Eloise’s hand froze mid-air, the bowl of herbal medicine trembling slightly. Her smile faltered, but only for a heartbeat before she quickly recovered, the warmth returning to her face.

She looked at Athena with a gentle, motherly expression and reached out, trying to touch her cheek. But Athena leaned away, avoiding the gesture without hesitation.

Her hand hanging in the air, Eloise’s face stiffened. Her eyes quickly turned red. “Athena, you’re my daughter. Seeing you hurt breaks my heart, too. Matthew… well, you know his temper.”

“He’s all bark and no bite. He may come off harsh, but deep down, he really does care for you.”

Athena gave a cold, sarcastic laugh. “Is that what love looks like? Beating someone until they cough up blood? If that’s how he shows affection, maybe let Willow have it—see if she appreciates it.”

Eloise sniffed, clearly embarrassed. “Yes, he was wrong. He went too far. But can’t you let it go?”

“I already have.” Athena’s smile was faint and sharp as ice. “He’s irrelevant. Why would I waste time holding a grudge against someone who doesn’t matter?”

Eloise’s eyes welled up again. She stared at Athena, stunned—like she couldn’t believe how cold Athena had become.

The room fell into heavy silence. The only sound was Eloise’s quiet, trembling sobs.

Athena had no patience for theatrics. Her voice was calm but cutting. “Let’s not waste time, Lady Eloise. If you have something to say, just say it. No need to put on this act. If anyone walked in right now, they’d think I was the one bullying you.”

Eloise’s face tightened in discomfort. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “After all this time… you still won’t call me ‘Mother’?”

Athena turned her face away, unwilling to meet those pitiful, watery eyes. She thought, “What is the point of all this? Why can’t she just speak plainly instead of putting on this show of maternal love? Does she think I would fall for it?”

“Didn’t you already cast me aside three years ago?” Athena said flatly.

The words hit Eloise like a slap. She stood frozen, staring at Athena as tears fell silently down her cheeks. “So you really are still blaming me…”

“If there’s nothing else, I’d like to rest now,” Athena said, her voice steady but clearly weary.

Seeing the fatigue and indifference in Athena’s eyes, Eloise finally pulled herself together. She forced a tight smile and said softly, “Athena, I heard from the physician… you changed Margaret’s prescription?”

Athena thought, “Ah. So that’s what this is really about. She must’ve seen the new medicine and come to investigate. This isn’t concern—it is curiosity, maybe even opportunism. A mix of flattery and testing the waters.”

Athena instantly understood. Her expression stayed calm as she asked in return, “And why do you want to know?”

Eloise thought, “She hasn’t denied it—which is as good as admitting it.”

Eloise’s eyes lit up slightly. She reached out again, trying to hold Athena’s hand with forced affection. “Good girl… just tell Mother where you got the prescription. You never studied medicine—how did you manage to change it?”

The truth was, ever since Margaret had switched to the new medicine, her complexion and energy had noticeably improved.

Eloise hadn’t realized until later that it had been Athena who provided the prescription.

What Athena didn’t understand, though, was why Eloise suddenly cared so much.

Seeing Athena eyeing her with suspicion, Eloise finally relented and told the truth. “Since Prince Xander returned from the border, his illness has kept relapsing. If we could find someone capable of treating him, it would be a tremendous service.”

The court was in turmoil. Factions were forming. The duke’s estate had long supported the Crown Prince. If they could win over Prince Xander, it would be a powerful advantage.

Realization flickered in Athena’s eyes. “So it’s all about politics after all.”

She pulled her hand back from Eloise’s grip and gave her a faint smile, sharp and polite. “Then I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. The prescription came from an old maid at the military camp.”

“What…” Disappointment clouded Eloise’s eyes. She looked at Athena, crestfallen, and asked with growing urgency, “That old woman… where is she now then?”

Athena’s lips curved into a cold smirk. “She’s dead.”

“Dead…” Eloise’s gaze flickered with panic before she slumped back into her seat, like a beautiful dream had been snatched away just as she reached for it.

Athena looked at her calmly, fatigue creeping into her voice. “Is there anything else, Lady Eloise?”

Eloise forced a smile. “No… nothing. You rest.” Then she stood and left, looking dazed and hollow.

Athena didn’t give it much thought. She’d seen too many scenes like this to feel anything anymore. Numbness had long since become her default.

Once Eloise was gone, she drifted back to sleep.

After a full night’s rest, her injuries had eased considerably. She was still pale and looked a little weak, but much better than before.

The first thing she did was visit Margaret. Seeing Margaret looking lively and refreshed brought a wave of relief—clearly, the chaos in the household hadn’t reached her ears…

If Margaret’s health held steady, it was time for Athena to leave the duke’s estate. But she wondered, “How should I even begin to bring up cutting ties?”

She bit her lip, lost in thought.

“What is it, child? Something on your mind?” Margaret asked, catching the subtle change in Athena’s expression.

Athena blinked, then smiled and shook her head. “No, nothing at all.”

She lifted a spoonful of soup and held it to Margaret’s lips. “Here, Grandmother. Just a few more.”

Margaret gently waved it away. “That’s enough. Just seeing you every day lifts my spirits. My dear Athena, you’re the finest girl in the world. All I wish for you is to have a smooth, peaceful life from here on.”

The words made Athena’s eyes sting. As she looked at Margaret’s snow-white hair, the words she’d intended to say—about leaving, about severing ties—got stuck in her throat.

“Not now,” she thought. “Not yet.” She’d wait until Margaret was stronger, and then find the right moment.

As they chatted, Gwen stepped into the room. “Lady Margaret, Lady Eloise and Lady Willow are here.”

The moment those names were mentioned, Athena’s expression darkened.

Margaret gently patted her hand. “If you don’t want to see them, it’s fine. You can go rest. Let me deal with them.”

A flicker of amusement touched Athena’s lips. “It’s alright. I’ll just pretend they’re not even here. I’m here to take care of you, Grandmother.”

She was curious to see what tricks Eloise and Willow had up their sleeves this time.

Margaret chuckled, then turned to Gwen, “Let them in.”

Gwen gave a nod, and not long after, Eloise and Willow walked into the room.

Both wore warm, pleasant smiles—Eloise beaming, Willow sweet and demure.

But to Athena, their smiles looked nothing but fake.

Sure enough, after exchanging greetings and taking their seats, Eloise got to the point. “Willow’s birthday is coming up. I thought we could throw her a little celebration—something to liven up the household."

“You’ve always loved opera, haven’t you? We could invite a troupe to perform so you can enjoy a proper show.”

Margaret instinctively glanced at Athena, a flicker of irritation in her eyes.

Athena had just returned, and Eloise had shown no interest in her. She thought, "But for a foster daughter’s birthday, she is suddenly brimming with enthusiasm?"

Naturally, Margaret wasn’t pleased. Her tone cooled. “I’m too old for all that noise now. No need to invite a troupe.”

Eloise paused, clearly caught off guard by the rejection. She quickly noticed the displeasure in Margaret’s gaze.

Trying to smooth things over, she turned to Willow with a gentle smile. “It’s stuffy in here. Why don’t you two girls go for a walk?

“The estate just brought in a new batch of fabric—perfect for making dresses. Willow, why don’t you take Athena with you and help her pick something?”

Athena raised an eyebrow. She thought, “Trying to get rid of me already? What are you planning that I’m not supposed to hear?"