SSS Hypnosis: I Made the Heroines Beg for Forgiveness-Chapter 21: [Beg for Forgiveness]

Benedict slowly pushed the parlor doors open, careful not to disturb the silence hanging in the air.

A grand room welcomed him, radiating a serene kind of luxury. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting gentle reflections of dim light across every polished surface.

Moonlight streamed in through tall windows, painting streaks of silver on the glossy marble floors.

At the center of the room, a lavish dining table stretched out, flanked by long velvet-covered chairs.

Plates of delicately prepared dishes were neatly arranged, the air thick with their tempting aroma.

But Benedict paid none of it any mind.

His gaze locked on a single figure.

Seated gracefully on one of the long chairs was a girl, holding a porcelain teacup. She sipped her tea slowly, eyes closed in calm enjoyment.

Then, with practiced grace, she opened her eyes and turned to look directly at him.

Golden hair shimmered under the moonlight, as though woven from strands of pure sunlight.

Her eyes, devoid of visible pupils, were blank and milky white, yet they stared into Benedict's with an eerie intensity, as if they could see straight through him.

His heart skipped a beat, caught in a strange, frozen pause.

That girl was his fiancée.

Marisol Aurelia.

Her eyes widened the moment she saw Benedict. Specifically, his missing arm. A question lingered in her expression.

What happened to you this past year...?

She parted her lips to speak, but...

"Is it true... that you're planning to end our engagement?" Benedict asked, cutting in flatly, his tone subdued under the influence of [SSS Hypnosis].

Instead of answering, Marisol narrowed her eyes. "Is that really your greeting after a year? I waited two hours, you know? The least you could do is ask how I'm doing."

He stood motionless by the doorway, just silently observing her.

Marisol stirred her tea with lazy circles, resting her cheek against one hand. "I'm not planning to end it. I already–."

"Already...?" Benedict echoed dumbly. He didn't mean to sound so slow, but it felt like something else was talking through him. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Ended the engagement," Marisol replied with a soft sigh.

Benedict stepped closer, taking a seat across from her. She flinched slightly at his sudden approach.

"Why?"

"Why what?" she responded, tilting her head.

"Is this because of the rumors about me?"

Though his face remained expressionless, his heart roared with conflicting emotions.

Marisol's lips sealed. Her eyes flickered, barely.

So it is about that...

"So I was right...?"

She shook her head and brought a slice of meat to her mouth.

After a moment of chewing, she finally spoke again.

"You're wrong. I don't care about those rumors."

"Then why?"

She dabbed her lips with a napkin, taking her time, clearly stalling.

"Simply put... 'you're not fit to be my fiancé.' That's what my parents said."

"Has your family's financial situation improved? Is that why you're tossing me aside now that I'm no longer useful?"

Marisol's tone sharpened. "My family has never had financial issues, Benedict Veritas."

Liar.

"Then what were your soldiers doing in our territory every day, hunting monsters at the spawn points? Or using the Veritas name to network with other noble families? Don't pretend your house doesn't need us."

The teacup in her hand trembled.

"And let's not forget, your family still struggles with resources. You've always relied on House Veritas. Isn't that true, Marisol?" Benedict leaned forward slightly. His voice was ice. His gaze, devoid of emotion. It made her shrink back.

Marisol bit her lip. Then she stood and slammed her palm on the table. "You're out of line, Benedict!"

He didn't react. Thank the system for [SSS Hypnosis]

With a calm hand, he picked up a slice of meat and placed it in his mouth. The taste was awful, he forced it down without chewing.

After wiping his mouth, he asked again.

"Now... Tell me the real reason you ended the engagement."

Marisol composed herself, slowly sinking back into her chair.

Her fingers fidgeted beneath the table. With a deep breath, she answered.

"I already told you. You're not suited to be my fiancé." She paused, then added, "Are you... disappointed? That I ended things without asking you first?"

Disappointed? Sad?

