Chapter 336
Chapter 337 Bowing to Reality
Nael’s mind went completely blank for two full seconds.
A bitter, fragile smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Don’t push yourself out of pity for me p>
Lyra shook her head. She stood and met his gaze directly.
“It is not pity, and I am not forcing myself.
“You remember I said I’ve decided on the general direction, right p>
Nael stared at her and nodded.
Finished
Lyra typed out her reply. “If I couldn’t get through to Phineas, my original plan was to break out of Core Prime by force. I would take every Sentinel willing to stand with me and track down someone else who could disable Hadrien’s restraint collar p>
Nael’s pupils trembled.
“You were ready to sacrifice your own future freedom just to help me,” Lyra went on typing. “I’ve seen how genuine and sincere you are. That’s why I’ve decided to try and make space for you in my life p>
The flecks of light in Nael’s eyes burned brighter as he heard her words.
“… Really p>
He froze for a long moment before he could bring himself to ask, hardly daring to believe what he had heard.
Lyra nodded again, her expression utterly earnest.
She held out her hand, intending to mark this as a working partnership between them.
But Nael spoke first. “Can I… hold you for just a second, to make this real p>
Lyra’s eyelashes fluttered like dew slipping off a leaf. She hesitated one beat, then nodded.
The next instant, she was pulled into an embrace that carried the clean scent of wild greenery.
Lyra’s whole body tensed up.
Conflicting thoughts warred inside her, pulled between reality and everything she had been taught all hek life.
She could feel the fast, powerful thud of his heartbeat against her.
She stood perfectly still and took a slow, deep breath.
At that moment, she officially bowed to reality.
11:37 am
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Chapter 337 Bowing to Reality
Finis
When the hug ended, Nael stepped slowly backward. His eyes blazed with overwhelming light.
Color bloomed across his fair skin, soft and warm like spring peach blossoms.
He could barely contain his joy.
He said, “I don’t even know what to do with how happy I am right now p>
Lyra gave a small smile and nodded. It was plain to see.
Lyra typed as she stepped back a little, creating distance. “I’m still not used to this p>
Nael quickly straightened his posture. “I understand p>
He moved aside voluntarily, putting space between them.
Lyra watched him walk behind his desk. He picked up the silver pen, turned his back toward her, and stared out the window.
His thumb kept pressing down on the pen’s clicker. Sharp, rapid click–click–click sounds echoed as the tip shot in and out in quick succession.
It was clearly a nervous habit, a tell for his inner restlessness.
Lyra paid no mind to it at the time.
“Wait.” The clicking stopped. Nael regained his composure and turned back toward her. “Earlier you said you were planning a forced breakout p>
Lyra nodded.
Nael’s brows drew together. “Once Core Prime figures out you’ve vanished and rules out abduction, they will absolutely use Hadrien’s restraint collar to force you to come back. What were you going to do to buy time before that happened p>
Lyra typed two blunt words, “Kill them p>
Nael froze where he stood.
He stared at her in shock, stunned by her unflinching answer.
Lyra’s smile turned bitter. “What other choice did I have p>
She had to leave somehow.
Several quiet seconds passed. Nael pressed cautiously, “You also mentioned searching for another way to
disable the restraint collar … ”
“Soincone reached out to me in secret. They claim they can remove the restraint collar,” Lyra typed “1 don’t trust them yet. I plan to verify their claims first p>
Nael’s eyes sharpened at once, catching on the implication. The rebels? ”
11:37 am
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Chapter 337 Bowing to Reality
Finists
Since he had guessed correctly, Lyra nodded without further evasion.
Nael’s expression turned grave. “The rebels have committed countless atrocities. Their promises carry ve little weight p>
“I’m only testing the waters,” Lyra typed. They sounded completely certain about what they can do. Ever if it is a lie, if the people holding the restraint collar codes end up dead, Hadrien will be safe for a while. That buys us more time to find a real solution p>
“If multiple high–ranking government officials die all at once, Core Prime will descend into chaos,” Nael
warned.
“Core Prime will still fall into chaos the second the Federal prime minister’s seat sits empty,” Lyra replied with a faint smile.
All she would do was stir the pot even more.
Nael laughed at that.
“Heard you’ve been weighed down with worry these past few days. Were you sorting through all this? ”
Lyra nodded. “Who told you that p>
“Ms. Sorrel,” Nael answered. “She came in for a medical check–up; her psychic state has been poor lately. She mentioned how stressed you were. That’s why I had people track down whatever I could on Phineas whenever I had free time, hoping it might cheer you up
Lyra felt a surge of gratitude. “Thank you p>
Nael smiled warmly at her. “You don’t need to thank me p>
Heat rose to Lyra’s cheeks.
She dropped her gaze, flustered. “I should head out for today. Send me Phineas‘ contact information, okay p>
Nael’s eyes were soft as still spring water. “I will p>
“It’s settled, then?” Hadrien broke the silence as they traveled onward.
He already knew the answer. yet he needed to hear her say it.
Lyra paused for one heartbeat, then nodded slowly.
Hadrien’s chest tightened.
Every Guide was like this. And he had never truly fooled himself into believing he could keep her all to
himself forever.
He should have been prepared.
11:37 am
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hapter 337 Bowned Reality
Finished
yra typed to him are you disappointed p>
ladrien held bback his true feelings
Not at all. More people to watch over you and stand by your side. I’m glad
vraidotted away from his face and fell quiet.
hat afternoon, she appeared at an official press conference. She delivered domarks about upcoming Core imne policy and repeated the standard formal warning urging the rebels so surrender.
Once her official duties wrapped up, she traveled to the Black Spire to purify contaminated Sentinels.
Addinner, she barely paid attention to her food, reading over her ongoingnessage thread with the tech genius Phineas as she ate.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.