Seeing Athena had every detail covered, Xander stopped raising concerns. He promptly had a servant send word back to the Porter Mansion, confirming they would arrive punctually the following day.
The next day, Xander and Athena arrived punctually at Issac’s birthday party. Alexandra accompanied them, but she still couldn’t bring herself to soften her attitude, her gaze fixed intently toward Athena and Xander.
“Hi, Mother,” Xander and Athena said in unison, bowing respectfully. Alexandra merely offered a cool nod of acknowledgment before descending from the carriage without another word.
Xander gave Athena a helpless smile, thinking, “What a temper.”
Athena shrugged it off. Noticing how late it was getting, she said, “We’d better get a move on.”
Xander nodded, then gently took Athena’s hand and helped her into the carriage. Before long, the carriage pulled up at the Porter Mansion.
The entrance bustled with carriages coming and going in an endless stream, as guests arrived to offer their birthday wishes. All were powerful aristocrats and young ladies from noble families. As soon as Alexandra alighted from the carriage, she was respectfully ushered inside by the waiting attendants.
The main hall of the Porter Mansion was brightly lit by peach-shaped longevity buns and vibrant red candles. On either side of the portrait of the God of Longevity, golden calligraphy on the birthday couplets shimmered in the candlelight, each character proclaiming.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” the assembly chorused, performing synchronized curtsies. Alexandra looked dazzlingly radiant today, her beauty commanding all eyes the moment she entered. The noble ladies gasped in astonishment at the sight of her. “Alexandra, what a radiant glow. We haven’t seen you for just a few days, and you look years younger–like a completely new woman.”
“We’re dying to know your secret–how do you maintain such youthfulness? Surely you must have some secret recipe. Do share it with us.” The noble ladies crowded around Alexandra, all talking at once, their eyes wide with astonishment.
Though in her forties, Alexandra appeared barely thirty. With her fair, rosy complexion and glowing skin, she stood out dazzlingly among the noble ladies. Actually, she didn’t need their flattery–Alexandra had already noticed the change herself when she woke up that morning. As she applied her makeup, she was astonished by her own transformation. She never expected the beauty-enhancing elixir Athena gave her would truly work wonders.
Alexandra was secretly rejoicing, yet maintained a composed facade. “A secret recipe? There’s really nothing special–merely a vegetarian diet and devout prayer practice, that’s all,” she replied, her tone modest and dismissive.
The noble ladies gasped in admiration, “We’re all so envious. No wonder Your Highness looks so radiant and youthful–it must be a God blessing indeed.”
Chapter 381
Alexandra managed a soft smile, though inwardly she was overjoyed. ‘No way am I letting these women in on this little miracle,’ Alexandra thought to herself, secretly delighted.
Amidst the lively chatter, a sudden stir swept through the crowd as voices exclaimed, “Your Highness, we have arrived.” All eyes discreetly followed Xander and Athena as they took their seats, the guests‘ attention lingering on them, subtle, yet unmistakable.
Alexandra allowed herself a subtle smile, her expression radiating a quiet triumph. Though Xander had been stripped of military command, his prestige remained undiminished. Issa sat at the seat of honor, his daughter Kendra Porter by his side. But today, Kendra seemed unusually subdued, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Athena also noticed Kendra’s unusual demeanor and couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What’s troubling her?’
Xander lowered his voice and said to Athena, “The King of Nortcold has signed a century-long peace treaty with our kingdom. To strengthen the alliance between the two nations, my elder brother, His Majesty, has decided to marry a princess off to Nortcold.”
Athena’s heart skipped a beat. There were only a handful of princesses left in the royal family now. Lizzie was already gone, and the rest were either too young or already betrothed. That left only Kendra. But the King of Nortcold was nearly forty–old enough to be her father.
‘No wonder she wears that wretched expression, her gaze towards me even tinged with resentment,’ Athena wondered. ‘She couldn’t possibly believe that Xander and I deliberately orchestrated all this, just so she’d end up as the princess sent away!
Athena felt a headache coming on. ‘This party is going to be anything but pleasant,’ she thought.
Xander gently squeezed Athena’s hand and whispered, “As long as I’m here, no one would dare lay a finger on you.”
Athena asked quietly, “Has the candidate and the date been finalized?”
