101 Happiness Was Just The First of Wins

* For peacemaking purposes, here's a second update of the day, hihi…. Also, it's chapter 101... and even Zaffuto is peaceful.. You get?

[KAWAI]

"...If he doesn't want the throne, I wouldn't force it on him. I am happy as long as my Kaito is alive, Sadako. I hope someday he makes it back home… 

"I don't mind being whatever he wants me to be. Whatever choice he makes I'll respect it. I just want to see him happy and running around. I can't believe I missed my son's first walk, first words, first everything. 

"I wonder if the people that took him in treated him well. He looked like a warrior. I wasn't too worried about the scars, but Sadako. He really is alive. Our baby is alive. I can't wait to see him again!" King Zaffuto rambled on excitedly as he looked between his brother and the busy Lycans outside. 

He loved thinking of his son. And it was more obvious to Sadako that Tamiko was the only reason the King was this happy. He was the only reason the King had done so much. 

It was exciting to see that the big bad dark King was smiling and happy; genuinely happy. This was a beautiful sight, perhaps that was why Sadako didn't interrupt his brother's excited rambling. He just let the King be. 

After all, these were not things that happened daily and he would be lying if he said he wasn't excited like the king too. 

Happiness was the one thing that had evaded the brothers for years and finally, it had come knocking in the form of the child they had lost. Perhaps this was fate's way of fixing everything that had gone wrong in their lives, right? 

Oh, but they were happy.

'Finally, brother, finally!' Sadako thought to himself while watching a happy Zaffuto.

It was then that Lord Sadako knew that the king was so used to blocking bad memories that he had forgotten that Sadako had mentioned his son was from Grealor, and was a broken boy. 

Maybe it was a good thing and at the same time, it was a horrifying moment for the two of them. It would be hard for Lord Sadako to explain this later on, or maybe this was a chance for the Lycan Lord to start over and not mention that Tamiko was tortured by Grealor, right? 

It was a pitiful state really, seeing as the king was too broken to even realize he had programmed himself to forget everything except his Liana. However, sooner or later that truth would surface. Perhaps Sadako would simply tell him that he had forgotten, tight?

"For years, seeing you close to this ledge scared me. It was devastating, knowing that there was a chance you would possibly jump and try to end it all even though we were immortal. 

"I used to pray for days when you would be happy, days when pain wouldn't be the only thing you knew. I prayed for days when you would embrace life and now, I am not afraid anymore, brother. 

"Here, I'm not worried that you will torture yourself to death and that gives me hope that eventually everything will be alright. It doesn't matter how long, but I know we will be fine. I haven't seen you this happiest since Lili and honestly, it makes it better. 

"I am glad you found him, brother," Sadako said earnestly and the King smiled heartily at him. This was what happiness was supposed to look like. 

"Your patience with me, paid off," King Zaffuto said and Sadako chuckled.

"I know right? I should be granted a thousand years off my responsibilities then, don't you think?" Lord Sadako teased as he looked at the busy Lycans. Home was alive again and this was more than what he had imagined.

All they had to do was now hope to the goddess that nothing happened that would force Zaffuto's beast out because if that beast came out, nothing in the entire realm would survive.

"If that is what you want, then sure. I wouldn't deny you that. You found our son, Sadako. If you want to take a break from everything to go and explore the world then just say the word. The others can keep the kingdom going, and I will take over.

"I will be better, I promise. I won't ruin what you have worked so hard for. No one deserves a vacation more than you," the King said and Sadako laughed. Of course, he knew the King would always give him what he wanted. Such was their brotherhood. 

For years they had been beside each other, loyal to a bond that was never faulty. It was the kind of bond that no one would ever be able to break, a bond so strong that even the deities had had to bow to it over the years.

"Seeing you happy is the greatest reward for me, bother. I am glad that everything paid off in the end. Tell me, what do you plan on doing now? He's gone with Chief Konstantin to Grealor for a bounty check," Lord Sadako said, even though he knew it wasn't the kind of bounty the king would approve of. 

Sadako hadn't planned to tell his brother of what had happened to his son over the years in Grealor. He hadn't told the King of the pain that his son endured for the past two decades, or even what Tamiko had lived through.

The Lycan Lord was waiting for Tamiko to be the one to spell it out for him. This wasn't Sadako's hell to talk of and even he knew that.

"A bounty check? Damn, goddess have mercy on their souls then. From what I saw, my Kaito is a strong kid and with Chief Konstantin by his side I doubt they will come back empty-handed. 

"I trust my genes so much," the King said, adding the last bit with a laugh. He had so much faith in his son, for a father who had barely spent days with his son. Perhaps it was because of the excitement of knowing that Tamiko was alive and happy. 

Life had taken everything from the King and he had endured everything, but as he stood there Zaffuto was thinking of Tamiko, and everything that Tamiko would want. Hell, he had strategized everything to fall in place when his son came home. 

It didn't matter that the kid would want other things. The king would give his baby everything he wanted… Literally everything. 

"Yeah. Two smart and strong people. Chief Konstantin is always protective of Tamiko, so all we can say is Goddess rest the souls of everyone who tries to hurt Tamiko," Lord Sadako said. 

He had been to Grealor earlier, but he didn't tell that to his brother. 

Zaffuto wasn't ready for that part of the truth yet, especially if he had forgotten so fast. If he knew it this early, everything would burn down, and Sadako would have broken his promise to only attack Grealor only once Tamiko was done with his vengeance. This was the ultimate test of patience and time for the duo. 

"I saw that too. They make each other happy and as a father, there is nothing that makes me happier than seeing someone stand by my son. I don't even need to know how long they have been together to see how the Chief worships the ground my son walks on. 

"He's so in love and genuine with my Hinata, and he reminds me of me and Liana. Oh, the streaks of time and hints of love. I will protect them with my life, Sadako," the King promised as he looked at his best friend who was smiling at him. 

This was what deserved happiness looked like and if this was also what a sane Zaffuto was, then the deities needed to leave the King a happy man for the longest time… that was all anyone would ask of.

"The Lycans are curious about the decoration we are doing. What do I tell them? Some even think you are taking another wife," Sadako said and Zaffuto let out a laugh. 

That had to be the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. Him taking a new wife? It was the kind of illusion that needed to be shunned forever. It was something that would never happen and Sadako knew that too.

"I only ever loved one woman, My Liana. No one can ever replace her," the King reminded Sadako.