\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 36\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 36\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned back against the chair, my gaze fixed on the white dress draped neatly in front of me. It was plain, colorless, and lifeless. It stared back at me, as if mocking me for expecting anything more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beside me, Evelyn\u2019s face had darkened to something deadly. If looks could kill, everyone responsible for this would have been lying cold on the temple floor by now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The servant who brought the dress, a young girl, barely older than sixteen, was trembling as she clutched the fabric to her chest. \u201cH-hmm\u2026 this is the dress I was asked to bring to you, my lady.\u201d Her voice wavered, small and nervous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn\u2019s anger snapped. She stormed toward the girl, in fury. \u201cThis is nonsense! Are you saying my lady should wear this plain-looking dress? It\u2019s her birthday and her coming-of-age ceremony, for goddess\u2019 sake! Why would she wear something that even the servants wouldn\u2019t wear?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl flinched, taking a step back, her eyes wide. \u201cI-It wasn\u2019t me\u2026 I was just-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She couldn\u2019t finish. Her hands shook, her lips quivering.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sighed quietly and said, \u201cStop it, Evelyn.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn froze mid-step, her chest rising and falling with restrained frustration, before turning to look at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s not the one you should be shouting at,\u201d I continued, my tone calm but firm. \u201cShe\u2019s just doing her job. You\u2019re scaring her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn blinked, then followed my gaze to the trembling girl. The anger drained slowly from her face, replaced with guilt. She exhaled deeply and said, \u201cYou\u2019re right, my lady.\u201d Turning back to the servant, she added, \u201cI apologize.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl\u2019s eyes widened, clearly not expecting kindness after such harsh words. She stammered, \u201cI-It\u2019s alright.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPut the dress on the bed and leave,\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
4\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, my lady,\u201d she whispered. She placed the dress down carefully before bowing and hurrying out, closing the door quietly behind her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn let out a long, sharp breath before muttering, \u201cGoddess, these people are heartless. How can they let you wear something like that? Even if they don\u2019t like you, they shouldn\u2019t treat you this way. I\u2019m sure Lady Sienna\u2019s dress will be extraordinary, they want to make you look ordinary next to her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t respond immediately. My gaze lingered on the white dress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was just like before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back then, my stepmother had done the same thing, she handed me an ordinary white dress and called it humble elegance. I\u2019d believed her. I was foolish, naive, and desperate to be loved, I hadn\u2019t thought that far. It was the first time anyone had ever gotten me anything, and I was so happy. I smiled, held the fabric to my chest, thinking, It\u2019s perfect.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Until I stepped out and saw Sienna.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had been radiant, shimmering in a golden gown that caught the light and made her look like the goddess herself had blessed her. I stood beside her in that plain dress, looking more like her maid than her sister.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The humiliation that followed still burned in the back of my mind. My stepmother had made a scene, acting as if I\u2019d chosen the simple dress to draw pity from the guests. \u201cShe\u2019s trying to embarrass us!\u201d she shouted. \u201cShe wants everyone to think we\u00a0<\/p>\n
mistreat her!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 36\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tried to explain, but no one listened. That night, I\u2019d felt invisible, like a shadow watching someone else live the life I should\u00a0<\/p>\n
have also had.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked away the memory and looked down at the plain white fabric again. My lips twitched. \u201cSo,\u201d I murmured, brushing my fingers over it, \u201ceven in this life, some things never change.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
This time, I wasn\u2019t that naive girl anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They wanted me to wear white and look small again? Fine. But I\u2019d make my white shine brighter than their gold.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEvelyn,\u201d I said suddenly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn, who had been pacing angrily at the corner, turned quickly. \u201cYes, my lady?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo we have a needle and thread?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She blinked, confused. \u201cNeedle and thread? Uh\u2026 yes, we do, but-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect,\u201d I said, standing and pulling my sleeves back. \u201cGather any nice designs or materials you can find. We\u2019re going to make some changes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her mouth fell open slightly. \u201cMy lady, do you mean you want to work on the dress?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cYes. I can\u2019t wear this outside as it is.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn frowned, hesitating. \u201cBut, you\u2019ve never touched a needle and thread before, and the celebration will start in a few minutes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about that. Just bring what I asked for.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She hesitated for another second before finally nodding. \u201cI\u2019ll bring it now.