Chapter 50:
Makenna’s POV:
I pursed my lips and studied Alice in silence.
Though I felt a pang of sympathy for Alice, she had brought this upon herself. Had she not made it her mission to oppose me, she might have found herself in such a dire predicament.
Moreover, Bryan was a madman. I’d rather steer clear of him altogether. Asking me to plead for mercy on her behalf was like asking me to walk into the lion’s den willingly.
But could I stand by and watch Alice run naked through the palace without intervening?
Conflicted emotions churned within me as I regarded her.
Despite repeatedly reminding myself that she had initiated this conflict and that helping her might endanger me, my heart ached at the thought of rejecting her plea.
My silence, however, seemed to speak volumes. Gradually, the glimmer of hope faded from Alice’s face, replaced by sheer despair.
The soldiers, seeing her despair, began to close in on her, trying to drag her away. Alice’s screams filled the air as she fought back fiercely.
“Let me go! Don’t touch me!”
Her voice, raw and hoarse from crying, was filled with desperation and agony.
But the soldiers remained unmoved. The leader’s patience wore thin. “Blame me for being harsh,” he snapped.
Without hesitation, he advanced, ready to tear her clothes from her.
Alice desperately shielded her exposed skin, breaking down into tears.
“Stop it!”
The scene was heart-wrenching. Overcome by a surge of emotion, I pushed the soldier aside, pulled Alice behind me, and stood as a shield.
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“I won the competition. I refuse to have her run around naked. Is that clear?” I glared at the soldier and raised my voice.
Alice clung to my sleeve, trembling with fear as she hid behind me, sobbing.
Yet the soldier’s resolve remained unshaken. “It’s Prince Bryan’s order. She must comply. No one can interfere.”
Ignoring me, he and his companions tried to forcefully drag Alice away.
“Argh!” Alice’s cry of panic pierced the air.
She tightened her grip on my sleeve, begging me in terror. “Please, Makenna! Help me!”
“Stop it!”
Driven by instinct, I shielded Alice, pulling her closer behind me. “I’ll speak to Prince Bryan and ask him to reconsider. This punishment is too severe.”
But the soldiers were adamant, insisting that Alice fulfill the punishment for the loser.
I stood in confrontation, my heart a storm of bitterness and rage. It was degrading to strip Alice and force her to run naked. To someone like Bryan and his soldiers, it was a mere game.
Recalling Bryan’s own playful cruelty toward me, my anger flared.
When I refused to back down, the leader of the soldiers scowled and drew his sword. “Dare to defy the order? I can end you right here.”
My heart pounded, but my conscience rooted me to the spot.
“Wait.”
A casual voice cut through the tension.
Bryan appeared seemingly from nowhere, kicking the soldier aside. His gaze was tinged with amusement. “You wish to save this woman?”
His expression hinted at more sinister plans, but I gritted my teeth and nodded. “Yes, I do.”
A malicious glint sparkled in his eyes. “I have conditions if you want me to show her any mercy.”
