Meanwhile, at the Xander Marin, several streaks of fractured light filtered quietly through the carved windows, scattering mottled shadows across the sandalwood desk.

Inside, a man sat quietly beside the desk. The light softened the edges of his otherwise cold and sharp features. In front of him, a brocade box lay open. Inside it rested a ring woven from paper pith. Because of how much time had passed, the flower petals had yellowed, nearly faded.

It was such a plain, insignificant little thing, yet Xander stared at it intently. His expression was complicated. There was longing in it, perhaps sorrow or nostalgia.

When Nelson entered, he saw Xander once again gazing out while staring at that ring. He sighed, stepped forward quietly, and stopped a few feet away from the desk.

He reported, “Your Highness, I have done as instructed. The item has been delivered to the duke’s estate, and Duke Henry has been given a proper warning.”

Xander didn’t raise his head. His eyes remained fixed on the pith ring. He waved his hand slightly. “You may leave.”

Nelson hesitated. He wanted to speak but didn’t dare.

That ring was something a woman had given his master.

Nelson mused, "Which heartless woman stole Prince Xander’s heart, only to vanish without a trace?" It had been eight whole years. No wonder Xander’s mother wanted to choose a consort for him, yet he still refused.

Nelson left the room. After a long moment, Xander carefully closed the brocade box. He muttered bitterly under his breath, teeth clenched slightly. "Heartless woman…"

Xander called out sharply, "Nelson!"

Nelson responded quickly, "I’m here. Do you have instructions, Your Highness?"

Xander’s eyes, void of warmth, turned toward him. “How is she?”

“She?” Nelson blinked, then realized who he meant.

He quickly composed himself and respectfully replied, “Miss Monson is doing quite well. The injury on her hand has healed. Your Highness can be at ease.”

Nelson was troubled. Even if Xander wanted to thank Athena, he didn’t need to go to such lengths. Unless Athena was the very one who had captured Xander’s heart years ago.

A cold sweat broke out on Nelson’s back. That would explain why Xander treated her with such care, sending food and even stepping in to defend her. Nelson couldn’t help but glance at Xander, clearly hesitating.

Xander shot him a frosty look. "What is it?"

"Why does Your Highness treat Miss Monson so…differently?" Nelson finally asked, gathering courage. Better to be scolded than tormented by his own curiosity.

Xander glared at him. "Since when did you become so nosy, Nelson?" But his tone wasn’t angry; Nelson was surprised.

Feeling emboldened, he pressed on. "Forgive me, but Miss Monson’s situation is difficult. Even as an outsider, I find it hard to watch.” Then, he looked at Xander.

Seeing Xander frown slightly, Nelson grew even more convinced of his hunch. He hesitated, then said respectfully, “Forgive my presumption, Your Highness, but you’ve been alone all these years. If you truly fancy Lady Athena, why not keep her by your side? At least then she wouldn’t get bullied by others.”

Xander’s expression instantly turned cold. “Who dares bully her?”

He immediately realized his loss of composure, then took several deep breaths, his face now filled with helplessness. If only he could. But Athena might not be willing.

Athena had loved Michael. She loved him so deeply she didn’t even care for her own life. Even if she’d broken the engagement now, it didn’t mean she'd…

She had said it herself: she didn’t like him. That pith ring was just something she had carelessly woven on a whim, yet he had treasured it for years, keeping it close.

Annoyance stirred in Xander. “Leave me.” His mood turned on a dime.

Just as Nelson was about to leave, a figure appeared at the courtyard entrance. “Your Highness, it’s Miss Monson,” he said quickly.

Looking back, he saw Xander hastily shoving the brocade box into a drawer. Nelson’s face was filled with astonishment. This was the first time he’d seen Xander flustered like this.

“Lord Bates,” Athena stepped forward and gave a graceful curtsy. “I came to thank His Highness. May I know if he is available?”

Nelson glanced toward the study and saw the Prince had already restored his usual cold demeanor. He sighed internally. Why not just tell her how you feel?

Athena noticed Nelson was lost in thought. “Lord Bates?”

Before Nelson could answer, a cold voice came from within, “It’s nothing worth thanking.”

Athena felt a bit uneasy. His tone seemed displeased. Still, he had helped her. She had to express her gratitude.

Athena raised the food box in her hand and said, “I made some pastries myself. If Your Highness likes them, please keep them. If not, feel free to give them to someone else.”

With that, she placed the box down and left. Nelson was startled. She came and left so quickly. “Miss Monson, won’t you stay a bit longer?”

Athena smiled and shook her head. “I was just passing by today. I’ll return in three days.”

Nelson watched her go and sighed. Xander had waited so long to see her, and she didn’t even step through the door. How utterly disappointed His Highness must be, Nelson sighed inwardly.

With a heavy sigh, Nelson returned to the courtyard, only to find the chamber doors firmly shut.

Athena left the Xander Manor and returned to her carriage.

Trina sighed in relief. “My Lady, you’re finally back. Every time you enter the Xander Manor, I get so nervous.”

“What’s there to be nervous about?” Athena laughed.

“I’m afraid you might say something to upset Prince Xander. He’s so cold and ruthless, and if you anger him, he might…” Trina mimicked a chopping motion with her hand.

Athena laughed out loud. “He’s not a man-eating tiger. He’s not as scary as you think.”

But Trina shook her head, face pale with worry. “You don’t understand. Just hearing the Xander Manor makes my knees weak.”

“Oh, you.” Athena chuckled, shaking her head.

The carriage headed toward the duke’s estate, but after a while, Athena noticed the route had changed.

Trina asked sharply, “What’s going on? Why did the route change?”

Outside, the coachman responded, “There’s a shop opening on Maple Street today. The ceremony has blocked the road, so I took a detour. It’ll only take a little longer.”

“Oh,” Athena replied, then fell silent. As long as the carriage stays within Pidence City, there shouldn’t be any real trouble.

Suddenly, the carriage lurched to an abrupt halt. The coachman’s terrified stammer followed. “Y-you… who are you!”

"Scram!" the man snarled, sending the coachman fleeing with a terrified yelp.

Athena lifted the curtain and saw a man in black standing in the middle of the road. He held a wooden stall, his expression fierce and threatening.