?Chapter 883:


    I couldn’t hide my surprise. Someone of Alden’s noble background should logically prefer a fancy restaurant with starched tablecloths and silver cutlery. Street food seemed like thest thing he would crave. “Of course,” I nodded, gesturing ahead. “Lead the way.”


    We meandered toward the night market as the sky gradually surrendered to darkness, draping itself in a veil of deepening twilight.


    The market buzzed with life—colorful stalls lined both sides of the cobblestone street, filling the air with an intoxicating symphony of aromas: the creamy allure of cheese sandwiches, the sizzling fragrance of freshly fried delicacies, and the sweet,forting scent of steamed corn cakes.


    Alden darted ahead of me, weaving through the crowded stalls like a butterfly chasing nectar, his excitement palpable.


    “Ailyn, this looks delicious. Let’s get one!” he eximed, eyes gleaming with childlike wonder as he pointed at the golden steamed corn cakes. Before I could even respond, he was already drawn to the heavenly aroma wafting from the next stall. “Ailyn, this smells great too. I want one!”


    “Alright, sir, we’ll take one of each,” I said, handing over coins to pay for the array of snacks and falling into step beside Alden as we sampled each delicious morsel.


    The vors burst across my tongue—each bite more delightful than thest. I couldn’t help but marvel at the simple pleasure, my eyes lighting up with genuine delight.


    Catching my expression, Alden’s face bloomed with pride. “Ailyn, I know all the best spots for food. Stick with me, and you’ll taste the finest delicacies in the kingdom!”


    I gazed at Alden, whose eyes sparkled like stars against the twilight sky, his vibrant energy and infectious smile warming something long frozen within my heart.


    For years in the Dunn family, I had been nothing but a shadow— invisible and endlessly ignored. Even when I was with Frank, his gaze always held that unmistakable glint of superiority, looking down on me. Later, in the cold marble halls of the pce, I was a humble sex ve; though the three princes treated me well, a lingering fear always coiled like a serpent deep within my soul. As for Jett, though I owed him my deepest gratitude, a persistent undercurrent of pressure and tension seemed to flow beneath our every interaction.


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    It felt as though only here, wandering with Alden through this lively night market, could I finally let my guard down and experience genuine ease.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Just as I was lost in thought, Alden suddenly flicked my forehead with a yful snap of his fingers. A chuckle escaped his lips as he teased, “What’s got you so spaced out? Deep in thought about something mysterious?”


    I jolted back to reality, instinctively clutching my forehead with a dramatic wince. My re was sharp enough to pierce through his mischief.


    “Ouch! Couldn’t you have been a little gentler?”


    Alden burst into heartyughter, waving his hand in mock innocence. “Oh,e on! That was barely a tap! You’re such a delicate flower—one little flick and you’re alreadyining?”


    “Stopughing!” I huffed, swiping at him in retaliation.


    But Alden was quicker. With a yful smirk, he dodged effortlessly and took off running, even turning back to pull a ridiculous face at me. His long legs gave him an unfair advantage, and before I knew it, he had disappeared into the crowd.


    “Hey! Get back here! Stop running!” I shouted, dashing after him. But my energy quickly waned, my breathsing in ragged pants. Then, just as I was about to pause and catch my breath, I realized—Alden was gone.


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