To Marry A Monster Novel

Chapter 177 ATASHA'S POV " My lady... " Grace leaned close , her hand tightening on my arm . " Demon Fangs ," she muttered . My stomach dropped . For a moment , I felt like the world tilted sideways . The crowd's voices faded . All I could hear was that one name . Demon Fangs . Attacking the western border . Again . Why are they attacking the North now ? I believe this would be the first time that they actually attacked the western borders of the north . Was it all a coincidence ? Grace steadied me before I swayed . " They're pushing through the outposts . Lady Kenneth is being informed now .

" Before I could say anything , Lady Kenneth approached . " Your Highness , " she said . " Congratulations . You passed the test . I will relay the results to the King personally ." I nodded . My throat felt tight . " Thank you . I appreciate your presence today . But I'll need to rest . I won't be joining your company after this ." She gave a shallow bow . " Of course . Your health is the priority . " I managed a small smile . My gaze slid back to the Stone of the Goddess . From where I was standing , it looked smooth . Yet , only I could still feel the memory of it under my palm .

I breathed out slowly . After I fainted in the mausoleum , I woke up the next morning barely able to lift my head . My body felt drained , empty in a way I couldn't describe.I knew I was not sick , nor was I poisoned . I just felt ... emptied out . Cassian had been the one sitting beside the bed . He didn't say anything at first , just waited until I was awake enough to understand him . " This is your chance , " he said . " Let them see you like this . Let them think you're someone who bleeds and breaks . They need to believe you're not invincible .

" I didn't understand what he meant until now . Everything came together the moment the crowd reacted to me , the way I trembled when I walked , the unstable steps , the way people gasped like I might collapse any second . All of it made sense . Cassian wanted them to see someone who could break , someone they needed to protect . Cassian planned it from the start . Let the people side with me . Let them resent Yara . Let them doubt Lady Kenneth and the crown . He wanted their loyalty to turn before the test even began . And it worked . Not because I acted well .

But because Cassian took the pain meant for me . All of it . The stone never hurt me because the moment I saw it , his body absorbed the pain . He didn't tell me how he did it but I knew it had something to do with the stone that Elder Agape gave me before I left the mansion . He said it was a fae stone that belonged to the royalties who had met their mate . Now , all I wanted was to leave this place and get back to him . I turned to Grace . " Let's go ." Grace nodded immediately . Sister Veris moved to my other side , her hand firm on my back .

They guided me carefully down the steps as the crowd shifted away to make a path . The murmurs followed us as we moved . I didn't need to listen closely to understand what they meant . I saw it on their faces , worry from some , relief from others , and anger from the rest . Anger that I had been pushed into this test in my condition . All of it lined up exactly the way Cassian intended . Soon enough , we reached the carriage . Grace helped me up the steps while Sister Veris kept close , ready to catch me if my legs gave out .

As soon as I sat inside , the tension in my shoulders eased a little . The door closed . The noise outside faded . And the only thing I could think about was Cassian . He had taken the pain meant for me , carried it without letting anyone notice , and kept the truth hidden so the crowd would never question my condition . He stayed close enough to protect me through all of it , yet distant enough that I wouldn't see what it was costing him . I leaned back against the cushions , breath slow . " Take me to him , " I whispered .

" My lady , I received news that Lord Cassian is already on his way to the western borders to tackle the current rebels , " Grace suddenly said . " And- " " And what ? " I asked . 66 " My lady ... he instructed us to take you to the mansion , " Grace finished . I stared at her . " No. I'm going to the borders . " Grace tightened her grip on the strap near the window . " You can't , not right now . Elder Agape is waiting for you in the mansion . " That was all it took . The message was clear . He must have wanted the stone back . I still had it .

And if Cassian had already left , it meant he trusted me to return it myself . I let out a slow breath . " Fine . Take me to the mansion . " Then , I will go see Cassian . I have to see him . Grace nodded and tapped the side of the carriage . It jerked into motion . The farther we got from the square , the more I felt the shaking in my hands settle . Not because I was better , but because I finally knew what I needed to do . By the time we reached the mansion , the guards were already doubling their posts . By now , words of the attacked must have already reached everyone's ears .

Grace immediately helped me down . " Where is he ? " I asked . " In the east wing , my lady . Elder Agape requested privacy , " Grace answered . I walked there without stopping . Grace stayed behind me , almost glued to my shoulder . We reached the long hallway that led to the Elder's room , and as soon as I stepped in , I saw them . Elder Agape stood near the table , hands folded behind him . And beside him was Prince Kaelith . I didn't wait for them to speak . I reached into my cloak and took out the stone . It rested in my palm , no bigger than my thumb . It looked harmless now .

But I knew what it had done for me . " Thank you , " I said to Elder Agape . " This helped me more than you know . " Elder Agape nodded without saying a word . Then , I turned to Prince Kaelith and extended the stone toward him . " I believe this belongs to you . Or your family . " To my surprise however , Prince Kaelith turned towards the Elder and said . " So ... you were right . She is not one of us . She is one of them . "