Chapter 476: Free
Later that day, the river sang its calm tune beneath a gentle breeze as Serah followed Marcus down the mossy trail. The water shimmered like liquid silver beneath the waning sun, and Marcus, bow in hand, looked far too at home for someone as chaotic as him. Serah stood by the bank, watching with crossed arms as he loosed an arrow that cut clean through the air and struck a fish with sharp precision. One after another, the arrows hit their marks.
After a few moments of watching him, Serah’s curiosity got the better of her. "Teach me how to do that," she said, pointing at the bow with a spark of determination in her eyes.
Marcus raised a brow, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. "Oh? The mighty Phoenix of Solara wants fishing lessons?"
"Don’t make me regret asking," she replied flatly, though her tone betrayed the faintest amusement.
Despite all her skill as a knight, Serah had never truly learned how to use a bow and arrow. She had tried once as a child — failed miserably — and decided swords suited her better. But now, for some reason, standing beside Marcus with the scent of the forest and river blending around them, she wanted to learn again.
Marcus handed her the bow, his fingers brushing against hers, and she felt her pulse hitch slightly. "First lesson," he said, moving behind her. "Don’t aim with your eyes — aim with your breath."
Serah frowned. "That doesn’t even make sense."
"It will. Eventually." He smirked, adjusting her stance. His hands guided hers, steadying her arms, and for a moment the entire world shrank to just their proximity — his warmth, her heartbeat, and the bowstring drawn tight. She released too early, and the arrow splashed harmlessly into the water.
Marcus laughed — loud and unrestrained. "Oh, that was tragic."
Serah shot him a glare that could’ve melted steel. "You’re enjoying this far too much."
"Oh, definitely. When else do I get to teach a princess how to fish with a bow?"
Despite his teasing, Marcus proved to be a patient teacher. He corrected her form, showed her how to breathe, and explained every detail with surprising clarity. Slowly, arrow by arrow, Serah began to improve. When she finally struck a fish cleanly through the water’s surface, her eyes widened in triumph.
Marcus grinned. "There it is — natural talent... or maybe just my excellent teaching."
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. "Maybe both."
As twilight deepened, Marcus gathered the fish and fetched some vegetables, spices, and wood from the cabin. He set up a small firepit outside, where the scent of fresh herbs soon filled the air. Serah sat nearby, her chin resting on her knees, watching him with quiet intrigue.
There was something oddly calming about seeing him like this — not the reckless Scourge or the battle-hardened fighter, but Marcus, the man who hummed softly as he cooked. His movements were careful, precise, even tender. It made her realize that beneath all his chaos was someone capable of gentleness — someone real.
When the food was done, the two of them sat outside the cabin beneath a sea of stars. The forest around them had gone still, save for the quiet rush of the river and the crackle of their fire. They ate, talked little, but every silence carried meaning.
For the first time in a long while, Serah felt her crown’s invisible weight slip from her shoulders. She wasn’t a commander or princess tonight — just a woman sitting beside a man under the starlit sky. Marcus, too, seemed lighter, his usual walls softened. It had been fourteen years since he’d shared such peace with anyone other than his father.
Neither of them said what they were feeling — the warmth between them was enough. There was no need to label it, not yet. For now, it was enough to exist together in that still moment, free of war, duty, and expectation.
When the embers dimmed and night deepened, Serah retired to the cabin. She lingered at the door for a moment, glancing out at Marcus, who was already perched on a tree branch nearby like it was a normal bed.
"Goodnight, Marcus," she said softly.
"Goodnight, princess," he replied with that lazy grin of his.
***
As dawn broke over Tnaji, sunlight spilled through the canopy in soft golden waves, bathing the forest in warmth. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of dew and wildflowers. Marcus and Serah walked along a narrow trail heading north, the sound of birds weaving through the rhythm of their boots on the soil.
Serah carried one of her travel bags along with the long wooden case slung over her shoulder—the one that held her claymore. The other piece of luggage rested on Marcus’s shoulder, not because she asked him to, but because he insisted, claiming it was "chivalrous" for a man to carry a lady’s load. He even went on a small rant about knightly manners and the code of gentlemen, though Serah had a hard time deciding if he was serious or just enjoying himself.
"How much longer till we get there?" Serah asked, stepping over a root as she trailed behind him. Marcus, humming some offbeat tune, didn’t even turn around.
"We’re almost there, princess. You gotta be patient and appreciate nature."
Serah sighed. "You’ve said that the last three times I asked."
"Then that should tell you we’re getting closer," Marcus said cheerfully, glancing back with that same annoying grin.
