Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 47
Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Selene
The soft smell of herbs filled the room. I blinked slowly, the light from a nearby lamp flickering against the walls. My vision adjusted just enough to see an elderly man beside me, his wrinkled hand pressed gently against my wrist. His touch was light, and after a moment, he sighed in relief.
“Thank the Goddess,” the physician muttered, shaking his head. “You’re okay, Moonborn. If something had happened to you, it would have become a real predicament.”
I looked at him quietly, blinking, trying to find words that didn’t sound strange in my own mouth. “…I see,” I murmured.
Across the room, Kane’s voice broke through the haze.
“Are you sure she’s okay, old man?” His tone was sharp, and protective. He stood with his arms crossed, and worried. “She keeps saying something’s wrong with her head. What if it’s more serious?”
The physician chuckled softly, shaking his head. “It’s alright, young master. The Moonborn just had a brief shock. She will eventually feel better later.”
His calmness should’ve been comforting. But it wasn’t.
My hand tightened around the sheets unconsciously. Eventually feel better? Then why did everything still feel so wrong? My chest felt heavy, and my head foggy.
Still, I didn’t say anything. Not with Kane pacing restlessly and Cross leaning against the wall, his expression complicated. I didn’t want to add to that worry.
I took a deep breath, forcing a small, reassuring smile.
The door creaked open. I looked up to see Sienna and my stepmother, rushing toward me.
“Selene!” Sienna’s voice trembled as she reached me, grabbing my hand tightly. The touch sent a shock through my arm, and I flinched.
She paused immediately, her face falling. “W-what’s wrong, sister? Why did you flinch? Did I hurt you by any chance?”
Before I could respond, my stepmother’s voice cut in. “Move, Sienna. Don’t hurt your sister.”
Sienna pouted, lowering her head slightly. “I didn’t do it on purpose,” she said. “I would never hurt Selene.”
She turned back to me, holding my hand tighter than before. “How are you feeling? I heard from the maids that you were sick.”
I blinked at her confused, and disoriented.
Their faces were full of concern, eyes wide, voices trembling as if I was something precious. For a moment, I couldn’t even process it. Why?
Why were they acting like this?
No, why did it feel strange that they were acting like this?
I tried to think, and remember something.
“Ah-” A sharp pain struck through my skull. I winced, pressing a hand to my temple. My head throbbed so hard that the world blurred around the edges.
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Chapter 47
“Selene?” My stepmother’s voice softened. She reached out and touched my cheek gently. “Selene, what happened? Should I call the physician back?”
I forced my eyes open, staring up at her face hovering above mine.
I swallowed hard and shook my head slightly. “No… it’s okay,” I managed. “I’m sorry for worrying you all. I just need some
rest.”
My stepmother hesitated before nodding. “Alright,” she said finally, glancing back at the others. “Let’s leave. Your sister needs.
to rest.”
Sienna looked like she wanted to say something, but when my stepmother gave her a warning look, she simply nodded and stood up.
“I will bring your favourite snacks for you, Selene.” Cross said.
As they turned to leave, I stared quietly at the door until it clicked shut behind them.
The silence that followed pressed heavily against my chest. I pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to breathe through the dull ache pounding in my head. My vision blurred, exhaustion creeping through my bones, and before I knew it, my eyes slipped shut.
When I opened my eyes again, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains. It was morning. I blinked a few times,
disoriented, then sat up slowly. The sheets slid down my shoulders as I leaned against the wall, letting my head rest there for a moment. My body felt lighter than it had the night before.
I exhaled, a faint smile tugging at my lips as fragments of yesterday returned. The confusion, the fear, the headache, but also that strange warmth. The feeling that my family cared about me. It was nice.
The door opened softly, and I turned toward the sound. Evelyn stood there, her brown eyes wide before she gasped and broke into a huge smile.
“My lady! You’re awake!” she cried, hurrying toward me.
Her joy was infectious. I smiled and said, “Good morning, Evelyn. How long have I been sleeping?”
Evelyn grinned, hands clasped in front of her. “A while. But I’m so glad you’re awake. Everyone was so worried about you! Your father wanted to see you before he left for work, but he didn’t want to wake you.”
I blinked, pointing at myself. “…Father wanted to see me?”
Evelyn nodded eagerly. “Yes! He said he’ll come back early to see his little princess.”
I froze, the words hitting me harder than I expected.
His little princess.
My face grew warm.
Evelyn giggled immediately. “You’re turning so red, my lady!”
I looked away, scowling lightly to hide the embarrassment burning through me, “Shut up, Evelyn.”
She only chuckled again, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Oh! And Master Cross brought you your favorite snacks. They’re on the counter. Should I bring them to you?”
I shook my head, pushing the blanket aside. “Don’t worry. I was just about to stand.”
My legs felt steady as I crossed the room, my eyes landing on the neat tray beside the mirror. Strawberry snacks, my
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Chapter 47
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favorite. My lips curled into a soft smile as I reached for one. But I looked up. and froze.
The snack slipped from my hand, falling soundlessly back onto the tray. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror, I had the same eyes, the same face, but my hair…..
I widened my eyes, every bit of sleepiness leaving my body in an instant. I slowly reached up, trembling fingers running through the long strands.
“My lady?” Evelyn’s voice snapped me back, full of concern. “What happened?”
I turned toward her, my hand still gripping a handful of hair. “M-my hair…” I stammered. “What happened to my hair?”
Evelyn blinked, frowning in confusion. “Nothing happened to your hair, my lady.”
“Nothing?” I whispered. “Evelyn, there’s something wrong!”
Her confusion deepened. “Wrong?”
I looked back at the mirror, the white shimmering faintly in the sunlight. “Why,” I whispered, my voice trembling, “why is my hair… white?”
My heart was beating so fast it almost hurt. I couldn’t take my eyes off the mirror, the reflection staring back at me didn’t feel like mine.
I was too…. perfect.
Evelyn blinked, looking between me and my reflection, her voice trembling a little. “M-my lady, is your hair supposed to be another color?”
I turned sharply toward her, eyebrows furrowing. “What?”
Evelyn hesitated before saying, “You’re the Moonborn, my lady. Your hair is supposed to be white.”
My mouth parted slightly. She was right. My hair was supposed to be snow-white, as white and pure as Sienna’s.
Slowly, I turned back to the mirror. My fingers brushed through the strands again. The color shimmered like moonlight, but there was something else there, something faint and fleeting. It was white, yes, but beneath it almost felt like there was another color trying to bleed through.
A strange pulse passed through my chest. My reflection blurred for a second, and I felt something deep inside whisper.
“Try to remember, Selene.”
I furrowed my brows, trying to push past the haze in my head. What was it? Why did it feel like something important was missing? But before I could think further, the door slammed open.
A young servant stumbled in, panting hard, face flushed from running.
Evelyn rushed to her. “What’s wrong?”
The servant looked up, still catching her breath, and then turned her wide eyes toward me. “M-my lady, Prince Adrian is in the temple, and he’s looking for you.”
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