Epilogue

Cassia

Cassia and her father sat down at the desk in his bedroom, facing each other. Her father held papers in front of him and the reading glasses he usually wore sat neatly on the bridge of his nose. His eyebrows were furrowed as he scanned the paper.

"Well, what is this meeting about?" her father asked, eyes raising to meet hers.

"We need to do more for our people," Cassia said, clasping her hands together. She rested her fists on the desk splitting them apart. "And I was thinking we should create a food bank."

"A food bank?"

"Yes, a place where anyone who needs to grab food can go. No one should ever go to bed hungry, so I think we should implement this to help the poor of Oflaria."

Her father's eyes sparked with interest. He studied her, looking impressed.

"That is a brilliant idea," her father said, breaking out into a smile. "We will work on that immediately. Good job, Cassia."

"Thank you."

Cassia beamed. As the months had flown by, Cassia became more and more involved with overseeing the citizens of Oflaria and her father grew to respect her and her ideas. They'd gotten closer as well and for the first time ever, Cassia relished in being a princess.

"Well, I'm going to see Hunter," Cassia said, rising to stand. "I'll see you later for dinner."

"Of course. And once again, thank you for all your help. I look forward to the day you rule Oflaria."

Cassia smiled warmly and turned around and rushed off, feeling fulfilled.

*****

Cassia strolled down the dirt path towards where Hunter, Liana and Chase stood among a field of grass that was next to a giant farmhouse with horses and cows littered between some fencing. They were plotting holes into the ground and planting trees that would blossom by the farmhouse. These trees would grow a variety of fruits; ranging from apples to pears.

Hunter stood off to the side on his own while Liana and Chase littered farther away. Chase stood with Haru who'd come to visit him as well and their hands were intertwined. Cassia strolled towards Hunter who's hat tipped forward, shielding the eyes she loved so much.

Liana glanced over at Cassia and Cassia waved. She nodded back and waved, and Cassia bowed her head. Things were different between them now. No longer was there any tension or jealousy, but they weren't exactly friends either - some things couldn't be mended with merely time. But, she was glad that Liana and her no longer hated each other.

"Hi," Cassia said, finally reaching Hunter.

Hunter jolted at Cassia's voice and his head flung up to look at her. And the moment their eyes met, he broke out into a smile that overtook his entire face. Cassia's heart stuttered at the sight. No matter how much time passed, Cassia never got used to how stunning he was.

"Hi there," Hunter said. "What are you doing here?"

"Hoping you're done work."

Hunter grinned. "Well today's your lucky day because I am."

Cassia smiled. Whenever she was with Hunter all she felt was this warmth blossoming through her, reminding her that she found home in another person.

"Perfect, let's go on a date then," Cassia said.

Hunter's eyebrows shot up and Cassia's smile magnified. He stepped closer to her, abandoning his shovel to close off the space between them.

"I know it took me six months of hard work to finally win your heart back, but I never expected you to be so forward," Hunter said. "What an honour, Princess Cassia."

Cassia rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, tugging him forward and Hunter laughed as the distance between them closed off. She peered up at him and noticed the way his hazel eyes flared under the dazzling sun.

"Shut up and let me take you on a date," Cassia said, turning around to drag Hunter forward. "I'm hungry."

"What a dream come true."

*****

Cassia and Hunter strolled through the town of Oflaria. Sakura lingered behind Cassia meters away, ensuring to give them space, but still watch them, and Cassia glanced around. Her town was lively; filled with parents who chatted with their neighbours eagerly and children who ran around chasing each other. As Cassia passed by many of them, they would either wave or bow towards her, and Cassia's heart grew warm. Because ever since she defeated Kain, everyone showered her with endless love.

Cassia and Hunter continued to dive deeper into the town, passing many houses and shops until they reached the fountain they'd gone to on their first date. The fountain poured water into the pool beneath it and it glistened beneath the brilliant sun. The area was nearly bare other than a few people and Cassia glanced behind her to wave Sakura off. Her father would be mad at her for shooing her guard away, but she didn't care. She trusted Hunter despite her father's occasional fears that she'd get hurt again.

"We met a year ago," Cassia said, growing in awe. "Time flies by."

"A wonderful year," Hunter said, his eyes softening. "Hasn't it been?"

"For the most part."

Cassia smiled and Hunter's eyes flew wide. He reached up and ran his fingers through his hair, but then a thought popped into his mind.

"Let me draw you," Hunter said. "Just like last time, let me draw you by the fountain."

Cassia groaned. "No, not again. Please."

Hunter pouted and Cassia narrowed her eyes. She really didn't want to be drawn, but it was hard to say no to Hunter.

"Please," Hunter said.

"Fine," Cassia grumbled, stalking over to the fountain. She hopped on the edge and faced him, her eyes glued to his. "Draw me."

Cassia settled onto the edge of the marble fountain, her legs dangling off the edge. Her eyes were fastened to Hunter's and he plopped down on the ground, pulling out the same sketchbook he used to sketch Cassia a year ago. Cassia's heart lurched forward at the thought, remembering the time he told her she was his muse.

