The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 209

Chapter 209

Inside the exquisitely decorated Phoenix Hall, the Queen reclined on a chaise lounge, her eyes lightly closed. Yet a troubled frown creased her brow.

Even with her eyes closed, the Queen knew that stubborn guy was still outside the palace gates.

After a long moment, she let out a quiet sigh and softly asked, “Is Lord Osborne still there?”

The maid stepped forward and replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, Lord Osborne has been waiting outside the palace gates. for four hours now.”

The Queen’s eyes snapped open, a flash of cold fury in her gaze. She barked, “Drag that bastard in here–now.”

“At once, Your Majesty,” the maid replied, bowing quickly before withdrawing from the hall.

Moments later, Michael, soaked to the bone, stood in the palace hall. His face was ashen, lips tinged blue with cold.

Yet his eyes remained piercing, burning with unwavering resolve. His drenched garments clung to him, the bone–chilling cold making him tremble.

Bowing deeply before the Queen, he declared, “Your subject pays homage to Your Majesty.”

“What? If I refuse your request, do you plan to stand outside the hall until you die?” The Queen’s chest heaved with anger, her gaze at Michael a complex mix of love and resentment.

The Queen was Kelsey’s cousin, which made Michael her nephew. Having watched him grow up since childhood, the Queen naturally treated him differently from others.

But this imperial favor was not something Michael could use as leverage against her.

Today, when Michael entered Phoenix Hall, he actually had the audacity to propose taking Athena as his co–wife–what outrageous nonsense.

The Queen flew into a rage upon hearing this and immediately banished him from the palace. Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, he refused to leave and had been standing there for hours.

Weary to the bone, the Queen pressed her delicate fingers to her temple, her eyes blazing with fury.

Michael kept his head bowed, confusion and desperation in his voice as he looked at the Queen. “Your Majesty, you helped me rescue Athena before. Why can’t you help me again?”

“Preposterous,” the Queen thundered. “You’re about to marry Lady Willow from the duke’s estate, yet you dare ask to take Athena as your co–wife? Are you trying to drive your mother to an early grave?

“I forbid you to mention this again, or I will have your legs broken. Guards, throw him out of Phoenix Hall at once, and bar him from entering again without my command.”

Michael suddenly panicked and pleaded, his voice cracking, “Your Majesty, please–just this once. Your Majesty-”

Two guards burst in and dragged him out.

The Queen’s brows knitted in fury as she swept the cup off the table with a crash. “If it weren’t for my son’s grand ambitions, how could I have tolerated that worthless girl living till now? She’s nothing but trouble.”

“Your Majesty, please calm down.” The palace maids and royal attendants prostrated themselves across the floor, trembling

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in fear.

Still seething with anger, the Queen commanded, “Deliver a warning to Kelsey, and tell her to keep a tighter leash on her son. I will not tolerate any more trouble from him.”

Her trusted aide bowed in acknowledgment and hurried out to carry out the order.

On his way out of the palace, Michael couldn’t stop thinking about the Queen’s words. ‘So that was it. Her Majesty only had me bring Athena out because of Fermin. From the very beginning, they had their eyes on her, he thought.

Realization dawned on him. The Queen wanted to use a marriage alliance to bind the duke’s estate and the Mcgee family together through Athena. What they truly coveted was the Mcgee family’s vast wealth.

‘With Athena’s temperament, would she ever obediently let them manipulate her?‘ Michael thought, ‘The answer is clear, absolutely not.‘

Athena never forgave a slight. Once she held a grudge, there was no turning back.

Michael thought anxiously, ‘With a temperament like Athena’s, how could she possibly go against Her Majesty? What would happen if she angered her? Ferris couldn’t even save himself. How could he possibly protect Athena?‘

Michael grew increasingly alarmed the more he thought about it. “No, this won’t do,” he told himself. “I have to warn Athena. She can’t be with Ferris.”

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