The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 383

Chapter 383

When Athena returned to Natasha’s side, Natasha gave her a mischievous look and winked. “Prince Xander treats you well, doesn’t he?” she teased. “So, when are you two tying the knot?”

Athena blushed slightly. Recalling her conversation with Xander, she admitted to herself, ‘I was being greedy.

I’m so lonely that if anyone shows me even a shred of care or concern, I just want to cling to them with all my might.

‘It’s like that with Natasha, and so it is with Xander.

Their kindness makes me feel truly alive and truly human.

‘Naturally, I want to repay their kindness.

‘I know it’s silly, but after having been neglected and unloved since I was young, I can’t help but treasure these rare moments of warmth.‘

“Let’s talk about that later,” Athena hedged. She couldn’t explain her complicated relationship with Xander to Natasha, so she could only give a vague answer.

As they were about to part ways, Natasha earnestly urged, “You simply must come visit me when you have time!”

Athena nodded in response, “Alright, I promise I will.”

Upon returning home, Athena instructed Trina to deliver two sets of century–old herbs, one to Xander and another to Natasha, as tokens of gratitude.

Willow was carried back to the Duke’s Estate in a severely injured state. The excruciating pain from her broken leg made her wail incessantly, and her agonized screams reverberated through the entire courtyard.

“Mother, it hurts… it hurts so much…” Willow sobbed hoarsely as she clutched at Eloise like a lifeline with a face streaked with tears.

Her messy hair clung to her tear–stained cheeks as she wept in utter misery.

The agony from her shattered leg was so unbearable that she wished for death. She had even passed out from the pain multiple times on the way home.

Eloise’s heart ached unbearably as she watched Willow in agony.

But she wasn’t a doctor and couldn’t bear the pain for her daughter. All she could do was hold Willow helplessly, murmuring again and again, “Willow, my poor girl, you’ve suffered so much… you’ve truly suffered…”

Inside the room, mother and daughter clung tightly to each other.

Outside, the Duke of Suffield’s face was ashen with rage as he berated Matthew, “She went to a party perfectly fine. How did she come back battered and broken? Her wedding is in just two days. What on earth are we supposed to do now?”

The marriage alliance between the Monson and Osborne families had already been fraught with changes and delays.

Now, with the wedding date fast approaching and Willow’s leg broken, how could the Duke of Suffield not be furious?

The Duke of Suffield pointed his whip at Matthew and demanded, “Speak! What exactly happened here?”

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Matthew knelt on the ground, fear written all over his face. He explained, “Father, it was all Athena’s fault! That troublemaker is the one who made Willow fall and break her leg.”

Even though Athena had produced evidence that Willow had set her up first, Matthew only hesitated for a moment before shifting all the blame back onto Athena.

‘After all, someone has to take the blame for this,‘ he thought. ‘If I admit responsibility, what standing would I have left in this household? Athena’s always been my scapegoat–what’s one more time?‘

The Duke of Suffield’s ashen face showed a flicker of surprise. “Athena?” he exclaimed.

His expression was a complex mix of shock and fury.

Taking a deep breath, the Duke of Suffield spat out through clenched teeth, “She’s become so vicious. And, out of jealousy for Willow, she’d stoop to ruining her wedding plans.”

At this painful thought, he slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming, “This is downright monstrous!”

Nicolas hurried inside to check on Willow’s injuries. He emerged with a grim expression and declared, “Father, we can’t keep indulging her like this.”

He almost never lost control like this. The once refined gentleman now stood there, his face contorted with rage.

It was as if Athena were the most heinous of criminals.