Abused and Bought

Business

A soft grin lifted the corner of Maximus's lips, his footsteps echoing in the cold room. He wore a three-piece suit, colored navy blue with a matching tie, a businessman's attire that made Hunter self-conscious with his simple t-shirt and pants. 

With grace Hunter wished he had, he slid onto one of the armchairs, adjusting his tie. With an expectant glance, he swept his hand toward the other chair. 

"Well?" He mused. "Will you sit with me?" 

As another swallow bobbed his throat, Hunter nodded. Slowly, he made his way to the other seat. Sweat dampened the tendrils of hair on his neck, his palms clammy and slick. 

The well-dressed man before him was powerful. Behind him was his king and an entire city, all willing to fight tooth and nail for their favorite lord. 

And now, he was sitting before his daughter's killer. 

"Lord--"

"Let us get to the point, shall we?" Lord Maximus interrupted, his fingers folding into each other. His eyes froze Hunter to his spot. "I wish to discuss the casket." 

Quickly nodding, Hunter cleared his throat before shifting in his seat.

"Of course. My beloved and I were planning to deliver it to your home today, but as of right now, she is asleep, so I was hoping that--"

"I have a better idea." 

Frozen, Hunter's throat went dry. Did they want his land? His home?

Did they want his head?

"Prince Hunter." Startled, Hunter snapped up his head. Lord Maximus leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "Do not worry. I will not ask for something too grand. I still want the casket. But," He fixed him with an indecipherable look. "We wish you and your beloved to join us for the funeral."

Hunter's lips fell wide before he could stop them. The Lord wanted the killer at his daughter's funeral? The funeral he caused?

"B-B-But Lord Maximus!" The protest tumbled from Hunter's lips, beginning to rise from his seat. "You want me?! I am the reason this is happening! You must mean--" 

"No." Lord Maximus also rose from his seat, pressing Hunter back into his own. "Yes, I want your beloved at the funeral, more than you, to be honest. But," A sigh passed his lips. "It would be best." 

Shaking, Hunter licked his lips before he spoke. 

"I must disagree, Lord Maximus." Said lord quirked his brow. "It would be foolish to invite me to the funeral. Can you imagine how it would go?" 

"Yes, I have." 

"The entire party will be after my head. They will try to kill me, Lord Maximus. It would be best if you only invited--"

A clicking door drew his sentence short. Grace emerged from the hallway, rubbing her eye with a groggy yawn. At the sight of Lord Maximus, her eyes snapped open, her lips parted. 

"Why is Lord Maximus here?" She signed, hurriedly running her hand through her tousled hair. 

Hunter shot from his seat, guiding her toward the chair. "He just showed up. We were talking about the funeral." Standing beside her, he clasped his hands behind his back, trying to hide the small tremors. "He wants us to participate." 

A gap pulled her lips, her hands coming up to fly before Lord Maximus interrupted her. "So, it is true that you are mute."

They both turned their heads, confused at the mention.

"What do you mean?" 

Lord Maximus shrugged, crossing his legs. "There was a rumor that your beloved was mute, Prince Hunter. The video call wasn't constructive, so that I couldn't be sure." He slipped his hand from his elbow, gesturing towards Grace. "But, seeing as how she hasn't spoken a word and how she used sign language just now, it seems the rumors were true." 

Nodding, Hunter placed his hand onto her shoulder. "Yes, she is mute, has been for four years now. Not once has she ever spoken in front of me, and I assume anyone else." 

Grace nodded. Raising her hands, she signed. "Why would you want us to participate in the funeral? It would be a catastrophe if Hunter were to attend." She looked at him as he translated her words. "No offense." 

A soft smile turned his lips, his hand lowering to stroke her back. "None took, beloved. You are right, though." His eyes turned to the Lord. "If I showed up to the funeral I caused, it would be insulting to her, you, and your beloved. It would be best if I was not included."

The Lord's brows twisted down. His lips pulled tight. "First, you kill my second eldest, and now you refuse an invitation given straight from your victim?" He tutted. "What kind of King are you?"

Hunter felt his skin pale, his mouth opening to throw panicked words when Grace stood. Her lips were also tight, her eyebrows scrunched. 

"We mean you no disrespect, Lord Maximus." She started, the signs sharp and short. "But I will not allow my future husband to be put in harm's way. What he did was inexcusable but also out of his control. He is smart to refuse your offer." Her frown softened. "But, if it truly means so much to you, if you are willing to hear it, I would like to propose an alternative."

After Hunter finished translating her words, his eyes, along with Lord Maximus's, widened, startled by her short outburst. Quirking his lips, Lord Maximus began to chuckle. "I would have never guessed the sweet, quiet girl from the call was so bold." Fangs flashing, he grinned, tossing his hand toward her. "Well, what is your alternative?" 

Sighing, Grace dropped back into the seat, sending Hunter a smile before beginning. "I think it would be best if neither of us came to the actual funeral." At the narrow of Lord Maximus's eyes, she rose her hand before continuing. "Even if I was not the killer, I am still the killer's beloved, and therefore, people will also blame me. I propose that Hunter and I come at the end when everyone is gone. We will have our own, smaller funeral, consisting of you," She pointed to Lord Maximus. "Your beloved, me, and Hunter. We will deliver the casket so that you can have it for the actual funeral."

As Hunter finished the translation, Lord Maximus pinched his chin, stroking his dark beard. Another quirk of his lips revealed his fangs. Standing, he approached Grace, a growl threatening to slip from Hunter's throat. 

"You have a deal." Lord Maximus agreed, holding out a hand. 

With a broad smile, Grace stood from her seat, clasping his hand tightly. She pulled away.

"I'm glad we could agree." She signed, sighing in relief.

Nodding, he shared a handshake with Hunter before readjusting his coat. "I will take my leave then. My beloved will want to know your answer." A soft grimace twisted his face before he continued. "She is very bitter about her daughter's death, even more than I. Tread carefully when you meet her." 

A swallow passed Hunter's throat as he nodded. Grace signed beside him. "Have a safe trip." He translated.

Nodding, Lord Maximus walked to the elevator, flicking his wrist at the butler, who followed immediately. "I will leave you two on your own now. Have a good day." With his hand on the door, he turned once again. "I will see you after the funeral."

The elevator closed softly behind him.