The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 667

The next morning, Athena and Xander emerged from the study together, both glowing with satisfaction and brimming with clergy

Today, there were court affairs to attend to, so Xander had to go to the palace.

Athena walked Xander to the door. Xander, still reluctant to let go, held her hand and said, “Wait for me.”

Athena blushed and gave him a gentle shove. “Just go already.”

“Alright.” Xander was grinning from ear to ear, his happiness impossible to hide.

He was so elated that, when it came time to get into the carriage, he didn’t even bother with the step stool just swung himself up in one effantess stride.

Ansel stared, momentarily stunned by Xander’s dashing display.

“Oh my god, His Highness is so happy,” Ansel marveled. “I’ve witnessed it firsthand.”

Athena watched the carriage disappear down the road before finally turning back toward the mansion.

Trina leaned in and whispered to Athena, “Your Highness, doesn’t Xander seem like a different person lately?”

Athena, knowing exactly what Trina was hinting at, replied with a casual smile, deftly steering the conversation away. “Well, now that he doesn’t have any official duties, of course, he’s more relaxed.”

She wondered, I couldn’t believe my eyes–Xander wasn’t just a little different; he’d changed completely, inside and out.

‘If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I never would have believed that this all–smiles guy was the same Xander.

‘I remembered how he used to be–always wearing a frosty scowl or looking deeply troubled. And honestly. I liked this change.”

No sooner had Athena entered the courtyard than a maid from Alexandra’s attendants approached her and said respectfully, “Your Highness, Your Grace requests your presence.”

Since her marriage, Athena had rarely gone to pay her respects to Alexandra.

For one, Alexandra couldn’t stand the sight of her and excused her from these formalities.

For another, with Xander always at home, he’d insist on tagging along whenever Athena visited.

Alexandra had tried several times to lay down the law with Athena, but never succeeded,

Now that Xander was out, Athena figured Alexandra was itching to throw her weight around as a mother–in–law.

Trina, looking worried, gently tugged at Athena’s sleeve and whispered, “Your Highness, should I send someone to inform His Highness?”

Trina thought, ‘Your Grace must be planning to give me a hard time.’

Athena just chuckled and shook her head. “She’s just a paper tiger–she wouldn’t dare actually do anything to me.”

Athena used to think Alexandra was tough to deal with, but after seeing how Xander had her wrapped around his fir changed.

Honestly, Alexandra was just a pitiful woman–her husband wass gone, and now she was living at her son’s mercy.

Ever since Alexandra married, Xander’s been glued to her. No wonder Alexandra felt left out.

rimpression of Alexandra

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Wed 30 JUI

Chapter 667

It was not really a tantrum; Alexandra Just wanted some attention, to feel like she still matters. Women like her were the eastout to share

Athena stepped into Alexandra’s chambers.

Sure enough, Alexandra sat in her armchair, her face cold and stern, clearly ready to interrogate

Stepping forward and bowing politely, Athena sa

“Greetings, Mrs. Cavendish.”

Alexandra scowled and snorted coldly. “As the wife, your first priority should always be Xander. I heard you threw a petty tantrum last night and insisteri on sleeping in separate rooms—how could you possibly do such a thing?

“If word of this gets out, where would that leave Xander’s dignity? As the mistress of this household, how can you be so incredibly willful?

Athena had anticipated that Alexandra would bring up yesterday’s incident and had already prepared her rebuttal.

Feigning surprise, Athena smiled and said, “Mrs. Cavendish, where did you hear such a thing? Xander and I have never had a single argument, let alone talk of sleeping in separate rooms.

“I truly don’t know where you picked up such idle gossip–it’s unfair to unjustly accuse your daughter–in–law.”

Alexandra’s eyes widened a bit as she scrutinized Athena.

Despite Athena’s polite smile and gentle tone, a knot of frustration tightened in the Dowager’s

chest.