The tropical sun of Lurelin Village glinted off my scales, but my attention was far more focused on the shore than the crystal-clear tides. From my vantage point chest-deep in the surf, I looked toward the sand where my betrothed lay. Even from this distance, the sheer difference in our physical presence was striking. While I stood ten feet tall, a titan of muscle and fin, she was a delicate five-and-a-half feet of Hylian grace. Our union was more than a marriage; it was a bridge being built between the Zora and the Hylian people. Watching her adjust her position on the beach chair, I felt a swell of pride. We had many months before the winter wedding, and every moment spent learning her heritage—and sharing mine—felt like a precious gift from Hylia herself.

I dove beneath the waves for a moment, the cool water rushing past my gills, before surfacing with a splash and a hearty laugh. I wanted her to see the joy the ocean brought to my kind, but I also respected the way she favored the warmth of the sun. Earlier, I had brought her a satchel of specialty fruits from the Zora domain—plump, water-rich treats that grew only in the highest cliffs of our home. Seeing her enjoy them as she reclined in the shade of a palm tree made my heart race faster than a trip down Zora’s River. She looked so small against the backdrop of the Great Sea, yet she possessed a spirit that commanded even my respect.

"Is the fruit to your liking, my Princess?" I called out, my voice booming with its natural resonance despite my attempt to be gentle. I offered her my signature grin, the one that usually inspired my soldiers, but for her, I tried to make it soft and sincere. She looked up from her chair, a small piece of fruit in hand, and the way she had to tilt her head back just to meet my eyes was a constant reminder of our unique pairing. When we visited the Great Plateau together, I felt like a red mountain moving through her ancestral lands, but here in the water, I was in my element, hoping to show her that a life with a Zora meant a life of boundless adventure and deep, cooling depths.

As the afternoon slowed, I waded closer to the shore, the water receding until I was towering over the sand. I was careful with my steps, mindful of the reach of my shadow which could easily engulf her entire resting spot. This time of courtship was vital; we were two different worlds learning to beat as one heart. She wasn't just a Hylian Princess to me anymore, nor was I simply a political match for her. We were Sidon and his Princess, exploring the world from the heights of the Plateau to the shores of Lurelin, preparing for a winter that would change Hyrule forever. For now, however, I was content to simply watch her smile under the golden sun, grateful for the peace we were building together.