Chapter 255

Athena found herself staring at Kandel’s strikingly handsome face that had suddenly come so close. She was momentarily seized.

Before she could react, she suddenly felt a strong arm at her waist, snatching her posture.

Xander gently settled Athena onto the Mool. As he reached out to…

Xander set the exquisite food box before Athena and opened it for her.

He carefully took out each dish from the food box and arranged them neatly before Athena, making sure everything was within reach.

Then, with a graceful sweep of his robe, he took a seat opposite Athena.

A mouthwatering aroma wafted from the steaming dishes. Athena was starving.

She instinctively swallowed as her mouth watered.

She glanced at Xander hesitantly and then looked at the dishes on the table. “Is Prince Xander here to have a meal with me?” she wondered.

“What, not to your taste?” Xander murmured, his gaze fixed solely on Athena, completely ignoring Michael, whom he had just tossed aside.

Had his attendant not caught him in time, Michael would have been eating dirt by now.

Michael stared at Athena and Xander, his eyes wide with shock before a shadow passed over his gaze.

A man and a woman are dining alone together in broad daylight. Aren’t they afraid of gossip? Michael thought darkly.

Athena was starving, but with Michael glaring at her like he’d just caught her in the act, there was no way she could eat.

“Seriously? Why is he looking at me like that! We’ve been over for ages, why does Michael still think he can meddle in my life!” Athena thought, both annoyed and a little amused.

Xander seemed to only then notice Michael, his lips curling into a smile that was more mocking than apologetic. “Lord Osborne,” he drawled, “I mistook you for some lowlife trying to accost my Princess Consort. My apologies for the rough handling, I trust you’re unharmed?”

There was an indescribable edge of sarcastic politeness in Xander’s expression and tone.

Athena noticed the veins bulging at Michael’s temple. His temper in check.

In both rank and status, Michael was beneath Xander. “What’s he so worked up about?” Athena wondered.

Michael took a deep breath to steady himself, then obediently knelt. “Greetings, Prince Xander,” he said, his tone carefully respectful.

Xander chuckled, his magnanimity tinged with subtle mockery as he called out to Michael. “Please, Marquis, rise. You’ve recently wed, and I haven’t yet had the chance to offer my congratulations.”

Xander raised his wine cup to Michael with a deceptively cordial smile. “Care to share a drink with me, Marquis?”

Michael’s face tightened as he demurred, “Prince Xander, thanks for your kindness, but my official business forbids me from drinking.”

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Xander remarked with feigned surprise. “Marquis, wasn’t it just yesterday that you received official punishment? And yet here you are, diligently attending to your duties despite your injuries. Such loyalty to the Crown and country. His Majesty would be very pleased.”

Xander appeared to be in high spirits, his words unusually amiable.

But only Athena could see the icy chill in Xander’s eyes. A cold that was barely contained and threatened to spill over.

Xander’s gaze was a silent warning to Michael: He'd better distance himself from Athena.

Athena had a sneaking suspicion Michael’s recent misfortune probably had something to do with Xander’s doing.

She might not be the type to kick Michael when he’s down, but she had to admit that she appreciated the way Xander protected her.

“Focus on your meal,” Xander said, tapping the table lightly as he noticed Athena zoning out, a hint of jealousy flickering in his eyes.

Xander shot Athena a displeased look, his jealousy reaching a boiling point.

What’s so special about Michael? Is he better looking than me? Xander thought disdainfully.

Athena’s cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment. She wasn’t even looking at Michael, she thought.

She lowered her head and gobbled down her food, her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster.

Xander gazed at her with a tender smile, his eyes brimming with adoration.

Then, Xander poured Athena a cup of coffee and said gently, “Eat slowly.”

“Mm hmm,” Athena mumbled with her mouth full, only now realizing just how ravenous she was.

Even the radishes she normally wouldn’t touch tasted unexpectedly sweet and delicious now.

To anyone else, it was just an ordinary exchange between the two of them, but in Michael’s eyes, it soured completely.

His fists clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Michael felt a surge of anger boiling inside him.

Michael fixed a dark, brooding gaze on Xander’s back.

What kind of man does he think he is, throwing his weight around? thought Michael, fuming inwardly.

