?Chapter 1039:


    The three princes exchanged looks, silently debating whether to push further, but in the end, they let it drop.


    Makenna’s POV:


    After a brief farewell, Amon left hastily as he still needed to settle matters rted to Cody.


    Bryan had spared no expense for tonight’s dinner, reserving the most luxurious hotel in Marehelm entirely for our small gathering. Now, only the three princes and I remained in the hotel.


    Candlelight danced across the dimly lit room, casting a dreamy, romantic glow that softened every edge and shadow.


    yton moved with practiced grace as he poured rich red wine into my ss, his lips curved into a gentle smile.


    “Makenna, we’re nearly finished with Cody’s matter. This long battle is drawing to a close—you can finally breathe easy.”


    I epted the wine, my fingertips brushing against his hand, drawing warmth from the brief contact. The wine carried hints of fruit as it slipped down my throat.


    “I hope so,” I smiled. “It’s been exhausting, and you’ve all worked so hard.”


    Dominic arched an eyebrow, his charming smile catching the candlelight.


    “With us here, Makenna, you have nothing to fear. Once we resolve the mess caused by Cody in the next few days, we can set off immediately for the werewolf forest.”


    At the mention of “werewolf forest,” excitement bubbled within me, spreading across my face in a bright, eager smile as I nodded enthusiastically.


    Bryan’s voice suddenly cut through our warm exchange.


    “Makenna, if you defeat the king, what will you do to him? Will you kill him?”


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    My hand froze mid-air, wine ss suspended as conflicting emotions swirled inside me, leaving me momentarily speechless.


    His question seemed to darken the amber glow around us, castingplex shadows across the faces of the three princes, each revealing a mixture of bitterness and uncertainty.


    “I don’t know,” I admitted softly. “I cannot simply let go of my deep grudge against him. But he is also your father, and that rtionship makes it truly difficult to decide what I should do.”


    yton tried to smile through his pain, attempting reassurance, but the result looked more tortured thanforting. His eyes revealed an inner battle as he spoke in a hushed tone.


    “Makenna, you don’t need to consider our feelings…”


    Before he could finish, his shoulders drooped in defeat as he tilted his head, emptying his wine ss in a single desperate swallow. His Adam’s apple bobbed with the motion, but the wine did nothing to wash away the sorrow written all over his face.


    Across the table, Dominic fixated on his wine ss, absently tracing its rim with his fingertips, his brow creased in troubled thought. Bryan reclined in his chair, staring nkly at the ceiling, wrapped in a heavy silence.


    Their anguished expressions pierced my heart. After everything they had sacrificed for me, didn’t they deserve something in return?


    Drawing a deep breath, I spoke with quiet resolve.


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