The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 462

Chapter 462

Willow gritted her teeth in frustration, stepped out of the carriage, and approached Michael. Suppressing her anger, she urged, “Michael, if Athena refuses to see you, why must you degrade yourself like this?”

“Only Athena can cure Mother’s illness. What does it matter if I wait a little longer?” Michael said, his voice calm and steady, without a trace of impatience.

His eyes were gentle, radiating quiet determination and showing he was utterly willing.

Willow was fuming. ‘He’s already this besotted just by looking at Athena’s manor,’ she thought bitterly. ‘If he actually saw her, she’d have him wrapped around her finger in no time.’

“Michael,” Willow said earnestly, “but Athena is now Mrs. Cavendish. Your standing here will only invite gossip. No one will care that you’re here to seek medicine for your mother. They’ll only say you’re coveting Mrs. Cavendish.”

Michael’s expression wavered, his jaw clenched in conflict. “But Mother’s illness won’t wait.”

Torn between troubling Athena and saving Kelsey, he stood paralyzed by the dilemma.

Seeing he was convinced, Willow eagerly volunteered, “Michael, let me do this for you. After all, Athena and I are sisters-if anyone sees me, it won’t raise eyebrows. At worst, I might have to endure a few snide remarks.”

“Willow,” Michael said, his expression softening with emotion. “Wouldn’t that be asking too much of you?”

Willow met his gaze, her voice steady. “If it means saving my mother-in-law, I’m willing to endure any hardship.”

Willow’s answer tugged at Michael’s heartstrings, making him wonder if he’d been too harsh on her lately.

Just then, a mounted attendant galloped over, his face full of urgency. Reining in his horse, he called out breathlessly to Michael, “My Lord, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace at once!”

At the words “to the palace,” Michael’s stomach clenched with dread.

Before, every trip to the palace meant rewards and honors, but now it was nothing but reprimands and punishment.

Michael thought to himself, ‘Being called in at a time like this? That can’t mean anything good.

‘Could it be about those rumors?’

Michael didn’t dare delay. He briefly instructed Willow, “Athena is still mad, so it’s understandable she doesn’t want to see us. Willow, I’m sorry you have to endure this slight. Please wait here a bit longer. We’ll decide what to do after I return from the palace.”

Willow nodded obediently. “Don’t worry, darling. I know what to do.”

Seeing how readily Willow agreed, Michael felt relieved and strode off without a backward glance.

Willow felt a quiet delight-Michael’s demeanor toward her had softened considerably, almost as if they’d returned to their old dynamic.

Nona complained indignantly, “Lady Willow, are you truly going to let that bitch humiliate you? You’re the Marchioness of Somers, yet that mere Viscountess Athena dares to make you wait here! And Lord Osborne-he’s far too protective of her.”

Ever since Willow married into the Osborne family, Nona had automatically assigned her the role of Michael’s junior wife.

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Chapter 162

Whenever Nona looked at Michael, it was with the possessive gaze of a wife toward her own husband.

The tenderness in Michael’s eyes just now made Nona’s heart burn with jealousy.

Who does Athena think she is? She’s not even worthy of competing with me for Michael’s affection!’ Nona scoffed inwardly.

Willow knew perfectly well that Michael still carried a torch for Athena. Playing the humble wife, she hoped to win back his

heart.

Being overshadowed by Athena was the last thing Willow wanted, but there was nothing she could do.

She waited there listlessly, her voice heavy with resentment as she murmured, “What else could I do? Even if she were dead, Athena would still hold a special place in Michael’s heart.”

Such venomous words-had Nona not known Willow’s true nature, she would never have believed they came from her lips.

Nona, sensing the frustration in Willow’s voice, stepped closer and whispered, “My lady, let me shoulder this burden for you. You’re the Marchioness-far too noble for this indignity. My life is worthless by comparison. Let me kneel here and beg Viscountess Athena to see us.”

“Even though I’m just a maid, I represent the Osborne family. Even if Athena is dead-set against seeing us, once I kneel publicly here, she’ll have no choice but to receive us. The world doesn’t care about the truth. They always side with whoever appears more pitiful, Nona thought slyly.