Chapter 174

With an ingratiating smile, the steward said, “If Your Highness is displeased, I will have them removed at once.”

Gale scoffed, “What’s the point of driving them out now? The place’s already been tainted, as if I’d ever want it back!”

Seeing Gale throwing a tantrum like a child, Athena soothed her, “It was probably just some clueless merchant who rented the place. Why bother with such people, Your Highness? Besides, the hot springs are hours away; you’d be chilled by the time you got back. This little place is much better – cozy and well-appointed.”

With just one sentence, Athena instantly lifted Gale’s spirits.

Gale nodded repeatedly in agreement. “You’re absolutely right, Athena.”

After a full day’s journey, Athena and Gale had supper before retiring to their respective chambers.

Athena slept soundly through the night. The next day, Athena awoke before dawn. Perhaps it was the warmth here that made her feel a bit unaccustomed. As Athena’s eyes fluttered open, she saw the open window facing the pavilion not far away. As Athena looked out, she caught a fleeting glimpse of a shadowy figure darting past the pavilion in the distance.

Athena blinked, but the figure had already vanished. Athena bolted upright in bed, her heart pounding wildly. ‘Did I just see a ghost?’ Athena wondered, her heart racing.

Trina entered carrying a washbasin. Seeing Athena sitting blankly on the bed, she asked with concern, “My lady, is something wrong?”

Athena shook her head. “It’s nothing. I probably just imagined it.”

After washing up, Athena stepped out of her chamber, ready to face whatever the day might bring. Just as Athena approached Gale’s courtyard, a sweet yet imperious laugh rang out from within. A woman’s voice followed, “What a delightful coincidence to find Your Highness at the mountain villa! Fancy meeting you here. I just arrived today.”

Though her tone was all sweetness, beneath it lay the unshakable arrogance of royalty.

Athena paused mid-step, only then noticing the courtyard was now surrounded by numerous guards.

All the guards were clad in gleaming golden armor, their faces set in stern, imposing expressions. Athena’s heart skipped a beat. These were definitely not the McGee family’s guards. To her shock, every single one was an imperial guard.

Athena instinctively turned toward the chamber; the visitor must be none other than Lizzie.

Lizzie was Winona Cavendish’s youngest daughter, spoiled rotten and used to getting everything she wanted from an early age. The world bent to her every whim.

She was utterly mercurial, one moment laughing with someone, the next drawing her sword to strike them down. Worse yet, she would often have death row inmates dragged from their cells just to slaughter them for her own twisted amusement.

Athena frowned inwardly, ‘Lizzie and the McGee family have never been close, why this sudden visit?’

Her initiative in seeking out Gale was clearly no mere social call.

Lost in thought, Athena reached the doorway.

Immediately, a maid went inside to announce Athena’s arrival.

Inside the chamber, Lizzie reclined languidly in her chair, her crimson robes flowing as she gazed toward the entrance. The moment Athena stepped inside, Lizzie’s razor-sharp stare pinned her in place, as if trying to pierce right through her.

Lizzie possessed a beauty so radiant it seemed to dim the very heavens. Her almond-shaped eyes shimmered with seductive allure; a single glance from her could melt anyone’s resolve.

Lizzie sized up Athena with a gaze dripping with disdain and hostility.

Athena stepped forward and paid her respects in due form. Gale, her brow slightly furrowed, bade her rise.

Gale’s eyes brimmed with concern as she watched Athena.

Athena merely responded with a composed smile, her demeanor unshaken.

Seeing Athena so calm, Gale felt a wave of relief wash over her.

“So you are Athena Monson?” Lizzie tilted her head and scrutinized Athena, her gaze flickering over her like a snake’s tongue. If it were anyone else, they would have been scared out of their wits by now.

Yet Athena just stood there, calm and unflinching, not even batting an eyelash.

At the sight of Athena, Lizzie’s gaze turned positively venomous.

