Chapter 427

The square in front of the Xander Manor was filled with people. They spontaneously guarded the gate, wanting to do something for Athena, but they could do nothing but silently protect her.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. Athena had waited for three days, but she had not waited for the person she wanted to see. Xander did not return.

She could no longer hold back her tears. “You broke your promise, you know? You broke your promise…” Athena murmured to herself.

Alexandra turned her head away, unable to bear it, and raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She had been struggling to hold on during these days because Athena had said that Xander would not die. But Ray came with the Northcold army, and he had not returned yet, forcing Athena to marry him against her will in exchange for the lives of the people of the city. The emotions that had been tense for many days could no longer be contained. Alexandra cried until her eyes were red. When the maid brought in the wedding dress, she said with a choked voice, “Let her dress decently.”

When Natasha broke into Athena’s room, she was sorting out military books. The bamboo slips annotated by Xander were stacked neatly. Athena’s fingertips stroked the military books, her movements as gentle as if she were touching rare treasures.

“Are you really going to marry him?” Natasha’s voice was sobbing, and the blood scabs on the armor had not yet dried. Last night, she led a small team to attack the Northcold army’s grain and grass, but failed. That small team was almost completely destroyed.

Athena turned her head and stuffed a tiger tally into her palm. “Help me tell Xander that I didn’t embarrass him.”

Natasha said, “That’s your husband. If you have something to say, say it yourself.” Natasha could no longer hold back and rushed forward to hug her. “I’ll go with you. If the worst comes to the worst, we’ll die together!”

“Silly girl.” Athena patted her back, her voice soft. “You must live and see Petanion’s armored cavalry trample Northcold.”

Evander’s fist slammed into the wall, his eyes glistening with tears. “I’m useless. I can’t even protect a woman.”

Outside, Kurtis stood in the yard with his three sons. All four tough, unyielding men now had red-rimmed eyes. Trevor gripped his father’s gun barrel, the cold light of the muzzle reflecting his young face. “Athena, let me disguise myself as a maid and go with you. I’ll definitely find a chance to kill that scoundrel, Ray.”

Jessa also nodded gently to Athena. “Let me marry him in your place. As long as Ray is within three steps of me, I will take his life.”

Athena gave a bitter smile. “He wears soft armor, and he’s surrounded by experts. How easy do you think it is to kill him? If we provoke him, countless people will be hurt. Jessa, I can’t take that risk.”

Everyone lowered their heads, their faces filled with grief.

Looking at the concerned faces, Athena smiled softly, “It’s worth it to trade my life for the lives of everyone in the city. Even Xander would do the same.”

Fireworks exploded at the city gate. Ray was urging.

“Okay, I’m leaving.” Athena’s red dress trailed along the bluestone slabs of the Xander Manor. Every step felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. She was reluctant to leave, but she had to.

The people knelt on both sides of the road, shouting, “Farewell, Athena.” However, they couldn’t bring themselves to say the word “marriage” no matter what. It was supposed to be a happy occasion, but no one in the entire city could smile. Even a three-year-old child looked at Athena with red eyes and asked, “Princess Consort, can you come back?” They were too young to understand what life and death meant. They just felt that the heavy atmosphere made them want to cry.

Athena half-squatted down, touched their dirty little faces, and said with a smile, “I will.”

“Then it’s settled, you must come back, pinky swear.” The child stretched out his small hand; Athena was stunned for a moment, then slowly hooked his finger.

She took one last look at the people of the whole city, and then at her relatives. She ordered the city guards, “Open the city gate.”

Alexandra closed her eyes, unbearably. She really couldn’t bear to watch Athena walk out of the city gate. Kurtis also burst into tears. Everyone was crying. As the city gate opened, all the people of the city knelt down and shouted, “Farewell, Princess Consort.”

Ray’s honor guard stopped outside the city. In front of the black bridal sedan, he wore a festive robe embroidered with golden patterns. As Ray looked at the approaching red figure, the ecstasy in his eyes almost overflowed.

Ray walked a few steps quickly to Athena. “Atheny, we can finally be together.” He tightly clenched Athena’s hand, wanting to embrace her. However, Athena’s fingertip hid a sharp dagger. The moment his hand gripped hers, she suddenly pulled out the dagger and stabbed fiercely towards his heart. Xander taught her to be quick, accurate, and ruthless, and that she didn’t need to follow any rules when dealing with evildoers.

“You!” Before Ray could express his shock and anger, the personal guards beside Janice had already swung their swords at Athena.

Ray shouted, “Don’t hurt her!” But Janice already hated Athena to the core, so she could not listen to his orders. She had been lying low beside Ray for a long time, waiting for this day. Even though Ray gave the order, it was too late. The sword in the guard’s hand was only an inch away from Athena’s chest. Seeing that Athena was about to be stabbed through the heart, Ray’s terrified voice changed. “Stop! Stop!”

Just then, an arrow came piercing through the air, accurately splitting the sword in half. Everyone was stunned by the crisp sound of the ding.

Suddenly, the people on the city tower burst into thunderous cheers. Someone pointed at the northern skyline, their voice trembling. “Prince Xander! Prince Xander is back!”

Athena turned her head sharply, only to see the Aegis Guards surging like a black tide on the official road where the morning mist had dissipated. On the white horse at the very front, Xander’s black cloak fluttered in the wind. The spear in his hand pointed directly at Ray, and his voice came through the wind. “Kill them!”

Ray’s face turned pale in an instant, his eyes full of disbelief. “No, how could Xander be back? Isn’t he dead?”

Janice reached out to pull him. “Your Majesty, let’s go.”

However, Ray had already lost his mind with anger. He stabbed Janice in the chest with a backhand sword, his face twisted. “What are you? How dare you hurt her?” The long sword was pulled out, and Janice looked at the bloody hole in her chest, her face full of disbelief. “I… I did this for you…” What responded to her was Ray’s ruthless kick. Janice was kicked out and fell to the ground, without a sound.

The bodyguards protected Ray as he fled in distress.

Athena stood in the chaotic scene, her eyes fixed on Xander. ‘Is this a dream? Has he really returned?’ she thought.

From a distance, Xander reached out to Athena. The white horse galloped over, and Xander accurately wrapped his arm around Athena’s waist, lifted her onto the horse, and held her in his arms.

“Prince Xander! Prince Xander is so powerful!” On the city tower, the people’s screams almost drowned out the screams of the Northcold army. Athena, huddled in Xander’s arms, still couldn’t believe it; she was so afraid it was a dream.