?Chapter 949:


    I shook my head and reassured her softly, “Calm down. The princes assured me they’d investigate thoroughly. They won’t condemn Alden without evidence.”


    Tears welled in Maia’s eyes as she nodded, her voice breaking, “Alden’s honorable—he’d never do such a thing. There’s got to be a conspiracy, someone setting him up…”


    I squeezed her hand and said resolutely, “I trust Alden’s innocence, and I’m confident the princes will uncover the truth.”


    Dayton exhaled heavily, frustration evident in his voice. “I suspect Cody’s behind this. I turned down his suggestion of forming an alliance long ago, and he’s been hounding the Pierce family ever since. It was his idea for the princes to stop by that tavern today.”


    I inclined my head in agreement and then turned to Jett, describing Alden’s condition earlier—his confusion, how he’d cked out, and other odd details.


    Jett absorbed my words in silence, his face impassive, lost in contemtion. After a pause, he lifted his eyes to Dayton and Maia and dered evenly, “I believe Alden’s been dosed with a magic potion.”


    “A magic potion?” Maia and Dayton gasped in unison, astonishment washing over them.


    Dayton’s voice trembled with incredulity. “How could there possibly be a magic potion in Marehelm? This is simply unheard of! Could a wizard have infiltrated the town?”


    Jett and I shared a fleeting look, unsure whether to disclose that Dayton’s own prior affliction had also stemmed from a magic potion. Sensing our reluctance, Dayton’s tone softened, coaxing, “If there’s more to tell, please speak freely. We’re beyond secrets now.”


    Jett gave a solemn nod, his expression tense and thoughtful. With a grave tone, he replied, “Since you’ve said so, Mr. Pierce, let me be candid. Last time, what you suffered from wasn’t poison, but a magic potion.”


    Makenna’s POV:


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    Dayton and Maia shared a fleeting look, their gazes brimming with astonishment and skepticism.


    A hush enveloped the room, broken only by the soft whisper of the breeze caressing the windowpane. After a pregnant pause, Dayton snapped back to his senses, his frame quivering with disbelief. He stammered, “Is it possible… that Cody is in league with the Wizard?”


    My chest tightened as I turned to Dayton, my voice a gentle murmur. “Mr. Pierce, do you also suspect it was Cody who slipped you that poisonst time?”


    A wry chuckle escaped Dayton’s lips, a spark of bitterness flickering in his eyes. “Who else could it be? Ever since I knew Cody deliberately made it harder for Alden to get the precious herb for me, a gnawing suspicion took root. But to think he had stooped to wielding magic potions—unthinkable!”


    His emotions swelled like a tide, and Dayton, unable to bottle up his fury, brought his hand down on the table with a resounding thud.


    The sharp crack reverberated through the room, sending the cups jittering in their saucers. Dayton’s eyes zed with indignation, his voice rolling like a storm. “The king and princes must hear of this treachery! We cannot let a scoundrel like Cody run rampant!” With that, he spun on his heel to charge out. Maia darted forward, seizing his arm with a note of desperation in her tone. “Hold your horses! We’ve no solid proof yet. Charging in half-cocked will only tip our hand. Who would take your word without something tangible to back it up?”


    I swiftly added my two cents. “Mrs. Pierce has hit the nail on the head. Mr. Pierce, our first step must be gathering evidence. We need to clear Alden’s name and dig into Cody’s ties with the Wizard n. Flying off the handle now might just y into Cody’s hands.”


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