Chapter 159
The once deserted courtyard had recently come alive with warmth and activity. The surroundings were pitch-dark, yet the small courtyard was ablaze with light. The painted paper-moon decorations were especially eye-catching. Now and then, Athena’s and Trina’s laughter would ring out, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Athena was sitting on the swing while Trina was pushing it vigorously from behind. With each strong push from Trina, Athena would gasp in delight. Such unrestrained, joyful laughter was something she had never known before.
Michael lingered at the courtyard entrance for a good while. He had thought he could face Athena with perfect composure, but when he reached the doorstep of her residence, he hesitated. Michael hadn’t seen such a radiant smile from Athena in ages. He was afraid barging in might rub Athena the wrong way, he thought, hesitating at the door.
Michael had stood there for two full hours, not daring to make a sound. The moonlight broke through the clouds, bathing the ground in silvery radiance. In an instant, darkness gave way to brilliant light.
Trina had sharp eyes. She immediately spotted a figure through the crack in the door. Ferris intended to post guards around the courtyard, but Athena protested that it would make her feel imprisoned, so she made him withdraw the guards. Aside from a few servants and laborers, the courtyard was empty. As Athena’s personal maid, Trina naturally took it upon herself to guard her.
Without batting an eye, Trina grabbed the stick by the door and flung the door open with force. She raised the stick and swung it wildly at the intruder’s head, yelling, “You shameless creep! Take a good look at yourself! How dare you lust after my lady--”
She was no weakling, yet the stick froze mid-air despite her powerful swing. In the light, Trina finally got a clear look at the face of the so-called "creep." Trina swallowed the curse she was about to spit out, her face a picture of shock. “Lord Osborne?”
Michael’s face darkened with displeasure, his usual composure giving way to visible unease. As a marquis, he was used to being treated with respect and deference, but being cursed at so viciously by a mere maid, he found himself utterly humiliated.
To make matters worse, Athena had witnessed his entire humiliating situation. For the first time, Athena didn’t glare at him with icy disdain. Instead, a mischievous smirk played at the corners of her lips as she clearly enjoyed his embarrassment.
Athena smirked and said mockingly, “Who knew Lord Osborne had such peculiar tastes?” Athena dramatically glanced around, then sneered, “Who would’ve thought you would stoop so low as to sneak into a woman’s house at night, even climbing over the wall? What kind of lowlife does that?”
Of course, Michael hadn’t actually climbed the wall. Athena only said that to deliberately provoke him. His face turned livid with suppressed anger, but when he caught sight of Athena’s smile, he thought to himself, if it makes her happy, it’s really not such a big deal.
'Better to be scolded by Athena than ignored by her,' he thought. Any lingering annoyance in Michael’s heart melted away with Athena’s smile.
Michael curved his lips and said, “If it helps ease your temper, what does it matter if you scold me?”
“You’re insane! Absolutely batshit crazy!” Athena’s good mood vanished in an instant.
Trina got the hint and immediately pushed the door to shut it with both hands. Michael swiftly extended his arm, blocking Trina. He was so eager that he practically thrust half his body through the doorway, determined to get inside.
Flustered and angry, Trina snapped, “Lord Osborne, what do you think you’re doing?!”
Normally, Trina wouldn’t dare speak to Michael in such a manner. Now that Athena held the title of the Viscountess and had Ferris’s backing, Trina naturally grew much bolder.
Michael shot Trina a cold, murderous glare. The deadly look in his eyes made her instinctively shrink back several steps in fear. But Trina clenched her teeth against the fear, refusing to back down.
Athena pulled Trina behind her and glared coldly at Michael. “Get out.”
The murderous glint in Michael’s eyes faded as his gaze turned to Athena, now as gentle as a spring breeze. “Athena,” Michael said softly, “I came today to make up with you.”
Athena scoffed, “Make up? You really are out of your mind.”
“I know I messed up before, but I promise I’ll treat you right from now on,” Michael blurted out in a rush. Then, he quietly stepped back outside.
