Chapter 255
Chapter 255
Athena found herself staring at Kandel’s strikingly handsome face that had suddenly come so close She was momentarily seed
Before she could react, she suddenly felt a strong arm at her waist, strachping, her postur,
Xander gently settled Athena onto the Mool. As he reached out to t
poorpul site food bric was plati
Xander set the exquisite food box before Athena and opened it for her.
He carefully took out each dish from the food box and arranged them neatly before Athena, making sure everything was within tormach
Then, with a graceful sweep of his robe, he took a seat opposite Atheria.
Amouthwatering aroma wated from the steaming dishes.
Athena was starving, S
She instinctively swallowed as her mouth watered.
She glanced at Xander hesitantly and then looked at the dishes on the table. ‘Is Prince Xander here to have a meal with me?” she wondered.
“What, not to your taste?” Xander murmured, his gaze fixed solely on Athena, completely ignoring Michael, whom he had just tossed aside
Had his attendant not caught him in time, Michael would have been eating dirt by now.
Michael stared at Athena and Xander, his eyes wide with shock before a shadow passed over his gaze.
A man and a woman are dining alone together in broad daylight. Aren’t they afraid of gossip? Michael thought darkly.
Athena was starving, but with Michal glaring at her like he’d just caught her in the act, there was no way she could est.
“Seriously? Why is he looking at me like that! We’ve been over for ages, why does Michael still think he can meddle in my life! Athena thought, both annoyed and a little amused.
Xander seemed to only then notice Michael, his lips curling into a smile that was more mocking than apologetic.’s Lord Osborne,” he drawled, “i mistook you for some lowlife trying to accost my Princess Consort. My apologies for the rough handling, I trust you’re unharmed?”
There was an indescribable edge of sarcastic politeness in Xander’s expression and tone
Athena noticed the veins bulging at Michael’s temple. His temper in check.
in both rank and status, Michael was beneath Xander, What’s he so worked up about?” Athens wondered.
Michael took a deep breath to steady himself, then obediently knelt. “Greetings, Prince Xander,” he said, his tone carefully respectful.
Xander chuckled, his magnanimity tinged with subtle mockery as he called out to Marquis. “Please, Marquis, rise. You’ve recently wed, and I haven’t yet had the chance to offer my congratulations.”
Xander raised this wine cup to Michael with a deceptively cordial smile. “Care to share a drink with me, Marquis?”
Michael’s face tightened as he demurred, “Prince Xander, thanks for your kindness, but my official business forbids into drink.”
“Oh, I almost forget,” Xander remarked with feigned surprise. “Marquis, wasn’t it just yesterday that you received official punishment? And yet here you are, diligently attending to your duties despite your injuries. Such loyalty to the Crown and country. His Majesty knew, he would be very pleased
Xander appeared to be in high spirits, his wolds unusually amiable
But only Athena could see the icy chillin Xander’s eyes. A cold that was barely contained and threatened to spillover.
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Chapter 255
Kander’s gaze was a silent warning to Michael Hu’d better his disc from Athena.
Athena had a sneaking suspicion Michae’s recent motorture probably had oder’s ding wit
She might not be the type to kick Michael when he’s down, but she had to admit that the way pate
Ang tin predcmend!.
“Focus on your meal,” Xander said, tapping the table lightly as he noticed Athens zong out, a hint of jealousy lickeringiniseyes.
Xandershot Athena a displeased look, b
, his jealousy maching a boiling point.
What’s so special about Michael? Is he better looking than me? Xander thought disdainfully.
Athena’s cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment wasn’t even looking at Michael, she thought
She lowered her head and gobbled down her food, her checks pulled out like a little hamster
Xander gazed at her with a tender smile, his eyes brimming with adoration.
Then, Xander poured Athena a cup of coffee and said gently, “Eat slowly
“Mm hmm,” Athena mumbled with her mouth full, only now realizing just how ravenous she was
Even the radishes she normally wouldn’t touch tasted unexpectedly sweet and delicious now.
To anyone else, it was just an ordinary exchange between the two of them, but in Michael’s eyes, it soured completely.
him, his fits clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Michael felt a surge of anger boiling inside him, his
Michael food a dark, brooding gaze on Xander’s back.
