Chapter 131

With a darkened expression, Margaret glanced at Eloise, clearly displeased. “If you know you’ve spoiled her, then discipline her properly. What kind of example is it for her to be crying and whining all day?”

Eloise’s face flushed with embarrassment. Lowering her head, she replied in a barely audible voice, “Yes, Lady Margaret.”

Margaret continued, “I know you dote on Willow, but you must remember–she’ll have to walk her own path in the future. Do you really expect to manage the household as the lady of the house while still swiveling over every little thing?”

At this, she sighed in exasperation, “Here at the duke’s estate, she has you to dote on her and rely on for everything. But once she marries into the Osborne family, she can’t solve problems by shedding a few tears.”

Others might think Margaret was picking on Willow and Eloise, but Athena knew she truly wanted what was best for Willow. Otherwise, Margaret wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble to counsel Eloise.

The atmosphere at the table grew tense, and no one dared to pick up their fork. Even Willow stilled her sobs. She cowered beside Eloise, too frightened to even lift her head. Her demeanor reeked of vulgar pettiness.

Henry cleared his throat and addressed Margaret, saying: “Mother, today is a joyous occasion. Let’s not dwell on those matters. Come, let’s eat.”

Not wishing to spoil the mood, Margaret picked up her fork.

At the dinner table, Margaret turned to Fiona, who kept silent, and asked, “How is Cedric doing lately? Has his health improved?”

Flattered by the attention, Fiona managed a small, grateful smile. “Cedric has always had frail health since birth. Thank you for your concern, Lady Margaret. He’s much better now.”

“Well, well.” Margaret nodded, visibly relieved. Cedric was her great-grandson. Margaret naturally doted on the younger generation.

Seeing Fiona’s worried face, Margaret gently reassured her. “Cedric is still just a few months old. As he grows, his constitution will strengthen. Don’t fret. When he’s a bit older, let him play outdoors more; that’ll build up his resilience.”

In this household, Fiona might as well have been invisible. Scarcely anyone ever noticed her existence.

No one had ever spoken to her like this before. Upon hearing Margaret’s kind words, Fiona’s eyes welled up with tears. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she bowed her head and whispered, “Thank you, Lady Margaret.”

If even her husband paid her no mind, no one could be expected to treat her with any regard.

Margaret saw things clearly. The duke’s estate would ultimately need to be entrusted to Fiona’s care.

Clearly intending to raise Fiona’s status, Margaret turned to her and said kindly, “I’ve spent many years in solitude. Should you find the time, do come to Starling House and keep me company.”

Fiona was utterly astonished. She stared at Margaret in disbelief until Nicolas gave her a subtle nudge, snapping her out of her daze. Blushing, she quickly lowered her head and murmured respectfully, “Yes, Lady Margaret, I will remember.”

“Very well, let’s eat.” Margaret gave Fiona a gentle, affectionate smile, then said to Athena, “Give the soup in front of me to Fiona.”

Athena replied, “Yes,” and instructed the servants to bring the soup to Fiona.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Fiona nearly burst into tears, bowing her head repeatedly as she said, “Thank you, Lady Margaret. Thank you so much.”

Margaret chuckled softly. “This soup is especially nourishing. Only when you have a healthy constitution can your child grow robust. From now on, you shall have a bowl of soup every day. I’ll cover the expense.”

Laughter rippled through the room, yet Willow alone remained stone-faced.

Willow couldn’t win Margaret’s favor and had almost been banished from...

Eloise couldn’t help but feel awkward. After all, she was Fiona’s rightful mother-in-law. 'Lady Margaret is overstepping her authority and humiliating me by taking over like this, isn’t it?' she thought bitterly.

Eloise forced a strained smile. The meal sat heavy in her stomach, leaving nothing but bitterness.

By whermoon, a light drizzle began to fall. Though not heavy, the dreary rain was enough to put everyone on edge.

Inside the exquisitely decorated Phoenix Hall, the Queen reclined on a chaise lounge, her eyes lightly closed. Yet a troubled frown creased her brow.

Even with her eyes closed, the Queen knew that stubborn guy was still outside the palace gates.

After a long moment, she let out a quiet sigh and softly asked, “Is Lord Osborne still there?”

The maid stepped forward and replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, Lord Osborne has been waiting outside the palace for four hours now.”

The Queen’s eyes snapped open, a flash of cold fury in her gaze. She barked, “Drag that bastard in here–now!”

“At once, Your Majesty,” the maid replied, bowing quickly before withdrawing from the hall.

Moments later, Michael, soaked to the bone, stood in the palace hall. His face was ashen, lips tinged blue with cold.

Yet his eyes remained piercing, burning with unwavering resolve. His drenched garments clung to him, the bone-chilling cold making him tremble.

Bowing deeply before the Queen, he declared, “Your subject pays homage to Your Majesty.”

“What? If I refuse your request, do you plan to stand outside the hall until you die?” The Queen’s chest heaved with anger, feeling a complex mix of love and resentment towards Michael.

The Queen was Kelsey’s cousin, which made Michael her nephew. Having watched him grow up since childhood, the Queen naturally treated him differently from others.

But this imperial favor was not something Michael could use as leverage against her.

Today, when Michael entered Phoenix Hall, he actually had the audacity to propose taking Athena as his co-wife–what outrageous nonsense!

The Queen flew into a rage upon hearing this and immediately banished him from the palace. Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, he refused to leave and had been standing there for hours.

Weary to the bone, the Queen pressed her delicate fingers to her temple, her eyes blazing with fury.

Michael kept his head bowed, confusion and desperation in his voice as he looked at the Queen. “Your Majesty, why can’t you help me again? You helped me rescue Athena before!”

“Preposterous,” the Queen thundered. “You’re about to marry Lady Willow from the duke’s estate, yet you dare ask to take Athena as your co-wife? Are you trying to drive your mother to an early grave?”

“I forbid you to mention this again, or I will have your legs broken! Guards, throw him out of Phoenix Hall at once, and bar him from entering again without my command.”

Michael suddenly panicked and pleaded, his voice cracking, “Your Majesty, please–just this once. Your Majesty!”

Two guards burst in and dragged him out.

The Queen’s brows knitted in fury as she swept the cup off the table with a crash. “If it weren’t for my son’s grand ambitions, how could I have tolerated that worthless girl living till now? She’s nothing but trouble.”

“Your Majesty, please calm down." The palace maids and royal attendants prostrated themselves across the floor, trembling in fear.

Still seething with anger, the Queen commanded, “Deliver a warning to Kelsey, and tell her to keep a tighter leash on her son. I will not tolerate any more trouble from him.”

Her trusted aide bowed in acknowledgment and hurried out to carry out the order.

On his way out of the palace, Michael couldn’t stop thinking about the Queen’s words. “So that was it. Her Majesty only had me bring Athena out because of Fermin. From the very beginning, they had their eyes on her,” he thought.

Realization dawned on him. The Queen wanted to use a marriage alliance to bind the duke’s estate and the McGee family together through Athena. What they truly coveted was the McGee family’s vast wealth.

'With Athena’s temperament, would she ever obediently let them manipulate her?' Michael thought, 'The answer is clear, absolutely not!'

Athena never forgave a slight. Once she held a grudge, there was no turning back.

Michael thought anxiously, 'With a temperament like Athena’s, how could she possibly go against Her Majesty? What would happen if she angered her! Ferris couldn’t even save himself. How could he possibly protect Athena?!'

Michael grew increasingly alarmed the more he thought about it. “No, this won’t do,” he told himself. “I have to warn Athena. She can’t be with Fermin!”