?Chapter 106:


    Makenna’s POV:


    Alice leaned in close and whispered, “Word got out that Prince Dominic brought you back to the pce yesterday. They’re all jealous, wondering what kind of tricks you pulled to win the prince’s favor.”


    I sighed, feeling a mix of resignation and frustration. Even I couldn’t exin why those princes seemed so drawn to me. The rumors and malicious whispers felt like an unfair attack.


    Alice, noticing my difort, gently patted my shoulder. “Don’t let it get to you, Makenna. It’s just sour grapes. They’re upset because they can’t stand that you got noticed.”


    I chuckled, though it was tinged with resignation. Ever since I stepped foot in the pce, I’d be ustomed to the spite and envy that seemed to follow me like a shadow.


    As we whispered, Hayley burst into the training room, her mood more vtile than usual. She mmed her hand on the desk, demanding silence with a sharp, irritated voice.


    I couldn’t help but notice her heavy makeup and the slight swelling on her left cheek. It looked like she was trying to hide something. What happened to her?


    I studied her face for a moment, curiosity piqued. Hayley caught me staring and shot me a withering re.


    I quickly looked away, a sneer ying on my lips.


    With a stern expression, Hayley announced the start of our training session. It was clear she was in a foul mood. Throughout the ss, she barked at nearly everyone, including me and Alice.


    But we were used to her temperamental outbursts and brushed it off.


    Today’s lesson was all theory, and the hours dragged by. When the session finally ended, Hayley hurriedly covered her cheek and made a swift exit, perhaps unnerved by our watchful eyes.


    Alice leaned in and whispered, a hint of glee in her voice, “Do you think Hayley hit herself?”


    I shrugged, indifferent. Hayley’s affairs didn’t concern me. Taking Alice’s hand, I started to leave the training room, but we were suddenly surrounded by a group of women.


    “Hold on! You’re not going anywhere.”


    “What is this about?” I asked, taking a step back and eyeing them warily.


    The woman leading the group red at me, her eyes burning with jealousy. “Did you leave with Prince Dominic earlier than nned yesterday?”


    I frowned, puzzled by her question. “And if I did? What does that have to do with you?”


    I moved to pull Alice along with me, but the woman stepped in our path, blocking our way.


    “You low-born she-wolf!” she spat, her voice dripping with venom. “How dare you think you canpete with us for the prince’s favor? You think you can snatch the reward? Keep dreaming!”


    The other women joined in, their faces twisted with disdain, as if the thought of me winning a prince’s favor was a joke.


    It was absurd. If they were so eager to win the prince’s attention, they should have gone after it themselves instead of making trouble for me. Not that I had any interest in those princes anyway.


    Before I could respond, Alice, always quick to defend me, shot back, “If you’re so confident, why don’t you go after the princes yourself? Stop bothering Makenna.”


    Her words struck a nerve. The lead woman snarled, “Who do you think you are? You didn’t run around nakedst time. Want to do it now?”


    That was the final straw. My anger red, and before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and pped her hard across the face.


    The sound echoed through the room, and the woman stumbled, staring at me in stunned disbelief.


    The rest of the group fell silent, not daring to say a word.


    I fixed her with a cold stare. “Insult Alice again, and you’ll regret it.”


    With that, I took Alice’s hand, pushed the woman aside, and walked out of the training room.


    Alice was still in shock as we reached the stairs, her eyes wide with admiration. “Makenna, you are my hero!”


    Her words brought a smile to my face, easing the tension in my chest. “She had iting for insulting you. I couldn’t let that slide.”


    Alice was my only friend in the pce, and I wouldn’t let her be targeted because of me.


    “Honestly, I don’t care what they say,” Alice said with a casual shrug. “It’s not like their words can hurt me. They’re just jealous.”


    I squeezed her hand, offering gentle reassurance.


    “Let’s not worry about them. They’re not worth our time.”


    Trying to reason with those women would be pointless. They were too consumed by their own insecurities and frustrations to see reason. They wouldn’t dare approach the princes themselves, yet they resented anyone who did.


    Alice nodded, agreeing with me. Just as we were about to descend the stairs, I suddenly felt a sharp push from behind.


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