Chapter 2 Saved by the devil

A loud crash woke up Manara’s deep sleep. A sharp pain in the head makes her wince a little. Manara stood slowly. She observed the place where she was and wondered how she ended up there. It was an old house and the roof was made of bamboo wood. It looks like it was specifically made for farmers since it has some hay and farming tools inside. She stands up despite feeling dizzy and almost stumbles on a rake. She let out a sigh. Again she heard the loud noises coming from the outside. She slowly walked to the door and there he found the annoying man whose name she still doesn't know.

Upon seeing the man, Manara quickly went inside and grabbed the wooden rake. She was about to strike the man but the man was quick enough to notice Manara’s presence.

“Whoa! Careful young princess, you might have killed me with that old rotten wood weapon of yours.” The man said, teasing Manara. “I see you’ve gotten your energy back.” he added while smiling.

Annoyed, Manara threw the wood away and was about to punch the man in the face. But since the man was taller than her, she almost stumbled. The man, again, was quick enough to catch Manara.

“Hey, what's with the attitude?” he asked.

“Attitude?! Seriously?! After trying to kill me?” Manara shouted and angrily pushed the man away from her. 

“Kill you? How?” The man asked curiously. Manara can see the amusement on the man’s face which made her more furious.

“Oh? Have you forgotten huh?!” She said while catching up her breath. “You pushed me off the cliff!” Manara stated, clenching her fist.

The man chuckled and looked at Amara with amusement. “Then how come I am cooking some soup for you my dear princess?” He said, cleverly holding Amara’s chin. Then swiftly moved near the stove to check the food he was cooking as if Amara’s behavior did not affect him.

“And my name is not “Huh”, it's Radley.” He added without looking at Amara.

Despite the anger that Amara was feeling, she continuously looked at the busy man. She was intrigued by this man’s character.

“Why did you save me?” Amara asks without hesitation. This time, her voice is a little calmer. She accepts defeat silently. “How come you know me?” she added while looking at Radley, who is now walking towards the door, probably to get some bowl for the soup.

Upon seeing the meal that looks delicious, Amara felt the hunger. She haven’;t eaten a proper meal for days now. Starving, she swallowed her pride and head inside the old house. She decided to get herself a plate or bowl if there’s any.

Radley saw Amara heading towards his direction. She looks at her intensely while getting some plates for them. He is definitely sure that this princess is starving so much.

He did not mean to push Amara off the cliff, he just did not have any choice. Besides, he knows that he can save the princess. He trusts his swimming skills

Before Amara completely enters the house, Radley hands over the plate to the lady. Shocked, Amara did not hesitate to accept the plate handed over by Radley. The hunger overwhelms her to the point of eating a meal together with this strange man.

“You need to eat as much as you can Amara,” Radley said while putting food on Amara's plate.

“How did you know my name?” amara asked while waiting for her food.

“Eat first and we will talk later.”

Upon hearing that and receiving her food, Amara ate without hesitation. As much as she wanted to escape to this man, she knew she couldn't. She needed to regain her strength first. She can still feel the pain from falling off the cliff and impact of the water on her back. It will probably last for a week.

They ate peacefully without looking at each other. No one dares to break the silence.

“Once you’re finished eating, wash the dishes.” Radley commanded Amara still without looking at her.

Shocked, Amara suddenly looks at Radly. “What?!” she exclaimed.

“:Oh , did the impact of falling make you deaf?” Radley chuckles.”I said wash the dishes, Princess” 

“You don’t command a princess!” Amara answered using authority in her voice.

Radley left a loud laugh. “You are really something Amara. Despite your situation, you can still feel proud.” 

Amara felt the sarcasm in Radley’s voice. She was astounded. He was right. Why did she say that?. She is no longer a ;princess.  

Amara, quietly washed the dishes. At first she did not know how to do it. She was never allowed to do any such work. Her ladies used to do that for her. Upon remembering her people, a tear fell down on her left cheek.

“Hey, stop that.” She heard Radley say. She looks at Radly.

“It is time for us to talk.” Radley said 

Amara follows Radly. They walk together and head towards the shade of that big sturdy tree.

“Ask.” Radley said.

“This man really knows how to annoy me,” Amara said to herself.

“I know you have a lot of questions, so ask.” Radley waited patiently for Amara to speak.

“Who are you?” Amara finally said. “And how the hell did you know me? Amara continued.

“I did not know Princesses can curse?” Radly replied before answering Amaras question. He raised his two hands mid-air as if showing Amara his surrender when Amara threw a dagger-look at Radley.

“I am nobody special, Princess. It’s just that I am one of the merchants who always goes to your city. People always say good things about you and your…” Radley paused for a while before continuing, “marriage.”  Radley looked at Amara with a worried look. He was worried that he might have offended Amara or at worst rekindled a painful memory.

“Continue.” Amara firmly said.

Radley continued after a sigh. “ It was your wedding day right when that happened right? I was going to deliver barrels of beer when my master and I heard a loud explosion. We’ve seen that it is coming from the palace.” Radley looked past Amara. “ Then we heard a man shouting and saying that you have betrayed the kingdom by siding up to the enemy.” ;

“I will never do that, '' Amara exclaimed authoritatively.

“I know.” Radley said. He knew Amara very well. She will never forsake her kingdom. She was their beloved princess. 

“”How did you know?” Amara asked.

“Because I see you as a fragile woman.”

“I am not!” Amara explained, pointing out a finger to Radley. Radley on the other hand, just pushed amaras hand away from his face.

“Yes you are.” Radley said with confirmation. This time he was the one who asked the princess. “ What is your plan now?”

Amara took a while to answer. She was contemplating if she was going to say her plans to Radley whom she barely knew.

After weighing up her thoughts, she's come to decide to trust Radley for now. “It’s my choice for now.” she thought.

“I will search for him and take revenge.” Amara said while preventing herself from crying. You can feel anger in Amara's voice.

“Revenge huh?” Radley cutted out Amara’s. “How?”

Amara did not know how to answer Radley’s question, but deep inside her, she knew she had to get revenge no matter what it takes.

“You still do not know how to continue with your plan right?” Radley answered his own question. “Princess, if you want revenge, you have to do better than what you are doing right now. It will never be easy”

“I know! I never said it will be easy!” again Amara furiously said.

“Do you really want to take revenge on Amara?” Radley asked.

Amara looked at Amara and found herself nodding.

“Then let me help you. I will make you a strong warrior princess. Let us get revenge together.” said Radley while staring at the sad eyes of Amara.