Chereads / Hunter's Moon ( by humaira) / Chapter 40 - chapter 40

Chapter 40 - chapter 40

___safia

_Early morning in black moon kingdom.

Safia could be seen in her room as brenda helped her get ready, the right said of her face has turn a jarring red, results of her fathers slaps, her wrist is bandage, results of Anthony who dragged her back to the palace, and two giant cain marks on her arm that are covered up with her fluffy sleeves, as for the several red marks on her back, her long hair is there to cover it up.

 She wore just a simple peach colored dress that has long fluffy sleeves, around the waist is an intricate design of dark peach colored flowers, hair loose with her princess crown atop, paired with white Loafers, and the silver amulet which hunter gave her around her neck.   

Safia has cried herself to sleep last night, but luckily brenda was there with her the whole night, softly comforting her like a mother would to her child. 

Early morning the king sent an order that the princess is to be property fixed, he will announce the engagement date and safia must speak to the public and make them believe she is happy with the engagement, her sneaking out was the werewolfs fault, that hunter march himself tricked her.

So now as brenda apply heavy makeup on safia's face to cover up the red slap mark, safia spoke *i know its an order but i refuse to obey, i will lie no longer* brenda held safia's hand and softly spoke *sweetie, I'm so sorry but you have to obey, its a direct royal order from the king, you can speak the words but you don't have to mean them, say them just to avoid making the king more angry, what if he beat you again...*

Safia shrug *he can beat me, he is my father after all* sighing Brenda spoke *but it wouldn't be nice would it...safia dear, i know this is hard for you, but i really hate to see another red mark on your beautiful skin, so for now, just for now, do whatever the king orders you to, put back that poker face on if you can, and before the wedding we'll surely figure something out or better, your prince adam might just come and take you away, have faith my dear*

 Safia took a deep breath then reply *i don't know how he'll do that but.....alright, I'll try to pretend again, I'll try* brenda smiles and hug safia as she whispers *everything will be fine my child, just hold on tight*

A knock was heard, brenda opened to reveal a palace guard, he spoke *the king has sent me to escort princess safia out to the balcony, he awaits your arrival my princess* safia nod then got up and followed the guard while brenda smiles at her encouragingly yet comfortingly.

As safia step out to the balcony, she meets the king, who refused to even look at her, and sir Anthony, who creepily smiles at her, she looks at the people below looking up at them with confused expressions, waiting for an explanation from her, she thought inwardly

  "they deserve the truth,...but if i tell them the truth i won't only get myself in more trouble but also all of them, it will confuse them more not knowing who to believe, their king...or their enemies as they think of them"

 King Travis spoke in a commanding tune *great morning my people! I called you here to officially announce the engagement date of our princess safia and the hero, sir Anthony green! "The people cheers" in two weeks time princess safia of blackmoon kingdom, will engage sir Anthony green, front line general of blackmoon kingdom!* the people cheer loudly 

The king added *as I've heard, the rumors surrounding our beloved princess, and one peasant boy in the woods have started to escalate, i believe she owe us an explanation*

The people start to whisper among themselves, talking about the princess sneaking out to meet some peasant boy

*how can she do this...degrading the royal image like this*

*no how can you say that...can't you understand its love*

*whatever the princess did i believe she has her reasons, and we have no right to interfere in her love life*

*we have all the right to interfere, she is our princess...*

  

King Travis shot safia a look, urging her to speak up already and end the annoying rumors, clearing her throat safia got the peoples attention, she started 

 *i know what you all must be thinking, how can i be so stupid to degrade the royal reputation, I've put my kingdom and people in danger, i was reckless....and you are right, i did all of that and more, i won't urge you to understand why i did what i did, i will not give excuses for my behavior, but i want to tell you the truth...

 i care about my kingdom and people, i have never not once wish harm on any of you, whatever i did i always have your good thought in mind, I've looked and tried, and I'm still looking and trying to keep all my promises, to fulfill them, to keep you all safe,

  i will never let you down, and i will never stop fighting for what is right and just, people of blackmoon, i am your princess, not by title, not by status or power, but by heart and soul, i call you all today and i ask that you trust me, and please...be patient with me*

The people all stay silent, deeply hit by the princess words, and soon they cheer and shout their approvement, along with words of good wishes and never ending support. 

 With a respectful bow to the people, safia walk back into the palace, immediately Anthony followed after her, while king Travis raised his hand to get the peoples attention.

 Inside the living room, not able to contain his anger Anthony yelled *what was that! You disobeyed the kings direct order!* safia calmly reply *i did not disobey any royal order from the king, i simply did what any daughter would do to protect her fathers reputation* 

 Anthony yell again *you did not mention anything you were supposed to!, not your feelings about our engagement or what the werewolf did! And you dare talk about some fathers reputation!*

safia sarcastically reply *you already know my feelings towards "our engagement" and the werewolfs? What about them, what did they do, please do enlighten me...*

 Anthony clench his fists and was about to do something stupid (like hitting the princess) then king Travis walked in as he spoke *you didn't spoke as i told you to but its okay, what you said is better, more royalty and believing, the people took it to heart which is good for the kingdom* 

 safia confirmed *and i meant all that i spoke* king Travis waved her away dismissively not caring whether she meant it or not, he walked away and Anthony quickly rush after him as he glares furiously at safia, with a dejected sigh safia slowly head back to her room.