Xander sensed something and turned back, feigning surprise. “Marquis, you’re still here?”

As Xander turned around, the dark fury in Michael’s eyes vanished instantly. He bowed respectfully and said, “I, your humble servant, take my leave.”

Michael reluctantly stepped out of the pavilion, his heart twisted into a painful knot of resentment.

“Xander Xander!” Michael seethed inwardly, his mind burning with resentment.

“One day, when I finally hold the reins of power, I’ll make Xander pay!” Michael vowed to himself.

Suddenly, a voice called out, “My lord,” reaching Michael’s ears.

Michael watched as Willow limped toward him, his eyes flashing with undisguised impatience.

Willow’s arrival instantly drew a sea of disapproving gazes.

Someone in the crowd murmured, “That’s the Marquis of Somers’ wife? Why’s she limping like that?”

“I heard she even missed the auspicious hour on her wedding day. She’s practically an ill omen. Do you think the plague has something to do with her?”

“Shh! Do you have a death wish?”

The whispers faded, but their smirks remained, each one dripping with malice.

Michael felt his face burn with humiliation. As Willow approached, he snapped, his voice edged with displeasure, “What are you running around for? Go back at once.”

Michael’s disdainful look intently scrutinized her.

Her heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

Willow’s eyes welled up with tears as she implored, “My lord, I’m here to help you.”

Nona brought the finished face masks to Michael, ostensibly speaking up for Willow, but in truth, she was harboring her own motives.

Nona had discreetly perfumed her sleeves beforehand. Holding out the masks to Michael with affected concern, she said, “Lord Osborne, these masks made by Lady Willow can prevent plague infection. She was so worried you might catch it that she dragged her injured body here to deliver them personally.”

The perfume scent drifted into Michael’s nose, and he turned his head ever so slightly in distaste.

Michael knew women often scented their clothes. Though he disliked it, he restrained himself and didn’t let it show to Nona.

Michael turned his attention to the masks. “You’re saying these can prevent plague infection?” he asked skeptically.

“Yes, Lord Osborne,” said Nona.

“Yes, my lord,” Willow interjected softly.

Nona and Willow spoke simultaneously, but Nona abruptly cut herself off mid-sentence.

Willow shot Nona a warning glance, and Nona, wisely taking the hint, promptly retreated behind her.

Willow held up the mask for Michael to see and explained earnestly, “The plague’s spreading so quickly because it’s transmitted between people. If everyone wears a mask, we can contain the infection. With fewer new cases, wouldn’t it be much easier to treat the sick?”

Michael’s eyes lit up slightly as he picked up the mask and tried it on, but he didn’t feel any immediate difference.

“My lord, with the plague raging like this, why not let them try these masks? What if they work wonders!” Willow urged gently.

Michael’s brow furrowed slightly. He thought, Willow has always been different, even when she was a child.

Both gunpowder and glassmaking are her inventions.

Maybe these masks could actually work wonders!

Michael nodded in agreement. “Have these masks distributed to everyone and ensure they all wear them.”

Willow let out a relieved breath. “My lord, I promised I’d help you, and I always keep my promises.”

The confidence in Willow’s eyes left Michael momentarily transfixed. It reminded him of how Athena used to look at him with that same adoring gaze.

But in the end, he had let her slip away.

To convince everyone, Willow personally distributed the masks.

Nona spared no effort, calling out, “Masks stop germs! Everyone, put them on to stay safe from infection. Hurry, put them on!”

“These masks are personally made by Lady Willow herself. Just wear one and you’ll be completely safe from the plague.”

“These masks work wonders! You don’t even need medicine. They can cure illnesses on their own. A celestial sage appeared in Lady Willow’s dream and revealed the secret to her.”

In just half an hour, the masks had taken on an almost mythical aura.

What began as a simple measure to prevent the spread of the virus quickly turned into a miraculous gift from the heavens.

Of course, Willow was suddenly thrust into the center of attention, with nearly everyone hailing her.

It was unclear whether someone was spreading malicious rumors or deliberately slandering someone.

Some people even started gossiping that Athena was treating common people to make herself look good.

After all, Athena used to have a notorious reputation.