Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: The Wild (3)

Ahcehera sat back, her body slumping against the cold stone wall of the cave. She felt utterly drained.

Between the loss of blood, the overexertion of her mental power, and the unplanned intimacy, her mind and body were screaming for rest.

Her gaze drifted to Richard, now sleeping peacefully, his fever receding and his complexion returning to a healthier hue.

“Am I really destined to take care of this man like this for the rest of my life?” she muttered under her breath, her tone laced with frustration.

The thought gnawed at her. Richard seemed to bring nothing but chaos into her life. Every time she got involved with him, she found herself neck-deep in trouble.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “How old is he again?” she wondered aloud, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice.

“The age gap alone is enough to make me question the universe’s sense of humor. I thought I was sent here to change the ending, but it wasn’t that easy.”

For a fleeting moment, she considered placing him in Cresencia. It would keep him stable and safe until she could figure out what to do next. But the idea was quickly dismissed.

“If he wakes up inside Cresencia, he’ll only cause more problems,” she reasoned, shaking her head.

No, she needed to focus on regaining her strength. There was no use in spiraling into frustration now.

The wilderness they were stranded in demanded survival instincts, not complaints.

Ahcehera pulled out a compact meal box from her space button and began eating, taking deliberate bites to replenish her energy.

Her mind wandered back to the chaotic events of the past few days, piecing together everything that had led them to this point.

Despite her annoyance, she couldn’t deny the strange connection she felt with Richard. It was almost as if fate had intertwined their paths, for better or worse.

“I don’t believe in destiny,” she said to herself, her voice firm. “But if I’m stuck with you, Richard Mors, you better prove you’re worth the trouble.”

With that thought, she finished her meal, her determination rekindling. Tomorrow, they would move forward, and she would ensure they both made it out of this strange land alive.

–

The next morning, Ahcehera was awakened by the sensor bots.

Danger!

A creature must be on its way to us.

Ahcehera retrieved a gun, a bomb, and a sword. She was thinking that everything might come in handy, depending on the enemy.

“Richard, wake up.” She whispered and she tried to awaken him with a pat.

Richard suddenly awakened, his hand was so fast that Ahcehera felt if she hadn’t avoided his grip, her wrist might be broken.

What’s wrong with him? Nevermind.

Richard sat up, his movements sharp and indifferent, as if his body was responding on instinct rather than conscious thought.

His eyes, now a mesmerizing mixture of violet and red, scanned the surroundings with an unsettling focus.

The warmth and playfulness that usually accompanied his gaze were absent, replaced by something cold and detached.

Ahcehera handed him the gun and the meal box, her focus on preparing for the potential threat.

“Glad you’re awake. Hold this gun and keep yourself safe,” she instructed, her tone brisk but calm. “The sensor bots detected an incoming enemy. Eat first, we’ll need our strength.”

Richard took the items mechanically, his gaze never leaving her face.

He said nothing, but his expression contrasted with the Richard she knew, a man whose usual demeanor was tinged with awkward warmth and a touch of vulnerability.

Since when has he become so serious?

Ahcehera busied herself checking her weapons, unaware of the subtle shift in Richard’s aura.

“We’ll leave this cave after handling whatever’s coming our way. I scouted a safer area north of the river yesterday.”

Richard finally spoke, his voice lower and more measured than before. “You’re planning to fight alone?”

Ahcehera glanced at him, surprised by the question. “If I must. But I’d prefer it if you stayed back and kept safe. You’re still recovering.”

Richard stood, ignoring the meal box.

His movements were fluid, almost unnaturally so. He checked the gun Ahcehera had handed him, his grip confident and steady. “I feel fine. Better than fine.”

Ahcehera frowned. “Richard, are you…”

Before she could finish her question, a guttural growl echoed from outside the cave. The sound was deep and menacing, sending vibrations through the ground beneath them.

Damn it!

Ahcehera snapped to attention, her instincts kicking in. “Stay behind me,” she ordered.

But Richard didn’t obey. Instead, he moved past her, his steps silent and purposeful. He glanced back, his mismatched eyes glowing faintly in the dim cave light.

“No,” he said simply. “I’ll handle this.”

Ahcehera’s jaw tightened. “Richard, don’t be reckless! This isn’t…”

What has gotten into him? Did the energy riot break his brain?

But before she could stop him, he was already outside, his movements eerily confident. Ahcehera cursed under her breath and grabbed her weapons, rushing to follow him.

Shit!

The creature outside came into view, a hulking beast with a thick spiked hide and razor-sharp claws. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow as it let out another ground-shaking roar.

Richard stood his ground, his posture unyielding.

Ahcehera’s heart raced as she aimed her gun. “Richard, get back!”

He turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “Trust me.”

Ahcehera hesitated.

Something was different about him, something she couldn’t quite grasp.

Against her better judgment, she held her fire, her eyes narrowing as she watched Richard step toward the beast.

If he wants to fight alone, I’ll give him this opportunity.

Ahcehera stepped back, blending into the shadows near the cave’s entrance.

Her eyes stayed fixed on Richard as he approached the beast, her instincts alert but her curiosity piqued.

His movements were calculated, almost graceful, as he evaded the first swipe of the creature’s claws.

The way he twisted his body, his footwork, and the fluidity of his counterattacks, it all seemed eerily familiar.

Ahcehera’s brow furrowed. Where have I seen this before?

Richard ducked under another attack, his body rotating smoothly as he aimed a precise shot at the creature’s exposed underbelly.

The beast roared in pain, staggering back, but Richard didn’t flinch. Instead, he advanced, his stance shifting into something more aggressive.