Chapter 118

Willow felt a little guilty and didn’t dare meet Nicolas’s eyes. She shrank to one side and refused to step forward. Nicolas looked at her in confusion. In the past, whenever he appeared, Willow would always rush up to him, but she seemed distant today.

Nona poured some water and brought it forward, placing it beside Nicolas.

He pushed aside his doubts for the moment, looked at Willow, and asked anxiously, “Willow, do you remember the silver bell that I gave you three years ago?”

Willow relaxed slightly when she realized he wasn’t here to question her about Joseph. She thought for a moment, and a vague memory surfaced.

Indeed, Nicolas had given her an ugly bell pendant. The ornament wasn’t delicate at all. She played with it for a while, found it boring, and casually tossed it aside.

“Nicolas, why are you asking about that now?” Willow walked up to him and handed him some pastries with a sweet voice. “Try the crisps I made. See if they’re any good?”

As she spoke, she picked up a piece and held it out to him.

Nicolas was utterly anxious. He was not in the mood to eat pastries. He impatiently brushed away her hand and asked, “Where is that bell? Quickly, find it for me.”

“Nicolas, is that bell really important?” Willow now sensed that something was off with Nicolas. He was always steady and composed, rarely ever lost his cool like this.

Nicolas nodded seriously. “That bell is very important.”

The smile on Willow’s face froze. She certainly knew that the bell had been from Athena to him. But now Nicolas was saying that the item was important to him.

Did that mean Athena had become important to him again? Then what about me? Willow thought in panic.

Tears welled up in Willow’s eyes. Nicolas frowned deeply when he saw her tear up. “You lost the bell, didn’t you?”

Seeing how anxious he looked, Willow felt so wronged that she was about to cry. In fact, tears were already rolling down her cheeks. She sobbed and looked at Nicolas, her voice barely above a whisper. “In the past, no matter what I lost, you never treated me like this.”

Nicolas sighed helplessly. “You misunderstood; it’s because the bell is very important. It’s the token for entering the Herb Hall. Prince Fermin is looking for it. If he’s willing to lend his support, our family’s crisis might be resolved.”

After saying this, he angrily slammed his fist on the table. “Where did you lose the bell?”

Only then did Willow understand what was all about. She quickly wiped away her tears and said anxiously, “I threw it into the lake.”

“Throw it into the lake?” Nicolas’s voice rose in pitch, and his eyes widened.

Willow nodded slightly, her eyes wet. “I didn’t mean to. I’ve always taken good care of the things you give me. It just slipped from my hand that day.”

“Forget it,” Nicolas exhaled a long breath and stood up. “At least it’s still inside the estate.”

With that, he left in a hurry.

Willow called after him a few times, but Nicolas didn’t look back. She stood at the door, feeling a little lost, and muttered, “So that bell belonged to Edwin. But how did Athena have it!”

She wondered if Athena had some connection with Edwin.

The more Willow thought about it, the more likely it seemed. No, she had to go see for herself.

She quickly chased after him and caught up with Nicolas just before he entered the front hall. “Wait for me.”

Nicolas saw her catch up and asked, “Why did you come?”

“…I’m worried about Mother and Father.” Willow’s face was full of anxious expression, even tears glimmered in her eyes. “Something so serious has happened to the family. Even if I can’t help, I should be by Mother’s side.”

Seeing her speak with such sincerity, Nicolas sighed deeply. “You’ve always been a thoughtful child. Mother will know your intentions. Come on.”

Since she would need to explain the situation to Fermin herself, Nicolas took her along.

When the siblings entered, Athena was already there.

Nicolas saw Fermin’s impatient expression and felt a chill in his heart. He glanced at Athena before stepping forward and said to the prince, “Your Highness, forgive us. That silver bell is no longer in Willow’s possession.”

At these words, Fermin’s expression darkened even further. He took a deep breath and even let out a laugh. “I just asked Athena. She said that bell was given to her by an old man when she was five. That must’ve been Edwin Lipsey. Now he is gone, and I placed all my hope in you, yet you tell me… the bell is gone?”

Although Fermin was smiling, anyone could see that he was furious.

Willow fell to her knees with a thud and said anxiously, “Your Highness, please don’t be angry. It was my fault. I didn’t know the bell was so important and accidentally dropped it into the lake. But I suggest that if we drain the lake, we might still be able to find it.”

Hearing this, both Henry and Eloise gasped.

That lake was huge. It would take a long time to drain it. It was an enormous task. But seeing Fermin’s expression soften, neither of them dared say a word.

Fermin looked at Willow in surprise. “That’s actually a good suggestion. At least this trip hasn’t been in vain. Then we’ll do as you say. Drain the lake. The bell must be found.”

“Yes, I will do everything I can,” Willow said, bowing low, her face filled with dread.

Fermin’s mood improved. He walked over to Willow and personally helped her up. Seeing her face pale and body trembling, he chuckled. “You silly girl. Are you even afraid of me? Am I really that frightening?”

His half-joking, half-serious tone left Willow flustered and speechless. No matter what she said, it would be wrong. If she said yes, it would imply Fermin was two-faced. If she said no, it might be disrespectful.

Just as she was panicking, Nicolas stepped in and said, “Willow is awed by Your Highness’s noble bearing. Your Highness is righteous and generous. People praise you highly. Willow feels only admiration, never fear.”

His words gave Willow a cue, and she hurriedly nodded. “He is right. I admire Your Highness.”

Fermin was visibly pleased by the flattery. With a light chuckle, he left Willow behind and turned to Athena.

He said, “You’re quite lucky, girl. But what a pity. Few in the world are fortunate enough to meet Edwin. Such a great opportunity, and you wasted it.”

Athena heard his sarcastic tone, but she only smiled calmly. “I was too young then, Your Highness. How could I have recognized someone as great as Edwin? Sorry to have disappointed you.”

Seeing her so composed and unbothered, Fermin felt a bit uncomfortable. Everyone else he met either flattered him or tried to curry favor. No one had ever faced him with such poise.

But perhaps she was just using reverse psychology to get his attention, Fermin smiled faintly, but thought to himself. A beauty, yes. But she’s of no use to me. A woman like that would never be at my side!