?Chapter 969:


    “I’ve got potions to brew,” he said, his tone light as a feather. “Time is ticking, and I can’t afford to dawdle.”


    With that, he spun on his heel and darted off, his pace brisk and unsteady—like a deer fleeing a hunter’s arrow.


    Watching his retreating figure, flustered and hurried, only fueled the fire of suspicion zing within me. What was he concealing? Who was he, truly? Still, I knew pushing him now would be like squeezing water from a stone—useless.


    With a heavy sigh, I tucked the riddle of Jett away forter.


    Right now, a more pressing task loomed; Alden needed to know his name was in the clear. He was still cooped up in the prison, and I couldn’t waste another second.


    Steeling myself, I set off for the prison.


    The guards, already tipped off by the princes, waved me through with a cursory nce.


    I navigated the shadowy corridors, the air thick with damp and gloom, until I reached Alden’s cell.


    Peering through the iron bars, I spotted him sprawled across a tattered bed in the corner, one leg danglingzily off the edge, the other propped up. An arm cradled his head, and a piece of straw danced between his lips. He looked more like a guest lounging at a countryside inn than a man under suspicion.


    At the sound of my footsteps, Alden tilted his head with sleepy curiosity. But when his eyesnded on me, the drowsy haze vanished. He sprang upright, the straw tumbling from his mouth, reced by a grin that could light up the dimmest dungeon.


    “Ailyn! What brings you here? Got any good tidings? Have you scrubbed my name clean? Have youe to get me out?”


    I edged closer, my eyes darting around the cell, unease prickling at my spine. Cody’s reach was long and shadowy—his spies could be lurking even here.


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    Keeping my cool, I offered a casual smile. “The three princes are on the case. They’ll have your innocence shining like polished silver soon enough.”


    With a sly wink, I tipped Alden off to the truth beneath my words.


    Alden caught on in a sh, his grin widening as he yed along, throwing his hands up with a carefree shrug. “Well then, I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”


    I was on the verge of saying more when he edged in closer, his eyes narrowing just a touch, a yful spark dancing within them. “But, Ailyn,” he murmured, his voiceced with mischief, “I’m aching for you something awful. The moment I’m free, we’ll kick up our heels and set the world aze together!”


    His words sent a flush creeping up my neck, my cheeks blooming with heat. I was about to shoot him a mock re when a voice, sharp and icy as a winter wind, sliced through the moment from behind.


    “Mrs. Burton, you’re a married woman. Cozying up to Mr. Cloud like this—aren’t you worried your husband might turn green with envy?”


    Makenna’s POV:


    Alden’s face clouded over in an instant, the cocky grin evaporating like mist under a harsh sun, reced by a taut, watchful edge.


    He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper so faint it barely brushed my ears. “It’s Cody.”


    My chest tightened like a coiled spring, and I whipped around to see for myself.


    There he was—Cody, marching toward us with a posse of attendants in tow, his lips curled into that fake smile of his. The corners of his mouth tilted upward, but his eyes? They were twin shards of ice, devoid of any warmth.


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