Chapter 250
The news of Nicolas’s demotion was nothing short of a thunderbolt for the Monson family. As Assistant Minister of the Justice Ministry, he had been climbing the official ranks smoothly, his career on a meteoric rise. But now, because of Athena, he had been harshly reprimanded by the King. It was a devastating blow to his pride and position. To make matters worse, Fiona was seeking a separation. With everything piling up, Nicolas soon fell ill. He was in terrible shape, burning with a fever that wouldn’t break.
Even after forcing down medicinal decoctions, there was no improvement. The maids could only sponge his body over and over with warm towels in an attempt to reduce the fever. Eloise was beside herself with worry. What infuriated her even more was that Fiona, despite Nicolas being this ill, hadn’t shown her face even once. She summoned Fiona and demanded that she fulfill her duties as a wife and take care of Nicolas.
Fiona, her expression cold, replied, “Cedric’s health is already fragile. If I catch the illness and pass it on to the child, what then?” It was clearly an excuse, but also not entirely wrong. Cedric couldn’t afford to be exposed to illness again. Eloise’s original intention had been to use this situation to help mend the couple’s strained relationship. She thought that if they spent time together, they could resolve their differences. But with the child’s health at stake, she could only relent and let Fiona leave again.
Tomorrow, Willow would return home to visit after her wedding, and Eloise had to prepare a return banquet. So many things were demanding her attention that she barely had a moment to rest. Thinking of her daughter now married into the Osborne family, Eloise’s heart ached. ‘How is Willow doing? Have her in-laws treated her poorly? Has her leg healed yet? And what about the case at the Justice Ministry? Has it finally been resolved?’ she wondered.
The Osborne Residence.
Upon Michael’s return to the residence, Kelsey immediately summoned the house physician. The maids helped remove his outer garments, revealing his back. It was bloody, bruised, and absolutely horrifying to see. The physician looked at the wounds and couldn’t help but respect him. “Lord Osborne, to have returned on your own in such condition, I truly admire you.”
Anyone else would have collapsed long ago. Only someone with Michael’s strength could have endured this long. “Lord Osborne, please bear with me. I will apply the medicine right away.” Lying on his stomach, Michael replied indifferently, “Go ahead.” Kelsey’s heart twisted in pain at the sight of her son’s injuries.
Thinking of everything that had happened on the wedding day, she grumbled angrily, “Everything went wrong from the moment you left the house. Why is our family so unlucky?” Though she didn’t say it outright, anyone could tell that she was blaming Willow. Ever since she had entered the Osborne family, misfortunes had kept piling up.
Chapter 251
Michael looked at her with displeasure. “Mother, there’s no need to blame others. It was all an accident.” He wasn’t exactly defending Willow. He just felt it was unfair to blame her for everything. Kelsey frowned and said sarcastically, “You’ve already sided with your wife. I didn’t even say much, and you’re already jumping to defend her?” Michael didn’t want to argue. He closed his eyes and fell silent.
Just then, a gentle voice came from outside the room. “Honey.” Willow entered, dressed in gold and fine silks, looking elegant and noble. Behind her were seven or eight maids and servants helping her in. Her face was full of anxiety, eyes red with worry. Before she even stepped in fully, she had already begun to cry.
Kelsey, already fuming, snapped at Willow. “Michael isn’t dead yet! What’s with all this carrying on?” Willow’s sobbing stopped abruptly. She looked helplessly at Kelsey and said pitifully, “I’m just worried about my husband. I didn’t mean to cause offense.”
“You are now the Marchioness of Somers, the head of the inner court. If you can’t compose yourself, how will others view our family?” Kelsey ached for her son and didn’t want to make things harder for Willow, but she truly couldn’t stand her way of doing things. ‘Crying at the slightest trouble. Is this how a noble lady should conduct herself?’ Kelsey thought with disapproval. She had known that the Monson family pampered Willow, but she hadn’t expected them to spoil her into uselessness. The Osborne family didn’t want a crybaby. They needed a capable matron to manage the household.
Willow bit her lip in grievance and nodded. “I understand.” Holding back tears, she limped over to the bedside. When she saw the wounds on Michael’s back, she gasped in shock. “Does it hurt badly? The King was far too harsh. Didn’t the Queen plead on your behalf?” As soon as those words left her mouth, the whole room went still in shock. Even Michael, who had been resting with eyes closed, opened them sharply.
Every eye in the room turned toward Willow. She looked around, confused, and saw that Kelsey was glaring at her with wide eyes, filled with fear. Even the servants in the room had dropped to their knees, trembling, not daring to make a sound. Michael’s gaze turned fearful as well. He ground out through gritted teeth, “Do you know what you’re saying? Rain and thunder are all blessings from the King. How dare you speak with such disrespect?” Only then did Willow realize how serious her slip was.
In ancient times, imperial authority was absolute. Any comment that implied discontent with the King could lead to execution. She turned pale, tears streaming down her face. She only meant to express concern for her husband. She never intended any disrespect toward His Majesty. “Honey, I… I didn’t mean anything by it!” Willow stammered.
Kelsey’s harsh voice cut through the tension. “If a single word of this gets out, I’ll have all your lives.”
Chapter 252
The servants all trembled in fear. “Yes, my Lady.”
“Everyone out,” Kelsey commanded.
Once the room was cleared, Kelsey turned to Willow furiously. “Are you trying to get us all killed? You say such things without even thinking? If not for Willow being a newlywed, Kelsey would have slapped her on the spot.
Terrified, Willow dropped to her knees and begged, “Please, it was just a slip of the tongue. I beg your mercy.”
Still seething with anger, Kelsey commanded, “Go kneel in the Memorial Hall!”
If Willow were clever, she would have obeyed immediately. But instead, she looked toward Michael for help. She believed he would protect her. She had just married in. If she were punished like this, wouldn’t it be a huge embarrassment?
Michael wanted to protect her. But at this moment, there was something foreign in his gaze. He had once thought her innocent and sweet, worth defending at all costs. But now, it seemed that her “innocence” might bring ruin to the Osborne family. He thought he must have been drugged to protect her so blindly, even hurting Athena and severing ties with her in the process. Michael deeply regretted everything.
“If Mother wants you to kneel, she must have her reasons.” He had a rare moment of clarity. If he continued shielding Willow, the Osborne family would be doomed.
Willow stared at him in disbelief, while Kelsey finally let out a breath of relief. Thank goodness her son still had some sense left. Willow got to her feet with difficulty, tears falling again as she hobbled out of the room.
As soon as she crossed the threshold, Kelsey muttered, “Was she always this much of a crybaby?” Though the families had arranged the marriage, Willow hadn’t been raised in front of her. Everything she knew about the girl’s character came from what Eloise had said. And every time she had met Willow, the girl had been all smiles and sweetness. But now that she had entered the household, the difference was staggering.
Michael turned his head away irritably. “Mother, I’m tired. I want to rest.”
Seeing that he didn’t want to talk anymore, Kelsey dropped the subject. But in her heart, she had made up her mind. She was going to start disciplining Willow properly. She would not allow her to embarrass the Osborne family again.