Athena jolted awake from a nightmare.
She lay quietly, gazing at the ceiling with calm eyes, neither crying not making a fuss.
But beneath her unnaturally calm eyes, a storm seemed to be brewing.
Trina entered quietly and saw Athena staring blankly at the ceiling. She tiptoed closer.
“Athena? Athena?” she called softly, twice.
Athena didn’t respond. Alarmed, Trina reached toward her nose to check if she was breathing, only for Athena to grab her hand.
Athena’s hand was bone–chilling cold, and her eyes were as sharp as winter icicles.
Just meeting her gaze sent chills down Trina’s spine.
“I’m fine,” Athena finally said, only to realize how raw and hoarse her voice was.
Trina’s eyes welled up as she looked at Athena. “Athena, if you’re hurting, please cry. Don’t bottle it up,” she said, gently helping Athena sit up.
Athena’s gaze fell upon the table, which was empty.
“Athena, are you perhaps hungry?” Trina asked cautiously.
After being unconscious all night and yesterday’s ordeal, she must be starving,‘ Trina thought.
Athena nodded curtly. “Bring me some food,” she said.
A hint of relief appeared on Trina’s face. “Okay. I’ll get it immediately.”
Soon, the table was covered with food.
Athena sat at the table and began to eat.
In no time, she finished a plate of pasta.
Without pausing, Athena said, “More.”
Trina, surprised, quickly served her another plate of pasta.
Athena usually ate very little, but she finished a second helping today.
She didn’t look like she was eating, more like heading to battle.
After finishing her meal, Athena stood up.
She stormed toward the front yard, radiating hostility, and Trina hurried after her.
But when Athena reached the courtyard gate, she found it tightly shut.
每
Trina looked troubled. “Athena, Lord Nicolas says your mind is unsettled and you should stay in the courtyard to reflect.”
Athena stared at the locked gate and let out a cold laugh. ‘Reflect? Huh, how thoughtful.‘
She turned and went back inside. Moments later, Trina watched in shock as Athena grabbed an axe and strode back out.
1/4
montassen, abhor began hacking at the final day,
Tað prent indtast heard the commotion and was about to intervene. But then, he saw the blade of an axe protrude through a splintered gath
hibe crack, she saw Albens’s eyes, tolder than lee.
The nation screamed and stumbled backward in terror.
She thought Athena was so terrifying
The lot wasn’t hard to break. Athena smashed it open in just five swings.
She kicked the door open and strede out of the courtyard.
Walking by the matron, Athena said coldly, “Go inform Nicolas. Tell him I’m out.”
The matron hesitated, waving her hands in fear. “I–I dare not…”
“Go! Now!” Athena snapped, tightening her grip on the ax. The matron let out a shriek and fled.
Trina followed closely behind Athena, her heart pounding with fear. She didn’t dare ask what Athena was planning.
Judging by Athena’s demeanor, it feels like she is ready to risk everything,’ she thought.
Trina glanced around, then grabbed a locust wood stick from the firewood pile.
Seeing the sharp thorns on it, she felt a little more secure.
Athena marched toward the woodshed in the backyard, an axe in hand. The old matron on guard spotted her from afar and quickly shrank to the side.
“It’s not worth risking my life for that little money,‘ the matron thought.
Athena strode up and held out her hand to the matron. “Give me the key,” she demanded.
Trembling, the matron handed over the key. Athena unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Inside the woodshed, disheveled Aliza crouched over a plate of scraps.
It was my greed that had ruined me,‘ she thought.
23-22 Mon, 30 Jun
Terrified, the matrons squeezed their eyes shut and turned away.
After finishing everything, Athena finally made her way to the front courtyard.
There were Henry, whose face flushed with rage, Nicolas, features dark as a thundercloud, Matthew, who looked visibly guilty, and the ever hypocritical Eloise.
Next to Eloise, Willow was still sniveling theatrically
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