CHAPTER 461: REY’S DEPARTURE

The dawn began to break in the early hours of the morning, the sky was still mostly dark, save for the faintest hint of pre-dawn glow on the horizon.

Coco walked silently alongside Rey, the gravel of the path crunching softly beneath their feet.

The cool air was still, the world around them quiet and undisturbed as they made their way towards the gate so the journey was carried out in silence, the only sound being the soft crunch of gravel and the occasional distant chirp of a waking bird.

As they walked side by side, Coco found herself stealing glances at the man next to her, her eyes taking in his presence.

Rey stood taller than her, his lean frame carrying a bag over one shoulder, but despite his youth, he carried himself with a quiet, steady confidence.

She observed him silently, her gaze flicking over his features— his tousled hair, the sharp angles of his face, the subtle strength and confidence in his stance.

Coco noted the determination that seemed to burn in his eyes, even in these early hours.

Coco forced herself to tear her gaze away, a strange feeling of guilt washing over her because the conversation from the previous night was still fresh in her mind, the memory of their exchange replaying in her thoughts.

Once they reached the edge of the gate, Rey turned to face Coco with a small, hopeful smile playing at the corner of his lips.

His voice held a touch of pleading as he posed his question, his eyes searching hers for reassurance.

"Promise me." The young mediator began, his voice low and earnest. "Promise me you’ll take care of Kairo, please."

Coco was quick to smile warmly, her nod conveying her agreement to Rey’s request, but she didn’t stop there; she extended her own plea, her voice tinged with concern.

"I promise." She responded, her eyes meeting his with sincerity. "I’ll look after him, no doubt about it, but I need you to promise me something, too. Promise you’ll come back safe and sound— without a scratch."

Coco smiled at him and Rey immediately felt his heart skip a beat, his emotions stirring within him.

In that moment, the realization hit him with a sudden intensity— the woman standing before him, offering her promise, was the only woman he had ever felt such genuine affection for.

He was aware that he had a one-sided crush on her, but he didn’t realize that it was already this deep and intense.

Now, his thoughts became a chaotic storm, his rational thinking momentarily drowned out by the overwhelming surge of feelings.

Rey stood there, his gaze locked with hers, his heart fluttering in his chest like a delicate bird’s wings.

Rey’s grip on his bag tightened as he forced himself to wrench his gaze away from Coco because the realization of his growing feelings, coupled with the impending departure, sent a pang of regret through him, but he knew he had to push aside these emotions, at least for the moment.

"I have to go now." He said, his voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions churning within him. "I can’t afford to miss the carriage’s departure time."

"Take care." Coco stated, reaching out to pat his back.

Rey felt a sense of bittersweetness as Coco patted his back with a warm smile, oblivious to the depth of his feelings for her, her words echoed in his ears, her concern for his safe return touching him in a way.

"I will." He replied, managing a small smile despite the ache in his heart. "I’ll come back safe. You all just wait for me, okay?"

"Of course. I’m counting on it so better take care of yourself out there, alright?" Coco returned the wish and chuckled, the soft sound carrying a note of reassurance.

Rey cast one final glance over his shoulder at Coco as he began to walk away, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest, but the sight of her standing there, her smile still lingering on her lips, sent a pang through him.

With each step he took, the distance between them grew, and a sense of longing swelled within him.

However, he forced himself to keep moving, his gaze fixed ahead even as his heart ached at the parting.

Coco’s eyes lingered on Rey’s retreating figure, her mind filled with worry and just as she was beginning to turn away, she noticed Rey unexpectedly stopping and whipping around, his strides purposeful as he rushed back towards her.

She stood there, baffled by this sudden change in direction.

Her eyes widened as he drew closer, confusion and surprise etched across her face and in a shocking moment, Rey reached out and closed the remaining distance between them.

Without warning, he pressed his lips against hers, initiating a swift yet heartfelt kiss.

The unexpected gesture caught Coco completely off guard, her eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected contact.

For a few brief seconds, the world seemed to fade away, replaced by the softness of his lips against hers, causing her heart to drop to her stomach.

Rey broke the kiss, pulling back abruptly and leaving Coco stunned and bewildered.

Without uttering another word, he spun on his heel and sprinted away, his strides long and swift as he put as much distance as possible between them.

Coco stood frozen in place for a few moments, her fingers gingerly touching her lips where the ghost of his kiss still lingered, her gaze following his retreating form until he vanished completely from sight.

Her mind was blank with her lips parted, but then, Coco snapped out of her stupor, her eyes widening in shock as realization hit her full force.

Her hand still hovered near her lips, the memory of the unexpected kiss still fresh in her mind and her heart started pounding in horror.

Her voice came out in a soft, bewildered gasp as she spoke to herself. "He— he.. Rey kissed me..?"