?Chapter 856:


    I stiffened. What kind of game was he ying now?


    Narrowing my eyes, I scrutinized him warily. “And why exactly are you telling me this?”


    Alden’s smirk deepened. “Oh,e on. Back at dinner, the second I mentioned Cody, your eyes nearly popped out of your skull. Don’t pretend you aren’t dying to know.”


    I cleared my throat awkwardly, ready to deny it, but Alden didn’t give me the chance. Without waiting for my consent, he tugged me along, leading me deeper into the garden.


    Exasperated but unable to quell my curiosity, I followed. By the pond, Alden took his time, strolling leisurely as he tossed handfuls of fish food into the water. Koi swarmed in a colorful frenzy, their sleek bodies darting beneath the moonlit ripples.


    Leaning against the railing, I rolled my eyes. “Alright, enough theatrics. Why drag me all the way out here?”


    Alden paused, a glint of mischief dancing in his gaze. “To talk about the one thing you can’t stop thinking about.”


    With that, he casually scattered more fish food, watching the koi thrash about eagerly.


    “Did you know,” Alden began, his tone light yet calcted, “that while my dear brother-inw still holds the title of mayor, most of the power in Marehelm has already slipped into Cody’s hands?”


    His sharp gaze lingered on me, as if gauging every flicker of emotion that crossed my face.


    I blinked, caught off guard by the revtion. “That can’t be,” I muttered, struggling to grasp the weight of his words.


    Alden chuckled at my reaction. “It’s quite simple, really. With the king backing him, Cody doesn’t need to y fair. He can take whatever he wants.”


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    My thoughts raced. “Then why did you imply at dinner that Cody poisoned the mayor? That’s a serious usation—you can’t just throw that around.”


    Alden heaved a sigh, as if growing tired of my endless questioning. With a final toss of fish food, he sent the pond into another chaotic flurry, water sshing over the edges.


    Crossing his arms, he stared at the rippling water, his voice lowering into something almost reflective. “Because my brother-inw and Cody don’t see eye to eye. Their political conflict has been brewing for a while now… and let’s just say, it’s reached its boiling point.”


    Makenna’s POV:


    I frowned, signaling Alden to continue.


    He tilted his head toward the moonlit sky, lost in thought, as if sifting through old memories before speaking again.


    “You know, the Wizard n still holds thatnd. Between them and Marehelm lies a vast battlefield, one that has seen bloodshed for centuries. The scars of war never truly fade, and countless lives have been lost there. The Wizard n is formidable, but theyck the strength to breach Marehelm. On the other hand, we can’t wipe them out either.”


    Alden paused, meeting my gaze. “But my brother-inw, Dayton—he is a good man. The kind who can’t turn a blind eye to suffering. Whenever he sees Wizard n children, orphaned by war, he can’t help but pity them. He believes that whatever bad blood exists between ns, it shouldn’te at the expense of innocent kids. But Cody… well, he doesn’t share that sentiment.”


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