Chapter 1287

Chapter 1287:

“Search everywhere, don’t miss a spot,” I barked at my guards, my voice raw and barely my own. “Check every nearby village, the woods beneath the cliffs, even the edges of the Wizard Clan’s lands. Leave no stone unturned.”

The days that followed dragged on like a nightmare that refused to end. Every dawn, I led the search myself, combing through every place where Makenna might still be fighting for life.

We dammed the river beneath the cliffs to scour its depths and searched through every bush in the woods.

Each time a soldier returned with news, my chest would seize with hope, only to be crushed by their disappointing answers and heavy sighs.

Clayton and Dayton remained in the city, occupied with endless talks and negotiations.

Many nights when I came back late, the conference hall lights still burned, and I could hear their routine discussions with the nobles.

Sometimes, passing the study, I glimpsed Clayton scowling over stacks of secret letters, his fingers drumming against the list of our father’s possible hidden guards.

That night, Clayton and I returned empty-handed once more.

The sinking sun stretched our shadows long, our boots caked with mud, and thorny branches tearing at our cloaks.

As we stepped into the Pierce family garden, Alden hurried toward us. He looked pale and worn, dressed in a hospital gown beneath a jacket, bloodied bandages wrapped tightly around his chest.

It was clear he had caught word of what had happened to Makenna.

“Where’s Makenna? What have you done with her?” His eyes were red and wild as he seized my collar.

I stood frozen while he shook me, my throat tightening painfully. The collar bit sharply into my neck, but that pain was nothing compared to the storm raging inside me.

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“Answer me!” Alden’s voice cracked with raw emotion. “You lot are useless! Why couldn’t you protect her?”

“Enough!” Clayton cut in quickly, gripping Alden’s wrist firmly. “Now’s not the time for pointing fingers! Things were desperate; no one saw this coming.”

“Then where is she!” Alden shouted, his panic ringing through the garden. “You failed to protect her, plain and simple!”

Maia rushed over, steadying Alden’s trembling shoulders. “Alden, please, take a breath! They’ve been searching tirelessly, day and night. They’re hurting just as much as you.”

Dayton hurried over when he heard the commotion and gave Clayton and me an uneasy bow, a strained smile on his face. “Your Highnesses, Alden’s been really shaken since hearing about Makenna. If he’s offended anyone, I apologize on his behalf.”

I had no will to argue with Alden anymore. Stiffly, I straightened my rumpled collar and turned away. By then, guilt was already consuming me from within. I didn’t need anyone else adding to the blame.

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