Chapter 183:
Makenna’s POV:
Leonardo’s words instantly extinguished the fire in the women’s hearts, and the room fell into a tense silence. His threat hung heavily in the air, a dark cloud that loomed over each of us, but especially over those who had not caught the eye of any prince.
It was a chilling reminder that, except for me, every woman in that room faced the very real possibility of severe punishment.
Though Leonardo hadn’t detailed the nature of the punishment, the fear it instilled was palpable. I could feel the sharp stares directed at me, and I sighed inwardly. The resentment against me must have reached an all-time high today.
Like the others, I kept my head bowed, a mix of helplessness and bitterness swirling within me.
Leonardo’s command was clear from the beginning: our purpose here was to bear heirs for the princes. But first, we needed to win their favor.
Yet, aside from me, none of the princes had shown the slightest interest in any of the other women. Leonardo wouldn’t pressure his sons, so the burden fell squarely on our shoulders, forcing us to find a way. But if he couldn’t compel his own sons, how could we?
The irony of it all was bitter.
The less I wanted to be noticed, the more attention I seemed to attract. Meanwhile, those women who craved the princes’ favor were left empty-handed.
It was a classic case of the Matthew Effect—the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.
I lowered my head even further, wishing I could disappear.
After his stern warning, Leonardo retreated backstage. Hayley was the next to step forward, her voice ringing out loudly.
“The assessment has officially begun!”
𝖀𝖕𝖑𝖔𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖉 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖌⍺𝖑𝖓Ⲟ𝗏𝖊𝗅𝘀．𝖈𝗈𝗺
At her words, the tension in the room escalated. Everyone’s focus sharpened, including mine, as I braced myself for the challenges ahead.
The first day of the assessment was divided into a written exam and an interview, designed to test the knowledge we had accumulated during our time here.
The written exam took place in the morning, and I managed it with relative ease. My good memory, love for reading, and Dominic’s impromptu crash course had all paid off. I finished my exam quickly, almost too quickly. When I handed in my paper, Hayley gave me a look of disbelief. I stood there, watching her flip through my answers with furrowed brows.
I asked impatiently, “Can I leave now?”
Reluctantly, Hayley gave my paper one last look before scowling and waving me off.
I left the room and waited outside until Alice emerged.
She skipped over to me, looking a bit anxious. “Makenna, you were the first to finish. Did you answer everything?”
I nodded with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about me. How did you do?”
Alice nodded back, her relief evident. “I think I did okay. Most of the questions were familiar.”
Her words eased the tension in my chest. Over the past few days, I had shared everything I knew with Alice, hoping she would pass the assessment without trouble. Linking her arm with mine, Alice tugged me toward the exit. “I’m starving. Let’s grab something to eat before all the good seats are taken.”
I laughed and followed her, but before we could get far, someone stepped in our way.
It was Dominic, his teasing smile catching me off guard. “Finished the exam? How about we grab a meal together?”
