The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 505

Chapter 505

It wasn’t until Athena fell the warmth of Kander’s hands at her waist that the finally realized she had lost her composure:

Flustered, Athena let go of Xander, her cheeks already lingeid pisk..

She lowered her head to hide her embarrassment.

“I’m sorry” she said quietly, her voice barely reaching his ear. “I let my emotions get the better of me

Xander’s gaze followed Athena as she stepped away. Just moments ago, she had been laughing and dancing in his arms, radiating a joy he had ver

seen before.

Her softwarmth in his arms was a bliss he’d never even dared to imagine.

However, it ended too soon, gone before he could even fully over it

He didn’t want to let go, but he was afraid that if he held on any longer, Athena would pull away from him for good

So he reminded himselt, again and again, that there was still time. Plenty of time.

“It’s fine ander said quietly. Those two words cost him more than he cared to admit,

To spare Athena any further embarrassment, Xander gently changed the subject, saying, “General Perkins is sale and sound now. You can finally put your

mind at ease

Tears welled in Fer eyes as she read the letter again, and then again.

Her fingers traced every stroke of the handwriting as if afraid it might disappear like a dream.

Only once she was certain did the tears begin to fall soft, joyful, and unstoppable

Athena looked up at Xander, blinking fast, trying in vain to stop them

The tears rolled down her cheeks, splashing onto the floor, each drop striking Kander’s heart like a hammer blow.

Xander’s heart ached for her. He longed to shield her from the world’s cruelty, to stand between her and every blow.

But he knew Athena too well. She would never accept a life lived in someone else’s shadow

Her fate washers to shape, not his to safeguard

Xander gazed admiringly at Athena, his eyes brimming with tenderness.

Suddenly, a thought sparked in Athena’s mind. She hurriedly wiped the tears from her face and guided Xander to sit down beside her

“Prince Xander,” she said, “I have something important to show you.”

Seeing how terse Athena w was, Xander’s expression turned grave.

Then, Athena retrieved the old case file from the drawer and spread it open on the table

Inside was Kurtis’s confession given after his imprisonment, complete with his signature and official seal.

Athena frowned in confusion and asked, “Given my grandfather’s character, he’d never admit to something he didn’t do et from his arrest to signing confession, it only book, two days. That’s highly suspicious

Xander turned to Athena sharply, his face growing tense. “Where did you get tha?

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Chapter 505

Then, Allsena held nothing back and explained the deal the had made with Kelsey

Aher hearing her explanation, Xander raised an eyetins in sorption and remarked,

Athena was ring herself for his reprimand, but kander merely gave he

His long lashes lowered, veiling the emotions in his eyes.

With a crisp flick of his finger against the folder, he murmured, “Something it ofther

before lowering his gem to the ed

Athens leaned in for a closer look her gaze following Kander’s finger in a specific line in the confession

It read. “Accepted fifty thousand taels of silver in bribes”

“What’s off about this?” Athena asked.

“Back then, only forty three thousand taels of ill–gotten silver were uncovered,” Xander said in a low voice, his piercing goa fixed did the extra silver pot”

Xander’s usually icy eyes now sparkled brightly in the light.

Athena thought for a moment, then asked him, “Could they have mistaken it for my grandfather’s hidden stash?”

*General Perkins had liquidated everything his family owned just to pay the soldiers before their wages were even due. What money could possibly hidden?” Kander’s voice was firm, each word striking Athena like a blow to the chest.