SMILED....

Long time no see you, Hope." I smiled at the brown-haired woman seated beside Daisy. "You are as beautiful as always."

Hope's eyes brightened when she saw me, but in the next second, her eyes dimmed and she lowered her head.

A few seconds later, she looked at me with an indifferent expression and bowed. "Your highness."

She then looked at Daisy and smiled. "Thank you for accompanying me to talk. I'll need to leave now."

Then, without waiting for Daisy to reply, she bolted towards the door and ran away.

I looked amusedly at the scene, but instead of stopping Hope, I let her go. I then looked at Daisy and smiled wryly. "Sorry, Daisy. It looks like I have to deal with this first."

Daisy smiled sweetly and shook her head. "Don't worry, your highness, I understand. Go after sister Hope, and please, treat her well. Sister Hope is a very pitiful person."

I stroked Daisy's short hair and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry, I know what to do."

After that, I followed after Hope.

In truth, I just needed to take one step to catch up with her, but I wanted to let her vent her sadness out first. I could feel that Hope's mental state was not the best at this moment.

For a brief instant, I could not help but feel a bit depressed. After helping Claire and coaxing Lena, Hope is the third woman I had to hear out today. I wonder why I find this more tiring that killing a demon god.

Actually, killing demon gods is much more entertaining. At least it allows me to blow off a little bit of steam.

After Hope left my room, she ran through the palace's corridors while letting out tears. She finally stopped when she reached a secluded place and started to cry quietly.

She did her best to wipe her tears with her hands, but new tears would form in the next second. Her beautiful brown eyes turned red and puffy due to the incessant tears.

"Be strong, Hope." She whispered to herself between sobs. "This is for the best."

"What is for the best?" I approached Hope from behind and spoke with a sigh.

"P-Prince!?" Hope was surprised, but in the next second, she looked away and tried to hide her tears. "W-What are you doing here?"

I sighed sadly and walked towards her. My hand reached towards Hope's cheek and wiped her tears gently. "As I thought, you are more beautiful when you are smiling."