The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 420

Chapter 420

The wedding guests noticed this and began whispering to each other, “What’s going on? Is Lady Willow unwilling to marry, or what? Why are they pulling a long face?”

“Who knows? I’m not going to put up with this nonsense. I’m out of here.”

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Many guests, clueless about the real situation, left in a huff.

Henry and Eloise tried to persuade them to stay, but their efforts were futile.

Given the devastating blow to the Aurora Atelier, Henry and Eloise were barely holding it together.

Of course, they couldn’t publicly acknowledge any of this. After all, it was embarrassing.

Willow, secluded in her room, had no idea what was happening outside. She was still waiting for Eloise to bring Margaret back.

But after what felt like an eternity, there was still no sign of them.

Unable to sit still any longer, she asked Nona, “Hasn’t Grandmother returned yet? The wedding is about to begin.”

With both her brothers still recovering, it was humiliating enough not having them escort her out for the wedding as tradition required.

If even Margaret didn’t show up, she’d be buried under all the gossip.

Nona shook her head frantically. “Lady Eloise has returned, but I don’t know what happened. She looked utterly distraught, and even… even many of the guests have already left.”

“What?” Willow shot to her feet in anger. “No, I have to go out and check it out.”

“Lady Willow, you mustn’t.” Nona frantically blocked her path. “The bride mustn’t be seen before the ceremony.”

Willow composed herself and sat back down. “You’re right. It’s my big day. I can’t be seen before the ceremony.”

Seated in her room, Willow was on pins and needles. She felt extremely uneasy.

The wedding was about to start, but there was still no activity outside.

She urged Nona, “Go outside and see what’s going on. Why hasn’t the wedding procession arrived yet?”

Nona shook her head. “It’s utter chaos out there, Lady Willow. I saw Lady Eloise busy entertaining the guests, but I couldn’t get any useful information.”

It was about time for the wedding to begin, yet there was still no sign of the Osborne family’s wedding procession.

Just as Eloise was about to send someone to the Osborne family for news, a messenger from the Osborne family arrived.

“Lady Eloise, bad news,” the messenger said. “Peace Street collapsed without warning. Half the wedding procession fell in. Lord Osborne narrowly escaped injury, and now they have to take the long way around to fetch the bride.”

Eloise’s vision darkened. ‘What a complete nightmare,‘ she thought.

Forcing herself to stay upright, Eloise asked, “If they take the long way, how much longer until they get here?”

The messenger thought for a moment before replying, “It’ll take another hour, Lady Eloise. Grandton Street is chock–full of market crowds, so Lord Osborne has no choice but to detour outside the city walls and re–enter through the West Gate.”

“But if he does that, we’ll miss the start time,” Eloise exclaimed, sweat beading on her forehead.

If the wedding didn’t begin on schedule, the groom wouldn’t be blamed, but everyone would pin all the blame on Willow.

She’d be criticized and labeled as a jinx.

On her wedding day, her grandmother fell gravely ill, and her husband–to–be fell from his horse.

Any future mishap would surely be blamed on Willow as well.

Eloise’s eyes brimmed with anxious tears. “This won’t do. We absolutely cannot start the wedding late. Tell Lord Osborne that no matter what happens, he must arrive on time.”

Gritting her teeth, she added, “If he misses the appointed time, the Monson family would rather call off the wedding entirely.”

Sensing the gravity of the situation, the messenger boy dared not delay for even a second. Spurring his horse, he galloped off to catch up with the wedding procession.