Chapter 195
As Christmas drew near, a heavy snowfall began. The Monson family home had been meticulously cleaned inside and out, with bright lights hanging from the eaves to create a festive atmosphere. Yet within the walls, not a trace of laughter or cheer could be heard.
The rosewood round table was laden with delicacies, yet Eloise wore a gloomy face, showing no desire to even lift her fork.
“Mother, try this duck,” Willow coaxed, carefully placing a piece into Eloise’s bowl.
Eloise’s brows knitted tightly as she gently shook her head. “I just can’t eat,” she murmured.
The entire family was gathered around the dining table, except for Joseph Monson. He hadn’t returned home since being sent to the military camp as punishment many months ago. Just days earlier, Eloise had begged Henry to inquire about him, only to learn that Joseph was required to remain on duty through the holiday.
Henry’s expression was stern, yet there was a hint of relief in his tone. “Though Joseph was sent to the military camp for discipline, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Just look at him now. He’s well-disciplined, and all those bad habits are gone. Isn’t this for the best?”
“My lord, he’s your own son!” Eloise protested, tears streaming down her face. “He’s been pampered since childhood, how could he possibly endure such hardship? Out there, he can’t get proper meals or decent sleep. Watching him suffer like this is tearing my heart apart.”
Eloise broke into sobs, her grief casting a pall over what should have been a joyous celebration.
Henry, irritated by her sobbing, snapped sharply, “Why are you crying during the celebrations? Must you bring such ill fortune upon us? Now you weep for your youngest son, yet when Athena was sent away, I didn’t see you making such a scene.”
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere at the table turned to ice. Eloise’s face went ashen as she stared at Henry in disbelief, her eyes overflowing with anguish.
With her voice trembling, she cried out, “Athena is the light of my life, the daughter I carried and gave birth to! How could you say such things to me, my lord?”
Knowing he was in the wrong, Henry gave a derisive snort and deliberately ignored her. Ever since Athena left, her name had become taboo, a topic no one dared to bring up. But today, Henry deliberately invoked Athena’s name in front of everyone to humiliate Eloise. Naturally, Eloise couldn’t stand such public shaming.
Nicolas and Matthew both looked completely at a loss, while Fiona lowered her head in silence, even setting down her fork. Fiona cautiously glanced at Nicolas, only to see him subtly signaling Willow with his eyes.
Willow nodded gently, eager to smooth things over. In a flattering tone, she said, “It’s Christmas Eve, let’s not dwell on this. Mother, I have some good news. Our artillery department has already started turning a profit…”
With Christmas approaching, fireworks were in such high demand that the Monson family made a fortune. This dinner was not only a family reunion feast, but also Willow’s victory celebration.
Willow smugly thought to herself, ‘I’m the most valuable in this family. How dare that outcast Athena try to steal my thunder?’
Eloise seemed utterly heartbroken. She forced a weak smile. “Is that so?”
Then silence fell.
Willow froze in place. I was hoping to use this opportunity to coax Mother into finally bringing up my marriage, she thought bitterly. She and Michael had been engaged for so long, yet he still hadn’t married her. The gossip had been swirling for ages. Even among the other noble ladies, she couldn’t hold her head up anymore.
Eloise had no appetite and merely picked at her food before setting down her fork. As soon as Eloise set down her fork, Henry’s expression darkened even further.
In previous years, the house would be bustling with warmth and laughter. But this year, an eerie silence hung in the air. Margaret had secluded herself in her courtyard, cutting off all contact with the rest of the family. Joseph remained stuck at the military camp. Without Xander’s order, no one would dare release him. Athena was gone, too.
Gazing at the vast expanse of the house, Henry heaved a heavy sigh and thought, ‘Is this family really about to fall apart?’
As soon as Eloise left the table, Willow hurried after her. “Mother, let me help you,” she cooed. She slipped her arm through Eloise’s, walking slowly by her side in a show of affection. Now, as the only young lady in the estate, Willow enjoyed even greater luxuries than before. Yet she found no satisfaction. As long as Athena existed, she could never truly be recognized as the legitimate daughter.
Sometimes, Eloise would even stare blankly in the direction of Athena’s residence. Willow frowned. ‘This is definitely not a good sign,’ she thought.
Willow paused thoughtfully before saying, “Mother, actually, getting Joseph to come home might not be that difficult. There’s someone who could help.”
“Who?” Eloise murmured dazedly, the question slipping out almost unconsciously. Ever since Joseph was sent to the military camp, she had pulled every string she could. Now she was at a complete loss. She wondered who could still have that kind of influence.
“Mother… I dare not say,” Willow murmured timidly.
“What’s there to be afraid of saying? You’re my daughter, why would I ever blame you?”
Willow gave a tentative smile, glancing cautiously at Eloise before whispering, “You’re right, Mother. I was just overthinking. Actually… if anyone can help Joseph, it’s Athena.”
Eloise came to an abrupt halt, her face clouded with uncertainty. Athena’s name alone sent a pang through Eloise’s heart.
Since leaving home, Athena had never once returned. Sometimes, Eloise wondered, if they met on the street, with Athena’s stubbornness, she probably wouldn’t even spare her a glance.
Eloise’s eyes grew moist as she sniffled, holding back tears. “You know how stubborn Athena is. It was because of her that Joseph was sent to the military camp in the first place. She won’t even see us. Why would she ever help Joseph?”
Eloise’s tone was tinged with resentment as she spoke. In her heart, she always thought that family ties ran deep, even if things got ugly, they were still bound by blood. How could things have come to this? she thought.
“Mother, so much time has passed, and Athena is doing quite well now. Surely her anger has subsided by now. If we go and plead with her to ask Prince Xander for a favor, wouldn’t Joseph be able to come home?”
Willow’s words made Eloise waver. She hesitated, then asked, “Is this… is this really going to work?”
“I truly believe this will work, Mother. I’d be honored to accompany you to see Athena. If she refuses to see us, we can simply wait outside her door. With enough sincerity, I’m certain her heart will eventually soften.”
Athena has status now, Willow thought to herself. As the future Mrs. Cavendish, if she refuses to acknowledge her own mother, she’ll be the target of endless gossip, especially when Eloise is humbling herself like this to beg. Would Athena really have the heart to leave her mother standing out in the cold? If necessary, I’ll even beg her, too.
Eloise missed Joseph so desperately that she was going mad with longing. Willow’s suggestion truly hit the nail on the head.
“Alright, let’s go see Athena right away.” At last, a glimmer of hope lit up Eloise’s face as she turned to her maidservant and instructed, “Fetch the box of walnut cakes from my chamber. We’ll take them with us.”
Since they were going with sincerity, they couldn’t show up empty-handed. Besides, she had personally made those walnut cakes. Eloise felt that Athena wouldn’t turn down such a heartfelt gesture from her own mother.
Brimming with renewed hope, Eloise climbed into the carriage with Willow and set off.
Meanwhile, Athena was at Kurtis’s old residence. She had ordered her servants to open a secret passage and would come here whenever she missed her grandfather, Kurtis Perkins. Today was Christmas Eve, a traditional festival before Christmas, and also her grandfather's birthday. Although Athena hadn’t forgotten his special day, she couldn’t see him in person. Still, she could quietly celebrate his birthday here. This was her act of loyalty as Kurtis’s granddaughter.