Athena took the invitation, opened it, and gave the contents a brief glance. “Your Highness,” Athena said to Gale, “the princess has invited us to a party at Spring Garden.” “Were you invited too?” Gale asked in surprise. Athena nodded slowly, her expression grave. “I have a bad feeling about this party,” she said. Athena thought to herself, ‘No one shows kindness without an ulterior motive.’
Gale instinctively pressed a hand to her chest, anxiety evident in her voice. “Athena, why don’t you just pretend to be sick and skip it?” ‘For some reason, I can’t shake the feeling that this whole party is aimed at Athena,’ she thought.
Spring Garden was located on a small island at the center of a lake in the suburbs. It was certainly an excellent location. After all, the Queen had hosted parties there in previous years. The landscape was breathtaking, and the location couldn’t be better. Given the high status of this party, someone of Athena’s rank as a viscountess normally wouldn’t be invited. For Lizzie to personally invite both Gale and Athena would be quite suspicious. Athena thought to herself, ‘I could feign illness to skip it this time, but what about next time?’
Athena shook her head and said, “If I don’t go, the princess may hold a grudge. I’ll just be extra careful. With so many noble ladies watching, she wouldn’t dare go too far.” Gale nodded worriedly. “There’s no other way, Athena. Be patient in everything. Your wedding with Ferris is approaching. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Gale thought anxiously, ‘If anything were to happen to Athena, how could I ever face my son? Besides, Athena really is everything I could hope for in a daughter-in-law. Athena is truly one of a kind. I could search the world and never find another daughter-in-law like her.’
Athena chuckled lightly and said, “As you wish, Mother.” “That’s my good girl…” Gale said, her confidence in Athena unwavering. She thought, ‘Athena has always been patient. As long as she doesn’t provoke Lizzie, nothing bad should happen to her.’
The party was scheduled for the following evening. Athena prepared some knockout drugs and poisons, tucking them into her sleeves. The next day, Athena and Gale boarded their carriage and set off for Spring Garden. Upon arrival, they found boatmen already waiting at the dock. Only after boarding did they realize, to their surprise, that many aristocratic women were also boarding the same vessel. The moment Gale appeared, all the noble ladies flocked to pay their respects to her. The moment they saw Athena, surprise flashed in all their eyes.
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They seemed baffled as to why Gale would associate with someone like Athena, given her current status. After all, Athena had already been expelled from the Monson family. Even as a viscountess, she was now nothing more than a disgraced outcast. It was beneath them to be seen with someone like her. The noble ladies who had been eagerly chatting with Gale suddenly found excuses to leave the moment they spotted Athena.
Athena forced a wry smile and said, “Maybe I should just go to the back?” Gale said firmly, “Don’t even think about that. Stay right here. You’re the future wife of Ferris, let’s see who dares to disrespect you in my presence.” The boat was already small enough, so when Gale deliberately raised her voice, every noble lady heard her loud and clear. Their faces instantly registered visible shock. Athena remained unfazed. Having endured countless disdainful looks, she couldn’t care less about their opinions now.
Fortunately, the boat reached the island after just a short while. As everyone disembarked one after another, they deliberately distanced themselves from Athena and Gale. The entire island was encircled by plum blossom groves, nearly submerged in a sea of flowers. The overwhelming fragrance of plum blossoms filled the air, both intoxicating and strangely refreshing. Gale led Athena toward the pavilion, making their way through the plum blossom grove.
The noble ladies were gathered around Lizzie, flattering her. But when Athena appeared, sneers spread across their faces. Athena had crossed Fermin, and Lizzie had always been his close ally. Lizzie’s invitation to Athena spoke volumes about her true intentions. Before Athena could ponder further, she and Gale found themselves face-to-face with Lizzie.
After the two had paid their respects, Lizzie’s cool voice came. “Do take your seats.” ‘She’s not giving me any trouble? How strange,’ Athena thought, surprised. Just as Athena was thinking this, a court attendant approached her and said, “This way, Lady Athena.” Gale had already taken her seat, while Athena was led by the attendant to an isolated spot at the far end near the doorway, a single seat set apart from the others. The setup looked decidedly modest when compared to the lavishly appointed seats reserved for honored guests at the front. There was no proper chair, just a simple little table and a thin cushion.
As soon as Athena sat down, she instantly found herself dwarfed by the noble ladies, both in height and in status. If not for her known status, people might have mistaken her for some lowly servant. Soon, mocking laughter drifted down from the elevated seating area. A dozen or so scornful gazes rained down on Athena.
Athena curled her lips into a faint smirk. ‘Now that’s more like it,’ she thought. Athena thought to herself, ‘Isn’t this exactly why Lizzie summoned me here? Just to make a spectacle of me?’
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Gale’s heart ached and her brows knitted with worry, but she thought, ‘If I stand up for Athena now, it’ll only stir up more trouble for her. Very well, I’ll just have to bear it for now.’ In stark contrast to Gale’s unease, Athena appeared completely unperturbed. The party officially commenced. The maidservants filed in, serving dish after dish. Athena nibbled at her food and savored the fine wine, completely unfazed by the malicious glares thrown her way.
Athena thought to herself, ‘Right now, I only have one thought in mind: Finish this meal and get the hell out of here!’ Suddenly, while serving the dishes, a maidservant accidentally spilled soup on Athena. The maid pleaded, “Please forgive me!” The maid collapsed to her knees in terror, her whole body trembling with fear. Athena glanced down at her gown; greasy stains were already spreading across the fabric. The commotion at the entrance drew all eyes from the elevated area. “What happened here?” the head maid demanded sharply. “Madam,” the maidservant replied respectfully, “Lindsay accidentally spilled soup on Lady Athena.” The head maid snapped, “What do you think you’re doing? Get out of here and report for punishment, now!” “Yes, my deepest apologies!” the terrified Lindsay scrambled out on her hands and knees.
Athena caught the subtle signal Lizzie gave the head maid, who immediately started walking toward her. She said, “Lady Athena, let me take you to change your clothes.” “Athena, I shall accompany you,” Gale declared, rising to her feet. One of the noble ladies interposed with feigned courtesy, “Your Grace, the party has barely commenced, and Her Highness is expecting our toast. Surely you wouldn’t consider it proper to withdraw at this juncture?” Another lady said, “Come now. Do you really think Miss Monson would come to any harm here?” Two noble ladies intercepted Gale, temporarily trapping her in polite conversation. Gale could only watch anxiously as Athena walked away.
Athena gave Gale a reassuring smile, nodded at her, and then followed the head maid out. The pavilion was spacious. The head maid led Athena past the bustling front courtyard, heading straight for a secluded guest room in the rear. After passing through the side gate, the number of guards gradually dwindled, leaving the area noticeably quieter and more isolated. Athena’s eyes grew cold as she watched the head maid’s retreating back, a dangerous glint flickering in her gaze.
“Madam,” Athena came to an abrupt halt. The head maid looked at her in confusion. “Is something wrong, Miss Monson?”
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“Is it really necessary to walk this far just to change clothes?” The warmth drained from Athena’s smile as her dark eyes glinted with danger. The head maid’s heart skipped a beat. Never before had she seen such a chilling gaze in the eyes of a woman who appeared so docile. Her gaze was bone-chilling, utterly emotionless. It was as if she might lunge forward at any moment and slit her throat. The head maid quickly composed herself and forced a smile. “There’s no need to worry, Miss Monson. This secluded area is reserved for guests who’ve had a bit too much to drink. The change of clothes is inside. Please help yourself.” With that, the head maid pushed open the door before them.