The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 226

hapter 226

Chapter 226

At the Xander Manor, when Athena entered, Nelson greeted her with a warm smile. “Lady Athena, there you are at last,” he said.

Athena smiled apologetically. “Sorry, I’m late–things have been hectic lately. It won’t happen again.”

Nelson gave her a knowing smile. “It’s okay.”

He couldn’t help but notice how much Xander had changed since Athena started coming around–no longer cold and distant, and even smiling more often. It was all thanks to her.

Nelson led Athena toward the inner courtyard, but suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Staring at the agile figure not far away, he gasped in astonishment. “His Highness can actually perform swordplay again.”

Athena followed Nelson’s gaze and saw a figure in black moving through the courtyard, his movements fluid.

The longsword in his hands left afterimages, its palpable killing intent making the air hum with the sword’s resonance.

Leaves whirled violently around him, the breathtaking scene making Athena’s eyes widen in awe.

Though she knew nothing of martial arts, she could even tell that no one could match Xander’s skill.

And Xander wasn’t even fully recovered yet. If he reached his peak, none could stand against him.

Suddenly, Xander’s gaze turned icy. With a flick of his wrist, a hidden projectile flashed toward Athena’s face. The dart skimmed past her hair.

With a sharp thunk, it embedded itself in the trunk of a tree.

Athena broke out in a cold sweat. When she turned, she saw a venomous hornet pinned to the tree by the needle.

Nelson gasped, “Oh my, that hornet is vicious. Its sting won’t kill you, but it’ll leave you swollen for weeks. Thank goodness His Highness acted in time.”

Realizing Nelson was trying to smooth things over for Xander, Athena quickly bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Xander sheathed his longsword with a flick of his wrist–the blade flew straight into its scabbard without him even glancing at it. He looked only at Athena and said, “It’s okay.”

As he spoke, he was already standing right in front of her.

Athena was still marveling at how effortlessly he’d sheathed his sword.

‘He didn’t even look–how is that possible?‘ she thought in awe. “That’s just incredible.

At that moment, Xander loomed over her. In an instant, an overwhelming, domineering aura surrounded Athena. It was so powerful that she felt completely defenseless. She didn’t even dare meet Xander’s eyes.

Xander looked down at her; Athena only reached his shoulder.

He was naturally much taller than most men, and though Athena wasn’t short herself, she seemed almost petite standing

before him.

Athena steadied herself and quickly held the herbal medicine out before Xander. “Your Highness, this is my new 1/2

201

Chapter 226

prescription. If you take it for another seven or eight days, your illness will be completely cured.”

The hands in front of him were far from delicate–in fact, they were rather rough. Yet to Xander, they looked just right. He never cared for dainty, fragile women; he found them dull.

Athena was straightforward and unpretentious, though there was one thing about her that irked him. Every time she looked at him, she would lower her head.

Xander’s brow furrowed slightly. ‘Is Athena afraid of me?‘ he wondered.

He took the herbal medicine from her, and when he noticed the wound on her wrist, a deep look flashed in his eyes. He was well aware that Athena had been abducted by Matthew.

“You saved my life. I owe you a favor, so I’ll teach you how to protect yourself,” Fixing his gaze on her forehead, Xander said in a commanding tone. With that, he turned and strode toward the training ground.

Athena was left a little stunned. ‘I never asked for any reward, she thought. ‘And his way of repaying me is really unusual.

“Well? Hurry up,” came Xander’s impatient voice from ahead.

Chapter 227

Chapter 227