\u201d She hurried out of the room, skirts brushing against the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the door closed, I crossed my arms, glancing back at the dress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The old Selene hadn\u2019t known how to sew. She\u2019d been a powerless girl whose worth depended on others. But the new Selene, the Luna who had rebuilt, who had forged armor for her warriors with her own hands, could turn anything she touched into something beautiful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled. \u201cLet\u2019s see how they like this version of me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A while later, the door creaked open, and Evelyn stumbled inside, panting as if she\u2019d sprinted the whole length of the temple. She clutched a small bundle of fabrics and threads to her chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy lady,\u201d she said between breaths, \u201cthis is all I was able to get.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked up from where I was sitting, my legs crossed, the white dress laid flat on the bed. Evelyn set the bundle down and continued, frustration clear in her tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey wouldn\u2019t let me near the design room,\u201d she said angrily. \u201cEven after I told them it was for you, they said only the mistress of the house can give permission to enter. I found these elsewhere. It was all I could get.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glanced down at the meager collection, some faded lace, a few colored threads, a strip of embroidered ribbon, and a handful of tiny pearls. It wasn\u2019t much. Hardly enough to transform a dress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tilted my head, thinking. It wasn\u2019t impossible. But then again, limits had never stopped me before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was just considering how to make the best use of what she\u2019d brought when a soft knock sounded at the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:48 Tue, Dec 23 MG.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 36\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn frowned and glanced at me before calling out. \u201cWho is it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A small, trembling voice answered, \u201cI-It\u2019s me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn blinked. \u201cWho?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I already knew. I recognized that voice. It was the same young servant girl who had brought the dress earlier.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d I said calmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The door opened slowly, and the girl stepped inside, her hands clutching a large box. Her eyes darted nervously between Evelyn and me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised a brow. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her cheeks flushed red, and she bit her lip before stammering, \u201cI-I apologize, my lady. But I heard what you were talking about\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn\u2019s eyes narrowed immediately. \u201cWere you eavesdropping after you left?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl\u2019s head shot up, eyes wide. \u201cNo! I wouldn\u2019t dare! I- I forgot to bring the shoes, and when I came back, I\u2026 I heard everything.\u201d Her voice trembled, hands tightening on the box. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for listening. I swear, it wasn\u2019t on purpose.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I studied her for a moment in silence. Evelyn huffed beside me, clearly ready to scold her again, but I lifted a hand, stopping\u00a0<\/p>\n
her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d I said, my voice calm. \u201cYou can relax. Now\u2026\u201d My eyes dropped to the box she was still clutching. \u201cWhat\u2019s that you\u2019re holding?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl hesitated, lowering her gaze as if unsure whether she\u2019d made the right choice coming here at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I heard what you wanted, I thought I could help. I\u2026 I work in the design room. There are always leftover designs and materials no one uses, so I thought maybe I could bring some.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She knelt quickly, setting the box down and opening the lid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside were rolls of fine lace, glittering beads, delicate silks, and threads in rich, shimmering colors, it was more than enough to transform the dull white dress into something beautiful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn and I both stared for a moment, caught off guard. Then I felt a small, genuine smile tug at my lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is perfect,\u201d I said, meeting the girl\u2019s wide, nervous eyes. \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her face turned crimson, as if she wasn\u2019t used to being thanked. She looked down quickly, stammering, \u201cI-I\u2019m glad you like it, my lady. Oh! I\u2019ll be scolded if I\u2019m late.\u201d She set the box properly on the table and bowed her head. \u201cPlease forgive me for intruding.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cYou can go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She bobbed another quick bow before hurrying out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, there was only silence, then Evelyn exhaled and said, \u201cThat was\u2026 unexpected.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I kept my gaze on the door a moment longer, and turned back to her. \u201cThat girl, find out who she is.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn nodded immediately. \u201cYes, my lady.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she turned toward the door, I glanced at the open box again, my fingers brushing the edge of the fine silk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 36\u00a0<\/p>\n
How interesting, I thought.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kindness like that was rare in this place. And people who offered it without reason, always had a story worth knowing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u7530\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 36 \u00a0 Chapter 36\u00a0 Chapter 36\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 I leaned back against the chair, […]<\/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-27830","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\/27830","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=27830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27830\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}