Chapter 85:
Makenna’s POV:
Alice got drunk?
Worry surged through me.
We were in the palace, and the last thing I wanted was for anything to happen to her. That could spell disaster.
Despite my reluctance to leave the dance, I quickly said to Clayton, “Your Highness, my friend Alice has had too much to drink. I need to check on her.”
Clayton, always considerate, said, “I can come with you.”
As much as I appreciated his constant help, I didn’t want to trouble him with this. Shaking my head, I declined politely, “Please, don’t trouble yourself, Your Highness. I can handle it. I’ll be right back.”
Seeing my determination, Clayton didn’t press the issue. He released me with a courteous nod. “Alright. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
I nodded in thanks and hurriedly left the ballroom with the waiter, my worry for Alice growing with each step.
The waiter led me swiftly through the palace, and before long, we reached the back garden. But to my surprise, the garden was empty.
“Where’s Alice? Huh? Where is she?” I spun around to question the waiter, only to find that he had vanished without a trace.
My heart pounded in my chest as I realized something was terribly wrong. I had been lured into a trap. As I turned to leave, a tall figure blocked my path.
Bryan stood before me, his eyes filled with malicious intent, a faint, cruel smile on his lips.
Instinctively, I took a step back, fear gripping me. “Why are you here?”
I stammered, though the answer was already clear in my mind.
There was no drunken Alice, no concerned waiter.
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This had all been Bryan’s doing, a ploy to get me alone.
Understanding this made my panic intensify. Bryan’s warning from earlier flashed through my mind, and I realized I was in serious danger.
He leaned in close, his eyes flashing with a menacing glint. “Did you enjoy your dance with Clayton?” he asked, his voice dangerously low.
His icy gaze sent a chill down my spine. I tried to maintain my composure as I answered, “Your Highness, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you understand what I—” Bryan’s hand shot out, gripping my neck tightly. He leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear as he growled, “I warned you not to flirt with other men. Are you so desperate for attention?”
Bryan’s grip tightened, cutting off my air. Pain shot through me, and I clawed at his hand, struggling to breathe.
Desperately, I tried to pry his fingers off, choking out a reply. “I’m not your… pet. I don’t… owe you… anything.”
I glared at him, defiant even as I struggled for breath.
From the moment I arrived at the palace, Bryan had treated me like his property, a plaything for his amusement. All I wanted to do was hurt him. I was no one’s possession.
“Bravo! Very good,” Bryan said. His grip tightened mercilessly as he laughed, his rage evident in his cruel eyes.
My breath came in ragged gasps as I fought for air, my vision growing dim. My strength ebbed away, my hands slipping from his arm as darkness closed in.
I felt the world around me fading to black.
Then, just as suddenly as he had seized me, Bryan released his hold. I crumpled to the ground, coughing and gasping for air, my chest heaving as I struggled to fill my lungs. Pain radiated from my throat, and I instinctively clutched at my neck, trying to soothe the burning sensation.
As I lay there, trying to catch my breath, Bryan loomed over me, his gaze icy and calculating. I knew then, without a doubt, that he had been moments away from killing me.
“Great! You don’t even fear death now,” Bryan said, his voice like ice. His lips twisted into a sadistic smile as he continued, “I should give you some other punishments, then.”