Serah rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath about how he could make a three-hour walk feel like a three-day journey. Still, she couldn’t deny that the melody he hummed blended strangely well with the chirping of birds and the whispering of the wind through the trees. Against her will, it soothed her.
After a while, the forest began to thin, the trees giving way to an open clearing. Sunlight spilled over a cobblestone pathway bordered by lush green grass and an explosion of flowers in every color imaginable. At the heart of it stood a cabin—much larger and far better kept than the one she had been staying in the past few days.
Serah slowed, her eyes drinking in the scenery. The flowers reminded her faintly of her mother’s garden back at the palace, the scent of lilacs and roses stirring an old memory of calm afternoons she hadn’t thought about in days. Beyond the cabin, a glimmer of light caught her attention—a lake, vast and still, its glassy surface reflecting the sky like a perfect mirror. The sight pulled the air from her lungs.
She stood there, completely mesmerized, letting the quiet peace wash over her.
"Are you just gonna stand there, princess?" Marcus’s voice cut through her trance, playful as ever. He turned to see her still rooted to the spot, admiration plain on her face.
Serah blinked, then straightened her posture quickly, trying not to look too enchanted.
"C’mon," Marcus said, motioning her forward with a smile. "The cabin’s that way."
They made their way down the cobblestone path, boots crunching softly against the stones. When they reached the porch, Marcus shaded his eyes and called out loudly, "Hey, old man! You around? Your most cherished son has returned!" He paused for dramatic effect before adding with a mischievous smirk, "And I brought your lovely daughter-in-law!"
Serah’s expression immediately flattened. "You’re insufferable."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, princess," he quipped, pretending to scan the surroundings. "Old man? Old man? Seriously, where’s this ancient relic?"
Just as Marcus started to wander toward the back of the cabin, a sudden movement made Serah tense. A gray blur shot out from behind the house, bolting straight toward Marcus. Before she could react, a massive wolf leapt into his arms, sending both of them tumbling backward into the grass.
"Loki!" Marcus laughed as the wolf eagerly licked his face. "How are you doing, my lovely boy? Yeah, I missed you too, bud! Calm down, calm down."
Serah blinked, her hand unconsciously resting on her dagger before realizing the creature wasn’t attacking him—it was his pet. She relaxed slightly, watching the heartwarming reunion unfold with quiet amusement.
"Alright, buddy, that’s enough," Marcus said, sitting up and giving the wolf a firm pat. "Now tell me, where’s the old man? Hm? Can you show me?"
Before the wolf could respond with so much as a bark, a voice drifted out from the cabin as the front door creaked open.
"Do you just enjoy shouting like a dying cow, or is annoying me your daily hobby?"
Marcus grinned instantly. "Both sound about right."
The door swung open fully, revealing a man of strong build, just slightly shorter than Marcus. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and his beard carried the same weathered grace. Though his age showed in the faint lines at his dark eyes, there was a certain vitality to him—a quiet strength. He wore a simple white tunic tucked into brown pants, boots worn from travel, and a chewing stick between his teeth.
"But I’d say it’s mostly the latter," Marcus said with a playful shrug, still scratching behind Loki’s ears.
"Of course it is," the man replied dryly. Then his gaze shifted to Serah. The harshness in his voice softened almost immediately. "You must be Princess Serah. It’s an honor to finally meet you in person."
Serah hesitated slightly at the mention of her title. "The pleasure’s all mine, Sir... uh—" She glanced toward Marcus, realizing she never actually learned his last name.
The older man chuckled, catching her hesitation. "Billy Hunter. But please, just call me Billy."
Serah nodded, a small, polite smile forming. "Pleasure to meet you as well, Sir Billy."
"Please," he said, holding up a hand. "No ’Sir.’ Just Billy is fine."
"If you insist," Serah said with a respectful dip of her head. "Then I’d also prefer just Serah. There’s no need for titles between us."
Billy smiled approvingly. "Very well then, Serah."
Marcus made a face of mock disgust. "Ugh, can we skip the royal tea party introductions? This is painful to watch."
Billy’s eye twitched. "It’s called respect, you damn fool."
Marcus just grinned wider, which only seemed to annoy his father more.
Billy sighed, rubbing his temple before gesturing toward the open door. "Anyway, please, come in. Both of you. I’ll have some tea ready soon. Loki, inside."
The wolf barked once in acknowledgment and padded toward the cabin, brushing past Serah as she followed behind. And as she stepped inside the threshold, the warmth of the Hunter home welcomed her—a cozy scent of wood, herbs, and faint traces of smoke lingering in the air.
For the first time since she’d met Marcus, Serah felt the quiet sense of what his "home" truly meant.