Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Note: Alright, I hope this is good, the end I was a little iffy about the ending, but…hope you enjoy it. I'm right at the end of the story, so…

Being Happy in the Aftermath

Tori walked down to the dining room and smiled as she noticed that Blake was already in there. He moved the chair out for her and then sat down next to her. It had been a few days since Blake had woken up and they spent almost every minute they could with each other.

Unfortunately now was not one of those minutes. Tori was being fitted with her dress for Cam and Leanne's wedding. It was a light blue that fell just above the floor. But instead of being puffy it flowed. Leanne had made sure that Tori didn't have a puffy dress. Tori watched as Kelly waved and left the room. As soon as she was gone Tori turned to Leanne.

"What's going to happen to Hunter?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well he was betrothed, so is he going to be betrothed again?"

"Oh. I'm not sure." The two fell into silence until Tori's dress was finished and it wasn't until after the ladies left that Leanne spoke again. "Apparently after…Elizabeth, no one else wanted to have anything to do with Hunter."

"Well, if he doesn't marry a princess, he can choose right?"

Leanne looked closely at Tori, "Why?"

"Just curious."

"I know it's not for you since you're head over heels in love with Blake," Tori felt her cheeks heat up, "So who is it for?"

"Who said it was for anyone?" Tori knew that she was asking for Blake, but she didn't really want to say it out loud just yet.

Sighing Leanne looked down before back at Tori, "Tori I really don't know what's going to happen to Hunter. If you really want to know ask Blake, or Hunter or their parents."

"Okay thanks."

"Anything else?"

"Nope, I'm good."

"Alright. I have to go—"

"Meet my brother, I know. Have fun."

"Bye." Leanne smiled at Tori as she left leaving the blond lost in her thoughts.

Blake and Hunter had just finished riding and were putting up their horses. "So, do Mother and Father have any plans for you yet?" Blake asked Hunter.

"Plans about what?"

"Marriage. Ruling the kingdom."

"Oh." Hunter shrugged and began walking inside causing Blake to quickly follow. "Not a big deal. They've worked it out."

"Hunter. What about Kelly?"

Stopping Hunter put his head down, "What about Kelly?"

"Come on, I know how you feel about her. Don't you want—"

Turning to now face Blake he closed his eyes for a minute before speaking, "It doesn't matter what I want. Now look. I'll still be there for you alright?"

"Alright."

"Let that be enough for you."

"Hunter—"

"I really don't feel like talking about it, alright?"

"Sure. Sorry."

"Don't be."

Blake and Hunter went inside with a million thoughts of what he could do for Hunter racing through Blake's mind. Hunter went into his room grunting about wanting to be alone for a while so Blake went into his room.

After sitting there for a while he heard his door open. He looked up expecting Hunter and was pleasantly surprised when he saw a beautiful blonde smiling. "Hey, can I come in?" Nodding Blake watched as Tori shut the door and then walked over and sat on the end of his bed. "How was your ride?"

"Good. Probably better than your dress fitting."

"Yes. I'm sure it was."

The two fell into conversation but Blake could tell that Tori had something on her mind. He gently nudged her with his arm, "Hey, what's on your mind?"

"Nothing."

"Come on Tor, you can tell me."

"Alright. Hunter."

Blake hadn't been expecting that. "Hunter's on your mind?"

"Yeah." As if a light bulb went on in her head she looked at him and shook her head, "No, not like that."

Blake couldn't help but laugh as he say her laugh and her eyes light up. "Alright, then what?"

"Him and Kelly."

"Oh."

"Well, come on Blake, you're from that kingdom, are your parents going to betroth him again?"

"Probably not. I don't know how many people would still want to be with him you know?"

"I guess not, even with the news."

"People still don't trust him."

"Which is ridiculous." Tori lay down on her back, "It's not fair. To bad they just can't be together."

"I know," Blake lay down next to her, "but what can we do?"

"I don't know."

