Chapter 202
The carriage came to a halt before the palace gates. Athena and Xander alighted from the carriage together. Athena instantly felt two heavy gazes clinging to her. To their left stood the Mcgee family’s carriage. Ferris gave Athena a slight nod from a distance. Ferris’s eyes, already shadowed with gloom, darkened further at the sight of Athena, yet he forced a strained smile when their gazes met. Gale gave Athena an apologetic smile before hastily pulling Ferris away. The other gaze belonged to Michael.
Michael merely cast Athena a fleeting glance before deliberately averting his gaze. Standing beside him was the elegantly dressed Willow. Willow clung intimately to Michael’s arm. Upon seeing Athena, she performed a respectful curtsy and called out, “Athena, what a pleasant coincidence.” Willow called out with forced courtesy, her voice devoid of any warmth. On the contrary, her voice carried a hint of fear. When Athena’s gaze fell upon her, Willow instinctively shrank behind Michael. Athena let out a cold sneer at Willow’s timid demeanor. "Miss Monson, why are you so afraid of me? Could it be you’ve done something shameful and now fear I’ll hold you accountable?"
“No, that’s not it!” Willow stammered, her whole body trembling as if she might burst into tears. “I’m just scared you’ll be angry with me. That’s why I acted this way.” As she spoke, she tugged gently at Michael’s sleeve, gazing up at him with pleading eyes. Michael addressed Athena, saying, “Willow is rather timid. If she has in any way offended Your Ladyship, I hope you’ll not take it to heart.” Willow felt a quiet thrill as Michael stood up for her. “Thank you, Michael,” Willow murmured timidly from behind him. Before Athena could speak, Xander’s deep voice sounded right by her ear, “With such timidity, Lord Osborne, I advise you to keep her at home. Should she say or do anything improper at the party and cause trouble, the Osborne family would suffer the consequences.” Xander fixed Willow with an icy glare, his expression full of warning. Willow felt Xander’s piercing glare strike through her like a physical force, as if it could penetrate straight to her heart, just like that time when Athena had pressed a hairpin to her throat, nearly ending her life. The pain in her chest still throbbed faintly. Willow turned deathly pale and didn’t even dare to breathe. Michael bowed respectfully to Xander and replied calmly, “Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. Since I was the one who brought Willow into the palace, I will take full responsibility for her conduct and ensure she causes no trouble.” “Very well, then.” Xander took Athena’s hand and strode confidently into the palace. Michael watched Athena walk away, an unspeakable ache twisting in his chest. He’d already wronged Willow, so he mustn’t let her get hurt again. Michael gave Willow a gentle smile and took her hand. “Let’s go inside,” he said softly. Willow saw the tenderness in his eyes and nodded eagerly: “Yes.”
Chapter 203
That night, Willow realized her gamble had paid off. Michael caught up to her and promised solemnly, “Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility for you. We’ll hold the wedding right after Christmas.” The wedding invitations had already been sent out, and the new date was set. They intended to formally announce their wedding to all at this party. Willow would be the future lady of the Osborne family. Instead of sharing Michael with another woman, she would be his official wife. Willow’s heart was bursting with joy. She thought, if I’d known winning over Michael would be this easy, I would’ve done it ages ago. The palace party was held in Grand Hall. Athena and Xander entered together. The moment they entered, all eyes in the hall were instantly drawn to them. They were a perfect golden couple. This thought flashed through everyone’s mind in unison. After a momentary surprise, everyone turned to scrutinize Athena. At the sight, some gasped in surprise, others were captivated, while a few failed to conceal their envy. “A castoff like her, and she still managed to become Mrs. Cavendish?” Lizzie sneered, looking down on Athena with undisguised malice. Even after Athena became Xander’s wife, Lizzie’s contempt for her never faded. Lizzie deliberately pitched her voice, ensuring everyone nearby could hear her clearly. The noble ladies gathered around her exchanged quiet, knowing laughs. The party had yet to begin, with guests mingling in small clusters throughout the palace gardens. Athena didn’t miss a single one of those malicious glares and derisive whispers directed at her. She couldn’t help but wonder how Xander would react, but to her surprise, he remained perfectly composed, appearing completely indifferent to those whispers. Athena wasn’t naive enough to think Xander was tolerating them. She believed that Xander was just biding his time. That calm facade surely meant he was plotting something big. As Athena and Xander entered the hall together, Lizzie frowned, a look of visible confusion flickering across her face. Surprisingly, Xander didn’t stand up for Athena. Lizzie sighed with feigned regret. “I thought he’d fly into a rage for his lady. What a pity we missed such an entertaining spectacle.” “Today’s the palace party, Prince Xander surely has his concerns. He wouldn’t cause a scene at such an important event,” someone fawned over Lizzie. Someone whispered, “Wasn’t it said that Prince Xander treated Athena specially? But after what we just saw, those must have been mere rumors. Didn’t you notice his expression didn’t change a bit? If he really cared about her, how could he stay so indifferent?” Amidst the hushed whispers of the crowd, Lizzie felt a wave of relief wash over her. Back when Athena was injured at her party, Lizzie was so terrified that she fled to the imperial palace that very night and hid there for days. After that, everything remained peaceful. Xander never came after her. She had only recently moved out of the imperial palace and returned to her manor. From behind, a pair of delicate, almost boneless hands gently kneaded Lizzie’s shoulders.
Chapter 204
Lizzie’s face relaxed into an expression of pure contentment, her eyes drifting shut as she basked in the luxurious sensation. It was only then that the crowd noticed the striking young woman standing behind Lizzie. The young woman had an alluring figure with a slender waist, her face partially concealed behind a delicate veil. Her figure alone was breathtaking enough to turn heads. People wondered what stunning beauty lay hidden beneath that veil. Lizzie kept this woman so close by her side and trusted her completely. It was a clear sign her status was anything but ordinary. Just then, a figure emerged not far away. Fermin Miller entered with Pamela Miller by his side. From a distance, Pamela spotted Lizzie and withdrew into the inner hall, while Fermin made his way toward her. With a dismissive wave of her hand, Lizzie ordered, “Leave us.” The noble ladies obediently stepped back two paces with respectful bows, then quietly dispersed. Fermin stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Lizzie, and addressed her, “Aunt Lizzie.” “Have a seat,” Lizzie said with a sly, calculating smile, fixing Fermin with a pointed gaze. “I even risked Xander’s displeasure for your sake. So, how do you plan to show your appreciation?” Fermin let out a light, amused chuckle, his expression perfectly composed. With an easy smile, he said, “Dear Aunt, whatever you desire is but a snap of your fingers away. Why would you ever need me to do it for you?” Lizzie shot Fermin a playful glare, then pointedly tilted her chin toward a spot in the garden. Following her gaze, Fermin looked over. Ferris stood alone in a secluded corner of the garden, gazing absently into the distance. “You’re actually watching Ferris?” Fermin said in surprise. “I never took you for the sentimental type. Is he really that much of a catch?” Lizzie said with an affected sigh, “People always want what they can’t have. If he came running with just a snap of my fingers, I wouldn’t give him a second glance!" Fermin chuckled. “How true…” His gaze then shifted to the veiled attendant behind Lizzie. As he looked more closely, he stiffened in shock. “How could you bring her into the palace?”