The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 353

As the sky erupted with fireworks, agonizing screams instantly filled the air.

Before Athena could react, a firm grip seized her hand. In that instant, two figures came rushing toward her–it was Ferris and Michael.

Ferris hurriedly raised an umbrella, trying to shield Athena’s head from the falling flames.

However, Xander moved with lightning speed, and he was far quicker than the other two.

In one fluid motion, his cloak enveloped Athena as his long arm encircled her slender waist. With just a light tap of his foot, the pair glided effortlessly into the palace hall.

Ferris lunged forward but missed his grab, while Michael, startled by Willow’s piercing scream, wheeled around.

This entire sequence of actions unfolded in the blink of an eye.

From the safety of the palace hall, Athena noticed the desolation on Ferris’s face. Amidst the chaotic blaze, he stood rooted to the spot, like a lost child.

Had it not been for one of his trusted aides pulling him back, he might have injured himself.

Agonized wails and terrified shrieks continued to fill the air.

In an instant, the once–elegant gala dinner had turned into a hellscape because of those cursed fireworks.

Many noble ladies had suffered burns, with some even having their hair burned off in the chaos.

From the Grand Hall, Arthur and the Queen watched the raging flames outside in terror.

Had they been even a moment slower, the two monarchs might have been in grave danger as well.

“This is outrageous!” Arthur roared in fury as he jabbed an accusing finger at Fermin’s nose. “Is this your so–called surprise for me? Are you trying to assassinate your King?”

Fermin immediately collapsed to his knees with a thud, his face filled with fright. He cried, “Your Majesty, please calm your fury! Your Majesty, please calm your fury! I would never dare harbor such intentions!”

Even as he pleaded for mercy, Fermin seethed inwardly. He thought, “This is all due to the Duke’s Estate. If it hadn’t been for the Duke of Suffield’s idea to use fireworks to win the King’s favor, I would not have come up with such a disastrous scheme.‘

Arthur’s face darkened with fury as he bellowed, “Look at this foolish mess you’ve caused! Multiple fires have broken out across the capital, and so many people have been injured. All these problems had happened because of you. If you fail to handle the aftermath properly, I will not spare you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I will follow your orders,” Fermin replied anxiously. As he retreated, he shot an icy glare toward the Duke of Suffield.

At this moment, the Duke of Suffield was utterly terrified. His mind raced, ‘How could I have ever foreseen such a disaster happening?

Willow had sworn it was foolproof. So, how had everything gone so wrong?‘

Amidst the crowd, Athena’s gaze instinctively drew her to the man beside her.

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His hands were still tightly clutched around hers, and just moments ago, he had shielded her with his own body from the surging flames,

To say she wasn’t moved would be a lie.

Just then, a horrified gasp rose from the crowd as all eyes turned to the space behind Lizzie.

Confused, Lizzie turned around–only for all color to drain from her face.

Her supposed maid stood behind her. With most of the clothing burned away, it revealed a bare arm, unveiling that it was a

man!

“Th–this…” The Queen gasped in shock, instinctively raising her embroidered handkerchief to cover her parted lips as she stared at Lizzie.

Lizzie led a scandalous private life, and she had kept a harem of male lovers in her manor.

Yet all of this was meticulously concealed, and her secrets were always well guarded.

But who could have imagined she’d be so brazen as to disguise a man as a lady–in–waiting and smuggle him into the palace?

This revelation was a tremendous embarrassment for the royal family.

If not for today’s incident, this carefully maintained facade might never have been shattered.

Arthur’s face turned livid with rage as he jabbed a furious finger at Lizzie and thundered, “Lizzie, how dare you!”

If it had been the usual minor trouble, Lizzie would never have worried about the consequences.

However, this incident had brought utter disgrace upon the royal family.

If word got out about a princess keeping her male lovers in her manor, it would cause a huge scandal!