Chapter 41:
Makenna’s POV:
The following day, I made my way to the training area as planned. Other slaves were already there, clustered in tight groups. When they spotted me, their excitement was palpable. They were eagerly anticipating some drama.
I paid them no mind. My attention skipped past those women and settled on someone I recognized. It took me by surprise.
It was Kristina. What was she doing here?
She was at the center of her usual entourage, flanked by her followers and sex slaves. One of the women said something to amuse her, and she erupted in laughter, clearly pleased.
Then our eyes locked, and she gave me a taunting smile. Her gaze was filled with scorn and self-satisfaction.
A sinking feeling grew within me.
I felt certain that something was amiss, especially with Kristina’s unexpected presence.
“Makenna, I thought you were too scared to show up,” Alice called out viciously from the crowd. She strutted toward me with her head held high in arrogance.
I met her gaze calmly. “Yet, here I am.”
Maybe I appeared too unfazed, which seemed to irritate Alice immediately.
She looked at me with fury. “Quit your act. It’s not too late to plead for my mercy. Just don’t cause a fuss after you’re defeated.”
I replied with a light tone, “I haven’t even started, and you’re already speaking so bitterly. You worried about facing a humiliating defeat?”
“You!” Alice’s frustration boiled over as she stomped her foot. “Nonsense!”
She shot me one last angry look, then secured herself with the safety rope and snapped, “What are you waiting for? Get moving! Let’s start this competition!”
Eager to get it over with, I grabbed the safety rope and strapped myself in.
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“All set.” Once I had checked that everything was secure, I declared my readiness.
Alice mocked again, “I’m really looking forward to seeing you make a fool of yourself.”
Just then, a laid-back voice broke through from behind.
“Well, well, well. I heard there’s going to be a competition, so I thought I’d come and enjoy the show.”
The voice was all too familiar, laced with its usual spite. My grip on the safety rope tightened, and my hands shook slightly.
It was Bryan again. Always seeming to shadow my every step.
A wave of discomfort washed over me, and I took a deep breath as I turned toward the source of the voice. Bryan sauntered into the training area.
I wasn’t sure when he had arrived, but as soon as he entered, his eyes locked onto me with the intensity of a hunter zeroing in on his prey. This sent a shiver down my spine.
I quickly averted my eyes. Just a glimpse at him brought back memories of that tumultuous night, filled with agony and fear.
“Stay calm… Just calm,” I repeated to myself in a low voice, though the unease persisted.
I was confused. This was supposed to be a small private contest, but here were Kristina and Bryan, two major figures, turning up to watch.
It dawned on me that this competition might hold more significance than I had initially thought.
Meanwhile, Bryan’s sudden arrival stirred whispers and gasps from the others. “Prince Bryan…”
Bryan paid them no mind. He casually weaved through the crowd to position himself at the forefront. His handsome face broke into a playful and sinister grin.
“A competition should have stakes,” he declared. “Without a proper prize, where’s the motivation?”
Hayley, acting as judge, quickly agreed. “Absolutely, Your Highness. A reward will certainly make the competition more interesting. What do you propose?”
The sex slaves turned their attention to him, some visibly wishing they were the ones joining the competition.
Meanwhile, a knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach at his words.
Knowing Bryan’s twisted nature, I feared his idea of a “reward” would be far from appealing.
Sure enough, Bryan’s eyes met mine as his smile widened ominously.
“How about this? The loser will have to run around the palace naked, and the winner gets to spend the night with me.”
