From Slave To Queen - Chapter 142: Chapter 142
You are reading From Slave To Queen, Chapter 142: Chapter 142. Read more chapters of From Slave To Queen.
Time flew by. Before anyone realized it, Willow's wedding day was just around the corner.
The entire duke's estate was bustling with activity, with everyone scrambling to attend to Willow's every need.
Congratulations poured in as noble ladies streamed into the estate, each fawning over Willow and vying for her favor.
Meanwhile, Athena was left in the shadows, all but forgotten.
It seemed everyone had forgotten that Athena was the trueborn lady of the duke's estate.
Athena couldn't care less about being sidelined. All she wanted now was to find out who had hurt Macy and make the person pay.
Athena's daily outings had long since caught Matthew's attention.
That day, as usual, Athena stepped out of the estate.
Matthew ordered his trusted aide, "Follow Athena and see what she's really up to. If she dares disgrace our family name, she won't get away with it."
Matthew's trusted aide nodded and discreetly trailed after Athena's carriage.
The carriage arrived at a small courtyard residence in the southern district of Pidence City.
Athena stepped out of the carriage. Matthew's trusted aide watched her disappear inside, then stole a furtive glance through the gate.
In the courtyard, he saw Macy taking slow, unsteady steps.
Recognizing Macy instantly, Matthew's trusted aide rushed back to report to him.
With Willow's wedding approaching, her quarters had become the liveliest place in the entire estate, buzzing with activity and laughter these days.
Matthew had to wait until Willow was alone before he could speak with her.
Looking at Willow's beaming face, Matthew sighed wistfully, "Just a few more days and you'll be married. I'll miss you dearly."
"Matthew, even after I get married, I can still come back and visit," said Willow.
"Once you become Lord Osborne's wife, you can't just come back whenever you wish. The Osborne family will need you to run things as its mistress. I doubt you'll even find the time to visit us," Matthew sighed.
"Matthew, no way," Willow said, unable to suppress her beaming smile.
She had waited what felt like a lifetime for this day to finally arrive. Just the thought of marrying Michael made Willow so excited she couldn't sleep at night.
While the two were chatting merrily, a maid entered and announced, "Sir Monson, Andy is waiting outside for your instructions."
This was Willow's private chambers, hardly appropriate for male servant to enter.
Matthew stood up and said to Willow, "I'll step out for a moment."
Noticing that Matthew seemed preoccupied, Willow quietly followed him.
Andy reported respectfully, "Sir Monson, I've looked into what you asked. The person in that courtyard is Macy."
Willow had just reached the doorway when she overheard those words.
Instantly, all color drained from Willow's face. An icy dread crept up from Willow's feet, spreading through her whole body until she felt frozen to the core.
Matthew knew Macy. A look of confusion crossed his face as he said, "I know this maid. Wasn't she supposed to have left the estate to get married? What is she doing in the southern district of Pidence City?"
"I can't say for sure. The courtyard is heavily guarded," Andy replied. After a moment's thought, he added, "Macy seems seriously injured. She even needs help to walk."
A wave of anxiety surged through Matthew. "Damn, this is bad," he thought. "Athena is closest to Macy—for whatever Macy's suffered, she'll surely hold the entire estate accountable."
Willow trembled so hard with fear that her legs nearly gave way. She staggered out unsteadily, her eyes red-rimmed with unshed tears, and called out in a trembling voice, "Matthew?"
Matthew spun around in confusion, only to see Willow's face crumpling as if she were barely holding back tears.
Tears welled up in Willow's eyes, her face a portrait of aristocratic distress.
"Willow, what's wrong?" Matthew asked, his voice full of concern.
As Willow spoke, she could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down Willow's face, each drop piercing Matthew's heart.
Matthew reached out, concern creasing his brow. "Hey there, what's with the tears all of a sudden, Willow?"
With so many prying eyes around, Matthew quickly shielded Willow and ushered her back into her chambers.
Willow collapsed onto the chaise lounge, her delicate frame wracked with sobs. "Matthew, please, you have to save me," she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.
