The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87

The excruciating pain radiating from her fingertips nearly made Athena black out. She bit down hard on her lip, desperately fighting to stay conscious.

Athena fixed Eloise and Willow with a dagger–sharp glare, as if her eyes could bore holes right through them.

Whether it was Eloise’s heart softening, or simply her inability to withstand Athena’s piercing, accusatory gaze, no one could

say.

Her eyes rimmed red with tears, Eloise stepped forward and said in a choked, aggrieved voice, “Athena, it’s all my fault. I tried, but I just couldn’t get Her Majesty to change her mind about you.”

Eloise hurriedly pulled Willow over and, her voice trembling with emotion, said to Athena, “If it hadn’t been for Willow trading firearms, Her Majesty would never have agreed to change your punishment from flogging to finger–piercing. You suffered, yes, but at least you’re still alive because of her…”

Eloise wept bitterly, tears streaming down her face, while Willow’s eyes were red with feigned remorse. “This is all my fault,” Willow choked out with exaggerated guilt. “I couldn’t persuade Her Majesty to spare you, Athena. If I could, I’d gladly take your punishment in your place.”

Her “heartfelt” words moved both Eloise and Henry, leaving them deeply pained and full of sympathy.

Nicolas looked at Willow, deeply moved. “This isn’t your fault, why should you take the blame for her?”

Nicolas looked at Athena with deep disappointment, but at the sight of her injuries, his gaze softened with a hint of pity. He said, “Just focus on recovering these next few days, no wandering about.”

All eyes in the room turned to Willow, filled with gratitude, because she single–handedly saved Nicolas and even persuaded the Queen to spare Athena’s life.

She became the savior of the Monson family and Athena.

Henry said sternly to Athena, “Athena, you owe Willow your very life. From now on, you two must get along peacefully, no more of this constant feuding. Your mother and I are getting too old for such turmoil.

“You had a narrow escape this time. But what about next time? How are we supposed to save you then?”

Eloise dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief and moved to help Athena up. “Athena’s still injured. She must have learned her lesson by now. Please, dear, let’s not scold her anymore.

“Come on, sweetheart, get up. Seeing you hurt like this really breaks your mother’s heart…”

As she reached out to steady Athena’s arm, she heard Athena give a low, bitter laugh.

She looked up, her icy gaze sweeping over everyone.

Athena fixed them with a cold, mocking stare. “You all know perfectly well whether the punishment I suffered today was because Her Majesty holds a grudge against me, or if it was just a cover–up to fool everyone else.” With that, she turned away from their hypocritical faces and staggered out, her steps unsteady.

Willow took two steps forward and reached out to help Athena. “Let me help you, Athena,” she said with feigned concern.

Willow accidentally brushed against Athena’s injured fingers. Athena’s face drained of color as beads of sweat instantly formed on her forehead.

1/2

Chapter 87

But Willow pretended not to notice and stubbornly kept her grip on Athena’s hand.

Excruciating pain wracked Athena’s body, making her tremble violently. With her uninjured hand, she shoved Willow away with all her remaining strength and hissed, “Get lost!”

Though Athena hadn’t used much force, Willow crumpled to the ground like a boneless flower.

Willow’s face twisted in exaggerated pain as she clutched her ankle, her eyes brimming with crocodile tears as she looked up at Athena. “Athena, I… I didn’t mean to,” she whimpered, her voice trembling.

In an instant, Nicolas was at Willow’s side. He helped her up and glared at Athena with blazing fury. “You ungrateful wretch!”

In Nicolas‘ eyes, Willow was Athena’s lifesaver.

Without Willow, Athena might very well have been beaten to death by the Queen.

Yet Athena not only showed no gratitude, but treated Willow with such hostility. In Nicolas‘ eyes, she was truly beyond redemption.

Athena’s face glistened with a thin sheen of sweat, the excruciating pain in her fingers stabbing straight to her core.

But she merely fixed Nicolas with a mocking stare and said nothing.

2