Chapter 281

With that, all eyes in the hall turned to Athena.

Some gleamed with malicious glee, others wore puzzled frowns, while a few showed genuine concern.

Seeing Athena remain silent, Alexandra urged her, “Go on, speak freely. Don’t hold back.”

Athena rose gracefully and curtsied respectfully to Alexandra. In a calm, even tone, she replied, “To answer Your Highness, Princess Lizzie and I merely exchanged a few pleasantries. There was no conflict between us.”

Hearing this, Kendra’s eyes darted to Athena, her face full of shock.

Kendra had expected Athena to play the fool, or worse, hide behind Xander’s influence and run to Alexandra with complaints about Lizzie. That would have been the perfect setup: Lizzie’s anger would only deepen, and Alexandra would have every reason to scold her.

After all, Lizzie was a princess. For Xander’s fiancée to pick a fight with her future sister-in-law before even marrying in would’ve been downright disgraceful. But to Kendra’s surprise, Athena handled it with poise. She defused the tension with deliberate grace, leaving Alexandra no room to strike.

Xander gazed at Athena with undisguised admiration in his eyes. “What an astute woman,” he thought.

He then turned to Alexandra with a gentle smile. “Mother, today is your special occasion. Why let petty squabbles trouble you? You should be fully enjoying your birthday party.”

Alexandra felt a surge of frustration stuck in her chest, unable to rise or fall.

She thought she could put Athena in her place and rein in her arrogance, but she hadn’t expected her to be so cunning.

Alexandra had no choice but to soften her expression before the assembled guests. “If that’s the case,” she announced with forced composure, “then it seems someone has misreported the situation.”

She gestured for Athena to sit before turning to Xander. “Kendra has just finished her three years of mourning and returned recently. She looked so pitiful that I thought she should stay here for a few days. Rosewood Pavilion is empty, let her have it.”

Rosewood Pavilion was conveniently close to Xander’s Ink Garden, separated by only a single wall.

By arranging for Kendra to stay there, Alexandra’s intentions were crystal clear to everyone present.

And by making this announcement before the assembled guests, she left Xander with no polite way to refuse, thus forcing public compliance.

Xander was well aware of Alexandra’s intentions. Playing along to maintain her dignity, he conceded smoothly, “As you see fit, Mother.”

Glances were exchanged among the noble ladies and young misses, each with her own silent judgment:

“What a cruel move,” they thought, “shoving another woman at Prince Xander like that, and in front of Lady Athena, no less. It’s as good as slapping her in public.”

In that moment, more than a few guests looked at Athena with newfound sympathy.

Athena was, of course, well aware of the stares. But as this was an internal matter of the Xander Manor, it would be improper for her to interfere.

So, she simply feigned ignorance, keeping her eyes demurely lowered as she quietly sipped her tea.

Seeing Athena sitting there in silence, Alexandra felt immensely pleased. At last, I’ve gained the upper hand, she thought triumphantly.

Alexandra found it puzzling. With Xander’s temperament, even if he meant to agree, he would never have done it so easily.

“What’s gotten into him today? Why give in so easily?” she wondered.

With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Alexandra lost all interest in the party.

After what felt like an eternity, the last guest finally departed. Alexandra immediately summoned Nelson and demanded, “Where is Prince Xander?”

Nelson lowered his head and replied calmly, “Your Grace, Prince Xander’s old illness has resurfaced. He is currently in Miss Manson’s company and will be receiving treatment elsewhere for the time being.”

“What?” Alexandra’s face instantly paled with fury as she nearly shot to her feet. “How could his old sickness flare up out of the blue?”

Nelson remained silent, keeping his head respectfully bowed.

Knowing Nelson was loyal to Xander and that pressing him would be pointless, Alexandra waved him away irritably.

Once outside Alexandra’s courtyard, Nelson straightened his posture completely, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “Let’s go find His Highness.”

Then, a few moments later, Kendra emerged from behind the screen, tears streaking her face.

With eyes swollen and bloodshot, she looked utterly stricken. “Please, Your Highness, just leave it be. Don’t give Prince Xander a hard time.”

She dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief, her delicate sobs painting a picture of vulnerable beauty.

Alexandra lovingly patted the back of her hand and declared, “As long as I’m here, the position of Mrs. Cavendish will be yours and yours alone.”

Kendra whimpered, “But Prince Xander doesn’t care for me at all. Why should I keep humiliating myself like this?”

Alexandra reassured Kendra, “Who says he doesn’t care for you? He’s merely been bewitched by that woman. Just stay put and don’t dwell on it.”

Only after much coaxing from Alexandra did Kendra finally, albeit reluctantly, agree to stay.

Xander was slipping from her grasp, sending Alexandra into a fury.

“He cannot be allowed to bring that woman into the Xander Manor,” she fumed to herself. “If he does, how will I ever accomplish my grand designs?”

Right now, Winona, the Queen, was the only one who might sway the King, but she and Alexandra had long been on unfriendly terms.

Back when they were both imperial consorts, they had fiercely competed for the title of queen.

Alexandra had held the Emperor’s favor, and in Winona’s eyes, she was a thorn in the court.

Now, they were like fire and water, sworn enemies whose hatred only flared hotter each time they crossed paths.

The idea of Winona lifting a finger to help her was absurd. That would happen only when hell froze over.

With a weary sigh, Alexandra sank into her rosewood armchair, her temples pulsing with pain.

Were it not for Winona’s powerful kin, Arthur would never have claimed the crown. Xander was more gifted in every way. He was never meant to endure another man’s shadow.

Alexandra paused for a moment, then commanded, “Send word to Grand Tutor Porter and have him come see me immediately.” She had resolved to consult with Isaac about this matter.

Meanwhile, talk of Alexandra’s lavish birthday celebration still rippled through the Pidence City.

It was not long before every detail of the event echoed throughout the capital.

But what stunned society most was how openly Xander defended Athena, a gesture that left the aristocracy in collective disbelief.

Within the royal palace, Arthur sat in quiet thought, his eyes resting on the pale green buds forming on the trees outside his window.

Thanatus stepped forward, presenting a cup of coffee. “Your Majesty,” he said softly, “please have some tea.”

Arthur snapped out of his reverie, sipped the coffee lightly, then set it back down with deliberate precision.

“Tell me, what do you think Xander is up to?” he asked.

Thanatus understood what Arthur was getting at. He was undoubtedly contemplating the matter of Xander and Athena.

When Xander had previously come to the palace, he used his military accomplishments to request a marriage decree.

Arthur, thinking it a momentary impulse, gave a verbal agreement but deliberately withheld the official decree.

Now, after hearing what took place at Alexandra’s birthday celebration, his thoughts on the matter were beginning to shift.

It was clear now: Xander was genuinely fond of that woman.

Thanatus offered a respectful smile. “Since this matter concerns Prince Xander, I wouldn’t presume to speak too freely.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow and gave him a pointed look. “Is that so? You’ve presumed plenty before. If I truly minded, you’d have lost your head ages ago.

Life has always been in Your Majesty’s hands. I remain ever grateful for your grace,” Thanatus replied calmly.

The King had no patience for his flattery and shot him a sidelong glance. “Out with it.”

Thanatus inclined his head. “It may be that Prince Xander wishes to avoid undue scrutiny more than anything else. With his rank, he could have nearly any noble lady he pleased.

His favor toward the Viscountess might be a matter of timing.

“But now that his mother is pushing for an alliance with the Porters… well, that’s not something I dare to judge.”

“Hmph,” Arthur snorted coldly. “She’s like a dying centipede, still twitching. Ambitious as she is, they’ll never amount to anything otherwise. They wouldn’t still be just a Dowager Consort.”

Hearing this, Thanatus cautiously inquired, “And what about Prince Xander?”

“Let’s observe a while longer,” Arthur murmured, his brow furrowed with concern.

No king tolerates a rival power at his doorstep.

The Xander Manor’s influence had grown too powerful; it was only a matter of time before it threatened the throne. The time had come to rein them in.