The Queens: Scarred Queen Novel

Chapter 449 Chapter 449 Athena found herself staring at Xander's strikingly handsome face that had suddenly come so close. She was momentarily stunned. Before she could react, she suddenly felt a strong arm at her waist, steadying her posture. Xander gently settled Athena onto the stool. As he reached out to the side, an exquisite food box was placed into his hand. Xander set the exquisite food box before Athena and opened it for her. He carefully took out each dish from the food box and arranged them neatly before Athena, making sure everything was within her reach.

Then, with a graceful sweep of his robe, he took a seat opposite Athena. A mouthwatering aroma wafted from the steaming dishes. Athena was starving. She instinctively swallowed as her mouth watered. She glanced at Xander hesitantly and then looked at the dishes on the table. 'Is Prince Xander here to have a meal with me?' she wondered. "What, not to your taste?" Xander murmured, his gaze fixed solely on Athena, completely ignoring Michael, whom he had just tossed aside. Had his attendant not caught him in time, Michael would have been eating dirt by now.

Michael stared at Athena and Xander, his eyes wide with shock, before a shadow passed over his gaze. 'A man and a woman are dining alone together in broad daylight. Aren't they afraid of gossip?' Michael thought darkly. Athena was starving, but with Michael glaring at her like he'd just caught her in the act, there was no way she could eat. 'Seriously? Why is he looking at me like that? We've been over for ages. Why does Michael still think he can meddle in my life?' Athena thought, both annoyed and a little amused.

Xander seemed to only then notice Michael, his lips curling into a smile that was more mocking than apologetic. "It's Lord Osborne," he drawled, "I mistook you for some lowlife trying to accost my Princess Consort. My apologies for the rough handling. I trust you're unharmed?" There was an indescribable edge of sarcastic politeness in Xander's expression and tone. Athena noticed the veins bulging at Michael's temple. His temper in check. In both rank and status, Michael was beneath Xander. 'What's he so worked up about?' Athena wondered.

Michael took a deep breath to steady himself, then obediently knelt. "Greetings, Prince Xander," he said, his tone carefully respectful. Xander chuckled, his magnanimity tinged with subtle mockery as he called out to Marquis. "Please, Marquis, rise. You've recently wed, and I haven't yet had the chance to offer my congratulations." Xander raised his wine cup to Michael with a deceptively cordial smile. "Care to share a drink with me, Marquis?" Michael's face tightened as he demurred, "Prince Xander, thanks for your kindness., but my official business forbids me to 1/2 drink.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Xander remarked with feigned surprise. "Marquis, wasn't it just yesterday that you received official punishment? And yet here you are, diligently attending to your duties despite your injuries. Such loyalty to the Crown and country. If His Majesty knew, he would be very pleased." Xander appeared to be in high spirits, his words unusually amiable. But only Athena could see the icy chill in Xander's eyes. A cold that was barely contained and threatened to spill over. Xander's gaze was a silent warning to Michael. He'd better keep his distance from Athena.

Athena had a sneaking suspicion. Michae's recent misfortune probably had Xander's doing over it. She might not be the type to kick Michael when he's down, but she had to admit that she was rather enjoying his predicament! "Focus on your meal," Xander said, tapping the table lightly as he noticed Athena zoning out, a hint of jealousy flickering in his eyes. Xander shot Athena a displeased look, his jealousy reaching a boiling point. 'What's so special about Michael? Is he better-looking than me?' Xander thought disdainfully.

ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ find⦿novel.net Athena's cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment. 'I wasn't even looking at Michael,' she thought. She lowered her head and gobbled down her food, her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster. Xander gazed at her with a tender smile, his eyes brimming with adoration. Then, Xander poured Athena a cup of coffee and said gently, "Eat slowly." "Mm-hmm," Athena mumbled with her mouth full, only now realizing just how ravenous she was. Even the radishes she normally wouldn't touch tasted unexpectedly sweet and delicious now.

To anyone else, it was just an ordinary exchange between the two of them, but in Michael's eyes, it soured completely. Michael felt a surge of anger boiling inside him, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white. Michael fixed a dark, brooding gaze on Xander's back.