The Cop and the Princess - Chapter six:-Dayoff

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The last gangster was thrown against the police cruiser.

Hope tightened the handcuffs around his wrists.

“You have the right to remain silent.”

She looked at him for a second.

“…I’d actually appreciate it.”

The gangster glared at her.

Hope smiled.

“I’ve listened to enough bad jokes for one night.”

Two officers dragged the criminals toward the police van.

One of Hope’s fellow officers walked over.

He looked at the blood running down her forearm.

“…Captain.”

Hope looked up.

“Hm?”

“You should get that stitched.”

Hope glanced at the cut.

“It looks deep.”

She shrugged.

“I’ve seen worse.”

The officer sighed.

“I knew you’d say that.”

Hope smiled while picking up her jacket.

“rose will take care of it.”

“You always say that too.”

Hope simply waved without answering.

Nearly forty minutes later…

The farmhouse came into view.

The headlights slowly disappeared as Hope parked outside.

She quietly stepped out.

Her left sleeve was completely soaked.

Every few seconds…

A drop of blood landed on the gravel.

Hope sighed.

“…Rose is going to kill me.”

She walked toward the front porch.

Before she could reach the door—

It opened.

Sara stood there.

The moment she saw Hope…

Her entire face lit up.

“You finally—”

She stopped.

Her eyes slowly dropped.

To Hope’s hand.

Blood.

Still dripping between her fingers.

Sara’s smile disappeared instantly.

“…Hope?”

Hope instinctively tried hiding her arm behind her back.

“…It’s nothing.”

Another drop of blood hit the wooden porch.

Sara’s voice trembled.

“…You’re bleeding.”

Hope smiled awkwardly.

“Technically…”

“Yes.”

Sara’s breathing became uneven.

“…Rose!”

Her voice wasn’t loud.

But it carried through the entire house.

Rose immediately appeared at the hallway.

“What happened?”

Then she saw Hope.

Her smile vanished.

She didn’t panic.

She didn’t ask questions.

She simply pointed upstairs.

“…Room.”

Hope sighed.

“I was hoping for at least a hello.”

“…Room.”

Hope scratched the back of her neck.

“…Yes, ma’am.”

A few minutes later…

Rose arrives with medical first aid box

You fought an entire gang.”

“Captured a suspect.”

“Drove home.”

“And thought…”

“’I’ll deal with this later.’”

Hope raised one finger.

“I also filled out the arrest paperwork.”

Rose slowly blinked.

“I swear…”

“You make my job harder on purpose.”

Hope laughed softly.

“I’d never.”

The sisters peeked around the corner.

Rachel asked hope if she can ever get home safely

Casey started crying

Hope comforts casey

Rachel took casey upstairs while casey was saying something to rachel.

Rose turned her head.

“What are you two whispering about?”

Both sisters immediately disappeared

“Nothing!”

Hope couldn’t help laughing.

“You terrify everyone.”

Rose looked back at Hope.

“Good.”

“Maybe one day it’ll include you.”

Hope rubbed the back of her neck.

“That seems unlikely.”

Sara couldn’t hide a her stress

Rose opened the medical kit.

The smell of antiseptic immediately filled the room.

Hope looked at the bottle.

“…Can we skip that part?”

Rose looked genuinely shocked.

“The fearless Officer Hope…”

“…afraid of antiseptic?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“I simply…”…strongly dislike it.”

Sara laughed with watery eyes

“You faced six armed men without blinking.”

Hope nodded.

“They had guns.”

Rose poured antiseptic onto the cotton.

“And this…”

“…is much scarier.”

Hope sighed dramatically.

“Exactly.”

Rose carefully rolled Hope’s sleeve upward.

The fabric stuck slightly to the wound.

Hope winced.

Sara noticed immediately.

“You said it didn’t hurt.”

Hope quickly smiled.

“It doesn’t.”

Rose looked at her.

“You flinched.”

“I was stretching.”

Rose gently cleaned around the cut.

Hope inhaled sharply.

“…Okay.”

“Maybe it hurts a little.”

Sara quietly moved closer.

Without thinking…

She rested a hand on Hope’s shoulder.

Hope looked up.

