A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and story alerts! Here's the latest chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 3

Birds chirped in harmony as the sound of trumpets rang in synchronizing rhythm. The Kingdom rejoiced as word got around that the newly crowned Queen, Snow White will marry the Duke's son, William and become King in just a matter of days. Decorations of white lilies and vines have already hung evenly on large stone pillars as a red carpet elegantly covered the castle grounds from the bridge to the main entrance gatehouse. Everyone was excited for their Queen as many celebrated; parading in the streets with endless music and dancing until the following morning to join in again in the festivities.

The exuberance that filled the air during Snow White's coronation was again lifted with a sense of love and appreciation as it brought many people together from all over the Kingdom to embrace the future royal couple. However, seeing the excitement in so many eager eyes did not suit well for the lonesome Huntsman as he attempted to show what's left of his happiness with a weak smile and nod of approval to passing strangers who masked the same enthusiasm on their faces. He felt as though he was alone in this world—no one to help erase the feelings and the hurt he had bestowed upon himself.

It was already late in the afternoon as the sun displayed tinges of orange and yellow hue in the sky as it prepares to set over the distant horizon. Light seeped through the pane windows of the Huntsman's quarters in the one of the castle's towers where he spent most of his time pondering in sadness while also avoiding everyone else, especially Snow White's presence. Luckily for him, it has been several days since they last spoken or seen each other. The Queen was occupied with council meetings and wedding arrangements—let alone running an entire Kingdom—she would have no time for his company. He wanted to be happy for the Queen, but can't seem to whole-heartedly accept it no matter how hard he tried to let go of the anguish. Each day, however, became slightly easier the more he distance himself from Snow White while also keeping in mind that it was only a matter of days till they can finally go their separate ways.

A sudden knock on the door brought him back to his reverie as he reluctantly got up from his spot in front of the fireplace to open the door. He did not expect any company, nor wished to see anybody as it left him feeling disgruntled. The Huntsman then moved swiftly to the other side of the room and opened the door, only to be greeted by the future King who was to marry his true love. The Huntsman lifted his eyebrows as feelings of sorrow were now replaced with mere curiosity. "Um, hello, William," He muttered in surprise, but with welcoming eyes. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

There was a short pause as William curved a small smile.

"May I come in?" He asked politely as the Huntsman stepped aside without protest. A moment of awkward silence hung in the air as William motioned towards the fireplace, observing their surroundings in deep thought. "Are you planning to stay, Huntsman?" He finally spoke with no hint of resentment or disdain in his tone of voice. He had nothing but respect and admiration for the man who protected Snow White and fought alongside with him against Ravenna's dark army to end her reign.

"Only until your marriage to the Queen," he answered politely as William turned around to face him.

"Your company is always welcomed here, Huntsman. You may stay as long as you wish." He spoke sincerely as his gaze softens. "I came here to let you know how grateful I am to you. You've returned Snow White to me and for that, I owe you my life."

The Huntsman nodded his head. As much as he wanted to despise the young man, he found it difficult to find any reason to as he continued to show him such kindness. "You owe me nothing, William." He said carefully. "She needed my help and my protection. And I'd gladly do it all over again if it meant saving her life."

William studied his male companion carefully as brief silence lingered between them. "I see," he uttered as they share a look of understanding. "Very well then, I must go. Thank you for all that you've done, Huntsman." William spoke with a genuine smile. "I also came here to let you know that the Queen wishes to speak with you after the feast tonight."

The Huntsman wrinkled his forehead in bewilderment. Meeting with Snow White was the last thing he wanted to do. He thought by now the Queen may have already forgotten about him. "Why may I ask does the Queen wishes to speak with me?"

William shrugged his shoulders. "I'm only the messenger." He responded as the Huntsman shifted his eyes to the ground and nodded. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, Huntsman." William smiled slightly and then left the room.

"You must tell her how you feel, mate. Keeping your feelings to yourself will only worsen the heart."

He could hear Muir's voice of reason still speaking to him as their brief exchange that happened just moments ago lingered in the back of his head. The Huntsman decided to skip the feast, and instead, wandered aimlessly outside the castle, only to stumble upon the dwarves who kept meddling with his feelings and pushing him to confess what his heart truly desires. No matter where he goes, the dwarves were always right there waiting for him; encouraging him for they truly believed that he was meant for Snow White.

"You were the one that freed her from the spell, Huntsman. You must tell her that it was you; that it was your kiss—true love's kiss—that wakened her."

But he still didn't know what it all meant nor did he find himself to care as it left him in total bewilderment. Snow White briefly mentioned it to him once before, but dismissed the thought of any truth or validation behind it. To his surprise, however, Muir appeared to know so much about the magic behind true love's kiss, and somehow knew it was him and not William that broke the spell. But how could he be Snow White's one true love when her heart was already meant for someone else? Fortunately for him, his time with the dwarves was short-lived as he now waits patiently for the Queen's arrival.

