Seeing Athena had every detail covered, Xander dopped raising
Xander promptly had a servant send word back to the Porter Mansion, confirming they would amive pondsally the following day
The next day. Yander and Athens arrived punctually at issac’s birthday party.
Alexandra accompanied them, but she still couldn’t bring herself to soften her attitude, her gaze toward Athena and Yander
“Hi, Mother,” Xander and Athena said in unison, bowing respectfully Alexandra merely offered a cool red of acknowledgment before desorg eta the carriage without another word.
Xander gave Athena a helpless smile, thinking, “What a temper,”
Athena shrugged it off. Noticing how late it was getting, she said, “We’d better get a move on.”
Xander nodded, then gently took Athena’s hand and helped her into the carriage.
Before long, the carriage pulled up at the Porter Mansion.
The entrance bustled with carriages coming and going in an endless stream, as guests arrived to offer their birthday wishe
All were powerful aristocrats and young ladies from noble families.
As soon as Alexandra alighted from the carriage, she was respectfully ushered inside by the waiting attendants.
The main hall of the Porter Mansion was brightly lit by peach–shaped longevity buns and vibrant red candles.
On either side of the portrait of the God of Longevity, golden calligraphy on the birthday couplets shimmered in the candlelight, each character proclaiming.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” the assembly chorused, performing synchronized curtsies.
Alexandra looked dazzlingly radiant today, her beauty commanding all eyes the moment she entered.
The noble ladies gasped in astonishment at the sight of her. “Alexandra, what a radiant glow. We haven’t seen you for just a few days, and you look years younger–like a completely new woman.”
“We’re dying to know your secret–how do you maintain such youthfulness? Surely you must have some secret recipe. Do share it with us.”
The noble ladies crowded around Alexandra, all talking at once, their eyes wide with astonishment.
Though in her forties, Alexandra appeared barely thirty.
With her fair, rosy complexion and glowing skin, she stood out dazzlingly among the noble ladies.
Actually, she didn’t need their flattery–Alexandra had already noticed the change herself when she woke up that morning.
As she applied her makeup, she was astonished by her own transformation.
She never expected the beauty–enhancing elixir Athena gave her would truly work wonders.
Alexandra was secretly rejoicing, yet maintained a composed facade. “A secret recipe? There’s really nothing special–merely a vegetarian diet and devout prayer practice, that’s all,” she replied, her tone modest and dismissive.
The noble ladies gasped in admiration, “We’re all so envious. No wonder Your Highness looks so radiant and youthful–it must be a God blessing indeed,”
Chapter 381
Alexandra managed a soft smile, though inwardly she was overjoyed.
‘No way am I tetting these women in on this little miracle, Alexandra thought to herself, secretly delighted.
Amidst the lively chatter, a sudden stir swept through the crowd as voices exclaimed, “Your Highness, we have arrived.”
All eyes discreetly followed Xander and Athena as they took their seats, the guests‘ attention lingering on them, subtle, yet unmistakable.
Alexandra allowed herself a subtle smile, her expression radiating a quiet triumph.
Though Xander had been stripped of military command, his prestige remained undiminished.
Issa sat at the seat of honor, his daughter Kendra Porter by his side.
But today, Kendra seemed unusually subdued, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Athena also noticed Kendra’s unusual demeanor and couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What’s troubling her?”
Xander lowered his voice and said to Athena, “The King of Nortcold has signed a century–long peace treaty with our kingdom. To strengthen the alliance between the two nations, my elder brother, His Majesty, has decided to marry a princess off to Nortcold.”
Athena’s heart skipped a beat. There were only a handful of princesses left in the royal family now.
Lizzie was already gone, and the rest were either too young or already betrothed.
That left only Kendra.
But the King of Nortcold was nearly forty–old enough to be her father.
‘No wonder she wears that wretched expression, her gaze towards me even tinged with resentment,‘ Athena wondered. ‘She couldn’t possibly believe that Xander and I deliberately orchestrated all this, just so she’d end up as the princess sent away!
Tilting her head back, she downed her wine in one swift motion. When she set the cup down, her eyes were already rimmed with tears.
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