Sara’s eyes were fixed on the injury.

She looked far more worried than Hope did.

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“You don’t have to pretend.”

Hope smiled softly.

“I wasn’t pretending.”

“I just didn’t want you to worry.”

Sara looked at her.

“And how did that work out?”

Hope glanced at Sara’s face.

“…Not very well.”

Rose continued cleaning the wound.

“You know what annoys me most?”

Hope sighed.

“Here it comes.”

Rose didn’t look up.

“Every single time you get hurt…”

“You smile first.”

“And then you tell everyone…”

“’It’s only a scratch.’”

Hope smiled.

“It usually is.”

Rose pressed the antiseptic against the cut.

Hope immediately hissed.

“…I take it back.”

Sara smiles with watery eyes

Rose smiled triumphantly.

“I knew you would.”

Hope looked betrayed.

“You enjoyed that.”

“A little.”

“A little?”

Rose finally laughed.

“…More than a little.”

Even Hope started laughing.

The tension in the room slowly disappeared.

Rose finished wrapping the bandage with practiced hands.

She gently checked Hope’s fingers.

“Move them.”

Hope opened and closed her hand.

“No numbness.”

“Good.”

Rose nodded with relief.

Then her expression became serious again.

She sat down opposite Hope.

“I’m your sister.”

“I’m also your nurse.”

“So listen carefully.”

Hope immediately sat up straighter.

Rose continued.

“I know this job matters to you.”

“I know you’ll never stop protecting people.”

“And honestly…”

“I wouldn’t ask you to.”

She reached over and gently squeezed Hope’s good hand.

“But heroes…”

“…are allowed to come home injured.”

“They’re not allowed to pretend they’re invincible.”

Hope’s smile slowly faded.

She looked down for a moment.

“…I’m trying.”

Rose smiled warmly.

“I know.”

“You don’t have to carry everything by yourself.”

For a second…

Nobody spoke.

Sara quietly looked between them.

Then she smiled.

“I’ll help.”

Both women looked at her.

Sara looked directly at Hope.

“So next time…”

“If you’re hurt…”

“You tell us.”

Hope chuckled.

“You two rehearsed this?”

Rose answered immediately.

“No.”

“But I like her already.”

Hope laughed.

“I noticed.”

…

Later that evening…

Hope sat alone on the sofa reading through the case file.

Her bandaged arm rested carefully on a cushion.

She looked up when she heard footsteps.

Sara entered carrying a tray.

A bowl of soup.

Fresh bread.

Tea.

Hope smiled.

“I told everyone I wasn’t hungry.”

Sara placed the tray on the table.

“I know.”

“That’s why I brought dinner anyway.”

Hope looked at the tray.

“…You cooked?”

Sara nodded proudly.

“I had supervision.”

Rose shouted from the kitchen,

“I prevented three disasters.”

Hope laughed.

“I should thank both of you.”

Sara sat beside her.

“You should eat.”

Hope reached for the spoon.

Sara gently moved it away.

Hope blinked.

“What?”

“Your hand.”

“I can manage.”

Sara looked at the bandage.

“Can you?”

Hope opened her mouth to argue.

Stopped.

Closed it again.

“…Fair point.”

Sara smiled victoriously.

“I thought so.”

She picked up the spoon.

Blew gently on the hot soup.

Then held it out.

Hope looked at the spoon.

Then at Sara.

“…You’re actually going to feed me?”

Sara nodded.

“Unless you’d rather argue.”

Hope thought for exactly one second.

“I suddenly love this plan.”

Sara laughed.

“Open.”

Hope obediently opened her mouth.

After the first spoonful she smiled.

“This is really good.”

Sara looked relieved.

“It is?”

Hope nodded.

“Mhm.”

Rose leaned around the kitchen doorway.

“I told you she’d like it.”

Hope looked over.

“You’ve created a monster.”

Rose grinned.

“No.”

“I’ve created someone who won’t let you skip dinner.”

Hope looked back at Sara.

Sara simply smiled.

“Any complaints?”

Hope shook her head.

“None.”

“For once…”

“I think I’m in very good hands.”

Sara’s smile grew a little brighter.

“So are we.”

And for the first time that day…

Hope stopped thinking about the fight.