Seeing her distraught state, Matthew frowned. "Willow, what nonsense is this? Why would you need me to save you?"
Seeing this, Nona quickly explained, "Sir Monson, you see, after Lady Athena was sent to the military camp, Lady Eloise originally wanted to sell off both Macy and Thalia. It was only because Lady Willow pleaded for mercy that they were kept on.
"But those two maids had sticky fingers. They stole Lady Willow's jewelry. Lady Willow tried to cover for them, but when Lady Eloise found out, she had them both sold off as punishment."
A trace of doubt crossed Matthew's mind. "This seems unlikely. I've known Macy. She's always been honest and dutiful. How could she steal anything?"
Seeing his skepticism, Nona quickly added, "Perhaps they just wanted to stand up for Lady Athena's honor."
"Oh," Matthew murmured thoughtfully, recalling when Athena had been punished with military camp duty, the two maids wailed and pleaded desperately, proclaiming Athena's innocence to anyone who would listen.
They were practically accusing Willow of framing Athena.
'That would explain it then,' Matthew thought to himself. 'After all, both of them are utterly devoted to Athena.'
Matthew thought for a moment, then caught Willow's meaning. "You're afraid Athena will trace this back to you?"
Clutching her handkerchief, Willow burst into tears, her voice trembling with grievance. "Matthew, Athena has always held a grudge against me. If she ever finds out the truth behind all this, no matter how, I still couldn't clear my name."
Nona, her eyes red with unshed tears, spoke up indignantly for Willow. "Lady Willow has endured hardship after hardship in the duke's estate, always treading carefully.
"Now that she's finally about to see better days, if Lady Athena uncovers anything, she'll surely make Lady Willow pay."
Nona bowed deeply before Matthew, her voice trembling with sincerity. "Sir Monson, you weren't here back then, so you don't know what really happened.
"Now, Lady Willow has nowhere else to turn. You're the only one in this estate who can protect her. Please help Lady Willow."
With Willow and Nona piling on the emotional pressure like this, Matthew had no choice but to get involved.
Matthew clenched his fist, a look of disdain flickering across his face. "So this is what all the fuss is about? Just a worthless maid. Have her sent away and be done with it."
"Just focus on your wedding, Willow. I'll take care of everything else." Matthew reassured her.
Willow nodded gratefully, her eyes shining with admiration. "Matthew, I'll always cherish your kindness to me."
Willow's adoring gaze made Matthew flush with a mix of pride and bashfulness.
Nicolas was the pride of the duke's estate. As the eldest son, he naturally enjoyed Henry's highest regard.
As for Matthew, the second son with only a minor official position, Henry paid him far less attention.
But Willow was different. She idolized him. She would call him in that sweet, adoring voice of hers, treating him as her rock and protector.
Willow's admiration gave Matthew the sense of purpose he'd always craved.
Since childhood, Matthew had always granted Willow's every wish. As always, this time was no different.
"Thank you, Matthew," Willow murmured again, her red-rimmed eyes gazing up at him with pitiful adoration, a look that sent a wave of gratified pride through Matthew.
Without another word, Matthew strode out of the estate. Following Andy's lead, he had no trouble locating the small courtyard residence in the southern district of Pidence City.
Matthew waited patiently until Athena had departed before stepping forward.
Guards stood watch at the courtyard gate. A guard stepped forward, eyeing Matthew warily and blocking his path. "Who goes there?"
Matthew flashed his badge. "Pidence Guards—official business. Stand aside."
The guards' faces paled with fear, and they immediately yielded the way.
Matthew swaggered in with his men in tow. His sudden arrival sent shockwaves through the courtyard.
The maids cowered in fear, while Macy, her face filled with terror, retreated step by step.
"Macy, what are you doing here?" Matthew demanded in an official tone. "You were caught stealing before—by rights, you should have had a hand chopped off and been sold into servitude.
"But because you were Athena's maid and had protected her since childhood, I let you off the hook."