 Late that night, safia sat on her bed reading a book when suddenly someone knocked, standing up she went to open thinking its her father but instead found a palace guard, upon seeing her he bows and spoke

  *my apologies for the disturbance my princess, but a little girl showed up and demands to see you, we tried to send her away but she refused to go, kept insisting she has to tell you something important, girls secret..as she claimed*

Safia answer *its okay, let her in and bring her here please* the guard bow then leaves, safia started pacing as she spoke out loud *its Vivian...it has to be Vivian...*and not long a knock was heard, safia quickly rush and open the door revealing the guard and vivian, the guard bow and left, while safia quickly ushered Vivian in and closed the door.

Before she could speak Vivian spoke in a hurry  *cas came back just moments ago he brought you a letter from his brother he said if you could please be quick and write a reply too he can go back with it early tomorrow, oh good lord mama doesn't even know I'm out please make it quick my princess!! And your room is beautiful...*

 Understanding Vivian's situation, safia quickly accept the scroll and read... 

 dear safia

 I hope you are doing okay, i know it is hard to keep holding on, but i promise, i will do something..no everything in my power about it, i will not let that Antonio engage you.

 Don't worry about me, i am okay, take good care of yourself, don't listen to their negative words and...if the king hurts you? you know I'm here for you, and i will always be there for you.

I miss you dearly....i will come soon.

                                                        Yours beloved

        

                                                                Hunter.

 Safia smiled after reading the letter, she whispers *he's coming....but its too risky what if they caught him and....but..I can't tell you what father did, I'm sorry..* vivian clears her throat and spoke *i don't know what your whispering about but please make it quick, I'm hanging on a thread here!*

 Safia apologies *i am sorry Vivi, and thank you so much, I will quickly write the reply..* true to her words safia sat on her dressing table, took out a clean scroll and fresh ink, quickly she started writing...

 

                                                                                     __hunter 

_early morning in the mountain home

Hunter sat on his bed while a sleeping cas layed next to him, he carefully took the scroll and rolled it open, he whispers *even her handwriting is elegant...*

Then he read the letter silently..

Dear hunter 

 I am fine, don't worry about me, my father did not hurt me, he was just upset with me, Anthony will not succeed, I'll make sure of it.

 I can't even begin to imagine what you're all going through over there, i will keep my promise no matter what, both my people and your werewolfs will be safe and free, now i don't know how but it will happen, eventually

I miss you hunter, please be careful and think things through, don't act on impulse okay.

                                                        Yours beloved

                                                                 Safia

Hunter read the letter over and over again till finally he sighs and put the scroll down, he spoke out loud *she's hiding something, i am sure kong did something...cas said vivian told him she saw bandage on safia's wrist*

Uncle malik who had been quietly sitting on the couch reply *she said her father did not hurt her, and i believe he wouldn't hurt his daughter...the bandage might be related to something else, maybe the Antonio guy*

Hunter shook his head *whatever the case dad...i feel uneasy, i need to get there myself, i have to see ...i must protect my mate no matter what...* malik sighs helplessly and flops down on the couch defeatedly. 

        

___

 A few days past in a blur as everyone got busy preparing the upcoming engagement, the king and Anthony couldn't be any happier.

King Travis sent a royal message to each of the kingdoms, informing (not inviting) them of the engagement and promising to properly invite them for the wedding. He wouldn't risk having royal guest while the princess is sulky and sad all the time, she'd be a terrible host in that state.

 And as for safia, she had never felt this trapped in her own home, the king has sealed up her secret passage way to the forest, and any other hole that leads anywhere, even if its not the forest. All the palace guards and in-line soldiers have been turned detectives on her, she can't go anywhere without the kings or Anthony's permission.

Until one night, safia has grew tired of the suffocation and finally decided to take a risk.

She walked to her fathers office, softly she stepped in and closed the door behind her, the king looked up from the papers and at her with a questioning look, she spoke *papa i...i need to tell you the entire truth, i can't let you keep thinking the wrongs things about me...*

***

( by prince adam brenda meant the Disney prince from beauty and the beast, she thought it'd be a good joke to lift up safia's spirit, it did not work.

My apologies, i forgot to explain the military rank in blackmoon kingdom.

The lowest rank=guards, they are just normal guards that protect normal places like the market.

The second rank=palace guards, they protect the palace and its servant, that is workers and anyone with business in the palace.

The in-line soldiers=They are soldiers trained greatly on defense, they protect the kingdom from within the walls and other priceless places like the royal museum, the kingdoms forgery and armory e.t.c, they don't go out for war but always stays inside the kingdom, protecting it from both internal and external threats.

The second-line soldiers=They are trained in both defense and offense, they protect the kingdom from outside the wall, and during war they support the front line soldiers from behind, they are experts on high range attacks, like the Archers e.t.c

The front line soldiers=Soldiers that fight at a close range with the external enemy, they match into war unafraid.

The generals=They are leaders that organize all the soldiers into scouts and teams, they plan battle strategy and lead soldiers into war.

The front line generals=There's not many of them, they hold the highest military position, they are closest with the king and know his secrets, they design new weapons and what fight to take serious and how to actually handle outside enemies, they lead the entire army.

 In the end thought, they are all respectful soldiers and guards, when writing i often tend to not identify their rank or sometimes even confuse them, i apologize for that.)