?Chapter 1083:


    “What did you find?” I demanded, rushing forward with desperate hope in my eyes.


    A storm of emotions clouded Jett’s features as he met my gaze. He nodded gravely, his voice barely above a rasp. “Your blood can indeed substitute for that ingredient.”


    His words had barely faded when Bryan lunged forward with predatory swiftness, shoving Jett aside with unbridled fury.


    Rage zed in Bryan’s eyes like wildfire as he snarled, “Have you lost your mind? Countless people lie poisoned at this very moment. If Makenna sacrifices her blood to save them all, she’ll lose her own life! How dare you suggest such madness?”


    Jett squeezed his eyes shut, anguish carving deep lines across his face. “The danger is clear to me, but alternatives don’t exist. Our options have run dry. Without this sacrifice, the death toll will only mount higher.”


    The tension shattered as a soldier burst through the door, nearly copsing from exhaustion as he gasped out his report. “Your Highnesses, Mr. Pierce—the poisoning is spreading rapidly! The situation spirals beyond our control with each passing minute!”


    Horror drained the color from Dayton’s face as he stammered, “But we contained the source—warned everyone against drinking the water. How can this still be happening?”


    The soldier shook his head, desperation etched across his face as his voice quavered. “Marehelm sprawls too vastly. Getting word to every soul in time proved impossible. Some inevitably missed our warnings. Moreover, countless meals require water in their preparation. The tainted water had likely been incorporated into foods and distributed before we discovered the contamination.”


    His words cast a pall over the room, plunging everyone into a leaden silence that hung in the air like a shroud.


    Through the stifling tension, I drew a steadying breath, stepped forward with quiet resolve, and sped Bryan’s hand in mine.


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    His fingers felt ice-cold against my skin, their subtle tremor betraying the fear he struggled to conceal.


    “Don’t worry, I can do this,” I said with a reassuring smile.


    Bryan stared at me, disbelief washing over his features.


    Meeting his gaze with unwavering calm, I spoke with quiet conviction. “I cannot stand idle while innocent lives slip away. These people shouldn’t suffer for a cmity not of their making. If my sacrifice means their salvation, then I face it without hesitation.”


    Bryan’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he turned away, unable to withstand the weight of my determination.


    His attention shifted to Jett, desperation zing in his searching gaze. “Jett, tell me there’s another solution—any alternative at all?”


    Defeat etched deep lines across Jett’s face as he slowly bowed his head, his shoulders slumping with the weight of his answer. “This path alone remains open to us. Our time is extremely limited. We must use Makenna’s blood to neutralize the contamination at its source. Every moment of hesitation allows this crisis to spiral further beyond our control.”


    Different emotions yed across the three princes’ faces—resignation, fear, hope—yet they remained bound in solemn silence.


    Tears welled in Dayton’s eyes, his voice breaking with raw emotion as he struggled to speak. “Miss Dunn, on behalf of every citizen in our realm, I offer you our deepest gratitude.”


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