chapter 41
__safia
Clad in a soft purple night gown, safia stood in front of her fathers office shuffling one foot in front of the other, king Travis asked *the truth, you want to tell me the entire truth?* safia confirmed *yes father...*
Smiling he gesture for her to come in, and they both sat on the couch, he urge *go on, I'm listening...*
Safia took a deep breath then spoke out *papa i am not working with the werewolfs, not in the way you think, yes i did snuck out to the forest a lot but papa i had no idea he was the leader of the werewolfs, he didn't know i was the princess either. And even if he did i am very sure he wouldn't hurt me, trust me father.... i did not betray you*
King Travis nod and spoke *alright dear, don't worry about it, i believe you my child....but this hunter...has he perhaps told you anything about them, knowing your curiousity you must've asked him something, *
Safia carefully reply *he did, he told me what the werewolfs truly want..* king Travis chirp in sarcastically *revenge and war obviously..* safia shook her head and explain
*no..they don't want that instead they actually want the opposite, the werewolfs want peace and harmony, the leader himself wants peace and harmony papa....so why don't you just talk to them, propose the peace I'm sure they'll accept, and we can all live together peacefully*
With a short disbelieving laugh king Travis let out *they want peace and harmony..haha...they have no right to want anything from me, they are not to be trusted...now anything else he told you, like his version of the history or where to find them?*
Safia answers *um...no, no history....but he told me about a cherry tree, you said we don't have cherry trees even the records said so, or do we have a cherry tree?*
King Travis carefully reply *no, we don't have any cherry trees he's lying to you, don't listen to his lies....or did he took you to the giant cherry tree?..* safia reply as she eyes her father suspiciously *of course not, if we don't have normal size cherry trees how could we have a giant cherry tree...or do we have a giant cherry tree?*
The king stammers before he quickly changed the subject *well um..no..no we don't, no cherry trees....my dear daughter, i apologize for hitting you, i know i promised never to do that again but the other day i was just so...angry, I'm sorry...did you heal well?*
she whispers *its okay papa, brenda took good care of me, i am sorry too.....but Anthony he..* king Travis cuts her as he fondly spoke
*he is a good one my dear, you are lucky to have him* safia shook her head and decide to just say it *no father...Anthony planned this engagement, he and prince Liam worked together to..*
*shhhhh...that's enough now dear say no more....i understand what you are going through, you are in love i get that, but don't forget, you are still princess safia of black moon kingdom, king Travis daneer's daughter, please my child...behave*
Sighing safia spoke *i know father, I'm sorry but...* *i said enough!!..* the king shouted startling safia, he continue *its late, go sleep..* without waiting for her response king Travis stood from the couch and walked back to his desk, safia stood and starts to slowly walk towards the door, then she stopped and looked back at her father, she started
*father if you could please listen to me...just give me a chance i promise you'll understand..* king Travis shouted louder this time *enough safia enough!! We've had this talk and you know my answer so why don't you just listen!!*
Unable to contain it anymore safia burst into tears, she let out in between sobs *its you who don't understand....you just want me to leave already....you don't know me!..you never understood me!..*
Seeing the emotional situation king Travis quickly walk to safia, patting her head he tenderly spoke *no my dear i don't want you to leave, you're my daughter why would i want you to leave, yes i don't understand you but i do know you my child..you're my dear daughter, safia*
Safia whispers *why do you do this papa?* king Travis asked *do what?* wiping her tears safia spoke *why do you lie to me?* with a tired sigh king Travis reply *i don't lie to you ...i protect you*
Safia shook her head then spoke *i don't want to marry Anthony* king Travis nod *i know* safia added *i don't want the werewolfs to be wiped out..* again her father nods *i know that too* safia continue *they are not our enemies* king Travis shook his head and disagree *that's what you think..*
Safia confirms *no, I'm sure of it, they don't want war* king Travis nods thoughtfully as he mumble *hmmm..that is good information, so they're unprepared huh...* safia started *papa please give them a chance..* king Travis drags her name in warning *safiaa..*
Safia held onto her father's hands and looks him right in the eyes with such a pleading and hopeful gaze, she let out softly *mama would've given them a chance...*after several moments king Travis spoke in a low and painful tune *she would've....but shes not here...i am. And i will not give them a chance*
Hearing her fathers hurtful words safia closed her eyes, trying to control her tears, she whispers *i miss mama....and i know you miss her too but....i thought you at least still respect her but no...you forgot about her....I'm very disappointed in you*
And she ran out of the office, leaving king Travis still on the couch feeling furious as ever.
