Chapter 33
Trina cast a worried glance at Athena, but when she saw that Athena’s expression was calm, unaffected by the rumors swirling around them, a sense of admiration grew within her.
Suddenly, the noise around them quieted. People froze, and nearly every gaze in the room was drawn to the tall figure at the front.
He wore a purple robe, his handsome face as cold and distant as ever, which only served to accentuate his noble, aloof presence. Compared to the confident young man he once was, he now exuded a steady composure that was even more captivating.
Athena felt momentarily lost in thought. She remembered how, when she first arrived in Pidence City, she knew nothing. She was ridiculed and tried, knocked to the ground, and trampled by horses. It was Michael who had come to her rescue.
She could still clearly recall the moment Michael, sitting tall on his horse, had leaned down and extended his hand to her with the elegance of a gentle breeze and a bright moon. “Crying again?”
The young man had been full of youthful energy, his voice tinged with playful indifference. But his hand, long and graceful, was oddly tender.
Before Athena could react, he had pulled her onto his horse, his arm wrapping around her waist as he pulled her close.
With curious eyes, he had looked at her and asked, “You’re the one the duke’s estate just brought back!”
Athena had been afraid, yet curious. She had met his gaze with equal curiosity and nodded.
At that moment, Michael had thought, ‘This little girl isn’t afraid of me!’
Staring into Athena’s bright, unguarded eyes, even the fearless young man had felt a flutter of nervousness. His heart had skipped a beat.
What he hadn’t known then was that, in that very moment, he had become like a blinding light—strong, dazzling, and illuminating Athena’s world.
It was the age of first love, and Athena’s heart had raced. For five years, she had loved him.
But sadly, that light had illuminated others as well. He had never truly belonged to her.
She forcibly suppressed the ache rising in her chest and gave Michael a faint smile. “It’s good to see you, Lord Osborne.”
Michael’s brows furrowed. He had clearly seen the affection in her eyes just moments ago, but now it was gone, replaced by an indifferent coldness.
He stepped forward, wanting to ask what had changed, but his eyes inadvertently landed on the gold hairpin in her hair. His face immediately darkened.
“Who told you to wear that?” His voice, sharp with anger, came out of nowhere.
His outburst, especially in such a public setting, seemed out of place. Athena didn’t want to argue in front of everyone, so she replied coolly, “Lord Osborne, you’re being a bit too meddlesome. Your fiancée is right over there—don’t get confused.”
Her words were clear and direct, drawing a sharp line between them.
A few steps away, beneath a pavilion, Willow’s eyes were red, staring at Michael with a look of longing that bordered on pitiful.
Eloise stood beside her, speaking softly to her.
Nicolas, having overheard, immediately walked toward Michael.
In front of everyone’s surprised gaze, he grabbed Michael by the sleeve and, in a low voice, said, “The party hasn’t even started, and you’re already drunk? What are you babbling about? Come with me.”
But Michael didn’t budge.
Nicolas shot a cold look at Athena before saying firmly, “Michael! Are you trying to ruin Willow’s birthday? What are you doing, making Athena uncomfortable in front of all these people? Don’t forget, you’re her fiancé.”
The birthday party for Willow was also an opportunity for Eloise to subtly announce the impending union of the Monson and Osborne families.
The news had already spread, and everyone was aware it was just a matter of time before the two families made their official announcement.
If Michael continued to be involved with Athena, no one would mock him for wanting everything; instead, they would criticize Willow for not being able to hold on to a man’s heart.
They might even bring up old gossip, turning it into a joke about how Willow had stolen Athena’s fiancé.
Nicolas would never allow Willow to be caught in such a scandal.
Michael overheard the whispers around him. He instinctively looked at Athena’s calm face, her eyes betraying no emotion—she seemed to have grown used to this kind of attention.
He reached up as though to adjust her hairpin, trying to ease the tension. But then he heard Willow’s soft sobs—gentle and full of vulnerability. He stopped mid-motion, his hand faltering. He withdrew it, and with a resigned glance at Nicolas, followed him away.
Though he sat at the men’s table, his gaze kept drifting back to Athena, as though unresolved feelings lingered.
Athena couldn’t help but find it laughable. She thought, “Now, I am not even allowed the right to wear a gold hairpin? Is everything supposed to be given to Willow before anyone can be satisfied?”
Ignoring the lingering gaze from Michael, Athena made her way toward Eloise.
The moment Willow saw her approach, she shrank back behind Eloise, adopting the pose of a frightened, timid girl; it only made the onlookers’ eyes on Athena sharper, filled with a subtle hostility.
Everyone knew Willow was adopted.
Although the incident with the poisoned wine had been well-hidden, no secret stays hidden forever.
People were aware of the truth, though they pretended otherwise—polite on the surface, but secretly scornful. Some even refused to feign ignorance and avoided Athena whenever they could.
But Athena didn’t care about their whispers. If she had let such gossip bother her, she would have been dead a hundred times over by now.
She approached one of the noblewomen and curtsied slightly. “Lady Kelsey.”
Kelsey, Michael’s mother, was in her forties but looked no older than thirty, thanks to her careful grooming.
With a gentle smile, she raised her hand slightly. “Good girl, please rise.”
Kelsey then exchanged a brief glance with Eloise.
Eloise turned to the crowd. “Everyone, please follow me to the pavilion. We have cool refreshments there to help you beat the heat.”
It was clear she was creating an opportunity for Athena and Kelsey to speak privately.
Once the crowd had dispersed, Kelsey looked at Athena kindly. “Though your marriage to my son didn’t work out, we are still family. Our relationship will only grow closer from here on.”
Kelsey didn’t mince words. She went straight to the point. “The marriage between you and Michael has been discussed between our families. For the sake of preserving your dignity, I believe annulling the engagement is the best option. If that’s the case, then the jewel pendant…”
Kelsey looked at Athena expectantly, her intentions clear.
However, Athena only smiled faintly. “I don’t agree with annulling the engagement.”
Kelsey’s smile remained, but it quickly faded, her expression cooling.
She seemed to have not fully understood Athena’s response and asked again, “What did you say?”
“I said, I don’t agree with annulling the engagement,” Athena repeated, still smiling, but with no warmth in her expression.
Kelsey studied Athena’s face more carefully. As she realized she wasn’t joking, her smile vanished completely. She slowly leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes fixed on Athena.
Yet, her voice remained gentle as she said, “I thought Eloise had explained things clearly to you. It seems you still haven’t recognized your position.”
Athena’s reputation was ruined, and within the Monson family, she was little more than a discarded pawn. Kelsey had only been willing to speak with Athena out of respect for the long-standing relationship between the two families.
She had expected to negotiate the return of the jewel pendant smoothly, but to her surprise, Athena had refused. She thought, “What right does she have to say no?”