Hunter flipped to a page in his notebook and pulled out his quill pen, and his eyes slid back to hers. And Cassia's cheeks flushed merely from the way he looked at her - as if she was the centre of his universe. No matter how many times those hazel eyes lay upon her, Cassia would never get over the feeling of being seen. Without armour. Without barricades. Cassia was simply her at her most vulnerable.

Hunter began to sketch and Cassia stood still, her eyes lingering on the boy she loved. Over the last six months, Hunter had hung out with her, took her around town and flirted with her to the point where she'd grabbed his hand and pulled him in for a kiss, telling him she'd never stopped loving him and that they had to stop with this nonsense. They wanted each other and it was as simple as that; no need for the silly games. Hunter had laughed and told her he would have waited for eternity for her, but he was glad for the shortcut and Cassia had laughed and kissed him harder.

"Okay, done!" Hunter said.

He rose to stand and Cassia hopped off the fountains edge and rushed towards him, her heart fluttering with nerves. She slid to a stop next to him and peered down at the drawing and her heart skipped a beat. Because there she was, wearing a smile she hadn't known she'd been carrying. And her cheeks were flushed and healthy, her brown hair silky and shining beneath the blazing sun. And the most vivid feature was her eyes; her brown eyes that carried so much love and affection that Cassia grew embarrassed. Was it that obvious how much she cared for Hunter?

"You never stop smiling these days," Hunter said, his voice gentle. "And it makes me so happy. When I first met you, you were always scowling. It was your way of guarding your emotions and now you're able to feel freely. I love seeing you like this."

Cassia blushed furiously. She clasped her hands together, feeling oddly shy around the boy she felt completely at ease around.

"You're right. I don't feel like I need to lock up my heart anymore. I like... caring," Cassia said. "I mean, sometimes it's scary and even now I still fear love, but it makes me happy. And it's definitely worth taking the risk for like Astra once said."

Cassia teared up. She would never forget Astra and she hoped that one day they would reunite.

"It is a risk worth taking." Hunter brushed her hair back and Cassia shivered at the touch. "So thank you for taking the risk on me."

Cassia smiled sadly. Hunter didn't think he deserved good things and that was something she was working on - showing him that despite his past, he deserved the best.

"Flip through the pages of your sketchbook," Cassia said. "I want to see what you've drawn."

Hunter nodded and began to flip through the pages and Cassia noticed the difference immediately. The first picture was of a boy laying on a field of grass with his friends, smiling up at the sky above them and the next picture was of a boy holding a princess' hand. There were more and more pictures of the boy either hanging out with friends or being around a princess, and Cassia's heart became full with joy. Because months ago, Hunter had nothing but sad drawings of how he felt chained.

"I'm glad you're happier," Cassia whispered. "Because you deserve the world."

"I am a lot happier," Hunter confessed. "I'm not... perfect. Maybe I'll never fully be healed of my past and what my father did to me, but with each day that passes I feel more and more healed. And with more time, I'm sure one day my father will be nothing but a bad memory."

"Good." Cassia reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it to assure him she was here. Through all his trauma and healing, she would be right at his side. "Remember, I'll always be here for you. If you need anything from me, don't hesitate to ask."

"I know."

Hunter leaned forward and pressed his lips against her forehead and Cassia melted from the tender touch. Her eyes remained locked on his as they just stared at each other for a moment, trying to make sure that this was reality. That this wasn't just some alternate universe where somehow they lucked into ending up together.

Cassia reached out and touched the smooth skin of his cheek. She could feel some stubble coming in, and she knew this was real. Hunter was hers and together, they'd be each other's rock.

"Thank you," Cassia said. "I feel like I don't thank you enough, but thank you for coming into my life. Because before I met you I was so miserable and guarded. And sure, you did break my heart at one point, but I'm better because of you. I finally grew into my role as a princess and I feel loved and I can love others as well. I just feel so fulfilled now and it's thanks to you. So thank you, Hunter. I owe you the world."

"No, thank you, Cassia," Hunter said. "It's because of you I'm free. Without you I would have never realized how horrible my father is. I was blindly following him for years and you showed me the light."

Cassia smiled sadly. She turned to face him, her hands flying to his cheeks again as she cupped his face. And beneath the glowing sun, Hunter looked heavenly - straight out of a fairytale. And maybe he did come out of one. Because he definitely swooped in and saved her in many ways.

"Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers." Cassia grinned. "Now that's a fitting tale."

Hunter laughed. He shook his head and grabbed her hips, pulling her closer to him. They gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, bodies rising and falling before Cassia couldn't take it anymore.

"Kiss me, you idiot," Cassia said. "Kiss me until I'm undone."

And Hunter did exactly that. His eyes softened and he leaned forward and kissed Cassia gently, his soft lips moving against hers perfectly. Their bodies were pressed together and their arms were wrapped around each other, and under the bright blue sky and surrounded by Cassia's town, she realized things couldn't get better than this.

Because now with Hunter at her side, her love for her role as a princess and her kingdom's peace and prosperity, Cassia finally had everything she could ever want. No longer did she seek to prove herself. No longer did Cassia yearn for love. Because she finally had everything. And with Hunter at her side and her ability to be free, she was confident she could conquer anything.

The End