The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 84

The Monson family was frantic with worry.

Henry spent a fortune and pulled every string he could, but still came up empty–handed.

Left with no other choice, Eloise could only take Willow to the palace to plead with the Empress for help.

In the distance, Eloise and Willow saw Michael and Nicolas kneeling before the Heaven Hall.

Tears streamed down Eloise’s face, her heart aching, but she didn’t dare to look back. She quickly pulled Willow along toward the Empress’s Phoenix Hall.

After two long days, the Emperor finally released Michael and Nicolas from the palace.

On the way back to the estate, Nicolas’s heart felt heavy.

Nicolas wondered, ‘Was I wrong?‘

‘After everything Athena went through in that hellhole, it’s a miracle she kept her sanity. And yet, I actually dared to hope she’d still treat me as she once did.

‘Athena must utterly despise me.

Nicolas couldn’t deny it, he was the one who had agreed to send Athena to the military camp all those years ago.

Nicolas thought bitterly, ‘If only I’d spoken up for Athena, even just once, she wouldn’t have had to endure those three hellish years!

But even as he thought this, Nicolas couldn’t help feeling angry.

Nicolas thought bitterly, ‘What’s done is done, why can’t Athena just let it go?

‘Mother has already arranged a decent marriage for Athena. With her tarnished reputation, what aristocratic house would ever want her?”

Though Ferris is terminally ill, it’s still not a bad arrangement for Athena.

‘If she were to become a widow, the Monson family would adopt a child for her to raise as her own, so she wouldn’t have to

be alone.

‘After all, she still has to rely on the Monson family.

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‘Mother and I have already mapped out her entire future. All she has to do is follow our arrangements, and she’ll never have to worry about a thing for the rest of her life.

‘Why must she cling so desperately to Michael?

‘If Athena hadn’t said something to Michael, he wouldn’t have lost his mind and stormed into the military camp.

‘And I wouldn’t have been reprimanded by the Emperor either.

‘Why is Athena be so unreasonable?‘

With a deep frown, Nicolas entered the estate. Eloise and Henry had long been waiting in the main hall, with Willow standing anxiously by her mother’s side.

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At the sight of him, Eloise hurried forward, her eyes brimming with tears. “Nicolas, my poor boy…”

Nicolas limped into the estate, his steps unsteady.

He had knelt before the palace for two days, his legs so agonized he could barely stand. Seeing this, Eloise’s heart broke. She rushed forward, embraced him tightly, and wept uncontrollably.

Nicolas scanned the hall, his eyes darkening with disappointment.

Nicolas thought bitterly, ‘Athena isn’t here. With everything that’s happened, she couldn’t even be bothered to show up?”

With everything that’s happened, she couldn’t even be bothered to show up? Nicolas seethed inwardly.

“Nicolas…” Willow’s voice was so choked with sobs she could barely speak. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at his injured leg. “Does it hurt terribly?”

Willow carefully supported Nicolas as she sat down, then immediately turned to the servants and ordered urgently, “Go fetch the family physician at once!”

Nicolas’s eyes softened with a hint of comfort as he reassured Willow, “Don’t worry about me.”

Then, his expression darkened. Nicolas demanded, “Where is Athena?”

“Athena must have been held up by something,” Willow said hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. “She knows you stood up for her. I’m sure she’ll come.” Willow’s feeble attempt to cover for Athena only made Nicolas’s anger flare.

Nicolas thought bitterly, ‘How can two sisters be so completely different?

‘One sister is running around tirelessly for me, while the other acts as if she doesn’t even notice.‘

Henry’s face darkened with anger as he snorted contemptuously. “If she truly cared, she would have shown up by now.”

Henry thought, ‘I know Athena holds resentment, but she should know when and to whom to direct it.

‘Nicolas’s punishment this time was entirely because of her.

‘No matter what, she should have at least come to pay a visit. Even if she didn’t want to, couldn’t she at least put on a show?

‘She couldn’t even be bothered to put on an act. How utterly disappointing.

Eloise dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and forced a strained smile. “Thank goodness you’re safe…”

Before Eloise could finish speaking, Henry bellowed, “Go summon Athena at once!”

Since Athena’s return, the Monson family hadn’t known a moment’s peace.

It was a summons, not an invitation.

The butler’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly led the servants out to carry out the order.

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