The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 309

Chapter 309

Chapter 309

Athena let out a knowing look. She said with a faint smile, “So, Your Highness, I understand, if I go with you, you’ll be my protector. If I refuse, I’ll be heading for the imperial dungeons. Isn’t that right?”

“Athena, you’re a clever woman. You know where your best interests lie.” Fermin spoke, his face radiating absolute confidence.

Fermin scoffed to himself, “There’s no way Athena is foolish enough to end up in prison.

‘Attempted murder warrants banishment!‘

Athena nodded gracefully. “Your Highness makes a fair point. Naturally, any sane person would seek your protection.”

Fermin smiled triumphantly. “I knew you’d come to your senses. As long as you’re willing to come with me, I promise you a life of luxury and privilege. No one would ever dare to lay a finger on you again.”

Athena bowed slightly. “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. But I do have one question, under imperial law, one is innocent until proven guilty. Do you have any evidence that I have harmed Willow?”

Athena maintained her composed demeanor, her bright eyes glinting like honed steel.

Athena’s words wiped the smile from Fermin’s face. He sneered, “You truly have a stubborn soul.”

Athena curtsied gracefully to Fermin and retorted, “Thank you for your undeserved praise, Your Highness. Truly, it’s you who continues to astonish me.”

Though her tone was deferential, not a trace of reverence could be found in her eyes.

Fermin felt he had encountered the first real challenge on his side. Far from being angered, he was rather intrigued.

Fermin thought to himself, ‘Athena’s defiant spirit is exactly what intrigues me.

‘If she were to grovel at my feet, begging for mercy, that would be utterly dull.

‘She wants evidence? Then I’ll make her admit defeat beyond all doubt.‘

Fermin declared imperiously, “Willow is the evidence. Though she remains unconscious, all the maids at the villa can testify. At the time, only you and Willow were in the hot spring pool. Athena, there’s no way you can deny this.”

Fermin sneered at Athena. “As the suspect, you’ll have to pay a visit to the imperial dungeons.”

With that, Fermin signaled to have Athena apprehended.

Athena interjected sharply, “Hold!”

With a casual wave, Fermin signaled his guards to withdraw.

Fermin watched Athena with keen interest, thinking, ‘Let’s see how much longer she can keep struggling!

“Scared now?” Fermin sneered.

Fermin sneered inwardly, ‘I thought Athena was made of sterner stuff. Turns out she’s just like the rest!‘

But in the next instant, Athena made a move that took him completely by surprise. “Since you have witnesses,” she said calmly, “I have someone who can prove I am not the one who harmed Willow.”

1/2

Chapter 309

“You have a witness?” Fermin regarded Athena with genuine surprise.

Only now did he find this confrontation truly intriguing.

“Then enlighten us. Who is this witness of yours?” Fermin challenged, raising an eyebrow.

Athena smiled faintly and replied, “Your Highness, my witness is none other than Willow herself.”

At these words, the crowd erupted in shocked murmurs.

“What? Your witness is Willow? That’s absurd!” Henry was the first to explode, almost jabbing a finger at Athena’s nose. “You injured Willow yourself, yet you dare claim her as your witness? It’s preposterous!”

“Duke, there’s no need to make such a fuss. The truth will be clear once we ask Willow,” Athena said calmly, her expression unperturbed.

No one could fathom what Athena was scheming, and even Fermin fell into deep contemplation.

After a brief pause, Fermin challenged, “But Willow remains unconscious. How exactly do you propose to question her?”

“If I

say she’ll wake, she’ll wake.” Athena’s tone was absolute.

Her confident gaze struck the onlookers as sheer arrogance.

Even the imperial physicians were at their wits‘ end, yet Athena, without so much as a glance at Willow, boldly declared she could wake her up, leaving everyone present utterly stunned by her audacity.

People couldn’t help but think, ‘What sheer audacity!‘