Chapter 254
Willow beamed with delight as Nona fawned over her. Then she mused, ‘Nona is such a loyal lapdog! I slapped her, and here she is, worried about my hand like nothing happened. If only every woman dated me like that.’
“You’re such a sweet talker,” Willow said, her tone syrupy as she took Nona’s hand. “Nona, please don’t hold this against me. I’ve never seen you just as a servant; you’re like a little sister to me. And sisters argue sometimes, don’t they?”
It was classic Willow–slap first, sweet talk later.
Nona played along, putting on a humble face as she said, “How could someone like me ever be your sister? Just serving you is already more than I deserve.”
Willow laughed. This time, it sounded almost genuine. Having poured out all the frustration she’d been bottling up, she finally felt a little lighter.
Yet at the thought of Michael, she couldn’t help but sigh.
Nona caught the shift immediately and said soothingly, “My lady, you don’t have to worry. If you keep helping Lord Osborne, he’ll come around eventually.”
Willow perked up and nodded. “You’re right, Nona.”
‘The only way to secure my place in the Osborne family is to win Michael’s heart,’ Willow thought to herself.
Then the two returned to the front courtyard. Eloise saw Willow and rushed over, her face full of concern. “Willow, how did it go?”
“Just a little spat. Tempers are still running high, but it’ll pass in a few days,” Willow replied.
She would never admit she’d been kicked out because that would be way too humiliating.
Willow’s vague response gave Eloise the wrong idea.
Eloise let out a long sigh of relief and said, “Guess Fiona agreed then, my smart girl.”
Willow gave a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Just then, a servant entered and turned to Willow. “My lady, Lord Osborne has left for something urgent.”
At once, Willow’s smile slipped. She thought, ‘We were supposed to visit my family today, yet Michael left on his own. Is he trying to humiliate me? I can’t believe he’s actually mad.’
Then it hit her–he had done it because he was jealous. That meant he cared. The thought lit her up.
Eloise’s face darkened. “What could be so important that he’d leave Willow to go back alone? Her leg is still injured!”
The servant knew his place and dared not respond.
“Mom, please don’t be upset. Michael was sent to Saint Jero Clinic on imperial orders for official duties. As his wife, how could I possibly stop him?” Willow said, trying to appease Eloise.
“Poor girl,” Eloise said sympathetically. Though her heart ached for Willow, she let it go, knowing it was an imperial assignment.
She had Willow escorted back to the Osborne residence.
As Willow sat in the carriage, she couldn’t shake off her anxiety.
She summoned a servant to the window and asked, “Where did Lord Osborne go?”
“Saint Jero Clinic, milady,” the servant replied respectfully.
Willow’s expression relaxed. Just as I thought, he’s avoiding me, she mused.
“To Saint Jero Clinic,” Willow commanded the coachman.
One way or another, she had to clear up this misunderstanding with him before things got worse.
Saint Jero Clinic was packed, the air heavy with coughs and the rough, strained breathing of the sick. It was a place thick with desperation.
Then came a slim woman, her presence a quiet flicker of hope in this bleak place.
All the patients, in unison, turned their gaze toward Athena, their eyes alight with hope.
Athena held her consultations in a makeshift tent with nothing inside but a table and a chair.
The clinic was short on space, and with the sudden surge of patients, even a bed had become precious.
Those with milder symptoms were packed into the hallways or the courtyard.
Athena’s consultation shed became a striking sight. Michael had been watching her from a distance for some time.
He knew Athena was aware he had arrived, yet not once did she spare him a glance!
Her focused expression was truly sacred. Michael wanted to go to her, but something held him back. He couldn’t bring himself to interrupt. He knew all too well that Athena despised him.
Michael thought, ‘So what? As long as I can see her, that’s enough for me.’
He had brought a generous supply of relief goods–tents, bedding, and more. There was also plenty of rice, flour, and fresh vegetables.
In a corner, he set up a simple kitchen. A large pot of soup bubbled gently, while a fragrant stew simmered beside it.
On the table, plates of freshly cooked pasta gave off an irresistible aroma that filled the air.
In this cold season, the patients were moved to tears as they finally enjoyed hot, comforting meals.
Athena had been consulting patients for three straight hours without a break, not a sip of water or a bite to eat.
Her lips were parched and cracked, her face drawn with exhaustion. Dark circles sat heavy under her eyes.
Athena was utterly exhausted and needed rest. More than once, Michael caught her straightening her posture, forcing herself to look alert while fatigue tugged at every inch of her.
Still, she answered every patient’s question with unwavering patience, never showing the slightest annoyance.
Michael’s chest tightened with worry. After dishing up the food, he tiptoed toward her.
Then, he carefully set the meal on Athena’s desk, making sure not to disturb her.
“Thank you,” she murmured as she looked up, but the moment she saw Michael, her smile vanished.
She went cold in an instant, refusing to say another word to Michael. Naturally, she didn’t touch the food.
Michael frowned and urged, “You haven’t slept for two straight days. If you keep this up, you’ll collapse.”
Athena said coolly, “I don’t need it.”
She thought, ‘Whether Michael came because the king ordered it or he showed up on his own accord, he’s helping people, and I can’t let my feelings get in the way.’
And she hoped he would take the hint and leave her alone.
But Michael didn’t. Maybe he knew exactly what Athena meant—and just chose to ignore it.
“You’re at your breaking point, Athena.” He lingered on her name, his voice weighed down with concern.
Michael’s attendants stepped into the tent and stopped the patients outside from coming in.
Once the last patient left, Michael grabbed Athena’s wrist, his eyes brimming with affection. “Hey, you’ve seen too many today. You’re already at your limit. Now, sit down, eat properly, and get some rest.”
His heart truly ached for her. If he could have taken her place, he would have without a second thought.
Athena struggled weakly against his firm grip, but her strength gave out.
The moment she got to her feet, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her, making her head spin.
Black spots danced before Athena’s eyes. She lurched forward, unable to stop herself.
Michael moved to catch her, but a sudden shove to his shoulder knocked him back.
When Athena’s vision cleared, she found herself cradled in a pair of strong, reassuring arms.
“Are you out of your mind?” A deep, almost scolding voice rumbled in her ear. She looked up and saw a face so breathtakingly handsome that, for a moment, she forgot to breathe.