Chapter 508
Chapter 508
She quickly knelt down to clean up the mess. “Sorry, Marquita,” she said with an apologetic pout, “It was just an accident”
“ Don’t you give me that! It’s only because Lady Athena is so generous that she puts up with you. If it were me, I’d have kicked you out long ago Marquita replied.
While the two chattered and bickered away, Athena found their lively noise anything but annoying.
Athena rested her chin in her hand, watching them with a fond smile as their banter echoed through the room. It was in these small, noisy moments that she felt the warmth of home most clearly.
Suddenly, Trina yelped and clutched her finger.
As soon as she saw the bright red blood welling up, Trina burst into frightened sobs, her voice trembling as she cried, “Oh Marquita, I’m bleeding p>
Marquita immediately stopped scolding and quickly pulled Trina’s hand over, frowning as she saw the wound. “Ouch, that’s quite deep! Go tend to it right away, I’ll clean up this mess here p>
Athena grabbed the ointment. “Come here, Trina,” she called gently. “Let me take a look p>
With tears still glistening on her cheeks, Trina approached Athena. As Athena gently applied the ointment and noticed her red, puffy nose from crying, a small, fond smile tugged at her lips.
Trina might act all carefree and thick–skinned most of the time, but when it came to pain, she was the biggest softie around.
Moments like this, with her sobbing like that, made it clear as day.
Once the ointment was applied, Athena gave Trina three days off. The woman’s tears instantly turned into a beaming smile.
Just then, Lance walked in from outside and said to Athena, “Viscountess, someone is here seeking your medical help p>
Athena looked surprised and asked, “Who is it p>
Lance hesitated, looking troubled. “She’s the Chief of the Federal Bureau’s concubine p>
Athena paused for a moment upon hearing who it was. Then her eyes lit up with interest. “Have her wait in the reception hall,” she said.
Marquita and Trina exchanged puzzled glances.
Marquita said with evident distaste, “Lady Athena, we absolutely cannot allow someone like that into our household. How could she possibly deserve your medical treatment p>
“Exactly! If she comes into our household, who knows what kind of gossip might start,” Trina chimed in.
Athena, however, had made up her mind. “A healer must act with kindness. If she came to me, then she must be at the end of her ro
“You’re too soft–hearted, Lady.” Trina sighed, albeit reluctantly trailing after her.
When they entered the reception hall, they saw a woman standing there alone in a peach–pink gown; the color reserved for concubines.
Just by standing there in that gown, she was a walking disgrace.
Athena had imagined a seductress. Instead, she saw grief behind striking beauty.
Moreover, her face also bore wounds. Faint bloodstains seeped through her sleeves, suggesting she was injured.
Upon seeing Athena, Belle’s face turned pale with terror, She unexpectedly dropped to her knees before herand said in a trembling voler voreatings
1/2
Chapter Su
Viscountess. ”
The scowl on Trina’s face faded Instantly when she saw Brille th such a pintor handien
Even as a concubine, no one deserved to be besten like that. Seeing the wounds, Trita could only imagines How crust the chief’s wife must have beeno
“Please rise.” Athena said quickly, reaching out to help her.
Belle gazed intently at Athena, her eyes filled with desperate gratitude. “My Lady Viscountess, please, you must save met
As she spoke, with trembling hands, she rolled up her sleeves, revealing the wounds on her body.
Her fair arm was marred by countless knife slashes.
Some had already healed; others gaped open, raw flesh exposed; while still others were red, swollen, and oozing with pus
This was only the tip of the iceberg. With tears streaming down her face, Belle, her hands trembling, slowly unfastened her collar Her body was a horrifying sight; covered in countless burns, lash marks, and needle pricks, her flesh a raw, bloody mess.
What was worse, her chest was even caved in, leaving a horrifying hollow.
Her wounds were festering and inflamed, and a faint but unmistakable stench of decay began to waft through the air.
Trina, who had never witnessed such a gruesome sight before, gasped in shock and instinctively covered her mouth.
Then, she immediately ran outside, retching violently.
Athena looked at the frail, battered woman before her, and a look of sympathy involuntarily crossed her face.
She was also momentarily appalled by the horrific wounds before her. Once she collected herself, she ordered one of the maids, “Fetch the medical kit immediately p>
O
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.