Athena’s heart pounded wildly as she met Xander’s gaze, his face mere inches from hers. She thought, "How could the illustrious Xander, so unparalleled in status, be confessing his feelings to me in such an almost pleading tone? I’m not some stunning beauty, nor am I a renowned talent in Pidence City. I’m just an ordinary girl. Do I even deserve this?"

But Athena just couldn’t bring herself to ask any of these questions out loud. By the time Athena came to her senses, she had already fled far away.

When Trina finally found Athena, she was startled to see Athena’s cheeks flushed crimson, clearly flustered. Trina immediately reached out to feel her forehead. Muttering to herself, she said, "This isn’t a fever… so why is your face so red?"

Athena’s mind was still replaying what had just happened. In her panic, she had actually shoved Xander into a snowdrift beneath the tree. His eyes, wide with shock and disbelief, locked onto hers, silently asking, "How could you be so bold?"

Athena slowly covered her face with her hands and said to Trina, "Trina, let’s get out of here."

“Right now?" Trina asked in surprise.

Athena nodded firmly. "Yes, right now." She had already overstayed her welcome at the Xander Manor for days. She couldn’t stay any longer. Athena had few belongings, so Trina quickly packed up and followed her out of Xander Manor.

When Nelson saw Athena about to leave, he quickly stepped forward to stop her, his face full of panic. "My lady, why are you leaving when everything has been so comfortable for you here? Have I failed to serve you properly?" he asked anxiously.

As he spoke, he quickly and discreetly waved his hand behind his back in an urgent gesture. The attendant immediately caught on and hurried off to inform Xander.

Athena noticed Nelson’s subtle gesture and sighed. "Nelson, there’s no need to inform Prince Xander. Since we’re not yet married, my stay here would only invite gossip."

Nelson’s expression froze. She had a point.

‘But if Lady Athena leaves, Prince Xander will be in a foul mood for days. It’s rare to see him smile at all, except when she’s around,’ Nelson thought anxiously. He genuinely wished Athena would stay longer at the manor. Yet the matter concerned her reputation, leaving him in quite a dilemma.

Athena gave Nelson a slight nod and said, "Nelson, thank you for taking such good care of me these past few days. I truly appreciate it."

Nelson waved his hands anxiously and replied, "Miss Monson, please, you’re putting me to shame. Looking after you is merely my duty."

Seeing Athena’s determination, Nelson knew further persuasion would be futile. He needed to report her location to Xander. He asked respectfully, "Miss Monson, may I know where you plan to settle down? Should you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to let me know."

Athena had already mapped out her next move when she left the Xander Manor. She wasn’t without options. Her maternal grandfather’s residence was in the west of the city. Although the mansion was confiscated, at least she could purchase a house nearby and settle down. Staying close to that place felt like keeping her grandfather’s memory alive.

"Blue Alley, west side," Athena said to Nelson.

Blue Alley used to be bustling with life, but after Athena’s maternal grandfather’s family fell from grace, the area declined. Once, this entire alley was inhabited by Kurtis Perkins’s family. After Kurtis was convicted, the place was considered ill-omened. Most residents moved away, leaving only a handful of families behind.

Athena didn’t have to put in much effort to buy a house there. There just happened to be one that had been sitting empty for years, and the price was a steal. Without a second thought, she bought it. The residence looked surprisingly spacious and well-proportioned. Trina promptly hired a dozen or so servants and maids, just as Athena had instructed. With everyone busy cleaning and settling in, the once desolate alley was soon revitalized with new energy. The old nameplate above the entrance was removed, making way for a new one that proudly displayed “Monson Residence,” marking a new beginning.

At the entrance to the alley stood a small clinic, newly renovated and just opened for business.

For three days, Athena offered free medical consultations there. Instantly, the tiny clinic was overwhelmed with patients. For the poor, seeing a doctor was hard enough. Getting medicine was even harder. With minor ailments like headaches or fevers, they’d just tough it out. Only when they truly couldn’t bear it anymore would they seek out a doctor. A single consultation cost quite some money. With medication on top of that, the bill could easily run over their budget. One illness could bankrupt an entire family. Now that Athena’s clinic was offering free medical care, it seemed like half the city had flocked there.

Athena’s medical skills were second to none, with treatments that cured illnesses instantly. Her prescriptions were affordable yet highly effective, quickly earning her widespread praise throughout Pidence City. As a result, her clinic was successfully established. Athena found the clinic swamped with work every day; there was simply no way she could keep up on her own. So she recruited a few apprentices, training them in medicine while they helped out with the daily chores.

Days passed in quiet contentment, and Athena felt truly at peace. Then one day, as Athena stepped out of her clinic, she saw Ferris waiting outside. Her long-dormant heart suddenly sprang back to life. He stood quietly at the entrance, his gaze fixed intently on her. A layer of snow had settled on his shoulders. No one knew how long he’d been waiting there. In the darkness, his white fox fur cloak stood out, almost glowing against the night.

Athena walked over with her umbrella, stopping a few paces away from Ferris. With a gentle smile, she said, "Long time no see."

Ferris’s eyes flickered briefly, moisture welling up in their depths. He gave Athena a slight nod and asked softly, "Are you alright?"

In fact, these past few days, Ferris had been secretly watching Athena from the shadows. He saw her buy this house and gradually turn it into a home. He watched as she sat in the clinic, treating patient after patient. Countless times he had wanted to rush over to her, but his feet remained rooted to the spot. In the past, he could freely hang out with Athena, but now their statuses were no longer the same. As the future wife of Xander, there were so many things that would be inconvenient for her to do. Ferris could not bear to cause her any distress. Just a distant glimpse of her from far away was enough for him.

Athena looked up at Ferris, about to step forward and shield him from the falling snow with her umbrella, but he gently stepped aside to avoid her. Ferris managed a weak smile, his expression tinged with bitterness. "I’m already soaked," he said, "Just keep the umbrella for yourself."

Athena looked at Ferris, puzzled, as he produced a delicate box and held it out to her. "Here, take this," he said quietly.

"What is it?" Athena asked, still confused.

Somehow, whenever Athena looked at Ferris now, she couldn’t help feeling he wasn’t the same person she once knew.

Ferris said quietly, "I happened upon this in Nimbial. It was always meant for you. Consider it an opening gift for your clinic." With that, he took a few steps back and vanished into the night.

Athena watched as Ferris’s figure faded into the darkness, then gently opened the box. At once, radiant light burst forth, illuminating her face. To her astonishment, inside was a luminous pearl the size of a goose egg. Ferris’s unexpected gift took her breath away.

Trina gasped softly, "Oh, what a dazzling luminous pearl! With this, Miss Monson, your eyes won’t hurt at night anymore."

At night, the clinic was dimly lit, making it difficult for Athena to write prescriptions. Each completed prescription left her eyes strained for hours. With the constant stream of patients, she barely had time to drink water. Though consultations were supposed to end at dusk and the clinic would close, seeing so many patients still waiting, she couldn’t bear to turn them away, so she pushed through her exhaustion, working late into the night. This luminous pearl was exactly what she needed, a timely solution to her pressing problem.

Athena watched Ferris’s figure disappear into the distance, clutching the brocade box tightly to her chest. Her heart was filled with bittersweet emotions.