She simply enjoyed being surrounded by the people who refused to let her face everything alone.

Morning rays

Morning sunlight slowly filled the farmhouse.

For the first time in weeks...

Hope wasn't the first person awake.

She opened one eye.

"...Weird."

Normally she was already halfway through a workout by now.

Instead...

Her left arm reminded her why she wasn't.

She looked at the fresh bandage.

"...Traitor."

The arm, naturally, didn't answer.

Just then—

A knock.

"Come in."

Sara carefully opened the door carrying a tray.

Hope immediately smiled.

"...Breakfast in bed?"

Sara nodded proudly.

"Doctor's orders."

Hope looked toward the hallway.

"I knew Rose was behind this."

Almost on cue—

Rose shouted from downstairs,

"I heard that!"

Hope sighed dramatically.

"She has supernatural hearing."

Sara laughed.

"No..."

"She has Hope hearing."

Hope accepted the tray.

"...That's somehow worse."

Sara sat on the chair beside the bed.

"So..."

"How's the arm?"

Hope lifted it slightly.

"It still belongs to me."

"That's not what I asked."

Hope smiled.

"It hurts a little."

Sara frowned.

"You smiled while saying that."

Hope pointed at her.

"You're learning."

Halfway through breakfast...

Hope's phone rang.

The screen lit up.

Jennie Calling...

Sara's eyes immediately landed on the screen.

Hope sighed.

"...Oh no."

Sara looked completely innocent.

"Aren't you going to answer?"

Hope rubbed her forehead.

"If I don't..."

"She'll call twelve more times."

Sara smiled sweetly.

"Then answer."

Hope pressed the speaker button.

"Morning, Jennie."

Jennie's cheerful voice instantly filled the room.

Jennie: "Finally!"

"I thought your dramatic self had died."

Hope grinned.

"Not today."

Jennie laughed.

"I miss you already, baby."

Hope closed her eyes.

"...Jennie."

Sara slowly looked at Hope.

"...Baby?"

Hope immediately pointed at the phone.

"Don't."

Jennie continued,

"So..."

"When are you taking me out for dinner again?"

Hope answered calmly.

"The same day pigs become detectives."

Jennie laughed loudly.

"So that's still a no?"

"Still a no."

"You've become boring."

"I became employed."

Jennie sighed dramatically.

"I'll keep trying."

"You always do."

"Bye, Hope."

"Bye, Jennie."

Hope hung up.

Silence.

Very slow silence.

Sara calmly took another sip of tea.

"So..."

Hope already knew.

"...No."

Sara smiled.

"'Baby?'"

Hope immediately defended herself.

"She calls everyone that."

Sara nodded.

"Mhm."

Hope narrowed her eyes.

"You don't believe me."

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to."

Sara stood and picked up the empty tray.

"I hope pigs never become detectives."

Hope blinked.

"...What?"

Sara looked over her shoulder with the tiniest smile.

"Nothing."

She walked out.

Hope stared after her.

"...Rose?"

Rose appeared in the doorway almost instantly.

"Yes?"

Hope pointed toward the hallway.

"What just happened?"

Rose looked toward Sara.

Then back at Hope.

A grin slowly appeared.

"Oh..."

"I see."

"You see what?"

Rose folded her arms.

"Nothing."

Hope sighed.

"I hate that smile."

Rose laughed.

"You should."

Mission Sneaking Out..........

Hope slowly climbed out of bed.

She stretched carefully.

“…Not bad.”

Her injured arm still complained…

But not nearly as much as yesterday.

She glanced toward the hallway.

Silence.

No footsteps.

No voices.

A slow smile appeared on her face.

Perfect.

She quietly picked up her black leather jacket and walked toward the front door.

Just as her fingers reached the doorknob—

Rose’s voice came from the living room.

“What are you thinking?”

Hope stopped.

Without even turning around, she smiled.

“…I was just about to take a little walk.”

Rose calmly looked up from the newspaper.

“Mhm.”

She reached beside her chair and held out a folded grocery list.

Hope stared at it.

Then at Rose.

“…You knew?”

Rose smiled proudly.

“I know you better than you know yourself.”

