From Slave To Queen (by Karyn Anderson) novel Chapter 362

Chapter 362

Dusk was falling, and the carriage was cloaked in dimness.

A faint fragrance from Athena drifted into Xander’s nose. He stared at her full lips as they moved up and down, speaking.

The rich hue reminded him of cherries on a tree, exuding a sweet aroma.

Xander unconsciously swallowed. Though the summer heat had long passed, he still felt a bit hot.

He raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Athena noticed and asked, “Are you very hot?”

Just then, the carriage jolted violently as it rolled over a stone, and Athena fell forward.

Xander instinctively reached out to catch her by the waist. Even through the brocade, he could feel her body warmth.

Her hair brushed against his chin, carrying a subtle scent of cedar,

Inside the carriage, the two looked at each other awkwardly. Athena’s face flushed red like she’d been boiled.

She quickly pulled away from Xander, not knowing where to look.

Thankfully, the coachman stopped the carriage in time, and his voice came from outside. “Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the Duchess Manor.”

“I… I’ll go first.” Athena hurriedly got out of the carriage as if escaping..

Xander watched her back with a trace of disappointment. That sudden embrace had left his mind blank.

He had meant to take the opportunity to interrogate her, but by the time he recovered, she was already gone.

He lifted the curtain and looked out, wanting to call after her, but Athena had already disappeared from sight.

Xander chuckled helplessly and muttered, “Am I really that scary?”

A missed opportunity. It seemed like he’d have to wait until the wedding night to settle the score.

Just then, Ansel rode up beside the window and whispered a few words to Xander before handing him a sealed letter.

Xander opened the letter and read it. His expression grew serious. He then ordered the coachman, “To the palace.”

The day before the wedding, Athena sat talking with Kurtis.

The entire residence was filled with festive joy, and Kurtis was beaming with happiness.

Lately, Athena had taken good care of him, and he had become robust and even gained a bit of weight.

Her uncles had also transformed from sallow and thin to rosy and healthy–looking.

Even Claudia and Freya seemed like completely different people.

They looked at Athena with warmth in their eyes, giving her a long–lost feeling of home.

“Athena, this is a gift for you,” Claudia said with a smile as she handed Athena a box.

Athena took it, thanked her, and opened the box. Inside was a gilded beaded bracelet.

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Chapter 362

She quickly shut the lid in a fluster and said, “This is too precious, I can’t accept it.”

She remembered seeing Claudia wear this when she was a child.

Such an expensive bracelet should be worn by Freya, not given to her.

But Freya smiled and said, “Athena, just keep it. Even though you weren’t born to my mother, she treats you as her own daughter. This bracelet is a pate One was given to me, and the other to you. If you don’t accept it, Mother won’t feel at ease.”

If it weren’t for Athena, the Perkins family would still be suffering in the northwest.

They had only just returned to Pidence City and been reinstated in their official positions. Their foundation was still shaky. So, Athena didn’t want to accept such a costly gift from them.

Athena said, “I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I truly can’t accept this bracelet.” Unable to bear imposing such expense on Claudia, she persisted in returning it.

It felt like she had only just fallen asleep when Trina began shaking her awake. “My lady, wake up. Time to get ready!”

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