I don't know. But the real Benedict inside me is screaming at me to hold onto this relationship.

"I'm not disappointed. I just wonder... did any of this ever mean anything to you?

"What do you mean? We were barely more than acquaintances, Benedict. We met, what, twice a year?"

"Even so, you were always at ease around me. I never once made you angry, never once made you cry. We played together as kids, didn't we?"

"That may be true, but... this is for my family."

"No," Benedict cut in sharply. "This is your decision. And yours alone."

The room fell silent after his words, landing like a dagger.

Marisol froze. Her hand on the table shook, barely kept steady by her other hand.

"You've never liked this engagement, have you?" Benedict whispered. Soft, but clear.

Her lips parted as if to deny it, but no words came.

Then, a memory from the novel surfaced in Benedict's mind.

"You wanted real love. True love. Like those stories your mother used to tell, The White Knight and the Princess."

A faint smirk tugged at Marisol's lips. She gave him a look, What nonsense are you on about now?

"What are you talking about?"

"Am I wrong?"

"I..." The words died on her lips, her mouth gaping.

"...Deep down, you longed for love like that. Something honest. Pure. The exact opposite of this forced arrangement between us."

Her brows furrowed, but she said nothing.

"I wanted the same thing..." Benedict muttered it, too quietly for her to hear.

He remembered the betrayal. His wife. The man who stole her. The car that hit him after he took revenge.

"I used to believe in that kind of love too..." He whispered, that Marisol couldn't hear him.

"You're Naive, Marisol." he said quietly.

Marisol's teeth clenched.

"Enough, Benedict Veritas!"

"But I'm right, aren't I?"

Her stare grew sharper. She was clearly looking for a way out of this conversation.

"True love? In this day and age?" he scoffed. "Your odds of awakening an SSS-tier skill are higher than finding that."

Her hands trembled again, and for the first time, she looked truly shaken.

How is he still so calm?

"Let me spell it out for you, Marisol. Anyone who gets into a relationship with you... will expect something in return."

She closed her eyes, trying to block out his voice.

"Like a prince marrying a peasant girl. Do you think that's true love?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off.

"Of course not. The prince wants her beauty. The girl wants his status. That's all there is to it."

Her mouth parted slightly.

"Same with The White Knight and the Princess. He saved her from monsters. Her heart raced, not from love, but from fear. It's called the Bridge Suspension Effect."

"And the knight took advantage of that. Married her. Rose in status."

The room fell silent. Only the sound of insects outside broke the stillness.

Moonlight cast soft rays on Benedict's face, his crimson eyes glowing faintly.

Marisol's heartbeat quickened.

Is this... what he meant by the Bridge Suspension Effect?

She reached for her tea, hands unsteady.

Then she was the one to break the silence.

"...Anything more to say...?"

"...Do you still want to break off the engagement?" Benedict asked, his voice quiet, every word deliberate.

Marisol said nothing. Her lips moved slightly, but her mind was clearly heavy.

"...I'll think about it," she whispered, barely audible.

Benedict nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Good."

The voice that had been screaming in his head this whole time.

MAKE HER REGRET IT!

Finally fell silent.

For the first time tonight, his ears found peace.

Marisol stood and walked to the door, her fingers grazing the knob.

"Good night, Marisol. Safe travels."

She didn't reply. Quietly, she stepped out of the room, leaving Benedict alone.

[SSS Hypnosis – Deactivated]

His teeth clenched the moment it ended. A single tear slipped down his cheek.

The real Benedict's emotions were overwhelming.

He gripped the edge of the chair, about to stand, when a familiar DING! rang out.

His head turned instinctively.

A crimson-red window appeared before his eyes.

The words made his eyes widen.

[Choose a Method to tame the Heroines]

[Pure Love Route]

[Steal the Heroines Route]

[Abduction Route]

His eyes scanned the long list, scrolling through each option until they landed on the very last line...

[Make the Heroines Beg for Forgiveness Route]