?Chapter 870:


    His sharp gaze flickered toward the children cowering in the corner. For the briefest moment, a shadow ofpassion crossed his face before he issued his nextmand. “Take them away. Hold them in detention, but no harm is toe to them.”


    The soldiers moved swiftly, ushering the frightened children out of the hall.


    yton added, his tone steely, “Let this be clear—any unauthorized punishment on those children will not be tolerated. Anyone who dares disobey will face severe consequences.”


    As thest of the children disappeared from sight, I finally let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Beside me, Jett did the same. Our gazes met, and in that silent exchange, we both recognized the same thing—relief.


    But Cody, foolish to the very end, dared to push his luck. “Your Highness, isn’t this a bit too lenient? After all, they have the Wizard n’s blood in them—”


    Bryan’s expression turned cial, his piercing gaze locking onto Cody with lethal precision. “Cody, do you even grasp your ce, daring to challenge my authority?” he asked, his voice cutting through the air like a sharpened dagger.


    All color drained from Cody’s face. He dared not utter another word.


    And just like that, the grand banquet—once a battlefield of hidden schemes and whispered betrayals—came to an abrupt end, its power ys shattered by the princes’ unexpected arrival.


    Humbled and docile, Cody scrambled to make arrangements for the princes’ stay at his manor, his earlier arrogance nowhere to be found.


    Jett and I exchanged a nce. Staying here any longer was a risk neither of us was willing to take. If we lingered, our true identities might be exposed, and that was a storm we couldn’t afford to weather. The moment the banquet concluded, we wasted no time grabbing Alden, eager to escape this den of chaos before trouble found us.


    “Alden, you stay.”


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    Just as we reached the threshold of the banquet hall, Dominic’s calm yetmanding voice rang out from behind us.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Jett and I froze in ce, ducking our heads in unison as if we had been struck, silently praying that the princes wouldn’t notice us.


    Alden’s perceptive gaze lingered on our strange behavior before he turned to face the three princes, bowing with practiced reverence. “Your Highnesses, thank you for your timely intervention. I am deeply grateful, and the mayor extends his gratitude as well.”


    Bryan dismissed the thanks with a casual wave of his hand. “What is Dayton’s current condition?”


    Alden’s face clouded over as he outlined the grim situation—Dayton’s severe poisoning and unconscious state.


    Bryan nodded thoughtfully, a moment of contemtion passing before he dered, “In that case, let’s go together to check on Dayton’s condition.”


    His words hit me like a copsing wall, every muscle in my body turning to stone.


    Anxiety coursed through my veins as I shot Jett a desperate nce that silently screamed, “What should we do?”


    Jett met my eyes with a look of utter resignation, his expression making it clear he was as lost as I was.


    Alden’s gaze drifted back to us, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Are you two sitting on pins and needles? Why all these nervous fidgets?” The three princes’ attention swiveled toward me likepass needles finding north.


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