Chapter 211
As Fiona’s carriage pulled up to Athena’s gate, the gatekeeper, Lance, recognized the carriage from the Duke’s Estate and immediately slammed the gate shut with force.
With a look of utter frustration, he rushed into the courtyard, muttering to himself, "I’m really fed up. Why has everyone been showing up at Lady Athena’s place these past couple of days?"
“Lance, what are you muttering about?” Trina asked as she saw him running toward her.
Lance pointed at the gate and whispered, “It’s just those people from the Duke’s Estate, they’re back again."
Trina gasped, “Again? This is getting ridiculous!”
“Trina, what should we do?” Lance asked anxiously.
“What else? Just turn them away,” Trina snapped, clearly annoyed.
Then Trina asked again, “Who is it this time?”
Lance thought for a moment before replying, “It’s a young woman, I don’t recognize her.”
While he hadn’t met Fiona, Lance recognized the carriage from the Duke’s Estate.
Trina drew a sharp breath and exclaimed, “It’s Lady Fiona! What’s she doing here?”
She thought, Last time, Lady Fiona came seeking medicine, she already caused quite a scene. What could she possibly want this time!
As the two were whispering to each other, Athena emerged from the house.
Trina quickly hurried over and filled her in on what had happened.
Athena listened, remaining unfazed.
She meticulously spread out the herbs in her hands, laying them on the table to dry.
At the mention of Fiona’s name, Athena merely lifted her eyelids and said, “I have no ties with Lady Fiona. Just turn her away."
Trina gave Lance a meaningful look. Catching her silent cue, he headed back to the gate again.
This time, Fiona was already standing at the gate, cradling Cedric in her arms.
Lance poked his head out and said, “Lady Fiona, Miss Monson isn’t home at present. Please come another day."
Anticipating this excuse, Fiona gave Lance a gentle smile and said, “Would you kindly go back and inform Miss Monson that Fiona Wynn is here on behalf of Lady Margaret to pay her a visit?”
“Huh?” Lance gasped, he knew exactly how much Margaret meant to Athena.
Hearing Fiona say that, he quickly replied, “Please wait a moment.”
Lance returned to Athena and relayed Fiona’s message verbatim.
“Grandma?” Athena murmured as she froze in surprise.
Hearing this, Marquita was also visibly surprised. She suggested, Lady Margaret wouldn’t send Fiona here without reason. In that case, Miss Monson, you might as well meet her. From what she said, she’s not here as Lady Fiona."
Athena cared little about under what pretext Fiona sought an audience, as the only person who truly mattered to her was Margaret.
“Let her in,” Athena instructed.
“Understood, Miss Monson.” Lance hurried back to the gate and swung it open.
Fiona’s face lit up with joy as she stepped inside, cradling Cedric in her arms.
Athena received Fiona in the main hall.
On the way in, Fiona gazed at the serene courtyard with eyes filled with a mix of envy and admiration.
I did not expect Athena to live so comfortably after leaving the Duke’s Estate, she mused as she unconsciously clenched her fist.
A sense of inexplicable sadness rose in Fiona’s heart as she thought dejectedly. “It’s a pity I just can’t muster the same kind of courage."
Athena didn’t give Fiona the cold shoulder. She had Trina prepare some coffee and offered Fiona a seat before asking, “What brings you here on Grandma’s behalf?"
“Lady Margaret has been missing you,” Fiona said with a practiced smile, sliding the box of cake she held toward Athena. “She had asked me to bring you your favorite cakes.”
A delicate aroma of pastry wafted from the food box.
Athena smiled and asked, “How is Grandma’s health these days?”
“Viscountess, please rest assured. She is in good health. It’s just that…” At this, Fiona’s face clouded with hesitation.
After a brief pause, she continued, “She is getting on in years, and all she ever thinks about is her grandchildren. But my disappointing son keeps falling ill every other day."
As she spoke, Fiona stole a glance at Athena’s expression. Seeing Athena remain calm, she felt relieved.