Matthew continued, "To think you'd dare come back to Pidence City to poison her mind. Don't expect any mercy from me."
The entire duke's estate was bustling with activity, with everyone scrambling to attend to Willow's every need.
Congratulations poured in as noble ladies streamed into the estate, each fawning over Willow and vying for her favor.
Meanwhile, Athena was left in the shadows, all but forgotten.
It seemed everyone had forgotten that Athena was the trueborn lady of the duke's estate.
Athena couldn't care less about being sidelined. All she wanted now was to find out who had hurt Macy and make the person pay.
Athena's daily outings had long since caught Matthew's attention.
That day, as usual, Athena stepped out of the estate.
Matthew ordered his trusted aide, "Follow Athena and see what she's really up to. If she dares disgrace our family name, she won't get away with it."
Matthew's trusted aide nodded and discreetly trailed after Athena's carriage.
The carriage arrived at a small courtyard residence in the southern district of Pidence City.
Athena stepped out of the carriage. Matthew's trusted aide watched her disappear inside, then stole a furtive glance through the gate.
In the courtyard, he saw Macy taking slow, unsteady steps.
Recognizing Macy instantly, Matthew's trusted aide rushed back to report to him.
With Willow's wedding approaching, her quarters had become the liveliest place in the entire estate, buzzing with activity and laughter these days.
Matthew had to wait until Willow was alone before he could speak with her.
Looking at Willow's beaming face, Matthew sighed wistfully, "Just a few more days and you'll be married. I'll miss you dearly."
"Matthew, even after I get married, I can still come back and visit," said Willow.
"Once you become Lord Osborne's wife, you can't just come back whenever you wish. The Osborne family will need you to run things as its mistress. I doubt you'll even find the time to visit us," Matthew sighed.
"Matthew, no way," Willow said, unable to suppress her beaming smile.
She had waited what felt like a lifetime for this day to finally arrive. Just the thought of marrying Michael made Willow so excited she couldn't sleep at night.
While the two were chatting merrily, a maid entered and announced, "Sir Monson, Andy is waiting outside for your instructions."
This was Willow's private chambers, hardly appropriate for male servant to enter.
Matthew stood up and said to Willow, "I'll step out for a moment."
Noticing that Matthew seemed preoccupied, Willow quietly followed him.
Andy reported respectfully, "Sir Monson, I've looked into what you asked. The person in that courtyard is Macy."
Willow had just reached the doorway when she overheard those words.
Instantly, all color drained from Willow's face. An icy dread crept up from Willow's feet, spreading through her whole body until she felt frozen to the core.
Matthew knew Macy. A look of confusion crossed his face as he said, "I know this maid. Wasn't she supposed to have left the estate to get married? What is she doing in the southern district of Pidence City?"
"I can't say for sure. The courtyard is heavily guarded," Andy replied. After a moment's thought, he added, "Macy seems seriously injured. She even needs help to walk."
A wave of anxiety surged through Matthew. "Damn, this is bad," he thought. "Athena is closest to Macy—for whatever Macy's suffered, she'll surely hold the entire estate accountable."
Willow trembled so hard with fear that her legs nearly gave way. She staggered out unsteadily, her eyes red-rimmed with unshed tears, and called out in a trembling voice, "Matthew?"
Matthew spun around in confusion, only to see Willow's face crumpling as if she were barely holding back tears.
Tears welled up in Willow's eyes, her face a portrait of aristocratic distress.
"Willow, what's wrong?" Matthew asked, his voice full of concern.
As Willow spoke, she could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down Willow's face, each drop piercing Matthew's heart.
Matthew reached out, concern creasing his brow. "Hey there, what's with the tears all of a sudden, Willow?"
With so many prying eyes around, Matthew quickly shielded Willow and ushered her back into her chambers.
Willow collapsed onto the chaise lounge, her delicate frame wracked with sobs. "Matthew, please, you have to save me," she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.
Seeing her distraught state, Matthew frowned. "Willow, what nonsense is this? Why would you need me to save you?"
