Chapter 287
Chapter 288 Public Defense of Her Sentinel
“Morven, you still haven’t let it go?
He’s a Tier-3S, and he has a nightmare beast that counters spirit animals. All things considered, you didn’t truly lose p>
“Timing just wasn’t on our side, and our plan wasn’t tight enough back then.
“I’ve got nothing to hang onto. I took my loss fair and square p>
“Right. We may have lost, but we didn’t disgrace ourselves. Next time might turn out differently p>
“Hey, look. Is that a restraint collar around Hadrien’s neck p>
“I heard Core Prime accused him of abducting a Guide after he ruined our plan p>
“It’s been blowing up among Sentinels from the White Citadel. If the new Guide hadn’t stormed the courtroom, he would’ve been locked in the Black Spire until he died p>
“Tsk tsk… People from Hophrin, always the same old story p>
“Then this new Guide is in rough shape. Those hypocritical bastards hold the lives of everyone close to her in their hands. Who knows how many pairs of eyes will be watching her from now
on p>
“This opens up an opportunity for us, doesn’t it p>
“…You’re damn right! I’ll go check in with Specter p>
“Let me explain to everyone first. Years ago, Ms. Kaelin suffered throat injuries. She cannot speak aloud for the time being.
“For that reason, her personal guard Hadrien will deliver her remarks on her behalf today p>
As the spokesperson finished, shock rippled through the audience.
People whispered among themselves, speculating over how she had hurt her throat.
Others wondered why the White Citadel had not assigned top-tier medical specialists to treat her.
Some were simply curious about what she had endured in the past.
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Chafif 268 Pabfc Defense of Her Sentinel
Eyes also drifted toward the unmissable restraint collar locked around Hadrien’s neck.
That device was reserved exclusively for convicts facing heavy charges under probationary observation.
How could a Guide’s personal guard wear something like this?
More importantly, how was a man in that condition allowed to serve as a guide’s personal guard?
“How dare he p>
“What trick has she pulled p>
“A man with such questionable character has no right to be a Guide’s personal guard p>
“How can the White Citadel let such an unstable risk stay so close to a Guide p>
“Objection! This is gross negligence toward a Guide p>
“Objection p>
“Objection p>
“Objection p>
Chants exploded across the venue, loud and unified.
Back in the dim room, several men slouched in their seats, heads tilted, curious how this seemingly delicate new Guide would handle the outburst.
Hadrien, about to read her prepared speech, froze mid-motion.
Lyra’s smile faltered for barely a heartbeat, then snapped back, rigid and perfect as a painted mask.
She glanced at the host beside her and waved him off before he could step forward to restore order.
Tap-tap.
She rapped her knuckles twice against the microphone.
The noise from the crowd popped like bubbles on water, one after another, until the whole room fell quiet.
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Chodet 126 Peblic Weberend der Sentine!
Lyra skipped typing a message. Instead, she lifted her hand.
She held it high for everyone to see, showing their hands locked tight together.
This time, she was the one squeezing his fingers firmly.
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Finished
Hadrien had no clue what she planned to do. His heart hammered faster and faster in his chest.
Once she had let the crowd take in the sight, she kept holding onto him, typed quickly, and triggered the synthesized voice playback.
“Look at me. Apart from being unable to speak, do you see any other flaw in my body p>
Silence washed over the audience.
Every pair of eyes scanned her from head to toe.
Behind the electronic screen inside that dark room, the men watched her soft, calm smile. amused smirks tugging at their mouths.
No.
People shook their heads.
Lyra typed another question.
“Do I look like I have impaired mental capacity p>
Someone burst out laughing.
The person who had claimed he could not eat was now chewing as he said, “Turn away. Don’t spit in my food p>
Someone joked, “I’ll season your meal for you p>
He shot back dryly. “Then I’ll turn you into the seasoning p>
“This new Guide has quite a sharp sense of humor,” the man in the chair said with laughter in his voice. “She’s basically telling everyone here to mind their own business p>
“True, and she keeps it subtle. Most Guides would’ve blown up right on the spot p>
“Most Guides also wouldn’t keep a convicted Sentinel as their personal guard p>
“Fair point p>
While they kept dissecting the scene, Lyra’s synthesized voice sounded again across the
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Chauler 28s Public Defense of Der Sentinel
auditorium.
“I’m only joking.
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Finished
Thank you all for your concern. I am under no coercion or manipulation whatsoever.
“The collar around his neck serves only as a reminder. Since I cannot vocalize, he must put in twice the effort of an ordinary personal guard to keep accidents from happening around me.
“Hadrien is an exceptional man. His moral character is beyond reproach. He guides me patiently like a seasoned mentor, treats me with gentle courtesy like a true gentleman, and knows exactly how to make me laugh.
“With him by my side, I never need to worry. He solves every problem that comes my way, and he gives me rock-solid peace of mind.
“That is why I chose to be with him.
“So please rest assured. I have spent ample time observing Hadrien’s character p>
She turned toward Hadrien as the playback ended.
Their gazes locked. She caught the raw emotion shining in his eyes.
Publicly laying her feelings bare made heat flood her cheeks. Shyness glowed in her expression, yet she did not look away.
Her words softened tempers. The crowd no longer rejected Hadrien outright.
Still, they had not fully accepted the reality.
Audience members sat in their seats with conflicted expressions, waiting for whatever she would say next to form their final judgment.
Inside, Lyra was unhappy.
She and Hadrien were still in the early phase of their romance.
How could she possibly enjoy seeing strangers treat her boyfriend this way?
In her eyes, these people lacked independent judgment. Based solely on a restraint collar, they had rudely dismissed Hadrien’s entire character.
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For Sentinels Obey Only Her
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.