?Chapter 869:


    But Alden… he met their gazes without a hint of fear. His voice was calm, firm.


    “Your Highnesses, I, Alden Cloud, have fought on the battlefield since I was fifteen. I have in thousands of enemies. I have never hesitated to do my duty, nor have I any regrets for what I have done in the war against the werewolves.”


    His eyes softened as he nced at the frightened children in a corner.


    “But look at them. They are children. Not even ten years old! They know nothing of war, nothing of the bloodshed between our people, yet they are being cast out—branded as enemies before they even understand what it means. I cannot bring myself to ughter them… and neither can Mr. Pierce.”


    Then, with a sudden shift, he turned to Cody, his gaze burning with fury.


    “Tell me, Mr. Harrison, why couldn’t Mr. Pierce attend this banquet? You know, don’t you?”


    He gritted his teeth as he stepped forward, never turning away his scorching re.


    “Mr. Pierce has been poisoned and unconscious. The antidote requires only one final herb—a herb that you have in your possession. And yet… you refuse to hand it over. Are you trying to kill Mr. Pierce?”


    Makenna’s POV:


    The air in the banquet hall grew heavy, thick with unspoken words and unyielding tension. A hush fell over the gathering, as if the very walls were holding their breath, waiting for the next move.


    The three princes remainedposed, their expressions unreadable, like statues carved from marble. Their silence was more unnerving than any outburst, leaving those around them teetering on the edge of uncertainty, unsure of their next step.


    Cody, however, was a different story. The smug confidence he had worn so boldly mere moments ago had crumbled, his face drained of color. He had clearly not foreseen this unexpected turn of events—the arrival of the princes had shattered his carefully woven scheme.


    Though the princes’ sudden presence sent my thoughts into a whirlwind, I couldn’t deny the satisfaction I felt at Cody’s frustration. It was a rare delight to watch the self-assured squirm.


    ?????????? ?????? ???????????????????? — ?????????? g???????ν??????﹐??????


    Besides, I knew one thing for certain—the princes weren’t the kind to punish the innocent without cause.


    Dominic finally broke the silence, his voice measured yet carrying the weight ofmand. “Cody, you have the herb, do you not? Then why has Dayton not been treated yet? Or is there something more sinister at y?”


    His words were calm, but they struck Cody with the force of a battering ram.


    Cody’s knees buckled beneath him, and in a flurry of desperation, he copsed onto the floor, his voice trembling as he pleaded, “Prince Dominic! I would never! I only wished to test Dayton’s loyalty to His Majesty.”


    Alden stiffened at Cody’s excuse, his temper rising, but before he couldsh out, Jett ced a firm hand on his shoulder, shaking his head ever so slightly. “Stay calm, let’s see how this unfolds.” At this, Alden clenched his jaw, swallowing his retort.


    At the head of the table, Bryan’s gaze remained unwavering, sharp as a de honed to perfection. “Testing loyalty?” he repeated, his voice dripping with quiet authority. “That is not your ce, Cody. You’ve clearly overstepped your bounds.”


    The air grew suffocating under the sheer weight of the princes’ presence.


    “I…” Cody stammered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He wiped them away hastily, his arrogance now reduced to mere rubble beneath the princes’ scrutiny.


    Bryan, his patience wearing thin, waved a dismissive hand. “Enough! Hand over the herb, now.”


    .


    .


    .