?Chapter 944:


    As guards led Alden away, he cast a fleeting nce in my direction, his eyes speaking volumes of reassurance—a silent promise that I needn’t worry.


    With the crisis momentarily contained, I released a deep breath and prepared to leave with Maia. Just then, Dominic’s rich,pelling voice resonated from behind. “Ailyn, please wait.”


    I froze mid-step and pivoted slowly to face Dominic, whose stern countenance and prating gaze locked onto mine.


    Dayton and Maia halted beside me, their expressions betraying both confusion and concern. I shook my head at Maia, whispering, “It’s alright. You two go ahead. Don’t worry about me.”


    Though visibly hesitant, they nodded reluctantly and departed. Now, only the three princes and I remained inside the empty establishment.


    Bryan approached first, his expression softening as he inquired with genuine concern, “Are you alright? The scene descended into such chaos earlier. Were you frightened?”


    I stepped back deliberately, creating distance between us, and surveyed each prince before asking pointedly, “What do you make of what transpired today?”


    yton’s brows furrowed slightly, his tone weighted with gravity as he replied, “We will investigate the situation exhaustively. We shall neither wrong Alden nor allow any guilty party to escape justice.”


    I nodded thoughtfully before voicing the question that lingered in my mind. “Why is Evelyn here? Wasn’t she residing at the pce previously?”


    Dominic reflected momentarily, his memory crystallizing. “At the banquet, we sensed something amiss, and afterward, we questioned Evelyn. She remained tight-lipped, however, clinging steadfastly to her original ount. Later, when her mother fell gravely ill, we permitted her departure from the pce to tend to her care.”


    He paused, his eyes narrowing perceptibly. “We never anticipated encountering her again in Marehelm.”


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    Makenna’s POV:


    Dominic’s words lingered in my mind as I nodded slightly, sinking into deep contemtion.


    Everything that had happened felt too precise, too well-timed—like an borate performance where every step had been meticulously choreographed. It was seamless, leaving no room for doubt. And yet, that very perfection was what made it unsettling.


    A sudden realization struck me, and I frowned.


    “Your Highnesses, do you remember the incident of you sleeping with the sex ves?” My gaze darted between the three princes, waiting for an answer.


    They exchanged clouded nces, as if struggling to recall the memory. Then, after a beat, recognition flickered across Bryan’s face. His brow arched slightly. “Are you talking about the time our father ordered us to spend the night with other sex ves? We were barely consciouspletely disoriented. And when we woke up the next morning, each of us saw a sex ve lying beside us.”


    “Exactly,” I nodded emphatically. “Doesn’t this feel eerily simr to what Alden just described? He was in the same confused state. This can’t just be a coincidence. Right?”


    A heavy silence settled over the room as the three princes exchanged nces, frowning in contemtion.


    I took a steady breath, choosing my next words carefully. “I know you’ve carried guilt over what happened to Anthea. That guilt has bound you to Evelyn’s family. But if you take a step back and see, isn’t it strange how Evelyn always seems to be involved whenever something goes wrong?”


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