The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 254

hapter 254

Chapter 254

Inside the palace, Athena fell to the ground in the Heaven Hall.

Her forehead nearly touched the cold floor, her expression reverent.

Seated on the throne, Arthur Cavendish regarded the kneeling girl with visible astonishment.

“You’re the miracle healer?” he asked, his tone both curious and commanding.

He had never expected that the one who cured Xander would be a girl who looked no older than a teenager.

“Raise your head,” Arthur commanded.

Athena straightened her posture, lifted her gaze to meet the emperor’s, and said respectfully, “Your humble subject, Athena, pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Arthur observed Athena. Neither scared nor arrogant, she stood with perfect composure.

As he looked at her, his gaze grew appreciative.

Arthur couldn’t help but sigh, “So young, yet already a gifted healer. What a pity your life have been so full of hardship.”

He had already learned some details about Athena’s background from Thanatus.

After hearing how she’d been cast out of the Monson family and had come to the palace to give thanks despite her injuries, he felt a special sympathy for her.

Athena kept her head bowed in silence. Arthur shook his head in disbelief and muttered, “The Duke of Monson must have lost his wits to cast out such an outstanding daughter, even expelling her from the family, and actually preferring an adopted one over his own flesh and blood.”

Thanatus noticed Arthur’s intrigued expression and whispered discreetly into his ear, “The Monson family’s second son killed the Viscountess’s maid over that adopted daughter. The Viscountess is grieving deeply right now.”

Arthur frowned. “What a scoundrel,” he muttered.

He asked, “Where is Matthew currently serving?”

Thanatus quickly replied, “I heard he’s serving with the Pidence Guards.”

Arthur scoffed coldly. “With such a brutal temperament, how can I rest assured entrusting the safety of Pidence City to

him?”

Thanatus nodded eagerly, his hands clasped respectfully. “Your Majesty’s wisdom shines as always.”

Arthur waved Thanatus aside, then addressed Athena. “With such exceptional medical skills, it would be a waste for your talent to remain among commoners. Would you be willing to join the Imperial Medical Bureau?”

Athena thought, “The palace is a nest of vipers, one wrong move and I’d face utter ruin.

“If I enter, it will be like stepping into a gilded cage.

“But if I refuse Emperor Arthur, I’d be offending the ruler himself, something I simply can’t afford.”

Just as Athena was caught in a dilemma, a deep voice resonated from the entrance. “Brother, you overestimate Athena far

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levating her beyond her worth.”

Athena turned her head and saw Xander entering the hall with measured, authoritative strides.

Though he was only Arthur’s uncle, Xander’s presence was no less imposing than that of the emperor.

In fact, his aura was even more intimidating.

As the youngest son of the late emperor, he was nearly twenty years younger than Arthur.

With a military background, he radiated a deadly, martial chill.

Wherever Xander appeared, the atmosphere grew frigid.

Even when he deliberately restrained himself before Arthur, no one dared meet his eyes.

When Arthur saw Xander, his expression grew complicated.

Though he smiled, there was a hidden sharpness in his eyes, tinged with wariness and a hint of hostility.

No emperor would ever tolerate someone more powerful than himself.

Not even when that person had rendered outstanding service.

“Xander, since when did you start taking an interest in a woman?” Arthur said with a knowing smile, his scrutinizing gaze shifting between Athena and Xander, a strange amusement flickering across his face.

His expression all but declared that Xander had feelings for Athena.

Xander’s lips curled into a faint smile as he replied nonchalantly, “Your Majesty knows I’ve never cared for women. All I wan is a carefree life, spare me your teasing.”

His words made his stance clear.

He had no love for court life. Instead, he longed for a free life.

A loyal member with no ambition would never be seen as a threat to the emperor.

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