Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
Flashback\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sounds of clashing swords and men shouting orders echoed faintly across the field, but most of my warriors were no longer sparring. They\u2019d gathered in a thick circle near the edge of the camp. I recognized that sound, the mix of excitement and childish awe. I sighed, crossing my arms as I turned toward them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whenever my men formed crowds like that, it was always for one of three reasons, women, wine, or weapons. And since we were far from any village and I had banned drinking after the last incident, I already knew which one it was.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAres,\u201d I called, glancing at the tall man beside me. He was my right-hand man, loyal, efficient, and unfortunately just as easily distracted as the others. \u201cWhat are they doing this time?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ares followed my gaze toward the commotion, his lips twitching with amusement. \u201cThere\u2019s a merchant, Commander. Seems he\u2019s selling items, and the boys are excited to buy them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes. Of course.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do realize that most traveling merchants sell nothing but polished junk, right? Half the things they hawk are fakes, the rest are curses waiting to happen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ares chuckled under his breath. \u201cWe do know, Commander. But you never know, sometimes, luck strikes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLuck,\u201d I repeated dryly, shaking my head. \u201cThat\u2019s what you\u2019re calling stupidity these days?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He grinned, unoffended.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned away, already done with the nonsense. I had reports to review, strategies to revise, and about a thousand men who couldn\u2019t survive a week without me telling them how to breathe. The last thing I needed was to waste time watching a bunch of grown men buy fake trinkets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCommander!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The call came from somewhere in the crowd, followed by others echoing it like a chant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCommander, come and take a look!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Commander! There\u2019s good stuff here!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped mid-step, closing my eyes for a moment. Goddess, give me patience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I turned, every one of those idiots was staring at me expectantly, eyes wide, faces eager, like children showing off shiny rocks they\u2019d found in the dirt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I arched a brow. \u201cYou all know I have better things to do, right?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A chorus of groans and grins followed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, Commander!\u201d one of them shouted. \u201cAt least look! If you like something, we\u2019ll get it!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right!\u201d another added. \u201cWe won\u2019t buy a thing unless you do!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pinched the bridge of my nose, suppressing the smile threatening to break free.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They were soldiers, bloodthirsty, loud, undisciplined at times, but damn it, they were my soldiers. And somehow,\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:44 Tue, Dec 23 MG\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
somewhere along the line, I\u2019d stopped being just their commander and turned into their mother, apparently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sighed, letting my arms fall to my sides. \u201cFine,\u201d I said at last, walking toward them. \u201cI\u2019ll take a look.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A cheer erupted, echoing through the camp.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ares laughed quietly beside me. \u201cYou spoil them, Commander.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up,\u201d I muttered, though there was a small smile tugging at my lips as I pushed through the crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood in front of the merchant\u2019s table, dust swirling faintly around the scattered items laid out. The old man behind the table straightened when he saw me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGood afternoon, Commander,\u201d he said, bowing his head slightly. \u201cMay the Goddess be with you. Would you like to take a look at the items and choose one? They might seem useless, but I assure you, there are good things here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My gaze swept over the collection.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rusty blades, broken pendants, shards of crystal dulled by time. They were all junks. There wasn\u2019t a single piece that looked worth the effort. My men watched eagerly from behind me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And yet, as I looked at the old man again, my attention drifted lower, to his feet. His shoes were nearly torn apart, the leather splitting so badly I could see his skin through it. Half the sole was gone completely. The ground here was dry and hot; walking through it must\u2019ve been agony.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t show it. He just stood there, smiling, as if the pain didn\u2019t matter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked back at the table, scanning the trinkets again. My eyes landed on a small, wooden box tucked at the corner, half- covered in dust.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere did you get that?\u201d I asked, pointing at the box.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The old man blinked, following my gaze. His face softened, and he smiled. \u201cAh\u2026 that one. I got it from the auction house a few years ago.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My brows lifted slightly. \u201cThe auction house?