Athena didn’t pay any attention to Eloise, instead focusing her gaze on Margaret. She was waiting for Margaret to speak.

Margaret looked into Athena’s unusually bright eyes and smiled gently. “Go on, I’ll have a chat with your mother.”

Willow tried to reach for Athena’s arm, but she quickly pulled away.

Athena bowed respectfully to Margaret before stepping forward and heading out.

“Athena, wait for me!” Willow called after her in a sweet, innocent voice, flashing a smile as she followed.

Once outside, Athena exchanged a look with Gwen, who nodded slightly and then entered the room.

Athena walked toward the garden and stopped in front of a small rockery. Willow, seeing the coldness in Athena’s eyes, froze and didn’t dare step closer.

“What are you planning now?” Athena asked, her voice sharp.

Willow’s face twisted in a look of injured innocence, her eyes filling with tears before she spoke, “Athena, why do you ask that?”

Her expression seemed to imply that Athena had said something harsh, as though she were the one being mistreated.

Athena couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh. She’d have to be mad to ask Willow such a question. Even if she knew the answer, she wouldn’t say it.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Athena turned away. “I’m heading back.”

“Athena, Mother said we should pick some fabric…” Willow’s voice trailed off, hesitant, as though lacking any real conviction.

Eloise’s request to pick fabric was nothing more than an excuse.

Willow knew this, but still called out to her. Athena turned to look at her, her eyes cold. “Do you still have something to say?”

“Athena, would you like to visit Nicolas and Matthew?” Willow bit her lip, struggling to get the words out. It took her a while, but she finally managed to speak.

She looked at Athena with hope in her eyes. “They’re badly injured. I’m sure they’d be so happy if you visited.”

Athena’s gaze was like ice as she looked back at her. Her words cut straight to the heart. “If you want to put on a show of siblings deeply affectionate, why bother involving me? Can’t you act without needing me as your backdrop!”

When they were young, Willow had been sweet and charming, the apple of her three brothers’ eyes. All she had to do was call out “Brother,” and they would rush to fulfill her every wish. Athena could only watch from the sidelines.

And at times, Willow would generously share a little of what she had, but it was always the leftovers, the things she didn’t want.

Everyone praised Willow for her generosity and kindness. Her three brothers constantly urged Athena to learn from her. To win their favor, Athena would always give whatever Willow wanted. But that was no longer the case.

Willow stared at Athena, her eyes wide in shock, and her tears welled up immediately. “Athena, I didn’t mean it like that. I really do think of you as my sister.”

But no matter how many tears Willow shed, they couldn’t soften Athena’s heart.

“Your tears mean nothing to me,” Athena said flatly before turning and walking away.

Willow stood there watching her retreat, hastily wiping the tears from her face, “Nona, come with me to see Nicolas and Matthew.”

When Athena returned to Snowdrop Wing, she found Aliza absentmindedly watering the plants. The water had spilled over the edge of the pot, but Aliza hadn’t noticed.

When she saw Athena return, Siena hurried over with a bright smile. “My lady, you’re back!”

Aliza quickly snapped out of her trance and came forward.

Athena noticed that Aliza had changed her hairstyle today and was wearing a new jeweled hairpin. Ever since Matthew was injured yesterday, Aliza had seemed distracted and uneasy.

Athena couldn’t help but smile inwardly. She turned to Aliza and said, “My handkerchief is missing from the garden. Could you go and find it for me?”

Aliza’s eyes immediately lit up. She curtsied respectfully and said, “Of course, my lady. I’ll go search for it right away!” With that, she hurried off.

Once Aliza was gone, Siena hesitated for a moment before speaking up. “My lady, there’s something odd about Aliza lately.”

Athena paused, her hand lingering on her teacup. Her long lashes fluttered as she asked in a calm voice, “What do you mean?”

“She’s been acting strange–putting on makeup and powder, but she’s distracted when working. She wasn’t like this before,” Siena said, with a hint of disapproval in her tone.

She’d been silently bothered by Aliza’s behavior for some time.

Aliza, who had always relied on being a house-born servant, had started acting like she was superior, as if she thought herself above the others.

Normally, Aliza would give Siena orders with an air of authority. In the past, Siena had always been too timid to challenge her, but ever since Athena had praised her, Siena’s confidence had grown.

