From Slave To Queen - Chapter 163: Chapter 163

Nicolas gently held Cedric's tiny hand and softly soothed him, "There, there, be a good boy, Cedric."
Fiona naturally missed the scheming glint in Nicolas's eyes.
All she saw was the tender affection in Nicolas's eyes as he gazed at Cedric, and her heart melted.
Fiona looked at Nicolas with wounded eyes and said, "Cedric ran a persistent high fever last night. I stayed up the whole night caring for him before it finally subsided. He's not too fussy during the day, but the nights are simply overwhelming."
As a man with an official position, Nicolas would naturally never bother himself with such trivial household matters.
He certainly wouldn't help Fiona with these chores.
In his view, these domestic affairs were barely worth mentioning.
After all, it was common for women in ordinary families to raise a few children on their own.
As his wife, with servants at her disposal, Nicolas felt that Fiona could not possibly have any reason to be tired.
But little did he know that Fiona would often stay awake through the night, cradling the child in her arms.
She dared not sleep, only closing her eyes when exhaustion became unbearable.
Even then, she dared not fall into deep sleep. The slightest stir from the child would rouse her instantly.
Enduring this for a few days would wear out even the healthiest young man, let alone a new mother who had just given birth.
let alone a new mother who had just given birth.
All Fiona ever asked for was a few comforting words from Nicolas when she was struggling. That alone would have been enough for her.
Nicolas merely cast Fiona a cold glance and said dismissively, "You're his mother. Taking care of him is your duty."
He wasn't blind to Fiona's distress. He just thought she was making a fuss over nothing.
After all, it was only looking after a child. 'What's so hard about that?' Nicolas mused to himself.
Fiona felt as if she'd been doused with cold water, the complaints she wanted to voice stuck in her throat.
She managed a faint smile and fell silent, swallowing her disappointment.
Truth be told, she wasn't unattractive. She had a dignified elegance befitting a noble lady.
But her dull, unexpressive nature was never appealing to Nicolas.
He preferred women who were vivacious and spirited, someone who would lean on him.
Fiona clearly wasn't his type, destined never to win his affection.
But today, with a favor to ask of Fiona, Nicolas actually managed to say something halfway decent. "If you're tired, just have the servants hold Cedric. You should rest when you need to. A little crying won't harm the child."
Though his words were far from warm, to Fiona, they meant the world.
Fiona's eyes were tinged with red, but she still smiled and gave Nicolas a coquettish look. "Cedric is still so young. He only acts up when he's not feeling well. He's usually such a good boy. You're right, my lord. As his mother, of course, I'll care for him with all my heart."
As they spoke, Cedric began crying again.
Nicolas tried to soothe Cedric, but the more he tried, the louder the boy wailed.
Fiona couldn't help but chuckle at Nicolas's helpless look. "Here, let me take over," she offered.
With visible relief, Nicolas handed the child to her.
Perhaps sensing his mother's familiar scent, Cedric stopped crying, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Nicolas watched Cedric with a pensive expression, his mind quietly at work.
Nicolas said, "This child has always been frail. Ordinary doctors simply can't cure him."
Fiona sat beside him, holding the child in her arms. Picking up on the underlying meaning in his words, she hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, "My lord, what are you suggesting?"
"Isn't Athena supposed to be quite the healer?" Nicolas picked up his teacup and took a deliberate sip, not bothering to look at Fiona's frozen expression.
Without even glancing at her, he continued nonchalantly, "Who knows? She might just be able to cure Cedric."
Fiona's heart grew cold as she realized Nicolas's true intentions. She asked quietly, "My lord, are you suggesting I take Cedric to plead with Athena for help?"
Ever since Athena left, the atmosphere in the Monson family had grown oddly tense.
After all, words got around. Fiona naturally knew that Henry wanted Athena to return.
But she never expected they would actually make her their pawn in this scheme.
Everyone in the Monson family had burned bridges with Athena, but only Fiona had remained on good terms with her.
Fiona's gaze cooled noticeably as she finally grasped the scheme behind Nicolas's actions.
Nicolas naturally felt a twinge of uneasiness, so he took a sip of his drink to hide his discomfort.
