Chapter 184
Chapter 184
The ferocity in Fermin’s eyes faded, replaced by a reverent expression.
He bowed deeply, cupping his hands. “Prince Xander.”
Moments passed, yet no permission to rise came from within the carriage.
Fermin’s expression stiffened, utterly baffled as to why.
Xander was cold and aloof, his temperament utterly unpredictable.
None of the princes or princesses dared cross Xander. They all showed him the utmost respect.
Though Xander wasn’t particularly close with the royal heirs, he’d never given them a hard time before.
Yet today, before all present, Xander had publicly humiliated him.
Fermin was still weighing his options when he suddenly sensed a towering figure looming before him.
Xander was so close, he loomed like a towering mountain, blocking out all the light above.
A chilling presence pierced Fermin to the bone, making his hair stand on end.
Though it was the dead of winter, he felt a cold sweat trickle down his back.
Fermin bent even lower, his voice barely above a trembling whisper. “Xander…”
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his head.
Xander’s icy voice cut through the silence. “As a prince, you stoop to such disgraceful acts. What punishment do you think is fitting for this?”
Fermin’s heart lurched, his face flushing with a mixture of fear and shame.
Fermin immediately fell to his knees, his voice urgent with fear as he pleaded, “Forgive me, Prince Xander. I know my mistakes.”
What Xander held was a wooden ruler, a royal prerogative granted by his late father.
This sandalwood ruler granted him the authority to discipline anyone, including the king.
If even the King was not exempt from this ruler’s discipline, a mere prince like him could not be spared.
Anyone struck by Xander’s sandalwood ruler would soon become a person of interest under his special scrutiny.
If they still refused to reform, Xander would personally intervene and deal with them.
Anyone he warned would be subject to immediate investigation and punishment.
Xander would always dig up dirt while investigating these people.
By then, even begging for mercy would be too late.
As the current king’s firstborn son, Fermin was Arthur’s most favored.
The court strictly forbade factionalism, yet all princes had gathered their own loyalists.
If the investigation went any deeper, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Chapter 184
Xander’s voice was bone–chillingly cold. “You’d better truly know your wrongs.”
Fermin broke out in a cold sweat, utterly terrified. He said, “I am truly repentant. I beg you, Prince Xander, please grant me anaher chance
Fermin couldn’t believe that Xander was actually standing up for Athena.
Fermin wondered in disbelief, ‘Wait… is Athena romantically involved with Xander?
‘Yet I’ve never heard any rumors about Xander favoring Athena!
Xander snorted coldly. “What are you waiting for then?”
Fermin scrambled to his feet, bowing repeatedly as he retreated several steps. “I will take my leave then.”
Fermin stole a cautious glance at Xander. Seeing no reaction from him, he quickly scurried away with his entourage.
As soon as Fermin left, Henry felt invisible daggers pressing against his back.
Without Xander’s permission to rise, Henry did not dare to move.
If even Fermin was scared out of his wits, Henry would be terrified.
While Henry was locked in inner turmoil, Xander loomed before him.
The overwhelming aura radiating from Xander bore down on Henry, so intense it felt as if his spine might snap.
Cold sweat beaded on the tip of Henry’s nose as he bowed his head even lower, barely daring to breathe.
Xander’s voice was deceptively casual. “Lady Athena now holds the title of the Viscountess, yet you abuse your power to forcibly detain her in your estate. As a high–ranking court official, what punishment do you deserve for breaking the law you’re supposed to uphold?”
No one could miss the simmering fury beneath his casual tone.
Henry was drenched in cold sweat, wishing he could sink into the ground to escape Xander’s piercing gaze.
“Mercy, Prince Xander! I would never dare!” Henry pleaded in terror.
Xander dismissed Henry’s words with a glance, then turned his piercing gaze to Athena. “Is what the Duke said true?”
Athena curtsied and pleaded, “Prince Xander, please uphold justice for me. If you hadn’t arrived in time, I’d have been at their mercy.”
