The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 200

**A Symphony of Shadows by Evelyn Hart**
**Chapter 200**

Before Nova could utter a word, Maxwell leaned in slightly, his head dipping as a wry, almost self-deprecating smile crossed his lips.

“You don’t need to respond, Nova,” he murmured softly, a gentle understanding lacing his tone.

Maxwell, as always, exhibited a wisdom that seemed to transcend the confines of their reality.

Even though he was an outsider to the perilous world they navigated, he grasped the weight of the risks and the inevitable consequences that loomed over them.

And that included…

The reasons behind Novie’s extraordinary strength.

The silence that had enveloped her after Yoro’s tragic fate.

She had been bearing the brunt of all the danger alone, shielding them from the chaos that threatened to engulf them.

Maxwell found it hard to fathom how Novie had managed to not only survive but also thrive in such a harsh environment all these years.

Every time that realization struck him, a sharp, aching pain would constrict his chest, a reminder of the burdens she carried.

“I won’t breathe a word of this to Hannah or Mom and Dad,” he promised quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Novie, I’m not equipped to help you. I’m not skilled in this realm of shadows.”

“I’ll take Hannah back to Zoria. We won’t hinder you. Just promise me one thing, alright…”

Maxwell’s words hung in the air, trailing off as he searched her eyes, which sparkled with a depth that mirrored the stars.

“You have to survive,” he asserted, his voice steady and filled with conviction.

“We’ll all be waiting for you in Ravenport. Just come back home.”

‘Home?’ Nova pondered, the word reverberating within her mind like a haunting melody.

Even as Maxwell peered into the depths of her soul, Nova felt no surge of panic.

Instead, she lifted her gaze, her eyes shimmering like distant constellations as they met his.

When she had first revealed herself, a shadow of doubt had crossed her mind—would Maxwell and the others recoil in fear, distancing themselves from her?

But his response had rekindled the light in her once-dimmed eyes.

It was as if a beam of hope had pierced through the storm clouds that had settled in her heart, illuminating her world once more.

“I won’t die!” Nova declared, her voice unwavering and resolute.

Her expression remained cool and composed, yet her words carried a weight of solemn determination.

She was not merely fighting for her own survival;

She couldn’t betray the legacy of Falcony and Marlie, who had already paid the ultimate price.

She had to endure for the sake of those she still cherished.

She would survive—and reclaim everything that the traitors had stolen from her.

No matter the cost.

Back at the hangout of the base, Yellowcat burst into the scene, her voice ringing out, “Boss, the Grasshopper Mercenary Corps and Fierce Python are here to see you!”

She stepped directly in front of Nova, her hands clasped behind her back, her porcelain-doll features lending an air of delicate authority as she blocked Nova’s path.

“I’ve heard your Mercenary Corps is on the lookout for new recruits,” Fierce Python said, his demeanor cool and unhurried as he squared off against Nova.

The tension crackled between them, palpable and electric.

It was clear that Yellowcat had been his informant;

He had risked his life for her back in the jungle, driven by a fondness that bordered on obsession. That kind of rumor was absurd in their world.

The underworld was a realm of brutal pragmatism, especially among mercenaries.

He had only stepped into this confrontation because Nova’s strength had been undeniable during their previous skirmish.

Especially… once he discovered her true identity.

“Yes,” Nova replied, her voice steady and sure.

“Is there any possibility for the Grasshopper Mercenary Corps to join forces and work under your banner?” Fierce Python cut straight to the chase, his directness refreshing.

Nova had always welcomed anyone who possessed strength and potential worth investing in.

With a relaxed smile, she responded, “I’d be more than happy to have you aboard. Welcome to the team.”

After the Grasshopper Mercenary Corps signed on with the Bloodforge Mercenary Corps, Yellowcat crossed her arms and sidled closer to Fierce Python, her gaze following Nova as she walked away into the distance.

With a conspiratorial tone, she remarked, “Teaming up with my boss is the smartest decision you could make. Trust me, you won’t regret it.”

Yellowcat, though petite, stood next to the towering figure of Fierce Python, whose muscular frame seemed to dwarf her delicate presence.

She barely reached his chest, emphasizing her fragility.

As she spoke, Yellowcat unconsciously inched closer to him, her comfort in his proximity evident.

Having grown up in the gritty underbelly of their world, she had shed any semblance of the shy, proper demeanor associated with Zoria girls.

If Fierce Python ended up joining Nova’s new Mercenary Corps, it would be entirely due to Yellowcat’s persistence.

She was relentless, refusing to take no for an answer until he finally acquiesced.

With a boldness that surprised even her, her creamy-white hand found its way onto his chest, unafraid and assertive.

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