She thought, if others can do it, why can’t I? Why should Aliza be allowed to be a concubine, but not me?”

Athena remained calm, her expression unchanged, and she gently advised Siena, “She’s a house-born servant, and Lady Eloise intends to keep her here. There’s no need to stir things up.”

Siena looked at Athena, surprised. She couldn’t believe that Athena wasn’t only ignoring it but was actually condoning Aliza’s actions.

Before she could fully digest this, Athena’s voice broke the silence, cool and detached “People strive to rise. What’s wrong with trying to secure a future for yourself!”

Siena’s eyes flickered, a thought crossing her mind. She thought, ‘If Aliza can be a concubine, why can’t I? She’s no more beautiful than me.”

“My lady, I’ll go check if the soup is ready,” she said, as if suddenly coming to a decision.

Athena waved her off. “Go ahead.”

Once Siena had left, she made her way toward the kitchen but quickly veered off to follow Aliza.

In Ivory Grove, Matthew lay in bed, his head wrapped in bandages, his face pale. Yet his eyes were wide open, simmering with barely contained anger.

Sitting beside him, Willow dabbed at her eyes, her soft sobs filling the room.

“She really is heartless,” Matthew muttered. “I’m lying here, wounded, and she doesn’t even have the decency to come check on me. What kind of cold-hearted person does that?”

But as soon as he saw Willow’s pitiable state, his voice softened. “Tomorrow is your birthday. I’ve already prepared a gift for you.” With that, he propped himself up on his elbows and called out, “Andy, bring me the gift I prepared for Lady Willow.”

Willow quickly wiped her eyes, looking at him with excitement. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, “What did you bring?”

A moment later, a servant entered with a small box. Matthew gestured toward Willow. “Give it to Willow.”

Nona handed the box to Willow.

With a gleam of innocent joy on her face, Willow eagerly opened it, only to find…a stone.

Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure, gasping in fake surprise. “Wow, Matthew, what a beautiful stone!”

The stone shimmered with light, displaying a rainbow of colors, resembling a heart shaped crystal. But in reality, it was just a plain piece of crystal, with no real value.

Matthew, oblivious to the finer details, was completely unaware of what mattered to a young woman.

He had found the crystal during one of his travels.

It had caught his eye because it sparkled so brightly in the sunlight, so he thought it might make a nice gift for Willow. He had no idea it was far from what she would have expected.

“If you like it, that’s all that matters,” he said with a relieved sigh. “I was worried you wouldn’t like it.”

Willow looked at him with admiration. “How could I not like it? As long as it’s from you, I love it.”

Matthew let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. But as he watched her, his thoughts drifted to the past.

When they were children, everyone compared him to Nicolas. Their parents constantly told him to study harder, but it was never enough.

Only Willow had never judged him. She had always told him to live for himself, to enjoy life because it was short.

Now, looking at Willow–so sweet and innocent–he couldn’t help but think of Athena. She had once been as charming as Willow. But he wondered, “How has everything changed so drastically?” He hardly recognized her now.

When Athena had grabbed his throat with such force, he had seen pure hatred in her eyes.

What puzzled him further was that, despite her smaller frame, he couldn’t overpower her. He had been paralyzed, unable to move, when she had done it. It didn’t make any sense.

“Matthew…” Willow’s soft voice pulled him back to reality. She was watching him intently.

He smiled faintly. “What did you say?”

Willow’s eyes briefly darkened with disappointment, her eyes widening once again. “Have you grown tired of me? Is that why you’re ignoring me…”

She looked at him with such vulnerability that he quickly shook his head. “Of course not, you’re my sister. I could never be bothered by you.”

“Then what are you thinking about?” she asked, her voice soft.

Matthew hesitated, his thoughts momentarily lost. He finally responded, “I was just thinking that you’ve grown up so fast. You’re at the age when you’ll soon be married.”

Willow’s face flushed, and she shyly murmured, “Matthew, are you teasing me?”

He chuckled softly. “I heard the Osborne family wants to replace Athena with you?”

Willow lowered her head, her fingers tightening around her handkerchief as she nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

As he noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor, Matthew’s gaze softened. “If that’s the case, why aren’t you happy?”