Chapter 266

Lizzie’s expression gradually darkened. She had to admit, she desired Ferris. But he always caved--the cold shoulder, which greatly irked her. Other noblemen were trying to please her. Yet Ferris only had eyes for Athena, following her wound like a lovesick puppy day after day.

Lizzie thought bitterly, ‘What’s so special about that immature wench?’ Just thinking of Athena made Lizzie seethe with rage.

“Come on, let’s head to Freeze Pavilion and indulge ourselves a little,” Lizzie said with a smirk. Ever since Xander had her toy boys executed, Lizzie hadn’t had a man by her side for ages. Now that the King had arranged a marriage for her, she decided to make the most of her last few days of freedom.

Meanwhile, at the McGee residence, Ferris had been sitting motionless for half an hour, clutching the imperial edict that had seemingly dropped into his lap like a statue carved from stone. His eyes were utterly blank, with only a faint, mocking smile playing at the corners of his lips. It was unclear whether he was mocking himself or others.

Loretta entered from outside. Seeing Ferris like this, her heart ached for him, and she hurried over. “Ferris,” Loretta said softly, “I know you’re hurting. If you need to cry, just let it out.”

Ever since Ferris and Athena parted ways, he had become like a hollow shell of his former self. His eyes held neither love nor hatred. It was as if the world around him had faded into insignificance. Loretta knew the pain Ferris was carrying inside. Watching her son in such a state tore at her own heart. But she couldn’t let her tears fall in front of Ferris; he was already going through so much, how could she possibly add to his worries?

“Mother, I’m fine,” Ferris looked up at Loretta with a faint, practiced smile. “It’s time for me to settle down--this is a good thing.” He placed the imperial edict before the ancestral altar and solemnly lit the incense and candles.

Loretta said anxiously, “But Princess Lizzie is so capricious and impossible to deal with. What’s more, she even keeps toy boys. If you marry her, wouldn’t…” Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought. With Lizzie’s capricious nature, how could she ever settle down and be a proper wife? Ferris would surely become the laughingstock of the entire court. Loretta felt sorry for her son.

Ferris, however, said with feigned nonchalance, “Any bride would do.” He greatly helped Loretta sit down and said, “Mother, haven’t you always wanted to return to your old home?”

“You–you’re actually sending me away?” Loretta gasped in shock, her eyes widening in alarm at the sudden announcement.

Ferris remained calm and gave her a reassuring smile. “Mother, you’re overthinking it. I’m just worried about what befalls the estate here in Providence City while Nimbial’s affairs are in your hands. Why don’t you go back and stay for six months to a year?”

“Ferris, you mustn’t do anything reckless,” Loretta said anxiously. “You’re my only son left in this world.”

Ferris gently patted Loretta’s hand and said softly, “Don’t worry, Mother. I still need to take care of you in your old age--I won’t do anything reckless.”

Loretta asked anxiously, “What about the wedding arrangements?”

Ferris reassured her. “Don’t worry, Mother. Since it’s an imperial marriage, the Royal Household Department will handle everything.”

Loretta gazed at Ferris uneasily, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice trembled with reluctance as she said, “How could I possibly leave you alone in Providence City, son?”

At this, Loretta clutched Ferris’s hands desperately and pleaded, her voice trembling with urgency, “My dear son, let’s flee! Let’s escape to the north--just the two of us, to live where no one knows us, shall we?”

Ferris said quietly. “Mother, vast as this world is, all of it belongs to the King. Where could we possibly flee?”

Ferris’s eyes glinted with an ambition Loretta couldn’t quite fathom. He said firmly, “Mother, go back to Nimbul and wait for me. I’ll come for you, all right?”

Loretta still wanted to say more. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Ferris was plotting something monumental. Otherwise, why would he insist on sending me back to Nimbul? she wondered. Though worry gnawed at her, Loretta refused to be a burden to him. She thought her son wasn’t meant to be trampled underfoot, and he deserved to live boldly and freely.

Loretta nodded resolutely, her voice gentle but firm. “Alright, Ferris, I’ll return to Nimbul.”

“Alright.” Ferris gently embraced his mother, wanting to relive the feeling of being held by her as a child. As a child, just being in his Mom’s arms would make all his fears disappear. He always felt so safe and secure. But now, as she held him again, Ferris was surprised to realize that something had changed. Loretta’s frame seemed smaller and more delicate than before, no longer giving him the same sense of reassurance.

Ferris fell silent for a moment before it dawned on him that it was not that his Mom had grown smaller--it was that he had grown up. Ferris believed that a man must do what was expected of him.

Now that she had decided to leave, Loretta wasted no time and immediately instructed her attendants to begin packing her things.

Ferris gazed at the now-empty residence, took a deep breath, and stepped out. Now that spring had arrived, the wind was no longer as fierce as it had been in winter, yet when it brushed against one’s face, it still felt rather harsh.

Chapter 266

Ferris approached the entrance to Saint Jero Clinic when before he could speak...

“What’s all the commotion about?” he asked, motioning to his attendant.

The attendant went to ask around and quickly returned. Ferris nodded. “And her? Is she happy?” This “her” naturally referred to Athena.

His trusted aide lowered his gaze and replied cautiously, “The Viscountess has contained the epidemic. Her contributions are immense, and the people are deeply grateful. She seems quite content.”

“As long as she’s happy,” Ferris said to himself, but the words left a bitter aftertaste in his heart. Athena was clearly thriving, so why did his chest feel so unbearably tight? It was as if a piece of his heart had been carved away, leaving only a hollow ache.

Ferris reached up to touch his chest, the weight of it making him deeply uncomfortable. He’d thought he could walk away without a second glance, but when the imperial edict arrived, he realized he simply couldn’t let go.

A bitter lump rose in Ferris’s throat--how could he possibly let go? Athena was the love of his life. Her voice must surely be among the joyous laughter and chatter spilling from inside, yet Ferris couldn’t pick out which one was Athena’s.

Ferris took another two steps forward, desperate for just one more glimpse of Athena. Just then, a figure suddenly appeared before Ferris. Their eyes met--both Ferris and Athena froze in shock.

Athena hadn’t expected to run into Ferris when she just stepped out for some fresh air. Her eyes lit up with joy as she exclaimed, “Ferris, is that really you?”

“…I was just taking a stroll,” he stammered. But Ferris recoiled as if confronted by some monstrous apparition, instinctively taking a few steps back.

Athena glanced behind Ferris--only a single attendant followed him. Besides, even by carriage, the trip from the McGee residence to Saint Jero Clinic would take at least half an hour. Was he really just out for a stroll? she wondered.

“Ferris,” Athena said softly, gazing at him steadily. “We could still be friends after all this, can’t we?”

“Friends?” Ferris repeated the word slowly, a bitter smile playing on his lips. He didn’t answer Athena, merely gazing at her, his eyes brimming with sorrow. Ever since he became Arthur’s shadow, his life hadn’t been his own. A well-balanced sword was cherished by its master, but when the blade grew dull, the master would break it without hesitation.

Chapter 266

Ferris couldn’t bear to let Athena know...

Ferris gave Athena a bittersweet smile. “Athena, take care of yourself from now on, okay?”

With that, he took a few steps back and turned to leave. Bewildered, Athena hurried after him and called out, “Ferris, wait!” Athena reached for Ferris’s sleeve, but someone violently yanked him back and shoved her aside.