Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 114
76
TI.2. Thu, Jan cả D
Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Selene
A knock sounded against the door, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Enter, Maeve,” I called calmly.
The door opened, and Maeve stepped inside, only to freeze mid-step. Her eyes widened instantly, her lips parting as if her mind had momentarily stopped working, a soft flush spreading across her cheeks without restraint. She stared at me as though she were seeing a ghost, or perhaps something far more dangerous to her composure.
I turned toward her, amused. “You’re back.”
She nodded slowly, her gaze still locked on me, as if looking away would take tremendous effort. She swallowed, licking her lips unconsciously before speaking. “L-Lady Selene, is that… is that really you?”
I was about to ask why she sounded so uncertain when my eyes dropped briefly to myself, and realization dawned on me. I was dressed in the male outfit I had asked her to bring earlier.
The loose shirt hung comfortably over my frame, concealing my chest thanks to the tight bindings beneath, while the fitted trousers sat perfectly at my waist. A cap shadowed my face, hiding my white-and-black hair entirely. Anyone looking at me now would see nothing more than a slim, sharp-featured young man.
I looked back up at her and nodded. “Yes. It’s me. I’m just wearing the outfit you brought.” Tilting my head slightly, I added, “Do I really look that different?”
Maeve shook her head quickly, though her eyes still roamed over me with fascination. “No… not different. You just-” She hesitated, then continued honestly, “You look like the male version of yourself.”
Her gaze traveled over me again, lingering far too long. “And the male version of you is really… good-looking, and pretty.”
I raised an eyebrow, then let a slow smirk curl my lips.
Ah. So that was it.
Maeve wasn’t flustered because of the disguise itself, she was flustered because she this.
“I see,” I said lightly, stepping closer.
was attracted to it. Or rather, to me like
Maeve reacted instantly, taking a step back, her face flushing even deeper. When I took another step forward, she retreated again, until her back hit the wall with a soft thud. Before she could escape, I leaned in, bracing one hand against the wall beside her head, closing the distance until our faces were only inches apart.
Her breath hitched. Her eyes fluttered shut, her heartbeat pounding so loudly I could almost hear it.
Amused, I lifted my hand and gently tilted her chin upward with two fingers, forcing her to look at me. Maeve swallowed hard when our eyes met.
“M-Miss Selene…” she whispered, her voice trembling.
I smiled faintly. “Did you get it?”
She blinked, confusion flickering across her face as her flustered mind tried to catch
“You know,” I said calmly. “The scent-masking plant. Did you get it?”
THU
11:52 Thu, Jan 22 Do
Chapter 114
Her eyes widened in realization, as if she had just snapped out of a dangerous daydream. She nodded rapidly, fumbling inside her dress before pulling out a carefully wrapped bundle and holding it out to me. “Y-Yes, I did. I found it.”
I looked down at the item in her trembling hands and felt a genuine smile form this time. Carefully unwrapping it, I confirmed what I already hoped to see.
It was the plant.
Perfect.
I lifted my gaze back to Maeve, my smile deepening. Things were finally moving exactly the way I wanted.
I stepped back, taking the plant gently from Maeve’s trembling hand, and turned toward her with a small, satisfied smile. “Thank you,” I said sincerely. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, I added, “Anytime you want me to dress like a man, just tell me. I’ll make myself pleasing to your eyes.” I finished with a deliberate wink.
If it were possible for Maeve’s face to turn any redder, it did. She let out a small, mortified sound, quickly covering her face with both hands as she mumbled to herself, “Oh, my lady… you really shouldn’t say things like that.”
I merely shrugged, completely indifferent, as I adjusted my belt and secured it properly around my waist, already mentally preparing for what came next.
When I looked back at her, Maeve had lowered her hands, though her face was still flushed, her expression a mixture of worry and hesitation. She bowed her head slightly before speaking again, her voice careful. “I apologise for asking, my lady, but is there a reason you’re dressed as a man? And why do you need a scent-masking plant?”
о
I turned to face her fully, studying her for a brief moment before finally answering. “Because I’m going in disguise. I’m going to the Crimson Warrior Rite. I can’t go as myself, so I’ll go as someone else.”
Maeve stared at me as if I had just said something completely absurd.
“What?” she blurted out, blinking rapidly. For a moment, she looked at me as though she were waiting for me to laugh and admit it was a joke, but when I didn’t, her eyes widened in pure shock.
“Oh my goddess,” she whispered. “Are you serious?”
I nodded.
She immediately shook her head, panic clear in her voice.
“That’s not possible, my lady. There are so many reasons why this doesn’t make sense. First, the Crimson Warrior Rite isn’t a place anyone can just attend. It’s extremely dangerous, people can die there if they aren’t careful. You might not even be able to handle the sight of it. Second, the road itself is dangerous. Someone could try to steal from you or take advantage of you. And third, the palace security is extremely tight. You won’t even be able to leave without getting caught. My lady, you cannot leave the palace.”
“You don’t need to worry about any of that,” I replied. “I’ve watched people kill each other my entire life, so the sight won’t bother me. I’m also very street-smart, no one is going to take advantage of me. As for leaving the palace, that’s not an obstacle.”
“My lady-” Maeve tried again, her voice trembling.
By then, I had finished fixing my belt. I picked up the dark cape from the bed and walked toward her, stopping just in front
of her.
“You really don’t need to worry,” I said. “I can handle myself, and even if I get caught, I won’t put you in danger.”
She opened her mouth to protest again, but I moved faster. I lifted my hand and placed it gently against her neck, pressing a precise point without hesitation.
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11:52 Thu, Jan 22 pp.
Chapter 114
“So just sleep.” I murmured.
N
Before she could utter another word, her body went limp. I caught her immediately, careful not to let her fall, and gently laid her on the bed. I pulled the blanket over her, tucking it around her as she slept peacefully.
I looked at her for a moment. “I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you when I’m back.” Pulling on the cape, I drew the hood over my head and walked toward the window without another glance back. “But for now, I was going to get myself a weapon, one good enough to kill Sienna and Adrian with.
Without hesitating, I stepped onto the ledge and jumped from the high window.
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田
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