The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Athena stepped out of the room, and Nelson came forward to meet her. “Lady Athena, allow me to escort you out.”

“Thank you, Nelson.”

Just as she reached the edge of the courtyard, she spotted Nicolas and Matthew nearby, deep in conversation with several officials.

The moment they saw Athena emerge from Xander’s quarters, both men’s expressions darkened.

Nicolas hurried over, his face full of reproach. “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t even try to save face for her. Turning to Nelson, he offered an apologetic smile. “Please forgive my sister, she can be quite unruly. I’ll be sure to discipline her properly when we return.”

Matthew followed up, voice sharp with anger. “A young woman should know her place. What are you doing in a place like this?”

If it hadn’t been for the setting and timing, he might’ve lashed out at her right then and there.

In their eyes, Athena had clearly clung to Ray and followed him into the Xander Manor uninvited. Now she was wandering around unsupervised, thoroughly disgracing the duke’s estate.

Nelson frowned, a flicker of disdain crossing his face. He gave the two brothers a long, unimpressed look.

He thought, ‘What kind of brothers speak about their own sister this way–in front of strangers, no less? No wonder Lady Athena keeps her distance from them.’

“Lady Athena was personally invited by His Highness,” Nelson finally said, his tone frosty. “Are you questioning Prince Xander’s judgment?”

Both Nicolas and Matthew froze in place.

“She… she was invited?” Nicolas stammered, turning to Athena with disbelief in his eyes. “How could someone like you have caught Prince Xander’s attention?”

Nelson nearly laughed. He thought, ‘How blind they are letting a true gem gather dust.

He turned to Matthew and said pointedly, “You can thank your robe. Lady Athena has exceptional skill with embroidery. His Highness is preparing a birthday gift for the Princess Dowager and needed someone with refined technique. Unfortunately, the household seamstresses weren’t up to the task–so he invited Lady Athena to assist.”

Matthew’s eyes widened. He’d never imagined that something as minor as a robe would bring Athena to the attention of Xander. This was no small matter–it was a rare honor.

He exchanged a glance with Nicolas, who gave a subtle nod in return.

Their attitudes shifted instantly. Gone was the anger and scorn–replaced by smiles and suddenly softened expressions.

“Oh, so that’s what this was about!” Nicolas chuckled awkwardly. “Why didn’t you just say so earlier?”

“Exactly,” Matthew added with a forced grin. “If you’d explained from the start, we wouldn’t have been so worried.”

Same old routine: blame her first, then twist the story to justify their own behavior–leaving her to shoulder the consequences. They hadn’t changed a bit since they were children.

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Athena felt a familiar exhaustion settle in. She smiled faintly, but her words carried a sharp edge. “Did you ever give me the chance to explain?”

The smile on her lips didn’t reach her eyes.

Nicolas stiffened. He thought, ‘What kind of expression is that? Is she… disappointed? Over something this minor?‘

But come to think of it, she hadn’t been the same since returning to the manor. Detached. Distant. As if she were drawing a line between them.

But he thought, ‘How could you draw a line between siblings? We share the same blood. So what if we quarrel–what brother and sister don’t?

‘As her eldest brother, isn’t it my duty to correct her when she is out of line? What have I done wrong?

‘No, the one who’s changed is Athena. She’s become cold, closed off–treating us like strangers.

‘I truly do want to protect her. Just like this time–if she only explained herself from the start, how could we possibly misunderstand?‘

Matthew gave a mocking snort. “Athena, how can you speak like that? Your brother and I are just trying to look out for you.”

“Oh? And that gives you the right to humiliate me however you please?” Athena replied coldly. “Whether your concern is genuine or not–you both know the answer better than I do. But tell me–if it had been Willow in my place, would either of you have treated her the same way?”