Chapter 248

Fiona had never expected Eloise to stand up for her, yet hearing her words still left her shocked.

She was the one who had been hurt, but Eloise chose to blame her instead.

Yes, she had made a mistake by marrying into this noble family.

She should never have harbored naive dreams, believing that marrying Nicolas would bring mutual respect and companionship.

Even though she came from a merchant’s background, when she married into the duke’s estate, she brought a lavish dowry.

Afraid that her in-laws would look down on her, her mother had given her 200,000 silver coins. She even had a well dug in advance, just to ensure her daughter wouldn’t suffer.

After arriving at the duke’s estate, Fiona paid for everything out of her own pocket.

She believed her devotion would earn genuine affection. But she was terribly wrong.

A sincere heart could not buy another, but only interests could.

“Lady Eloise, may I ask what exactly I have done wrong?” Fiona asked.

Eloise knew full well Fiona had done nothing wrong. But in her eyes, a woman was born to serve her husband.

Her attempt at persuasion was only meant to calm things down between the couple. But Fiona insisted on confronting her.

Eloise’s expression darkened. “Since you’ve married into the Monson family, you are one of us. Naturally, everything you do should put this household first. Whatever your husband did, he did for the sake of the family. Just do your part well. The rest is not your concern.”

After all her effort to reason, Fiona remained defiant, and Eloise began to grow truly angry.

For a merchant’s daughter like Fiona, marrying into the duke’s estate was a true blessing.

Any other woman wouldn’t dare utter a single complaint.

Eloise thought indignantly, ‘Has Fiona completely lost her senses? How dare she try to ride roughshod over my son!’

Fiona took a deep breath. She felt that Eloise, like Nicolas, could no longer tell right from wrong. Even when they were in the wrong, they found excuses.

Just then, the sound of a child crying came from within the room.

Fiona’s heart instantly clenched. Cedric had woken up.

He was very attached to Fiona and would cry whenever she was out of sight.

“Cedric!” Without a second thought, Fiona hurried into the room.

She found Cedric lying on the bed, his little face covered in tears, pitifully reaching for her.

Her heart felt as though it had been cut open.

No mother could abandon her child. She was no exception.

Fiona picked him up and gently rocked him in her arms. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. Mommy’s here.”

The little boy grabbed her clothing with his tiny hands and gave her a wide smile.

Fiona felt nothing but sorrow. The path to divorce would be almost impossible.

What pained her most was her son. If the duke’s estate refused to let go, she wouldn’t be able to take him with her.

Tears slid silently down Fiona’s cheeks.

Mistaking the tears for remorse, Eloise stepped forward to offer comfort. “A couple’s quarrels don’t last overnight. Men are proud. Just soften your tone, give him a way out, and he’ll come around.”

Cradling her child, Fiona refused to engage further with Eloise, maintaining a stony silence.

Seeing her so unyielding, Eloise shot a glance at Nicolas. The two of them quietly left the room.

Once outside, Eloise spoke in a harsher tone.

“What were you thinking, laying hands on her? If word gets out, it’ll be you who looks bad.”

Among noble families, it was disgraceful for a man to hit his wife.

Nicolas was being far too rash. He regretted it too. But his pride as a man wouldn’t allow him to admit fault.

Hearing his mother’s scolding somehow soothed him a little.

He explained, “I didn’t want to hit her, Mother. But Fiona is just so unreasonable. She actually sides with outsiders…”

He stopped mid-sentence and waved for the servants behind him to leave.

Eloise was startled. “What are you doing?”

Nicolas’s face darkened. He sighed deeply, then whispered, “She overheard about Grandmother’s incident last time.”

“What?” Eloise sucked in a sharp breath, her expression flustered. “How could you be so careless? How could she find out something like that?”

She was visibly anxious, her brows furrowed. “She’s an outsider and narrow-minded. All it would take is someone egging her on for her to act foolishly. But she’s also easy to appease. Just spend the night at her place.”

“Fine,” Nicolas grumbled. He had no intention of coaxing Fiona. At most, he’d have a meal with her. He certainly wasn’t in the mood for anything more.

Then he suddenly thought of Michael. He turned to his mother. “I need to go to the Osborne manor. Lord Osborne was summoned to the palace and scolded. I want to see how he’s doing.”

“Oh dear, then go quickly. While you’re at it, ask about Willow as well,” Eloise urged.

Nicolas nodded. “I will. As soon as I hear anything, I’ll send word.”

He rode off in a hurry, leaving Eloise behind, who now frowned in frustration.

Eloise thought irritably, ‘Another day, another mess.’

Outside the Heaven Hall.

Michael had been kneeling outside the hall for over an hour. The cold, hard ground pierced into his knees, sending stabbing pain into his bones.

His back was covered in blood.

During his wedding, a stampede had injured many innocent civilians.

The incident was brought to the attention of Arthur. As punishment, Michael was given thirty strokes with the cane and had his salary suspended for six months.

Now, Arthur had ordered him to kneel outside the hall so that passing officials would see.

Lately, the capital’s officials had grown arrogant and indulgent. Warnings had gone unheeded.

Arthur had previously warned them, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Michael had walked right into King Cavendish’s firing line. If not him, then who?

Michael wondered darkly, “Who leaked this to Prince Arthur?”

Just then, a tall figure appeared in his line of sight.

Not far ahead, Xander, clad in his robe, walked forward with measured steps.

Beside him was someone who made Michael’s eyes widen. It was Athena. She had entered the palace with Xander.

She wore a pale yellow gown beneath a fox-fur cloak. The fur framed her delicate face, making her look indescribably lovely.

Michael’s emotions surged. He looked at Athena with clear joy in his eyes.

But the moment his gaze met hers, a cold, sharp stare pierced him. It was Xander. His eyes were sharp and threatening.

With just one look, he warned Michael not to think about Athena anymore.

The light in Michael’s eyes slowly faded. Yet he couldn’t stop looking at Athena, still hoping to see a flicker of care from her.

In the past, even a small cut would make her panic.

Now he was gravely injured. He wondered if she would still feel pain for him like she used to.

Michael watched expectantly. But Athena walked right past, her gaze fixed ahead, as if he didn’t even exist.

“Athena,” he called out, unwilling to give up.

Athena Monson stopped in her tracks and turned back to correct him. “Lord Osborne, you’re a married man now. Wouldn’t it be improper to address me so familiarly? To avoid gossip, you’d better call me Viscountess from now on.”