Chapter 36

Hunter

Hunter, Liana and Chase stood in King Julius' study. It was a small room with bookshelves aligning the walls and one giant wooden desk the king sat behind. Liana, Chase and Hunter stood in front of him, staring at the man who's eyes drifted between them.

"I called you here to learn if there is anyone else I must worry about," King Julius said. "And to learn more about why you sided with Kain at first and then switched sides."

"No," Liana said. "Everyone who followed Kain has disbanded. Without Kain to lead them, they no longer seek to dethrone you."

"We also stopped being on Kain's side a while back," Chase added. "When I was... kicked out for loving a man, I realized how cruel Kain was and Liana also realized the same. Hunter had been trying to convince us for a while, but we were stubborn and now we finally see that Kain should never be king."

Chase shot Hunter a cheerless smile and Hunter bowed his head. Chase and Liana had spent the night before apologizing to Hunter feverishly, saying from the very start they should have listened to him. And Hunter had simply smiled, grateful that after everything they'd been through they still had each other.

"I see," King Julius said, clasping his hands together on top of the desk. "Well, all three of you participated in the mission to dethrone me, so I can't let you go freely. For one year, you must do probational work. You will assist me in helping the town citizens, understood?"

They all nodded. It was fair. After everything they'd done to the king, it seemed lenient.

"But I will say one last thing before I dismiss you," the king said. "I am sorry for the suffering I may have caused you. I understand you have struggled financially and I will help you and your families from now on. That is currently what I am working on because I know that led to you wishing for my downfall."

They all nodded and Liana teared up. That was all they ever wanted; help for the life they never wanted.

"Okay, we will talk some more when I give you the work you must do," King Julius said. "You are dismissed now, but Hunter.... please stay back."

Hunter tensed. Liana and Chase departed and the door shut behind them. Now, it was just Hunter and the king in the small room.

The king's dark brown eyes were glued to Hunter's, absorbing him in. Hunter had never been alone with the king before. And he never thought he would be, so he shifted around, feeling uneasy.

"I was never fond of you," King Julius said. Hunter's heart sank - he knew that, but it didn't hurt any less. "Because you were the poor boy that somehow won my stubborn daughter's heart. And when it turned out you were Kain's son and you were using my daughter, I despised you. You have no idea how much you hurt my daughter and thus, how much I wanted to hurt you."

Hunter opened his mouth to apologize, but the king held up a hand to stop him.

"But, you are the reason behind my daughter's change. After she met you, she was at her happiest. She started becoming gentle like she was when she was a child and... she became this person capable of love," he said. "She described you to me one day long ago. She said you are the epitome of kindness."

Hunter's heart lurched forward, slamming against his chest as warmth blossomed through him. He couldn't believe it. He never knew Cassia thought of him like that.

"There were times I feared you were like your father, especially seeing how heartbroken Cassia was," he said. "But, I've learnt that you are nothing like him. You are everything he is not."

Hunter teared up. He really needed to hear that because even now, sometimes he feared that him and his father carried the same heart. And all he ever needed was someone to assure him that his father and him were nothing alike.

"Thank you, sir," Hunter choked out. "I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you and Cassia. I will do everything I can to make it up to both of you."

"I will get you and your friends jobs and find you an affordable place to live in," King Julius said. "However, knights will be watching you for at least a year. I want to say I fully trust you, but... after everything, I must be cautious."

"Understood. That's fair given everything I put you through."

The king smiled, his eyes crinkling with elation and Hunter smiled back. He couldn't believe how comfortable the king had gotten with him already.

"Well, go find Cassia - she's in her room," the king said. "We will talk some more another day."

Hunter bowed towards him and rushed away, his heart slamming against his chest at the thought of seeing Cassia.

*****

Hunter stood outside of Cassia's bedroom, feeling nervous. His hand hovered in front of her tall, white door as he hesitated, before knocking on it. And soon, it flew open and Cassia appeared. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders, reaching her waist and her pink dress hugged the curves of her body. She was so beautiful Hunter felt like he couldn't breathe.

"Um, hi," Hunter said as Cassia stared up at him. "Can we talk?"

"Sure," Cassia said.