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. You remember, don\u2019t you, commander? That popular time, when nobles and alphas from all over came to buy treasures. Everyone was talking about it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, I remembered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though it had been years ago, that day was carved into my memory My brothers had gone to the auction, it was our birthday, but they chose to celebrate only her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They returned that night with arms full of gifts and treasures for her. I remembered watching her from the shadows, smiling brightly as she unwrapped each one, while I had cried myself to sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was the night I realized I could never compete with Sienna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked the memory away. \u201cI do remember,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The merchant smiled wider, his wrinkles deepening. \u201cYes, yes, that\u2019s the one. I couldn\u2019t afford to go inside, of course, but after the auction ended, I stayed outside. They sometimes sell the unwanted items to merchants like me. That\u2019s when I saw\u00a0<\/p>\n
this box.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at it fondly, brushing his fingers over the rough surface.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people weren\u2019t interested in buying anything from it, they said it was cursed or worthless. But I didn\u2019t throw it away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:44 Tue, Dec 23\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
Something in me kept whispering that it might be worth something someday.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cursed? Worthless?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew what it felt like to be seen as worthless.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To wander from place to place, carrying strength but never belonging anywhere. To be tolerated, admired even, yet never truly home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Behind me, I heard Ares\u2019 familiar voice. \u201cCommander?\u201d His tone was careful, as if gauging my silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d I said before turning to the old man, who was still watching me nervously, as though afraid I\u2019d change my mind. \u201cHow much?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The merchant hesitated, eyes darting to the box, then back to me. His hands trembled slightly as he rubbed them together. \u201cAnything, Commander. I will even sell it for one silver, if you decide.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAres,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Commander?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGive him a gold coin for this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The old man\u2019s eyes widened instantly, his lips parting in disbelief. I wasn\u2019t finished.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd give him a new pair of shoes,\u201d I added. \u201cLet him dine before resting in one of the tents. It\u2019s getting late, and he must be tired.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ares blinked, then bowed his head slightly. \u201cYes, Commander.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The old man\u2019s jaw trembled. \u201cM-my lady-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I ignored his stammering, my eyes drifting toward the rest of the table. \u201cAnd another gold coin to buy everything here. Let my men choose what they want.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A ripple of joy broke out behind me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Commander!\u201d my soldiers shouted in unison. For men who faced death daily, it was absurd how easily they were pleased by trinkets and scraps.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The old merchant dropped to his knees suddenly, bowing until his forehead touched the dirt. Tears streaked his weathered face, falling freely to the ground.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTh-thank you\u2026 Moonborn,\u201d he whispered hoarsely. \u201cThank you so much for your mercy, my lady. I don\u2019t deserve this. You are a blessing from the Moon Goddess herself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine.\u201d I turned and walked away, Ares\u2019 steady footsteps following behind me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a moment, he spoke, voice low but edged with concern. \u201cCommander, forgive me for speaking freely, but don\u2019t you think your generosity was too much?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without looking back, I said, \u201cGnerosity?\u00a0<\/p>\n
wasn\u2019t generous.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ares slowed his step, the leather of his armor cranking softly as he straightened. He glanced at me, confusion creasing his brow. \u201cThen what was that, Commander? You paid two gold coins for pieces of junk and you gave him hospitality. You even fed him. That\u2019s generous.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes, Ares. Even pieces can be worth something.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:44 Tue, Dec 23 C.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 30\u00a0<\/p>\n
He studied me for a long moment, then cocked his head. \u201cAnd the hospitality?\u201d he pressed. \u201cWhy that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are known as cold-blooded warriors,\u201d I said. \u201cIt\u2019ll do us good to be remembered as more than that. Reputation is currency too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ares couldn\u2019t help it, he grinned. \u201cYou\u2019re cute when you make excuses, Commander.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned my head just enough to let him see my face, my jaw tight. \u201cCall me cute one more time,\u201d I warned, my voice low, \u201cand I\u2019ll rearrange your face.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 30 Chapter 30\u00a0 Chapter 30\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 Flashback\u00a0 The sounds of clashing swords and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-ruthless-tycoons-obsession-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27824\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}