CHAPTER 269: I'll Keep Livng For You

When Hunter returned to the camp while carrying Saphira, the rest became worried.

"It is fine, she will be fine in another day's time," was all Hunter said before bringing her back to her tent.

The others looked at one another not understanding his explanation at all.

What did he mean by one day?

But hearing that she is fine, they no longer tried to question more and left him to take care of her.

Drake, who was cleaning up his sword, turned to the side when he heard movements.

There stood Willow looking like she didn't know how to start with whatever it is she wanted to say.

Drake didn't say anything either and simply returned his look to his sword.

"Those words..."

After a long while, Willow finally spoke but she was now closer to him.

Drake looked up at her and realized that she was staring at his sword.

At the edge of the blade, close to the hilt of the sword, there was a word written on it.

'I'll'

Drake wasn't hiding it and so he turned his sword to show what was on the other side.

'Living'

Willow's heart suddenly jumped as she thought back at the words on her own sword.

'Keep' and 'For You'.

"This..."

"Basing it in your reaction, you aren't here to be curious about the words on your sword, instead you already have an idea. But Willow..."

Drake stood up and put his sword on the side before facing Willow seriously.

"Once you open your mouth and talk about this, you know I will no longer hold back because that means you are open to get involved emotionally again."

His eyes spoke of sincerity and Willow could see that he truly cared about her feelings towards Raizen.

Even though it wasn't as deep as one to say that they had seriously fallen in love, her emotions was still there and she still grieve every single time she remembers that Raizen, who had such a warm smile, was no longer in this world.

That he was robbed off of his life while it still has a long way to go.

Not just him but the rest of the people of Hydra Kingdom.

"So if you feel that you still can't open up, I won't say anything and you shouldn't too."

His words made Willow furrow her brows.

Drake chuckled somehow understanding what was going on in her mind.

He walked closer and poked the space between her brows with his forefinger.

"I never belittled nor doubted your feelings for me, instead I acknowledge it but just as how days passed and the years changed, even our emotions could change. This time around, he was more than worthy to stand by your side, sadly he wasn't given the chance to do it."

With a sigh, he knew he needed to contradict what he had just said of not speaking, seeing her current reaction, he needs to tell her properly.

"I'll keep living for you."

She finally blinked, recovering from her shock from his sudden gentle actions.

"Those words are the words I will promise from here on out when I have decided I will pursue you instead. Everyone was right, there is no point in dwelling in my hatred alone. I have to take control of my life and my own emotions if I really wanted to live to the fullest."

He took a deep breath before glancing at Felix and Stormie then he glanced at the tent where Saphira and Hunter were.

"I'd rather let you have the security that the person you love won't suddenly die than see you be in so much despair again for being unable to protect the people you care about."

Willow blinked away the tears that are threatening to fall as she listened to him.

"That is why the words I engraved in your sword, together with the words I engraved on mine, is my vow..."

He looked straight in her eyes.

"I have caused you to lose sight of yourself in the past but this time around, I won't do it again, instead I will make sure that I will be the one to bring you back once you start going astray..."

He reached out to fix her hair behind her ears.

"I'll keep living for you Willow, that is one of the promises I will make if you are to accept me again. I love you, that is the truth that was never gone, I simply didn't want to pull you along in my misery but it hurts more seeing you cry and grieve. If you are not yet sure of how things will go, I won't push you. I will simply act the way I had always been but if you think that you are already ready, then just say the word..."

He took back his sword and placed it back on its sheath, "Say the word and we will be official, otherwise I will just stay by your side, without any pressure."

After that he left, letting her think on her own.

On the other hand, Willow slowly sat down on the grass.

She was prepared to hear him speak of his feelings when she realized what the words meant.

But she didn't expect to hear so much from him.

He wasn't holding it against her that she had fallen for someone else, instead he was even cheering for the two of them silently.

But then seeing her cry, he had the resolve that he knew he was the only one who could really protect her heart from feeling the grieve and distraught of losing a beloved one.

He had showed her his determination with his eyes alone.

And she did remember his actions for the past weeks, they weren't half hearted, instead all of them were genuine.

He was now showing her that he was genuine towards her.

She pursed her lips and took a deep breath, she will have to asses her feelings now and make sure she won't half heartedly return to him as well.

Instead if she were to say she loves him again or she loves him still, she needs to be resolute without any lingering strong feelings for other people.