The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 674

820

Kendra was weeping uncontrollably, her eyes downcast, unable to meet Alexandra’s gaze. Choking back her sobs, she pleaded, “Mrs. Cavendish, please don’t worry. I just wants you to stay with someone for a little while. He would never dare lay a finger on

you.”

“Who is it?” Alexandra asked, looking utterly confused.

Kendra hung her head low and stammered in a barely audible whisper, “Ronan.”

“Who?” Alexandra repeated, though she had heard perfectly well. It was just that she was too stunned to believe it.

Ronan Carlisle had been one of her guards. In her innocent youth, she developed tender feelings for him.

Upon learning of this, her parents immediately banished him from the manor that very night, forbidding him from ever returning to Pidence City.

At the mention of that name after all these years, Alexandra was utterly staggered.

To achieve her own ends, Kendra actually went so far as to hire someone to smear Alexandra’s reputation.

“Mrs. Cavendish, I truly have no way out. I can’t marry into Northcold–they say the people there are so barbaric, drinking blood and feasting on flesh. How could I, raised in silks and satins, possibly survive such savagery?” Kendra pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

She bowed deeply before Alexandra. “Mrs. Cavendish, please take pity on me and help me one last time. If I can achieve swear I’ll repay you with twice the devotion and care.”

my

wish, I

Alexandra felt fury surging through her veins. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, barely suppressing the anguish in her heart.

“So, you’re trying to use this to blackmail Xander, aren’t you?” Alexandra demanded, her voice trembling with fury.

Kendra remained silent–a tacit admission.

Kendra sobbed uncontrollably, her voice trembling with helplessness. “My heart has always belonged to Xander, but now that he has a wife, I dare not harbor any further hopes.

ད

“I only wish for a place to belong, to quietly live out my days. If Xander would take me as his concubine, I would live a peaceful life by your side, Mrs. Cavendish.”

It sounded appealing enough, yet Alexandra’s eyes held nothing but profound disappointment.

Though Kendra wasn’t raised under Alexandra’s direct care, she had always treated her as if she were her own daughter.

Lonely in the secluded palace, whenever Alexandra felt particularly tormented, she would summon Kendra to her side.

Though she had a son, Alexandra had always harbored a particular soft spot for Kendra. Because Kendra reminded her so much of herself in her youth.

Alexandra couldn’t believe it. The very child she raised was now plotting against her. And she still had the gall to claim she was driven to desperation. It was ridiculous.

1/2

Chapter 674

Alexandra’s chest heaved with rage. She jabbed a trembling finger at Kendra’s nose and roared, “Get out. Out of my sight this

instant.”

Alexandra struggled to get up, but Kendra pressed her back down and pleaded urgently, “Mrs. Cavendish, just for a moment–truly. only a moment. Please, trust me.”

Whether from sheer fury or the drug finally taking its toll, Alexandra collapsed and didn’t stir again.

“Bring him in,” Kendra commanded coldly, sensing the moment was right.

Moments later, a burly middle–aged man was ushered into the chamber.

He stole a furtive glance at Alexandra, his eyes burning with longing. He quickly lowered his head, trying to hide the smug satisfaction flickering within.

Kendra fixed him with a steely gaze and said coldly, “This is a golden opportunity. I have fulfilled your deepest desire. You know exactly what you need to do–don’t disappoint me.”

Ronan bowed deeply, his voice trembling with gratitude. “Your Highness, your humble servant is eternally grateful. I dare not entertain any presumptuous thoughts–merely gazing upon Alexandra would be satisfaction enough.”

Ronan had lived in misery all these years. Ever since he was banished from Pidence City, he had wandered rootlessly, enduring one hardship after another.

Reduced to utter destitution, he would stop at nothing–even murder and arson.

Ronan thought bitterly, ‘Damn my youthful recklessness. If I hadn’t fallen for Alexandra’s honey trap back then, how could I be living in such misery now?‘

All these years, whenever Alexandra came to mind, he’d grit his teeth in bitter hatred.

She rose to become Alexandra, while he was reduced to a wretched outcast.

Two weeks prior, agents from the Porter Mansion tracked him down and offered him a hefty sum of money to carry out a specific task.

AD