The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“Lady Margaret should be waking up soon, so I must return to look after her,” Gwen nodded slightly to Athena before turning to leave.

Athena watched her walk away and was about to head back to her courtyard when someone suddenly blocked her way.

Michael stood before her, his expression cold, his brows furrowed tightly. “No matter what Nicolas did, he’s still your older brother. How could you let him be punished so severely?”

“What right do you have to question me?” Athena’s gaze was filled with impatience. “If you hadn’t said those things to hurt Willow, how could she have run away from the manor?”

“Are you saying I should be punished?” Michael’s eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t mean to push Willow away…”

“Those words are for you to say to her, not for you to come and question me.” As Athena spoke, she noticed Willow coming from the corridor, walking hurriedly, looking almost frantic, as if afraid Michael might be taken away by Athena.

Before she even reached them, Willow’s sharp voice rang out, “Michael!”

Michael turned toward her, confusion in his eyes. “Willow, you know I didn’t mean to distance myself from you that day. Why did you run away from home?

“It was a stormy night, and as a man, how could I ask you, a fragile woman, to see me off? I thought you would understand that.”

Willow’s eyes flashed with panic, and before she could speak, her tears began to fall. “It’s… it’s my fault. I misunderstood you, Michael.”

“Whether it was a real misunderstanding or not, only you know in your heart.” Athena’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. “If you truly wanted to leave, would you have done so so obviously through the main gate?

“You deliberately left crying from my courtyard, didn’t you? You wanted everyone to know I had wronged you. And it worked–otherwise, Lord Nicolas wouldn’t have stepped in for you.”

Willow shook her head frantically, her face filled with fear. “No, no, that’s not it…”

Athena stepped forward, locking eyes with Willow, her words slow and deliberate. “You’re so clever, manipulating everyone around you. This time, Nicolas took the lashes for you. Next time, you won’t be so lucky.”

“Athena, it’s not like that. It’s just a misunderstanding,” Willow cried, her tears flowing freely. She reached out to grab Athena’s hand, but Athena quickly pulled away.

Athena gave a contemptuous smile, her eyes filled with disgust. “Don’t touch me. I find you repulsive.”

Michael, clearly troubled, stood in front of Willow, his mind racing. There were pieces falling into place, but he didn’t want to believe them.

He faced Athena coldly. “This matter ends here. No one should bring it up again.”

Athena shot him a cold look. “Whether it ends or not is for me to decide. You, an outsider, have no say in this.”

With that, she pushed past Willow and walked off.

Behind her, Willow’s sobs echoed. Seeing her in such distress, Michael couldn’t help but feel sympathy. “Let me walk you

back.”

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Chapter 28

Willow nodded quietly, and they walked in silence. Michael didn’t say a word.

He didn’t take her all the way back to her courtyard and left shortly after.

Willow stood there, staring at his departing figure, her heart aching as tears fell from her eyes. “Has Michael misunderstood

me?”

“My lady,” the maid Nona Melton said gently, looking at her with concern. “Lord Osborne wouldn’t do that. I can see he truly cares for you.”

After a moment, Nona’s expression shifted, and she gave Willow an idea. “Why don’t you call for the second and third masters? They’ve always been protective of you and will surely stand up for you.”

Willow’s eyes flickered, and she nodded softly.

When Athena returned to her courtyard, she found Siena bowing, visibly nervous.

Aliza stood to the side, her lips pressed tightly together, looking equally tense.

As soon as Athena entered, Siena didn’t dare lift her head.

“Why are you bowing? Get up,” Athena said nonchalantly.

Siena stared at her in disbelief, unable to believe her ears. She thought, ‘Lady Athena isn’t going to punish me?‘

Aliza quickly gave Siena a warning look, signaling her to stay down.

Siena hurriedly spoke up, “I would never betray you, my lady.”

Today, Athena had almost let Willow be punished, and both of them realized they were in danger, so they were trying to get on her good side.

Athena casually took out some money and placed them on the table. “Siena, this is for you.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Siena looked up cautiously, seeing Athena’s smile with no sign of anger. Her nervousness faded away.

Siena stepped forward and eagerly took the money, her face lighting up with joy, while Aliza’s expression darkened.

Athena noticed everything but kept her face unreadable. “I’m a little tired. You two can leave now.”

“Yes, my lady,” both maids replied in unison, quickly exiting the room.

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Siena was practically beaming with joy, but Aliza sneered under her breath. “It’s just some money. What’s so special about

that?”

Though she pretended not to care, Aliza was seething inside. ‘We are both Athena’s maids–why does Siena get rewarded while I don’t? Lady Willow is always fair with rewards!

Fuming, Aliza kicked over a flowerpot, and Athena, watching from behind the window, couldn’t help but smile faintly at the sight.

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