Chapter 351

Kendra looked weak, forcing a smile at the old madam, but tears still slipped from the corners of her eyes.

She said, "Grandma, why save me? You should’ve just let me go. I miss my mother.”

Her words were like knives slicing into the old lady’s heart.

The old lady cried even harder. “If you die, what will happen to me? What about your father? How can we bear to bury a child?”

Kendra also cried. This time, the tears were real.

She looked at Athena, her voice weak. “Your Highness, you don’t need to save me. I don’t want to owe you anything. Grandma, please ask her to leave.”

Before Athena could reply, the old lady firmly rejected Kendra’s plea. “Don’t speak such nonsense. Right now, only Duchess can heal your hand. How could we possibly let her leave?”

Kendra murmured weakly, “Grandma…”

“No more talking. I won’t allow it.” The old lady was resolute and gave Kendra no chance to refuse.

She turned to Athena, her voice pleading. “Please, save my granddaughter. The Porter family will be forever grateful.”

Athena gave her a gentle smile. “As long as Miss Porter agrees to let me treat her, I won’t stand by and do nothing.”

The old lady gently patted Kendra’s hand, almost begging her. “Please, for your grandmother’s sake, let Duchess treat you.”

Kendra couldn’t bear to make her grandmother worry and finally nodded her agreement.

Hearing this, the old lady beamed with joy. “Good, very good.” She quickly got up to make room.

Kendra then said to her, "Grandma, you’ve been up all night. Go outside and rest.”

She wanted to send the old lady away. Now that her heart was finally at ease, the old lady also felt utterly exhausted.

Supported by a maid, she slowly left the room.

As soon as the old lady was gone, Kendra’s expression darkened. She said, “Even if you save me, I will never owe you anything."

In her eyes, Xander and she had grown up together, childhood sweethearts. Athena was the latecomer who had stolen away the man she loved. Kendra had no intention of giving up.

This time, she would make the King uphold justice for her.

Athena chuckled softly and said, “I never expected us to get along. The only reason I came to treat you is because of an imperial order."

As she spoke, she lifted her eyes to Kendra, her expression hardening. "If not for that, your life or death would have nothing to do with me."

Kendra hadn’t expected her to be so ruthless. In a fit of anger, she tried to slap Athena.

Athena, who was treating her wound, didn’t even lift her eyes. Her voice remained calm. “Do you not want your hand anymore?”

Kendra froze, suddenly realizing that her life was still in Athena’s hands.

She quickly pulled her hand back but glared at Athena with hatred, as if she wanted to tear her apart.

“You come from a good family, and you’re not lacking in beauty. Why cling so tightly to a man who doesn’t love you?” Athena’s voice echoed softly in the quiet room.

Kendra rolled her eyes and stayed silent.

But her eyes turned red, and tears welled up. “What do you know? Xander and I grew up together. I’ve loved him for ten years. I never even considered marrying anyone else. But because of you, he rejected me…”

She burst into sobs. Athena, however, smiled faintly and asked pointedly. “Is it him that you love, or just his status?”

Kendra froze, her gaze uncertain. “Of… of course I love him for who he is.”

“If he weren’t a prince, just an ordinary man, would you still love him?” Athena pressed on.

By now, she had already finished rewrapping Kendra’s wounds and applied the medicine.

Kendra stared at Athena in shock. Her back felt cold under Athena’s piercing gaze. Seeing her hesitation, Athena added, “But I would. Whether he’s a prince or a commoner, I’d still marry him without hesitation.”

It seemed Kendra saw through Athena’s heart. She let out a cold laugh. “There’s no need to explain to me. I won’t give up on Xander.”

“Fine. Then let’s wait and see.” With those words, Athena stood and walked out.

When she emerged, Xander immediately stood up. “How is it?” he asked.

Athena smiled faintly and shook her head. “She’s fine. Let’s go.”

Xander nodded. “Alright.”

The two walked side by side into the night, their figures quickly swallowed by the darkness.

Once they had left Isaac’s residence, Xander looked at Athena with a troubled expression, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Athena looked at him with a gentle smile. "I know what you’re planning. No matter what decision you make, I will stand by your side.”

Xander’s eyes lit up. He pulled her into his arms, his voice low and moved. “You saw through me.”

Enveloped in his embrace, Athena breathed in his subtle fragrance, feeling an overwhelming sense of security and peace.

She said, “You trespassed on Isaac’s residence, mobilized the Aegis Guards, and imprisoned him. If the King still protects you, it would be unreasonable.”

She slipped her arms around his waist and held him gently.

Xander’s body visibly tensed. In the quiet of the night, Athena’s soft voice sounded again. “Or perhaps, Your Highness already planned everything, and tonight simply provided a perfect excuse.”

She looked up at him, flashing a mischievous smile.

Looking at her playful expression, Xander couldn’t help but laugh softly. “How did I get so lucky to have such a clever wife? I’ll need to rely on you more in the future.”

“Who’s your wife?” Athena blushed, her tone teasing.

But her hands didn’t let go. Instead, she held him even tighter.

Xander basked in the moment’s joy and nodded. “From the start, it’s always been you. It’s fine if you won’t admit it. I’ve already decided.”

Athena smiled and didn’t argue.

The two embraced in the night, cherishing the warmth and peace between them.

Adan bike, ander partly gotten a fabula. Tak- Athena de saling bersai “ Ortching since Kanden las tronqui Trina skid. “Hin Higfinest is just outside the gate” as soon as Trina finished speaking, Athena