Chapter 511
Ansel’s face paled, and he hurriedly winked at Jessa, “Shut up, please! Can you stop talking nonsense?”
He was sweating with anxiety. Jessa is really crazy. How could she say these things in front of the Princess Consort? Isn’t she afraid that the two would start arguing?
Jessa insisted on undermining him, shaking her legs, and throwing a pebble from the roof. It landed right next to Xander’s feet. “Nonsense? Then why did you only come back after an hour? I heard that the dancers at the Star Pavilion have slender waists, and their silver ornaments dazzle the eyes when they dance. Could it be that you were so entranced that you forgot there’s someone at home waiting for you to bring back cakes?”
Xander’s face turned red with anger. He was about to retort, but then he remembered Athena in the room and could only swallow his words. He turned to the roof and lowered his voice to coax, “Alright, Jessa, come down first. Let’s talk inside. Perched on the roof in the dead of night–imagine what gossip that would stir.” He didn’t forget to hold up the food box in his hand. “Got the cakes. I especially saved half a box for you, and it’s still warm.”
This sweet talk didn’t work. Jessa turned her head even further away. “I don’t want those cakes. All I know is that someone says they miss the Princess Consort but turns around and watches other women dance. I just came back from the Star Pavilion, and I saw many gentlemen throwing silver at the dancers. I wonder if you spent a fortune?”
“No, definitely not!” Xander hurriedly interrupted, afraid she would say something even more outrageous. “I went to Star Pavilion to discuss military affairs with Truman. I had only been sitting there for a while when I ran into thugs bullying the girls. I stopped them, dealt with it, and came back as quickly as I could! I didn’t spend any on them. Don’t stir the pot.”
Ansel seized the opportunity to step forward and repeatedly bowed to Jessa on the roof. Ansel said, “Good girl, please. The Princess really didn’t do anything wrong. If you keep saying that, the Princess Consort will really misunderstand! Tomorrow, I’ll have the kitchen make your favorite cake for you, okay?”
Jessa glanced at the box of cakes that were still steaming. The teasing in her eyes faded a little, but she still stubbornly retorted. “Who wants your cake? I just feel sorry for the Princess Consort. She waited for you in the room until midnight, but you were out drinking.” As she spoke, she lightly jumped down from the roof. “Since there’s nothing to it, of course, the Princess Consort believes it.”
“Then why were we locked out of the courtyard?” Ansel complained on behalf of Xander.
Jessa smirked, “Just trying to scare you.” She raised her eyebrows and gestured towards the courtyard gate, “If you want to come in, explain yourself quickly. Standing here with pastries, you look like you lack confidence.”
Xander sighed in relief and knocked on the door again, “Athena, I’m back. Open the door.” Inside the door, there was a moment of silence, followed by the sound of Marquita quietly opening the door. Through the crack in the door, you could vaguely see the candlelight relit in the room, and Athena sitting by the window. Xander’s heart warmed, and he hurried in with the food box. Jessa looked at his hurried back and smiled, saying to Ansel, “He still has some conscience.”
Ansel breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and muttered, “Don’t scare the Prince like that next time; if you keep scaring him, he’ll lose his mind.”
Inside the room, Athena sat by the window. She held a book in her hand, flipping through it casually. When she saw him enter, Athena’s lips curved slightly, but she deliberately put on a straight face. “You’re willing to come back. I thought you were going to watch the dancers at Star Pavilion until dawn.” Her tone was indescribably sarcastic.
“Athena, don’t listen to Jessa’s nonsense!” Xander quickly moved to her side and placed the food box on the desk. He carefully lifted the lid, and the aroma of the cakes wafted out with the steam. He said, “I really didn’t watch any dancing. I ran into thugs beating the dancers as soon as I got to the private room. The girl’s back was covered in blood. I couldn’t just stand by and watch, could I? After dealing with that, I came back immediately. Look at these pastries. I kept them warm in my arms all the way back, and they’re still warm.” As he spoke, he used a silver spoon to scoop a piece of pastry and bring it to Athena’s lips. His eyes were full of flattery. “Try it. It’s still the fresh–out–of–the–oven flavor. It’s not cold.”
Athena opened her mouth and took a bite, the sweet and moist taste spreading on her tongue. She couldn’t help but laugh at Xander’s nervous fidgeting. “Look at how anxious you are. I didn’t really blame you.”
Xander wiped the sweat from his forehead. “It’s good that you’re blaming me.” He was really scared to death.
Seeing him like this, Athena softened her tone, “I know you can’t stand seeing others suffer. But next time you go out, at least have someone send me a message, so I don’t have to sit at home worrying.” She paused and deliberately winked, “But really now–not even a second glance at that girl? Word is, when she dances, all that silver on her sways and sparkles so much it could make a man dizzy.”
“Absolutely not!” Xander raised his hand in a hurry. “I didn’t even glance at the stage. My mind was full of the cakes you love to eat. If you don’t believe me, ask Ansel. He was with me the whole time and can testify!”
“Alright, alright, I believe you.” Athena smiled, held his hand, and spoon-fed him another piece of cake. “Considering how much you care about me, I’ll let you off this time. Next time you dare to make me wait this long, I’ll give all your pastries to Jessa,” she said.
Xander chewed on the pastries and nodded quickly, “I wouldn’t dare. I will definitely tell you in advance next time.”
The unhappiness between the couple dissipated like smoke. Xander felt a little guilty when he thought about how late Athena was waiting for him. But looking at Athena’s charming appearance, he only felt his blood rush. He hurriedly turned off the lamp and took Athena to bed. That night, the maid was called in three times for water. By the time Trina came to work the next day, there were dark circles under her eyes.
She served Athena to dress, and Athena felt sorry for her when she saw her tired appearance. Taking the opportunity, she asked Trina, “Trina, you’re about the age to leave the household–have you taken a liking to anyone yet?”
Trina’s hand paused, and her eyes widened in horror. “Princess Consort, are you trying to drive me away?”
“You’re old enough, silly girl. It’s time for you to get married.”
“I don’t want to get married. I just want to stay with you for the rest of my life.” Trina’s face was full of displeasure. She had never thought about getting married. In fact, she also envied Athena and Xander, but not many men in the world were as devoted as him. Instead of betting on that one in ten thousand chance, she’d rather stay with Athena for the rest of her life.
Athena smiled, taking it as a little girl’s sentiment. But she was secretly thinking that if there was a suitable candidate, she would talk to Trina.
After she finished her makeup, Marquita came in. “Princess Consort, Hedda is here, sitting in the front hall.”
“She’s early.” Trina couldn’t help complaining, “In the past, whenever something happened in the manor, I never saw her so active. Now that it involves her own family affairs, she is really proactive.” Before Athena married into the Xander Manor, Hedda rarely came over. Even if something happened, it would be something that benefits her. It was not just Trina who had opinions about her; the entire manor had opinions about her. When Xander was unconscious, she only came two or three times to pretend.