Chapter 266
Lizzie’s expression gradually darkened the had to admit, she datadoine ferm
But he always cave | – the cold shoulder, which greatly liked her
Other allllllmon bei trying to pleaucher.
Yet fems only had eyes for Athens, following her wound like a lovesick puppy day after day.
Lizzie thought bitterly, ‘What’s so special about that immbom wench?
Just thinking of Athena made Lizzie seether with age
“Come on let’s head to freeze Paullion and kulge ourselves a little,” Lizzie said with a imick.
Ever
er since Xander had her toy boys secuted, Lizzie hade’t had a man by her side for ages.
Now that the King had arranged a manage for her, she decided to make the most of her last few days of bordom
Meanwhile, at McGee residence.
Ferris had been sitting motionless for half an hour, clutching the imperial dict that had seemingly dropped into his lap
Like a statue carved from stone, his eyes were utterly blank, with only a faint, mocking smile playing at the corners of his lips
It was unclear whether he was mocking himself or others.
Loretta entered from outside. Seeing Ferris like this, her heart ached for him, and she hurried over.
“Ferris,” Loretta said softly, “I know you’re hurting. If you need to cry, just let it out.”
Ever since Ferris and Athena parted ways, he had become like a hollow shell of his former self
His eyes held neither love nor hatred.
t was as if the world around him had faded into insignificance
Loretta knew the pain Ferris was carrying inside.
Watching her son in such a state tore at her own heart.
But she couldn’t let her tears fall in front of Fortis he was already going through so much, how could she possibly add to his worries
“Mother, I’m fine,” Ferris looked up at Loretta with a faint, practiced site. “It’s time for me to settle down–this is a good thing”
He placed the imperial edict before the ancestral altar and solemnly lit the incense and candles.
Loretta said anously, you just be
“But Princess Lizzie is so capricious and impossible to deal with. What’s more, she even keeps toy boys. If you marry her, wouldn’t
Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought
With Lizzie’s capricious nature, how could sheever settle down and be a proper wife
Ferris would surely become the laughingstock of the entire court
Loretta felt sorry for her son.
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Chapter 266
Ferris, however, said with feigned nonchalance, “Any bride would do
He gratly helped Locatta sit down and said, “Mother, linzen’t you aboep wanted to retim trocar alle malaty
“You you’re actually sending me way Lunetta gasped in shor planning to do!”
eyes widening in alum at de stand unent,
Ferris remained calm and gave her a reassining imile. “Mother, you’m nverttunking it. I’m just worried about wat beds the dieate her in Pulance Citystamidas Nimbial’s, Why don’t you po back and stay for six months to a year.
home mysel
“Ferms, you mustn’t do anything reckless,” Loietta said aneously. “You’re my only son left in this world?
Ferris pently patted Loretta’s hand and said softly, “Don’t worry, Mother. I still need to take care of your in your old age—I won’t do anything reckless.”
Loretta asked ansiously, “What about the wedding arrangements?”
Ferris reassured her.“Don’t worry, Mother. Since it’s an imperial marriage, the Royal Household Department will handle meything
Loretta gazed at Ferris unwasily, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice trembled with reluctance as she said, “How could possitity bel you alone in Pidence City, son?”
At this, Loretta clutched Ferriss hands desperately and pleaded, her voice trembling with urgency, “My dear son, let’s feet Let’s escape to the north–just the two of us, to live where no one knowsus, shall
Ferris said quietly. “Mother, vast as this world is, all of it belongs to the King. Where could we possibly flee?”
Ferris’s eyes glinted with an ambition Loretta couldn’t quite fathom. He said firmly, “Mother, go back to Nimbul and wait for me. I’ll come for you, all
right?”
Loretta still wanted to say more. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Ferris was platting something monumental.
Otherwise, why would he insist on sending me back to Nimbial? she wondered.
Though worry gnawed ather, Loretta refused to be a burden to him.
She thought her son wasn’t meant to be trampled underfoot and he deserved to live boldly and freely.
Loretta nodded resolutely, her voice gentle but firm. “Alright, Ford, I’ll retum to Nimbal
“Alright.” Ferris gently embraced his mother, wanting to relive the feeling of being held by her as a child.
As a child, just being in his Mom’s arms would make all his fears disappear. He always felt so safe and secure.
But now, as she held him again, Ferris was surprised to realize that something had changed.
Loretta’s frame seemed smaller and more delicate than before, no longer giving him the same sense of reassurance.
Ferris fell silent for a moment before it dawned on him that it was not that his Mom had grown smaler–it was that he had grown up.
Ferris believed that a man must do what was expected of him.
Now that she had decided to leave, Loretta wasted no time and immediately instructed her attendants to begin packing her th
Ferris gazed at the now–empty residence, took a deep breath, and stepped out
Now that spring had arrived, the wind was no longer as fierce as it had been in winder.
Yet when it brushed against one’s face, it still felt rather harsh.
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Chapter 266
Ferris approached the entrance to Saint Jes Clinic en befor be pote
“What all the commation about
The asked, anchoning to his amendant
The attendant went to ask around and quickly returned.
Ferris nodded. “And her? is she happy!
This “her” naturally referred to Athena,
His trusted aide lowered his gaze and replied cautiously, “The Viscountess has contained the epidemic. He contributions are immerse and one people, are deeply grateful. She seems quite content”
“As long as she’s happy.” Ferris said to himself, but the words left a bitter aftertage in his heart
Athena was clearly thriving, so why did his chest leel so unbearably tight?
It was as if a piece of his heart had been carved away, leaving only a hollow ache.
Ferris reached up to touch his chest, the weight of it making him deeply uncomfortable.
He’d thought he could walk away without a second glance, but when the imperialedict arrived, he realized he simply could let go
A bitter lump rose in Ferris’s throat–how could he possibly let go?
Athena was the love of his life.
Hervoice must surely be among the joyous laughter and chatter spilling from indide, yet Ferris couldn’t pick out which one was Athena’s
Ferns took another two steps forward, desperate for just one more glimpse of Athena,
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared before Ferris
Their eyes met–both Ferris and Athena froze in shock.
Athena hadn’t expected to run into Ferris when she just stepped out for some fresh air.
Her eyes lit up with joy as she exclaimed, “Ferris is that really you?”
as just taking a stroll,” he stammeres
But Ferris recoiled as if confronted by some monstrous apparition, instinctively taking a few steps back, “…I was
Athena glanced behind Ferris–only a single attendant followed him
Besides, even by carriage, the trip from the McGee residence to Saint Jero Clinic would take at least half an hour,
“Was he really just out for a stroll she wondered.
“Ferris.” Athena said softly, gazing at him steadily. “We could still be friends after all this, can’t we?”
“Friends?” Ferris repeated the word slowly, a bitter smile playing on his lips
He didn’t answer Athena, merely gazing at her, his eyes brimming with sorrow.
Ever since he became Arthur’s shadow, his life hadn’t been his own
A well–balanced sword was cherished by its master.
But when the blade grew dull, the mastes would break it without hesitation.
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wed; TO JU
Chapter 266
Ferris couldn’t hear to let Athena kruns U
Ferris gave Athena a bittersweet smile “Athenry,
me of yourself from nation, okay?
With that, he took a few steps back and turned to leav
Bewildered, Athena hurried after him and called out, “Ferris, wait!”
Athena reached for Ferris’s sleeve, but someone violently yanked
sim back and shoved her aside.
(e)
