The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 92

Gritting her teeth against the pain, she wrenched her arm free and stepped back in front of Ferris. Before he could fly into a rage, she quickly said, “Let’s go.”

Ferris’s anger hadn’t subsided, but it didn’t escalate either. He simply fixed Michael with an icy glare.

Then, as if struck by a thought, a sneering smile spread across his face.

“Just a few days ago, I got a dog,” Ferris said with a mocking smile. “But instead of guarding the house, it keeps chasing after mice. Tell me, Michael, why do you think that is?”

He was mocking Michael for sticking his nose where it didn’t belong.

Michael’s eyes were fixed on Athena. The moment he heard Ferris’s reply, his expression instantly darkened.

Michael’s icy gaze lingered on Ferris’s face. He said coldly, “Her hand is injured. Didn’t you notice?”

Hearing this, Ferris’s smile froze. He scrutinized Athena’s hand but found nothing amiss.

Willow’s voice, laced with feigned grievance, drifted over. “It’s all my fault, I couldn’t protect my sister. Just a few days ago, she was reprimanded by Her Majesty and subjected to finger punishment. You couldn’t have known, so it’s understandable…”

Her voice was so soft and faint that, unless one listened closely, they’d never catch the subtle trace of gloating beneath.

After being reprimanded by Her Majesty, she felt that Athena could not possibly have any dignity in front of Ferris.

Ferris’s brow furrowed deeply. He gently lifted Athena’s fingers, and only then did he notice the faint, tiny streaks of blood beneath her nails, barely visible unless examined closely.

Realizing what he had just done to Athena, a flicker of guilt crossed Ferris’s eyes. “That was thoughtless of me,” he admitted.

Willow was taken aback by Ferris’s reaction. ‘He’s actually standing up for Athena?‘ she thought in disbelief.

Back when he was a kid, he looked down on everyone.

Even Willow had never received so much as a kind look from Ferris.

Yet, despite Athena’s disgrace, Ferris was being unexpectedly gentle with her. Forcing a smile to ease the tension, Willow chimed in sweetly, “You two truly make a perfect match.”

Michael shot Willow an odd look and cut her off. “Nothing’s settled yet.”

He showed Willow no mercy, and once again, her eyes filled with tears.

Nicolas gave Michael a disapproving look. “As you know, the marriage between our families is already settled, all that’s left is to set a date. Willow’s right. And after all, wasn’t this Athena’s own choice?”

He was reminding Michael that Athena had already chosen Ferris, and urging him to adjust his attitude.

Michael scoffed coldly at their claims, offering no response.

But Willow’s remark visibly brightened Ferris’s mood.

Ferris took hold of Athena’s uninjured hand, a deliberate show for Michael’s benefit, and said smugly, “As long as Athena agrees, we can set the wedding date anytime.”

1/2

Chapter 92

With a triumphant smile, Ferris turned to Athena and asked, “What do you say, my dear?”

The tension between them weighed heavily on Athena, leaving her utterly weary, yet she had no choice but to face it.

Not only was Ferris watching Athena intently, but Michael and Willow were also watching for her reaction.

Athena nodded, following his lead. “As you wish. Anything will do.”

As soon as Athena finished speaking, Willow and Nicolas visibly relaxed, but Michael’s expression darkened even further.

Michael shot Athena a cold, disappointed look.

Willow stepped forward and gently tugged at Michael’s sleeve, speaking in a soft, pleading voice, “Michael, look, they’re selling festival decorations over there. Could you buy one for me?”

As Willow tugged at his sleeve, Michael found his gaze drawn to the roadside decorations.

The street was lined with a dazzling array of decorations in all shapes and sizes.

His gaze lingered on a delicate rabbit–shaped lantern. Turning to Athena, he asked gently, “I remember you used to love rabbit–shaped decorations the most, didn’t you?”

Michael was actually asking Athena for her opinion. Willow’s smile froze instantly on her face..

2/2