Chapter 58

Athena never expected that simply enveloping the lantern displays would end with her being shoved into the river.

Sure, my reputation is already in tatters, Athena thought with a hint of self-mockery, but I really don’t need to make it any more so, especially not with so many people watching! If I get pushed into the river now, I just become fresh gossip fodder for everyone all over again!

Panicking, she flailed her arms wildly, desperately trying to grab onto something, anything, to stop herself from falling.

Suddenly, her falling body jerked to a stop.

A strong hand clamped around her wrist. Looking up, she was startled to find Ferris watching her with an inscrutable expression. “Grab my hand,” he said.

I never imagined Ferris would save me at this critical moment, Athena thought in shock.

Ferris’s face was deathly pale, his eyes betraying a hint of panic as he looked at Athena. Veins bulged at his temples, his eyes bloodshot from exertion. He strained to pull her up, but each attempt ended in failure as his strength gave out.

The crowd behind kept surging onto the bridge. Athena saw cracks splitting the structure and screamed to Ferris, “Let me go! The bridge’s going down!”

Uncertainty flickered in Ferris’s eyes, a brief hesitation about releasing Athena. Then, in an instant, his gaze hardened with resolve.

With a sudden, guttural roar, whether driven by pure survival instinct or something deeper, Ferris summoned inhuman strength and yanked Athena up to safety.

As soon as Athena’s feet touched solid ground, she grabbed Ferris by the hand and bolted toward the underside of the bridge.

But with the bridge packed shoulder-to-shoulder, breaking through was nearly impossible. In desperation, Athena kicked a man square in the back.

The man plunged forward uncontrollably, creating a gap in the crowd ahead.

Seizing the moment, Athena quickly fished a handful of silver coins from her sleeve and scattered them under the bridge.

“Free money!” people shouted.

As soon as the crowd spotted the coins, they swarmed down after them. Athena yanked sharply on Ferris’s hand. “Now!” she ordered.

Blending into the chaos, they followed the crowd off the bridge.

The moment their feet hit the ground, the bridge collapsed behind them with a thunderous crash, sending water spraying everywhere. Those still on the bridge plunged into the churning waters, their terrified screams blending into a cacophony of panic.

Under the lantern light, Athena’s face washed with the relief of surviving a near-death experience.

So close… Just a moment later, and I would have drowned with Ferris, she thought, her heart still pounding.

Ferris looked at the slightly flustered Athena before him and suddenly burst into laughter.

Athena couldn’t help but turn to look at him, only to see the usually aloof and untouchable Ferris with his eyes crinkled with mirth.

The curve of his long eyes softened their usual pride, revealing a spark of youthful vigor and recklessness.

Ferris was vivid and alive at the moment.

No longer was he the despairing young man beaten down by illness.

Athena found herself smiling in response to Ferris’s infectious laughter.

Amidst the chaos, the two stood there, smiling at each other.

Thankfully, the river wasn’t very deep. Plus, with Athena scattering silver coins to divert the crowd, only a handful of people ended up falling in.

People quickly lent a hand to pull those in the water out.

When the Palace Guards arrived, there were only a couple of casualties, all minor injuries.

In a secluded spot, Athena fixed her bright eyes on Ferris. “Why did you save me back there?” she asked.

Ferris was no soft-hearted man, nor had he accepted this marriage willingly.

If Athena had drowned in the river, wouldn’t I have been free from this marriage? he thought.

Yet just moments ago, he had clutched her wrist with desperate strength, his actions speaking louder than words, clearly showing he wanted her alive.

Ferris’s smile froze. Then, her voice dripping with sarcasm, she sneered, “Letting you die now? Wouldn’t that be letting you off too easily?”

Athena was taken aback by how quickly Ferris’s attitude shifted. Did I somehow offend him? she wondered. As far as she could recall, she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Perhaps the confusion in her eyes was too obvious, for Ferris’s gaze grew even frostier as he looked at her.

This time, however, he didn’t lash out with sarcasm. Instead, his face darkened as he turned away, refusing to meet her eyes.

But his hands clenched into tight fists at his side.

Ferris was clearly seething, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on a single spot as he remained stubbornly silent.

Did she really just ask why I saved her? Ferris thought, incredulous. Does she honestly not remember, or is she just putting on an act?

When he was ten, he accidentally fell into the water, and it was Athena who pulled him out.

Her eyes were sparkling with starlight, and her gaze was full of laughter as she looked at him.

Athena said, “How did you even manage to fall into the water just by walking? If I hadn’t pulled you out, you would’ve drowned!”

Back then, Athena always wore a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with starlight.

Seeing Nicholas standing there, stunned, she shoved a piece of candy into his hand and said, “Here you go, this is sweet. Eat it and you won’t be scared anymore.”

As she spoke, she ruffled his hair like petting a puppy.

The usually arrogant Ferris didn’t even push her hand away.

He was just about to say something to Athena, but saw her skip off to chase after Michael.

Soaking wet, Nicholas stood there, suddenly overwhelmed with loneliness.

He felt as if he had just been abandoned, like a stray puppy left by the roadside.

When the servants finally found him, he threw a huge tantrum.

But just now, as Athena was about to fall into the river, Ferris suddenly felt a wave of panic crash over him.

What if Athena dies? the thought flashed through his mind.

Yet the instant his hand caught hers, only one determination blazed in Ferris’s heart: he had to save her, at all costs.

I only saved Athena to repay that life debt from years ago, Ferris thought.

But she actually had the nerve to ask why I saved her? That really pissed me off.

There’s just no room in her mind for anyone but Michael.

Noticing Ferris’s temper flare again, Athena held her tongue, careful not to provoke the young lord any further.

Suddenly, Ferris let out a few muffled coughs.

He covered his mouth with his hand, and crimson blossoms of blood bloomed in his palm.

Athena stepped closer, concern etched on her face as she asked softly, “My lord, are you all right?”

Ferris tucked his bloodied hand behind his back. “Nosy,” he snapped.

Under the dim lantern light, Athena saw Ferris’s face grow even paler, his thin lips the color of plum blossoms against snow, pale with a hint of red. Just as she leaned in for a closer look, a strong hand suddenly yanked her back.

She turned and met Michael’s wide, panicked eyes.

“Athena, are you all right?” Michael blurted out, his voice trembling with concern.

Michael has never looked at me like this before, Athena thought in astonishment. His eyes have always been full of icy contempt. What’s gotten into him today? Has he lost his mind?

Athena furrowed her brows and wrenched her hand away.

Michael’s hand hung empty, and with it went a piece of his heart. He watched Athena standing beside Ferris. They looked like a picture-perfect couple.

Athena was smiling.

It was the first time since she left the barracks that Michael had seen her smile.

How can she smile for another man? The thought twisted like a knife in his gut.

Ferris fixed Michael with a venomous glare. Stepping forward, he shielded Athena behind him and warned, “Michael, know your place. Athena has nothing to do with you anymore. She is my wife now.”

Michael had repeatedly made inappropriate advances toward Athena right in front of him. Ferris had already reached the end of his patience.

The moment Ferris finished speaking, several elite guards moved with lightning speed to surround Michael.