After weighing all his options, Nicolas realized that no one was better suited for the task than Fiona.
As Athena's sister-in-law, arriving with a sick child in her arms, even the hardest-hearted person wouldn't turn them away.
Unless, of course, Athena had no heart at all.
"Plead? What are you talking about? She's your sister too, and we're all family," Nicolas said, knowing Fiona's nature all too well.
He thought Fiona had always been docile and compliant, following his every word without question. Whenever he gave an order, she would obey without hesitation. This time would be no exception.
Yet Fiona gently bit her lip and, to Nicolas's surprise, actually refused him. "My lord, you think too highly of me. I've never interacted with Athena before, my standing means nothing in her eyes."
Even if Fiona were the last fool on earth, she still saw through the real purpose of this trip.
She thought, 'Do the Monsons care about their reputation while mine is supposed to mean nothing?
'This isn't about inviting Athena. It is a groveling apology, plain and simple.
'And to make sure Athena would even consider forgiving them, they insist that I bring my sick child along as a bargaining chip.'
Fiona's heart sank with disappointment.
'He could ignore me all he wanted, but how could he stoop so low as to exploit his own son?' Fiona thought, her mind reeling.
Nicolas was slightly taken aback, his gaze darkening with displeasure as he looked at Fiona. This was the first time she had ever refused him since their marriage.
Perhaps because he was so used to dominating Fiona, Nicolas's face darkened. He scolded, "You call yourself a mother? If you can't even handle a little hardship for your child, you're not fit to be a mother."
With that, Nicolas flung his sleeve and stormed out, his face frozen in displeasure.
Tears welled up in Fiona's eyes as she watched her husband storm away. Her heart ached as if pierced by needles.
Fiona thought bitterly, 'I'd suffer any injustice for my son, even die for him. But why should I have to atone for the Monson family's sins?'
For the next few days, Nicolas gave Fiona the cold shoulder.
Even when they crossed paths in the mansion, he treated her like air.
Fiona thought to herself, 'My heart ached with bitterness. Every single time, it was the same story.
'Whenever Nicolas didn't get his way, he'd freeze me out until I finally gave in.'
Sirena gently advised Fiona, "My lady, Cedric's chill still hasn't improved. Perhaps we should go and plead with Lady Athena for help?"
Cedric was still too young to swallow those bitter medicines.
So the wet nurse had to drink the medicine herself, hoping its effects would pass through her milk before nursing him.
But as expected, the diluted treatment proved ineffective.
Every night, Cedric would cry because he couldn't breathe well. The more he cried, the more blocked his nose became, making it even harder for him to catch his breath.
Night after night, Fiona would cradle Cedric in her arms, pacing back and forth until he finally managed to get some restless sleep.
Her heart ached for her son. 'If only I could take this pain upon myself,' Fiona thought desperately.
In the end, her heart softened. She nodded reluctantly and said, "I'll go plead with Athena."
Sirena's heart leaped with joy. She hastily draped a cloak over Fiona and swaddled Cedric tightly before they set out.
No sooner had Fiona left than a servant hurried to report to Nicolas, "Mr. Nicolas, Mrs. Monson has taken Mr. Cedric out."
Nicolas's lips curled into a self-assured smile. Without even lifting his gaze, he waved a dismissive hand. "As expected."
He knew Fiona would do exactly as he said.
The reason was obvious. She was madly in love with him.
The world was frozen stiff, a thin layer of snow blanketing the ground.
The carriage trudged through the snow for an hour before finally reaching the southern district of the city.
Fiona stood at the entrance, clutching Cedric, utterly at a loss.
The small courtyard before Fiona was exquisitely decorated, exuding a warm and inviting atmosphere. Decorations hung at the entrance, casting a gentle glow, while a branch of plum blossoms stretched out from within, blooming defiantly in the frost and radiating quiet vitality.
The guard spotted Fiona's arrival and eyed her with wary suspicion.
Sirena stepped forward and said courteously to the guard, "My lady wishes to consult the miracle healer. Would you please announce our arrival?"
As she spoke, she discreetly pressed some money into the guard's hand.
She deliberately avoided mentioning Fiona's identity, worried that Athena might refuse to see them.