Zipp awoke to find herself in a subtle bedroom. She was centered in the double bed, wrapped with a thick blanket till her neck. how did I get here? Where am I? Zipp attempted to move only to stop her attempt of motion as she felt discomfort racing across her body. Her instantaneous cry of pain awoke a stranger dozing at the end of the bed.
“Princes! Are you alright ?”
Zipp felt her cheeks burn. Venti Anemo Blade was on top of her, a look of apprehension on his face. His armor and Helmet were all gone, revealing a handsome young aristocratic pony.
“Princess?”
Zipp jolted from her reverie. “Yes, I am okay Venti. My body just aches a bit, that’s all.”
“Must I massage you, Princess?”
Zipp blushed. Her mother, Queen Haven, ordered Venti to be her bodyguard much to the stupefaction of the royal guards. Venti never left the queen's side. It was also a shock to them that he was being assigned to her and not her sister. It hurt when you knew, your ponies did not hold you, in the same way, they treated your sibling but it was more painful when they say it in front of your face, unashamed to say it. Even her mother said nothing. The truth hurts and the truth was she was the least favorite princess in Zephyr heights.
“Are you discomfiting by my proximity to you Princess?”
“What makes you say that?”
Venti slowly came off the bed. “You look uncomfortable. I should be going now…”
“W-W-Wait”
Venti looked at her. “Yes, Princess?”
Zipp looked at the green Pegasus from head to hoof. Before she left for Maritime Bay, her mother said that Venti was in her complete control. Whatever she commanded him, he will act upon it. She was conflicted. She knew Pipp had eyes for him but she also started to develop some feelings for him. Zipp wanted him. Right now. But she held herself back. Zipp Storm is better than this.
“Venti, I would like to go downstairs.”
The elite guard shook his head. “I am sorry princess but your injuries will not allow you to walk.”
Got you.
“Could you carry me downstairs?” she said innocently.
A small smile came on Venti’s face. “Princess if you just notified me you liked piggyback rides, I would have done so.”
Zipp scowled at him. “What are you trying to imply?” Venti seldom showed emotion, whenever he was seen in Zephyr heights he was always wearing an emotionless mask but when he accompanied her from Zephyr he came with a simple royal guard armor. She found out more about him on their trip as they walked throughout their journey instead of flying, she insisted, to observe nature for research. He was funny and a good listener as she ranted about astrophysics and calculus. He was perfect.
Zipp yelped as her thoughts were interrupted as Venti picked her up and put her on his back. She wrapped her hooves around her neck, taking a deep smell of his mane. When there were some few miles away from Maritime Bay, they were attacked by a group of wolves, and during the fight, she twisted her hoof. For four miles he had to carry her on his back and when she smelt his mane it smelt like...
“Bubblegum. Seriously? You use bubblegum scene shampoo?”
“It smells nice, okay” defended Venti. “It smells so nice sometimes I even drink some when I am thirsty”
Zipp shook that memory out of her head. Gross. She is surprised he’s not dead from all the chemicals.
“Okay, princess we are bearing down the stairs, I am going to go quick and it is going to hurt, so brace yourself.”
Zipp's body cried in pain with each step. But she kept her mouth shut. Thankfully after a few excruciating moments later she was on the couch in the living room. Venti and she were alone in the lighthouse. Sunny left early while Hitch was off to his deputy's house. She was quite surprised when she saw Hitch in Sunny’s house. It seems Love is in the air.
Zipp glanced at Venti, he was standing right by the side of the couch, guarding her. She bit her lip. She wanted to disclose her feelings to him before Pipp did and take him away but it felt wrong. Pipp fell in love with him first. But nothing is fair in love or war. Pipp could find some pony else. The whole kingdom loves her whereas she only has him.
“Venti do you have feelings for any pony?”
Venti was taken aback by the question. “Well…I do love my tortoises….”
Zipp rolled her eyes. “I meant a pony you have feelings for.”
Venti gave Zipp a deadpan look. “Seriously, Princess? That is the most cliché way of confessing to your crush.”
Zip’s mouth opened and closed. “Y-Y-You knew!?”
“It was quite obvious, from our trip in the forest.”
“Does that mean….”
Zipp looked at him and for the first time, she saw him being unsure of himself.
“I-I-I” Venti stuttered. “I love you.”
Zipp’s heart soared but then she saw his sorrowful look.
“Zipp I had a crush on you since I entered the Royal Guards. There is a reason why her highness put me as your bodyguard. ”
“But then what’s wrong? What is preventing you-” Zipp was getting angry.
Venti turned his face away. “My parents insist I must marry Princess Pipp.”
“W-W-What ?” she said. No, No this cannot be happening. “Tell them you do not want to!”
Venti looked at Zipp his eyes wet. “Queen Haven has already accepted the proposal.”