The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 401

Chapter 401

Matthew was in excruciating pain, gritting his teeth and trying to tough it out. Little did Matthew expect that Henry would betray him without a second thought.

Matthew stared at Henry in terror, choking out broken words, “F–Father… Father…”

“Matthew,” Henry could only utter Matthew’s name before words failed him.

With his head bowed, Henry pleaded to Xander, “Now that they’ve confessed, Your Highness, could you please stop the beating?”

Xander subtly raised his hand, and his attendants instantly ceased their actions.

At this point, both Nicolas and Matthew were a bloody mess, their bodies battered beyond recognition. Blood dripped from their mouths as they coughed and spat, leaving them looking utterly wretched.

“If you’d cooperated sooner, it would have spared me all this trouble, and your precious heir Nicolas wouldn’t have had to suffer for it,” Xander remarked, his tone laced with mockery.

Henry, his eyes bloodshot and jaw clenched, admitted his mistake, “It is my failure in guidance that led Matthew to commit such a foolish act. I beg Prince Xander to show mercy and spare his life.”

Xander looked at Athena with a knowing look. “Oh, Duke, you must be joking. This is a family matter in your estate. How could an outsider like me possibly interfere? Now that everything’s been clarified, I shouldn’t impose any longer. Athena, let’s go.”

Athena turned to her attendants and instructed, “Assist Lady Margaret into the carriage.”

Henry was about to protest, but Xander stepped forward, blocking his view. “Lady Margaret is unwell and will be cared for by my Princess. Surely the Duke has no objections?”

“Y…yes, Your Highness,” Henry forced out through gritted teeth.

Right in front of everyone, Athena led Margaret out of the duke’s estate.

Athena walked ahead, with Xander following closely behind. His protective stance made it clear he was ensuring her safe departure from the duke’s estate.

Once the two had left, the Aegis Guards also cleared out entirely.

The sprawling duke’s estate was suddenly left eerily silent.

Henry stared at his two sons, beaten within an inch of their lives, and howled in anguish, “Is there no justice left? Has the law abandoned us?”

For all his howling, he kept his voice low. After all, there was no knowing who was listening in. If Xander overheard anything else, Henry might be the next one getting beaten.

Nicolas had passed out, but Matthew, clinging to a thread of consciousness, desperately clutched at Henry’s robes. “F- Father…how could you be so cruel…”

Matthew wasn’t an idiot. He understood what Henry was up to. He knew that he was just the pawn being sacrificed to protect Nicolas.

Henry’s grief vanished in an instant. He slapped Matthew hard across the face. “Look at the foolish things you’ve done! How

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Chapter 401

dare you still question your father?”

Powerless against Xander and equally helpless with Athena, Henry had no way out. All that pent–up fury needed an outlet, and Matthew became his punching bag.

Veins bulging in fury, Matthew bellowed, “Both you and Nicolas approved this plan! So why the hell am I the only one taking the fall?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Matthew was overwhelmed by a wave of self–reproach.

Matthew thought to himself, ‘Back when I was a kid and got into trouble, didn’t I always drag Athena in to take the fall for me? Now that I’m the scapegoat, I finally know how unfair this feels. Damn, it hurts.‘

But Athena had been taking the fall for them for four or five long years. Back then, Matthew had never thought Athena was being treated unfairly. In his eyes, all those things were merely trivial matters. He used to believe that there was no need to be so stingy. They were family anyway.

“We’re family, Matthew. Why would you say something like that?” The next moment, Henry’s voice pierced Matthew’s ears.

With feigned heartache and an air of utter self–assurance, Henry said, “Or would you rather I throw your elder brother Nicolas under the bus instead?”

Matthew’s last shred of spirit finally broke. He knew the reason behind it, but it was difficult for him to accept it. Resentment gnawed at him.

He has no official position and is now just an unemployed drifter, so naturally, he’s the one who gets ignored.

Matthew thought bitterly, ‘So this is what it feels like to be betrayed by your own family. It hurts like hell.‘

Matthew finally blacked out.