The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 504

Chapter 504

Xander picked one up and took a bite. The flavor was soft and delicately sweet, melting on his tongue

“Delicious,” he murmured between bites, nodding approvingly.

Nelson watched as Xander ate with such relish, then chuckled and reached out. “Let me try and boo, Your Highness

Suddenly, a hand slapped down on Nelson’s outstretched arm

Startled, he looked up to see Xander, usually so stem and proper, quickly hide the breads behind his back as though guarding a priceless rumt.

“If you want some, go to the kitchen, Xander sald curtly.

Nelson’s

s eyes widened in disbelief. It’s just a basket of bread, Why is he being so stingy?

Then it dawned on him. Of course, these were from Athena. No wonder

Nelson wore a knowing smile and was just about to withdraw when Ansel strode in from outside, a dossier in hand.

With a slight bow, he reported, “Your Highness, there’s nows about General Perkins.”

“Bring it here,” Xander ordered, his expression sharpening instantly as he hastily popped the last bite of bun into his mouth.

He took the dossier and examined it closely

Ansel had been bustling about all morning, too busy to even sip a glass of water. The sight of the breads on the table immediately stirred his appetite.

“Where did these come from?” he murmured, already reaching for one.

Nelson gasped, about to warn him, but Xander was faster. He smacked Ansel’s hand away.

Ansel’s fingers grasped at nothing, and he blinked at Xander in disbelief. He was reading the report just now. How did he even notice me?”

Then, to his greater surprise, Xander broke into a rare smile. “Persistence pays off. At last, we have news of General Perkins”

The intelligence report stated that after being exiled to the northwest, General Perkins was sent to a poor mountain village

Though life there was harsh, the old general remained in robust health, free from illness.

The entire Perkins clan was also in that village, though they were kept under strict surveillance and forbidden from leaving at will

Xander gripped the intelligence report tightly, his eyes shining with feverish delight

Few exiles in history had ever reached their destination alive, most perish from starvation or disease along the way. For Kurtis to survive was nothing short of a miracle.

Without hesitation, he sprang to his feet and strode qut purposefully.

Nelson hurried after him, his eyes brimming with tears. “His Highness must be rushing to share this joy with Lady Athena!”

Xander’s sudden arrival leht Athena flustered.

Before she could comprehend the wild excitement in his eyes, he had already seized her by the arms.

“General Perkins, we have news?he exclamed

Athena frone, unable to believe what Xander had just said. For a moment, she wondered if this was all just a dream,

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Chapter 504

“What… what did you just say?” Athena slammered, her voice trembling in disbeliet.

xander handed the report to her, repeating gently, “General Perkins is safe and sound, no iffness, no harm. See for yourself.

Before he could finish, Athena huickly matched the dossier

from his hands.

When she saw that her grandfather was in a place called Blossom Creek on the northwest border, her eyes grew hot with emotion. ‘Oh, thank God. Trity, thank God.”

He was alive. Her uncles too. Most of the clan had made it.

Tears fell, blurring the ink on the page. Everything she had done these past few days had been worth it

Athena was laughing and crying at the same time, gazing at Xander with deep gratitude. She wanted to thank him, but the words seemed inadequate.

Overcome with emotion, she threw her arms around Xander, whispering over and over in his ear, “Thank you,

thank you, Prince Xander.”

Xander froze like stone. Stiffly, he slowly returned her embrace. Though his face remained composed, only he knew how fiercely his heart was pounding

hall

Everything he had done for her, he had done willingly and with all his heart.

AD