Chapter 154:
Makenna’s POV:
Seeing Bryan finally leave, I let out a long sigh of relief. My hands were trembling so much that the knife slipped from my grip, hitting the ground with a clatter.
I shook uncontrollably, and Clayton was quick to catch me. “Makenna, are you alright?” he asked, his voice laced with worry.
“I’m fine,” I replied, forcing a smile. “I managed to drive Bryan away.”
Clayton’s face softened with a smile, and he affectionately ruffled my hair. “You were amazing,” he praised sincerely.
His words made me blush and feel a bit flustered. He took my hand gently and said, “Let’s go have breakfast, brave girl.”
I nodded, feeling shy but grateful.
When we returned to the dining room, the breakfast had gone cold. Clayton reheated the food, and we finally sat down to enjoy our meal, savoring the hard-won peace.
As he poured me a glass of milk, Clayton asked, “What are you planning to do next? Bryan won’t just let this go.” I took a sip of the hot milk, feeling it warm me, but his question left me unsettled.
After a moment of hesitation, I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
Staying in the palace meant enduring Bryan’s constant harassment.
I couldn’t see a way out.
“Makenna, would you be willing to live with me from now on?” Clayton suddenly asked.
What?
I was taken aback, staring at him in shock. My heart raced at the thought.
Did he want me to stay in his villa? Did he want to be with me?
Did he like me…
𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙜Ʞ𝗅𝗇𝓸ν𝘦𝗅𝗌・𝗰𝗼𝗺
Clayton looked at me earnestly and said, “Makenna, you’re a kind person. I don’t want you to be hurt by Bryan again.”
My heart, which had been racing, gradually settled. Was I reading too much into this? Clayton was just being kind. He didn’t want to see me suffering.
After a moment’s reflection, I shook my head and smiled bitterly. “No. I’m just a humble slave. If I stay here, Kristina will definitely be unhappy, and your father won’t agree either.”
Clayton’s brow furrowed in concern. “If you want, don’t worry about those things. I’ll…”
“Your Highness,” I interrupted, trying to shift the topic. “If you really want to help me, could you check my house? I suspect Bryan is keeping it under surveillance.” I avoided the subject of living with him. The thought of asking, “Do you like me?” felt too daunting.
I knew my status was too low to even consider such a possibility, despite my feelings for him.
Clayton sighed and reluctantly agreed. “Alright, I’ll have someone check it out and send additional guards for your protection.”
I thanked him sincerely. “Thank you, Your Highness.” He patted my head affectionately. “Remember what I said—don’t be so formal with me.”
His gesture made me blush, and then another thought struck me.
“By the way,” I asked suddenly, “I fell into a trap set by Frank and Jessica at their wedding. What happened after?”
Having been imprisoned by Bryan, I hadn’t heard any news since then.
Clayton’s expression darkened as he replied, “The man who tried to assault you has been executed. Frank and the others claimed they were innocent and knew nothing, so Father only punished Frank with a flogging and a deduction of half a year’s salary.” Innocent?
My fists clenched in anger. “That’s not true! They drugged me!”