She turned around and strolled into her room, moving to stand beneath the bright light in the center - right in front of her giant bed filled with pink bedsheets. She swivelled to face him and Hunter stood a foot away, his eyes fixated on her as if she was the last piece of art he could ever see.

"Well, what are you doing here?" Cassia asked. Her eyebrows furrowed. "You're unusually shy."

"Seeing you," Hunter blurted out. "Just being with you because that's all I ever wanted. It's enough for me to look forward to tomorrow."

Cassia's eyes flew wide and her cheeks flushed. Her eyes then lowered as if she was embarrassed and Hunter slid closer, wishing to touch her. But, he refrained from doing so.

"I made a lot of mistakes, especially when it came to you," Hunter said. "I'm sorry for being so unsure and even cruel at times. I was a coward and my father was the source of my fear. And..."

Hunter paused, taking a deep breath in because ever since it happened, he never spoke about it once.

"And I can't believe I killed my father and maybe I'm heartless for doing so, but... I finally feel free. With the man who brought me nothing but pain and misery dead, I can finally be who I really want to be. My chains are finally released."

Cassia's eyes rose to meet his again. And to his utter surprise, tears pooled her eyes.

"You are not heartless for killing your father. You saved my father's life and rescued all of Oflaria from a man who would have been a tyrant," Cassia said. "And besides that, your father is a horrible man who's hurt you in unfathomable ways. Your father deserves his fate and you did absolutely nothing wrong."

Hunter's heart ached. All he wanted was to know he did the right thing and Cassia's reassurance made him feel relieved. Because sometimes the thought of killing his own father made Hunter wish to scream until he disappeared. He knew he had no choice but to kill his father to save the king, but sometimes it made him feel as if something was wrong with him.

"Let me help you," Cassia said. Hunter's eyes flew wide. "Let me help you through this trauma - through all the trauma you've been through because you've lived a hard life, Hunter. And I want to help you heal."

Hunter gaped at her for a moment, his heart slamming against his chest. And then his eyes softened because Cassia's words sounded like what he'd come here to tell her.

"I actually came here to ask you for another chance," Hunter said. "I want to start over and get to know you again - without my father's involvement. Let us be friends and let me win your heart again. Let us take things slow because I am willing to wait eternity for you."

Cassia smiled; her smile eclipsing her entire face in a way that illuminated her. And Hunter's heart raced. She was so stunning that it hurt thinking he'd almost lost her for good.

"Well, what if you can't win me over again?" Cassia asked, eyebrows raising. "Then what?"

"Then I will ask to be punished and hope the punishment is a kiss again."

Cassia rolled her eyes, but she laughed lightly, shaking her head. A grin bloomed on Hunter's face and they stood there for a moment, smiling at each other.

"Fine," Cassia said. "One more chance. You better pull out your best tricks because I won't be easy to woo this time around."

"Oh, well you've already seen some of my best tricks." Hunter winked. "You'll be glad to know I have more."

"You're revolting."

Cassia narrowed her eyes and Hunter laughed. She shook her head, but she was still smiling, her eyes full of a joy she hadn't worn in so long.

"Okay, one more chance," Hunter said, holding out his hand. "We have a deal."

Cassia reached out and grabbed his hand, and she tugged him forward and their bodies slammed together. And Cassia hugged him - tightly so that he was pinned against her and she buried her face into his chest. Hunter's eyes widened, but he hugged her back just as tightly, his heart feeling full knowing everything was going to be okay.

"I'm so happy you're here with me," Cassia whispered. "I never want to lose you."

"And I never want to lose you either," Hunter whispered.

And for what felt like forever, they continued to hug each other, holding on to ensure they'd never lose each other again. Because Hunter would make sure he'd win Cassia back. Because he loved her and he always would.

Because Cassia had saved him - like some sort of princess in shining armour that rescued the banished prince. Since without her, Hunter would still be chained to his father - doing his every bidding as if he was his trained hound. But now, he was released. Free to be whoever he wanted to be - to make the choices he wanted without the fear of repercussions.

And for the first time in so long, Hunter grew excited for the future. Because no longer did anything less than perfect have to be punished.