“Athena…” Henry gasped, his face contorted in horror as he looked at Athena, eyes brimming with desperate pleading. “You’re my daughter, I cherish you more than anything! How could I ever treat you this way?”
With trembling hands, Henry produced a few sweets from his sleeve, his face a mask of sorrow. “Athena, I remember how much you loved sweets. These were all prepared for you. This is just a misunderstanding. Please explain the truth to Prince Xander.”
Athena stood firm and retorted, “From the moment I stepped into the Monson family, you’ve resorted to every means to block me. Had I not stood my ground, I’d be left utterly helpless.”
Henry’s face turned ashen with despair, his hands dropping limply to his sides.
Athena was dead set against the Monson family.
Xander’s expression turned icy as he declared in a low, commanding voice, “Henry, you knowingly broke the law, making your crime even more severe. forfeit six months of your salary as punishment and to set an example for others.”
“Yes, I accepts the punishment.” Henry closed his eyes briefly, a wave of desolation washing over him..
Chapter 184
Henry thought bitterly, ‘A child not raised under my own roof will never truly be considered my own.
‘I’ve never once mistreated Athena. I’ve cherished her like a precious jewel and raised her with utmost care all these years.
‘Yet in return, she turns around and bites the hand that fed her.
‘How utterly heartless.‘
Xander gave Athena a meaningful look. “Come with me.”
That look from Xander made Athena’s hair stand on end.
Athena had never feared anything. Yet when it came to Xander, she felt an indescribable dread she couldn’t explain.
It wasn’t because of the immense power he wielded, but rather his natural, overwhelming presence that made people feel intensely uneary!
Athena murmured a soft acknowledgment and followed behind Xander.
She boarded the carriage with him.
After boarding the carriage, Athena pressed herself into the farthest corner, instinctively putting as much space as possible between herself and Kander
Xander noticed her guarded look, his brow furrowing slightly. “Are you really that afraid of me?”
His voice softened considerably. Puzzled, Athena looked up at him and unexpectedly caught a glimpse of a trace of tenderness that would have escaped most observers.
But before Athena could examine it more closely, that fleeting tenderness in Xander’s eyes vanished.
Athena shook her head and said softly, “I’m not afraid of you, Prince Xander. What I feel is nothing but respect and awe.”
A twinge of disappointment flickered in Xander’s heart. He let out a quiet huff and said nothing more.
An uneasy silence filled the carriage. Neither spoke a word.
The only sound was the steady creaking of the carriage wheels.
The ride wasn’t long, but for Athena, every minute felt like an eternity.
Athena thought for a moment, then said sincerely, “Thank you, Prince Xander, for helping me today. I’m deeply grateful.”
Xander replied dismissively, “I merely happened to be passing by. No need to dwell on it.”
Athena narrowed her eyes in disbelief and thought, ‘Just passing by? Seriously?”
‘Was it really just a coincidence? Somehow, I doubt it.‘
“I won’t forget what you did for me today. I’ll find a way to repay you,” Athena vowed earnestly.
To him, it was nothing worth mentioning, but to Athena, it was nothing short of a life–saving grace
Xander countered, “No need to wait for another day. The present moment serves just as well.”
Athena looked at him in surprise, Xander said with a faint smile, “I haven’t had much of an appetite lately, and I’ve been craving the oatmeal you made Would you make it for me again?”
Athena thought to herself in disbelief, ‘That murky oatmeal? Even beggars would refuse to eat this, but to Xander, it’s a gourmet feast.
Athena felt a pang of guilt. She’d made that oatmeal taste awful on purpose, just to mess with Xander.
༢/M
Chapter 184
Truth be told, aside from her medical skills, she was hopeless at everything else
Feeling somewhat guilty, Athena offered a sheepish smile to Xander. “Your Highness, perhaps we could choose something elser
She gave Xander a sheepish smile, “Actually… that oatmeal wasn’t very good.”
Xander gazed at her with profound tenderness, his words laced with meaning. “What I considers good is, by definition, the best.”
AD
