Chapter 80:
Makenna’s POV:
“You again?”
Bryan shook off Frank’s hand with a flick of impatience, a deadly glint flashing across his otherwise handsome face.
Frank, who had been so full of himself just moments ago, quickly lost his bravado. In a panic, he forced a smile.
“It’s an honor to see you again, Your Highness… Uh, this is all just a misunderstanding, I swear.”
His slimy, insincere humility made my stomach turn.
I couldn’t help but wonder, once again, how I had ever been in love with such a man.
Jessica’s expression shifted dramatically the moment she saw Bryan. She pointed an accusatory finger at me and whined,
“Your Highness, Makenna deliberately provoked us.”
“Oh?” Bryan snorted dismissively. “And?”
Jessica clearly hadn’t expected such a response and blinked in confusion.
“But…”
“But what?” Bryan cut her off with lazy disdain, eyeing her as if she were something unpleasant stuck to his shoe.
“You’re rude, and you’re ugly. How did you even get into the palace?”
Jessica’s face flushed with anger, but she didn’t dare to say a word back.
I couldn’t suppress a laugh. Despite Bryan’s many flaws, his blunt honesty was oddly satisfying.
Bryan’s gaze flicked to me as I laughed, his eyebrow arching in curiosity.
The moment our eyes met, my laughter died in my throat, replaced by a rush of fear.
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Alice, standing nervously at my side, tugged at my sleeve, avoiding Bryan’s gaze altogether.
I patted her hand gently, trying to reassure her.
The climbing competition had clearly left a scar on her, but I believed Bryan would keep his word not to trouble her further.
Once Alice settled, I noticed Jessica glaring at me with a mix of jealousy and hatred, while Frank had shrunk back, looking utterly defeated.
I decided they weren’t worth my time or energy and turned my focus elsewhere.
Bryan, too, seemed to lose interest in them. He turned to me instead, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Makenna, you’ve certainly made a name for yourself today. Even Clayton decided to stick his neck out for you.”
I replied calmly,
“Prince Clayton spoke up for me because he is kind and gentle.”
Bryan, on the other hand, seemed to thrive on being a short-tempered brute.
I kept that thought to myself, but Bryan seemed to pick up on it anyway. His face darkened as he stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous.
“What do you mean by that? Are you mocking me?”
I bowed my head and took a step back, feigning submission.
“Of course not, Your Highness. I wouldn’t dare.”
Bryan sneered.
“You wouldn’t dare? Your audacity knows no bounds.”
He was ready to push the point further, but a soft, calm voice interrupted him.
“Bryan,”
Clayton approached, his smile gentle, his voice as soothing as a spring breeze.
“Let her be, Bryan. If you’re upset, take it out on me instead.”
