Chapter 399

Chapter 399:

The servant, caught in the crossfire, gave a resigned nod and scurried off to carry out the command.

But the warmth from moments ago had already slipped through our fingers, and the silence that followed felt like a heavy cloud hanging over us. We finished breakfast without another word.

Afterward, Clayton suggested we go for a walk, hoping perhaps the fresh air might lift the heaviness that had settled between us. But fate seemed to have other plans. The moment we stepped outside the courtyard, there she was—Molly. She hadn’t left. She’d been waiting, lurking like a shadow.

Molly approached, her voice dripping with sweetness as she greeted Clayton. “Good morning, Your Highness.”

She practically purred, her tone syrupy and thick. Then her gaze found me. For just a second, a flicker of surprise darted across her face, but it vanished as quickly as it came. Still, I caught it.

Molly’s expression shifted into one of exaggerated cheerfulness, her voice ringing with false joy. “Makenna, Your Highness, congratulations on reconciling!” she chirped, her eyes glinting like a snake sizing up its prey.

I gave her a forced smile, masking my disdain with politeness. “Thanks to you,” I said sharply.

Molly sighed, her expression now morphing into one of helpless regret. “Makenna,” she began, her voice tinged with what seemed like genuine remorse, “what happened back then was a terrible accident. I never imagined it would cause such a rift between you and Prince Clayton. I’ve been wracked with guilt these past few days. But seeing you both together now, it really makes me happy.”

Inside, I was sneering, though my face stayed calm. If I hadn’t overheard her scheming with Lily last night, plotting to harm me, I might’ve been duped by this whole act, thinking she was genuinely innocent.

What a waste Molly wasn’t on the stage! She would’ve been a star performer.

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My mood darkened, suspicion creeping in. By now, I was even starting to wonder if she had a hand in that token mess.

Clayton was listening to Molly ramble on, her explanations never-ending, until his patience finally wore thin. His voice turned cold as he cut her off mid-sentence. “That incident was an accident. No point dragging it up again. Didn’t I ask the servant to tell you to leave? Why are you still here?”

Molly bit her lip, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she fumbled for words. “Your Highness, I have something really important to tell you. I couldn’t leave without speaking to you, so I waited.”

Clayton’s irritation was clear as day. “Then spit it out already.”

“Well…” Molly’s eyes flickered nervously, darting from Clayton to me, as if she couldn’t quite figure out how to start. She hesitated, casting helpless glances in my direction, which only made her seem more flustered.

Amused, I raised an eyebrow, playing along with her theatrics. “Do you need to say something in private to Prince Clayton? Should I give you some space?”

Feigning nonchalance, I made as if to leave, but Clayton saw right through me. Without hesitation, he pulled me back, his hand gripping mine firmly. His eyes locked onto Molly, his expression set. “Just say it.”

A flicker of annoyance crossed Molly’s face as she saw him pull me close, but she quickly changed her tune. Her eyes welled up, and her head drooped like a wilted flower. Her voice dropped to a tremble, barely a whisper. “I’m just… I’m worried… that what I have to say might upset Makenna.”

Her words sent a jolt through me, an ominous feeling gnawing at my gut. My heart pounded in my chest. Clayton must’ve felt the tremor in my hand because he squeezed it, a quiet reassurance, even as his patience wore thin with Molly. His voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Stop dragging this out. If you have something to say, say it now. I don’t have time for this.”

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