The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 12

Athena shot out of bed in an instant. As she threw on her clothes, she asked sharply, “What happened?”

Aliza rushed over, flustered. “The gatekeeper just reported that Lady Willow left the estate by herself. She took a carriage and made it clear that no one was to alert her parents. She’s just a girl–what if something happens to her?”

‘She made it clear to the gatekeeper?‘ Athena chewed on those words, a faint, ironic smile tugging at her lips. ‘If she really meant to leave quietly, would she have let herself be seen?‘

Willow had left only after stopping by Athena’s courtyard. If something happened to her now, no one in the household would let Athena off the hook.

But Athena thought, ‘If I am forced to leave… how can I still take care of Grandmother? How will I give her the medicine?”

Athena went out in haste.

Siena and Aliza followed close behind Athena, umbrellas in hand. “My lady, please slow down! If you catch cold in this rain, it’ll be serious.”

By the time Athena reached the front courtyard, Eloise was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe, nearly collapsing from grief.

Her sister–in–law, Fiona Monson, was beside her, trying to comfort her.

Having just given birth, Fiona looked pale and worn. She had been resting and recovering these past weeks, which was why Athena hadn’t seen her.

Nicolas sat off to the side, his face stormy. The moment he saw Athena, he stood and strode toward her.

Fiona, afraid he’d start a fight, rushed to intercept him–but he shoved her aside so forcefully she nearly fell. A maid caught her just in time.

Nicolas stopped in front of Athena, radiating anger. “What exactly did you say to Willow? Why would she leave so suddenly without telling anyone?”

Athena’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. She had stopped caring long ago. He had never trusted her–not once.

Eloise stepped forward and hit Nicolas, her fists trembling with fury. “Can’t you speak properly? Why would you push Fiona like that? She just gave birth–do you think she can take that kind of shove?”

Then, noticing the slight mockery in Athena’s eyes, she added sharply, “And when are you going to fix that temper of yours? Can’t you speak to Athena like a decent person? She’s your sister!”

At those words, something stirred faintly in Athena’s chest–but she quickly pushed the feeling down.

Eloise turned to her. “Athena, if Willow has done something wrong, I’m asking you–please, for my sake, don’t be too hard on her. Will you?”

Tears streamed down Eloise’s face as she beat her chest in anguish. “It’s all my fault–it’s me to blame. You know where Willow went, don’t you? Please, just tell us. She’s not strong. In this kind of downpour, her body won’t hold up.”

She sounded like she was defending Athena–but in the very next breath, she was already pointing the finger.

Everyone had already decided it was Athena who drove Willow away. But the truth was, she hadn’t done a thing.

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Chapter 12

Athena’s tone stayed even, but her words were laced with thorns. “Aren’t you overestimating me, Lady Eloise? If I really had that kind of power, she would’ve been gone ten years ago. Why wait until now?

“Or are you just afraid I’m jealous of the attention you’ve always given her?”

Eloise’s gaze flickered, avoiding hers.

Athena gave a cold, hollow laugh. “All that so–called affection you hold so dear? It means nothing to me.”

Love? She’d stopped caring a long time ago.

Eloise’s face flushed a deep red. She staggered back a step, nearly falling.

Athena just stood there, watching blankly–didn’t even move to help her.

Eloise raised a trembling finger, trying to speak, but no words came out.

Then Nicolas’s furious voice broke through the silence. “Athena! How dare you talk to Mother like that? Can’t you see she’s beside herself with worry?”

He thought, ‘Now of all times, Athena is still acting out–no sense of timing, no self–control. Mother has already lowered herself to beg, and she still has the heart to twist the knife.‘

He continued, “All this–for a man? You’d throw away your own flesh and blood? Say things like that just to push Mother over the edge? You know how much she loves Willow, and you still drove her away like that? You’re heartless–utterly ungrateful.”

But Athena suddenly raised her voice, cutting him off coldly. “The reason you’re so worked up, Lord Nicolas, is because you’re afraid–afraid that if something happens to Willow, you won’t be able to explain it to the Osborne family.

“If her reputation takes a hit, that marriage alliance falls apart. So why pretend it’s about anything else?

“She ran away just to string you along, and you all fell for it. Built her a stage to play her part, and you’ll be stuck in the show she’s written. You’ll regret it–and I’ll be there to watch.”

The mockery in Athena’s eyes hit Nicolas like a slap. He froze, as if someone had ripped the curtain down and left him exposed in broad daylight.

“You’re completely out of line,” he snapped. “Beg in the courtyard. And you’d better pray Willow’s safe–because if anything happens to her, I swear you’ll go down with her.”