_
Days went by quickly as the engagement approaches fast, safia and her father grew more distant than ever, he drowned himself in kingdom affairs like always while safia spend most her time inside her room thinking her head off, and only step out when ordered to.
The king ordered the stylists, brenda and her girls to continue with practice dress up, prepare the princess for the engagement and wedding, but unlike before safia would quietly sit down and allow them to dot on her,
they tried to cheer her up but to no avail, brenda would sometimes intentionally pull her hair expecting a response but safia would just ignore it all together.
Not knowing what else to do brenda decided to make safia a dresspant, using her favorite colors, pink and white. And that was the few times safia smiled genuinely, but briefly.
Safia often find herself distracted, especially when she's with Anthony, like one late afternoon Anthony took safia for a stroll through the kingdom to show her the brand new peace of land the king gave him and how a mini palace will be built there for them to live in
Safia wasn't interested nor listening, she was busy staring at a man covered in dark robes and standing suspiciously in a corner, as she made eye contact with him he dash out running into the crowd and safia followed, but she wasn't able to find him anywhere, which furthermore confirmed her thoughts, it was hunter.
Feeling extremely humiliated by the princess behavior Anthony storm back to the palace and shamelessly report her to the king, which led her to being yelled at.
Till one morning safia walk out early and head to the market square where she met vivian to ask her if by any chance, cas came back, when a small peace of scroll fell unto her head, safia took it and read the contents.
*i am so sorry for making you wait so long, i will soon fulfill my promise, i am coming to take you away from all that bothers you, so please smile, don't frown all the time you might get use to it, your safety and happiness is and will always be my top parority. Yours beloved...*
Safia read the small note over and over again, she is thousand times sure it was hunter that dropped it unto her head himself, how? She has no idea.
__hunter
Malik stepped into the stone room and immediately notice hunter staring out through the only hole/window in the mountain home.
Walking up to hunter he ask *you're back so soon, did you speak to her?* hunter shook his head "no" malik added *but why..* with a sigh hunter reply *everytime i went there she is either surrounded by guards or that Antonio is with her, she almost caught me the other day, but i couldn't allow that because Antonio was with her, but thankfully today i manage to drop the piece of scroll*
Frowning malik spoke *i really can't bear to see you like this, all bothered and...*malik stopped himself before starting another fight with hunter, with a hopeless sigh he continue *alright look...lets just go with plan B, it is faster but more dangerous, i think it's the only way*
Hunter appreciate *yes that was exactly what i was thinking, thank you so much dad, thank you for understanding* malik smiles then asked *how did you enter the kingdom?*
Hunter answers *it was actually easier than i thought, the first time i knock out one of the patrol guards and wore his clothes, the others didn't even notice.
And today i distracted the guards at the left side of the wall where it wasn't that high up, then jump over it, i went a little closer and threw the scroll to safia, i saw she read it, smiled then looks worried again*
Nodding malik spoke *well that's brave and reckless of you, but love makes people do crazy things...I'm glad you're back uncarted, don't worry plan B will work*
__safia
Safia stood in the sunset room looking out at the forest, the moon shines bright lighting up the night. She wore a simple light pink dress, hair lose and a white scarf wrap around her arms, her hand constantly touching and twirling the sliver moon, then suddenly she stopped and look more closely down at the forest.
And there, she witness a big white werewolf immerge through the bushes, he looked up at her, ocean blue eyes clashing into deep brown, safia gasps out *hunter....*
And suddenly tears welp up in her eyes, she trusted him, he promised to take her away and here he is, she knows not how but she trust he has a plan.
