Chapter 509: 55 Vouchers

Returning from Alexandra's courtyard, Athena entered the room and scanned it, unusually not seeing Xander's figure. She paused slightly; usually, at this time, he would be in the room waiting for her.

What’s wrong today? she thought.

“Where is Xander?” Athena asked Marquita.

Marquita lowered her voice and said to Athena, “He has had a sullen face all day, without a smile. After work, he went to the study alone, probably sulking.”

“Sulking?” Athena asked, surprised.

Then she remembered that Xander was angry with her. That day, she asked him casually if he wanted to take a concubine. It was just a joke, but she didn’t expect he would take it seriously. Now, he didn’t even return to the courtyard. He must be very angry.

Athena thought for a while and instructed Marquita, “Prepare some wine and dishes. I’ll take them to him.” Since she started it, she should be the one to extinguish the fire.

Marquita happily replied, “Yes, Ma’am.” She had never seen a couple with a better relationship than theirs. Even when they occasionally argued, it was just part of the fun. Immediately, she happily went to prepare the wine and dishes.

In less than half a cup of coffee’s time, Marquita returned with the food box. Inside were four of Xander’s favorite dishes, along with a bottle of wine kept warm nearby. Athena took the food box, and the corners of her mouth curved up involuntarily. Xander’s taste was inclined towards the refined, but he was particularly fond of these dishes.

She changed into a light gauze dress and removed all the hairpins from her head. There was a purity to her presence – elegant without trying, radiant without adornment. As she walked along the long corridor towards the study, the night was already deep, and the palace lanterns hanging under the corridor cast a warm yellow light, stretching Athena’s shadow long and slender.

The door of the study was ajar, and the sound of pages turning came from inside. But it was a bit heavier than usual, obviously done on purpose by the person turning the pages. Athena gently pushed the door open and saw Xander sitting behind his desk. He was wearing a dark casual outfit and holding a copy of a historical book. However, his eyes weren’t on the pages. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his jawline was tense. It was clear he was still angry.

“It seems to be in fine spirits–reading at such a late hour.” Athena placed the food box on the low table next to the desk, opened it, and the aroma of crab instantly filled the air.

Xander didn’t look up. He turned the page more forcefully, and his voice was muffled. “Are you busy dealing with Hedda? How do you have time to come to my study?”

Athena clearly heard the angry tone in his words and couldn’t help but laugh. “What, are you angry with me?” She picked up a piece of meat and handed it to Xander’s mouth. “Want to try it? Marquita just made it, and it’s still hot.”

Xander turned his head away, avoiding her hand, his tone still stiff. “Your kindness is noted, but I’ve no stomach for it,” he said. But his eyes couldn’t help but glance at the plate of crab, his Adam’s apple subtly bobbing. He hadn’t eaten much all day and was already starving, but he didn’t want to lose face by giving in first.

Athena didn’t push it and withdrew her hand. She took a bite of the crab and slowly said, “That’s true. After all, someone is so upset with his wife that he won’t even have dinner. How could he have an appetite?” She paused and deliberately sighed. “If I had known that my little joke would make you so angry that you wouldn’t come back to the courtyard or eat anything, I would never have mentioned taking a concubine. You’re petty and can’t take a joke,” she said.

The crab was incredibly delicious, and Athena felt her appetite grow.

“Who’s petty!” Xander finally looked up, his eyes full of grievance. He said, “You casually mention wanting to take a concubine, but I took it seriously! I will only ever acknowledge you as my wife. How could I possibly accept another woman? Yet you’re making fun of me about it!”

The thought of Athena’s nonchalant attitude infuriated him.

Xander wanted to give Athena a cold look, but he saw her wearing a thin gauze, revealing the alluring curves beneath. Suddenly, his mouth felt dry. He needed to completely dismiss the idea from Athena’s mind, so she wouldn’t bring it up again in the future.

He picked up the coffee on the table and drank it all in one gulp. “The crab is delicious, so please have some more. General Osborne asked me out for drinks, so I’ll be leaving now.” Xander got up and walked out.

But when he looked up, he met the lost look in Athena’s eyes, and his heart ached. He suddenly regretted saying those words. Athena made so many delicious dishes to coax him, but he didn’t even give her a chance.

Xander said to himself silently that if Athena stopped him, he would reconcile with her. With a cold face, he dawdled in the room, picking up a fan one moment and some silver the next. But he saw Athena standing in front of the desk, the passion in her eyes gradually cooling down. Athena didn’t call him back until he walked out the door.

Blown by the cold wind, Xander’s mind became a little clearer. But if he turned back at this time, it would be very embarrassing.

“Your Highness, are we really going out?” Ansel asked him cautiously. He became more and more guilty after leaving Athena’s courtyard. The gate was right in front of him, and Xander gritted his teeth and said, “Yes.” He had finally managed to be tough in front of Athena; he couldn’t easily show his timidity. The words had already been spoken, and he couldn’t take them back. But in his heart, he was thinking of coming back quickly after having a couple of drinks.

“Go send a message to Truman, and have him meet me at Star Pavilion.” With his thoughts straightened out, Xander’s pace became lighter.

Ansel’s face turned pale when he heard Xander’s words. He hurriedly stepped forward to block him, lowering his voice even more, “Your Highness, please think twice! If you go out and drink until midnight, what if the Princess Consort is not happy?”

“Unhappy about what?” Xander interrupted him, stiffening his neck, but his steps paused subconsciously. His eyes glanced at Athena’s courtyard not far away, and the warm yellow light was still reflected on the window lattices. It seemed that she had not rested yet.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he stubbornly said, “I’m just having a couple of drinks with Truman; it’s not like I’m doing anything out of line. What’s there for her to be unhappy about?” Even as he said this, he quietly slowed his pace and added to Ansel, “On the way to Star Pavilion, make a detour to the bakery on west street. Remember to buy two boxes of cakes, and make sure they’re freshly baked.”

Ansel was stunned for a moment, then reacted and quickly agreed. “Yes, I’ll do it,” he said. But he laughed inwardly. Xander was putting on a tough act, but in his heart, he was still thinking about Athena’s favorite pastries. This wasn’t going to an appointment at all; he was clearly finding an excuse to go out and buy pastries for her.

The carriage then stopped in front of Star Pavilion. The waiter had already been waiting by the side, and when he saw Xander, he quickly bowed. “Your Highness, you’ve arrived. Truman is already waiting in the private room on the second floor!”

Xander straightened his clothes and strode upstairs with his head held high. Just as he pushed open the door to the private room, he heard a burst of hearty laughter. “Oh, what makes you dare to come out for a drink today? Aren’t you afraid of the Princess Consort getting angry?”