Athena took the invitation, opened it, and gave the contents a brief glance.
“Your Highness,” Athena said to Gale, “the princess has invited us to a party at Spring Garden.”
“Were you invited too?” Gale asked in surprise.
Athena nodded slowly, her expression grave. “I have a bad feeling about this party,” she said.
Athena thought to herself, ‘No one shows kindness without an ulterior motive.‘
Gale instinctively pressed a hand to her chest, anxiety evident in her voice. “Athena, why don’t you just pretend to be sick and skip it?”
‘For some reason, I can’t shake the feeling that this whole party is aimed at Athena,’ she thought.
Spring Garden was located on a small island at the center of a lake in the suburbs.
It was certainly an excellent location. After all, the Queen had hosted parties there in previous years.
The landscape was breathtaking, and the location couldn’t be better.
Given the high status of this party, someone of Athena’s rank as a the Viscountess normally wouldn’t be invited.
For Lizzie to personally invite both Gale and Athena would be quite suspicious.
Athena thought to herself, ‘I could feign illness to skip it this time, but what about next time?‘
Athena shook her head and said, “If I don’t go, the princess may hold a grudge. I’ll just be extra careful. With so many noble ladies watching, she wouldn’t dare go too far.”
Gale nodded worriedly. “There’s no other way, Athena. Be patient in everything. Your wedding with Ferris is approaching. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Gale thought anxiously, ‘If anything were to happen to Athena, how could I ever face my son?
‘Besides, Athena really is everything I could hope for in a daughter–in–law.
‘Athena is truly one of a kind. I could search the world and never find another daughter–in–law like her.‘
Athena chuckled lightly and said, “As you wish, Mother.”
“That’s my good girl…” Gale said, her confidence in Athena unwavering.
She thought, ‘Athena has always been patient. As long as she doesn’t provoke Lizzie, nothing bad should happen to her.‘
The party was scheduled for the following evening.
Athena prepared some knockout drugs and poisons, tucking them into her sleeves.
The next day, Athena and Gale boarded their carriage and set off for Spring Garden.
Upon arrival, they found boatmen already waiting at the dock. Only after boarding did they realize, to their surprise, that many aristocratic women were also boarding the same vessel.
The moment Gale appeared, all the noble ladies flocked to pay their respects to her.
The moment they saw Athena, surprise flashed in all their eyes.
Chapter 186
They seemed baffled as to why Gale would associate with someone like Athena, given her current status.
After all, Athena had already been expelled from the Monson family. Even as a the Viscountess, she was now nothing more than a disgrazed oucan
It was beneath them to be seen with someone like her.
The noble ladies who had been eagerly chatting with Gale suddenly found excuses to leave the moment they spotted Athens,
Athena forced a wry smile and said, “Maybe I should just go to the back?”
Gale said firmly, “Don’t even think about that. Stay right here. You’re the future wife of Ferris, let’s see who dares to disrespect you in my presence
The boat was already small enough, so when Gale deliberately raised her voice, every noble lady heard her loud and clear. Their faces instantly charged with visible shock.
Athena remained unfazed. Having endured countless disdainful looks, she couldn’t care less about their opinions now.
Fortunately, the boat reached the island after just a short while. As everyone disembarked one after another, they deliberately distanced themselves from Athena and Gale.
The entire island was encircled by plum blossom groves, nearly submerged in a sea of flowers.
The overwhelming fragrance of plum blossoms filled the air, both intoxicating and strangely refreshing
Gale led Athena toward the pavilion, making their way through the plum blossom grove.
The noble ladies were gathered around Lizzie, flattering her. But when Athena appeared, sneers spread across their faces.
Athena had crossed Fermin, and Lizzie had always been his close ally.
Lizzie’s invitation to Athena spoke volumes about her true intentions.
Before Athena could ponder further, she and Gale found themselves face–to–face with Lizzie.
After the two had paid their respects, Lizzie’s cool voice came. “Do take your seats.”
‘She’s not giving me any trouble? How strange,‘ Athena thought, surprised.
Just as Athena was thinking this, a court attendant approached her and said, “This way, Lady Athena.”
There was no proper chair, just a simple little table and a thin cushion.
Athena curled her lips into a faint smirk. ‘Now that’s more like it,’ she thought.
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