Well, this was a surprise. Princess Zelda herself was paying the Gerudo a visit? Nabooru was a tad shocked, since no arrangements were made beforehand. This meant one of two things: either there was some sort of emergency, or the Hylian princess just decided a surprise visit was the best course of action to take when meeting with a fellow ruler. If the latter were true, maybe it was a way to create a more casual air?
"Let her in," Nabooru said.
The guard nodded and ran back to the door as fast as her pudgy frame would allow. By the time she got all the way over, she was huffing and wheezing as though she'd taken a jog around four different corridors. With a gront, she pulled the door open and signaled for the new guest to come in.
Upon seeing Zelda enter the throne room, Nabooru was able to tell the latter assumption was correct, thank the gods. She was walking in a dignified way, her posture upright and without slouch, yet her slow pace indicated she had nothing of urgency to talk about. Relieved at figuring out the true nature of the visit, the Gerudo matriarch took stock of the Hylian.
Zelda was all the woman she had been during the fight against Ganondorf. Even after the past year of rebuilding and stress, it was clear she hadn't lost a single bit of toned physique. Her flat stomach didn't make a single bulge in her dress, a sight no Gerudo had seen for months now. The blonde's chest was also smaller than the average tribe member's, but for a woman of her stature, it was sizable enough. While it couldn't be seen under her dress, the lack of a rear presence through the skirt indicated that it was also small and firm.
Looking further up, it seemed as though Zelda had even developed a bit of visible muscle in her arms. Not enough, to be immediately obvious, but her biceps and triceps were somewhat visible now. Her face was also still as sharp and thin as one would expect from the leader of a country. While she had never seen Princess Zelda mad before, Nabooru got the feeling her smooth, yet still angular visage would do well in intimidating foes.
Upon arriving just before the foot of the throne, Princess Zelda kneeled and bowed her head, the ultimate show of respect from one ruler to another. Nabooru nearly whistled at the act. It took a great deal of maturity and devotion towards diplomacy to do something like that. For what other reason could Zelda be here for?
"Queen Nabooru," the blonde began. "Have you been well?"
"Yes, I have. Thank you for asking, but, please lift your head up." Zelda complied, and the former thief smiled. "There we go. It just felt a little weird, seeing you do something so humbling. But enough of that. Tell me, Princess, what brings you all the way out to such a remote region?" Using formalities was still something the young queen was getting used to, but it was getting easier and easier the more she did it.
Zelda went from kneeling to standing in an instant, thanks to her lithe figure (which Nabooru couldn't help but note with just a touch of envy). Judging from the smile on the young woman's face, and the brightness in those azure eyes,it was clear she was glad the Gerudo queen was being so cordial. She chose a very good time to arrive.
"Well, Your Highness, as you know, in the eyes of most of the world, Hyrule has lost its standing as a benevolent territory. Even with Ganondorf's rule deposed, many other nations still view us as being a corrupt place that may invade them at any given moment. They greatly overestimate the number of Ganondorf sympathizers, and it's gotten to a point where trade relations and diplomacy could crumble apart," Zelda explained.
"That does sound like quite the predicament," Nabooru said, leaning back in her chair. Her flabby gut was only made more obvious as its full, un-constrained expanse was revealed to the world. "You think there's something the Gerudo can do to help?"
"Yes, I believe so," the Hylian nodded. "I'm sorry if this sounds rude at all, but many have been astounded by your people's ability to completely change their society into one that no longer relies on...unorthodox methods of gaining wealth."
"Oh, you flatter me, Princess!" Nabooru's belly jostled as she let out a booming laugh at the sentiment. "Don't worry, you don't have to dance around the fact we were a bunch of thieves."
"Y-yes, sorry, Your Highness. But it's a major turning point for your nation, and I would like to propose a deal, if you'd be willing to hear it."
"Please save your breath, Princess. I think I understand what this deal you're talking about is: you want to provide aid to our nation in order to help with our recovery. It'll show the Hylian people are willing to support former enemies that are willing to reform, and as a result, will help to boost the overall opinion of your country from other leaders. Which will inevitably help with trade negotiations and lessening the likelihood of war. Have I gotten the basic gist of this?"
While Zelda hadn't changed her largely stoic expression, her face was red as a tomato, causing Nabooru to smirk. Even as a relatively new ruler, she understood how embarrassing it could be to have someone see through you so easily. Resting her flabby chin on her pudgy hand, the Gerudo matriarch leaned on the arm of the throne as she pondered her answer.
"Princess Zelda, I must commend you on your devotion to your plan. You've trekked through the desert, taken time out of your busy schedule, and have bared yourself to me in complete honesty. I appreciate your willingness to be upfront with all this, for sure."