Athena, however, merely flashed a faint smile, kicked off her shoes, and was about to step onto the shards. “Athena, no!” Ferris rushed to stop her, his eyes brimming with anguish. “If Athena steps on those shards, her feet will be maimed,” Ferris thought. But Athena remained composed as she looked at Ferris and said, “If I don’t do it now, I’ll never be free from their grasp for the rest of my life. Let me do this, Ferris; it is the path I’ve chosen.” Staring into her stubborn gaze, Ferris reluctantly loosened his grip, but he felt like a thousand needles were piercing his heart. At that moment, Ferris felt so powerless. "I can’t even protect the woman I love," he thought. "I’ve failed Athena.” After a long silence, Ferris finally relented. “Alright. I’ll wait for you right here.” Athena smiled, cast a contemptuous glance at Nicolas, then strode toward the shards without hesitation.
The razor-sharp shards glinted menacingly, some as fine as nails, others as sharp as steel needles. These were all punishments designed for traitors. No prisoner had ever made it through them all. It was just ten feet, close enough to taste freedom, yet forever out of reach. This torture would break any man, yet Athena stepped forward without a flinch. The razor–sharp blades pierced her flesh, and the pain was excruciatingly vivid. With every step Athena took, the shards drove deeper into her flesh. Every step sent bone–searing pain shooting through her. Blood streamed from the soles of Athena’s feet, her flesh torn to shreds, painting the ground crimson. The faint–hearted couldn’t even bear to watch. Ferris clenched his fists tightly as he glared at Nicolas through gritted teeth. In a voice like frozen steel, he declared, “From this day forth, the McGee family and the Ronson family are irreconcilable enemies.” Nicolas felt as if a heavy weight had slammed into his chest. "I never meant to push Athena this far," he thought. "All I wanted was for her to yield and apologize. Why does she have to be so damn stubborn?” Eloise and Willow’s wails echoed through the hall, their dramatic sobs making it seem as if they, not Athena, were the ones suffering. Eloise and Willow wailed as they clung together in dramatic sobs, while Henry stood frozen in silence. As for Margaret, she had already saluted when Athena left. The distance of ten feet seemed deceptively short, yet for Athena, each step stretched into eternity. But the agony slyly trying to ignite waves of darkness crept across her vision.
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Her body swayed unsteadily, and in the end, Athena couldn’t hold back any longer. A cry of pain escaped her lips. “Athena…” Ferris cried out, his voice trembling with worry. “Stop! Just stop!” Ferris rushed to Athena, reaching to pull her down, but she blocked him with a firm gesture. Athena’s face was deathly pale, her disheveled hair clinging to her cheeks. The way she looked at Ferris was very determined. "I’ve come this far," Athena said, "so how could I stop now!" Tears welled up in Ferris’s eyes as he looked at Athena, his heart aching for her. In the end, Ferris had no choice but to yield. He stepped aside, no longer having the courage to look at Athena. All Ferris could do is pray silently in his heart. "Hold on, Athena. Just hold on."
Then, a sudden thunder of galloping hooves shattered the tense silence. Athena looked up to see a man in dark robes charging toward her on horseback at the far end of the street. With one hand on the reins, he rode with effortless grace. The golden pendant at his waist danced in the breeze, while his gold belt outlined his trim, powerful waist, every inch exuding strength. In the blink of an eye, he was upon Athena. The obsidian–and–gold sleeves flashed before Athena’s eyes. Before she could react, strong arms had already swept her into an embrace. The sudden turn of events left everyone at the scene wide–eyed in shock. “P–Prince Xander!” a voice gasped from the crowd. The terrified crowd immediately bent down, not daring to raise their heads. Xander’s icy gaze raked over Athena’s feet, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
His icy gaze swept over those standing at the duke’s estate’s gate, “Who dared lay a hand on her?” Xander asked, his deep voice dripping with lethal intent. Eloise and Willow both shuddered violently, a chill running down their spines. Their legs gave way, and they dropped to their knees. Nicolas and Henry, on the other hand, trembled as they stepped forward, about to bow to Xander, only to be sent flying by a brutal kick from Xander. With heavy thuds, Nicolas and Henry crashed to the ground, blood spilling from their mouths. Too terrified to speak, Nicolas and Henry bowed in perfect submission. “How dare you, Duke of Suffield, harm the Viscountess! Do you realize what you’ve done?” A royal attendant emerged from behind Xander and said. Duke Henry exchanged bewildered glances, utterly chastened about what was happening.
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Thanatus Harold, the royal attendant, snorted coldly. “Athena, receive the imperial decree.” Athena looked bewildered as she hastily shoved Xander aside, scrambling to get down. Xander gently placed her on the ground. Ignoring the pain, Athena slowly bent down. Then, Thanatus announced the decree, “By the grace of His Majesty the King, let it be known. Athena, eldest daughter of the Duke of Suffield, has rendered distinguished service in saving Prince Xander’s life. In recognition of this noble deed, I grant her the title of Viscountess Athena…” As the royal decree concluded, the entire assembly stood frozen in stunned silence. Athena was even more astonished. "The Viscountess? Did Prince Xander request this title for me?" she thought in disbelief. Thanatus reminded her, “Viscountess Athena, it’s time to express your gratitude to His Majesty.” Athena immediately lowered her head. “I humbly thank Your Majesty for this great honor.” Athena accepted the imperial decree. Attendants swiftly brought forth a chair for her to sit. Thanatus shot Henry a disgruntled glare. “You sure have a remarkable daughter, Duke Henry. Now, hurry up and bring the Viscountess to the palace to express gratitude to His Majesty.” Henry gasped, his face frozen in disbelief. “The… Viscountess?” he stammered, still in shock. "How on earth did Athena suddenly become the Viscountess?" Henry thought in utter disbelief. Nicolas also grew agitated. “Lord Harold,” he pressed, “what exactly is happening here? How could Athena possibly be granted the title of the Viscountess?” In Nicolas’s eyes, Athena was utterly worthless. "She could save someone?" Nicolas wondered in disbelief. Willow wanted to ask, too, but she didn’t dare speak up because of her lowly status. Yet jealousy simmered quietly inside her. "The Viscountess! it’s the highest honor of all. I can’t believe it went to Athena," Willow seethed with envy. “Lord Harold,” Eloise also asked anxiously, “how did my daughter receive the title of the Viscountess?” While speaking, Eloise discreetly pressed a pouch of money into Thanatus’s palm. Thanatus accepted the money without ceremony, his face breaking into a smile. “Congratulations, Duke of Suffield! Miss Athena saved Prince Xander, and His Highness personally requested this title for her. Go to the palace to express your gratitude to His Majesty now!" Henry looked embarrassed, Nicolas stared blankly in shock, Willow gritted her teeth in envy, while Eloise tried to smile but couldn’t. Thanatus eyed their expressions with puzzlement. “Why do you all look like you’re at a funeral? Are you displeased with His Majesty’s generous gift?” Henry choked out, his voice trembling and on the verge of tears.
Then, a deep, mocking voice cut in behind them. “They’d love to ride Athena’s coattails, but that ship has sailed.”
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It was Xander who spoke. He had a mocking smile on his face as he announced, “Just moments ago, Lord Nicolas formally expelled Lady Athena from the duke’s estate. Now, as the Viscountess, she hasn’t a shred of connection with them anymore.” With a cold sneer, Xander added, “And don’t they even think about clinging to her now!" Only then did Thanatus let out a belated “Oh,” shooting Henry a look full of undisguised disdain. “His Majesty has just conferred the title of Viscountess upon Lady Athena," Thanatus said, "and you already dared to harm her? How dare you!”