“Confirmed,” Xander replied. “It’s set for the end of this month.”
It was already mid-month–only two weeks remained before Kendra would be sent off to distant Nortcold.
Issa, however, maintained a perfectly composed facade as he raised his goblet to the assembled guests. “I am profoundly grateful that you’ve all graced my humble abode today to celebrate my birthday. Come, let us share this toast.”
“Long life and happiness to Mr. Porter,” the guests lifted their cups and cheered in unison.
Kendra cast a resentful glance at Xander, only to find him not even glancing her way.
‘Of course he doesn’t care about me,’ she thought bitterly, the thought of her own fate deepening the anguish on her face. Tilting her head back, she downed her wine in one swift motion. When she set the cup down, her eyes were already rimmed with tears.
Alexandra, sitting closest to Kendra, couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity seeing her so distressed. She was about to offer some words of comfort, but then remembered Kendra’s feelings for Xander, and the words died on her lips.
‘It’s unrequited love,’ she thought. ‘I’d better not interfere.’
Alexandra ignored Kendra, but Kendra still moved to sit beside her and softly called, “Mrs. Cavendish…” That single word nearly shattered Alexandra’s heart.
Alexandra had watched Kendra grow up under her watchful eye; the girl had always been sweet and sensible to her. Kendra was the daughter she never had. Alexandra couldn’t bear it any longer. She gently patted Kendra’s hand and murmured, “Hi, Kendra.”
Alexandra had thought there was so much she wanted to say to Kendra, but after that single, tender word, no other words would come to her. No matter how much Alexandra pitied Kendra, her loyalty to Xander came first. Xander, newly wed and utterly devoted to Athena, had no room in his heart for Kendra.
Kendra gave Alexandra a tender smile and said softly, “Mrs. Cavendish, it’s just that I haven’t seen you in so long I’ve missed you so much. But it seems you have grown so distant from me. Could it be that you no longer care for me?”
A pang went through Alexandra’s heart. She hastily denied it, saying, “Kendra, don’t overthink things. Your aunt will always cherish you, no matter what.”
Kendra raised her cup and said softly, “I will toast, Your Highness.” She drained her wine in one graceful motion. Alexandra picked up her own cup, met Kendra’s gaze, and drank with her, their glasses clinking gently.
The party was now in full swing, with guests mingling and glasses clinking, the hall abuzz with celebration. However, Athena kept stealing glances at Alexandra. Seeing her toasting with Kendra, she couldn’t help frowning.
‘Something’s off–way off,’ Athena thought, her instincts on high alert. ‘If Kendra wanted to make a move, why isn’t she targeting me or Xander? Instead, she keeps clinging to Mrs. Cavendish. Could Mrs. Cavendish be her real target?’
Athena gently tugged at Xander’s sleeve. He turned to her, and she motioned for him to lean in closer. Xander immediately obliged. Cupping her hand to his ear, Athena whispered, “Have Ansel shadow Mrs. Cavendish.”
Xander saw the gravity on Athena’s face and immediately understood she had sensed something amiss. Without another word, he shot Ansel a meaningful glance, signaling him to keep a close watch on Alexandra. Ansel gave a subtle nod and quietly relayed the order; several shadow guards swiftly melted into the shadows.
The party was still in full swing, but Alexandra was beginning to show the effects of the alcohol. Shaking her head, she slurred, “No more for me–I’ve had way too much to drink today.”
Kendra quickly reached out to steady Alexandra’s arm and said softly, “Mrs. Cavendish, let me help you to the private chambers so you can sober up a bit.”
“Alright,” Alexandra mumbled, staggering as Kendra supported her toward the private chambers.
Athena stepped forward and supported Alexandra’s other arm. “Mother, why did you drink so much?” As she spoke, she discreetly checked Alexandra’s pulse, thinking with a hint of relief, ‘It’s just simple intoxication–no signs of poisoning.’
“Mrs. Cavendish was in high spirits today and had a bit too much to drink. I’ll help her go and rest–please stay here, Your Highness.” Kendra politely but firmly declined Athena’s offer and firmly escorted Alexandra away from the party.
Athena was just about to step forward when two maids swiftly blocked her way. “Please rest assured, Your Highness,” they said deferentially. “Ms. Porter will take excellent care of Alexandra.”