The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Lizzie’s expression gradually darkened. She had to admit, she did admire Ferris a little.

But he always gave her the cold shoulder, which greatly irked her.

Other men all fell all over her trying to please her.

Yet Ferris only had eyes for Athena, following her around like a lovesick puppy day after day.

Lizzie thought bitterly, ‘What’s so special about that lowborn wench?‘

Just thinking of Athena made Lizzie seethe with anger.

“Come on, let’s head to Breeze Pavilion and indulge ourselves a little,” Lizzie said with a smirk.

Ever since Xander had her toy boys executed, Lizzie hadn’t had a man by her side for ages.

Now that the King had arranged a marriage for her, she decided to make the most of her last few days of freedom.

Meanwhile, at McGee residence.

Ferris had been sitting motionless for half an hour, clutching the imperial edict 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.

It 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 Ferris–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 smile. “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 anxiously, “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 you just be…”

Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

With Lizzie’s capricious nature, how could she ever settle down and be a proper wife.

Ferris would surely become the laughingstock of the entire court,

Loretta felt sorry for her son.

Ferris, however, said with feigned nonchalance, “Any bride would do.”

He gently helped Loretta sit down and said, “Mother, haven’t you always wanted to return to our old home in Nimbial? You can set off in a few days.”

“You… you’re actually sending me away?” Loretta gasped in shock, her eyes widening in alarm as she stared uneasily at Ferris. “What on earth are you planning to do?”

Ferris remained calm and gave her a reassuring smile. “Mother, you’re overthinking it. I’m just worried about your health. The climate here in Pidence City isn’t as mild as Nimbial’s. Why don’t you go back and stay for six months to a year to recuperate? Once you’re

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feeling better, I’ll come and bring you home myself.”

“Ferris, you mustn’t do anything reckless,” Loretta said anxiously. “You’re my only son left in this world.”

Ferris gently patted Loretta’s hand and said softly, “Don’t worry, Mother. I still need to take care of you in your old age–I won’t do anything reckless.”

Loretta asked anxiously, “What about the wedding arrangements?”

Ferris reassured her, “Don’t worry, Mother. Since it’s an imperial marriage, the Royal Household Department will handle everything.”

Loretta gazed at Ferris uneasily, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice trembled with reluctance as she said, “How could I possibly bear to leave you alone in Pidence City, son?”

At this, Loretta clutched Ferris’s hands desperately and pleaded, her voice trembling with urgency, “My dear son, let’s flee! Let’s escape to the north–just the two of us, to live where no one knows us, shall we?”

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 Nimbial 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 plotting something monumental.

‘Otherwise, why would he insist on sending me back to Nimbial?‘ she wondered.

Though worry gnawed at her, 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, Ferris, I’ll return to Nimbial.”

“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 smaller–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 things.

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 winter.

Yet when it brushed against one’s face, it still felt rather harsh.

Ferris approached the entrance to Saint Jero Clinic. Even before he got close, cheerful laughter spilled out from within.

“What’s all the commotion about in there?” he asked, motioning to his attendant.

The attendant went to ask around and quickly returned. “My Lord, Prince Xander is hosting a banquet to reward everyone for their efforts.”

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. Her contributions are immense, and the people are deeply grateful. She seems quite content.”

“As long as she’s happy,” Ferris said to himself, but the words left a bitter aftertaste in his heart.

Athena was clearly thriving, so why did his chest feel so unbearably tight?

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Chapter 266

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 imperial edict arrived, he realized he simply couldn’t let go.

A bitter lump rose in Ferris’s throat–how could he possibly let go?

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