Chapter 127

After getting into the carriage, Trina immediately took out a set of dry clothes. Without Athena having to say a word, Ferris stood guard several feet away from the carriage, and even the attendants he brought turned their backs.

Once she had tidied herself up, Athena finally looked less disheveled and allowed Ferris to board.

She said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Her polite tone made Ferris frown tightly. "Athena, why are you being so distant?"

Athena's heart skipped a beat. She used to cling to him, but that was in their childhood. She was grown up now.

Seeing the troubled expression on her face, Ferris let out a light laugh. "Forget it. Not a big deal."

Trina had finished bandaging Athena's wrist. Though it had stopped bleeding, even the slightest movement still brought sharp pain.

During the process, Ferris's brows were furrowed tightly. Though he said nothing, his fists were clenched hard. Beneath his skin, the veins bulged prominently.

Afraid his illness might flare up again, Athena forced a faint smile. "It doesn't hurt anymore, really."

Ferris clearly didn't believe her. His thin lips pressed even tighter.

"Besides," Athena smiled, "I didn't exactly lose out, did I?" Compared to the pain Matthew had inflicted on her, the current state of Fams was far worse.

At her words, his expression finally relaxed a little. He didn't make his usual sarcastic remarks, only looked at her with an extremely gentle gaze. Then he took her hand, mustered all his courage, and said, "Athena, let's get married."

Athena froze on the spot. Even Trina was stunned.

After a moment, she regained her senses. "Ferris, what did you just say?"

He held her hand even tighter, tears glistening in his eyes. "I used to think I was dying, that I wasn't worthy of you. Now I'm cured. I can protect you. If you become my wife, no one will dare touch you again. That's the first reason."

He continued, "The second… is that I love you."

Like he had exhausted every ounce of his courage, Ferris stared at her nervously after speaking. He couldn't bear the thought that if something happened again, Athena might not survive. Rather than let her suffer in the duke's estate, he'd rather keep her by his side.

His burning gaze made Athena's heart ache. To say she wasn't touched would be a lie. She had never known that someone could treat her like this. But she didn't think she was worthy of it.

Her eyes flickered in panic. Just as she was about to pull her hand away and make things clear, a stern shout rang out from outside. "Ferris, hand her over!"

That voice was painfully familiar. Athena's expression changed instantly. Before she could respond, Ferris had already lifted the curtain and looked outside with a cold face.

He snapped, "Michael? And who do you think you are to demand someone from me?"

There was mockery in his tone, mocking Michael's overconfidence, mocking his arrogance and pride.

Michael said, "Isn't Lady Willow your fiancée? And now you come looking for Athena in front of her? How inappropriate!"

Willow stood beside Michael, her eyes already red. She sniffed and spoke in a pitiful tone. "Athena, I rushed out as soon as I heard something had happened to you. I'm so glad to see you're safe, but I still have to advise you, it's improper for an unmarried woman to share a carriage with a man, especially when there's no engagement."

At this moment, the street was crowded, and people were craning their necks to watch the drama unfold.

Hearing Willow's words, everyone looked like they suddenly understood. "Lady Athena really is something. She broke off her engagement with the Osborne family, and now she's throwing herself at Prince Ferris."

"Exactly. And look, Lord Osborne still seems to be pining for her. What kind of charm does she have, to have so many men circling around her!"

"The one I pity is Lady Willow. She was about to marry into the Osborne family, and now this?"

"Beautiful women always cause disasters…"

Just a few sentences, and Athena was nailed to the pillar of shame. It was as if she had rejected the Osborne family out of scheming, as if she were climbing the social ladder by seducing Ferris.

Willow, seemingly flustered, loudly tried to defend Athena. "Don't talk nonsense. Athena and His Highness grew up together. This was all just a series of misunderstandings. They are meant to be together."

"Willow, shut up," Athena was furious, but she couldn't refute directly. To deny it would only make her look guilty.

Just as Athena was trying to think of a suitable excuse, Ferris tightened his grip on her hand and loudly declared, "Who said we aren't engaged? Just now, they agreed to marry me."

"Ferris!" Athena exclaimed in shock, her eyes wide.

He only gave her a warm smile. "Athena, I won't let you slip away again."

He had been wondering how to bring their relationship closer. He didn't expect Willow would help push it forward.

Athena furrowed her brows tightly. She didn't have romantic feelings for Ferris, but rejecting him publicly would humiliate him, especially with Michael staring at her with that predatory look.

He was waiting for her to deny it with her own mouth.

Athena hesitated. She couldn't drag Ferris into this just to spite Michael. That would be unfair to him.

But then Ferris said softly, "Athena, I know you don't love me now, but I can wait."

He had waited eight years already. He didn't mind waiting a little more time. He believed feelings could grow. As long as he was patient enough, Athena would accept him one day.

"She won't say yes to you," Michael suddenly appeared beside the carriage.

He looked at Athena with intense eyes and reached out a hand, gently coaxing her, "Athena, come home with me."

Such tenderness was what Athena had dreamed of for the past five years. If it had been the past, she would've happily reached out her hand and left with him, but now, her heart held only scorn. She had already taken back her true feelings. She thought Michael was putting on a show.

Ferris looked at her nervously and called softly, "Athena, don't go with him. He's not worth it." His voice trembled with anxiety.

Michael still stretched his hand toward her stubbornly. Even with Willow sobbing beside him, he didn't spare her a glance.

Willow questioned, "Michael, you're doing this in front of me?"

All eyes fell on Athena, the pressure mounting.

After a moment, Athena smiled at Ferris and said, "You're right. He's not worth it."

Michael's face turned ashen instantly. His eyes filled with unwillingness. "You're saying that just to spite me, aren't you?"

Athena retorted, "Michael, you think too highly of yourself. I've always followed my heart. If I like someone, I pursue them. If I don't, I won't give them a second glance."

She held up Ferris's hand for him to see. "Life is short, I won't trap myself in the past. I'm willing to take another chance."

Her meaning was clear. She had already let go of her past with Michael.

"Athena, you've finally opened your heart to His Highness. I'm truly happy for you," Willow said with an expression of sincere joy. Only this way would Michael finally give up. Athena was no longer competing with her. Ferris was terminally ill. Athena might be admired for a time, but it wouldn't last.

Athena saw right through Willow's schemes. She laughed and retorted, "Who I love has nothing to do with you. Instead, maybe you should worry about your fiancé. You couldn't even keep him from harassing me. What a failure you are."

With that, she turned and smiled gently at Ferris. "Ferris, let's go."

Ferris's joy was about to overflow. He nodded. "Yes, let's go. I'll head straight to the duke's estate to propose once we're back."