?Chapter 967:


    Maia noticed this and her smile widened. “Alright then, if you insist. However, if you change your mind, just let me know, and I’ll have things rearranged for you.”


    I nodded, my face burning. I stole a quick nce at Jett. His face had darkened in what seemed to be anger, and his fists were clenched beneath the table, his knuckles turning white. His gaze never left me.


    When breakfast ended, I hurriedly left the dining room. However, I didn’t get far before Jett grabbed my wrist with such force that I winced.


    “Where did you get the mark on your neck from?” he demanded.


    I immediately raised my cor to cover the mark and said, “That’s none of your business. Please stay out of it.”


    Jett’s grip on my wrist tightened, and he spoke through gritted teeth. “Is it those princes?”


    I hesitated for a moment, then pressed my lips together. Finally, I nodded.


    Jett’s face darkened even more. He released my hand and asked, in a tone that was almost a whisper, “Do you… do you love them that much?”


    I lowered my head, unable to meet Jett’s gaze anymore. “Jett, I know there’s a grudge between the king and us…”


    That has been difficult to resolve. However, the three princes are willing to go against their father and stand with me. I couldn’t help but be moved by such devotion.”


    Jett gazed at me for a moment, saying nothing. Finally, he asked, “What about me?”


    I was taken aback by his question and slowly raised my eyes to meet his.


    “I would go through fire for you and have always been by your side. Why aren’t you moved by my devotion to you?”


    Jett’s words struck me like a spear, piercing my heart.


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    I lowered my eyes once more, and silence fell between us like a heavy nket. Inside, conflicting emotions fought to be voiced.


    After a long pause, I finally asked, “Has the antidote for the aphrodisiac been made?”


    “The antidote is difficult to develop. I searched the library for hours before finding it, and even then, it was an iplete recipe. I need more time to conduct further research.”


    Hearing this, I suddenly recalled a crucial detail. “You mentioned that this aphrodisiac is extremely rare. Where does one obtain such a potion?” I asked.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Jett was lost in thought, his presence retreating into a silent void. After an extended period of stillness, he finally broke the silence, his words measured and deliberate. “The Wizard n has long mastered the art of brewing an array of magic potions. When the former king still reigned, he established a covert team to unravel the secrets of these potions, painstakingly recording their every effect—all to fortify our defenses against the Wizard n.”


    As he spoke, he angled his body toward me, his piercing gaze locking onto mine with quiet intensity.


    “That is why, when I realized I had fallen under the sway of that aphrodisiac, I insisted on scouring the library for answers. But after the former king’s death, that usurper Leonardo abandoned such pursuits. So, it’s unlikely Antoni sourced his potion from the pce.”


    His words stirred a faint heat in my ears, coaxing memories to the surface—Jett, cloaked as Evie, trailing me to the library.


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