Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: The Wild (6)

“Your Highness, are you okay?” Richard’s voice was low, cautious.

His tone carried concern, but there was something unsettling about how quickly he avoided her gaze when she locked eyes with him.

Ahcehera narrowed her eyes, studying him intently. Her heart sank when she noticed something she hadn’t seen before.

His irises, usually the lightest shade of purple, now had thin veins of crimson running through them.

The vivid contrast was striking and unnerving, stirring a memory she had tried to bury. Those eyes, she had seen something similar before. They reminded her of his eyes.

Riezekiel’s eyes.

Her breath hitched and her instincts were on high alert. Slowly, she slid out of Richard’s grasp, her movements measured to avoid drawing attention to her unease.

Richard tilted his head, watching her retreat with an almost detached curiosity. “Your Highness?”

Ahcehera’s mind raced, a hundred questions forming and dissolving in an instant.

Could it be? The person standing before me… is this still Richard? Or is it someone else?

Her fingers brushed against the hilt of her concealed weapon, but she didn’t draw it, not yet. She forced herself to take a calming breath, steadying the erratic pounding of her heart.

“I’m fine,” she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “It was just a nightmare.”

But even as the words left her lips, she couldn’t shake the weight of her growing suspicion.

The man before her wore Richard’s face, but the faint glimmer in his bloodshot eyes hinted at a darker truth she wasn’t yet ready to confront.

When morning came, the golden light filtered through the thick canopy above their makeshift camp.

Ahcehera kept a close eye on Richard as he moved about. His habits were changing, subtle, but noticeable enough for someone as observant as her.

“Can you pick up some firewood?” she asked casually, testing his response. “It might rain in the next few days.”

Richard’s eyes flicked to the sky, lingering for a moment as if he could read the weather through sheer instinct.

“I’ll be on my way, princess,” he replied with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

They have the same reply.

She nodded. “Okay. Be quick, though.”

He hesitated, his brows furrowing slightly. “Will you be okay here? I think it’s not safe for you to stay alone.”

He frowns the same way.

“Don’t worry about me,” she said, waving him off. “Just go.”

As she watched him disappear into the trees, her suspicions solidified. There was something about his gait, his demeanor, it wasn’t the Richard she remembered.

When he returned, a bundle of neatly gathered firewood balanced on his shoulder, she decided to test him further. She pulled out a small vial filled with a bright red liquid.

“Here,” she said, holding it out to him. “It’s an energy-boosting potion. You’ve been working hard.”

Richard hesitated for a moment but took the vial with a nod. He uncorked it and took a swig, only to double over moments later, coughing violently and spitting the liquid out.

“What’s wrong?” Ahcehera asked, feigning concern as she handed him a bottle of water. “Is it not to your liking?”

Richard grimaced as he rinsed his mouth. “No, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice strained. “I’m just… allergic to strawberry.”

Ahcehera’s eyes narrowed, though her face betrayed no emotion.

Allergic?

That’s new.

Richard’s favorite was always strawberry-flavored things.

I know his file inside out.

She perched on a nearby rock, her expression neutral as she observed him carefully. “I didn’t know you had allergies,” she said lightly.

He avoided her gaze, fumbling with the water bottle as if eager to change the subject.

You’re not Richard, she thought, her suspicions turning into certainty.

But instead of confronting him, she decided to wait. Whatever game he was playing, she would uncover the truth in due time.

–

In the golden afternoon light, Ahcehera found herself wandering back to the river, her curiosity piqued by the memory of the strange beast she had seen, a monstrous octopus with thorny, vine-like tentacles.

The water flowed calmly now, an eerie contradiction to the danger she knew lurked beneath the surface.

Cautiously, she stepped closer to the edge, her eyes scanning the water for any signs of movement.

I need to know if it’s still there, she thought, her hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her blade.

Just as she leaned in a bit further, her concentration was shattered by a firm grip yanking her back.

She stumbled, startled, and turned to see Richard, his expression a mix of frustration and deep concern.

“It’s dangerous!” he said sharply, his light purple eyes glowing faintly in the waning sunlight.

Ahcehera narrowed her eyes, her instincts screaming at her to challenge him. Without a second thought, she raised her hand to throw a punch at him.

He caught it easily.

But Richard was quicker. His hand caught hers mid-swing, and with practiced ease, he spun her around, pulling her into a firm hold.

Her arms were locked against her sides, his grip unyielding.

“Violence isn’t the answer,” he said, his voice calm but laced with authority. His breath was warm against her ear as he added, “Let’s go back quickly. This place isn’t safe for you.”

Ahcehera froze for a moment, the intensity of the situation sparking a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite name. She clenched her fists, testing his hold, but he didn’t budge.

“Let me go,” she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness.

“Only if you promise to stop being reckless,” he countered, his tone almost teasing, though his concern was evident.

Reluctantly, she nodded, and he released her, stepping back but still watching her like a hawk.

As they walked away from the river, Ahcehera’s mind raced.

Richard’s actions seemed genuine, but his reflexes, his strength, and even the warmth in his voice weren’t quite the Richard she knew.

Who are you really? She wondered, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

Can the dead truly possess someone?

Riezekiel Mors…