NOVEL NEXT Chapter 415: The Heartless Flower is blooming!
"Who is that?"
In an instant, all the disciples of the Themyscira Sect had their attention drawn to the voice.
Their gazes shifted toward the source, but they didn't see anyone nearby. Instead, there were just two figures sitting on a distant hillside.
It was as if their perception was being subtly interfered with—they couldn't make out the identities of the two figures.
All they could sense was that the woman's silhouette was graceful and flawless, exuding an extraordinary beauty. The man beside her had an equally striking presence, his posture confident and distinguished.
"Who could they be, to have such an aura and even affect our minds like this?"
The disciples of the Themyscira Sect exchanged looks of surprise.
But no matter how hard they tried, the interference of spiritual energy prevented them from discerning the true identities of the two figures.
They had no choice but to slowly approach the distant hillside.
The flowers and plants of the Themyscira Sect bloomed year-round, and the climate was always like the most pleasant spring.
Though there was a light dusting of frost on the mountain peak, the hillside was covered in vibrant, colorful flowers.
Yet, this already beautiful scene seemed even more enchanting with the presence of that flawless figure.
Her long hair danced gently in the breeze, and her pale blue dress flowed like a butterfly soaring freely through the air.
Unrestrained. Chasing freedom.
Even though she hadn't turned around, the sight of her back alone left many of the disciples deeply moved, their gazes transfixed.
Though they were all women, they could still fully appreciate the otherworldly beauty before them.
"But, were you the ones who said that just because someone falls in love, it doesn't mean they can't be happy? That we've misunderstood what love is?"
At that moment, the voice of Isolde, the guardian of the Themyscira Sect, broke the silence, filled with hostility.
"Yes."
After a brief pause, the woman finally responded.
Hearing this, the other disciples frowned, some of them visibly irritated.
Isolde, clearly angered, raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know the path we follow in the Themyscira Sect?
For as long as we've existed, the one we revere most is Goddess Sylvia.
Her teachings, The Uselessness of Spiritual Partners, are the foundation of our beliefs and the text we hold closest to our hearts.
That's why every disciple of the Themyscira Sect rejects love, seeing it as the most corrupting influence on the soul.
So, what exactly did you mean by what you just said?"
However, the woman didn't respond again.
Instead, she slowly turned to look at the man beside her.
Though the disciples couldn't see their eyes, at that moment, they all felt as if the air around them was filled with a tender, affectionate energy.
Under their watchful gazes, the man gently took out a pure white camellia and placed it in the woman's soft, flowing hair.
The contrast between the snow-white camellia and her golden locks was breathtaking, stirring something in the hearts of those watching.
This gesture clearly made the woman's heart flutter as well. "Why are you putting this flower in my hair?"
"It's simple. The hillside is full of flowers, so if you wear this camellia, you'll blend right in with them, won't you?"
"Blend in with the flowers? What does that have to do with me?
Wait a minute...
Hmph, are you trying to say I'm not as pretty as the flowers?"
"Of course not.
What I'm saying is, with all these flowers around, I'm worried that you're so beautiful, they'll all feel ashamed of themselves.
So I thought I'd have you wear this flower, to show a little mercy to the rest of them."
The man chuckled.
"You!"
Hearing this, the woman's body trembled slightly, a mix of embarrassment and frustration in her voice. "You're impossible! Always so smooth with your words!
Hmph, don't think you can get away with that."
"You men are all the same—smooth talkers now, but can you keep it up for ten years, a hundred years, or even ten thousand years?"
"Of course I can."
The man's response was calm, as if he had no doubt. "If it's for you, my dear wife, ten thousand years would be nothing."
The woman fell silent for a moment, clearly moved by his words. Though they were cheesy, they carried a sincerity that tugged at her heart.
Still, she tried to push back.
"Ten thousand years? I... I don't believe it! That's way too long. How could I trust something like that? Besides, how would you even prove it?"
"Prove it? That's easy."
The man smiled, as if he had anticipated the question. "Sure, ten thousand years sounds like a long time. But if I come to this hillside every year, pick a flower, and give it to you while saying 'I love you,' year after year, then before you know it, ten thousand years won't seem so far away."
"Every year, you'd come here, pick a flower, and say 'I love you'?"
The woman stood there, speechless.
What could be more heartfelt than a promise like that?
On the quiet hillside, though the disciples couldn't see the couple's faces, they could almost hear the quickening of their own heartbeats, as if they were sharing in the moment.
"Hmph, it's easy to say. But men's words are full of lies. I don't believe you'd actually do it!"
Her voice was soft, but it was clear her resolve was wavering.
"Are you sure, my dear?"
"Yes, I'm sure!"
"Haha, well then, let me prove it to you."
The man chuckled, and without hesitation, he plucked a beautiful flower from beside him. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire
He gently placed the flower in the woman's hand, his face close to hers, a soft smile playing on his lips. Leaning in, he whispered in her ear, his voice tender and without any unnecessary embellishment. He spoke the simplest, purest words:
"My love, I love you."
The moment those words left his lips, not only did the disciples of the Themyscira Sect freeze in place, but they also noticed something else.
A faint blush appeared on the woman's delicate ears.
A strand of hair fell across her face, and in her flustered state, she quickly tucked it behind her ear, revealing her stunning profile, now tinged with a soft pink hue.
The power of those words was undeniable. Even the disciples, who had been watching from a distance, felt their hearts skip a beat.
They quickly shook their heads, trying to rid themselves of the strange thoughts that had crept into their minds after hearing that simple confession.
"Wait! The Heartless Flower is blooming!"
Suddenly, one of the disciples cried out in shock, pointing toward a patch of green grass behind the hillside.
There, amidst the grass, fiery red flowers were slowly beginning to bloom.
Each flower had seven bright red petals, resembling a fully blossomed flower.
These flowers, which had been planted on the grounds of the Themyscira Sect for hundreds of years without ever blooming, were now opening all at once!