Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 119

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

Raul stood there, his brow furrowed, the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders. His expression was a storm cloud of despair and frustration. Margaery had suffered so much during her time at the Chancellor’s estate, constantly belittled and oppressed by the very maids and servants who should have been there to assist her. The entire year had been a relentless tide of disdain, and it gnawed at Raul’s heart to think of how poorly she had been treated.

From his vantage point, Raul observed the sycophants who surrounded the powerful, their behavior a mere reflection of their masters. They trampled on the weak, and Margaery, despite her lineage, was never truly embraced as a daughter of the Wallen family. She was a mere shadow, an outsider in a place that should have welcomed her.

‘How could anyone justify treating her so poorly?’ Raul ruminated bitterly. ‘With her status, she wouldn’t even qualify to be a maid in that estate. What is wrong with these people?’ The thought of it made his blood boil.

In a moment of raw frustration, he wished he could unleash a torrent of curses upon them, to shake Margaery out of her complacency, to make her see the reality of her situation. Yet, the jeweled hairpin adorning her hair—an exquisite gift from the late King—served as a constant reminder of her precarious position. The King had once declared that anyone who dared to make Margaery’s life difficult was essentially striking at him. And so, despite the fury that simmered within him, Raul had to swallow his anger and bear the burden of patience.

“Margaery, that’s not what I intended to convey…” he began, his voice softer than he had imagined it would be. His original aim had been to ease her worries, to persuade her into marrying Dominic so that he could finally rest easy. However, he quickly realized that his words were having the opposite effect, pushing her further away instead of drawing her closer.

Finally, he settled on a gentle tone, “It’s alright. Even if you face hardships there, I promise I will always protect you. Whenever you need me, just let me know. No matter what, you will always be my daughter.”

A flicker of mockery danced in Margaery’s eyes as she replied, “Dad’s truly good to me.”

Raul’s heart swelled with a bittersweet joy. “I’ve watched you grow from a mere child into the remarkable woman you are today. If I don’t treat you well, then who else would I ever care for?”

‘How absurd!’ he thought, a smirk creeping onto his face. ‘An imposter believes she deserves my affection! The audacity!’

With only a few days left before the wedding, he played along, feigning reluctance. “I can hardly bear the thought of parting with you. Just last night, I dreamt of you as a little girl, innocent and full of life.”

He continued, nostalgia washing over him. “Back then, I was lost after your mother passed. I fumbled through managing the household and raising you, stumbling at every turn. Yet, despite those challenges, I am grateful every day to have you as my daughter. If it were up to me, I would keep you in the Chancellor’s estate forever. But alas, you’ve grown up, and now you must marry…” He let out a long, theatrical sigh, as if the weight of the world rested on his chest.

‘How could fate be so blind?’ he cursed inwardly. ‘An imposter has taken my daughter’s rightful place. Not only has she stolen fifteen precious years from me, but now our entire family must bow to her whims!’ Raul forced a smile, but it was a mask that barely concealed the resentment simmering beneath.

Margaery looked at him, a sly smile playing at the corners of her lips. “What if I decided not to get married at all? What if I called off my engagement to Dominic and stayed home to keep you company instead? What do you think of that?”

Raul was momentarily taken aback, his words caught in his throat.

He had always supported Marcus, believing that if he hadn’t been engaged, he would have found a way to marry Margaery off to him. Now, with Dominic as the best option for a marital alliance, he felt cornered.

‘With that alliance, our families would be bound together, ensuring the safety of the Chancellor’s estate for generations to come. But if Margaery refuses to marry, what becomes of Tessa? She would be left with no choice but to become a concubine. And when Dominic’s legitimate wife manages the household, what future does that leave for us?’ Raul was overwhelmed by the turmoil of his thoughts.

It took a moment for him to grasp that his attempts to win Margaery over were fueled by the powerful support behind her. If she turned against him, it could spell disaster for the Chancellor’s estate.

A grown daughter could not remain sheltered in her parents’ home forever. Once the King decreed her marriage, there would be no stopping it. That was why Raul was so eager to secure her union with Dominic, believing he could keep her under control.

But he never anticipated that Margaery would take the conversation seriously while he was merely indulging in a charade.

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