Chapter 6 Replace Her

The next day, Athena was summoned to Margaret’s courtyard.

When she arrived, Willow was already there, kneeling obediently beside Margaret, gently massaging her legs.

The moment Athena walked in, Willow scrambled to her feet in a panic. She greeted her timidly, “Athena,” then quickly stepped aside to give up her spot, looking every bit the picture of meekness and quiet suffering.

Nicolas frowned, clearly displeased. His voice was low and stern. “Willow, you were also raised under this roof. You don’t need to act so pitiful in front of her.”

Then he shot Athena a sharp look, his eyes full of disdain. “No one in this house owes you anything. Who are you putting on that sour face for every day?”

Eloise gave a light cough into her handkerchief. “Nicolas, that’s enough.”

Nicolas glanced at her, then held his tongue—but his expression remained cold, and his eyes, harsh.

Athena understood then—he was speaking up for Eloise. He must have heard that she’d turned Athena away the night before.

She looked over at Eloise, who wore a stiff, embarrassed expression.

Eloise seemed to want to say something, but when her eyes met Athena’s icy gaze, she lost her nerve and backed off. Annoyed, she turned and snapped at Nicolas, “Go check if your grandmother’s medicine is ready.”

He knew perfectly well she was trying to send him away—and truthfully, he had no desire to face Athena’s cold stare any longer. With a flick of his sleeve, he stormed out.

“Such a temper,” Margaret muttered once he was gone, then beckoned to Athena. “Athena, come here. Sit with Grandmother.”

Athena came forward and sat beside her. Margaret took her hand, her voice warm and affectionate. “You’ve had a hard time.”

Athena placed her hand gently over hers. “As long as I have you, Grandmother, it hasn’t been so hard.”

Margaret let out a long sigh, then got to the point. “Athena, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Of course, Grandmother. Please speak.”

“Do you still care for Michael? Is he really the only one for you?” There was hesitation in her eyes, and a deep, pained concern in her expression.

Ever since Athena returned to the estate, the Osborne family had sent someone—very discreetly—to suggest replacing her in the engagement.

Not wanting Athena to be humiliated, Margaret had sent them away under a pretense.

Athena understood immediately. “They want to call off the engagement?”

She had spent three long years locked away in a military camp—her reputation utterly ruined. Of course, the Osborne family would no longer want a disgraced woman as a daughter-in-law.

Margaret nodded, clearly struggling to say it aloud. “It’s not quite breaking it off… They just want to marry someone else instead.”

Athena’s eyes shifted to Willow, who quickly looked away, guilt written all over her face as she lowered her head.

It all made sense now.

Her reputation was in tatters. If the Osborne family officially broke the engagement, it would offend the Monson family and create bad blood.

But they didn’t want her anymore. Swapping her for Willow—pure, innocent Willow—would be the perfect compromise. And, more importantly, Willow was willing.

Everyone in the room was focused on protecting the duke’s estate’s reputation—yet not one of them had asked Athena what she wanted.

No wonder their expressions had all been so tense. They were afraid she’d cause a scene. Too bad for them—she wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

“Grandmother, I agree,” Athena said, her face blank, her tone as calm as if she were commenting on the weather. “I agree to the change in engagement.”

Margaret and Eloise stared at her, stunned.

“But you were once so in love with Michael. What made you change so suddenly?” Margaret asked, clearly baffled.

Athena had once cared for Michael so deeply she would’ve laid down her life for him. That was the only reason Margaret had bothered to ask her in the first place.

But Athena’s expression didn’t waver. “That was a long time ago, Grandmother. People change. I stopped caring about him ages ago.”

At that, Eloise let out a visible sigh of relief. She turned to Willow and gave her a knowing, tender smile.

Willow clung to her arm, eyes lowered, face tinged with shy delight.

The quiet exchange between the two made the whole situation feel even more absurd to Athena. The decision had clearly already been made—so she wondered, ‘Why the charade of asking me?’

Margaret looked at Athena with deep sorrow in her eyes. “Athena, don’t be afraid. Even if the Osborne family backs out, I’ll do everything I can to find you a good match.”

But she knew in her heart—Michael had been the best they could hope for.

With Athena’s name in tatters, there was no way they could arrange a match of equal status now. No noble family would consider her. Her life, as far as society was concerned, was over.

Margaret felt a stab of grief—her precious Athena had endured too much.

But Athena just smiled faintly, as if it no longer mattered. “All I want is to stay by your side, Grandmother.”

“Don’t be silly.” Margaret sighed. “You can’t spend your whole life looking after me.”

She hated to see Athena wronged, but this was the best outcome left. If the Osborne family officially ended the engagement, Athena’s reputation would be in complete ruin.

Before long, Margaret grew tired. After helping her settle in for a nap, Athena quietly stepped outside.

As she walked out, she handed a folded slip of paper to Marquita Huynh. “From now on, prepare Grandmother’s medicine using this prescription.”

Marquita looked surprised. “Lady Athena, where did this come from?”

“A friend gave it to me. If you’re unsure, feel free to have a doctor look it over.” Athena didn’t elaborate. She handed over the prescription and walked away.

Just as she stepped through the gate, she stopped abruptly—Michael was standing right in front of her.

Backlit by the sunlight, he looked like a cold shadow descending upon her.

“Athena,” he said, coming to a halt in front of her. His tall frame instantly blocked the sun.

The chill that radiated from him made her shiver. Even after three years, being this close still left a dull ache in her chest.

Suddenly, Michael seized her thin wrist, his voice low and icy. “This engagement was settled years ago. You don’t get to walk away from it.”