Chapter 193

After leaving the palace, Ferris stood at the foot of the grand steps, watching the drifting clouds in the distance. A faint sneer played on his lips.

Ferris thought to himself, ‘Only now have I truly tasted power. Those who once humiliated and trampled upon me have all been reduced to dust beneath my feet.’

With each step down the stairs, Ferris silently counted in his mind.

Ferris thought, ‘There are only a few thousand paces between Athena and me. Yet those imposing palace walls stand between us, turning her into Mrs. Cavendish, and me into nothing more than a pawn in Arthur’s game.

‘Even so, I’ll keep moving forward, as long as it brings me closer to Athena.

‘If my current status can’t protect her, then I’ll become a shadow in the dark, watching over her from afar.

‘One day, I’ll find my chance. Athena will return to my side.’

In just several days, great changes swept through the imperial court. The McGee family crumbled overnight. Percival was stripped of his title, and his entire family was exiled a thousand miles away.

From the attic, Ferris watched as the disgraced Percival and his mistresses scurried below like rats. At last, a smile crept onto his face.

Ferris thought coldly, ‘He perished, I survived. But the price is losing Athena.’

This outcome left Ferris far from satisfied. He clenched his fists, watching the departing procession, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

He slowly raised his hand, his long fingers curling in a beckoning gesture. Almost instantly, a shadow guard appeared at his side, kneeling respectfully.

“Kill them all. Leave no one alive,” Ferris commanded coldly.

The guard bowed and was about to leave.

But Ferris added, “Don’t let Ruth die too easily.”

The guard paused, and Ferris uttered, “Make her suffer.”

Ferris thought bitterly, ‘All my misfortunes stem from Ruth. She gave birth to Wade, and because of him, my life was ruined. She drove a wedge between my parents. How could I possibly let her off so easily?’

As the setting sun slanted westward, the light was devoured by encroaching darkness. Ferris walked against the fading light, step by step disappearing into the shadows.

At the Xander Manor.

After several days confined to bed, Athena was finally able to get up and move around. Xander made no attempt to block news, allowing the maids to bring all updates to Athena.

Athena knew that Percival had been exiled, and that Ferris was now the Chief Inspector of the Treasury Bureau. Athena gazed absently out the window, lost in thought. Trina stood nearby, not daring to disturb her.

Trina wanted to offer some comfort, but couldn’t find the right words. Athena turned around and headed for the door.

Trina hurried after her with a cloak. “Miss, it’s freezing outside. Please wear this.”

Athena donned the cloak and strode out of the courtyard. As Athena walked through the manor, every servant bowed to her with deep respect.

Soon, she arrived at the Ink Garden. Nelson spotted Athena and hurried forward to greet her. “Miss Monson, what brings you here?”

With a smile, Athena replied, “I came to see Prince Xander.”

Nelson nodded and was about to announce her. But before he could enter, Xander emerged from the room.

Dressed in a black cloak, Xander looked calmly at Athena. With a slight wave of his hand, all the maids withdrew.

Nelson followed, dragging the still-bewildered Trina with him. “Hey, Mr. Bates, what are you pulling me for…” Trina protested.

The courtyard fell silent. Athena and Xander locked eyes in a wordless standoff. The icy wind whipped through, turning Athena’s nose pink and staining her beautiful eyes a deep crimson, as if brushed with rouge.

Her silent reproach pierced Xander’s heart.

‘She’s blaming me,’ Xander realized.

Finally, Xander strode toward Athena and stopped before her. He looked down at her, his towering frame shielding her from the biting wind.

“We’ll talk inside.” At these words, tears welled up in Athena’s eyes.

She shook her head. “I didn’t come to confront you, Prince Xander.”

Taking two steps back, Athena performed a deep curtsy before Xander. “I am deeply grateful to Your Highness for saving my life.”

Just as Xander was about to help her up, Athena continued softly, “I’m a woman of modest learning, unworthy of such an honor. I know Your Highness only did this as a tactical measure to help me out of trouble. I could never repay your kindness by embroiling you in dishonor.”

“What are you trying to say?” Xander’s brows knitted tightly together. For the first time, a crack appeared in his usually impassive mask.

As perceptive as he was, there was no way he couldn’t understand her meaning.

She was trying to run away from him.

Sure enough, the next moment, Athena’s voice rang out clearly. “Within three years at most, I will surely find a way to have His Majesty revoke his order of our marriage.”

The determination in Athena’s eyes sent a dull ache through Xander’s heart. Xander struggled to contain his emotions, his wounded eyes fixed on Athena. “Do you… hate me?”

Athena shook her head quickly. “I would never presume to overstep my station, Prince Xander.”

Biting her lip, she looked at Xander apologetically. “But my heart belongs to Ferris. I simply can’t divide my affections between two people.”

Athena was genuinely grateful for all that Xander had done for her. But she and Ferris had promised to be with each other for life. She couldn’t break that vow.

Xander gazed at Athena, his heart torn apart again and again.

He thought, ‘Sometimes, I’m tempted to use unconventional means to make her stay.

‘But I know her. If I ever tried that, she’d vanish from my life without a trace.

‘With her, I’m always powerless. I’ve done things that even shock myself.

‘Every time, I swear to myself that I will never do it again.

‘But the moment she’s in trouble, nothing else matters.

‘My principles and pride are all thrown to the wind.’

Seeing that Xander had remained silent for so long, Athena realized she might have crossed the line. She lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze.

Suddenly, Athena felt Xander’s warm, strong hands gently but firmly lift her chin. As she looked up, she found herself staring into his conflicted eyes. They were no longer as fierce as before. Instead, they were softened by an undercurrent of tenderness she couldn’t quite decipher.

“But what if you fail?” Xander’s deep voice trembled with urgency. Athena could see her own reflection in his eyes, along with all the worry he tried to hide.

She met Xander’s eyes helplessly, completely at a loss. Her mind was clear, but her throat felt clogged. She couldn’t get a single word out.

Her heart was pounding like a drum. Athena had never been this flustered before.

She thought, ‘Is it because we’re standing so close? Or is it the way Xander’s pressing me for an answer?’

Athena struggled to compose herself, but her eyes betrayed her panic.

Athena thought anxiously, ‘What if I can’t persuade the Emperor to revoke the decree? Would I really have to marry Xander? I’ve never even dared to entertain such an idea. The intricate web of royal politics is so daunting. I honestly don’t think I’m cut out to be his partner!’

Xander stepped even closer, until only a breath separated them. His cool, masculine scent washed over Athena, overwhelming her senses and making her instinctively step back.

In her flustered state, she completely forgot about the flowerpot behind her. As she lost her balance and was about to fall, a pair of strong hands caught her slender waist just in time.

Xander’s deep voice murmured in her ear, “When the time comes, will you give me a chance?”