Chapter 488

Athena stared in shock at Frieda. Her eyes were bright and innocent, yet the words she had just spoken struck Athena so hard that she couldn’t recover for a long while.

She gasped and said, “Your marriage is up to your father. How can a servant like me interfere?”

A trace of grievance appeared on Frieda’s face. “I insist on making my own decisions.”

She stood on tiptoe and leaned close to her car, her voice as light as a feather. “Elijah, are you willing to help me?”

Athena felt goosebumps all over her body.

She shouted in her heart, ‘Your Highness, you're using the honey trap on the wrong person!’

“My lady, please spare me,” Athena took a deep breath and declined firmly.

Frieda rolled her eyes, disappointed. “I thought you were a man of courage, but it turns out you’re just another coward. Hmph!”

Her boiling passion had been doused by Athena’s refusal. She turned to leave, but after taking two steps, she stopped and looked back, warning, “If you dare to breathe a word of this, you’re dead.”

Athena bowed and smiled helplessly.

Before long, the butler came over and said to Athena, “Lord Monson, His Highness invites you.”

Curtis called her at that time, and Athena frowned. ‘Perfect. Otherwise, I would have had to find an excuse to go to the front courtyard.’

Curtis was in the study when Athena arrived. He wasted no time and went straight to the point. “I want you to make a colorless, tasteless poison.”

This old thing actually wanted to poison the Prince Regent.

On the way here, Athena noticed that the guards of the residence had doubled compared to usual.

Curtis was indeed cruel. He really had a rebellious heart.

Athena remained calm and responded, “Yes.”

Then, she took out a medicine bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Curtis.

Curtis looked at the medicine bottle, a suspicious look in his eyes.

He opened the bottle cap and poured some of the water inside on a flower, and the flower immediately withered.

He leaned closer to smell it, and it was indeed colorless and odorless.

Curtis smiled with satisfaction, “I didn’t expect you to be an expert in poison making.”

He handed the medicine bottle to Xander beside him, “Seventeen, keep this safe. Watch for my signal later and act accordingly.”

Xander took it and put the medicine into his arms.

The butler walked in from the outside with a flustered expression and said, “Your Highness, Prince Regent’s carriage has arrived at the door.”

Curtis snorted softly and stood up from his chair.

He straightened his robes, his tone arrogant. “Let us go greet the Prince Regent. If he knows what’s good for him, I might spare his life. If he insists on opposing me, then I will show him no mercy.”

Athena exchanged a look with Xander. Xander raised his brow slightly and followed Curtis out.

Before long, a group of people arrived at the entrance of the palace.

A magnificent carriage was parked there. The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a man in black walked out.

Athena took a closer look and almost laughed out loud.

It was Ansel disguised as Xander, with a beard pasted on his face, looking fierce and menacing. It did align with the image Frieda had in her mind.

“Welcome, Prince Regent,” Curtis said with a smile, giving Ansel a grand salute.

All the children of the household knelt behind him in a show of respect.

Ansel stood at the door, nodded with an icy expression, and said, “You may all rise.”

Behind him followed several guards clad in black armor.

A shadow of darkness crossed Curtis’s eyes when he saw these people.

The Aegis Guards were trained single-handedly by Xander.

They were ferocious, absolutely loyal, and could take on a hundred men each.

By bringing them to Aeridon, the Prince Regent was clearly determined to establish a trade post here.

Curtis’s expression darkened further, a flicker of malice passing through his gaze.

He said, “Your Highness, please come in. I have specially prepared a sumptuous feast to welcome you.”

Ansel smiled softly at Curtis. “You are too kind, Your Highness.”

The group moved to the flower hall.

After they were seated, Curtis signaled Frieda with his eyes. “Why are you still standing there, Frieda? Hurry and pour Prince Regent some wine,”

Though Frieda hated being ordered around, as long as she lived in the manor, she had no choice but to obey.

Unwillingly, she picked up a wine cup and approached.

“Your Highness, I offer you a toast.” Frieda poured the wine and raised it high.

Ansel remained unmoved with a cold face.

On the surface, he looked at Athena expressionlessly.

But in his heart, he was screaming like crazy. ‘What kind of nightmare is this? The Prince Regent has me impersonating him, while the actual Prince Regent and Princess have snuck into the residence as a guard and an aide? Is this some kind of sick joke?’

“Your Highness, are you perhaps displeased with me?” Frieda asked, a trace of grievance in her tone.

She might not like this situation, but she was still a princess. Being ignored so blatantly stung.

Curtis had been carefully observing the “Prince Regent.” When he saw that his gaze was fixed in Athena’s direction in a daze, his own eyes turned toward Athena.

Before, he had never given Athena much attention. He merely thought this “Elijah” was a bit paler than most men, with a clean, delicate face and a slender frame.

But now that he looked carefully, he realized Athena was actually more refined-looking than most women.

Curtis gasped, his eyes suddenly widening. ‘Could it be… that the Prince Regent likes men?’

This revelation made cold sweat bead on his forehead. ‘What a shocking discovery! The dignified Prince Regent of the Grand Luminary Empire is actually a homosexual.’

But it was only speculation. Without proof, he dared not say anything.

Curtis said, “Your Highness, you must stay in Aeridon for a few more days. Allow me to properly fulfill my duty as host.”

Before a complete falling out, Curtis was still willing to get along with the Prince Regent in peace.

After all, it was best not to resort to violence if it could be avoided.

In fact, Ansel was watching Xander, waiting for his order.

Hearing Curtis’s words, Ansel finally said, “I have indeed come with a request. The court wishes to open a trade post on the border of Aeridon, and we will need your cooperation.”

He continued, “Aeridon borders the northern territories. If we establish a trade post here, it will allow the exchange of goods and benefit the people of both nations.”

He added, “I have already drafted the regulations. Aeridon will be responsible for the security of the trade market, and we will provide furs and medicinal materials.”

Ansel pushed a scroll toward Curtis. “This is the proposed plan. You need only give me an answer within three days.”

Curtis did not look at the documents and chuckled. “Why are you in such a hurry? Let’s rest well today and talk about official business tomorrow.”

Seeing his cunning look, Ansel knew that this matter could not be rushed. It would be bad if Curtis were cornered and became desperate, especially since Xander still hadn’t found Curtis Manor’s account books.

He lifted his cup with a small smile. “You’re right. I was too impatient.”

The atmosphere became lively as they clinked glasses, and Frieda poured wine for Ansel from time to time, which he didn’t refuse.

Curtis watched with joy.

He thought, ‘So what if he’s the Prince Regent? I don’t believe there’s a man alive who can resist both gold and beauty!’