The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 35

hapter 35

But roughhousing? That was just siblings messing around. One was a crime; the other, a misunderstanding. The weight of each would be judged accordingly.

Willow dug her nails into her palm, wavering.

Just then, a deep, authoritative voice rang out, “What on earth is going on here?”

Henry and Eloise entered the courtyard one after the other.

The moment Joseph saw Henry, he went pale like a mouse spotting a cat. He immediately ducked behind Eloise, clinging to her like a lifeline. “Mother, help me–please!”

Eloise shielded him instinctively, but when her eyes landed on Matthew, bloodied and unconscious on the ground, her legs nearly gave out.

“Someone get the physician! Now!” Henry barked, his voice trembling. “Take Lord Matthew back to his courtyard, quickly!”

Servants scrambled to lift Matthew and carry him off. More maids came in to clean up the wreckage.

Once the room had been put back in order, Henry called the three of them forward.

His sharp gaze swept across their faces. His voice was. dark with anger. “None of you can be left alone for a moment without causing trouble. Fighting? In broad daylight? Explain yourselves!”

Eloise turned toward Athena, her eyes red and full of silent accusation. She didn’t even know the full story, but she was already ready to place the blame.

Athena stood quietly, saying nothing.

Willow, however, had already put on a new face, smiling sweetly as she stepped forward. “Father, don’t be angry. We weren’t really fighting. Joseph and Matthew both liked the vase in Athena’s room–they were just playing around. Joseph accidentally hit Matthew. That’s all.”

Henry frowned, clearly unconvinced. The room was a wreck. That didn’t look like a bit of playful scuffling.

He turned to Athena. “You. Speak.”

Athena’s lips curled ever so slightly as she looked at Willow. The blood drained from Willow’s face. She didn’t even dare breathe, her eyes filled with silent pleading, terrified Athena might say something different.

Eloise tensed too, sensing that something was off.

Athena looked at them both and almost laughed. She thought, ‘Sibling love? What a joke.’

To save herself, Willow hadn’t hesitated to throw Joseph under the bus.

Athena gave a faint, icy smile, and under their anxious gazes, she simply said, “That’s right.”

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Joseph’s eyes widened in disbelief. He looked like he’d swallowed a fly. He thought, ‘She was the one to attack Matthew–and now she is just going to get away with it?‘

Henry still looked suspicious, but with both girls backing the same story, there wasn’t much he could say. If this could be passed off as innocent mischief, then better to let it go. After all, the three had roughhoused plenty as children.

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children. This kind of behavior can’t continue.”

“Yes, Mother,” Joseph said quickly.

Henry’s expression finally eased a little. Eloise glanced at Athena, whose face was unreadable, and offered a seemingly kind gesture. “What a shame about your table. Have them bring another one from my room to replace it.”

Henry, clearly tired of the whole scene, waved them off. “That’s enough. Go.”

With that, he turned and left, his face still thundercloud–dark.

Joseph shot Athena a glare full of warning, clenched his jaw, and led Willow away without another word.

Once they were gone, the room fell silent. Athena’s body, which she’d held upright through sheer will, finally gave out. She collapsed to the floor.

When she woke again, the room was heavy with the bitter scent of medicinal herbs.

At her bedside, Eloise sat quietly dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.

As she saw Athena awake, a flicker of relief crossed her face. “Athena, you’re awake. Are you feeling any pain? Anywhere uncomfortable?”

She reached out to touch her, but Athena knew her body well. It had been broken for a long time. Matthew’s kick had just

been the final blow.

She looked at Eloise with a calm, distant gaze, lips curling into a cold, mocking smile. “Lady Eloise, if you have something to say–just say it.”

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