With a mocking chuckle, Lizzie abruptly changed tack and said, “So, you’re that outcast daughter who got thrown out of the Monson family?”

Such a cutting remark was enough to make anyone’s skin crawl. Even Gale couldn’t help but frown slightly at this. But given Lizzie’s notorious reputation, Gale could only shoot Athena a warning glance, silently urging her not to offend the princess.

Athena performed a graceful curtsey and replied respectfully, “Indeed so, Your Highness.”

Athena’s obsequious demeanor visibly gratified Lizzie.

Lizzie let out a haughty laugh, tapping her temple lightly with a finger. “I heard you’re the miracle healer. Impress me and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. But if you fail, you’ll lose that pretty head of yours.”

Gale’s face tightened with concern, but before she could speak up for Athena, Lizzie cut her off with a cold glance. “Hold your peace, Lady McGee. I am speaking with Athena.”

Lizzie’s eyes flashed a warning, and Gale instantly paled.

It was clear Lizzie was setting a trap for Athena. If Athena dared diagnose her condition, Lizzie would surely use it as an excuse to kill her. If Athena failed to diagnose Lizzie’s condition, Lizzie would have her executed just the same.

Gale watched Athena with bated breath, her heart in her throat.

Athena remained composed as she stepped before Lizzie and said softly, “Would Your Highness please cooperate with me?”

“Very well…” Lizzie drawled. Her mocking gaze fell on Athena, as if she were already a corpse.

After a moment, Athena finished checking on Lizzie.

Lizzie’s lips curled into a mocking sneer. “Well? What’s your diagnosis?”

“I dare not say, Your Highness,” Athena replied, standing aside with a troubled look, as if she wished to speak but hesitated.

Lizzie let out a cold laugh, her patience clearly at its end. She stopped beating around the bush and snapped, her eyes flashing with anger, “You’re absolutely nothing but a quack! Can’t even diagnose my illness, how dare you call yourself a miracle healer?”

With a deranged grin, Lizzie leaned closer to Athena. “You lose. That pretty little head of yours belongs to me now.”

With that, Lizzie waved her hand dismissively, signaling for Athena’s immediate execution.

Gale’s eyes widened in horror. Lizzie had always been so reckless and unpredictable that even the Emperor himself could do nothing to rein her in. Today, she was demanding Athena’s head over a wager. Even if this were brought before the Emperor, at most, she would only receive a mild reprimand. Everyone knew even the Emperor couldn’t truly rein her in.

“Mercy, Your Highness!” Gale gritted her teeth and quickly stood to plead for Athena. “Your Highness, please, I beg you, spare Athena this once.”

Athena shot Gale a surprised look. She thought, “She used to despise me.”

‘I never expected Gale to plead for me at this life-and-death moment.’

Lizzie’s face clouded. She snapped, “Enough of this nonsense! She lost the bet fair and square. If I let her off now, how would that reflect on my dignity?”

“Who says I’ve lost?” Athena suddenly spoke up, her bright eyes fixed on Lizzie. “Your Highness, your constitution shows an imbalance that, if left unaddressed, may lead to a critical situation, insomnia, and excessive worrying. Early regulation would be advisable.”

Lizzie’s gaze darkened as she fixed Athena with a glare. “Do you take me for a fool? By your words, I have no illness at all.”

Athena said composedly, “Your Highness, have restless nights and splitting headaches been troubling you?”

Lizzie’s expression shifted subtly. Instinctively, she reached up to touch her forehead, where a dull, throbbing ache pulsed at her temples.

Lizzie suffered from chronic migraines, yet despite the countless imperial physicians at court, none could cure her condition. Whenever her migraines flared up, it felt as though a swarm of bees were buzzing relentlessly in her ears. Killing was the only thing that could ease her pain.

Only her trusted aides and the imperial physicians knew of her condition, yet Athena discerned an anomaly simply by checking on her for a few minutes.

Lizzie thought, ‘This woman is rather intriguing.’