Chapter 185

The last time Athena made that oatmeal, it was just to play a prank on Xander. She never thought he’d actually ask for it again.

After much thought, Athena told herself, "I can’t bite the hand that feeds me!"

Athena hesitantly suggested to Xander, "Your Highness, if you’re not feeling well enough to eat much, perhaps you could try some light food. Oatmeal might not be the best choice for you…"

Athena’s voice trailed off as her guilt grew stronger.

‘Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have messed with Xander,’ Athena thought remorsefully.

Xander looked at her, a rare smile in his eyes. "So, what would you suggest I do instead, Athena?"

Athena looked visibly uneasy in front of him. Xander’s icy demeanor cracked like a frozen river thawing, revealing a rare warmth in his eyes.

His thin lips curved into a rare smile.

‘Xander… is he really smiling?’ Athena thought, stunned.

Athena had never seen Xander smile before, and she found herself utterly captivated by the sight.

Athena thought, ‘It’s not that I’m lovestruck, it’s just that Xander’s smile is simply breathtaking. He’s got the looks, the power, and such striking handsomeness, so unfairly blessed it makes me both envious and jealous.’

A soft cough from Xander snapped Athena out of her daze.

Athena blinked sheepishly. "I could prepare some appetite-stimulating medication for you, Prince Xander."

Athena quickly added, worried he might think she was being perfunctory, "Don’t underestimate these medications, Prince Xander. The preparation process is extremely intricate. Each step requires considerable time and effort. And to make them more palatable for Your Highness, I even add sugar and honey!"

Just then, the delicate fragrance of winter plum blossoms drifted into the carriage.

Athena’s eyes lit up with inspiration. "It’s plum blossom season! If we add some to the honey, it’ll really enhance the flavor!"

Xander watched Athena’s lively, playful demeanor, feeling a gentle warmth spread through his chest that gradually melted his usual reserve.

He thought, ‘This is the real her. Not the cold facade she wore, nor the defensive thorns she wrapped around herself while pretending to be strong.’

He knew Athena all too well.

He knew that she dreaded being alone.

She longed for warmth, for the comfort of being surrounded by people who cared about her.

That was why she remained haunted by Thalia and Macy’s deaths, and was determined to eliminate Willow completely.

Noticing Xander’s prolonged silence, Athena called to him softly, "Prince Xander?"

‘Could it be that Xander doesn’t like my idea?’ Athena wondered anxiously.

Xander’s gaze shifted thoughtfully before he nodded. "As you wish, Athena."

Athena breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you," she said gratefully.

Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt.

Athena looked at Xander, puzzled, only to see him smile gently at her. "Go on," he said softly, "someone’s here for you."

Athena was taken aback. ‘Who’s here for me?’ she wondered, quickly pulling aside the carriage curtain.

Outside the carriage window, Gale’s carriage suddenly came into view.

Upon seeing Athena, Gale gave her a gentle smile, then graciously nodded to Xander. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your timely and generous assistance."

Athena looked from Gale to Xander, and it all clicked into place.

‘Gale must have petitioned Xander to rescue me,’ Athena thought.

Seeing Athena’s eyes darting about, Xander immediately knew she’d drawn the wrong conclusion.

It was entirely his own choice to save her. He did it simply because he wanted to.

However, he saw no reason to explain himself.

‘It would just sound like I’m seeking credit,’ Xander thought dismissively.

As Athena stepped out of the carriage, the interior suddenly felt emptier, and Xander’s heart grew even more desolate.

Xander watched as Athena approached Gale. The way they smiled at each other pierced his heart like a dagger.

He thought, ‘Athena is dead set on marrying Ferris. All she ever sees is how well Ferris treats her. But how could she possibly know all I’ve done for her?’

When Athena turned around, Xander’s carriage had already left the spot. "He just left like that… I didn’t even get to say goodbye," she thought, her expression freezing in dismay.

“My dear Athena, are you alright?” Gale asked anxiously, her eyes full of concern as she looked at her.

After Athena left, the more Gale thought about it, the more uneasy she became. In the end, she decided to return to Pidence City.

Seeing Gale’s anxious expression, warmth blossomed in Athena’s chest. She shook her head gently, forcing a smile. "I’m alright, really. Don’t worry about me."

Athena forced a smile, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Gale’s expression froze. "What’s wrong, my dear? Has someone wronged you?"

However, Athena simply smiled without a word. She had grown up with no one to rely on.

Athena thought to herself, ‘I’ve always yearned for family love, that warm feeling of being cherished by my parents. Yet in the end, it is an outsider who offers me this warmth. How bitterly ironic. Whatever. I’m done caring about that. From now on, Gale will be my mother.’

Athena linked arms with Gale and smiled warmly. "Christmas Eve is almost here. How about I keep you company while we wait for Ferris together?"

Gale paused briefly, then nodded eagerly. "That would be perfect."

Gale had always worried that, since Athena and Ferris weren’t married yet, it wouldn’t be proper for Athena to move into the McGee mansion.

Gale thought to herself, ‘But now that I think about it, I was worrying too much. Let the outsiders gossip all they want. Athena is marrying into the McGee family anyway. By my count, Ferris should be home any day now.’

Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and soon it was Christmas Eve.

There were less than seven days left until Ferris finally came home.

Upon receiving Ferris’s letter, Gale rose at dawn, bustling about to organize the servants for preparations.

Gale said to her servants, "Ferris loves pulled pork. Let’s have everything ready ahead of time, so he can enjoy it the moment he gets home."

Worried the servants might not meet her exacting standards, Gale personally oversaw every detail.

Athena watched, her heart swelling with wistful envy.

Back at the Monson family, no one had ever gone to such lengths for her like this.

Eloise’s most frequent refrain was, "Athena, don’t fight Willow for anything. She’s your younger sister; you must always give way to her."

Henry and Athena’s three brothers never missed a chance, whether openly or subtly, to hint that Willow felt insecure because Athena had come back.

Willow feared being seen as an outsider, worried she might steal the affection meant for Athena.

Athena thought bitterly, ‘So they doted all the more on Willow, while willfully turning a blind eye to my feelings. Maybe I’m just too needy, is that why nobody ever loved me? In the end, it wasn’t that I was too needy, it was just that the Monsons had never truly held me in their hearts.’

"And prepare some extra chestnut cakes too. Athena loves those," Gale’s voice carried to Athena’s ears.

Athena couldn’t help but smile. ‘Now I have someone who cares,’ she thought, her heart filling with warmth.

"Let me help you, Gale," Athena said as she stepped into the kitchen and approached her.

Gale beamed at Athena. "Perfect! Come and help me shell these nuts, Athena."

Gale handed Athena a small basket of chestnuts.

The two women sat together, chatting and laughing in perfect harmony.

The servants in the mansion couldn’t help but smile too, noticing how Gale’s face brightened with joy in Athena’s company.

The servants couldn’t help but marvel, ‘It is truly rare to see such a close bond between Gale and her soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Athena. Gale doted on Athena as if she were her own daughter. Athena was just as considerate toward Gale, always looking out for her and making sure she was comfortable and well cared for in every possible way.

Just then, the butler entered, bowed to Gale, and said, "Your Grace, Princess Lizzie has sent over a formal invitation."

“An invitation?” Gale’s smile froze instantly. “Why would Princess Lizzie send me an invitation?”

The butler approached and respectfully handed the invitation to Gale.

Gale, visibly irritated, handed the invitation to Athena. "Athena, take a look at this. What does Princess Lizzie want this time?"