Chapter 218

After ensuring Atheisa was unharmed, Kaider quietly took his leave.

Once Xander learned Athena was going to compete, he discreetly had her horse replaced with one from the Xander Manor’s stables.

The horse Athena rode was specially trained at the Xander Manor, and it was highly intelligent and responsive to human intentions.

When it sensed Willow’s hostile move, it instinctively fought back.

“Prince Xander, you’re truly a mastermind!” Nelson gave a big thumbs-up, lavishing praise on Xander.

Deliberately dragging his feet to buy time, he added, “If you hadn’t replaced Miss Monson’s horse beforehand, the consequences would have been unthinkable.”

As Nelson spoke, he craned his neck to peer back.

He thought, ‘Miss Monson is so astute. How could she not notice the difference in the horse she’s riding? It’s been quite a while after us. Prince Xander is just as tight-lipped and he never says what’s really on his mind.’

She still hasn’t come.

Xander kept walking without responding to Nelson. His gaze was blank and distant, but what truly filled his mind was the image of Athena on the field.

Xander mused, “I always thought she was just a delicate lady, but what a pleasant surprise!”

Unwilling to give up, Nelson asked, “Your Highness, are you not going to wait for Miss Monson?”

Xander responded calmly, “She’s already won, so there’s no need to stay for the rest.”

This victory cemented Athena’s reputation, and no one would dare underestimate her again.

Xander left feeling at ease. Nelson, however, pursed his lips, clearly itching to say something but held his tongue.

Muttering under his breath as he followed behind, Nelson said, “Your Highness has done so much for Miss Monson, but why would you keep it all from her? How long will it be before we can finally welcome the princess consort into the manor?”

“How much longer,” Nelson pondered, ‘How could Athena ever fall for Prince Xander if she doesn’t know about all the efforts he has silently done for her?’

Xander gave a bitter smile as he silently wished Athena could know his feelings.

But the moment he thought of the three-year agreement she had proposed, he suppressed that desire once again.

“Athena doesn’t have feelings for me,” Xander thought bitterly. “What’s the point of clinging to her like this? If by then she still hasn’t changed her mind and insists on being with Ferris, then I’ll step aside and wish them well!”

If Nelson knew Prince Xander’s real intentions at that moment, he’d be worried too.

The pair bypassed the main gate and opted for a side entrance instead.

While Xander had arrived unnoticed, his departure was even more discreet.

Just as Xander was stepping out of the Beckham’s residence, a figure suddenly appeared directly in his path.

Athena’s sudden appearance took Xander by surprise, yet filled him with quiet delight.

She looked as if she’d rushed over, as a light sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead.

Her rosy lips were slightly parted as she caught her breath.

“Prince Xander,” Athena smiled as she stepped forward until just two paces separated them.

Xander looked at her with slight awkwardness, offering a resigned yet gentle smile. He asked, “Since you already know, what was the rush?”

Xander’s gaze lingered on the mud splattered hem of Athena’s dress.

He could almost picture her dashing over to see him.

She could have been so focused that she’d failed to notice the dirt staining her skirt.

A gentle warmth bloomed in Xander’s heart at the thought. So Athena does care about me after all, he realized.

Noticing the mud stains on the hem of her skirt, Athena flushed slightly and took two steps back. “Prince Xander, why did you help me?” she asked softly.

Athena thought, "What a silly question, Xander’s feelings for me are written all over his face, yet here I am, running over to ask this. I can’t believe it. Even with my notorious reputation, there’s someone quietly watching over me from the shadows. After the countless sleepless nights, my heart has become a hardened stone. So when I finally encountered rare kindness and warmth, all it did was leave me feeling lost and unsettled."

Xander noticed Athena’s unease and offered her a gentle smile, “As my fiancée, it’s only natural that I protect you.”

“Is that the only reason?” Athena asked, her voice laced with disappointment as she rephrased her question.

“So, Prince Xander was protecting his fiancée, and not me as a person."

"If it were anyone else in this position, he’d protect her just the same," Athena thought bitterly.

Xander, utterly oblivious to the subtle complexities of a young woman’s heart, simply nodded, as if in acknowledgment.

Athena could feel the excitement in her heart slowly fade away as his words sank in, leaving behind only a quiet calm.

“Of course,” Athena thought bitterly, “being someone’s favorite was always a luxury I could never afford.”

Not far away, Nelson grew so exasperated by Xander’s reply that he couldn’t help but stomp his foot.

He was itching to rush over and answer for Prince Xander.

He silently fumed, "All Miss Monson needed was a simple affirmation! If he had just said it was because of her as a person, not just as his fiance, wouldn’t that have finally broken down the wall between them?"

“Oh, this is driving me crazy!”

Athena took a half-step back from Xander, offering a slight curtsy as she thanked, “Thank you for your assistance, Prince Xander.”

Her sudden shift in demeanor completely baffled Xander.

He contemplated, "I just saw blazing affection in Athena’s eyes, but how could it vanish in the blink of an eye? Women! They are so utterly unfathomable."

Xander racked his brains, desperately searching for something more to say to Athena.

When Athena turned and walked away, Xander watched her retreating figure, his eyes betraying his longing.

From behind, Nelson’s voice sounded, tinged with urgency.

Xander felt a pang of regret. The invitation had been on the tip of his tongue, but before he could speak, she was already walking away.

Xander gazed thoughtfully in the direction Athena had departed, then raised his hand in a silent summoning gesture.

Before long, a shadow guard materialized before him.

“What has Athena been up to lately?” Xander inquired.

The shadow guard bowed his head and replied respectfully, “Your Highness, the Viscountess is investigating General Kurtis Perkins’ case, and it seems intends to start with the Justice of the Federal Bureau.”

Xander frowned slightly and probed, “She’s already making her move! This soon?”

Arthur had placed a strict gag order on this case, forbidding anyone from ever bringing it up again.

While Athena wanted to clear General Perkins’ name, Xander knew she stood little chance.

“Guard the Viscountess closely,” Xander instructed the shadow guard. “Report any abnormalities immediately.”

“Understood, Your Highness,” the guard responded.

With a subtle wave of his hand, Xander dismissed the shadow guard, who vanished in an instant.

Nelson followed behind Xander, his brows furrowed deeply. “General Perkins’ entire family were patriots through and through, yet they met such a tragic end, and it’s truly heartbreaking! Everyone knows how devoted the old general was to the country. So, how could anyone believe he’d stoop to embezzlement?”

Compared to Nelson, Xander remained far more composed in his response, “The King knew well that General Perkins would never commit such an act. But the case had far-reaching implications. During that harsh winter, countless civilians froze to death because the army’s payroll never arrived. And with the evidence appearing so irrefutable, the King had no choice but to punish the general’s entire family. With such damning evidence, the entire clan would have faced execution. Under immense pressure, the King had commuted the death sentence to exile. From this perspective, he has already shown tremendous leniency. Such talk must never be uttered again.”

The warning in Xander’s tone was not lost on Nelson. Bowing his head, the steward replied respectfully, “Your Highness is absolutely right, I spoke out of turn.”

With a glance at Xander, Nelson ventured carefully, “Should we tell Miss Monson the truth about all this?”

Xander replied in a low voice, “Since she’s determined to investigate, we’ll assist her discreetly. With her stubborn streak, she won’t give in, even facing a brick wall. Rather than watch her get hurt, it’s better to prepare her for the truth now, so she can be mentally ready.”

Hearing this, Nelson gave a silent thumbs-up in his mind, thinking, ‘How incredibly thoughtful Prince Xander is!’