The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 268

Chapter 268

Chapter 268

Athena’s heart skipped a beat as she thought, ‘Oh no!‘

Lately, she’d been so wrapped up in hanging out with Ferris that she completely forgot about her studies at the Xander

Manor.

Athena thought to herself, ‘It’s not like I did something terrible!

‘So why would the lofty Xander personally come to fetch me?‘

“Get in the carriage,” Xander said, his voice icy.

Athena felt that same old dread wash over her, the kind she used to get whenever her mentor caught her slacking off. Some fears, she thought, are just carved into your bones.

With no other choice, she reluctantly climbed into the carriage.

With a subtle wave behind her back, she signaled for Trina to head back first.

Xander sat there, his face set in a dark, unreadable mask, eyes fixed straight ahead.

His back was ramrod straight, like a statue of a warrior.

He exuded an air of detachment and ruthless decisiveness.

Because of his overwhelming presence, the spacious carriage suddenly felt cramped and suffocating.

Athena shrank into the corner, doing her best to avoid any contact with Xander.

Still, a prickling sensation crept across her back.

Even though Xander said nothing, she could feel his anger, so real it was like invisible needles stabbing at her.

Unable to bear the suffocating tension any longer, Athena finally broke the silence and pleaded, “Forgive me, Prince Xander. I promise it won’t happen again.”

The delicate aroma of coffee lingered in the carriage, curling above the small tea table.

Xander’s slender fingers lifted the white emerald cup, and he took a measured sip.

He closed his eyes briefly, as if savoring the fragrance of the coffee.

He gave no sign that he’d heard a word Athena had said.

Athena stole a furtive glance at Xander. Seeing his calm expression, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. ‘Maybe he’s not mad at me, she thought.

Just as Athena thought she was off the hook, Xander’s rumbling voice cut through the silence. “You’re late. There must be consequences.”

“Got it,” Athena replied readily.

‘Prince Xander’s punishment? It was nothing more than some physical training, Athena thought to herself, her tone dismissive.

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With my strong willpower, this is nothing,‘ she added inwardly, full of confidence.

It didn’t take long before Athena was stunned.

In the kitchen, Athena’s eyes streamed with tears from the choking smoke.

She never would have dreamed that Xander would punish her by making her cook.

He hadn’t even bothered to say what she should make, just told her to figure it out herself.

‘Seriously? Of all punishments…‘ Athena thought, racking her brain, but she couldn’t come up with a single dish she was actually good at.

The only thing she vaguely remembered making well was oatmeal, the kind of starvation food she used to throw together as a kid when she was hungry.

But that was just something to fill an empty stomach back then.

She thought, ‘Would someone as high and mighty as Xander even touch something so plain?‘

With a spiteful determination, Athena decided to make the oatmeal anyway.

Starting the fire was a real pain in the neck.

The flames kept dying out, no matter what she did, like they were determined to defy her.

It was as if the fire was just out to make her life difficult.

Nelson Bates watched nervously from the side, thinking, ‘Is this little troublemaker trying to burn the whole kitchen down?

‘Who just shoves all kinds of wood, wet or dry, into the stove like that?

‘No wonder the damn thing wouldn’t catch.’

Actually, Athena couldn’t be blamed. Before she turned five, she was just gathering firewood.

After she was brought back to the Monson family, she had even less exposure to things like this.

During her three years in the military camp, all she did was menial labor.

Athena thought wryly, ‘Delicate work like cooking was never my lot in life, never even an option for someone like me.’

‘Miss Monson, let me help you,” Nelson said as he stepped through the smoke, sharing his secret to starting a fire. “First, use dry wood to get the flames going, then gradually add more.”

Nelson hovered over her like a doting grandmother, and Athena’s face lit up with sudden understanding.

She tried again, and this time, the fire finally caught.

She broke into a delighted smile. “Thanks a lot, Nelson!”

Nelson smiled knowingly, thinking to himself, ‘His Highness has been waiting for this meal.

For the past two weeks, Xander had personally crafted a special gift for Athena.

Today, it was finally finished.

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