The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 364

Chapter 364

Examining the pendant, Gale thought, “This was the betrothal gold pendant Ferris had given to Athena is a symbol that he had entrusted his entire world to her.

‘But now…‘

Gale felt a complex, inexpressible mix of feelings. The gold pendant felt as if it were burning her hand, so she pushed it back toward Athena. “He gave this to you,” she said firmly. “It’s only right that you return it to him personally.”

“No, Mdm. Whitlock, please give it to him for me,” Athena forced a faint smile, the corners of her lips trembling slightly.

Gale saw Athena’s predicament and, with a reluctant nod, said, “Very well, I’ll accept it.”

“I’ve already portioned out the medicine and left it on the table. Just make sure he takes it on schedule,” Athena said, giving Gale a gentle nod before turning to leave.

Watching Athena’s receding figure, tears welled up in Gale’s eyes. She murmured almost inaudibly, “Silly girl, you might have returned the gold pendant, but his heart still belongs to you.”

Nicolas stormed back to the Duke’s Estate, seething with rage.

As soon as he returned, Nicolas came face to face with Willow.

“Nicolas!” Willow called out cheerfully as she approached from the gate, beaming as she stopped in front of Nicolas.

She was wearing a brand–new dress today and was eager to show it off to him.

Noticing Nicolas’s displeased expression, Willow quickly reined in her smile and asked, “What’s wrong, Nicolas? Who upset you?”

Willow knew that Nicolas had visited Athena, but she asked him about it anyway to provoke his anger.

Sure enough, Nicolas exploded like a lit firecracker.

“Who else could it be?” Nicolas snapped, sweeping his robe aside as he plopped down on the gazebo bench.

Willow obediently settled beside Nicolas, giving his sleeve a gentle tug as she comforted, “Come on, Nicolas, don’t be angry anymore. Athena may have a stubborn streak, but her heart’s in the right place. Maybe once I’m married and leave the estate, she’ll finally be able to come back.”

At this point, Willow lowered her head, looking a little dejected.

Seeing the redness around her eyes, Nicolas quickly reassured her, “Don’t let your thoughts run wild. Even after you’re married off, the Duke’s Estate will always be your home.”

“Thank you, Nicolas.” Willow let out a soft sigh of relief. She had always worried that, as people say, a married daughter is like spilled water–no longer truly part of her family.

But with Nicolas’s reassurance, she could finally set her mind at ease.

Furthermore, it seemed clear now that Athena wasn’t coming back.

Just then, Nicolas noticed the lingering burn mark on Willow’s forehead, and he asked with concern, “Didn’t we already put

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ointment on it? Why hasn’t it healed yet?”

Willow had a fingernail–sized burn on her forehead from the incident at the palace that day.

After they returned home, Eloise hurried to apply ointment to it, but to their surprise, the wound still became slightly

inflamed.

Remembering the unused ointment he hadn’t given out yet, Nicolas pulled out a vial and unscrewed its cap.

Nicolas scooped some ointment onto his fingertip and said gently, “Lean your head closer.”

“Mm.” Willow obediently leaned her head toward him. He carefully dabbed the ointment on her wound, then softly blew on it to soothe the sting.

Willow blushed and smiled shyly. “Nicolas,” she said, “I’m not a child anymore. Why are you still treating me like when I was little?”

“You’re my sister. How could I not be concerned after seeing you hurt like this?” Nicolas chuckled softly, his gaze brimming with affection as he looked at Willow.

Just then, Fiona’s maid, Lina Bloom, hurried over to Nicolas and said, “Lord Nicolas, Lady Fiona has burned her hand. Please go check on her at once!”

Nicolas frowned and snapped, “How did she just burn her hand? How can she be so careless?”

There wasn’t a trace of concern on his face. In fact, when he heard the news, he even scowled, impatience written all over his features.

Willow quickly urged, “Nicolas, you should go check on Lady Fiona right away.”

“Her body’s always acting up, and she’s been ill for half the month. I’m not a doctor. Is her pain just going to vanish if I show up magically? Tell Lady Fiona I’ll get around to seeing her when I’m free,” Nicolas tossed the ointment to Lina and said dismissively,

Lina was taken aback as she wondered, “But isn’t Lord Nicolas free right now?”

‘Does he really care more about Lady Willow than Lady Fiona?‘

Chapter 365