The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

A cold laugh suddenly broke the silence. “So, according to you, I must be the villain here? I’m the one suffering, yet you’re trying to throw the blame on me?”

Willow looked up and met Athena’s icy gaze.

She flinched and quickly shook her head. “Athena, that’s not what I meant. I just want this situation to be resolved smoothly, without causing you any more trouble. I’m willing to take the ten lashes.”

She began sobbing again, her cries filling the room.

Her tears were starting to wear on Athena. Athena turned to Henry. “The truth has been revealed. Shouldn’t Lord Henry give me an explanation?”

If not for Willow, she wouldn’t have had to bow through the night.

Athena pressed further, and Henry had no choice but to respond. “Bring Rose here, cut out her tongue, and expel her from Henry’s estate. As for Lady Willow…”

Before he could finish, Nicolas quickly intervened. “Father, it’s my fault for jumping to conclusions without understanding the truth. I wrongfully accused Athena, and I am willing to take Willow’s punishment in her place.”

The implication was clear: he would take the ten lashes meant for Willow.

“No, no, you can’t…” Willow cried out, reaching for Nicolas. “Nicolas…”

Before she could finish, another violent coughing fit overtook her.

Her face turned bright red, and she struggled for breath. Eloise rushed to pat her back, her eyes filled with pain as she nodded toward Henry. “Willow can’t handle ten lashes… her body’s too frail.”

Henry closed his eyes in frustration and ordered, “Call for the family law.”

Athena stood silently to the side, her expression distant, yet a faint, mocking smile tugged at her lips.

It was always the same. Every time Willow made a mistake, the three older brothers would fight to take the punishment for her, as if she were a fragile treasure incapable of bearing any harm.

Athena wished Nicolas could see what was right in front of him. If only he were a little more perceptive, he might finally notice the truth. But no, none of them ever did. They were too pleased with themselves for “protecting” their precious Willow.

The whip cracked against Nicolas’s back, the sound echoing in the room.

Willow’s sobs grew louder, her eyes filled with distress. “Nicolas, it’s my fault, it’s all my fault…” She cried out, claiming responsibility, but her actions didn’t match her words.

Athena couldn’t help but sneer. “If you truly cared about Lord Nicolas, you’d rush over and take those ten lashes for him, instead of just crying and complaining without doing anything.”

Willow’s face drained of color. She bit her lip, torn between hesitation and the urge to rush forward.

Another lash struck Nicolas’s back, and the sound of it tearing his skin was almost unbearable. He grunted in pain but held his ground.

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Chapter 26

Willow’s eyes were wide with fear, and Athena let out a quiet laugh. “If you keep hesitating, the lashes will be over soon.”

Perhaps it was Athena’s words that pushed Willow into action. She tried to step forward, but Eloise held her back tightly.

“Athena, how could you…” Eloise glared at Athena, but Athena merely smiled coldly.

“How could I be so heartless, so unfeeling, is that what you’re saying?” she asked, her voice dripping with irony.

Eloise fell silent, shaking her head in a hurry. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

Athena couldn’t be bothered to argue any longer. She didn’t care what anyone thought.

Soon, the ten lashes were over.

Nicolas was covered in sweat, his face pale and contorted with pain. Yet, he managed to give Willow a gentle smile. “Don’t cry, Willow, I am fine…”

The scene was certainly moving, but it failed to touch Athena. She had seen this kind of drama too many times before.

“Athena, are you satisfied now? Is your anger finally gone?” Nicolas staggered toward her, forcing her to see the wounds on

his back.

All of this was her doing. He couldn’t understand it. ‘Why, in a family filled with love, does she have to make everything so difficult? Why can’t they all just take a step back and compromise? Why does it always have to be so complicated?‘