The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 474

He plucked the handkerchief from Lizzie’s hand, then knelt down to meticulously wipe the blood from the Oriental parts on her shoes

He carelessly tossed the handkerchiel aside and said, “Your Highness, why trouble yourself over some lowly servant? With your royal wedding approaching, shedding blood would be a had emen.

The moment Lizzie saw Ferris’s breathtakingly handsome face, the fury in her eyes melted away, replaced by a fowick are

With trembling fingers, Lizzie slowly reached out to caress Ferris’s face, her eyes glazed with adoration Ferris,” the breathed, “you finally stopped ignoring me,”

Ferris took Lizzie’s hand and said, “Your Highness, allow me to escort you back to the palace. Without waiting for her response, he strode forward with purposeful steps

Lizzie’s eyes sparkled with joy, all thoughts of troubling Athena completely forgotten.

Utterly smitten, Lizzie followed Ferris for a few steps, then turned back and arched her eyebrow at Athena in a provocative, taunting gesture.

Lizzie’s smile widened triumphantly when he saw Athena’s shocked expression.

Then, clinging affectionately to Ferris’s arm, she disappeared into the distance with him.

Athena stood frozen in place, her eyes wide with utter disbelie

She remained in a daze, even after Ferris and Lizzie had disappeared from sight.

Jessa’s heart ached seeing the Viscountess like this. “My Lady, shall we head back?” she gently suggested.

“Ferris… is he really getting married?” Athena asked, the realization slowly setting in, her voice trembling. Jessa saw her eyes nod.

swell up and gave a gentle

Jessa stood by Athena’s side, at a loss for how to comfort her,

Jessa knew little about what went on between Athena and Ferris.

All Jessa knew was that Athena and Ferris had almost gotten married. She guessed Athena must have had strong feelings for him.

“But Ferris and Athena were never meant to be, Jessa thought

From the very beginning, their p

paths were never meant to run parallel

Their paths were destined to diverge further and further.

But Jessa was mistaken. Athena wasn’t heartbroken.

But it wasn’t just that Ferris was getting married–it was the fact that he was marrying Lizzie,

How could the notorious Lizzie ever deserve someone as pure and gentle as Ferris?

Besides, Lizzie was vicious by nature. If Ferris married her, he’d be trapped in a living hell.

If Ferris were marrying a respectable woman, she’d give them her blessing.

But of all people, it had to be Lizzie.

Athena turned around to head back, and just as she did, she spotted Xander standing not far away.

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Chapter 474

He stood motionless beneath the banyan tree, his silhouette nearly merging with the darkness.

His arrested calmly on Athena, his expression linged with quiet desolation

“Prince Xander?” Athena stared at him in surprise, “How… how long have you been standing here?”

“I’ve been here since you came out,” Xander replied, his voice a little husky–perhaps from the

His eyes, usually as brilliant as stars, were now clouded with quiet melancholy.

Athena’s heart skipped a beat. There was something in Xander’s eyes that really fuggirl at me

Before Athena could say a word, Xander broke the silence with his prele voice, “Are you feeling sorry for him?”

Athena was surprised by Xander’s perceptiveness, but she saw no harm in admitting it.

Athena nodded wordlessly. “I just want him to be happy,” she said.

Sometimes, Athena wondered what she truly felt for Ferris.

But she couldn’t make sense of it.

She couldn’t bear how much he had suffered–all she wanted was to protect him.

Athena and Xander walked slowly down the quiet street, the only sound in the stillness being the soft rhythm of their footsteps.

Athena nervously bit her lower lip and stole a glance at Xander–only to find his gaze already locked onto hers

“Something on your mind?” Xander paused, his gaze resting on Athena with quiet expectation.

Athens took a deep breath, Gathering all her courage, she finally managed to ask, “Could you possibly help him?”

Seeing the lost expression on Athena’s face, Xander’s brow furrowed slightly.

Under the cover of night, Xander’s deep voice murmured by Athena’s ear, “Atheny, just because you think something is bad doesn’t mean everyone else feels the same. You’re not Ferris–how can you if he is enjoying this?”

AD