Raised From The Wild-Chapter 402: Amaya’s Demon

Princess Amaya chose not to retreat to her room as the last echoes of laughter and clinking glassware faded from the banquet hall. Instead, she wandered into the garden, the soft moonlight illuminating her path.

With a gentle sigh, she settled onto the swing beside the gazebo, its intricate carvings softly caressed by the night breeze. She gazed into the distance, her thoughts drifting like the rustling leaves above, as a melancholic mood enveloped her, deepening the tranquility of the night.

She was startled as she sensed a firm tug on the rope, causing the swing to lurch forward smoothly and gently. The unexpected movement momentarily distracted her. She felt the breeze on her face as she leaned into the swing.

"Oh, it is you, Leon." Princess Amaya said, trying to sound normal and forcing a smile.

"You appeared lost in thought, Princess," Leon observed, his voice gentle as he stepped a respectful distance from the creaking swing. The full moon cast a silvery glow, highlighting the sadness on her face. "Aren’t you thrilled about receiving the highest award for sportsmanship? It’s quite an achievement."

"I am happy, but I am not happy at the same time," Princess Amaya replied sadly.

Leon frowned. "Why is that?" Can someone even be happy and unhappy at the same time?

"Do you have a girlfriend, Leon?" Amaya inquired, her voice solemn as she softly propelled the swing back and forth with her legs. With each swing forward, she extended her legs gently, pointing her toes, giving an impression of lightness and elegance. She tucked her legs in slightly as she swung back, allowing momentum to carry her gently into the next arc.

Leon’s body tensed, his muscles rigid as he paused, lost in thought for a fleeting moment. "I have, Princess," he answered truthfully. Haven’t she asked him before?

Princess Amaya stopped the movement of her legs. The swing came to a standstill, and she tilted her head to look up to her right at the tall man with broad and well-defined shoulders and a V-shaped silhouette down to his waist.

"Do you love her?" Princess Amaya’s voice was like a whisper. She withdrew her gaze and looked back at where the sun disappeared a few hours earlier.

Leon’s two brows almost met each other as he furrowed. Was the Princess setting a trap for him?

"Of course, I love her." He answered without an ounce of hesitation.

"Then, could you endure leaving her for an extended period without any form of communication?" Her tone was detached, almost as if the question was merely for the sake of conversation rather than a genuine inquiry.

Leon’s heart skipped a bit, and he froze. He looked at the woman sitting on the swing as she resumed her graceful, rhythmic motion, which caused the swing to sway back and forth. Her body leaned back slightly, and her hands gripped the ropes at her sides to keep her balance.

Leon sighed heavily. Although she sounded indifferent, he could feel the hurt, anger, and loneliness in her voice. He felt scared, panicked, and uncomfortable.

"Yes, I could," he asserted, his voice filled with urgency. "If it meant I could shield her from all harm, then I would do it without hesitation." The words tumbled out of him, each laced with the weight of his conviction. "I know she would understand," he continued, anxiety creeping into his tone, "because she loves me."

He spoke quickly, fearful that any pause would fray her patience and push her to turn away before he could express the depths of his feelings.

"Everyone believed he was gone for good, yet a persistent feeling whispers within me and insists that he is still alive. It’s hard to accept, especially after two long years of silence, a void filled only with memories. He is heartless, or perhaps he has simply moved on and found a new love. But how can he not say goodbye? The thought stings like the sharp edge of despair. Perhaps it’s finally time for me to let go, to untangle my heart from the shadows of what once was." Princess Amaya murmured softly, as though confiding in the stillness around her.

Her soliloquy resonated deeply within Leon, slicing through him like a sharp blade, causing his heart to ache in response. His dark eyes constricted with a mix of confusion and fear. Panic surged through him, a tidal wave of emotion that left him breathless.

Without thinking, he took a step forward, his hand rising as if drawn by an invisible force to tenderly brush back the silken strands of her hair and to hold her in his embrace. Just as he was about to bridge the gap between them, a thunderous roar erupted from behind him, pulling him back into reality.

"What do you think are you doing, Leon?"

It was Vasquez.

"There is a bug that landed on the Princess’s hair." Leon made a swiping motion to brush away an imaginary insect from the Princess’s hair.

Vasquez stood in the dimly lit garden, shadows dancing around him, and a frown creased his brow. Confusion washed over him as he squinted into the darkness—how could he possibly spot a bug in such faint light? He scratched the back of his head and chose to look away.

"Maybe something happened to Marx, Princess. Maybe he lost his memories after that fall, or he was held up by something." Leon sounded desperate when he explained before stepping back at a polite distance and resuming his guard posture.

Princess Amaya stood. "I’ll return to my room. We will head out to Maharlika Palace early tomorrow. I want to spend time with my pets before graduation. I missed them so much, " she said indifferently. She was wrapped in the aura of a cold princess.

Leon stepped aside to let her pass. Princess Amaya would have seen the panic in Leon’s dark orbs if she had only looked up and peeped into his eyes. But she was lost in her thoughts as she lazily left the garden.

Leon raised a hand, signaling for Vasquez to step forward and guide the princess to her chambers. Meanwhile, he remained firmly planted in his position, watching as they moved away. The dim light of the hallway illuminated the elegant contours of the princess’s gown as she followed Vasquez, her expression a mix of calm resolve. Leon’s gaze lingered on them, the heavy silence of the moment settling around him.

After some time, he dragged his heavy feet and sat on the swing where Princess Amaya sat. Her unique scent still lingered in the air as he sniffed it hungrily. He closed his eyes and just sat there with his back straight and his hands gripping the ropes so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Indeed, two years was a long time. He needed to move fast and remove the problem from the root. Princess Amaya did not know how much danger awaited her. Just how many kidnapping attempts were thwarted by the people secretly guarding her? Even Vasquez was not aware of those attempts.

But her words earlier...

Leon clenched his fists before he stood and disappeared into the darkness.