The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 280

Chapter 280

Willow gave Nona a grateful smile, pulled the hairpin from her bun, and pressed it into Nona’s hand.

“Nona, I don’t know what I’d do without you by my side. Truly, I wouldn’t know how to go on,” Willow said softly.

The exquisitely crafted hairpin was gilded and adorned with pearls, making it exceptionally precious.

Nona’s eyes gleamed with greed. “Miss Monson, this… this is too much,” she protested.

But even as she spoke, her fingers clung to the hairpin in a death grip, clearly unwilling to let go.

Willow took in Nona’s greedy expression, a flicker of contempt flashing in her eyes.

With a sincere expression, Willow said to Nona, “I’ve never treated you as a servant, but as my own ‘sister.‘ I can trust you, can’t I, Nona?”

Nona was deeply moved by Willow’s sincere words and nodded emphatically. “I am utterly loyal to you, Miss Monson, and would never waver,” she vowed.

But in her heart, she thought, ‘As long as Miss Monson can marry into the Osborne family, my days will be much easier.

‘And if I could become Lord Osborne’s concubine one day, I could even help Willow in return.‘

Nona was certain she would become a concubine, but Willow didn’t necessarily think so.

On the surface, Willow and Nona appeared to be the picture of a devoted employer and her maid, but beneath it all, each was hiding her own agenda.

**

Athena returned to her courtyard and instructed Trina to pack their belongings.

‘We’ll be leaving for the hot springs villa in a few days, she thought.

Once everything was packed, they could set off at once.

Trina folded Athena’s frequently worn clothes and placed them neatly into the trunk.

Trina glanced at Athena, only to see her seated by the window, pen in hand, quietly penning a letter.

Every few days, Ferris would send a letter to Athena.

Each letter came with a small gift, sometimes a beautifully shaped leaf, other times a smooth pebble from the river.

Though these gifts were of little monetary value, they always touched Athena’s heart.

She carefully placed all these little trinkets into her keepsake box, each one a clue that let Athena track Ferris’s current whereabouts.

Today, Athena received a bag of fruit.

She immediately knew that Ferris must have reached Nexalasia by now.

The warmer climate there should be easier on his health,‘ Athena thought with relief.

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Chapter 280

Athena accepted the fruits, a glint flashing in her eyes. She then took out the dried fruit she had prepared in advance for Ferris and carefully packed it into the pouch.

Outside, the young servant was still waiting.

When he saw Athena come out carrying something, he grinned and asked, “Miss Monson, what have you prepared for Mr. Mcgee today?”

“Just a little something to eat. Go on, take it to him quickly,” Athena replied, her smile dazzling and bright.

Trina couldn’t help but sigh as she watched Athena’s radiant smile. “Miss Monson, it’s been ages since you smiled like this.”

The night grew increasingly chilly, so Marquita hurriedly instructed the maids to bring in two more charcoal braziers.

“Miss Monson should live just like this, free and happy, doing whatever brings her joy. Now that she’s away from all those toxic people and messy situations, I can see her getting livelier every day,” Marquita murmured to herself.

Having known Athena since she was a child, Marquita felt truly happy to see her gradually letting go of her emotional burdens.

Margaret was also keeping a close eye on Athena.

Every few days, Marquita would send her updates.

Just then, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky.

At first, there were only a few scattered flakes, but soon they grew larger and more numerous.

Marquita quickly called out to Athena, “Miss Monson, come inside quickly, it’s getting cold!”

“Coming!” Athena replied cheerfully.

She stepped into the house, briskly rubbing her chilled hands together.

Trina hurriedly pressed the hand warmer into Athena’s hands. “Miss Monson, warm up quickly!”

Athena sat down with a hand warmer in her arms and instructed Trina, “This trip will take a good few weeks at least. Make sure you’ve packed everything we might need.”

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