What kind of man does he think he is, throwing his weight around? thought Michael, fumeing inwardly
Xander sensed something and turned back, foigning surprise. “Marquis, Will here?”
As Xander turned around, the dark fury in Michael’s eyes vanished instantly. He bowed respectfully and said, “I, your humble servant, take my leave.”
Michael reluctantly stepped out of the pavilion, his heart twisted into a painful knot of resentment.
“Xander Kander!” Michael seethed inwardly, his mind burning with resentment.
“One day, when I finally hold the reins of power, I’ll make Xander pay! Michael vowed to himself.
Suddenly, a voice called out, “My lord,” reaching!
Michael’s ears.
Michael watched as Willow limped toward him, his eyes flashing with undisguised impatience.
Willow’s arrival instantly
by drew a sea of disapproving gates.
Someone in the crowd murmured, “That’s the Marquis of Somers wife? Why’s she limping like that?”
heard she even missed the auspicious hour on her wedding day. She’s practically an ill omen. Do you think the plague has something to do with a
“Shh! Do you have a death wish?”
The whispers faded, but their smirks remained. Each one dripping with malice
Michael felt his face burn with humiliation, As Willow approached, he snapped, his voice edged with displeasure, “What are you running around for? Go
back at once“.
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Michael’s disaniful hook intently douser
Het beart shaffered into a thousand pieces,
Willow’s eyes welled up with teary as she implored, “Myforit, I’m here to chilp you.”
Nona brought the frished face masks to Michael, ustensibly speaking up her Allens, let in both, she was harbinning her man ute
Nona had discreetly perfumed her sleeves beforetrand. Holding out the masks to Michael with affected concert, she said, “Tond Ciberos, thes made by Lady Willow can prevent plague infection. She was to worried you might catch ther that she dipped her injured borty here to deliver them personally”
The perfume scent dried into Michael’s nose, and he turned his head may slightly in distaste
Michael knew women often scented their clothes. Though he disliked it, be restrained himself and didn’t let it show to tona.
Michael turned his attention to the masks. “You’re saying these can prevent plague infection” he asked skeptically
“Yes, Lord Osborne,” said Nora
“Yes, my lord,” Willow interjected softly
Nona and Willow spoke simultaneously, but Nona abruptly cut herself off mid–sentence.
Willow shot Nona a warning glance, and Nona, wisely taking the hint, promptly retreated behind her
Willow held up the mask for Michael to see and explained earnestly, “The plagues spreading so quickly because it’s transmitted between people f everyone wears a mask, we can contain the infection, With fewer new cases, wouldn’t it be much easier to treat the sick?”
ask and m
Michael’s eyes it up slightly as he picked up the mask and tried it on, but he didn’t feel any immediate difference.
“My lord, with the plague raging like this, why not let them try these masks? What if they work wonders!” Willow urged gently
Michael’s brow furrowed slightly. He thought, Willow has always been different even when she was a child
“Both gunpowder and glassmaking are her inventions.
“Maybe these masks could actually work wonders!
Michael nodded in agreement. “Have these masks distributed to everyone and ensure they all wear them.“”
Willow lot out a relieved breath. “My lord, I promised I’d help you, and I always keep my promis
The confidence in Willow’s eyes loft Michael momentarily transfixed. It reminded him of how Athena used to look at him with that same adoring gaN.
But in the end, he had let her slip away.
To convince everyone, Willow personally distributed the masks.
Nona spared no effort, calling out, “Masks stop gerst Everyone, put them on to stay safe from infection. Hurry, put them an!
“These masks are
sare personally made by Lady Willow herself. Just wear one and you’ll be completely sale from the plague.
“These masks work wonders! You don’t even need medicine. They can cure inesses on their own. A celestial sage appeared in Lady Willow’s dream and
revealed the secist to her.”
In just half an hour, the masks had taken op an almost mythical auTA.
What began as a simple measure to prevent the spread of the virus quickly turned into a miraculous gift from the heavens.
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Of course, Willow was suddenly thrust into the center of attention, with nearly everyone hailing he
It was unclear whether someone was spreading malicious rimbors er deliberately slandering somentin
Some people even started gossiping that Athena was treating common people to make herself look good
After all, Athena used to have a notorious reputation.
