Athena looked at Xander’s expressionteis face, somewhat confused by his words..
Athena frowned. What does he means fem is actually enjoying this?’ she wondered.
Athena hrowned as thought, then suddenly undersic I what Xander meant
“No way” Athens retested, unable to stomach the implication “Tenis may seem tool, but he’s absolutely not, the kind of man poten
Xander’s expression remained cals, yet his gaze was stubbornly fixed on Athena Aleny, prople change” he said
“But……” Athena’s eyes darted around uncertainly. Suddenly, she recalled Ferris’s reaction from earlier, and the words died on her lipc
“Normally, given Ferris’s character, he would never yield to Lizzie, Athena thought.
But today, Terris was acting so out of character.
Athena’s fists clenched tightly, then went limp as she released them helplessly.
Xander Saw the struggle in her eyes and gently patted her shoulder. “Athenry, this is his choice.
Athena looked up again, her eyes rimmed with red. “But I just want him to be happy,” she choked out.
Athena thought, ‘I should have seen this coming when Ferris became the Imperial Overseer.
Athena realized that she and Ferris were drifting further and further apart.
I get it,” Athena thought. “No wonder Ferris came rushing to see me today and said all those puzzling things.”
“Ferris has moved on with his life. What about you?” Xander asked Athena.
Atheny looked at him blankly. “L… I don’t know
Xander smiled, though the smile was tinged with bitterness. “It’s alright,” he said gently. “Take your time to think I’ll be here, waiting for you
Xander’s sudden confession left Athena completely at a loss
Their relationship was now hopelessly tangled, like a ball of yarn that no one could unravel.
A sudden gust of cold wind made Athena shiver involuntarily
Xander noticed how frail Athena looked in the chilly wind. Without hesitation, he slipped off his cloak and gently draped it over her shoulders.
“Come on, I’ll send you home, Kander said gently.
The carnage that had been following at a short distance pulled up, and Athena got into it,
“Thank you,” Athena said through the carriage window to Xander
Xander gave her a gentle smile and said, “Go on.”
The carriage slowly rolled away Xander stood footed to the spot, watching until it disappeared into the distance before finally tearing his gate away
Ansel let out a soft sigh behind him. “Master, why didn’t you escort Lady Athen home?”
She needs some peace and rest right now. I don’t want to burden her any further,” Kinder said, his game shitting into the distance, a dangerous gint fickening in his eyes
1/4
Chapter 268
Ansel’s expression tightened as he tentatively asked, “Master, do you wont me to go to Laze?”
Xander fixed Ansel with an scy state that sent chic down his giène.
Ansel instantly snapped to attention and pind respectfully, “Understood with that, selle med and we had is the niets.
Lizzie’s Manu
Litre turned to her manot, too excited to sleep
Her male favorites in t manor whimed around her, Lawing, “Princess, you wouldn’t leave un behind, fuld you the others in their flattery.
“Princess, what will become of us if you get maried?“
A group of exquisitely groomed male varies cluestered around Lizzie, their eyes timing with anxious concom
They were terrified that Lizzie would cast them aside, forcing them back into a life of hardship and poverty.
Staying with Lizzie meant a life of endless luxury and privilege–they’d never dream of leaving her
Lizzie lounged lazily on the divan, her gaze dritting from one favorite to another, unwilling to part with any of them.
Every single one of these male consorts had been painstakingly handpicked by Lizzie aber an exhaustive search.
Each of them bore some resemblance to Ferris–whether in the eyes, the mouth, or the bridge of the nose.
Lizzie reached out and cupped the chin of her nearest favorite, a doting smile playing on her lips. She cooed, “You’re all my precious darlings. How could Iever bear to part with any of you?”
But
Princess, v
what happens to us if you get married?”
“Of course, I will keep you all,” Lizzie said with a smile. “As long as you behave and don’t cause me trouble, no one will ever be able to pry you away from my side.”
With Lizzie’s assurance, all the male favorites broke into satisfied smiles.
Lizzie’s male favorites pulled out all the stops to curry favor with hol
Before long, the room was filled with unmistakable sounds of passion that would make anyone blush.
Ansel perched on a large tree in the courtyard, arms crossed and eyes squeezed shut, his brows furrowed in clear disgust
‘To marry a woman like that, Ansel thought, ‘Ferris is truly cursed.
A sudden voice from behind startled Ansel “What, too squeamish to go inside?”
He whirled around to find a woman clad in black standing behind him, her face as cold as ice.
Ansel quickly wiped the casualness from his eyes and said seriously. “Of course not was just thinking about how to teach them a lesson and get some justice for Miss Monson,
“Useless,” Jessa sneered coldly. She pulled her hask over her lace and, in a flash, Launched herself into the room
With lightning speed, she vanished in the blink of an eye.
Ansel’s face fell at the thought of the scene inside. “Wait!” he blurted out, alarmed
“What is happening inside is not very pleasant to the eyes, Ansel thought.
2/4
Chapter 268
He hurried after her
Suddenly, with a resounding crash, a duer panel came bustling straight at A Headbet
The door panel whizzed past him, namaly mising from, and demand into the ther with a tandemus trad
Suddenly, panicked shouts empted throughout the manor, “Assassin Protect the princess Protect the princess
When Ansel leaped into the room, he saw bodies shown
shown haphazardly across the floor,
There were maids, attendants, and several stark naked men sprawled haphazardly across the floor
Lizzie lay sprawled on the floor, barely covered, her body paralyzed yet her mind panfully
Lizzie stared in horror at the assassin who had suddenly burst in, hur eyes wide with terror, unable to utter a single word.
Before Ansel could get a clear look, a pair of hands covered his eyes. From behind, Jessa said, “Don’tlook, unless you want to go b
Before he knew what was happening, he felt himself yanked backward by the collar and whisked away from the scene
ant to go blind”
The assassin struck and vanished without a trace,
By the time the manor guards rushed to the scene, the intruders had already vanished without a trace.
“Your Highness, Your Highness!” The guards hovered ansiously at the doorway, not daring to barge in, afraid of witnessing something inappropriate Lizzie lay sprawled on the floor, her face contorted with fury. “Out All of you, out this instant! Only the maids may enter your princess commands it”
Before she could even process what was happening, Lizzie found herself sprawled on the floor.
All of her male favorites, however, had lost their lives.
Lizzie was absolutely livid–these were her most treasured consortst
“Damn assassins!” Lizzie seethed. If she ever found out they’d been caught, she’d tear them limb from limb!”
The guards, fully aware of what was going on inside, all withdrew sheepishly.
The maids and matrons hurried in and finally helped Lizzie to her feet.
Only after witnessing this did Jessa take Ansel and leave
The next day, news of the attack on Lizzie’s manor spread throughout the capital
Upon hearing the news, Athena fell silent for a moment
Athena instinctively glanced at Jessa, who immediately tied her head skyward, rubbed her nose, and muttered under her breath, “That has nothing to do with me?
Jessa’s blatant act was anything but convincing
Athena shook her head. She knew it couldn’t be that simple.
Athenia
a stared fixedly at Jessa, her crystal–clear piercing eyes seeming to see straight through to her soul.
“Jessa, who on earth are you?” Athena asked.
