?Chapter 406:
As I strolled along the flowerbeds, letting the trees’ shadows brush over me, I overheard a faint conversation, catching fragments that piqued my curiosity. Drawn in, I followed the voices and found two nurses huddled together, whispering.
It wasn’t until they mentioned “Prince yton” and “Molly” that my steps faltered. I crept behind a nearby tree, straining to hear them.
“I heard His Majesty was thrilled when he learned Molly’s pregnant. He rewarded her with heaps of gold and jewels and even allowed her to move into Prince yton’s vi,” one nurse said, her voice tinged with envy.
The other nodded eagerly. “I know, right? Who would’ve guessed Molly would get so lucky? She’ll probably be the royal family’s darling now.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Molly was moving into yton’s home? My chest tightened painfully, the weight of those words pressing deep into my bones. The world seemed to spin as my knees threatened to give way.
Then one of the nurses chuckled maliciously. “Isn’t Makenna also pregnant with Prince Bryan’s baby? Why doesn’t she get the same treatment?”
I flinched at the mention of my name, every muscle in my body tense.
The other nurseughed mockingly. “Are you stupid? Makenna’s just a lowly sex ve, while Molly caused a miraculous sign to appear at the cemetery. How could they evenpare?”
Her disdain stung like a p across the face, leaving me trembling with anger.
Yes, I was nothing more than a sex ve… The harsh truth echoed inside my head, relentless and bitter. I closed my eyes, willing the words to fade, but they clung to me like a curse.
The other nurse seemed toe to an understanding, nodding as if confirming an unspoken agreement. “Even though Molly’s family doesn’t carry much weight among the nobles, they’re still aristocrats. Not like Makenna, she…”
Their conversation drifted away with their footsteps, voices growing faint until they disappeared entirely. I remained frozen behind the tree, caught in the web of emotions tightening around me. Was it anger that stirred in my chest? Sorrow, perhaps? Or that bitter twinge of self-pity?
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Time felt like it had stalled, each second stretching on until I lost track of how long I stood there. A passing cleaner eventually noticed me, paused, and asked with gentle concern, “Miss, are you alright? Do you need help?”
Her words pulled me back to reality, though my mind remained elsewhere. I shook my head in response, offering no real answer, and resumed my walk, still in a daze. My thoughts spiraled into a chaotic mess as I made my way back to the ward, feelings tangled and frayed like threads in a storm.
By the time I became aware of my surroundings again, I was already at the door. Without thinking, I pushed it open, only to collide with something firm and unyielding—a broad chest. Startled, I looked up and found myself staring into yton’s unwavering eyes.
Makenna’s POV:
yton’s weary face came into focus, shadows clinging to his eyes like dark clouds. He looked utterly drained, his gazecking the usual spark, and a faint bitterness lingered on his lips. Though his clothes were crisp and tidy, they did little to mask the fatigue radiating from him. The weight of yton’s recent struggles seemed to surpass anything I could fathom, and seeing him like this sent a sharp ache through my heart. Yet, I fought to keep my indifference intact, taking a small step back to create distance between us.
In a distant tone, I asked, “Your Highness, what brings you here?”
Hurt flickered in yton’s eyes as he spoke, his voice thick with pain. “Makenna, please don’t be so cold. I just wanted to check on you, to see if you’re alright.”
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