Chapter 523 What Matters Is What She Did And Not Why
As Amelia and Asher exited the building, the cool air outside seemed to tighten around them.
Asher glanced sideways at Amelia, his curiosity evident in how he paused before asking, "So what were you going to say back there?"
Amelia's response was delayed by a slight wince, a subtle indication of the slightly awkward topic she had in mind.
She gave a small shake of her head, her voice tinged with a mix of humor and reflection, "It's nothing, but I was a bit amused after hearing your comment about Arthur. He reminds me of the old you—having that strong sense of justice and determination to protect people. The only difference is that he's more naive and probably a bit unsure of himself. With his power, he could have easily saved the hostages on his own."
Asher's reaction was a blend of skepticism and a touch of bitterness, as he let out a subtle scoff, "Don't get fooled by what you see. It's the most sweet and innocent looking ones that prove to be the most dangerous of them all. I had first-hand experience from his sister and so many others," he remarked, his voice low but filled with a harsh edge of his thoughts.
Amelia pressed her lips together, knowing too well the depth of Asher's experiences and the scars they had left. She could not refute his perspective, understanding that his cynicism was forged in the fires of betrayal and disappointment. She already had an idea of what it was like to be falsely accused and attacked by people she once considered friends and family.
Yet, she couldn't help but express her concerns, her gaze filled with earnest worry, "I know how you feel about Arthur considering who he is, but... you have to be careful around him. You already know that he was tasked by Derek to supervise you. Arthur has a very strong connection with Derek since Derek is more than just a mentor to him. So if Derek asks, he will report everything he sees and hears, including his first interaction with you."
Asher's sigh was deep as he nodded, "I know I should have pulled myself together when I first met him. But when I looked into those eyes of his and heard how he was praising that woman as if she saved the entire world, I could hardly hold it in. Does he know his dear sister and mentor have their hands drenched in blood? Why bother. Even if he knows, he will still support them. That's the reality. These hyenas always have each other's backs."
Amelia looked at Asher with a furrow of concern. "Still...don't you think it's weird that even after her brother revealed himself to the public, his sister is still nowhere to be seen or heard? I had already asked my parents to secretly send people to look for her worldwide. Still, even after all these years, we didn't even get a hint of her whereabouts. What if she felt bad about what happened and—"
"Gave up everything and hid out of guilt?" Asher interjected, his brow arching skeptically. He shook his head, dismissing the idea with a cold scoff, "Nonsense. If she was capable of feeling that much guilt…" his voice hardened with hidden pain as he added, "...she wouldn't have abandoned me when I needed her the most. She cared more about saving herself since she knew that by standing with me, the entire world would turn against her as well. To truly erase her from my mind and move on, I have to deal with her myself, and I will find her no matter which corner of the world she is hiding in."
Amelia sighed, her eyes reflecting a mixture of empathy and frustration, "If she's really hiding somewhere, I have no doubt you might be able to flush her out. But...I still find it strange that we were unable to find a famous Hunter like her for all these years. I'm sure not only her family but Derek must also be trying to find her and everyone in the WHA. They wouldn't just ignore a peak S Ranker like her, let alone an Evangelion, even if she wants to hide."
Asher furrowed his brows, his thoughts aligning with Amelia's concerns. He had also tasked Grace to find Aira, but Grace had yet to get any hint of where Aira might be.
However, he said with a brief shake of his head, "She is stronger than you think. Someone with her abilities can hide herself even if the entire WHA was out to look for her."
"But...why hide? She could have enjoyed the fame and achievements like Derek and the others did. Just like all controversies, people would have overlooked her connection with you," Amelia pressed, her look fraught with doubt.
Asher's expression became frigid, his jaw set as he said, "It doesn't matter why she ran away. What matters is that she left me to die, and that will never change no matter why she did it," he stated with a cold light in his eyes.
Amelia nodded and then she said with a sharp look, "We also shouldn't forget this so-called Oracle the WHA worships. They were the one who passed that ridiculous prophecy, putting you in that situation in the first place. Unfortunately, nobody knows who the Oracle is since the WHA never ever reveals who the Oracle is, continuing the dumb practice of worshiping the Oracle for centuries. I can't wait to see them grovel at your feet."
