[ Zelda gratefully accepts the cup of water from Martel, holding it carefully in both hands to keep from spilling it. She hadn't realized it before, but now that she's seeing the water, it occurs to Zelda that she is so incredibly thirsty. She lifts the cup to her lips and gulps down its contents with gusto, probably too fast for someone who is as weak as the princess is.

But it also helps hide her blush, seeing that Martel absolutely picked up on the implications of Zelda's stammered answer. Even though she hasn't even attempted to pry, Zelda feels compelled to explain anyway. She doesn't want Martel to misunderstand! ]

Well, we are friends, I mean. We have been for a long time now. But I left Songerein recently, you see, and before I left... [ "...he kissed me," but Zelda can't get those words out. ] And I didn't think I would ever come back, but I did...

[ She's babbling, and worse than usual, because the fever is making it hard for her to explain properly everything she wants to explain. ]