Chapter 135

The next morning, just as Athena had finished washing up, Dorothea from Eloise’s courtyard rushed into her chamber in a fluster. “Lady Athena, Lady Eloise requests your presence in the main courtyard immediately.”

Athena raised her eyes to look at her. “What is it?” she asked. Actually, she already knew the answer in her heart. Ferris must have really come to propose, she thought.

Dorothea looked utterly shocked. “Lady McGee is here,” she announced.

“Isn’t Lord Faris with her?” Athena asked, a bit puzzled.

Dorothea shook her head. “No, he hasn’t.”

Athena stood up. “Let's go then.”

Maybe something’s changed, Athena thought. I need to go see for myself.

Before long, Athena arrived at the main courtyard.

Before Athena got close, she heard laughter from inside. Eloise called out, “What brings you here today, Your Grace?”

Eloise was entertaining the guest with a practiced smile, though her heart fluttered with unease. Although the McGee family had long promised Athena, no formal proposal had ever materialized. Now, with Gale arriving so early in the morning, Eloise suspected she was here to discuss the marriage. But that hardly seemed likely; after all, no one came to propose empty-handed.

Gale smiled gently and said, “It’s regarding Athena. I’d like to have a discussion with you, Lady Eloise.”

Just then, Athena entered the room, and both Gale and Eloise looked up at her.

Athena stepped forward and curtsied. “Paying my respects, Your Grace.”

Gale gestured lightly with her hand and said with a practiced smile, “Rise, girl. Perfect timing—your mother and I were just discussing your marriage arrangements.”

Athena looked at Gale, puzzled, and asked, “Your Grace, is this about my marriage?”

“Indeed,” Gale smiled gracefully. “Wouldn't it be wonderful to come with a formal marriage proposal after Willow is married into your family?”

Athena was taken aback. This wasn’t how Gale had acted before. She always made no secret of her disdain for Athena.

How could her attitude change so much overnight! Athena wondered. Did Ferris do something to make this happen?

While Athena was lost in thought, Eloise beamed with joy. “How wonderful! This is truly a double blessing for our family.”

“Very well, it’s settled then. After Willow’s wedding, I shall come with the marriage proposal,” Gale said, giving Athena a meaningful look. “I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t linger. Athena, do accompany me out.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Athena quickly stood up and replied. She stepped forward to assist Gale by the arm, and the two walked out together.

Eloise’s face was radiant with joy, her smile so wide she could hardly contain it. With one daughter married into the Osborne family and the other soon to join the McGee family, she knew that, with such powerful alliances, the foundation of the duke’s estate would stand unshakable.

Overjoyed, Eloise instructed the butler, “From today on, prepare Lady Athena’s meals with extra care and add two more courses to her daily menu.”

“Only if she’s kept radiant and healthy will she look her best on her wedding day,” Eloise wondered.

The butler replied, “Yes, Lady Eloise.”

All at once, the entire duke’s estate was buzzing with joy.

Meanwhile, Athena escorted Gale out of the courtyard.

As soon as they left the courtyard, Gale’s practiced smile collapsed. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she glared at Athena, her voice laced with barely concealed resentment. “I don’t know what kind of spell you’ve put on my son.

“He insists on marrying you, and if I refuse, he even threatened to slit his throat.”

Thinking back to last night, Gale still felt a chill run down her spine.

It had taken everything just to keep Ferris alive. She dared not say no at all after that. And so, the engagement was settled, whether Gale liked it or not.

Athena’s face paled slightly, her voice trembling as she asked, “Is Ferris all right?”

Gale shot her a withering glare. “If anything had happened to him, do you really think I’d be here proposing this marriage?”

If Ferris truly had been harmed, Gale would have stormed in with armed guards and cut Athena down on the spot, demanding her life for him.

Athena lowered her head, knowing she was in the wrong and felt guilty.

Ferris was willing to stake his life just to marry me. No wonder Lady McGee is so furious. She has every right to be, wondered Athena.

Seeing Athena remain silent, her head bowed in a submissive manner, Gale felt her anger subside slightly.

Gale let out a heavy sigh and continued, “Regardless, the McGee family owes you a debt. Though I dislike you, for Ferris’s sake, I’m willing to bow my head. All I ask is that you treat him with genuine affection.”

Athena replied with trembling reverence, “Ferris has shown me wholehearted devotion, and I swear to be just as true to him—may lightning strike me dead if I ever betray him.”

Upon hearing Athena swear such a solemn oath, Gale’s gaze flickered with a hint of fear. “I never said I didn’t believe you,” she stammered. “Why must you swear such a dreadful oath?”

It made her feel as if she were some villainous guy.

“I merely wished to show you my sincerity, Your Grace,” Athena replied with deference.

“Enough of that. Spare me your coquettish tricks. I won’t be fooled by such theatrics.” Though her words remained sharp, Gale’s gaze softened slightly when she looked at Athena. Gale frowned impatiently.

Athena suppressed a chuckle. So she’s all bark and no bite, she thought.

Athena affectionately linked arms with Gale and smiled, “Let me walk you out, Your Grace.”

Gale wanted to pull her arm away, but when she saw Athena’s gentle, warm smile, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Gritting her teeth, Gale fought back the urge to shake Athena off and, in the end, allowed Athena to escort her out of the estate.

On the way back, Gale couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. Wasn’t I supposed to put Athena in her place today? So why does it feel like I'm playing right into her hands!

Athena really is a little enchantress. Every man who meets her seems to lose his mind over her. Even I almost fell for her tricks.

Gale straightened her back, gently closed her eyes, and began to calm down.

The news that Athena was set to marry Ferris soon reached Willow’s ears. Willow’s heart churned with mixed emotions when she heard the news. “What? Her Grace has come to propose!” she exclaimed in disbelief.

Of course I want Athena married off, she thought bitterly, but did she really have to secure such an advantageous match? In the future, every time I see her, I’ll have to bow my head to her.

Nona’s face twisted with indignation. “It’s true, Lady Willow. I heard it myself. They said they’d come to propose as soon as you marry into the Osborne family.”

Willow’s hand paused mid-air, the spoonful suddenly unappetizing.

Nona, ever quick to read her mistress’s moods, offered what seemed like comfort. “Lady Willow, you needn’t trouble yourself over this. You know Lord Ferris’s condition all too well—who’s to say this wedding won’t turn into a funeral—”

Before Nona could finish, a furious voice cut in from outside. “How dare you? Who gave you permission to speak such ill-omened words? Out, and face your punishment.”

The newcomer was none other than Nicolas. With a thunderous expression, he strode into the room.

Nona turned pale and immediately bowed. “Spare me, Your Grace.”

Willow quickly rose to her feet to defend Nona. “Nicolas, Nona spoke without thinking. She’s been utterly devoted to me. Please let this one slip.”

Nicolas snorted coldly and barked, “Get out.”

Nona scrambled out in panic. Willow coughed lightly twice, her body swaying unsteadily.

Nicolas quickly reached out to steady Willow. The moment he touched her icy hand, his brows furrowed in concern. He gently scolded, “The weather’s getting colder by the day.

“Why are you still wearing so little? You know how delicate your health is. Put on more layers, or you’ll catch a chill.”