He lay his head down next to hers. Blake knew that they shouldn't be in this position but he couldn't help but want to be close to her. And it wasn't like they were doing anything wrong, although it was unlikely that their parents would see it that way. He loved being this close because he could smell her scent, strawberries and fresh air, always a good combination and if it meant being next to her, then he would be fine with it.

They hadn't been laying there for more than five minutes when Blake sat up, "I'll be right back, I think I have an idea." And before Tori could say anything he was out the door.

Kelly had been walking down the hall when she felt someone pull her into a room and then door shut. Turning around she saw that it was Hunter. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Hunter sighed after Kelly raised her eyebrow. "I just wanted to talk."

He went and sat down and was followed by Kelly, "What do you want to talk about?"

Hunter was silent for a bit before he spoke up, "Are you going to be with Tori after she gets married?"

Looking down Kelly realized that she had never been told if she was or wasn't. "I…don't know. King Kanoi has never said anything. I suppose moving off she'll have plenty of servants. And besides she doesn't really need me. Her and Blake are quite the pair."

"Come on Kelly, that's not true. From everything you've told me you're her best friend."

"Yes, and you're Blake's. Where does that leave us?" Watching Hunter look down Kelly realized she had hit one of the things that Hunter wasn't talking about. "You're afraid that you're not needed." Hunter started to stand up but Kelly grabbed his hand, "Don't." Sitting back down Hunter leaned his head against the wall, "Look, Blake is always going to need his big brother, his best friend. Tori might have a place in his heart, but it didn't take over yours, alright."

The blonde prince looked over at Kelly and gave a half smile, "Thanks. But don't forget it can go for you too."

Shaking her head slightly Kelly knew exactly what Hunter meant. He leaned in and the two shared a soft kiss. After pulling away Kelly realized how lucky she had been to have him, but at the same time she knew that it couldn't last forever and so she allowed herself to relax as they two kissed again, this time with more passion.

Blake knocked on his parents' door and waited until a servant answered it. After waiting ten minutes Blake's Father finally came to talk to Blake.

"What is it son?"

Blake decided to go straight to the point, "Hunter."

"Is Hunter alright?"

"What's going to happen with the marriage thing?"

"Nothing really. All the girls are already betrothed, or there are other…problems that do not permit a marriage."

"So then…could Hunter choose someone?"

After closing his eyes for a few minutes King Edward finally opened them, "Who are you talking about?"

"No one really, Father please."

"Maybe, if it's a lady, or duchess."

"Anyone under that title?"

"No."

"But Father. Listen if Hunter is so intent on marrying have him come and talk to me. Good night Blake."

Blake turned and went back to his room. Tori was still there, "So, how did your idea go?"

"Lousy."

"What was it?"

Blake sat next to Tori, "I asked my Father if Hunter could choose."

"What he can't?"

"No, it's that he can't choose someone who's lower than a lady or duchess."

"Meaning no Kelly."

"Yeah."

Tori laid her head on his shoulder as he reached out to hold her hand. He had to think of something, he just wasn't sure of what.

"What was that about?" Sarah asked her husband as he came and sat down next to her.

"Blake wanted to know if Hunter could choose who he marries."

"And?"

"I told him only if she wasn't anything lower than a lady or duchess."

"I'm going to assume that he wasn't happy with that."

"I don't see the big deal."

"Don't you want both of your sons to be happy?"

"Of course I do."

"Well then perhaps you should listen to them.

"I think Blake had the intentions of bringing in a girl who is very below his status."

The queen stood up, "Hunter could have a chance, he could remain a ghost or something else could happen for him…someone else. Even if she happens to be…a handmaid, just think that maybe the two of them are very happy together and could end up, if not possibly already be, in love."

As she walked off to the dressing area Edward sat there thinking about what his wife had said. "Do you know something?"

Looking back the Queen smiled allowing the King to realize that there his wife knew more about the situation then he did. "Sarah, what do you know?"

"I know that I saw our son, happy with another woman. And no she was of no high stature. But just remember this Edward; you have it in your power to help your son come back from being a ghost. Would you rather him stay a ghost, or be happy?" And with that the Queen left Edward in his thoughts.