The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 718

Chapter 718

A stunned silence fell over the room. Even the usually composed Winona shot to her feet in shock. “A boy. and a girl? Are you certain you’re not mistaken?”

The Queen also thought, ‘Twins are already rare enough, but Athena is carrying a boy and a girl. What an incredible blessing!‘

Her face turned ashen as she struggled to hold back her tears.

‘Everyone else is pregnant, yet my son’s household remains barren. A boy and a girl! How does Athena get all the luck?‘ she thought bitterly.

She was green with envy.

Arthur was equally stunned. He glanced at Xander, only to find him utterly shocked and completely dumbfounded.

‘A boy and a girl! How could he be so lucky?‘ Arthur thought.

Xander seemed to snap out of his daze and pressed the physician urgently, “Are you sure? A boy and a girl

for real?”

“Your Highness,” the imperial physician replied with palpable pride, “I’d stake my head on it. Without a

doubt, they are a boy and a girl.” When it came to gynecology, if he claimed second place, no one would

dare claim first.

He was the one who determined the gender of every young prince and princess in the palace, just by

checking their mothers‘ pulses.

‘But boy–girl twins are truly rare,‘ the imperial physician thought. ‘What an extraordinary blessing!‘

Arthur fell silent, his face burning with embarrassment.

‘How is this possible? Wasn’t Athena supposed to be barren? How could she end up so fertile?‘ he wondered

in disbelief.

Had he known she could conceive, Arthur would never have agreed to let Xander marry her.

‘Now with the Monson family backing Athena, if she teams up with Xander… That’s terrifying,‘ Arthur

thought.

Xander seemed to intuit Arthur’s thoughts. He immediately bowed to Arthur and called out, “Your Majesty, Athena is pregnant. Once she gives birth, I wish to depart at once for my fiefdom to guard the border for you. I earnestly request your permission.”

These words brought immense relief to Arthur.

He thought, ‘With Xander currently holding no military command, his voluntary departure to his remote fiefdom will significantly reduce the threat he poses.

‘The fiefdom is so far–flung that, even if he wishes to return, it will not be easy.

‘Especially since his fief is Grimshire, right next to tribal lands, where raiders are a constant nuisance. With Xander holding the territory, even the savages will think twice before causing trouble.’

Arthur put on a show of regret and said, “How sudden this is, Xander. You know I never intended to send you

to such a remote frontie…”

Had Xander not been intimately familiar with Arthur’s true colors, he might’ve bought that convincing act.

“Athena and my mother also wish to relocate to Grimshire. We’ve made our decision, so I humbly request

your permission,” Xander said.

“Please grant us this favor, Your Majesty,” Athena added, her voice clear.

The Queen’s heart settled with relief, thinking, ‘This neatly eliminated the threat of Xander.

‘As for Athena, good riddance. Boy–girl twins? She may be lucky enough to conceive them, but she’ll never live to deliver. Twin births are notoriously dangerous, with sky–high mortality rates. With her frail constitution, that woman’s been halfway to the grave since the moment she got pregnant.‘

Convinced Athena was doomed to die, the Queen’s words to Athena carried an uncharacteristic honesty.

She cooed, “Oh, I shall dearly miss you, Athena. After you depart for the fiefdom, who will keep me company

in my lonely hours?”

Last time Athena entered the palace, the Queen gave her a poisoned bracelet.

‘How sincere could the Queen possibly be?‘ Athena thought.

She’d never forgotten the poisoned gift.

So today, when she heard the Queen’s veiled sarcasm again, Athena didn’t hesitate to retort, “Your Majesty, you need not worry. With numerous consorts in the Core Palace, surely many would be honored to keep your company if you so desire.”

As expected, the Queen’s expression darkened as if thunder were about to strike.

She gritted her teeth, forcing out a hypocritical smile. “Athena, you’re still so considerate as ever.”

“Your Majesty, you set the standard for the entire Core Palace,” Athena replied, her tone laced with deceptive humility. “Naturally, I must strive to learn from your example.”