He could tell Athena still couldn’t stand him.
“If I push too hard, I’ll only drive Athena further away,” Michael thought.
Michael flashed an ingratiating smile at Athena as he offered her a box of chestnut cakes. “You’ve always loved chestnut cakes, haven’t you? You used to make them for me, now let me make them for you.”
Trina’s face was full of contempt. She angered inwardly, ‘What good does buttering her up do now! Should’ve done this ages ago!’
Trina watched Athena with concern, silently thinking, “Miss, please don’t let him mess with your head.”
Athena reached out with an unreadable expression and took the box of pastries. Trina’s eyes widened in disbelief. She was so furious that she nearly reached out to knock the pastries out of Athena’s hands.
The next second, without so much as a glance, Athena raised her hand and flung the pastries away. The box burst open upon impact. The pastries were scattered all over the ground.
Michael was totally embarrassed. He had come in good faith to apologize. It would’ve been one thing if Athena had simply ignored his gesture, but she actually tossed the pastries aside right in front of his face. Back then, he treated Athena the same way. He never thought karma would come back to bite him so soon.
Michael took a deep breath, suppressing the ache in his heart. Michael forced a faint smile at Athena. “If you don’t like these, it’s fine, I’ll bring something else tomorrow.”
“Trina, shut the door,” Athena said, making it clear she had no intention of dealing with him any further.
Athena knew that no matter how much she tried to reason with Michael, it would all fall on deaf ears. The only way to make Michael give up completely is for me to marry Ferris as soon as possible, Athena thought to herself.
Athena sat pensively in the chair, staring blankly at the pot before her. Athena thought to herself, “I wonder how Ferris’s discussion with Gale went."
'I haven’t heard anything from Ferris since he returned to the manor yesterday.'
‘Could something have gone wrong?'
Tormented by worries, Athena tossed and turned all night, unable to get any real sleep.
Early the next morning, Trina walked in with a teasing grin and looked at Athena. “Wake up already! Mr. McGee has been waiting for ages!”
“Oh no!” Athena gasped and scrambled out of bed in a panic. Athena hurried to freshen up, then shot Trina a playful glare. “You little rascal, why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”
Trina wasn’t the least bit intimidated, even daring to tease when she saw Athena’s annoyed expression. “Who told you to stay up all night pining for Mr. McGee?” she joked. “Besides, he said I wasn’t allowed to wake you up.”
Trina jutted her chin toward the door, and Athena, catching the hint, leaned over to peek outside.
There stood Ferris, dressed in an ivory white robe with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was carefully setting dishes on the rosewood table under the eaves.
With a doting smile, Ferris seemed to sense her presence and looked up, locking eyes with Athena through the window. “Athena, breakfast’s ready!” Athena gave him a slightly embarrassed smile and asked, “Since when did you start cooking?”
He was the distinguished heir to nobility, yet here he was in the kitchen, cooking like a commoner.
Trina leaned in and whispered to Athena with a teasing smile, “Mr. McGee says you’re too thin, Miss. He’s determined to round you up so you’ll look perfect in your wedding dress.”
Athena’s cheeks flushed as she gave Trina a playful pinch. “Stop it, you!” she said, half embarrassed, half amused.
Trina ran out, giggling, and took the bowl from Ferris. With a playful grin, she called out, “Mr. McGee, my lady wants to see you!”
“Sure thing.” Ferris handed the bowl to Trina and walked toward Athena with a smile. “Athena, were you looking for me?”
His smile outshone the sun itself, and the way he gazed at Athena was so intensely passionate, it felt as if his eyes could melt her on the spot.
Athena thought, I’m so content right now. Isn’t this exactly the kind of peaceful life she wants?
Following the example of a married woman, Athena took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Ferris’s face. The delicate fragrance from Athena’s flowing sleeves, carried by the gentle morning breeze, wafted past Ferris’s nose.
Gazing at the petite woman before him, Ferris felt a sudden impulse and gently caught Athena’s wrist.