The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 774

**Chapter 774**

“Just spit it out already! Why are you stuttering like that?” Athena shot him a piercing glare, her impatience palpable.

Xander, feeling the weight of her gaze, cleared his throat, trying to muster the courage to voice his thoughts. “Do you want to hear some news from Ramberg?” he finally managed to ask, his voice trembling slightly.

Athena noticed the way his expression shifted whenever Ray was mentioned. It was as if a shadow had crossed his face, a mix of wariness and concern.

A teasing smile crept across her lips as she observed him. After all, she and Ray were nothing but a distant memory now, and she was carrying Xander’s children—twins, no less.

What could he possibly want with that intense look? she pondered, amusement dancing in her mind.

“Sure, I want to hear it,” she said provocatively, her tone playful yet challenging.

Xander’s countenance darkened immediately, a storm brewing behind his eyes.

Yet, he knew better than to let his frustration spill over into anger towards her. “Ray has found a replacement, someone who looks just like you. That kid just won’t give up,” he muttered, his voice laced with irritation.

His words hung in the air, charged with unspoken emotions.

He scoffed, a heavy sound that echoed his frustration. “One way or another, I’ll bring his empire crashing down.”

“Well, if you’re so capable, why don’t you just do it now?” Athena goaded him, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Xander’s brow furrowed as he studied her expression, his breath catching in his throat. “You really want me to go after it?” he asked, a mix of surprise and hope flickering in his eyes.

“Ramberg already belongs to the Grand Luminary Empire. Haven’t you always dreamed of reclaiming it? Why would I stand in your way?” Athena replied, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the tassel that hung from her waist, a sign of her casual confidence.

Seeing her seemingly unfazed demeanor eased some of Xander’s tension.

But then, a deep sigh escaped him, the weight of his worries pressing down on his shoulders. “He’s just taking advantage of Ramberg’s strategic position. If it weren’t for that, I would have taken it long ago. He wouldn’t be so brazen otherwise.”

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