Chapter 183: Worried for His Human Bride
{Third Person}
Matilda’s question carried more fear than authority.
Amara noticed it immediately and almost laughed in that moment.
How ironic. These were the same people who once controlled every part of her life. Now they looked afraid to even question her properly.
Amara calmly answered for herself. "I am here with the permission of His Royal Highness." Then, she deliberately paused before adding, "The Alpha Prince."
The effect was immediate.
Anthony’s lips pressed together while Matilda said nothing. Both fell silent instantly.
Nearby, Lila’s expression darkened. Jealousy flashed openly across her face, which Amara noticed but chose to ignore.
A moment later, Hazel grabbed Amara’s hand. "Come with us."
Rachel and Davina were already smiling. "We need to talk before we leave."
Amara gladly followed them. They were the very reason she came.
The four women eventually found a quieter, private spot away from the others, where they could speak without interruption while servants continued to move the luggage outside.
The moment they were alone, Hazel pulled Amara into a hug. Rachel and Davina quickly joined.
Amara laughed softly as she returned the embrace. "I will miss all of you."
Rachel pulled back first. "We will miss you too."
Davina’s eyes were already glistening slightly. Before the mood could become too emotional, Rachel suddenly pulled out her phone.
"Pictures first."
That immediately made everyone laugh.
Soon, the four women were taking pictures together, squeezing close, smiling brightly, and trying to preserve as much of the moment as possible.
After several pictures, they finally settled down again. This time, the conversation became more serious.
Hazel looked directly at Amara. "We want to tell you something before we leave."
Amara blinked. "What is it?"
Rachel folded her arms. "This time, don’t even try denying it."
Amara immediately became suspicious. "Denying what?" she asked, furrowing her brows.
Davina smiled knowingly. "Your feelings."
Amara froze instantly, but Rachel didn’t give her a breathing space as she continued mercilessly. "For the Alpha Prince."
Hazel nodded. "Yes."
Amara opened her mouth, then closed it because all three of them were staring at her like they had already won.
And perhaps they had.
"We all saw you last night." Rachel grinned.
Davina laughed. "The way you reacted after he said something to you."
Hazel smiled. "You looked so happy."
Amara felt warmth rise to her face. She hadn’t thought of the fact that her friends would probably be watching her and would notice immediately. That alone answered everything.
Rachel pointed accusingly. "See?"
Davina laughed. "She can’t even deny it now."
For once, Amara remained quiet. She truly had no reason to refute them. And her silence made the three women exchange satisfied looks.
Hazel’s expression softened. "Amara... just relax."
Rachel nodded. "As long as he protects you and treats you well, let yourself be happy."
"Yes." Davina gently squeezed Amara’s hand. "You don’t have to fight your feelings. There is no need."
Amara lowered her gaze. Their words settled deeply in her heart. After everything she had been through, allowing herself to feel anything had always felt dangerous.
Yet recently, whenever she thought about Alexander, things no longer felt as simple as before.
Before the silence could stretch too long, Rachel suddenly brightened. "Oh!" She reached for one of the bags close. "We almost forgot."
Soon, all three women began handing Amara bags filled with goodies and snacks they had brought from the Human Kingdom.
Amara’s eyes widened. "You brought all this for me?"
"Of course." Davina smiled as Mrs. Woods quickly stepped forward and took the bags.
Amara looked genuinely touched. "Thank you."
Before anyone could say more, the sound of car doors closing signalled that departure time had come.
The smiles on everyone’s faces slowly faded. It was time.
The four friends hugged again, this time longer and tighter. When they finally pulled apart, everyone’s eyes were slightly red.
Then, in a gesture of proper respect, Hazel, Rachel, and Davina stepped back and bowed formally to Amara.
The sight made something ache in her chest. They were no longer just friends meeting casually in the Human Kingdom. Things had changed. Even so, the affection between them remained.
The three women turned and began walking toward the waiting car. Amara followed behind until she reached the entrance. She stood there watching as her friends entered the car.
Hazel rolled down the window almost immediately. Rachel and Davina leaned in as well. And all three waved enthusiastically.