Seeing this, Nona quickly explained, "Sir Monson, you see, after Lady Athena was sent to the military camp, Lady Eloise originally wanted to sell off both Macy and Thalia. It was only because Lady Willow pleaded for mercy that they were kept on.
"But those two maids had sticky fingers. They stole Lady Willow's jewelry. Lady Willow tried to cover for them, but when Lady Eloise found out, she had them both sold off as punishment."
A trace of doubt crossed Matthew's mind. "This seems unlikely. I've known Macy. She's always been honest and dutiful. How could she steal anything?"
Seeing his skepticism, Nona quickly added, "Perhaps they just wanted to stand up for Lady Athena's honor."
"Oh," Matthew murmured thoughtfully, recalling when Athena had been punished with military camp duty, the two maids wailed and pleaded desperately, proclaiming Athena's innocence to anyone who would listen.
They were practically accusing Willow of framing Athena.
'That would explain it then,' Matthew thought to himself. 'After all, both of them are utterly devoted to Athena.'
Matthew thought for a moment, then caught Willow's meaning. "You're afraid Athena will trace this back to you?"
Clutching her handkerchief, Willow burst into tears, her voice trembling with grievance. "Matthew, Athena has always held a grudge against me. If she ever finds out the truth behind all this, no matter how, I still couldn't clear my name."
Nona, her eyes red with unshed tears, spoke up indignantly for Willow. "Lady Willow has endured hardship after hardship in the duke's estate, always treading carefully.
"Now that she's finally about to see better days, if Lady Athena uncovers anything, she'll surely make Lady Willow pay."
Nona bowed deeply before Matthew, her voice trembling with sincerity. "Sir Monson, you weren't here back then, so you don't know what really happened.
"Now, Lady Willow has nowhere else to turn. You're the only one in this estate who can protect her. Please help Lady Willow."
With Willow and Nona piling on the emotional pressure like this, Matthew had no choice but to get involved.
Matthew clenched his fist, a look of disdain flickering across his face. "So this is what all the fuss is about? Just a worthless maid. Have her sent away and be done with it."
"Just focus on your wedding, Willow. I'll take care of everything else." Matthew reassured her.
Willow nodded gratefully, her eyes shining with admiration. "Matthew, I'll always cherish your kindness to me."
Willow's adoring gaze made Matthew flush with a mix of pride and bashfulness.
Nicolas was the pride of the duke's estate. As the eldest son, he naturally enjoyed Henry's highest regard.
As for Matthew, the second son with only a minor official position, Henry paid him far less attention.
But Willow was different. She idolized him. She would call him in that sweet, adoring voice of hers, treating him as her rock and protector.
Willow's admiration gave Matthew the sense of purpose he'd always craved.
Since childhood, Matthew had always granted Willow's every wish. As always, this time was no different.
"Thank you, Matthew," Willow murmured again, her red-rimmed eyes gazing up at him with pitiful adoration, a look that sent a wave of gratified pride through Matthew.
Without another word, Matthew strode out of the estate. Following Andy's lead, he had no trouble locating the small courtyard residence in the southern district of Pidence City.
Matthew waited patiently until Athena had departed before stepping forward.
Guards stood watch at the courtyard gate. A guard stepped forward, eyeing Matthew warily and blocking his path. "Who goes there?"
Matthew flashed his badge. "Pidence Guards—official business. Stand aside."
The guards' faces paled with fear, and they immediately yielded the way.
Matthew swaggered in with his men in tow. His sudden arrival sent shockwaves through the courtyard.
The maids cowered in fear, while Macy, her face filled with terror, retreated step by step.
"Macy, what are you doing here?" Matthew demanded in an official tone. "You were caught stealing before—by rights, you should have had a hand chopped off and been sold into servitude.
"But because you were Athena's maid and had protected her since childhood, I let you off the hook."
Matthew continued, "To think you'd dare come back to Pidence City to poison her mind. Don't expect any mercy from me."
End of From Slave To Queen Chapter 142. Continue reading Chapter 143 or return to From Slave To Queen book page.