?Chapter 684:


    Leonardo’s rxed demeanor shifted in an instant. His face darkened, and his voice cut like a de.


    “Makenna, you again? Always stirring up trouble. Return the child immediately—this nonsense ends now!”


    Antoni’s lips curled into a smug grin, his eyes mocking me silently: Checkmate. What now, Makenna?


    Fury surged through me, but I held my ground, clutching the child tighter. “Your Majesty, you misunderstand. This maid is unfit to be a mother. Please, look at the child.” I stepped closer, presenting the frail little boy with care for him to see.


    Leonardo’s stern expression faltered, reced by disbelief as he took in the child’s pitiful condition. “How… how could this child be so frail? This… this is uneptable. It’s abuse! How did ite to this?”


    Nearby, Micha crumbled under the weight of his words. She stammered incoherently, her face pale, her head bowed in shame.


    I gazed at the poor little thing, my heart swelling again with sorrow. “Your Majesty, this child reminds me of my own… the one I lost. If he were alive today, he’d be about this age. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Please forgive me.”


    Leonardo’s stern expression softened as he studied me. He gave a small nod of understanding before turning his disapproval elsewhere.


    “Antoni, this is a failure of your leadership. You’ve allowed this disgraceful situation to fester under your watch. Such cruelty cannot go unpunished!”


    Antoni went pale. He dropped to his knees, trembling, his voice cracking as he pleaded, “Your Majesty, I take full responsibility. It was my oversight. Please, grant me mercy!”


    Leonardo let out a cold, deliberate snort, pausing in thought before delivering his judgment. “Then Micha shall receive thirtyshes as punishment. Let this serve as a warning: we will not tolerate child abuse within our ranks.”


    At hismand, guards stepped forward to grab Micha and drag her away.


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    “Your Majesty, have mercy!” Micha wailed, struggling against their grip. “Spare me, I beg you!” But the guards were rough and unyielding. They dragged her away until her sobs faded into the distance.


    I watched her disappear, relief washing over me like a tide. Yet, my heart remained heavy for the child still in my arms. “Your Majesty, what will happen to him now?” I asked softly. My voice trembled with emotion. “I feel deeply sorry for this child. May I take him in?”


    Makenna’s POV:


    “That’s absurd!”


    Leonardo’s icy gaze locked onto me, sharper than the chill of winter winds. “Makenna, now that you are the princes’ sex ve, your foremost duty is to bear their heirs and ensure the royal lineage. How could you even think of taking responsibility for someone else’s child?”


    “Your Majesty! I… I only felt pity for the poor child…” I stammered, my words faltering under the weight of his disapproval. But before I could say more, Dominic’s fingers tightened around mine, a subtle plea to hold my tongue.


    Reluctantly, I swallowed my protest and fell silent, though the fire in my chest burned hotter with every passing second.


    Dominic stepped forward, his tone measured and respectful as he addressed Leonardo. “Father, Makenna spoke out ofpassion. Her words were not intended as defiance but born from a moment of empathy for the child’s plight.”


    For a fleeting moment, Leonardo’s stern expression softened, the hard edges of his features easing as if some memory flickered to life behind his eyes. He sighed, his voice quieting.


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