Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 117

**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**

Amber found herself in a state of confusion, grappling with the weight of twenty vouchers.

Yet, the moment Margaery declared her unwavering trust in Amber, all of her uncertainties dissipated like mist in the morning sun. With a resolute nod, she replied, “I will do as you say, Lady Margaery.”

“Go ahead,” Margaery encouraged, her voice steady and reassuring.

As Amber exited, Margaery turned her attention inward, retrieving the delicate hairpin that Dashnell had gifted her earlier. She carefully adorned her hair with it, a small act that felt monumental in the grand scheme of things. Her eyes flickered to the marriage contract laid out before her, and she settled into the chair at the table, allowing time to stretch around her like a thick fog.

Moments later, Adam entered the room, carrying a tray laden with food. His expression was a mix of concern and something deeper, as he regarded her with a thoughtful gaze.

“Lady Margaery,” he began, his tone laced with care, “your wound hasn’t healed yet. Regardless of your plans for today, your health is paramount. You need to eat and take your medicine.”

As he spoke, he placed the steaming dishes and a small vial of herbal medicine before her, the aroma wafting up and mingling with the air.

Margaery met Adam’s eyes, sensing the weight of his words. “His Highness asked me to relay this,” he added, the unspoken implications hanging heavily between them.

“Alright,” she replied, her heart swelling with a newfound strength as thoughts of Dashnell surged through her mind.

The Chancellor’s estate, the Hadley family, Prince Marcus, and Lady Alicia were indeed a formidable alliance, but this time, she was not facing them alone.

With determination, she consumed every bite of her meal, washed it down with the herbal concoction, and after a moment of contemplation, stood up and addressed Adam. “I’m ready. If anyone arrives, let them in without delay.”

Adam nodded, his expression softening as he stepped out to fulfill her request.

Margaery returned to her bedside, leaning back to immerse herself in a medical book, her mind racing with thoughts of the day ahead.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Joshua entered, his voice breaking the silence. “Adam mentioned you were ready early?”

His gaze fell upon Margaery’s face, and as he recalled Russell’s outburst from the previous night, a frown creased his brow.

He had once believed that Margaery had transformed, adopting a more mature demeanor, displaying a surprising calmness.

But now, he was confronted with the unsettling realization that she had learned to manipulate situations from the shadows, inciting Russell to act out, and challenging him and Raul in the process. She was, as ever, incorrigible, her true nature unchanged.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Joshua’s expression darkened further.

Margaery, sensing his scrutiny, cast a sidelong glance at him.

Though she had not witnessed the chaos of the previous night firsthand, Amber’s account had painted a vivid picture in her mind.

She mused, ‘It seems Joshua is once again placing the blame squarely on my shoulders. Whenever chaos erupts in this family, I am always the scapegoat.

Chapter 117

‘I have grown accustomed to this role, and I refuse to play along any longer.’

A sneer crept into Margaery’s thoughts as she discreetly set aside the medical book, her voice steady as she declared, “I’m ready. Shall we depart now?”

The timing of their departure mattered little; all she awaited was the moment to present her carefully chosen birthday gift.

Joshua’s unease was palpable as he studied her for a long moment before speaking again. “It’s not particularly urgent. By the way, did Russell come to see you yesterday afternoon?”

His curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn’t resist probing further.

He anticipated a denial from Margaery, but instead, she let out a cold laugh, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Yes, isn’t it absurd? He used to prattle on about how vicious I was. Yet yesterday afternoon, he lost his composure entirely, begging for my forgiveness.”

Margaery raised her gaze to meet Joshua’s, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Joshua, it seems you, Russell, Father, and Dominic have all been acting rather strangely lately. Since when did my forgiveness become so crucial to you all?

“Did pigs sprout wings? Or have you all collectively lost your minds?”

Joshua fell silent, caught off guard by her unexpected outburst.

He found himself the target of her scorn, yet he dared not retaliate. Instead, he furrowed his brows, his eyes narrowing as he studied her intently.

Ultimately, he could only concede, “Alright, let’s go.”

Margaery nodded, falling into step behind him as they exited the room.

Outside the gates, Raul observed as Margaery emerged from the main entrance, a sigh of relief escaping him. Her departure signified a willingness to reconcile with Dominic, a glimmer of hope in the air.

However, Joshua had no intention of coaxing Margaery into anything. He chose not to join her in the carriage, instead turning to Tessa and Raul. “Father, you can sit with Margaery. I will sit with Tessa.”

Raul nodded in agreement. “That works for me.”

It was a fortunate arrangement; he had matters to discuss with Margaery, and today, everything had to revolve around her.

Only when one held the reins of important affairs could they truly feel at ease.

Yet, this decision stirred discontent in Tessa.

Standing a few feet away, she fixated on Margaery’s face, her fists slowly clenching in frustration.

She had not anticipated that something she believed to be a guaranteed victory would slip through her fingers, leaving Margaery at the center of attention while she faded into the shadows. How could she accept such a reality?

If only she could unravel the mystery of Russell’s outburst last night. Who exactly was that Walter? If he was a fraud, why had Russell placed so much trust in him?

What gnawed at her even more was the unsettling notion that, as Russell had suggested, Margaery’s temperament had indeed shifted dramatically since her confinement in the woodshed.

‘Could it be, as Russell claimed, that Margaery has truly been granted a second chance at life?’ Tessa pondered, a chill running down her spine. ‘If so, does that mean Margaery possesses knowledge of everything? That’s utterly terrifying. No, this cannot be allowed to continue!’

Today, upon visiting the Hadley family, she must devise a plan to sabotage the union between Margaery and Dominic, and seize the opportunity to eliminate both Margaery and Russell.

Otherwise, the threat looming over her would become insurmountable.

Filled with dread, Tessa glanced at Margaery, forcing a gentle smile onto her lips. “Margaery, you’ve changed so much lately that I can hardly recognize you.”