Chapter 16

Perhaps it was the rain she’d been caught in yesterday, but Athena felt lightheaded and unsteady, and the heat in her body was becoming more and more overwhelming.

Michael quickly noticed that something was wrong with her. Her face was unusually pale, and a thin layer of sweat had formed on her forehead. She was swaying on her feet, as if she might collapse any moment.

But Willow had already fainted and needed immediate medical attention. Michael had no choice but to carry her into the carriage first.

Once Willow was settled in, he saw Athena limping out of Daniel’s house. Each step was a struggle, and every one seemed to weigh heavily on his heart.

Seeing her so weak, Michael felt a sharp pang in his chest, as if his heart was being twisted.

He wanted to go to her and offer support, but Willow was still muttering in delirium, clearly in a serious condition.

Athena’s hand was clutching her sleeve tightly, shaking uncontrollably.

By the time Michael had calmed Willow, Athena had already climbed into the carriage at the back.

Willow was carried back to the duke’s estate by Michael. As soon as she arrived, she regained consciousness, and Eloise rushed to her side. Without a word, she pulled her into a tight embrace, crying so hard she could barely catch her breath.

“You just left like that–did you want to kill your mother? If it’s going to be like this, you might as well take my life now,” she sobbed, pounding her chest.

Willow bowed, crying uncontrollably, “I’m an ungrateful daughter… It’s all my fault.”

Eloise helped her up, but her eyes flicked to Athena, who stood silently by, her expression unreadable.

Athena was staring at a small patch of ground beneath her, as though the joy and sorrow around her had nothing to do with her. She almost seemed like a stranger in the room.

Eloise’s heart tightened, and she was about to approach Athena to say something comforting.

But Willow was still in an emotional state, so Eloise needed to focus on calming her down first, thinking she could comfort Athena afterward. After all, Willow had been wronged.

Henry’s eyes were red with anger. “If you’ve been wronged, tell me. I raised you with my own hands–do you think I won’t stand up for you?

“You’re the head of this house. Who would dare you? Tell me, and I’ll take care of it!”

With the year-end approaching, Henry thought, could all the projects move forward without Willow? Even the salt had to be made using her secret recipe. Willow always thinks of the family and works hard for my career–how could Athena even compare?‘

As he thought of all this, his resentment toward Athena deepened.

“Your mother stayed up all night because of you. How could you…” His voice trailed off, thick with emotion.

Nicolas sighed deeply. “It’s all my fault. I should have taken better care of you.”

Everyone was focused on Willow, showering her with sympathy and concern.

Meanwhile, Athena stood in the yard, her gaze filled with contempt as she watched them all.

Her body, which had been warm just moments ago, now felt like it had been plunged into ice water. She was shivering uncontrollably, the cold sinking deep into her bones.

It felt as though her very bones were being broken, piece by piece, and the pain was so intense she couldn’t even move her fingers.

The world around her seemed to tilt, and Athena saw everything in front of her slowly start to fade.

By chance, Nicolas turned around and saw Athena slowly collapsing. With a thud, she hit the ground hard.

Everyone stared in shock, too stunned to react.

Willow’s sobbing stopped the moment Athena fainted.

“Get the house doctor, quickly!” At Henry’s low command, the maidservants scrambled to help Athena, rushing forward in a flurry.

But there was someone faster, heading toward her before they could even get close.

Just as Michael was about to reach Athena, Nicolas grabbed his arm. “What are you doing? Everyone saw you carry Willow back. Now you’re going to pick up Athena too? Is that really appropriate?”

Nicolas’s eyes burned with anger. “You can’t have both the fish and the bear’s paw. You can’t want both of them–you’re being far too greedy.”

Michael instinctively glanced at Willow. She lowered her head, a fleeting sadness crossing her face before tears began to fall.

Michael understood why Nicolas had stopped him. After returning to the residence, he had confirmed with Eloise that the marriage proposal had come from the Osborne family, not Athena’s doing.

But Athena was the one he was betrothed to. He had always treated her as the future lady of the duke’s estate. He wondered, ‘How have things come to this?‘

Furrowing his brow, Michael didn’t move, but his gaze remained locked on Athena.

Willow’s voice, laced with tears, reached his ears. “It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, Athena wouldn’t be sick. I should be the one to blame.”

Her sobs tore at Eloise’s heart. She paused in her tracks, then turned to pull Willow into a tight embrace. “It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”

She helped Willow toward the Ivory Grove. “You’re not well either. Let’s go back and let you rest first.”

“Mother, I’m fine. I need to see Athena…” Willow’s words were cut short by a violent coughing fit. Her frail body shook with each harsh cough, and her face quickly flushed.

Eloise, filled with concern, said, “It won’t help to see her now. It’s better for you to rest and recover first.”

Willow, her eyes red, reluctantly nodded. “I’ll listen to you, Mother.”

In the Snowdrop Wing, Athena lay in bed, her face as pale as paper.

Nicolas had never felt so panicked. The image of Athena collapsing kept replaying in his mind. He had never seen her so weak.

She’d always been strong as an ox, ever since she was a child. He wondered, ‘When did she become so fragile? She only bowed in the rain all night, and I didn’t punish her harshly. So why is she still burning with fever?‘

His heart felt as though it were being squeezed in a vise, the suffocating pain making his head throb.

He pressed his hand to his forehead, instinctively wanting to call out to Athena, but he stopped himself.

He had always suffered from migraines, and whenever an attack came, Athena would make him medicinal meals and gently rub his temples to relieve the pain. But ever since she went to the military camp, no one had been there to help him.

The house doctor entered, carrying a medical box.

Nicolas quickly stood and asked, “How is she?”

The doctor bowed slightly, his face serious. “Lady Athena is very weak. She can’t handle much more.”

As he spoke, the doctor cast a meaningful glance at Nicolas, as if there was something he wanted to say but didn’t. He had never seen someone suffer as much as Athena.

“Her knee is nearly beyond repair. If she doesn’t get proper rest and care, she could be left with a permanent disability.”

After speaking, the doctor sighed repeatedly. “I’m not skilled enough. Please forgive me, Lord Nicolas.”

Nicolas’s eyes widened in shock, his confusion clear. “How could this be? She’s never said anything about it before.”

If Athena had told him he never would have punished her like that.