Chapter 96

The sun had begun its descent, casting a warm and golden hue over the city of Esteros. Athena stepped out of her chambers, her heart heavy with the weight of the truth she had just learned. The air felt crisp against her skin, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees that lined the pathways. She needed to clear her head, to find solace in the open spaces that surrounded the residence.

As she walked along the cobblestone path, her thoughts were a tumultuous whirlwind. The letter from Lilian had shattered her sense of security, unraveling the tapestry of trust that had been woven between them for years. Athena had always held her godmother in the highest regard, trusting her implicitly, and now, that trust felt like fragile glass, shattered by the revelations she had read.

The memory of their shared moments flickered in Athena's mind – the laughter, the late-night conversations, the bond they had formed over the years. Lilian had been a constant presence, a guiding light in t