The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 663

Chapter 663

Chapter 663

The brocade quilt on the carved pearwood bed was violently flung aside as Michael propped himself up on trembling arms, struggling to roll toward the

edge.

A sharp pain shot through his right calf, forcing a muffled groan from Michael. At the

same time, the arrow wound on his arm throbbed and went numb.

His vision blurred in and out as cold sweat streamed from his temple, tracing a path down his jawline and staining his moon–white undershirt.

“No, Mr. Osborne,” The maid outside gasped, lunging forward, only to be shoved away by his forceful backhand.

The movement tugged at his wounds, and twin rivulets of fresh blood immediately seeped from the bandages, blossoming into a horrifying crimson on the pristine fabric.

“Move aside,” Michael growled darkly at the maid, his face clouded with anger.

When Michael realized he was in the Xander Manor, his face flushed with shame. Michael thought to himself, ‘I shouldn’t even be alive–let alone here in

Athena’s manor.’

The maid anxiously blocked his way, pleading, “Mr. Osborne, Her Highness told me to take good care of you. If you leave, she’ll hold me responsible.”

“Her Highness?” Michael’s expression froze momentarily before comprehension dawned.

‘Oh, right,’ Michael thought bitterly. ‘Athena is now Xander’s wife.‘

He recalled seeing Athena and Xander, their fingers tightly intertwined, as they went together to the Cavendish Family Cemetery to pay their respects.

The joy on Athena’s face was unmistakable–she was truly happy then.

A surge of bittersweet joy welled up in Michael’s heart. He murmured to himself, “She’s doing well now. I shouldn’t intrude on her life anymore.”

With that, Michael struggled to his feet, determined to leave.

Seeing his wound reopen, the maid cried out anxiously, “Mr. Osborne, please stop moving around. Your wound has reopened–it’s bleeding again.”

“Get out of my way,” Michael snapped, his patience wearing thin

the

maid’s

obstruction. “I can’t stay here.”

Michael anxiously looked toward the door, but froze mid–movement as Athena strode in briskly, a medicine chest in hand.

Athena strode forward and firmly grasped his flailing arm. Her brows knitted together as her fingertips brushed against his wound. “What on earth are you doing?

“We just applied wound–healing powder to that arrow wound. If you keep moving like this, you might end up crippling this leg for good.”

Athena gently lifted a corner of the bandage. Upon seeing the fresh gauze pad already soaked through with blood, her brows knitted even tighter in

concern.

The moment Michael saw Athena, he froze as if rooted to the spot, not daring to move a muscle.

He feebly shrank away from Athena’s touch, his voice hoarse as he said, “I’ll remember your kindness, but I can’t stay here.”

“You’re not leaving the Xander Manor until you’re fully healed,” Athena said firmly, withdrawing her hand and slamming the medicine chest onto the bedside table, the porcelain bottles inside clinking sharply. “You took that ambush arrow for me.

“This debt of gratitude isn’t just Xander Manor’s; it’s mine personally. Even if you want to leave, you’re not going anywhere until I’ve fully healed that injured leg of yours.

Sunlight slanted in through the window lattice, casting a soft glow across Michael’s pale profile.

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Chapter 663

Michael stared at the tassels hanging from the canopy, his Adam’s apple bobbing a few times. He said hoarsely, “If I stay here, I’ll only bring trouble spon you. I’m a man in disgrace now.”

After Athena finished re–bandaging his wound, she said calmly, “Xander has already reported your situation to His Majesty. You’ve rendered great service and I believe you’ll soon be reinstated to your former position.”

At those words, Michael turned to Athena, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Michael’s eyes welled up with warmth as he asked, his voice trembling.“Do you not hate me?”

Athena’s hand paused as she met Michael’s gaze. “Hate? I used to. But since marrying Xander, I don’t anymore.”

Athena’s eyes lit up at the mention of Xander.

Michael’s heart swelled with warmth, only to be immediately engulfed by boundless desolation. That ardent passion had once been exclusively his. But he was the fool who let it slip away.

When Athena said she didn’t hate him, Michael felt a peculiar, indescribable pang

in his chest.

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