Chapter 359

Willow looked at him, confused, tears rolling down her cheeks in large drops. Her voice was choked as she asked, “Michael, you may choose not to acknowledge me, but the child is innocent. Are you really going to deny von Krunt?”

She continued, “He’s the legitimate eldest grandson of the Osborne family. He’s your family’s only heir.”

Michael clenched his fists tightly, his expression pained with restraint. Tears streamed down his nearly crumbling face. He shook his head and said to Willow, “He shouldn’t have come into this world. Leave.”

“Michael…” Willow tried to say more, but Michael pushed her out the door.

With a loud bang, the door slammed shut from inside. Willow knocked on it, but there was no response. Sniffling, she leaned against the door and said, “Michael, I know this is hard for you to accept right now. I’ll wait. I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

She turned and walked away. But as soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, her face twisted into something venomous. Willow snarled, “Watch him carefully. If he escapes, I’ll have your hides.”

The guards at the door stood silent and terrified. They responded quietly, “Yes.”

A smug smile played on Willow’s lips. She pulled out a handkerchief, wiped her hands clean, and then threw it on the ground. If Michael weren’t still useful, she wouldn’t have bothered to put on that pathetic act.

Her neck burned with pain. When she touched it lightly, her brows furrowed. After returning to her room, she slapped a maid across the face. “Useless trash! Can’t you see I’m hurt? Go get the medicine, now.”

The maid, stunned by the sudden slap, didn’t dare cry or protest. She hurried out to fetch the ointment. Willow sat down on a stool, radiating fury. The maid returned and poured her a cup of coffee, but Willow swept it to the floor. She shouted hoarsely, “Out! All of you, get out!”

The servants hastily retreated from the chamber, leaving Willow alone. Willow sensed someone else entering and immediately threw another cup in that direction. “I said, get out! Are you deaf?”

The person caught the cup with ease and placed it casually on the nearby table. His voice was relaxed and teasing. “Who made my wife so angry?”

When she saw who it was, Willow’s anger immediately subsided. She pouted and glared at Nicolas, then slipped into his arms. “You should have said something before you came in. I almost hit you.”

“I figured you were throwing a tantrum. If I didn’t come, you probably wouldn’t speak to me again.” Nicolas looked at her with affectionate indulgence. He lightly flicked her nose, making her giggle.

Poking his chest with her finger, Willow grumbled, “How much longer do we have to keep up this act? I don’t even want to look at him. He’s pathetic.” She had once admired Michael, back when he was a powerful young marquis. She thought marrying him meant a lifetime of luxury as a noblewoman, perhaps even earning a royal title one day. But because of Athena, both the Osborne and Monson families had fallen from grace. Her dream was shattered.

Fortunately, fate wasn’t entirely cruel. Nicolas was still willing to dote on her. She believed she had found her true love. If she had known things would turn out this way, she would’ve married Nicolas from the beginning. Now, all her affection was for him.

Willow leaned into Nicolas’s embrace and smiled flirtatiously. “Do you think our child will look like you or me?”

“Of course, like you. My beautiful Willow is far too lovely.” Nicolas’s honeyed words made her laugh joyfully.

Once she seemed more relaxed, Nicolas finally asked, “By the way, the schematics you gave me the other day, I’ve already had someone build it. Are you sure that thing can bring down city walls?”

Willow’s eyes gleamed with malice. She replied with certainty, “Absolutely. That cannon is immensely powerful. The court is in disarray, and Xander has lost his military command. This is our best chance.”

She added, “When we breach the city, I’ll strip Athena bare and hang her from the city gate. I’ll make sure she’s cut into a thousand pieces.”

Nicolas chuckled. “Whatever you want.”

He stood up, about to leave, but Willow pouted again. “You’re leaving already?”

He replied, “A full performance must be convincing. Michael is a wild wolf. Taming him won’t be easy.”

“But he’s been so awful to me. He won’t even let me near him.” Willow sounded aggrieved. She hated keeping up this charade around Michael. Even looking at him made her sick now.

Nicolas smiled softly and patted her head. “Be good. Only you can do this. No one else can. He’s proud and cold, but he still has some feelings for you. Now that he believes you’re carrying his child, it won’t be hard to win him over.”

Willow looked at him in surprise. “And you’re not jealous?”

Nicolas reached out to caress her cheek, his smile slowly hardening. He lowered his voice, full of quiet pain. “Of course, I am. But what can I do? For the sake of our cause, I have to endure. Seeing you with him feels like being stabbed with a thousand knives. I want to kill him every time I look at him.”

Willow’s eyes shimmered with tears. Satisfied, she leaned on his shoulder. “I knew it. You love me most.”

“Good girl.” Nicolas patted her head before finally walking away.

For days on end, Willow visited Michael, playing her role to perfection. She made him feel guilty, slowly breaking down his resistance. From pushing her away at every turn to eventually allowing her to stay near, Michael’s heart began to shift.

More than a month passed, and he had completely adjusted to life in the mountain stronghold. He accepted Willow and the child she claimed to carry. During quiet moments, he would accompany her on walks, hunt for her, and gather wild fruit. Life began to feel like it had in the past. Willow was once again the cherished little girl she had always been.

“Wow! There’s a huge fruit grove up ahead. Let’s pick some and make wine!” Willow cheered like a child as she lifted her skirts and ran ahead.

Michael called out in alarm, “Willow, be careful! You’re still pregnant. Don’t run so fast.”

He rushed to follow her, only to be stopped by Nicolas. “There are maids with her. She’ll be fine.”

“Move aside. I need to find her.” Michael looked worried.

But Nicolas’s face had turned grim, his expression deeply sorrowful. “Michael, there’s something I’ve never had the heart to tell you.”

“What is it?” Seeing his solemn face, Michael’s smile faded as well.

Nicolas hesitated before finally speaking. “I’ve been searching for your father and mother’s remains. I finally found them.”

Michael stared at him in shock, his voice trembling. “Where… where are they?”