?Chapter 341:


    The truth was, I couldn’t bring myself to share the absurdity of that night with Alice, so I had to keep up the pretense.


    Despite my efforts, my thoughts were elsewhere, and I waspletely unfocused during the morning’s training. My mistakes were piling up, drawing the ire of Hayley, who was always quick to capitalize on my missteps. Her reprimands were met with snickers from the other women, theirughter echoing like daggers in my ears.


    I was too despondent to care about their opinions.


    After the session, Alice trailed me, her worry palpable. “Makenna, what’s really going on?”


    I had no answer for her. In the end, I chose silence and made my way home.


    Lost in thought, I collided with someone.


    “Prince Dominic,” Alice greeted with a respectful nod.


    Dominic?


    My heart sank. When I looked up, his green eyes met mine, holding that infuriatingly enigmatic smile.


    This man was like a mystery. I always found it hard to read his mind.


    Recalling the events of that night, my anger red upon seeing him. I rolled my eyes, turned on my heel, and was about to walk away when Dominic intervened.


    At the same time, he addressed Alice, who stood behind me. “Alice, you can go now.”


    Alice nced at me with concern and remained rooted to the spot.


    I didn’t want Alice entangled in my mess, so I gave her a subtle look, urging her to leave first.


    Alice caught my drift. She turned with a lingering gaze over her shoulder before finally vanishing from view.


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    As Alice’s footsteps receded, a heavy silence settled between Dominic and me.


    Dominic’s gaze fixed on me with a puzzled expression. “Why the anger today? Did I offend you somehow?”


    “You must know exactly what you’ve done,” I shot back coldly, a mocking smile ying on my lips.


    Dominic’s expression froze, a hint of embarrassment creeping in. He fidgeted, rubbing his nose as if searching for the right words. “You… you know?”


    I had merely guessed about our involvement that night, but Dominic’s words confirmed my suspicions.


    Noticing my growing distress, Dominic hastened to exin, “We were all drunk that night. It was just a misunderstanding.” What a farcical excuse!


    My frustration boiled over, and before I could contain it, I raised my hand and delivered a sharp p across his face.


    The sound of the p shattered the quiet air, causing the servants and soldiers around Dominic to stare in stunned silence.


    Dominic’s face hardened, and a sh of anger flickered in his eyes.


    But when he saw the tears welling up in my eyes, his anger gave way to a sigh of helplessness.


    Once he regained hisposure, Dominicmanded the stunned onlookers, “Leave at once! No one is to speak of what happened here today.”


    The crowd nodded in obedience, their heads bowed respectfully.


    Dominic then ced a hand on my shoulder. “I am sorry, Makenna. I was genuinely drunk that night.”


    I had no desire for his excuses. I tried to break free from his grasp, turning to leave, but Dominic pulled me back.


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