Chapter 346
Athena looked at Trevor and felt a tangle of indescribable emotions.
When she was little, he was the one she adored most. He would sneak her out of the mansion to ride horses and shoot arrows, climb trees for nests, and dive into rivers for fish.
That day, Kurtis nearly turned the whole capital upside down searching for her, frantic to the point of tears. When Trevor finally appeared, dragging a mud-covered Athena behind him, Kurtis was both shocked and furious. He seized a riding crop and charged. Startled, Boyong scurried up a tree. Kurtis paced below in fury, then ordered the tree cut down.
Trevor fell, and before he could even stand, Kurtis hauled him inside by the collar. Soon, muffled screams drifted out. Athena, trembling outside, sobbed and begged for mercy until her grandfather finally stopped.
When she entered, Trevor’s back was a mess of welts, yet he forced a nonchalant grin and cocked an eyebrow at her, “Doesn’t hurt. Not one bit.” Her face streaked with tears, she watched him pull a tiny bird from his robe and press it into her hands. “Take it home. Feed it grain and worms. It’ll live.”
The childhood memory surged up. Athena’s eyes welled up with tears. Trevor feared nothing in this world, except seeing Athena in tears.
“You… you’re still the same crybaby. Wipe your face. You look awful.” His words sounded gruff, but the corners of his eyes were damp.
Athena flung her arms around him and whispered, “Uncle Trevor.”
Trevor stiffened, then sighed and patted her back. “All right, no more tears. I’m back now. Everything’s fine.”
The onlookers were swept along by her emotion, many of them wiping their eyes. The procession blocked the city gate and was hindering traffic.
Unwilling to inconvenience the townsfolk, Kurtis said, “Let’s head home first and talk there.”
Athena nodded. “Grandpa, the general’s estate isn’t ready yet. Please come to the Duchess Manor and stay there for now.”
“Very well, I’ll do as you say.” A shabby roof never bothered Kurtis, yet he would not refuse his granddaughter’s kindness. Seeing the many clan members behind him, he turned and said to the second and third branches, “Go on to Blue Alley and get settled first.”
Out on the frontier, Kurtis had been everyone’s pillar, so they obeyed without question. The group set off again. Townspeople opened a path for them.
“Folks, let’s all pitch in to help the Monson family clean up!”
“Right, let’s go help out!”
The crowd echoed the call, carrying bundles, driving carts, and soon dispersing in every direction. Athena escorted Kurtis and her three uncles to the Duchess Manor. A feast was already laid. Fragrant dishes filled the table.
She urged her grandfather into the seat of honor. He gazed at the spread, deeply gratified, yet did not lift his fork. Kurtis said, “In the northwest, my greatest worry was you, Athena. The Morison family people are wolves. I feared they would forment you. Your mother…she died unjustly…”
On his journey back, Kurtis had already learned the full story of what had transpired. He knew the Monson family, out of sheer self-interest, had sent Athena to endure hardships in the military camp. He knew that Eloise, jealous of how well he treated her elder sister, had done many things to hurt her. He was also keenly aware of how much Athena had suffered to clear the Monson family’s name. She endured countless hardships, even putting her life on the line.
The weight of it bowed his head. “I failed to raise my daughter properly and nearly ruined my granddaughter as well.”
Athena said softly, “Grandpa, that is all past. What matters most to me now is having you all back.” She glanced around the table, gratitude shining in her eyes. “I’m no longer alone. I have family.”
Each uncle wore a different expression, but all were smiling except Trevor, who had been nursing his wine since he sat down. His eyes held no warmth, only smoldering anger.
Perhaps he had gone too far. Richter nudged his arm. “Stop drinking and eat something,” he whispered, tilting his chin to signal that Trevor should join the mood instead of ignoring everyone.
Trevor set his wine cup down. The sound cut through the room, neither loud nor soft, but enough to make everyone at the table tense up.
Kurtis’s face darkened. Not wishing to spoil the moment, he said, “Come, eat.”
Athena knew Trevor was holding something inside, but now was hardly the time. She forced a smile. “Yes, please try the dishes, I had the kitchen prepare them specially.”
The atmosphere loosened a little, though Trevor remained aloof. Kurtis ignored Trevor and turned to Athena. He said gravely. “The title of Duchess was hard-won, Athena. You must be especially cautious. Don’t make any missteps.”
Athena inclined her head modestly. “I understand.”
Then, Athena gently brought up another matter, “Grandpa, you should rest well these next few days while awaiting His Majesty’s summons. To welcome your return, His Majesty has specially prepared a banquet in your honor.”
Trevor suddenly burst into wild, bitter laughter, as if he’d just heard the most absurd joke, leaving everyone stunned.
Kurtis snapped at him and barked, “Trevor, mind your manners!”
“Manners? What manners?” Trevor flung his fork down, eyes full of disdain. “They grind a man into the mud, drag him out again, and I’m expected to thank them? How is that different from robbery?” He sneered. “If you all wish to go, that’s your business. I’m not going.”
At those words, the color drained from everyone’s faces. They all knew exactly who he meant. He was blaming the King, and criticizing the sovereign was a capital offense. Trevor’s treasonous outburst could cost him his head. It was a capital offense.
Kurtis slapped the table. His eyes widened, and the aura of the battlefield returned to him.
He snapped, “Enough! Spouting such madness. If you want to die, no one will stop you. But do not do so here. This is the Duchess Manor, not your thatched hut!”