She folded the newspaper.

“I practically raised you.”

“My little stubborn sister was never going to stay in bed all day.”

Hope chuckled.

“…You make escaping sound impossible.”

Rose shrugged.

“Because it is.”

Just then…

Sara slowly walked downstairs.

She paused the moment she saw Hope already dressed to leave.

“…You’re going somewhere?”

Hope lifted the grocery list.

“So I was told.”

“…The market.”

Sara frowned.

“You should stay home.”

“Your arm is still injured.”

She looked toward Rose.

“…And you’re just letting her go?”

Rose smiled knowingly.

“If Hope wants to step outside…”

“She’s going.”

“I learned a long time ago that arguing only delays her by about five minutes.”

Hope looked offended.

“That’s not true.”

Rose looked at her.

“It is.”

Hope quietly looked away.

“…Maybe.”

Rose laughed softly.

“So I decided…”

“If she’s going to sneak out anyway…”

“…I might as well make it useful.”

Sara smiled.

“Then I’ll come too.”

Hope blinked.

“…You want to?”

Sara nodded.

“Of course.”

Hope hesitated.

“It’s cold outside.”

“You might catch a cold.”

Sara chuckled.

“Someone has to make sure you don’t come home with free things instead of what Rose actually asked for.”

Hope looked completely shocked.

Slowly…

She turned toward Rose.

“…I know who’s teaching you all this.”

Rose proudly folded her arms.

“I’m educating her.”

Hope immediately shook her head.

“No…”

“You’re spoiling her.”

Rose smiled mischievously.

“And she’s learning surprisingly fast.”

Hope sighed dramatically.

“…This is becoming a dangerous partnership.”

They reached the front door.

Sara was about to step outside—

“Wait.”

She turned around.

Hope had already disappeared upstairs.

A few moments later…

She returned carrying one of her own jackets.

She stopped in front of Sara.

“It’s colder than it looks.”

“I don’t want you catching a cold.”

Before Sara could answer…

Hope gently slipped the jacket over her shoulders and adjusted the collar with surprising care.

“There.”

She stepped back.

Looked Sara up and down for a second.

A satisfied smile slowly appeared.

“…Now our princess is finally ready for the market.”

The words escaped so naturally…

Hope didn’t even realize what she’d just said.

Sara blinked.

“Our… princess?”

For a brief moment…

She simply looked at Hope.

Then…

A soft smile slowly appeared on her lips.

A faint blush quietly colored her cheeks.

She immediately lowered her eyes, hoping nobody had noticed.

Unfortunately…

Rose noticed.

Rachel, who had just walked downstairs carrying a mug of coffee, noticed too.

Hope…

Was the only one who didn’t.

She simply grabbed the grocery list.

“…We’re leaving.”

Without wasting another second…

She opened the front door.

Outside…

The morning air greeted them.

Hope walked a few steps ahead before slowing down without realizing it.

Sara quietly caught up beside her.

Her hands disappeared inside the oversized sleeves.

She gently pulled the jacket closer around herself…

Almost as if she were hugging it.

It still carried Hope’s faint scent.

Without realizing it…

She smiled to herself.

The morning suddenly didn’t feel as cold anymore.

Hope glanced sideways.

“You coming, Princess?”

Sara looked up immediately.

“…Coming.”

She walked beside Hope…

Still secretly holding the jacket close.

• Not because of the weather anymore.

The farmhouse door quietly closed behind them.

Rachel sat beside Rose.

She took a slow sip of her coffee.

The two watched Hope and Sara disappear down the road together.

Rachel smiled.

“So…”

“What do you think?”

Rose kept watching through the window.

“About what?”

Rachel chuckled.

“Who’ll realize it first?”

Rose didn’t even think.

“Definitely not Hope.”

Rachel laughed softly.

“Still that oblivious?”

Rose nodded.

“Our detective can predict criminals next move”

“…but not her own heart.”

Rachel smiled warmly.

“You think she’ll figure it out?”

Rose watched Hope unconsciously slow her pace to match Sara’s.

She smiled.

“I hope so.”

“…And I hope that day comes sooner than she thinks.”

The two women quietly smiled…

Watching the pair disappear toward the market together.

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