such a deep chasm between us. May we not heal this rift now that we have so little time left together? I could not bear it if you left this world not knowing how much I love you, and how sorry I am for all the ways I disappointed you.

The weakened king simply looked at her and sighed.

I know what you want, daughter,

And now you have run out of time for it to be granted to you. I will not make you my heir with my dying breath, Zelda. I love you so, but I also love our people, and all people, and I shall not place you on the throne knowing you would not be good to them. Your vision is red, my child. A leader can not only see the world as it is reflected in a pool of blood.

Zelda's voice shook.

You are mistaken, father. That is not what I need to be happy, I see that now. All I desire is that you will still be proud of me when you have passed.

You are a good liar, my love,

But not that good.

The greiving mist fled from Zelda's eyes as she hardened at her father's steadfast refusal. Many of the court and noble circles had described Sheik as a weak king, but Zelda knew the frustrating truth, how strong his unshakeable conviction made her father. He would not be persuaded, even with his mind being only half what it once was on his deathbed. She was a fool to believe she might trick him. He never needed the power he gifted her upon birth to see beyond physical, mortal sight. There was a dark storm brewing on the horizon, and like the lightning that flashed in the distance Zelda struck, slipping the dagger into her hand and raising the balde above her head. Her father's sunken eyes widened in horror as he realized what was about to happen. He was not afraid to die, but he was afraid of what his daughter may be capable of, if she was capable of this.

He tried to push her away, but he was too weak, and without a single moment of hesitation she plunged the dagger into his chest, cutting deep into his heart. Neither spoke another word; Zelda looked into her father's eyes as he gripped her hand and choked on his last breath. As his fingers slackened and the light faded from his eyes, Zelda let go of his hand and of the handle of the knife. She took a breath, stepped away from the bed, and screamed.