?Chapter 781:


    I pretended I hadn’t heard her, quickening my pace, hoping to put some distance between us. But she kept up, like a shadow that wouldn’t let go, and within moments, she was at my side again.


    “Makenna.” Evelyn’s soft hand caught my arm. She looked at me with furrowed brows, concerncing her voice as she asked, “Why haven’t you been to the training roomtely?”


    I jerked my arm away, my face nk, my tone as cold as the night air. “I’ve been busy.”


    Evelyn’s brow twitched, and there was a flicker of irritation in her eyes as she raised her voice slightly. “How are you going to bear heirs for the princes like this? How will you keep their favor?”


    Her words were like nails on a chalkboard, irritating me to no end. I scoffed, my lips curling into a sneer. “I couldn’t care less. Who the princes favor has nothing to do with me.”


    Evelyn seemed to hit on something, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “So, are the rumors about your affairs true?”


    Her words were like a p, and I felt my blood boil with anger. It was a low blow, a deep insult I couldn’t ignore.


    Without even sparing her a nce, I turned to walk away, my patience thinning.


    But Evelyn wasn’t going to let it slide that easily. She grabbed my arm again, this time her grip firmer, more insistent.


    She lifted her chin, looking down her nose at me with a haughty air, and began to lecture, “As your instructor, I have every right to question you. You need to remember your ce. As a sex ve to the princes, pleasing them and keeping their favor should be your top priority.”


    Her words set something off inside me, and without thinking, I shrugged her hand off. It was just my instinctive reaction, and I didn’t use much force.


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    However, Evelyn staggered back as if shoved by a gust of wind, her shocked cry echoing in the stillness as she lost her bnce and fell to the ground.


    I froze, eyes wide, staring at her in disbelief.


    I had barely touched her—how did she end up on the ground? Before I could react, a pair of long, graceful hands appeared, reaching down to pull Evelyn up.


    I slowly raised my gaze, and to my surprise, found myself staring into the stern face of Dominic.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Dominic helped Evelyn to her feet with ease.


    The moment Evelyn’s gazended on Dominic, a delicate blush bloomed across her cheeks, her eyes shimmering with shy admiration. She lowered her voice to a demure murmur. “Thank you, Highness.”


    Dominic dismissed her gratitude with a casual wave, his brow knitting together as his piercing gaze shifted to me. His expression was one of scrutiny, sharp and searching.


    “Makenna,” he began, his voice tinged with concern, “were you crying just now?”


    The question caught me off guard, like a sudden gust of wind stripping away my defenses. Flustered, I turned my face away, my tone clipped. “No, you must be mistaken.”


    Dominic’s face hardened immediately, his icy stare snapping to Evelyn. The words that followed were like a de cutting through the air. “Did you bully her?”


    Evelyn’splexion drained of color, panic written all over her face. She stumbled over her words, desperately trying to defend herself. “Your Highness, I was only suggesting that Makenna should return to the training.”


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