The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 204

Eloise flushed crimson at Athena’s words. When her gaze fell upon the girl’s bruised and battered wrists, she gasped sharply, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Eloise shook her head. “No, I know what kind of person Matthew is. He may be a bit of a troublemaker, but he would never hurt you. He just wouldn’t—”

But the rest of the words stuck in Eloise’s throat; she simply couldn’t bring herself to say them.

Eloise simply couldn’t believe that Matthew would ever hurt Athena so badly. ‘There must be some kind of misunderstanding,’ she thought.

The child’s wound was the mother’s pain. Athena was her daughter. Of course, Eloise’s heart ached for her.

After a moment of silence, trembling slightly, Eloise took a few hesitant steps forward and wanted to explain, “Athena?”

Yet Athena stepped back, her gaze cold with indifference.

‘What am I expecting?‘ Athena thought bitterly. Am I really expecting Eloise to actually care about me? Just asking for humiliation.’

The bruises were right there in plain sight, yet Eloise couldn’t even muster a single word of comfort.

“Lady Eloise, since I hold no place in your heart, why bother pretending to care before me?” Athena said. After so many disappointments, she had lost all hope. Yet deep down, she still couldn’t accept this injustice.

Tears streamed down Eloise’s face as she pleaded, her voice trembling, “Athena, there must be some misunderstanding. Please tell me where Matthew is. When he returns, I’ll make sure he’s properly punished.”

Athena let out a bitter laugh. “Matthew can go wherever he wants. It’s hardly my place to dictate where he goes. Lady Eloise, did you make such a fuss coming here and lingering at my door just to show everyone how heartless and unfilial I am?

“Or are you so convinced I harmed Matthew that you came rushing here to demand answers?”

Athena’s words sent Eloise into a panic. She frantically shook her head. “No, Athena, that’s not it. I was just worried about waking you, so I waited here instead.”

“If you were truly concerned about waking me, you could have just sat down or come back later.

“Instead, you chose to stand here, pressuring me, trying to guilt–trip me into revealing Matthew’s whereabouts. Lady Eloise, how low can you stoop?” Athena sneered.

Eloise’s eyes flew open wide, tears cascading down.

Dorothea steadied her with a concerned hand. “Lady Eloise, are you okay?”

Eloise staggered, as if she’d finally given up on Athena. She nodded weakly, her face pale as a sheet. She said softly, “Since you don’t know, Athena, I won’t press further. Let’s go, Dorothea.”

Eloise’s figure slumped, her stooped posture making her look as if she’d aged a decade in an instant.

Athena didn’t even spare Eloise a glance as she left.

As soon as Eloise stepped out of Snowdrop Wing, she sighed deeply, “Matthew went too far this time. No matter what, he shouldn’t have taken Athena by force, let alone hurt her so badly. It’s only natural for Athena to hold a grudge.”

1/2

As she said this, Eloise brushed the tears from her cheeks, her eyes brimming with helplessness.

Dorothea asked anxiously, “Sir Monson has been missing for so long. Could something have happened to him?”

“Absolutely not,” Eloise said firmly. “Athena may be cold toward us, but she would never take Matthew’s life. At most, she’s just teaching him a lesson.”

Dorothea nodded. “That’s good then.”

With unsteady steps, Eloise made her way toward the main hall.

Inside, Athena rubbed her temples, already feeling a headache coming on. Every visit from Eloise left Athena with a splitting headache.

Trina came in with the account books, but seeing Athena in such a state; she quietly turned around and left.

“Come back,” Athena called out, puzzled. “Why the rush to leave?”

Trina looked at Athena with concern. “Miss Monson, I noticed you weren’t feeling well, so I didn’t dare to disturb you.”

“That’s not for you to worry about,” Athena said, beckoning her closer. “Bring it here.”