The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Athena was taken aback by how quickly Ferris’s attitude shifted. ‘Did I somehow offend him?‘ she wondered. As far as she could recall, she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Perhaps the confusion in her eyes was too obvious, for Ferris’s gaze grew even frostier as he looked at her.

This time, however, he didn’t lash out with sarcasm. Instead, his face darkened as he turned away, refusing to meet her eyes.

But his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

Ferris was clearly seething, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on a single spot as he remained stubbornly silent.

‘Did she really just ask why I saved her?‘ Ferris thought, incredulous, ‘Does she honestly not remember, or is she just putting

on an act?‘

When he was ten, he accidentally fell into the water, and it was Athena who pulled him out.

Her eyes were sparkling with starlight, and her gaze was full of laughter as she looked at him.

Athena said, “How did you even manage to fall into the water just by walking? If I hadn’t pulled you out, you would’ve drowned!”

Back then, Athena always wore a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with starlight.

Seeing Nicolas standing there, stunned, she shoved a piece of candy into his hand and said, “Here you go, this is sweet. Eat it and you won’t be scared anymore.”

As she spoke, she ruffled his hair like petting a puppy.

The usually arrogant Ferris didn’t even push her hand away.

He was just about to say something to Athena, but saw her skip off to chase after Michael.

Soaking wet, Nicolas stood there, suddenly overwhelmed with loneliness.

He felt as if he had just been abandoned, like a stray puppy left by the roadside.

When the servants finally found him, he threw a huge tantrum.

But just now, as Athena was about to fall into the river, Ferris suddenly felt a wave of panic crash over him.,

‘What if Athena dies?‘ the thought flashed through his mind.

Yet the instant his hand caught hers, only one determination blazed in Ferris’s heart, he had to save her, at all costs.

Ferris thought, ‘I only saved Athena to repay that life debt from years ago.

‘But she actually had the nerve to ask why I saved her? That really pissed me off.

There’s just no room in her mind for anyone but Michael.’

Noticing Ferris’s temper flare again, Athena held her tongue, careful not to provoke the young lord any further.

Suddenly, Ferris let out a few muffled coughs.

1/2

He covered his mouth with his hand, and crimson blossoms of blood bloomed in his palm.

Athena stepped closer, concern etched on her face as she asked softly, “My lord, are you all right?”

Ferris tucked his bloodied hand behind his back. “Nosy,” he snapped.

Under the dim lantern light, Athena saw Ferris’s face grow even paler, his thin lips were like plum blossoms against snow, pale with a hint of red. Just as she leaned in for a closer look, a strong hand suddenly yanked her back.

She turned and met Michael’s wide, panicked eyes.

“Athena, are you all right?” Michael blurted out, his voice trembling with concern.

Athena thought in astonishment., ‘Michael has never looked at me like this before. His eyes have always been full of icy contempt. What’s gotten into him today? Has he lost his mind?‘

Athena furrowed her brows and wrenched her hand away.

Michael’s hand hung empty, and with it went a piece of his heart. He watched Athena standing beside Ferris. They looked like a picture–perfect couple.

Athena was smiling.

It was the first time since she left the barracks that Michael had seen her smile.

‘How can she smile for another man?‘ The thought twisted like a knife in his gut.

Ferris fixed Michael with a venomous glare. Stepping forward, he shielded Athena behind him and warned icily, “Michael, know your place. Athena has nothing to do with you anymore. She is my wife now.”

Michael had repeatedly made inappropriate advances toward Athena right in front of him. Ferris had already reached the end of his patience.

The moment Ferris finished speaking, several elite guards moved with lightning speed to surround Michael.

2/2