The celebrations have finally died down just as the sun disappeared and left millions of stars to illuminate the night sky. A distant sigh escaped from his lips as he leaned against the cold stone walls, enjoying the gentle breeze and quiet that temporarily gave him a sense of inner peace he yearned for the past few days. Just as he became lost in the stillness of the night, men and women dressed in exquisite gowns and suits suddenly appeared behind wooden doors that led to the main dining hall. The feast must have already ended as the crowd slowly disperse in the courtyard with distinct chattering occurring among themselves as their voices echoed throughout the walls of the castle. The Huntsman greeted the Duke, followed by the Lords with a nod of respect as they passed him by. He seemed to get the attention of women as they too stared at him, batting their eyelashes as the Huntsman uncomfortably smiles at their direction before turning away.

Snow White and William appeared shortly after as he noticed the Queen's wandering eyes searching among the departed guests. He felt the corners of his mouth turned upward into a smile as soon as their eyes met. Her beauty took his breath away as she stepped out in an elegant midnight blue gown with her silky dark brown hair falling flawlessly on her shoulders with the crown nestled brightly on top of her head. Not even the brightest of stars can match the light in the Queen's emerald eyes.

The Huntsman watched on as the Queen quickly averted from his gaze to bid William a goodnight kiss. The two went their separate ways allowing the Huntsman to look down as he could feel Snow White's presence motioning towards him.

"Eric," she spoke softly as the sound of his name slipping from her lips made his heart flicker in delight. He smiled, looking at her as the same magical feeling that made him weak and captivated by the Queen's beauty suddenly took full effect.

"Your, majesty." He greeted with a bow, and with the same thought in mind, the two began to motion towards the garden away from the disappearing crowd.

"You did not attend the feast," Snow White said with hint of disappointment in her soothing voice, "how come?"

He shifted his eyes nervously. "Forgive me, your majesty but I wasn't very hungry nor did I wish to attend." The Queen furrowed her eyebrows as she studies her Huntsman carefully, trying to read past his distant behavior that left her pondering. "I did not mean to offend you." He said to break the silence as he could feel the tension mounting between them.

Snow White looked down despondently, watching her steps before meeting his distant gaze. "Are you avoiding me, Eric?" She asked sadly as it only weakened his heart some more. "I feel as though you no longer want my company."

The Queen has left him frozen, unable to utter a single word as they endured a few moments of awkward silence. "I apologize if I have made you feel that way." He said sincerely. "But the truth is, my Queen…it pains me to be near you." The words caught him by surprise as he shuts his eyes, realizing what he has done. The walls that he had built soon began to crumble before him. The Queen could only stare at him in disbelief as they stopped in front of a bed of roses, engulfed in each other's eyes.

"Have I done anything to offend you?" She asked worriedly as he could feel his heart pacing rapidly with every second, even his strong and, at times, ruthless demeanor can never fool the Queen.

"I wish to not interfere with your happiness." This only made Snow White even more confused as she arched an eyebrow and waits patiently for the Huntsman to elaborate on his words. He lowered his eyes to the ground, only to hear Muir's voice relentlessly speaking to him in the back of his head. "Tell her…"

"Eric?" Snow White snapped him out of his fixed trance as he meets her eyes once again. "Something is troubling you." She noted as the depths of his scorching blue eyes exposed vulnerability and a sense of unrelenting fear. "What is it?"

He slightly parted his lips to speak, "Please don't be troubled by me, your majesty. I will be fine." He said, trying to steady his quivering voice as he paused in mid-sentenced to regain his composure. "You have other important matters to worry about."

She took a step closer and unexpectedly places a comforting hand on his shoulder, sending a wave of electricity through his veins. "As I said before, Huntsman…you are of great value to me. Whatever troubles you is also my concern."

He visibly flinched and immediately took her hand off his shoulder. Snow White downcast her eyes for fear of him seeing the hurt, but soon noticed that he has not let go of her hand. She looked up to meet his intense gaze, filled with mixed emotions that suddenly masked her own as she found herself enclosing her fingers with his. Without hesitation, however, the Huntsman gently touched her face as she stared directly into his tantalizing blue eyes that made her body go numb.

"Your majesty," he whispered softly, trying to steady his uneven breath as he shifted his eyes to her lips and then back at her soft emerald gaze that flickered in the moonlight. Snow White could feel her body going weak as his gentle touch and the way he was looking at her made her heart pound irregularly against her chest. She soon felt nervous as the Huntsman began leaning down as though magic permitted him to do so, pulling him to her with no restrain. He watched as she instantly lost her breath and slowly shuts her eyes, powerless to stop it, as he closes the gap between them and lightly touches her trembling lips with his own in a sweet, gentle kiss.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please don't forget to send in your reviews. =)