Chapter 448
Willow beamed with delight as Nona fawned over her.
Then she mused, ‘Nona is such a loyal lapdog! I slapped her, and here she is, worried about my hand like nothing happened. If only everyone doted on me like that.‘
“You’re such a sweet talker,” Willow said, her tone syrupy as she took Nona’s hand. “Nona, please don’t hold this against me. I’ve never seen you as just a servant; you’re like a little sister to me. And sisters argue sometimes, don’t they?”
It was classic Willow–slap first, sweet talk later.
Nona played along, putting on a humble face as she said, “How could someone like me ever be your sister? Just serving you is already more than I deserve.”
Willow laughed. This time, it sounded almost genuine. Having poured out all the frustration she’d been bottling up, she finally felt a little lighter.
Yet at the thought of Michael, she couldn’t help but sigh.
Nona caught the shift immediately and said soothingly, “My lady, you don’t have to worry. If you keep helping Lord Osborne, he’ll come around eventually.”
Willow perked up and nodded. “You’re right, Nona.“.
‘The only way to secure my place in the Osborne family is to win Michael’s heart,‘ Willow thought to herself.
Then the two returned to the front courtyard. Eloise saw Willow and rushed over, her face full of concern. “Willow, how did it go?”
“Just a little spat. Tempers are still running high, but it’ll pass in a few days,” Willow replied.
She would never admit she’d been kicked out because that would be way too humiliating.
Willow’s vague response gave Eloise the wrong idea.
Eloise let out a long sigh of relief and said, “Guess Fiona agreed then, my smart girl.”
Willow gave a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Just then, a servant entered and turned to Willow. “My lady, Lord Osborne has left for something urgent.”
At once, Willow’s smile slipped. She thought, ‘We were supposed to visit my family today, yet Michael left on his own. Is he trying to humiliate me? I can’t believe he’s actually mad.’
Then it hit her–he had done it because he was jealous. That meant he cared. The thought lit her up.
Eloise’s face darkened. “What could be so important that he’d leave Willow to go back alone? Her leg is still injured!”
The servant knew his place and dared not respond.
“Mom, please don’t be upset. Michael was sent to Saint Jero Clinic on imperial orders for official duties. As his wife, how could I possibly stop him?” Willow said, trying to appease Eloise.
“Poor girl,” Eloise said sympathetically. Though her heart ached for Willow, she let it go, knowing it was an imperial assignment.
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Chapter 448
She had Willow escorted back to the Osborne residence.
As Willow sat in the carriage, she couldn’t shake off her anxiety.
She summoned a servant to the window and asked, “Where did Lord Osborne go?”
“Saint Jero Clinic, milady,” the servant replied respectfully.
Willow’s expression relaxed. ‘Just as I thought, he’s avoiding me,‘ she mused.
“To Saint Jero Clinic,” Willow commanded the coachman.
One way or another, she had to clear up this misunderstanding with him before things got worse.
Saint Jero Clinic was packed, the air heavy with coughs and the rough, strained breathing of the sick. It was a place thick with desperation.
Then came a slim woman, her presence a quiet flicker of hope in this bleak place.
All the patients, in unison, turned their gaze toward Athena, their eyes alight with hope.
He had brought a generous supply of relief goods–tents, bedding, and more. There was also plenty of rice, flour, and fresh vegetables.
Her lips were parched and cracked, her face drawn with exhaustion. Dark circles sat heavy under her eyes.
Still, she answered every patient’s question with unwavering patience, never showing the slightest annoyance.
Then, he carefully set the meal on Athena’s desk, making sure not to disturb her.
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