The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 250

Chapter 250

Henry looked terrified. Just as he was about to explain himself, Thanatus impatiently cut him off. “Mr. Monson, I shall report today’s events to the Emperor in full detail. You’d best watch your step.”

With an ingratiating smile, Thanatus bowed to Xander. “Your Highness, I shall take my leave.”

Xander’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Much obliged, Thanatus.”

“I wouldn’t dare presume, Your Highness.” With two respectful steps back, Thanatus withdrew with his full retinue.

Xander looked at Athena, battered and in such a sorry state, a flicker of sympathy crossing his eyes. “Can you still walk?”

“Can you still walk?”

Athena’s foot was covered in blood, and wounds were everywhere.

The embedded debris had to be removed and the wounds bandaged at once.

Every extra moment was pure agony.

Athena gave a weak but determined nod, her face pale. “I can manage.”

“You don’t have to push yourself,” Xander said, and before Athena could react, he stepped forward and swept her up into his arms in one fluid motion.

Athena’s face registered sheer panic as she struggled to break free, only to hear Xander’s commanding voice right by her ear.

“Don’t move.”

Athena looked terrified, her eyes wide with panic and helplessness. “Xander, I can walk on my own.”

Xander felt a pang watching her flustered expression. “Are you trying to lose your feet?” he chided gently.

He thought, ‘As a doctor, shouldn’t she know how serious this injury is?

‘And yet she still insists on walking by herself.

‘Honestly, how foolish can she be?‘

Xander held her firmly in his arms, refusing to let go.

His actions made Ferris’s eyes burn with jealousy.

“Atheny.” Ferris blocked Xander’s path, summoning his courage. He said firmly, “Your Highness, please wait. Atheny is my fiancée, let me handle this.”

Though Ferris couldn’t figure out why Xander was going out of his way to help Athena, his instincts as a man told him Xander was being far too attentive to her.

Ferris thought, “There’s no way he doesn’t have feelings for her. I’d never believe otherwise.‘

Xander fixed Ferris with a frosty stare. “Ferris,” he said icily, “you’re absolutely useless.”

Ferris hung his head.

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Chapter 250

He hadn’t helped Athena at all, just stood by and watched her get hurt like this.

His outstretched hand dropped limply to his side.

A crushing sense of defeat washed over him.

“Ferris,” Athena called out at that moment.

Athena turned to Ferris with an encouraging look. “Would you help me instead?” she asked softly.

Hope returned to Ferris’s once lifeless eyes.

He marveled inwardly, I really thought Athena would hate me, but she still believes in me.

‘From now on, I swear I’ll protect Athena with my life‘

Athena and Ferris exchanged a tender smile, their eyes radiating with affection that seemed almost overflowing.

Xander’s expression darkened. With things having come this far, it would be utterly tactless to keep holding on to Athena.

‘She doesn’t care for me. Her heart belongs to Ferris, he thought bitterly.

Xander gently placed Athena in Ferris’s arms and said solemnly, “Protect her well.”

Ferris carefully took Athena into his arms and vowed solemnly to Xander, “You have my word, Your Highness. I’ll protect Atheny with my life.”

Without so much as a glance in their direction, Xander strode away.

As the retinue finally withdrew, Athena let out a long sigh of relief.

Ferris smiled gently at her. “Atheny, let me get you out of here.”

Athena shook her head firmly. “It wouldn’t be proper for me to stay at the Mcgee family.”

Ferris looked genuinely puzzled. “But why?”

“An unwed man and woman alone together, that wouldn’t be proper.”

Ferris nodded with a touch of helplessness. “You have a point. How about my cottage in the southern district?”

Ferris sought Athena’s opinion.

Athena nodded, a gentle smile on her face. “Alright.”

But before leaving, Athena turned her purposeful gaze toward Henry.

Henry’s heart leapt with joy. He thought Athena had changed her mind.

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Henry eagerly stepped forward and called out to Athena, his tone overflowing with exaggerated warmth. “My dear Athena,

as long as you wish to return, our family’s doors will always be open to you.”

Eloise added hastily, “Yes, Athena, please come home. There’s no need to make such a scene.”

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