Chapter 22

Henry stepped forward, clearly displeased. “What is the meaning of this, Gwen?” If they weren’t close to Margaret, he would have ordered them out already.

Nicolas and Eloise also looked confused.

Gwen stood straight, her expression stern and commanding. She turned to Siena and asked coldly, “Tell them what happened after Lady Willow followed Lord Osborne out that day.”

Siena lowered her head and spoke softly. “When I followed them, I overheard Lord Osborne telling Lady Willow that there was no need for her to see him off. He said it wasn’t proper for a man and woman to be alone together, especially now that they were both older. It was better to avoid any suspicion.”

This, in effect, was a polite rejection of Willow.

Nicolas seemed to connect the dots. He turned to look at Willow, only to find her face streaked with tears, looking utterly mortified. “So, you left because of Michael?” he asked, realizing belatedly.

Willow’s tears flowed even harder at his words. When she didn’t answer, Nicolas felt a sharp sting in his chest. He suddenly realized how foolish he had been. Without fully understanding the situation, he had blamed Athena and punished her by making her bow in the rain all night. No wonder she had been so angry and disappointed.

Nicolas found himself unable to look at Athena. He thought, “She must be feeling incredibly hurt and disillusioned right now.”

Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady his emotions and asked Willow, “Why didn’t you speak up earlier? This misunderstanding could’ve been avoided.”

“…I said it had nothing to do with Athena,” Willow stammered between sobs. “How could I bring myself to say something so shameful…”

She broke down again, crying harder.

Eloise quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation. “It’s all just a misunderstanding. Now that we’ve cleared it up, everything will be fine. Go fetch the doctor to check on Athena, and also bring out the fine medicine from my storeroom for her.” She looked at Athena with deep concern and guilt. “You don’t look well either. You should go rest.”

Athena gave a mocking smile. “So my suffering can be brushed away with just a few words?”

Gwen’s eyes filled with disappointment. In this entire duke’s estate, no one seemed to understand the situation. Athena was the true young lady of the house, yet Henry and Eloise, along with Nicolas, were all deeply invested in the false daughter. Were it not for Margaret’s protection, Athena might have been bullied even more.

Eloise forced a smile, Nicolas kept his head down, and even Henry sighed. Yet, none of them spoke up for what was right.

Athena looked at these “family members” before her, her heart growing colder with each passing moment. “I have just one question for Lord Henry,” she said sharply. “Does the family rule set by Margaret still hold?”

Henry hadn’t expected Athena to target him directly. Reluctantly, he replied, “Of course, it still holds.”

“Good,” Athena spoke quickly, her tone firm. “Since it still holds, what punishment should Rose receive, and what punishment should her mistress face? Please, Lord Henry, tell us.”

Eloise panicked. “No, no, that can’t be right. Willow is so frail—ten lashes could kill her.”

Willow, terrified, shrank behind Eloise, her face as pale as a ghost.

She gripped her fingers tightly and spoke with quiet resolve, “Father need not worry about me. Since it was one of the maids in my courtyard who made the mistake, as her mistress, I should bear the punishment.” With that, she struggled to rise from the bed and bowed.

Looking up at Henry with red, swollen eyes, she said, “I just want Father to know that Rose didn’t act on my orders. To spare you the embarrassment and to let Athena vent her anger, I’m willing to accept the ten lashes.”

Her obedient and self-sacrificing demeanor nearly shattered Henry’s heart.

A cold laugh suddenly broke the silence. “So, according to you, I must be the villain here! I’m the one suffering, yet you’re trying to throw the blame on me?”

Willow looked up and met Athena’s icy gaze.

She flinched and quickly shook her head. “Athena, that’s not what I meant. I just want this situation to be resolved smoothly, without causing you any more trouble. I’m willing to take the ten lashes.”

She began sobbing again, her cries filling the room.

Her tears were starting to wear on Athena. Athena turned to Henry. “The truth has been revealed. Shouldn’t Lord Henry give me an explanation?” If not for Willow, she wouldn’t have had to bow through the night.

Athena pressed further, and Henry had no choice but to respond. “Bring Rose here, cut out her tongue, and expel her from the estate. As for Lady Willow…”

Before he could finish, Nicolas quickly intervened. “Father, it’s my fault for jumping to conclusions without understanding the truth. I wrongfully accused Athena, and I am willing to take Willow’s punishment in her place.”

The implication was clear; he would take the ten lashes meant for Willow.

“No, no, you can’t…” Willow cried out, reaching for Nicolas. “Nicolas…”

Before she could finish, another violent coughing fit overtook her. Her face turned bright red, and she struggled for breath. Eloise rushed to pat her back, her eyes filled with pity as she nodded toward Henry. “Willow can’t handle ten lashes… her body’s too frail.”

Henry closed his eyes in frustration and ordered, “Call for the family law.”

Athena stood silently to the side, her expression distant, yet a faint, mocking smile tugged at her lips.

It was always the same. Every time Willow made a mistake, the three older brothers would fight to take the punishment for her, as if she were a fragile treasure incapable of bearing any harm.

Athena wished Nicolas could see what was right in front of him. If only he were a little more perceptive, he might finally notice the truth. But no, none of them ever did. They were too pleased with themselves for “protecting” their precious Willow.

The whip cracked against Nicolas’s back, the sound echoing in the room.

Willow’s sobs grew louder, her eyes filled with distress. “Nicolas, it’s my fault, it’s all my fault.” She cried out, claiming responsibility, but her actions didn’t match her words.

Athena couldn’t help but scoff. “If you truly cared about Lord Nicolas, you’d rush over and take those ten lashes for him, instead of just crying and complaining without doing anything.”

Willow’s face drained of color. She bit her lip, torn between hesitation and the urge to move forward.

Another lash struck Nicolas’s back, and the sound of it tearing his skin was almost unbearable. He grunted in pain but held his ground.

Willow’s eyes were wide with fear, and Athena let out a quiet laugh. “If you keep hesitating, the lashes will be over soon.”

Perhaps it was Athena’s words that pushed Willow into action. She tried to step forward, but Eloise held her back tightly.

“Athena, how could you…” Eloise glared at Athena, but Athena merely smiled coldly.

“How could I be so heartless, so unfeeling, is that what you’re saying?” she asked, her voice dripping with irony.

Eloise fell silent, shaking her head in a hurry. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

Athena couldn’t be bothered to argue any longer. She didn’t care what anyone thought.

Soon, the ten lashes were over.

Nicolas was covered in sweat, his face pale and contorted with pain. Yet, he managed to give Willow a gentle smile. “Don’t cry, Willow. I am fine.”

The scene was certainly moving, but it failed to touch Athena. She had seen this kind of drama too many times before.

“Athena, are you satisfied now? Is your anger finally gone?” Nicolas staggered toward her, forcing her to see the wounds on his back. All of this was her doing. He couldn’t understand it. “Why, in a family filled with love, does she have to make everything so difficult? Why can’t they all just take a step back and compromise? Why does it always have to be so complicated?”