The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 221

Trina’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. She whispered, “H–How could he be hurt so badly?”

Athena wasn’t frightened by those scars. They only made her heart ache. Athena turned to Trina and said, “You may leave for

now.”

Trina, realizing her lapse in composure, quickly apologized, “Lady Athena, I’m not afraid. I just can’t bear seeing Lord Ferris suffer so much.”

Athena nodded. “Go.”

“Yes, Lady Athena.” Trina set down what she was carrying and withdrew.

‘No wonder he wouldn’t let me see–injured so badly,‘ Athena wondered.

“Ferris, did you really think I’d reject you because of this?” Athena’s heart twisted in agony.

She’d thought she’d suffered enough, but now she realized Ferris had endured far more.

Athena took a deep breath, forcing down the storm of emotions inside her. With steady hands, she picked up the silver needles and gently inserted them into Ferris’s acupoints.

After a careful round of acupuncture, Ferris’s breathing finally grew calm and even.

Athena wiped the sweat from her brow and sat vigil by Ferris’s bedside.

His face was pale, his brows tightly furrowed as if trapped in a nightmare. His head tossed restlessly, muttering incoherent words.

Leaning closer, Athena caught only a few slurred phrases. “G–Go away. D–Don’t.”

Then, to her shock, Ferris broke into helpless sobs, a vulnerability Athena had never seen in him before. He looked like a shattered doll, as if the slightest touch might break him completely.

“Ferris? Ferris, wake up,” Athena called softly.

Moments later, Ferris’s eyes fluttered open. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with terror.

When he saw Athena, he immediately averted his gaze, unable to meet her eyes. He pulled the covers higher, burying himself underneath them.

“H–How are you still here?” came his muffled voice from under the covers.

Athena wondered what could have happened to Ferris to cause him such agony. Suddenly, she recalled what Wade had said before leaving.

He had asked, “If you knew about Ferris’s past, would you still marry him?”

Is it those words that had triggered Ferris’s inferiority complex?‘ she wondered.

Athena slowly reached out, her fingers brushing the edge of the quilt. Looking at Ferris, she said softly, “Since I’ve made up my mind to marry you, I would never reject you. So why are you hiding from me? Is it really just because of those scars?”

But Athena knew it wasn’t just about the scars. There must be another reason, she thought. There has to be more to it. Could it have something to do with Wade?‘

1/2

Athena pulled back the covers, revealing Ferris’s tear–streaked face. To her surprise, he was gazing at her, tears streaming down his cheeks. Seeing him so vulnerable tore at her heart.

Athena gave Ferris a gentle smile. “This too shall pass, Ferris. You’ll be okay.”

Ferris finally managed to steady his emotions and tried to smile at Athena. But no matter how hard he tried, his lips simply wouldn’t obey.

“Atheny, I–I just need some time to myself,” Ferris said quietly.

Athena understood his emotional collapse. His scars, both physical and emotional, had almost healed. But everything changed with Wade’s arrival, which triggered memories Ferris had tried so hard to bury.

Wade made Ferris relive those painful memories he never wanted to revisit.

Even in such agony, the fact that he could still remain gentle with Athena spoke volumes about his strength.

“Okay, I’ll come to see you in a few days.” Athena gave a gentle, understanding nod. She slowly rose to her feet and quietly turned to leave.

Just as Athena reached the door, Ferris called out to her, his voice thick with emotion. “Atheny?”

She turned back to see him forcing a bitter, self–mocking smile. “What if I’m not the perfect man you imagine? Would you still treat me this way?”

“I would. Always,” she said.

Ferris’s voice trembled as he looked at Atheny. “What if I’m tainted?”