"Paaa," Aqua called her father. "What are you doing here?" he was the last person in the universe Aqua expected to find in the place she had found refuge. She got tensed. She exchanged glances between Huo and her father. The Beast Prince was trying his best to not laugh out loud.
"You are my daughter, you think I wouldn't know how you think? How that brain of yours works?" he scolded her. "What were you thinking? Are you crazy? Do you know you offended heaven and hell equally?" King Aenon shouted at her.
"And you," Aenon then turned towards Huo who stood still, perplexed. "What did you do to my daughter, " he screamed at Huo and took his left hand twisting them. Huo knelt down instantly trying his best to keep his sound down.
"No no no, I didn't do anything, " Huo tried to explain and kneeling down in pain. He wasn't reacting back since he has a huge respect for Aenon as his woman's father. He didn't how else to respond either. 'How did he know about what happened between us? Nooo how will I face him now on?' he wondered.
"You think I wouldn't know anything? Do you think? " Aenon said. "Stand up" he ordered him. Aqua helped him up and rubbed his shoulder.
"There there there, it's alright, he is angry at me not you," She helped him and shot a glare at her father. "Pa you can't assault and bully people off guard," she said.
"Am I really? Assaulting him? Duh!" Aenon fake laughed.
"Yes you are," she said. "He has a war to fight, how can you twist his hands?"
"You shut up," He asked the two to follow him to a place less crowded. The magnificent Beast Palace was shining with its golden plated dooms on top. The thick and dense cirus clouds formed in the sky, hid the sun behind. The gardens looked fresh. The capital town was bustling with people of all sorts.
Aqua always looked to visit the Beast Kingdom but disliked their food highly. Especially the vegetarian dishes. They would eat all sorts of food and grasses that suited their meridians and dan. She recalled how she often brought a personal chef along with her or else cook secretly inside the chamber she was always offered.
Even though the Beast Clan had warmly welcomed Anenon and has arranged for the stay for all who accompanied King Aenon, things were under the strict orders to not let a word out about their arrival. Water King did not want anyone to know about his plans and steps he was about to take for the sake of the future of his daughter who has tangled herself in deep trouble.
A guard served the tea for the three, and left the house for not interrupting their discussion.
"Why did you disappear?" he asked Huo. He looked at Aqua.
"Because I don't like it," he said.
"So you decided to rescue him? Instead of letting him face the situation? What dumb are you?" Aenon asked his daughter. "Think practically, when your life is in utter dismay and danger, why would you walk into the mouth of the predator by escaping from the safest place?"
"Oh trust me your highness, I honestly have never given the thought of survival, instead counting my bonus days since I was young," he spoke his mind, smirking. "And these few days, I thought could be happy if I spend time with her," he said tightening his hold on her hands. She looked at him.
"Don't speak like that, am not letting anyone kill you for no reason, to fulfill their selfish dreams, we won't, " she told him.
"You're very capable, you shouldn't just give up on life like that," King Aenon said. "What happened to you?"
"I'm not giving up, an afraid to put my potential out, I have always been told that I must not use my powers at any cost, I don't know what the consequences could be, and most importantly I don't even know if it's real,"
"People just assume it, nobody has seen it, how can you know when you have never tried, the skills you have developed and levels to control it? Let her help you control it,"
"Huo, let's try," she told him, assuring him. Everyone settled down for lunch and talked about their experience traveling across the border. Aqua kept narrating the story like it was something great and Aenon was so irritated.
"Oh shut up," he ordered her. Huo laughed and continued having his lunch.
"Just stay here for a while till we know the news from the Heavenly Emperor, wonder what the Empress would do this time, but Dritan is determined anyway to protect you,' Aenon informed Huo while Aqua took off with the Beast Prince to go around the place.
Huo looked at the king. "You should know one thing, you won't be welcomed in heaven, as long as the Emperor is determined. But Dritan is ready to give up on his life for you, he would go to any extend to protect what he thought he once lost. Even though he is a demon, he is good at heart, if not, I would never have chosen to be his friend. Never once did we have to rage a war with him in the throne. And you have got his nature whether you can accept it or not, you have got all the best qualities from your parents, but fate cannot be changed," He patted Huo'er's shoulders. Hio wasn't sure whether King was consoling him or encouraging him to do the unimaginable.
"Are you asking me to go back to the Demons?" he asked Aenon seriously.
"Am afraid yes, you can live there longer, you can mark my words, "
"Do you think Aqua would give up this way?" Huo got serious.
"She is the crown princess, she should know what she should do," Aenon sounded determined.
"Your highness, let me tell you one thing, my father would have given up what he cherished the most for the throne, but that throne means nothings to me, but she does, I am not my father, Aqua is not you," Huo warned the Water King. He really did not want to return leaving everything behind. To him becoming a demon meant the end of his life, losing his teachings, losing the people he loves and having to give up on the heavenly life completely, much more than hating his biological father.
"We will see about that," Aenon smiled touching the sliver hair. "Dye them black, and start your journey after two days, we could possibly put an end to hide and seek game, surprises awaits you," Auqa wasn't aware of her father's plans. Even though Aenon did what is best for all, he wasn't sure how long Huo will be able to hold it.