The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 295

At the sight of Athena, Lizzie’s gaze turned positively venomous.

With a mocking chuckle, Lizzie abruptly changed tack and said, “So, you’re that outcast daughter who got thrown out of the Monson family?”

Such a cutting remark was enough to make anyone’s skin crawl.

Even Gale couldn’t help but frown slightly at this.

But given Lizzie’s notorious reputation, Gale could only shoot Athena a warning glance, silently urging her not to offend the princess.

Athena performed a graceful curtsey and replied respectfully, “Indeed so, Your Highness.”

Athena’s obsequious demeanor visibly gratified Lizzie.

Lizzie let out a haughty laugh, tapping her temple lightly with a finger. “I heard you’re the miracle healer. Impress me and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. But if you fail, you’ll lose that pretty head of yours.”

Gale’s face tightened with concern, but before she could speak up for Athena, Lizzie cut her off with a cold glance. “Hold your peace, Lady Mcgee. I am speaking with Athena.”

Lizzie’s eyes flashed a warning, and Gale instantly paled.

It was clear Lizzie was setting a trap for Athena. If Athena dared diagnose her condition, Lizzie would surely use it as an excuse to kill her.

If Athena failed to diagnose Lizzie’s condition, Lizzie would have her executed just the same.

Gale watched Athena with bated breath, her heart in her throat.

Athena remained composed as she stepped before Lizzie and said softly, “Would Your Highness please cooperate with me?”

“Very well…” Lizzie drawled. Her mocking gaze fell on Athena, as if she were already a corpse.

After a moment, Athena finished checking on Lizzie.

Lizzie’s lips curled into a mocking sneer. “Well? What’s your diagnosis?”

“I dare not say, Your Highness,” Athena replied, standing aside with a troubled look, as if she wished to speak but hesitated.

Lizzie let out a cold laugh, her patience clearly at its end. She stopped beating around the bush and snapped, her eyes flashing with anger, “You’re absolutely nothing but a quack! Can’t even diagnose my illness, how dare you call yourself a miracle healer?”

With a deranged grin, Lizzie leaned closer to Athena. “You lose. That pretty little head of yours belongs to me now.”

With that, Lizzie waved her hand dismissively, signaling for Athena’s immediate execution.

Gale’s eyes widened in horror. Lizzie had always been so reckless and unpredictable that even the Emperor himself could do nothing to rein her in.

Today, she was demanding Athena’s head over a wager. Even if this were brought before the Emperor, at most she would only receive a mild reprimand. Everyone knew even the Emperor couldn’t truly rein her in.

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Mercy,

spare Athena this once.”

Athena shot Gale a surprised look. She thought, “She used to despise me.

I never expected Gale to plead for me at this life–and–death moment!

Lizzie’s face clouded. She snapped, “Enough of this nonsense! She lost the bet fair and square. If I let her off now, how would that reflect on my dignity?”

“Who says I’ve lost?” Athena suddenly spoke up, her bright eyes fixed on Lizzie. “Your Highness, your constitution shows an imbalance that, if left unaddressed, may lead to a critical situation, insomnia, and excessive worrying. Early regulation would be advisable.”

Lizzie’s gaze darkened as she fixed Athena with a glare. “Do you take Iss for a fool? By your words, I have no illness at all.”

Athena said composedly, “Your Highness, have restless nights and splitting headaches been troubling you?”

Lizzie’s expression shifted subtly. Instinctively, she reached up to touch her forehead, where a dull, throbbing ache pulsed at her temples.

Lizzie suffered from chronic migraines, yet despite the countless imperial physicians at court, none could cure her condition.

Whenever her migraines flared up, it felt as though a swarm of bees were buzzing relentlessly in her ears.

Killing was the only thing that could ease her pain.

Only her trusted aides and the imperial physicians knew of her condition, yet Athena discerned an anomaly simply by checking on her for a few minutes.

Lizzie thought, “This woman is rather intriguing.‘

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