The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Henry stepped forward, clearly displeased. “What is the meaning of this, Gwen?”

If Gwen weren’t someone close to Margaret, he would have ordered her thrown out already.

Nicolas and Eloise also looked confused.

Gwen stood straight, her expression stern and commanding.

She turned to Siena and asked coldly, “Tell them what happened after Lady Willow followed Lord Osborne out that day.”

Siena lowered her head and spoke softly, “When I followed them, I overheard Lord Osborne telling Lady Willow that there was no need for her to see him off.

“He said it wasn’t proper for a man and woman to be alone together, especially now that they were both older. It was better to avoid any suspicion.”

This, in effect, was a polite rejection of Willow.

Nicolas seemed to connect the dots. He turned to look at Willow, only to find her face streaked with tears, looking utterly mortified.

“So, you left because of Michael?” he asked, realizing belatedly.

Willow’s tears flowed even harder at his words. When she didn’t answer, Nicolas felt a sharp sting in his chest.

He suddenly realized how foolish he had been. Without fully understanding the situation, he had blamed Athena and punished her by making her bow in the rain all night. No wonder she had been so angry and disappointed.

Nicolas found himself unable to look at Athena. He thought, ‘She must be feeling incredibly hurt and disillusioned right

now.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his emotions and asked Willow, “Why didn’t you speak up earlier? This misunderstanding could’ve been avoided.”

“I… I said it had nothing to do with Athena,” Willow stammered between sobs. “How could I bring myself to say something so shameful…”

She broke down again, crying harder.

Eloise quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation. “It’s all just a misunderstanding. Now that we’ve cleared it up, everything will be fine. Go fetch the doctor to check on Athena, and also bring out the fine medicine from my storeroom for her.”

She looked at Athena with deep concern and guilt. “You don’t look well either. You should go rest.”

Athena gave a mocking smile. “So my suffering can be brushed away with just a few words?”

Gwen’s eyes filled with disappointment. In this entire duke’s estate, no one seemed to understand the situation.

Athena was the true young lady of the house, yet Henry and Eloise, along with Nicolas, were all deeply invested in the false daughter Willow. If it weren’t for Margaret’s protection, Athena might have been bullied even more.

Eloise forced a smile, Nicolas kept his head down, and even Henry sighed. Yet, none of them spoke up for what was right.

Athena looked at these “family members” before her, her heart growing colder with each passing moment.

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Chapter 25

“I have just one question for Lord Henry,” she said sharply. “Does the family rule set by Margaret still hold?”

Henry hadn’t expected Athena to target him directly. Reluctantly, he replied, “Of course, it still holds.”

“Good,” Athena spoke quickly, her tone firm. “Since it still holds, what punishment should Rose receive, and what punishment should her mistress face? Please, Lord Henry, tell us.”

Eloise panicked. “No, no, that can’t be right. Willow is so frail–ten lashes could kill her!”

Willow, terrified, shrank behind Eloise, her face as pale as a ghost.

She gripped her fingers tightly and spoke with quiet resolve, “Father need not worry about me. Since it was one of the maids. in my courtyard who made the mistake, as her mistress, I should bear the punishment.”

With that, she struggled to rise from the bed and bowed.

Looking up at Henry with red, swollen eyes, she said, “I just want Father to know that Rose didn’t act on my orders. To spare you the embarrassment and to let Athena vent her anger, I’m willing to accept the ten lashes.”

Her obedient and self–sacrificing demeanor nearly shattered Henry’s heart.