The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 308

Chapter 308

Facing Fermin’s challenge, Athena smiled faintly and said, “Forgive me, Your Highness. I was raised in the countryside and am used to a free and unrestrained life. I’m afraid I wouldn’t adapt well to a cage. I sincerely appreciate your kindness.”

She held her ground with grace, neither yielding nor overreaching.

Fermin frowned. “No one defies my command, not even you. Think carefully. My patience is wearing thin.”

Fermin scoffed to himself, ‘So what if she’s the Viscountess? In the end, she’s merely a woman.

‘If the Emperor asks about this, I’ll just give a brief explanation.

‘Does a nobody like her, with no backing, really think she can challenge me?‘

Fermin was brimming with confidence, convinced that Athena was merely playing hard to get. He’d seen this kind of act from women far too many times.

“Your Highness, forgive me. Please consider me simply unworthy of your favor.” Athena remained unyielding, not a flicker of change in her expression.

Henry, seeing Fermin’s face darken, looked at Athena with a mix of disappointment and anger. He snapped, “How dare you act so insolently before His Highness! It’s merely your modest knowledge of medicine that has earned his regard. Surely you don’t actually believe he fancies you?”

Henry took two steps forward, urgently gesturing at Athena. “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank His Highness for his mercy!”

Despite his glaringly obvious hints, Athena remained utterly unappreciative. She scoffed, “Duke, instead of concerning yourself with my affairs, you’d do better to clean up your own mess.”

She thought, ‘With your entire Monson family on the verge of collapse, you still find time to meddle in my affairs?

‘What a joke!‘

Henry turned pale with rage at her words. He pointed a trembling finger at Athena’s nose and nodded furiously. “Fine. Just

fine.”

He thought, ‘I always knew Athena was an ungrateful wretch, but this truly takes the cake.‘

Henry turned to Fermin, his face contorted with guilt. “Your Highness, please forgive my failure as both a father and a servant, for raising such an ungrateful wretch. Now that she has left my family, her fate is no longer my concern.”

Fermin sighed deeply, putting on a show of concern. “In that case, for your own good, I have no choice but to discipline her on your behalf.”

“Your Highness may proceed as you see fit,” Henry declared with feigned loyalty.

Fermin smiled with satisfaction and issued his final ultimatum. “Athena, this is your last chance. Will you return to my manor with me?”

“Never,” Athena replied, her tone crisp and unyielding.

Fermin let out a mirthless laugh, his gaze sweeping over Athena as if to say, “You truly don’t know your place.”

Fermin’s voice turned icy. “One step beyond this place, and the Federal Bureau will drag you away. At that point, not even

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Chapter 308

my authority could shield you.”

As the Viscountess, Athena was far above the jurisdiction of mere local police station.

The Federal Bureau adjudicated only the gravest offenses.

If she went in there, even if she survived, she would come out a shadow of her former self.

Henry’s eyelids twitched violently. He hadn’t expected Fermin to be so ruthlessly cruel.

Having failed to co–opt her, he now resorted to judicial punishment against Athena.

Even a strong man would barely survive that place, let alone a woman like her.

Going there would be a death sentence. She’d be lucky to survive.

Henry fixed Athena with an anxious gaze. “Now that it’s come to this, must you still be so stubborn?”

Athena showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, she countered Fermin, “Might I ask Your Highness, what crime have I committed?”

“Don’t you know what crime you’ve committed?” Fermin sneered, as if he’d just heard something ridiculous. “Crimes demand punishment. You nearly killed Willow. That’s attempted murder. You don’t actually think imperial law is just for show, do you?”

Chapter 309