The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 766

**TITLE: Fake Girl 766**

**Chapter 766**

Athena spent the majority of her day within the opulent confines of the palace, her mind swirling with thoughts and emotions, before finally making her way back to the familiar warmth of Xander Manor. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape, but her spirit felt heavy as she trudged up the path to the mansion.

Upon her arrival, she was met with the anxious gaze of Alexandra, who had been waiting for her return with palpable worry etched across her features.

“Quickly, sit down and rest,” Alexandra urged, her voice laced with concern as she gestured for a maid to fetch a soft stool. “The kitchen has prepared a warm bowl of stewed oatmeal. I’ll have them serve it right away.”

As she touched Athena’s belly gently, her eyes scanned Athena’s pale visage, and a frown deepened on her brow. “Starting tomorrow, let Xander go to the palace on your behalf. How can you endure such torment day after day?”

Athena opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a word, Xander interjected, his voice steady and resolute. “You’re absolutely right. I will go tomorrow.”

He turned his gaze toward Athena, his eyes brimming with tenderness that made her heart flutter. “Be good,” he added softly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, Athena nodded in agreement, though a wave of unease washed over her. Deep down, she was aware that Arthur’s condition was grim, and she feared that time was slipping away from them. She knew she needed to rest, but the thought of Arthur passing left her restless and anxious.

On the evening of the third day, after a quiet dinner, Athena found herself lounging on the plush couch, Xander beside her, reading aloud from a travelogue. The words flowed like a gentle stream, momentarily easing her troubled mind.

Suddenly, a deep, resonant bell tolled from the direction of the palace—its sound heavy and foreboding, striking like a hammer against the silence of the evening. Each chime felt like a blow to Athena’s heart, causing her stomach to twist in dread. The silk handkerchief she had been holding slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor with a soft thud.

Xander’s voice trailed off as he halted his reading, his expression shifting from calm to serious in an instant. They exchanged a look, and the gravity of the moment hung thick in the air between them.

The bell tolled four times—a mournful death knell.

Arthur was gone.

Almost simultaneously, a royal attendant appeared at the gates of Xander Manor, dressed in somber mourning attire. He knelt before them, his head bowed in respect. “The King is dead. His Majesty has commanded that Xander and Athena enter the palace to keep vigil.”

The last rays of sunlight had vanished, surrendering the city of Pidence to the enveloping darkness of night. The decorations within Xander Manor were swiftly replaced with white, a stark reminder of the sorrow that had befallen them.

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