The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 125

Chapter 125

Willow was helped up at dawn to prepare for the engagement ceremony, the pain having dulled from the aconite powder

she’d taken.

Thick layers of gauze tightly bound her wounds, while she doused herself in heavy perfume to mask the lingering scent of

medicine.

Willow’s face was deathly pale, so the maid dusted a heavy layer of powder on her cheeks and painted her lips with rouge.

At first glance, she looked perfectly normal, no one would have guessed anything was wrong.

As Willow emerged from the courtyard, she saw Athena deep in conversation with Kelsey.

Kelsey slipped a red silk–wrapped bundle from her sleeve and pressed it into Athena’s hand.

Athena flashed her a smile. “Thank you,” she said.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Athena caught sight of Willow, and a flicker of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Athena thought to herself, ‘After what Willow went through, I was sure she’d be bedridden for days. How is she standing here so steadily? This is truly astonishing.’

Kelsey immediately caught the flicker of surprise in Athena’s eyes. Instinctively, she followed Athena’s gaze, only to see Willow and Eloise slowly approaching from the side gate.

Kelsey turned slightly, her gaze landing on Athena with a hint of warning in her eyes. “Now that you have what you came for, I expect you to keep your word, stay away from my son.”

Athena tightly clutched the item in her hand and said earnestly, “Even if you hadn’t said anything, I would have kept my word.”

Her words made Kelsey’s brows furrow slightly. She had witnessed firsthand just how obsessed Athena had once been with Michael.

She thought, ‘Now that she’s latched onto the Mcgee family, she cast aside my son without a second thought. What a cold- hearted, ungrateful woman.‘

Seeing Eloise and Willow approaching, Athena gave Kelsey a faint, polite smile, then turned and walked away.

Early that morning, a messenger from Xander arrived with a letter.

He would be sending a carriage to fetch her today.

Athena went back to pack her things, getting ready to head to Xander.

As she turned, Michael’s towering figure abruptly came into view.

The early morning light gilded him with a golden edge, accentuating the sharp, chiseled planes of his face.

His cool, piercing eyes seemed even more mesmerizing in the soft morning light.

He stood there quietly, tall and straight like a steadfast pine, radiating an innate nobility and composure.

His gaze landed on Athena’s hand, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

1/2

r

7

Chapter 125

Even from several feet away, Athena could feel the icy hostility radiating from Michael.

Maybe she was just imagining things, but for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of pain in Michael’s eyes.

Athena wondered, ‘What’s he so upset about?

“Today is supposed to be the happiest day of his life, he’s finally marrying the woman he loves.

‘He should be happy, shouldn’t he?’

Athena sighed inwardly, filled with helpless frustration. She truly wanted to avoid any further entanglement with Michael, yet fate had placed her on the only path leading to the front courtyard, right past him.

Steeling herself, Athena slowly made her way toward Michael.

As she approached, Athena gave a slight, respectful bow and said in a formal tone, “Congratulations, Lord Osborne.”

With that, she gave a shallow curtsy, a gesture so cold and perfunctory, it was as if no intimacy had ever existed between them.

However, Michael’s face instantly darkened with fury, his expression turning as stormy as gathering thunderclouds.

His eyes bulged with rage, as if flames were about to shoot out. Through clenched teeth, he demanded, “Athena, ask yourself, how could you betray me like this?”

Before Athena had a chance to respond, Michael suddenly reached out and seized her wrist in a vice–like grip.

Then, his voice rose in furious accusation, trembling with anger and pain. “You actually treated our relationship as a bargaining chip you could trade at will, Athena. What you’ve done makes me sick to my stomach!”

38)