The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 272

Chapter 272

Nicolas gently held Cedric’s tiny hand and softly soothed him, “There, there, be a good boy, Cedric.”

Fiona naturally missed the scheming glint in Nicolas’s eyes.

All she saw was the tender affection in Nicolas’s eyes as he gazed at Cedric, and her heart melted.

Fiona looked at Nicolas with wounded eyes and said, “Cedric ran a persistent high fever last night. I stayed up the whole night caring for him before it finally subsided. He’s not too fussy during the day, but the nights are simply overwhelming.”

As a man with an official position, Nicolas would naturally never bother himself with such trivial household matters.

He certainly wouldn’t help Fiona with these chores.

In his view, these domestic affairs were barely worth mentioning.

After all, it was common for women in ordinary families to raise a few children on their own.

As his wife, with servants at her disposal, Nicolas felt that Fiona could not possibly have any reason to be tired.

But little did he know that Fiona would often stay awake through the night, cradling the child in her arms.

She dared not sleep, only closing her eyes when exhaustion became unbearable.

Even then, she dared not fall into deep sleep. The slightest stir from the child would rouse her instantly.

Enduring this for a few days would wear out even the healthiest young man, let alone a new mother who had just given birth.

let alone a new mother who had just given birth.

All Fiona ever asked for was a few comforting words from Nicolas when she was struggling. That alone would have been enough for her.

Nicolas merely cast Fiona a cold glance and said dismissively, “You’re his mother. Taking care of him is your duty.”

He wasn’t blind to Fiona’s distress. He just thought she was making a fuss over nothing.

After all, it was only looking after a child. ‘What’s so hard about that?‘ Nicolas mused to himself.

Fiona felt as if she’d been doused with cold water, the complaints she wanted to voice stuck in her throat.

She managed a faint smile and fell silent, swallowing her disappointment.

Truth be told, she wasn’t unattractive. She had a dignified elegance befitting a noble lady.

But her dull, unexpressive nature was never appealing to Nicolas.

He preferred women who were vivacious and spirited, someone who would lean on him.

Fiona clearly wasn’t his type, destined never to win his affection.

But today, with a favor to ask of Fiona, Nicolas actually managed to say something halfway decent. “If you’re tired, just have the servants hold Cedric. You should rest when you need to. A little crying won’t harm the child.”

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Fiona’s eyes were tinged with red, but she still smiled and gave Nicolas a coquettish look. “Cedric is still so young. He only acts up when he’s not feeling well. He’s usually such a good boy. You’re right, my lord. As his mother, of course, I’ll care for him with all my heart.”

As they spoke, Cedric began crying again.

Nicolas tried to soothe Cedric, but the more he tried, the louder the boy wailed.

Fiona couldn’t help but chuckle at Nicolas’s helpless look. “Here, let me take over,” she offered.

With visible relief, Nicolas handed the child to her.

Perhaps sensing his mother’s familiar scent, Cedric stopped crying, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Nicolas watched Cedric with a pensive expression, his mind quietly at work.

Nicolas said, “This child has always been frail. Ordinary doctors simply can’t cure him.”

Fiona sat beside him, holding the child in her arms. Picking up on the underlying meaning in his words, she hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, “My lord, what are you suggesting?”

“Isn’t Athena supposed to be quite the healer?” Nicolas picked up his teacup and took a deliberate sip, not bothering to look at Fiona’s frozen expression.

Without even glancing at her, he continued nonchalantly, “Who knows? She might just be able to cure Cedric.”

Fiona’s heart grew cold as she realized Nicolas’s true intentions. She asked quietly, “My lord, are you suggesting I take Cedric to plead with Athena for help?”

Ever since Athena left, the atmosphere in the Monson family had grown oddly tense.

After all, words got around. Fiona naturally knew that Henry wanted Athena to return.

But she never expected they would actually make her their pawn in this scheme.

Everyone in the Monson family had burned bridges with Athena, but only Fiona had remained on good terms with her.

Fiona’s gaze cooled noticeably as she finally grasped the scheme behind Nicolas’s actions.

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