Chapter 501
With that, all eyes in the hall turned to Athena
Some gleamed with malicious glee, others wore purrled frowns, while a few showed genuine concem,
Seeing Athena remain silent, Alexandra urged her, “Go on, speak freely. Don’t hold back”
Athena rose gracefully and curtsied respectfully to Alexandra. In a calm, even tone, she replied, “To answer Your Highness, Princess Lizzie and I merely exchanged a few pleasantries. There was in conflict between us
Hearing this, Kendra’s eyes snapped to Athena, her lace fall of shock.
Kendra had expected Athena to play the lool, or worse, hide behind Xander’s influence and run to Alexandra with complaints about Lizzie. That would have been the perfect setup: Lizzie’s anger would only deepen, and Alexandra would have every reason to scold her.
After all, Lizzie was a princess. For Xander’s fiancée to pick a fight with her future sister in law before even marrying in would’ve been downright disgraceful. But to Kendra’s surprise, Athena handled it with poise. She defused the tension with deliberate grace, leaving Alexandra no room to strike.
Xander gazed at Athena with undisguised admiration in his eyes. “What an astute woman, he thought.
He then turned to Alexandra with a gentle smile in his eyes. “Mother, today is your special occasion. Why let petty squabbles trouble you? You should be fully enjoying your birthday party.”
Alexandra felt a surge of frustration stuck in her chest, unable to rise or fall.
She thought she could put Athena in her place and rein in her arrogance, but she hadn’t expected her to be so cunning
Alexandra had no choice but to soften her expression before the assembled guests. “If that’s the case,” she announced with forced composure, “then it seems someone has misreported the situation.”
She gestured for Athena to sit before turning to Xander. “Kendra has just finished her three years of mourning and returned recently. She looked so pitiful that I thought she should stay here for a few days. Rosewood Pavilion is empty, let her have it.”
Rosewood Pavilion was conveniently close to Xander’s Ink Garden, separated by only a single wall.
By ananging for Kendra to stay there, Alexandra’s intentions were crystal clear to everyone present.
And by making this announcement before the assembled guests, she left Xander with no polite way to refuse, thus forcing his public compliance
Xander was well aware of Alexandra’s intentions. Playing along to maintain her dignity, he conceded smoothly. “As you see fit, Mother
Glances were exchanged among the noble ladies and young misses, each with her own silent judgment.
“What a cruel move, they thought, ‘showing another woman at Prince Xander like that, and in front of Lady Athena, no less. It’s as good as slapping her in public:
Seeing Athena sitting there in silence, Alexandra felt immensely pleased. At last, I’ve gained the upper hand, she thought triumphantly.
Alexandra found it puzzling With Xander’s emperament, even if he meant to agree, he would never have done it so easily
“What’s gotten into him today? Why give in so easy?‘ she wondered.
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