The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59

The party had begun to wind down, and many of the guests were already leaving the duke’s estate.

Kelsey approached from a short distance away, her face lit with a satisfied smile. Willow quickly adjusted her gown and stepped forward to offer a graceful, textbook–perfect curtsey. “Lady Kelsey.”

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll be calling me Lady Kelsey much longer,” Kelsey said with a sly smile.

Willow immediately understood the subtext. A flush crept up her cheeks.

The other guests nearby let out soft, knowing laughs.

But to Michael, those chuckles sounded–piercing–grating, even.

He kept his gaze lowered, eyes fixed on the ground, though his mind was far away, lost in thoughts of someone else.

If things hadn’t taken such a drastic turn… it should’ve been Athena standing beside him right now. But…

A quiet sigh slipped from his lips.

He was the heir of the Osborne family, bearing its name, its legacy, and all its expectations. Marriage wasn’t something he could approach with personal feelings–it was duty first.

“Michael, what are you thinking about?” Kelsey’s light tone broke through his thoughts.

Startled, he looked up at her, then gave a polite nod to Eloise. “Forgive me. My mind wandered.”

Kelsey stepped in quickly to smooth things over. “He must be so happy he’s dazed. I’ve never seen him this distracted before.”

Eloise gave her a knowing smile, both women pretending not to notice the undercurrent..

Then Kelsey added, almost casually, “That Athena girl already spoke to me about dissolving the engagement. Honestly, it’s probably for the best–saves us all the trouble and keeps the gossip down. Of course, we’ll have to delay the new engagement announcement a bit.”

A strained smile stretched across Eloise’s face. She didn’t know how to respond.

Originally, there would have been no need for a formal break–off. They could’ve quietly swapped Athena for Willow without stirring the waters. But now, thanks to Athena’s little stunt, the duke’s estate had been placed in an awkward position.

If she’d known Athena would take it upon herself to speak to Kelsey directly, she never would’ve allowed it.

But what was done was done. All she could do now was nod in agreement. As for the inevitable rumors–they’d have to figure out how to keep those under control.

Kelsey, sensing Eloise understood her meaning, gave Michael a subtle look. “It’s getting late. Michael and I will take our leave.”

With that, she led her absent–minded son away.

Willow, meanwhile, stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning.

Athena might not care what people say–but she did. She thought, ‘If we went through with the engagement now, wouldn’t I become a laughingstock?”

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Chapter 59

The party had begun to wind down, and many of the guests were already leaving the duke’s estate.

Kelsey approached from a short distance away, her face lit with a satisfied smile. Willow quickly adjusted her gown and stepped forward to offer a graceful, textbook–perfect curtsey. “Lady Kelsey.”

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll be calling me Lady Kelsey much longer,” Kelsey said with a sly smile.

Willow immediately understood the subtext. A flush crept up her cheeks.

The other guests nearby let out soft, knowing laughs.

But to Michael, those chuckles sounded–piercing–grating, even.

He kept his gaze lowered, eyes fixed on the ground, though his mind was far away, lost in thoughts of someone else.

If things hadn’t taken such a drastic turn… it should’ve been Athena standing beside him right now. But…

A quiet sigh slipped from his lips.

He was the heir of the Osborne family, bearing its name, its legacy, and all its expectations. Marriage wasn’t something he could approach with personal feelings–it was duty first.

“Michael, what are you thinking about?” Kelsey’s light tone broke through his thoughts.

Startled, he looked up at her, then gave a polite nod to Eloise. “Forgive me. My mind wandered.”

Kelsey stepped in quickly to smooth things over. “He must be so happy he’s dazed. I’ve never seen him this distracted before.”

Eloise gave her a knowing smile, both women pretending not to notice the undercurrent..

Then Kelsey added, almost casually, “That Athena girl already spoke to me about dissolving the engagement. Honestly, it’s probably for the best–saves us all the trouble and keeps the gossip down. Of course, we’ll have to delay the new engagement announcement a bit.”

A strained smile stretched across Eloise’s face. She didn’t know how to respond.

Originally, there would have been no need for a formal break–off. They could’ve quietly swapped Athena for Willow without stirring the waters. But now, thanks to Athena’s little stunt, the duke’s estate had been placed in an awkward position.

If she’d known Athena would take it upon herself to speak to Kelsey directly, she never would’ve allowed it.

But what was done was done. All she could do now was nod in agreement. As for the inevitable rumors–they’d have to figure out how to keep those under control.

Kelsey, sensing Eloise understood her meaning, gave Michael a subtle look. “It’s getting late. Michael and I will take our leave.”

With that, she led her absent–minded son away.

Willow, meanwhile, stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning.

Athena might not care what people say–but she did. She thought, ‘If we went through with the engagement now, wouldn’t I become a laughingstock?”

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