Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 48
Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Selene
I held my dress up carefully, trying not to trip over the ridiculous amount of fabric around my feet. The gown hugged my waist tightly, outlining every curve like it was trying to suffocate me into elegance. It was a beautiful dress but it was also way too much for what was supposed to be a simple meeting.
I sighed, tugging at the hem that refused to cooperate. “Must I really wear this, Sienna?”
Beside me, Sienna nodded eagerly, smiling like she was attending her own wedding. “Of course you have to wear the most beautiful dress you own. You’re meeting your mate, after all.”
I turned my head toward her, watching her expression. It was so genuine. She truly believed every word she was saying. I shook my head slowly. “We’re not even sure if he’s my mate. He might be yours.”
Sienna blinked, then gave me a look like I’d just said the dumbest thing she’d ever heard. “Don’t be silly, Selene. Everyone knows Prince Adrian is your mate. Besides,” she said with a teasing grin, “he’s completely obsessed with you. Even if someone else was your mate, I’m sure Adrian would just reject her and choose you instead. And I don’t see him that way.”
I frowned. “That’s not possible. Prince Adrian isn’t obsessed with me. I think he hates me.”
Sienna scoffed so loudly I almost rolled my eyes. “You really must have hit your head, sister. You’ve been saying the strangest things lately. Adrian hates you? That’s absurd! He’s been head over heels for you since the day he saw you.”
I stared at her, brows drawing together. “What are you talking about?”
She tilted her head, confused. “You seriously don’t remember? He’s always giving you gifts, taking you on private walks. sending letters. He even beat up those boys who tried to court you! If that isn’t obsession, then I don’t know what is.”
I listened quietly, my heart beating fast with every word she said. Adrian really did those things?
None of it made sense. Not just because it sounded impossible, but because I couldn’t remember any of it. Not a single thing she said sparked any image or memory. My mind was just blank.
Sienna’s face was glowing with excitement, so I didn’t say anything. There was no point in ruining her good mood by admitting I didn’t remember my so-called mate or his grand gestures.
When I first heard Adrian was looking for me, Sienna had practically dragged me into her room. Before I could blink, she was applying powder, fixing my hair, picking jewelry, and forcing me into this suffocating dress.
I had asked her if she wasn’t in love with Adrian herself.
She paused, then looked at me like I was insane. “Why would I be in love with a man my sister is in love with?”
For some reason I didn’t expect that answer.
Now, walking beside her, I kept silent. The sound of my heels clicking against the ground was the only thing keeping me grounded. My fingers twisted against the fabric as my heartbeat quickened.
Just a few feet away, leaning casually against a tree with his arms crossed, was Prince Adrian.
His eyes were closed, head tilted slightly back, the breeze brushing through his messy black hair. Even like that, he looked breathtaking.
My breath hitched before I could stop it. There was something magnetic about him, something sharp and calm all at once. The kind of presence that made you forget how to breathe properly.
12:50 Tue, Dec 23 MG.
Chapter 48
For a long moment, I just stood there, watching him.
Sienna’s grin was so bright it was almost blinding. She looked between me and Adrian and said in a sing-song tone, “Alright, Selene. Go get your man.”
Before I could even process what she’d said, she pushed me.
“W-wait. Sienna!” I barely managed to get the word out before I stumbled forward, the ground slipping beneath my shoes. But I didn’t fall.
A firm hand caught me by the waist. The scent that surrounded me was familiar. My breath caught as I looked up.
Those green eyes were deep, vivid, piercing straight through me. Adrian looked down at me, his gaze sweeping over my face. There was something soft there, a tenderness I didn’t remember ever seeing in his eyes before.
My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
For a moment, I forgot how to move, breathe, or even think. His lips curved slightly, and he said, his voice low and smooth, “Is your dress making things hard for you?”
I blinked rapidly, trying to catch up with his words. “Y-yes, but I’m fine-”
Before I could even finish, he bent slightly and lifted me off the ground.
“Prince Adrian-!” I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck. My face burned as he held me easily, one arm supporting my back, the other under my legs.
“Be quiet, Selene,” he murmured, his breath brushing against my ear. “Let me do my duties.”
“D-duties?” I echoed, utterly dazed.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he carried me effortlessly to a nearby chair. His hold was firm, his fingers pressing lightly at my waist as if he couldn’t quite bring himself to let go.
When he finally set me down, I barely had time to collect myself before his hand tilted my chin upward. His touch was gentle but commanding.
“Yes,” he said, eyes glinting with quiet certainty. “My duty. You are my duty.”
My cheeks flamed. What was he saying? Especially here, in the temple of all places! If anyone saw us right now, they’d—
He chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my flustered expression. “I love seeing you like this, Selene.”
I froze, my body trembling.
Adrian finally released my chin and stepped back, though his smile lingered. “I have urgent matters to attend to today,” he said, “but I still came because I wanted to see you.”
My voice came out quieter than I intended. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
His eyes darkened slightly, his tone turning low and serious. “Mate.”
I blinked. “Huh?”
“Call me mate,” he said, his gaze holding mine. “You’ll be mine tomorrow, when you turn eighteen.”
My lips parted, but no sound came out. Then he moved closer again, wrapping his arms around me in a firm embrace. My body stiffened at first, but the steady beat of his heart against mine made me falter.
12:50 Tue, Dec 23
Chapter 48
His next words sent a shiver down my spine.
“Even if you don’t turn out to be my mate,” he whispered against my ear. “I’ll still mark you, Selene. I will never leave you. I’ll treat you right for the rest of our lives.”
For a moment, everything stopped. As his words sank in, I couldn’t tell if my heart was fluttering because of his promise or because something deep inside me whispered that none of this was real. Something felt off, but I couldn’t
bring myself to care. I was happy.
And if this was a dream, then I hoped I’d never wake from it.
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12:50 Tue, Dec 23
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