Chapter 481

The light in the wing-room was dim, and the window paper trembled slightly in the wind.

A thick odor of blood filled the air, mingling with the scent of dust and making it hard to breathe.

Athena set the medicine box on the low stool beside the bed and felt a chill as her fingertip brushed against the young man’s wrist.

She lifted his blood-stained coarse cloth shirt and gasped.

All she could see were intersecting wounds that stood out starkly against his skin.

The deepest cut extended from his shoulder blade to his waist, with the flesh turned outward and coated in dark red blood clots. It looked shocking.

Athena soaked a soft towel and gently wiped his wounds with it.

The young man was still in a coma, and his muscles spasmed uncontrollably when touched.

His mouth mumbled unconsciously, “Father, Father…”

Athena slowed her movements, and the young man fell soundly asleep, but his brows remained furrowed.

Judging by his appearance, he was no more than fourteen or fifteen years old.

After cleaning the wound, Athena applied the wound medicine to his injury and bandaged it.

After doing all this, she left him in the care of the maid.

She ordered, “After he wakes up, have him take the medicine in this bottle.”

The maid respectfully responded, “Yes.”

Athena walked out of the room. The young man was severely injured and urgently needed a medicine made from toad.

This medicine was only available locally.

Athena asked Harper, “Where is the Duke?”

“He has gone out,” Harper replied.

The Blumenfeld family was powerful, and Deaglan alone could not undermine its foundation.

Xander must be looking for the Blumenfeld family and their mortal enemies to see if he could gain anything.

Athena returned to her room and changed into a moon-white brocade men’s outfit.

After tying up her long hair and putting on a crown, the person in the mirror suddenly looked more handsome and dashing.

Athena hid the short knife in her sleeve and went out with two guards.

The houses in Acridon were mostly built of bluestone, with gray-black tiles on the roofs.

Dried red peppers and corn were hung in strings from the eaves. The street stalls were full of goods.

Among the passers-by, many men had neat hair buns and scimitars hanging from their waists.

The women wore brightly colored embroidered aprons adorned with galloping horse patterns on their skirts, a striking contrast to the gentle and elegant style of women in Pidence City.

Athena was taking in the local scenery when a domineering voice rang out ahead.

“Out of the way! Get out of the way…”

She frowned, noticing the scene not far ahead. A dozen guards were escorting a girl.

The girl stood on the carriage, scattering the copper coins in her hand on the road, immediately attracting countless people to scramble for them.

Seeing this, she laughed heartily. She raised her whip and lashed at the crowd.

The whip landed on the people, and they immediately screamed, scrambling to run away.

Many people fell to the ground while running, and if they were a step slower, they would be whipped again.

Screams and pleas for mercy filled the air.

Athena clenched her fists as she watched the scene.

The stall keepers behind her fled as if they had seen a demon, shouting, “It’s the Duchess of Curtis Manor! Run!”

It seemed that this kind of scene was played out every day.

Athena slowly released her fists, knowing that her current identity was too sensitive to cause trouble.

She would let the Blumenfeld family run rampant for a few more days.

“Let’s go,” she whispered to her entourage.

The people on the street had mostly run away, and Frieda lost interest as she looked at the empty street.

Just then, she saw Athena. Her eyes lit up immediately.

Athena’s attire was different from that of Aeridon men.

She had an elegant demeanor and looked like a refined scholar.

Frieda pointed forward and said, “Hey, you. Come here.”

Several Blumenfeld family guards immediately surrounded Athena.

One of the guards said in a rough voice, “Our lady wants you to go over there.”

Outnumbered, Athena had to suppress her emotions and respectfully bowed to Frieda, saying, “Greetings, my lady.”

Frieda looked her up and down with bright eyes, full of curiosity.

She asked, “What a handsome young man. Where are you from? Did you just arrive in our Aeridon?”

Frieda wore a light yellow riding outfit and had a small scimitar at her waist. Her long hair was braided into small braids, hanging down behind her head.

She looked Athena up and down, her eyes full of admiration.

Athena felt uneasy under her gaze and spoke in a soft voice, “My lady, I am a medicine merchant here in Aeridon to purchase medicinal herbs.”

“Oh…” Frieda nodded.

Suddenly, she looked at Athena with shining eyes and asked, “Are you a doctor?”

Athena was considering how to answer when she heard Frieda say, “Follow me back to the mansion, I will reward you with gold, silver, and jewelry!”

Athena’s heart sank, and she said delicately, “My lady, please forgive me. I still have urgent matters to attend to. Thank you for your kindness.”

“Urgent matters? What could possibly be more important than accompanying me?” Frieda playfully patted the gems on the saddle, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

She said, “I like you, and I must take you back to the mansion today!”

As she spoke, she winked at the servants. “Tie him up for me and take him back to the mansion to serve as my page!”

The two guards beside Athena were shocked.

They stepped forward to protect Athena and shouted sharply, “How dare you! How can you touch our young master?”

“Oh, feisty, aren’t we?” Frieda was amused and drew the scimitar from her waist, pointing it at the guards. “Beat them! Anyone who dares to resist should have their hands and feet crippled!”

The servants swarmed up. Although Athena’s guards were highly skilled in martial arts, they were outnumbered and quickly became entangled, unable to break free.

The street vendors were frightened and closed their doors.

Athena took two steps back in the chaos. Just as she was about to fight back, she saw Frieda riding towards her.

The horsewhip in her hand whistled as it struck towards her waist, attempting to abduct her onto the horse.

Athena hurriedly dodged and kicked the horse’s leg hard.

The horse was startled and reared up on its hind legs.

Frieda lightly touched her toes to the ground and landed gracefully.

Not only was she not angry, but she was even more proud. “Not bad. I like you.”

Athena casually launched a hidden weapon that grazed Frieda’s ear.

A lock of long hair fell to the ground.

Frieda was furious. “You try to hurt me! I’ll capture you and bring you back to my mansion and deal with you there.”

Athena dodged the whip, and the short knife in her sleeve instantly slid into her palm.

She was hesitant to get too involved with Frieda, but Frieda kept pressing her at every turn, clearly treating her as just an ordinary person who could be easily manipulated.

Just then, a servant circled behind her, trying to sneak attack.

Athena lightly tapped her toes, and her body spun away like a catkin, while simultaneously holding the short knife against the other’s throat.

“Who dares to move again?” The cold voice carried an unquestionable deterrent force.

Athena’s icy gaze swept over the crowd. “I am a merchant from Pidence City. If you dare to forcibly abduct someone, carefully consider the consequences!”