?Chapter 310:


    I blinked,ing out of a haze, my mind still muddled. “I did see it.”


    Alice eyed me curiously, noticing my dazed expression. “What’s wrong? You don’t look yourself.”


    I shook my head, trying to gather my thoughts. “I can’t exin it clearly.” I rubbed my temples, recalling the moment Molly’s body had glowed. A wave of dizziness had washed over me, and I had seen a figure—holy and pure—yet strangely familiar.


    Familial, though I was certain I had never seen it before. I furrowed my brow, trying to dig deeper into my memory for that figure, but it was no use. The image remained elusive.


    After the ceremony, Molly’s status in the king’s eyes skyrocketed overnight. She became a favored presence in his court, her influence growing rapidly. Even her living quarters were moved from a remote area to a prime location in the manor.


    At dinner, Molly was noticeably absent from our table. Word had it that she had been personally invited by Leonardo to dine with him—an honor typically reserved for nobility. Hayley, clearly proud of her sister’s newfound status, couldn’t resist subtly unting it at the table.


    Seeing Hayley so pleased with herself, Alice whispered in irritation, “Humph, who’s to say it wasn’t just a coincidence? Does she really need to act so smug?”


    I patted her hand gently, cautioning her to keep her voice down. “Alice, mind your words and be careful. The king holds Molly in high regard now because of what happened. If he hears what you’ve said, we could be punished for speaking out of turn.”


    Alice pressed her lips together in displeasure but eventually held her tongue. Changing the subject, she looked at me with concern. “Makenna, why do you seem so distant? You’ve been out of sorts since we returned from the ceremony.”


    I offered a weary smile, but the unsettling feeling in my heart remained. “I’m not sure. Ever since we left the cemetery, I’ve felt this strange emptiness, like something’s been taken from me.”


    Alice patted my shoulder, trying tofort me. “You’re probably just exhausted. Try to get some rest tonight. We’ve got a long journey ahead to the pce tomorrow.”


    “Maybe,” I replied, realizing that rest was exactly what I needed. Back in my room, I barely managed to lie down before sleep overtook me. I rarely dreamed, but that night was different—I dreamed vividly.


    Makenna’s POV:


    In that deep, unsettling dream, I found myself face-to-face with the holy figure I had glimpsed in a trance at the cemetery. This figure seemed to transcend time and space, standing silently before me, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. Though her face was obscured, her presence radiated a sense of kinship, like a mother—distant yet deeply familiar.


    I tried to move closer, to embrace her, but my feet were bound by an invisible force, preventing me from moving even an inch. Why? Why couldn’t I move?


    As my anxiety grew, the figure seemed to sense my distress and slowly turned to face me. Though her features remained hidden, her voice was unmistakably clear.


    “Child, don’t let others discover your true identity. You must learn to protect yourself.”


    Her voice was more beautiful than the softest melody, yet it carried an undercurrent of deep sorrow. This inexplicable sadness washed over me, and tears began to flow down my face uncontrobly.


    I woke abruptly from the dream, drenched in sweat. As I touched my cheeks, I realized they were wet with tears. The cold, damp traces on my face confirmed that the sorrow in my dream was all too real.


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