Just as I thought, mentioning Lady Margaret works, Fiona mused. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even gotten through Athena’s door. I’ve made myself clear and she must understand now.
“Since it’s Grandma’s concern, how could I just turn a blind eye?" Athena said, her voice calm, though she was far from willing.
Before treating Cedric, Athena laid out her terms to Fiona: “I can treat him, but you must not reveal to the Monson family that these medications came from me."
Fiona’s face lit up with joy as she nodded eagerly. “You have my word, Viscountess. My lips are sealed, and not a whisper will escape me," she promised.
Athena knew Fiona was acting purely out of maternal devotion to her child. Were it not for this profound love, she would never have intervened in the matter.
“Bring the child over and I’ll take a look,” Athena instructed Fiona’s nurse.
Fiona glanced anxiously at the nurse, who promptly stepped forward and carefully placed Cedric into Athena’s arms.
Peeking out from the swaddling blanket was a tiny, gaunt infant face.
Cedric was already eight months old, yet he appeared no larger than a typical six-month-old.
His eyes, heavy with exhaustion and a sickly pallor, were utterly devoid of a child’s usual vibrancy.
Athena pressed her fingers gently against his wrist. After a moment, her brows knitted tightly as she thought, This child… he’s suffering from a congenital deficiency.
Looking at his frail, sickly state, he might not make it to five without prompt treatment.
But even with my treatment, there’s no guarantee he’ll recover.
To recover from this condition, seventy percent of its success is about proper care, and the remaining thirty percent is about luck.
It all depends on whether the heavens will shine its light on Fiona and her son.
After Athena had been silent for quite a while, Fiona couldn’t hold back her anxiety any longer. “How is Cedric?” she blurted out. “How long will he need to take the medicine before he recovers?”
A storm of emotions raged within Athena, but she suppressed her shock and, with practiced calm, asked Fiona, “How was your appetite and sleep during pregnancy?"
Fiona was startled, and she wondered, ‘Wasn’t Athena supposed to be treating Cedric? Why was she suddenly asking about me instead?’ But since Athena was a miracle healer, Fiona answered whatever she was asked.
Fiona thought for a moment before replying. “During my pregnancy, I could hardly eat anything and always had a bitter taste in my mouth. The only thing I really craved was preserved fruits. As for sleep, it was terrible as nightmares kept me awake most nights."
Athena just let out a faint “Oh,” without offering any answers. Fiona grew increasingly anxious. “My child…” she finally pressed.
Athena responded gently, “Cedric was likely born prematurely and is frailer than most children. You’ll need to provide meticulous care. I’ll prescribe some tonics to strengthen him gradually, but unlike adults, children require long-term treatment. So, be prepared for a long road ahead."
Fiona wasn’t surprised by that as Cedric had been sickly since birth, falling ill time and again.
As such, taking medicine had become as routine as daily meals.
Fiona felt as if a knife were stabbing at her heart every time she saw Cedric being forced to take the bitter medication.
Athena felt a pang of sympathy when she noticed Fiona’s eyes welled up with tears.
After a moment’s thought, Athena gently comforted her, “You don’t have to worry. I’ve added candied fruit to the medication so it won’t taste bitter at all.”
Hearing this, Fiona gave Athena a grateful smile. "Thank you… Athena."
She didn’t address her as “Viscountess,” but by her given name, a clear sign of her trust.
Athena shook her head in response, ‘Since I’m no longer at the estate, I’ll have to rely on you to look after Lady Margaret for me. Consider this matter settled between us, and no thanks are necessary.’
She handed the prescription to Fiona, who clutched it as if she’d just found a lifeline for her son.
As she was leaving, Fiona said to Athena, “You saved my son’s life, and I owe you my own. If you ever need my help, I’ll do whatever I can with no questions asked."
As their social standings and positions were simply too different, Athena didn’t take Fiona’s words to heart.
She didn’t expect anything from Fiona, and all she hoped was that Fiona would look after Margaret at the estate. But who could have guessed those words would prove prophetic?