The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 242

Chapter 242

With measured steps, Margaret entered, leaning heavily on her cane.

Her eyes brimmed with tender anguish as she looked at Athena.

At the sight of Margaret, tears welled up in Athena’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

Athena could turn her back on anyone, but never on Margaret.

“Grandmother.” Athena fell to her knees, her voice choked with tears. “I’ve failed you as your granddaughter.”

“My child, stand up,” Margaret said, her eyes reddened with tears as she reached out and gently helped Athena to her feet.

Margaret looked at Athena’s disheveled hair and shook her head repeatedly, thinking, ‘It’s my fault. I dragged Athena into

this mess.’

She smoothed Athena’s long hair and coiled it back up.

Taking the hairpin from Gwen, she secured the bun in place.

Athena’s heart ached sharply, her throat tightening so much that she could barely breathe.

She gazed at Margaret, confusion and guilt clouding her eyes, yet not a word of accusation could escape her lips.

‘Grandmother can’t bear to part with me. Neither can I, Athena thought. ‘But this place is devouring me. Any longer, and I’ll lose my mind.‘

Margaret seemed to see right through Athena’s thoughts. In a gentle yet firm voice, she said, “A woman should never so lightly cut off her hair.”

Their customs held that women’s hair should remain uncut, save for times of collective grief or their parents‘ death.

Athena’s parents were still alive. For her to shave her head now would be tantamount to cursing them. It was a defiant act and the gravest filial impiety.

For this offense, Athena would face eighty lashes, exile to a place a thousand miles away, removal from the family registry, and the scorn of society.

This wasn’t just cutting her hair. It was choosing death.

Margaret’s heart was breaking for Athena. Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she held Athena’s.

Margaret slowly surveyed those present, her usually gentle eyes blazing with fury. “You heartless wretches! Must you hound her to death before you’re satisfied?

“Athena is but a child. She cannot bear such a heavy punishment. Let me pay the price instead, shall we?”

Henry panicked and hastily pleaded, “Mother, please calm your anger.”

Everyone lowered their heads, terror etched across their faces.

Willow held her breath, her heart pounding wildly.

Gwen gently helped Margaret settle into the armchair.

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Margaret looked around at her descendants in the room, sorrow etched across her face.

A once–harmonious family, now torn apart by an adopted daughter,‘ she sighed inwardly. ‘She’s forced the Monson family’s trueborn daughter to shave her head and renounce her kin

Margaret slammed her cane hard against the floor, her voice steel–edged. “Henry, do you still acknowledge me as your

mother?”

Henry hung his head and answered anxiously, “Mother, why would you say such a thing? How could I ever not acknowledge you?”

Margaret nodded and sighed. “Since you still acknowledge me, that’s good. Then, will you heed my words?”

Henry and Eloise exchanged uncertain glances, unable to discern Margaret’s intentions.

But they knew that undoubtedly, it must concern either Willow or Athena.

Henry weighed his words carefully before replying, “Naturally, I’ll listen to you.”

Margaret pointed at Willow and declared, her voice firm, “Since you claim you’ll listen, give Athena justice. I will not tolerate Willow’s presence in this house any longer.”

Willow’s legs went weak in terror at these words.

She broke into soft sobs, daring to meet Margaret’s gaze as she pleaded through her tears, “Grandmother, I beg you, please don’t cast me out of the estate.”

In just a few days, she would marry into the Osborne family.

Without my status as the daughter of the Duke of Suffield, would the Osborne family even consider accepting me? Margaret is driving me to ruin,‘ Willow thought.

Willow’s choked sobs wrenched at Eloise’s heart.

Eloise hurriedly pleaded, “Please, Margaret, please spare her.”

Margaret stood firm as iron, her heart utterly unmoved.

She fixed her gaze on Henry. “Henry, you speak.”

As the head of the family, the final decision naturally rested with him.

Henry hung his head, his face etched with conflict. He pleaded, “Mother, why must you put me in such an impossible position? Willow’s wedding is just days away. If you cast her out of the estate now, it would be tantamount to signing her

death warrant.”

Margaret nodded, then turned her gaze to Nicolas. “Nicolas, do you share this view as well?”

“Well…” Nicolas frowned, lowered his head, and said, “Grandmother, I beg you to reconsider. It is a critical moment for the Monson family and the Osborne family’s marriage alliance. We can’t afford any mishaps now.”