Raised From The Wild-Chapter 47: Reunion At The Zoo

At 5:00 pm, the royal family left the mourning hall to bury Ibrahim in the royal graveyard located at the Kings’ Valley.

The king and the queen were in deep sorrow. Amaya has already let go. She grieved for her father three years ago and though she missed him every day, she knew that he was happy with her mom now.

They arrived at the King’s Valley at 6:00 pm. All the dead buried there were members of the royal family. As a military officer and a royalty, Ibrahim was accorded the highest military honor which was the 21-gun salute. After the salute, the Universal Military Union flag draped over Ibrahim’s coffin was carefully folded and handed to Amaya. The flag showed the symbols of the three powerful countries, Uropa, Usturia, and Chaneya at the center while the signs of the rest of the member countries were at the edges of the flag.

The royal family entered the mausoleum for the children of the kings. The mausoleum was an entrance to an underground graveyard where the children of the previous kings of Lireya were buried.

The underground graveyard was lit by the flickering electric torch that was placed on the pillars that supported the mausoleum. A sweet aromatic scent filled the air. Amaya traced the source of the scent from torches on the pillars.

Ibrahim’s casket was placed in a crypt and sealed. The memorial tablet was placed in front of the crypt. It was the same tablet made by Amaya three years ago but with an added inscription of ’beloved son and brother.’

It was already 7:00 pm when the royal family left King’s Valley and headed back to Asteria Palace for dinner.

"Daddy Ibarra, Marx, and I will visit my pet animals at the zoo tomorrow. Can Donello and Yohan come with me?" Aryana looked at the crown prince expectantly.

"You can only bring one with you, not both."

Princess Consort Nelida was worried. "You can bring Yohan since he is still young and loves animals." She does not want her children to get too close to Amaya.

Amaya was disappointed. She was hoping that she can introduce the animals to Donello but unfortunately her aunt did not allow it.

...

The following morning Marx, Amaya, and the young prince along with their guards left the palace early and headed to the zoo. Amaya has not seen her animal friends for a long time and she really missed them.

Zanzara and Tatiana learned that Amaya and Marx were going to the zoo and they also set out early in the morning and followed them.

Marx has gotten permission to enter the enclosure where Amaya’s pets were. The moment the animals saw Amaya, they pounced on her and placed their paws on her body. Amaya fell to the ground. The few guards who were watching at the side along with the zoo attendants panicked and took out their guns but Marx raised his hand signaling them to stay back.

Zanzara and Tatiana along with a few paparazzi who were watching from above the enclosure were scared that they forgot to take pictures.

After a few minutes, Amaya stood from the ground unharmed.

"Did you miss me?" She growled. The pair of tigers rubbed their heads on her legs and so did the pair of wolves.

"How about you old man, did you not miss me?"

Kong ignored her and climbed up a tree.

"I’m hurt, Kong. You did not miss me. Come down here." She gestured for the ape to come down. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Kong looked dejected. He shook his head and remained on top of the tree.

Amaya climbed the tree without difficulty and sat beside Kong. Amongst her animal friend, Kong was the most sensitive. She passed a banana to him.

"I am sorry I wasn’t able to come to visit you. I am looking for a new place for us to stay. This is not suitable for you but for now, you have to bear with it."

Amaya missed the fun times she had with her friends. She whistled and Kalil’s ears perk up. Amaya somersaulted from the tree and landed perfectly, astride on the back of Kalil, who run around the small enclosure.

"Don’t worry, Kalil, soon we will have a forest where we can play and race again."

The guards and the zoo attendants gasped when Amaya jumped from the tree.

The paparazzi were dumbfounded. They can’t believe what they just saw.

The owner of the zoo who happened to be passing by and was looking for Marx stopped and leaned on the railing to watch.

"This is interesting." A thought crossed his mind and a smile formed on his lips making his features more gentle.

The young prince Yohan yelled at Amaya. "Sister, can I ride with you?"

Amaya led Kalil to where Yohan was. His nanny cowered in fear and stepped back.

Marx took Yohan from her. He rubbed Khalil’s head before passing the little boy to Amaya.

"How are you, buddy?" Marx continued to pet Kalil.

Kalil purred then he run around the enclosure to Yohan’s delight.

After a few minutes, Amaya got off from Kalil and she introduced Yohan to the five animals.

"Are all animals like them?" Yohan’s innocent voice sounded so cute.

"They are actually wild Yohan. They just happened that they are my friends."

"Can I... touch Strata?" Yohan stammered.

"Sure." Amaya guided his hand to touch where the white wolf wanted to be touched.

Marx stood beside them and rubbed Kalil on the head. He was begging for attention but Amaya was busy with Strata. Kalil lay down on his back and exposed his belly. He wanted Marx to rub them.

Marx hesitated for a while but decided to indulge the tiger who almost killed him back on the island.

"Cousin!" Two excited female voices rang from the entrance of the enclosure.

A blur of white and orange flew from the other side of the enclosures. Kalil and Strata who were lying down were suddenly on all fours and joined their mates in attacking the two intruders.

Zanzara and Tatiana screamed. They stood frozen on the spot as the four beasts bared their fangs and were ready to devour them.