But suddenly Anthony burst into the sunset room startling safia and before she could blink hunter has disappeared. She wipes her tears while shooting Anthony an annoyed look.
Anthony who didn't seem to notice how disappointed and annoyed safia is upon his arrival proudly spoke *the rings have arrived my princess, ain't you just excited, tomorrow is finally our engagement, i suggest you rest well tonight we have an early happy morning tomorrow*
Safia sigh and walk away to her room, whispering curses under her breath which Anthony clearly heard but chose to ignore, instead he looks through the glass at the forest, he whispers *finally...finally i will get what i deserve...*
Entering her room safia flops down on the soft bed, she worriedly spoke out *could hunter be trying to tell me something, that he has no plan and is counting on me to escape the engagement...or that he has a plan and i shouldn't worry...urge..this is frustrating*
In the middle of her despair a thought suddenly drop unto safia, she sprang up so fast she almost fell right back down, not bothering to take a hood safia rush out.
Its late night so most of the guards are asleep, and knowing the palace like the back of her hand safia easily slips out undetected, she walk with hurried steps into the town and only stop upon reaching a small stone building, she stepped unto the stone pouch and knocked slightly then waited.
Not long the door open to reveal an old man, seeing the princess he quickly stepped out and worriedly spoke * princess safia, what are you doing here at this late hour....is everything alright?*
Safia courtesy then spoke *not quite alright granpa P, i apologize for the disturbance but i really need to ask you a few questions* nodding he gesture *come on in then, it's cold outside*
Safia has realized something when in the middle of her despair, among the three elders of blackmoon that had welcomed the royal guests into the town, granpa P has made a slip up, when he almost called blackmoon, hunters moon kingdom. And with everything going on safia has just realized that now.
Inside the little warm living room, granpa P spoke *you're here because of the slip up, i knew i should've been more careful*
Safia spoke *granpa P, i need to know the truth...please* he sighs and shook his head, after some minutes he spoke *i know this day would come... I cannot tell you much about the past my child, but i can help you figure out the future*
Safia let out *i think i know the past, but i am torn between what is right and wrong, what is true and false...even though deep down i know...i am...i am scared to confirm any of it, i don't know what to do, how do i keep my promises...*
Granpa P spoke in a soft yet almost pitying tune *you must confirm it and face your fears my child, the truth and clarity that you seek might break you, but it will make everything clear.
Inside the palace, I'm not sure exactly where but i do know that it is a secret weapon room, you'll find the truth there, and it is up to you to decide the next right thing*
Safia whispers *secret weapon room....* standing up she appreciate *thank you granpa P, thank you* and with that, safia literally ran out of the house and sprint back to the palace.
immediately she entered the palace she continue straight to the library, without wasting any time safia proceeds towards the odd book with the title 'history' written on its brown cover, she pulled it and the shelves moved, revealing the secret stair way.
Safia stood there panting and staring down into the dark stair way, she whispers *i know i promised, but this is for a good cause.... I'm sorry papa* taking one of the small candlebras safia lit the candle atop, taking a deep breath she starts to descend down the dark stairs.
The moment safia step foot on the dusty stairs, she was hit by a terrible smell, a small so horrifying it'll make you think of a rotten death, using her scarf she covered her nose and continue down the stairs, her dress skidding behind her silently.
After about 20 minutes safia finally made it to the bottom, where she saw a long dark narrow hall with iron cells lined at each side, the terrible smell so strong she could taste it despite covering both her mouth and nose.
Safia carefully walk towards one of the iron cells but immediately step back, eyes wide she stairs at a creature that looked like it just crawl out of a nightmare.
The creature blankly stared at her with its peach black eyes, then raising its head, it let out a loud shriek that sounds like hundreds of bats are battling, it grab the iron bars and start to wildly shake them while letting out another shriek
The other cells too starts rattling and several shrieks rang out. Safia dropped the candlebra to the floor as she hits the wall beside her.