Inside the palace, Athena fell to the ground in the Heaven Hall. Her forehead nearly touched the cold floor, her expression reverent.
Seated on the throne, Arthur Cavendish regarded the kneeling girl with visible astonishment. “You’re the miracle healer?” he asked, his tone both curious and commanding. He had never expected that the one who cured Kander would be a girl who looked no older than a teenager.
“Raise your head,” Arthur commanded.
Athena straightened her posture, lifted her gaze to meet the emperor’s, and said respectfully, “Your humble subject, Athena, pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Arthur observed Athena. Neither scared nor arrogant, she stood with perfect composure. As he looked at her, his gaze grew appreciative.
Arthur couldn’t help but sigh. “So young, yet already a gifted healer. What a pity your life has been so full of hardship.” He had already learned some details about Athena’s background from Thanatus. After hearing how she’d been cast out of the Monson family and had come to the palace to give thanks despite her injuries, he felt a special sympathy for Athena.
Keeping her head bowed in silence, Arthur shook his head in disbelief and muttered, “The Duke of Monson must have lost his wits to cast out such an outstanding daughter, even expelling her from the family, and actually preferring an adopted one over his own flesh and blood.”
Thanatus noticed Arthur’s intrigued expression and whispered discreetly into his ear, “The Monson family’s second son killed the Viscountess’s maid over that adopted daughter. The Viscountess is grieving deeply right now.”
Arthur frowned. “What a scoundrel,” he muttered. He asked, “Where is Matthew currently serving?”
Thanatus quickly replied, “I heard he’s serving with the Pidence Guards.”
Arthur scoffed coldly. “With such a brutal temperament, how can I rest assured entrusting the safety of Pidence City to him?”
Thanatus nodded eagerly, his hands clasped respectfully. “Your Majesty’s wisdom shines as always.”
Arthur waved Thanatus aside, then addressed Athena. “With such exceptional medical skills, it would be a waste for your talent to remain among commoners. Would you be willing to join the Imperial Medical Bureau?”
Athena thought, "The palace is a nest of vipers, one wrong move and I’d face utter ruin. To refuse Emperor Arthur would be offending the ruler himself, something I simply can’t afford."
Just as Athena was caught in a dilemma, a voice resonated from the entrance. “Brother, you overestimate Athena far too much. Granting her the title of Viscountess was already an extraordinary honor. Letting her into the Imperial Medical Bureau would be elevating her beyond her worth.”
Athena turned her head and saw Xander entering the hall with measured, authoritative strides.
Though he was only Arthur’s uncle, Xander’s presence was no less imposing than that of the emperor. In fact, his aura was even more intimidating. As the youngest son of the late emperor, he was nearly twenty years younger than Arthur. With a military background, he radiated a deadly, martial chill.
Wherever Xander appeared, the atmosphere grew frigid. Even when he deliberately restrained himself before Arthur, no one dared meet his eyes.
When Arthur saw Xander, his expression grew complicated. Though he smiled, there was a hidden sharpness in his eyes, tinged with wariness and a hint of hostility. No emperor would ever tolerate someone more powerful than himself, not even when that person had rendered outstanding service.
“Xander, since when did you start taking an interest in a woman?” Arthur said with a knowing smile, his scrutinizing gaze shifting between Athena and Xander, strange amusement flickering across his face. His expression all but declared that Xander had feelings for Athena.
Xander’s lips curled into a faint smile as he replied nonchalantly, “Your Majesty knows I’ve never cared for women. All I want is a carefree life, spare me your teasing.” His words made his stance clear. He had no love for court life. Instead, he longed for a free life. A loyal member with no ambition would never be seen as a threat to the emperor.
Arthur’s smile grew wider as he looked at Xander and said indulgently, “You never change, Xander. You say that, but you really ought to settle down and start a family one of these days.”
Xander put on a pained expression. “If you keep talking like that, I’ll just have to escape to the border regions for a few more years.” Xander looked utterly aggrieved.
Arthur shook his head with a fond chuckle, his affection clear in his eyes. “You’re impossible. Have it your way, then.”
Arthur turned to Athena. After carefully considering Xander’s words, he found the idea inappropriate. Only those who had passed rigorous selection and multiple examinations could enter the Imperial Medical Bureau. A healer like Athena was indeed unqualified. Bestowing her the title of Viscountess was already a great honor. She merely happened by chance to cure an illness, still far beneath the court physicians. With that, he dismissed the notion of admitting Athena into the bureau.
Arthur waved his hand dismissively. “Though you may possess exceptional medical skills, it would be inappropriate for you to enter the Imperial Medical Bureau.”
Athena paid her respects once more.
Once the two had left, Arthur frowned and asked Thanatus, “How did that Monson boy get into the Pidence Guards?”
Seeing the emperor’s displeasure, Thanatus answered honestly, “I heard the Duke of Monson pulled some strings to get him the job. He’s been loafing around in the Pidence Guards for three years without making a name for himself. He was in line for promotion this year, but his bad reputation scuttled his chances.”
“A bad reputation?” Arthur’s displeasure deepened.
“Indeed, Your Majesty,” Thanatus replied. “One of the Monson household’s serving girls became pregnant with Matthew’s child, causing quite a scandal. It happened during their adopted daughter’s engagement party, with many guests witnessing the commotion. The Duke of Monson managed to suppress most of the gossip, so word didn’t spread far.”
Arthur slammed the table. “How could a worthless playboy like him be worthy of serving in the Pidence Guards?”
Thanatus immediately caught on and asked, “What would Your Majesty have me do?”
“Demote him to guard the city gates,” Arthur ordered. Furious, Arthur immediately stripped Matthew of his position.
Thanatus acknowledged and hurried out to carry out the order.
Meanwhile, Athena and Xander walked in single file, slowly making their way out of the hall. The pain from her injured foot sent waves of agony through her with every step. She could barely move forward; each step was a struggle.
Xander saw the pain etched across Athena’s face, her brows drawn tight, his jaw clenching in barely contained irritation. He snapped coldly, “If you had any sense, you wouldn’t have let yourself get hurt like this.”
Athena gritted her teeth against the pain and looked at Xander in bewilderment, only to find him glaring at her, his face dark with anger. His deep-set eyes were clouded with suppressed fury, yet it was clear he was holding something back, making his true feelings inscrutable.
Athena dared not dwell on it, only bowing her head. “Thank you for coming to my rescue,” she said softly. "It was he who had secured my title as the Viscountess, he who rescued me at the mansion gates," she thought.
She started to bow, when firm hands steadied her arms, stopping her before she could bow.
Xander regarded Athena with an inscrutable, shadowed gaze. Though there was a fire burning in his eyes, his words softened unconsciously. “I secured your title not for you to bow to others. I want to see you stand tall and be yourself. I want to watch you rise meteorically, soar to great heights, and become someone everyone admires, leaving them in the dust. Eventually, I want to see you take your vengeance freely, no longer enduring, and trample those who once humiliated you beneath your feet.”
Athena stared wide-eyed at Xander, tears welling up. "Is he really standing up for me?" she wondered, her heart pounding with a mix of disbelief and gratitude.
Xander’s grip on her arms tightened slightly as he spoke each word with deliberate emphasis. “Athena, don’t let me down. I will be waiting for that day to come.”