Chapter 462
Willow gritted her teeth in frustration, stepped out of the carriage, and approached Michael. Suppressing her anger, she urged, “Michael, if Athena refuses to see you, why must you degrade yourself like this?”
“Only Athena can cure Mother’s illness. What does it matter if I wait a little longer?” Michael said, his voice calm and steady, without a trace of impatience.
His eyes were gentle, radiating quiet determination and showing he was utterly willing.
Willow was fuming. ‘He’s already this besotted just by looking at Athena’s manor,’ she thought bitterly. ‘If he actually saw her, she’d have him wrapped around her finger in no time.’
“Michael,” Willow said earnestly, “but Athena is now Mrs. Cavendish. Your standing here will only invite gossip. No one will care that you’re here to seek medicine for your mother. They’ll only say you’re coveting Mrs. Cavendish.”
Michael’s expression wavered, his jaw clenched in conflict. “But Mother’s illness won’t wait.”
Torn between troubling Athena and saving Kelsey, he stood paralyzed by the dilemma.
Seeing he was convinced, Willow eagerly volunteered, “Michael, let me do this for you. After all, Athena and I are sisters-if anyone sees me, it won’t raise eyebrows. At worst, I might have to endure a few snide remarks.”
“Willow,” Michael said, his expression softening with emotion. “Wouldn’t that be asking too much of you?”
Willow met his gaze, her voice steady. “If it means saving my mother-in-law, I’m willing to endure any hardship.”
Willow’s answer tugged at Michael’s heartstrings, making him wonder if he’d been too harsh on her lately.
Just then, a mounted attendant galloped over, his face full of urgency. Reining in his horse, he called out breathlessly to Michael, “My Lord, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace at once!”
At the words “to the palace,” Michael’s stomach clenched with dread.
Before, every trip to the palace meant rewards and honors, but now it was nothing but reprimands and punishment.
Michael thought to himself, ‘Being called in at a time like this? That can’t mean anything good.
‘Could it be about those rumors?’
Michael didn’t dare delay. He briefly instructed Willow, “Athena is still mad, so it’s understandable she doesn’t want to see us. Willow, I’m sorry you have to endure this slight. Please wait here a bit longer. We’ll decide what to do after I return from the palace.”
Verify captcha to read the content
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena)