Chapter 320
News of Margaret’s passing made its way to the duke’s estate.
Henry gasped, his face paling. “Mother has passed away? When did this happen?”
The servant replied cautiously, “It was this afternoon, Your Grace.”
Nicolas sat to the side, his face etched with sorrow. “Grandmother was in perfect health just yesterday. How could she pass away so suddenly?”
“The Viscountess’s residence is heavily guarded by troops from the Xander Manor, denying access to anyone from the duke’s estate,” the servant replied hesitantly. “I know no further details.”
Henry and Nicolas exchanged glances, each seeing utter disbelief mirrored in the other’s eyes.
After a long pause, Nicolas let out a controlled breath. “The fact that they concealed Grandmother’s passing is bad enough, but forbidding anyone from the duke’s estate to attend the funeral is utterly outrageous!”
Henry said, “Who knows what kind of spell Athena has cast on Prince Xander to make him go to such lengths to protect her?”
Both were seething with resentment, yet they had no choice but to grit their teeth and endure it.
Henry paused, then motioned to Nicolas. “Is everything squared away at the prison?”
Eloise knew too many of his secrets. He had no choice but to get her out first. Then he’d decide what to do next.
Nicolas gave a nod. “Rest assured, Father. Everything is under control. With Matthew and Joseph in our custody, Mother won’t dare say anything reckless.”
Upon hearing this, Henry cast a glance at Nicolas with a hint of fear, then lowered his eyelids, veiling the emotions in his eyes.
Surprisingly, there was a trace of helplessness and regret in his eyes.
Noticing Henry’s silence, Nicolas warned in a low, firm voice, “Father, you mustn’t back down now, or you’ll jeopardize our grand scheme.”
Henry exhaled slowly and nodded. “The die is cast. Having come this far, there’s no retreat for me now.”
He clenched his fists in secret, his voice hardening with a dangerous edge. “They forced my hand. Had they not turned a blind eye to me all those years ago, I wouldn’t have ended up like this. I’m not the one at fault. They are!”
“Good that you understand, Father,” Nicolas said with a knowing smile. “I’ll go make the preparations then.”
Henry nodded weakly. “Go.”
He said wearily, “No matter what, she was still my mother. As her son, I have to pay my last respects, even if it’s just for appearances' sake. Everyone must know the duke’s estate did not abandon my Mother. It’s the Viscountess who wants to keep us from approaching.”
Nicolas said, “The bigger a scene we make, the smoother things will go for me at the prison.”
Henry gave a stiff nod, then rose and returned to his quarters to change into mourning robes.
Nicolas joined him, both clad in identical mourning robes.
Even Fiona and Cedric were forced into mourning robes and made to follow along.
Fiona looked utterly impatient, but when Nicolas scooped up Cedric, she had no choice but to tag along.
Margaret was widely revered. As news of her passing spread, mourners came in an endless stream to pay their respects.
The moment people from the duke’s estate contingent appeared, they drew the sharp attention of the guards.
The guards barred their way at the entrance, their voices icy and unyielding. “By order of the Viscountess and Prince Xander, none from the duke’s estate shall pass.”
Henry’s face was twisted with grief, his voice thick with sobs as he cried out, “Is there no justice left in this world? My mother has passed, yet I'm barred from even entering to see her one last time."
“What possible reason could there be to keep us out! Could it be that there was foul play in my mother’s death?”
Nicolas sobbed while collapsing to his knees and dissolving into a weeping mess, “Grandmother, your grandson is here to bid you farewell!”
He pounded the ground repeatedly with his fists, his voice thick with feigned piety. “I’m a useless grandson, can’t even bid Grandmother a final farewell. Athena, even if there are the deepest grudges between us, how can you deny me the right to see her one last time?"
“She doted on me since I was a child. If I can’t even bid her a final farewell, how can I ever face our family?”
Henry also knelt on the ground, wailing dramatically. “Athena, please let me go in and see Mother!”
While Henry and Nicolas were sobbing uncontrollably, Fiona stood by with a numb expression and a mocking glint in her eyes.
Fiona scoffed inwardly, “Where were you when Margaret was alive! Only now that Margaret is gone do they remember her. How laughable!”
Unaware of what was happening inside the duke’s estate, outsiders only saw Henry and Nicolas kneeling outside, weeping and pleading. It was a pitiful sight that naturally drew their sympathy.
Some people knew the truth behind Athena’s feud with the duke’s estate.
Most onlookers were split, some were there for the drama, others out of sympathy.
The commotion outside reached Athena’s ears. She paused in her actions and asked in surprise, “Willow actually didn’t show up!”
With such a dramatic scene unfolding, how could Willow possibly stay away? Athena thought sarcastically.
Just as Athena was still wondering, Trina hurried over and whispered in her ear, “The Osborne family is here. The Marquis of Somers and Marchioness of Somers have come to pay their respects.”
Understanding dawned on Athena’s face. She thought, “I knew that Willow wouldn’t miss this. She simply wouldn’t dare appear as a member of the duke’s estate. Instead, she arrived as Marchioness of Somers.”
“Clearly, she is afraid of being turned away, which is why she came as Marchioness of Somers.”
Athena had no choice but to show respect for the Osborne family. However, she would not give Willow any special treatment.
Athena instructed Trina, “Tell Michael he may enter, but Willow is not allowed.”
Trina gave a quick nod and hurried out to deliver the message.
Not long after, Michael followed Trina into the hall.
Michael’s eyes welled up when he saw them in mourning, keeping vigil by Margaret's coffin.
He stepped forward, bowed deeply in respect, then lit three sticks of incense for Margaret.
Michael wanted to say something to Athena, but seeing her tear-reddened eyes, he found himself at a loss for words.
He thought, “Margaret was the only family Athena had left. Now that she is gone, how could Athena possibly bear it?”
Michael hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, “Athena, my deepest condolences.”
Athena gave a gentle nod in return. “Thank you.”
He was here to pay his respects to Margaret. Athena wasn’t about to pick a fight with him since he approached respectfully.
Michael swallowed hard and asked again, “If there’s anything I can do, just say the word. My family will not stand idly by. After all, Margaret assisted us with great kindness. Out of both gratitude and duty, it’s only right that I pay my last respects to her.”
Athena said, “Grandmother always preferred tranquility. I’ve already chosen a great resting place for her on Mount Breen. If you sincerely wish to come and pay your respects, it would surely bring her joy.”
Athena spoke in a measured tone, but Michael was overjoyed that she had actually agreed to let him attend Margaret’s funeral.
Michael had braced himself for Athena’s harsh words, but to his surprise, things turned out otherwise.
Michael gazed gratefully at Athena. “I’ll keep vigil here for the next few days. If there’s anything you need, just say the word.”
Athena gave a slight nod, and Michael withdrew respectfully.
After Lord Osborne left, Trina, still puzzled, asked, “Lady Athena, why did you let him keep vigil for Lady Margaret?”
Athena tossed a sheet of paper into the brazier.
The fire illuminated her face, exposing the murderous intent blazing in her eyes.
Athena gritted her teeth and hissed, “If I don’t let Michael stay, how else am I supposed to lure Willow out of the city?”