Amara smiled and waved back. Her vision blurred slightly, and tears gathered in her eyes. But she refused to let them fall.
She simply stood there, smiling through the ache in her chest as the car slowly pulled away.
She would miss them deeply. And she knew they would miss her just as much.
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Back at the Alpha Prince’s residence, Alexander had only just woken up.
Unlike his usual routine, he had slept in longer than expected, likely because of everything his body had endured over the past few days.
Even so, when he finally opened his eyes, he immediately felt the difference. His body felt stronger. The weakness that had plagued him after the poisoning had reduced significantly.
After sitting up in bed, he stretched a few times before rising and making his way to the living room.
The moment he stepped out, Jasper was already waiting as expected. In his hands was a bowl of medicine.
Jasper greeted him politely before handing over the bowl. "Good morning, Your Highness."
Alexander accepted the bowl without a word and drank the medicine in a few gulps. As he lowered the empty bowl, Jasper calmly began giving his report.
"The mages will not be leaving today."
Alexander handed the bowl back to him as he continued.
"His Majesty has ordered them to remain in the palace for a few more days so they can continue monitoring your condition."
Alexander said nothing. That matter did not seem to interest him much. Instead, his attention shifted elsewhere.
After a brief pause, he asked, "Did Amara go to see her friends off?"
Jasper immediately understood. "Yes, Your Highness." He lowered the bowl slightly before continuing, "She has already returned to the residence."
Alexander gave a small nod, then looked away. Jasper hesitated only for a second before speaking again. "It seems she cried."
That got Alexander’s attention. His gaze returned to Jasper immediately.
Jasper continued carefully. "Her eyes were red when she returned."
A slight frown formed on Alexander’s face. After a moment, he asked, "Who went with her to see her friends off?"
"Mrs. Woods."
Silence followed. Alexander’s expression remained unreadable as he considered the information. Then he spoke.
"Go and inform Mrs. Woods to bring her here for breakfast."
Jasper bowed slightly. "Yes, Your Highness."
He turned and headed toward the door. Unfortunately, the moment he opened it, he nearly collided with someone entering.
Barron.
Jasper bowed slightly, then stepped aside.
Barron walked in with far too much energy for the morning. He looked like he had just returned from a run. Sweat lightly coated his forehead, and despite that, his mood seemed annoyingly cheerful.
The moment he saw Alexander, a grin spread across his face. "Oh? You’re finally awake?"
Alexander looked at him, then slowly spread his arms. "As you can see." The sarcasm in his voice was impossible to miss.
Barron laughed and walked further into the room before dropping into a seat. He looked entirely too comfortable.
"I just finished my morning run."
Alexander said nothing, but Barron chose to continue anyway. "You know, I’ve been thinking."
That alone made Alexander suspicious.
Barron leaned back. "You and I should start running every morning and evening."
Alexander stared at him. For several seconds, he simply said nothing. But when he was ready to reply, it came out flat.
"Perhaps if you were in my condition, and I were in yours, I might enjoy running as much as you do."
Barron immediately fell silent as the words hit exactly where they needed to. He had nothing clever to say for once.
A full minute passed before Barron recovered. And naturally, he changed the topic. "So." He glanced around. "Aren’t you hungry?"
Alexander looked toward the entrance briefly before answering. "I’m waiting for Amara."
Barron blinked, then a slow smirk spread across his face. Ah. Now this was interesting.
He leaned forward slightly, looking thoroughly entertained. "Someone can’t eat without his human bride?"
Alexander’s cold, dangerous gaze shifted to him. "One more word," he said calmly, "and you will miss your tongue for two weeks."
Barron grinned, but immediately raised both hands in surrender. "Understood," he said, though the amusement in his eyes did not disappear.
---
Meanwhile, in her own room, Amara had been feeling unusually quiet ever since returning from the guest house.
Sending her friends off had affected her more than she expected.
Now, she sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly out the window. Her thoughts were far away as she kept thinking about her friends—their smiles, their hugs, and their final words to her.
Most of all, she kept wondering how long it would take before she saw them again. The thought made her chest feel heavy.