Asher briefly clenched his fists, his expression hardening before he relaxed his fists and said, "They all have it coming."
His words were punctuated by the soft hum of a sleek, matte gray luxury car as it smoothly coasted to a stop in front of Amelia and Asher, shifting the attention of the two.
The car's arrival was notable not just for its high-end aesthetics but for its lack of a driver—an empty seat behind the wheel that caught Asher off guard.
"A driverless car? I thought you hated them," Asher remarked, one eyebrow arched in mild surprise as he peered through the window, his confusion apparent.
Amelia, her cheeks flushing a light shade of red, gracefully opened the back door of the car and gestured inside with a playful nod of her head, "Why don't you get in first, and you will know why I picked this car today," she suggested, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief that piqued Asher's interest.
With a smile, Asher obliged, sliding into the luxurious interior of the vehicle. The seats, upholstered in soft, supple leather, enveloped him in comfort, a stark contrast to the modes of transport back in his kingdom.
As he settled in, he couldn't help but comment, half to himself with a hint of nostalgia, "It feels like a lifetime ever since I got into a car. Back in my—" His words trailed off as he noticed the windows tinting automatically, sealing them off from the outside world, ensuring complete privacy.
With a knowing smile, he turned just in time to see Amelia closing the door behind her and moving towards him with a deliberate and seductive grace. She sat down upon him, slowly grinding her pelvis against his, her smile as intoxicating as it was inviting, as she leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear.
"Do you have any idea how desperately I was waiting to be close like this with you again?" she whispered, her voice a sultry murmur that resonated with longing and anticipation.
Asher's gaze smoldered with longing as he cupped Amelia's face in his strong, warm hands. His smirk curved into a disarming smile as he confessed, "Not a day went by where I didn't think of you while waiting to see you like this." The flame in his eyes set her heart aflame, and she couldn't resist any longer.
With a sudden, all-consuming hunger, Amelia crashed her lips against his, her way of silencing the time she waited to see him again even though it hasn't been that long.
Asher's arms tightened around her, fusing their bodies together as their mouths danced in a passionate waltz. His tongue swirled around hers, teasing and tasting every crevice of her luscious mouth. Their breaths mingled, their bodies pressing against one another as if they were two halves of a whole.
Amidst the heated kiss, they began to undress each other, Amelia deftly unbuttoning his shirt while Asher unclipped her cape and armor plates.
Fabric and metal rustled to the seats in their wake, baring skin that hadn't been touched in far too long. Her hands trembled as she parted his shirt over his robust, powerful pecs, over his broad shoulders, and down his muscular arms, marveling at the feel of him beneath her fingers.
Asher's lips trailed down her slender neck, his hot breath and warm tongue sending shivers down her spine, "You still didn't tell me how your parents reacted after you told them about me," he whispered, his tongue dancing along her collarbone, sending delicious chills up her spine.
Amelia's breath caught in her throat as Asher's skilled mouth and fingers roamed down her neck, sending waves of pleasure through her body.
Her face flushed, and she managed to gasp out, "T-They decided to just...Mnn~...believe me and that you are a..ohnn~...good guy...Mnn~"
Asher leaned back, a cocky grin on his face, "You have such doting parents. I don't think I've ever met any parents who have such blind faith in their only child, especially a female Hunter like you."
Amelia's cheeks blazed as she coyly smiled back, "You should feel glad I have such loving parents. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to be together like this now."
Asher's chuckle turned into a low rumble as he pulled down her breastplate, exposing the delicate lace of her brown bra. He kissed the deep cleavage, his lips and tongue dipping into the ravine, making her body shiver with pleasure, followed by a subtle moan escaping her as his touch ignited her senses.
She clutched his hair, inviting him further, while Asher enjoyed the suppleness of her soft breasts as he let her cleavage embrace his face.
But just as they were about to cross the threshold of no return, the car jerked violently, throwing them apart as a radiant light enveloped the entire car.
"Is this car seriously getting teleported??"
The world around them shattered into a million pieces of light, and the next moment, they found the car tumbling onto the manicured grass of a grand garden.
The two of them had bewildered looks, though their faces turned into one of shock as they easily recognized the place they were in.
"Don't tell me…"
"I…oh no…" Amelia gasped as a large figure approached the door of the car.