Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 69
Chapter 69
Chapter 69
Sienna
I pressed my lips into a trembling pout, lowering my gaze. “A-are you sure I can be here?” I whispered, letting my fingers twist into my skirt. “I don’t want to put you in trouble, Tutor Joseph.”
Joseph’s expression softened as he stepped closer. “Of course you can stay here. Everyone knows you are the one who should have been the moonborn. You should be the one sitting here in the first place.”
I widened my eyes just slightly, feigning surprise and humility.
He continued, his words growing sharper with every breath. “I have no idea what she did to claim that title, but I will not allow this nonsense to continue. You will train with her. I will personally speak to the Mistress. I’m sure she will agree to tutor you.”
He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I pretended to look uneasy.
“I’ll return shortly, I will go and bring the mistress,” he said, already walking toward the temple entrance. “Stay here.”
“Y-yes, Tutor Joseph…” I murmured.
The moment he was gone, my entire expression fell apart. The sweetness melted off my face. My jaw tightened. My fingers stopped trembling and curled instead into claws around my skirt.
I exhaled sharply through my nose. Pretending was becoming harder by the day. The fragile act of innocence that once came so easily now felt like a mask pressing against my skin, cracking at the edges.
Everything I planned, everything I deserved, kept falling apart one by one. And it was all because of Selene.
I gritted my teeth. That bitch. That useless, quiet little shadow of a girl had become the moonborn. The role that was meant for me. The future I had dreamed of, fought for, manipulated for was gone. And not only that, she had also become Adiran’s
mate.
My stomach twisted at the thought. It had been my dream to stand beside Adirán as Luna of the pack. I had already imagined our life, our status, the admiration, the power. It was supposed to be/mine.
Never in all my life did I think Selene would be a threat. She was nothing but a disappointment. A girl whose only purpose was to be stepped on.
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If I had known she was something more, if I had known she would rise above me, I would have done something. But now she was changing. She wasn’t the silent, trembling girl anymore. She spoke back. People listened, and feared her.
My chest tightened, breath hitching as I clutched my dress so hard the threads strained and popped.
“My lady,” Emma whispered behind me, her voice shaky, “you will tear the dress.”
I blinked down at it, realizing I was crushing the fabric in my grip. I slowly loosened my hold, trying to control my breathing.
Emma stepped closer. “Don’t worry, Lady Sienna. Everything will be fine. You are you. Even if something doesn’t go your way, you always make it go your way. You won’t let someone like that girl take your place.”
I let out a cold, humorless laugh. “She already has.”
Emma straightened her shoulders with a firmness I rarely saw from her. “Then take it back.”
She stepped beside me, lowering her voice.
12:57 Tue, Dec 23 M
Chapter 69
“Everyone may call her the moonborn…” Emma said, “but they still see you as the true one. Everyone may know she is Adiran’s mate, but everyone still believes you two are meant for each other. Don’t allow someone like her steal everyting from you.”
A slow smile curved at my lips.
She was right. Selene had taken what was mine, and I was going to take it back.
“What an interesting idea your maid has.” The lazy, almost bored voice drifted through the air.
I froze.
My breath caught in my throat as I slowly lifted my head, and Selene was standing a few steps away, arms crossed loosely over her chest, expression flat and unreadable, as if she were staring at something entirely beneath her interest.
Behind her stood her maid and guard. They both looked at Emma as if they were one breath away from tearing her apart. Selene shifted her gaze to her.
Emma stumbled back, visibly shaking.
I clenched my jaw. That useless girl had never hesitated to spit venom at Selene before, she did my dirty work, insulted her, pushed her around, talked down to her as if she were dirt beneath our shoes. But now, just one look from Selene could scare her.
What happened to her? What did Selene do to make my maid so terrified?
My pulse thudded loudly in my ears. I swallowed it down quickly and forced my sweetest smile.
“Selene,” I breathed, voice gentle. “You’re here. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Her face remained completely blank, as if my voice never even reached her.
“And, I apologize for my maid. She tends to speak without thinking. She didn’t mean any of that. Isn’t that right, Emma?”
Emma’s head bobbed quickly. “Y-yes, my lady. It was nonsense. I wouldn’t dare say such things.”
“I’ll punish my maid, don’t take offense.”
འ ཨོཾ
Selene’s eyes flicked to me, cold and amused, as if she were watching an animal try to pretend it was human. Then she turned away, completely dismissing me. She walked to the cushion on the floor, sat elegantly, and arranged her dress around her legs with a calmness that grated under my skin.
I found myself staring, studying her. I had noticed, but refused to accept it.
She was becoming more beautiful.
Her skin glowed, her cursed hair shone, her posture held a confidence she never used to have, and her curves had grown softer, and more feminine.
Why did she get to grow more beautiful?
My fingers curled so tightly the nails dug into my palm. But I forced out a soft laugh, brushing imaginary dust from my skirt. “I hope you’re not annoyed that I’m here. Tutor Joseph insisted I attend. I kept saying no. I’m sorry, I should have
refused.”
She said nothing.
I widened my smile, though I felt it tremble.
12:57 Tue, Dec 23 MG
Chapter 69
“Well, this isn’t too bad.” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “At least we can spend some time together. It’s been so long since we did. But it’s like you don’t want to see me. Every time I visit your courtyard, your maid says you aren’t accepting v itors. Are you avoiding me?”
“You could say that.” Selene said.
“W-why? Is it because of the coming-of-age ceremony? You know I didn’t mean any of that. I was nervous. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. Don’t let something little like that ruin our relationship.”
Selene sighed like she was tired of listening to me talk. She turned her head and looked directly at me.
“You don’t have to pretend around me anymore, Sienna.”
“I’m sure pretending to be nice must be exhausting. Especially in front of someone you actually hate.”
My face went hot at her comment. Selene’s lips curled upward slightly, as if my humiliation was funny.
I opened my mouth to defend myself, but the sudden sound of approaching footsteps filled the room.
My expression shifted instantly. I scrambled to compose myself too, quickly smoothing my skirt, painting a flawless smile over my burning cheeks.
Joseph entered first, and behind him, was an old woman. She looked ninety at least, her hair white, her back straight, her presence commanding. Her eyes swept across the room.
This must be the moonborn tutor.
I stood up quickly, smiling warmly, but the woman wasn’t looking at me. She stopped walking, and stared straight at Selene. Her gaze lingered there on my sister and my teeth pressed together so hard I nearly bit my tongue
Why was she staring at Selene?
Joseph cleared his throat awkwardly, stepping forward.
“This is Mistress Isabella,” he announced proudly. “The Moonborn tutor. Mistress, this is-”
“Joseph,” Isabella said without taking her eyes off Selene, her voice low and deadly. “Do you have a death wish?”
田
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12:57 Tue, Dec 23 MG.
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