?Chapter 884:


    “That little rascal… where did he disappear to?” My heart thumped anxiously as I scanned the sea of bustling figures, my voiceced with urgency. “Alden! Where are you?”


    Spinning around abruptly, I crashed straight into a firm, unyielding chest with a solid thud.


    “Ouch!” I yelped, rubbing my forehead as I instinctively nced up—only for my breath to hitch and my heart to lurch.


    Dominic!


    The moment our eyes met, my stomach twisted into knots. I immediately took a step back, lowering my gaze, unable to withstand the weight of his stare.


    “Your Highness, I-I’m terribly sorry for bumping into you. Please forgive my carelessness,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.


    Dominic remained silent, his gaze steady, unreadable.


    His piercing stare made me squirm, and I finally dared to break the silence with a cautious question. “Your Highness, what brings you here?”


    After a long pause, the sharp intensity in his eyes seemed to ease, just a fraction. His voice was low and deliberate. “I had some matters to attend to. And I happened to see you with Alden.”


    I frowned slightly. Prince Dominic? Here? At this lively night market? Something about that didn’t quite add up, but I knew better than to pry.


    Forcing a polite smile, I quickly dipped my head. “In that case, I won’t keep you. Please, carry on.”


    I turned, eager to slip away, but before I could take a step, Dominic moved smoothly into my path, blocking my escape with effortless grace.


    “You’ve lost Alden. So why not walk with me instead? This is my first time in Marehelm, and I could use a guide.” His words were casual, but there was an unmistakable finality in them.


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    My heart sank. I hesitated before mumbling, “I don’t really know my way around here either.”


    Dominic’s gaze was sharp and unwavering, his voice curling around a single word with a slow, deliberate drawl—like a hook sinking into my nerves and tugging ever so slightly.


    Dominic’s gaze remained unrelenting as he asked, his tone unhurried, “When did you arrive in Marehelm?”


    My pulse quickened, and my thoughts churned in a frenzy.


    Oh no! He was probing me—he suspected something!


    Forcing myself to stayposed, I carefully replied, “I’ve been here for about a month, but I rarely go out, so I’m not very familiar with the city.”


    Dominic appeared unfazed by my unease, his next questioning just as smoothly. “Where were you staying before you moved into the mayor’s mansion?”


    My mind raced for a usible answer. “I rented a ce outside.” The moment the words left my lips, regret sank in. My response was flimsy at best, riddled with holes.


    Sure enough, Dominictched onto it instantly. “Could you take me there?”


    Panic coiled in my chest. My palms turned mmy as I scrambled for an escape. “I canceled the lease after moving into the mayor’s mansion.”


    Dominic’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Why cancel the lease? Are you…”


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