Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 133

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

Yvette leaned in, her gaze piercing as she fixed her eyes on Margaery. “Now, let’s discuss the events of today, shall we? As adults, we will not hold this against you if you choose to acknowledge your mistake. If you admit your fault at this very moment, we can conveniently pretend that nothing ever happened and focus on the wedding preparations set for just three days from now.”

Her tone dripped with feigned generosity, as if she were granting a monumental favor. “You are still a daughter-in-law of the Hadley family! My dear niece!”

Margaery felt a familiar chill creep over her, the sensation of being encircled by adversaries. Even though both families were linked by blood, today they stood united in a twisted game of right and wrong. Yet, after enduring their machinations for so long, she had steeled herself for this confrontation.

With a mocking smile, Margaery retorted, “Lady Yvette, your heart is truly vast.” Her eyes flicked towards Raul and Joshua, the Lord Chancellor and the General of the Imperial Guard, before continuing, “Your words are nothing short of comical. You were complicit with Dominic and Tessa from the very beginning. Without your indulgence, could Tessa have dared to act so brazenly?”

“And now you come forth to defend his innocence? Is there any rationale in this world where an accomplice stands as a witness for the accused?”

The faces of those around her darkened, anger flaring in their eyes. “Margaery Wallen!” Raul’s voice shook with rage, his fists clenching as he fought the urge to strike her down.

But adorned with the jeweled hairpin gifted by the late emperor, and recognized as the Star of Fortune, he could only swallow his fury and attempt to reprimand her. “I raised you to this age; how could you utter such words? Are you truly determined to drive me to my grave with your insolence?”

His invocation of parental debt was a clear signal that he intended to play the seniority card. If Margaery dared to retort again, she would be branded unfilial, making her every subsequent step exceedingly difficult. Yet, in that moment, with the threat of their wrath looming over her, her reputation felt inconsequential. What she truly desired was a definitive break from their grasp.

“I’m merely stating the truth. If everyone insists that Tessa and Dominic are not connected, then let me pose a simple question: whose child is nestled in Tessa’s womb? The men of the Wallen family know the answer all too well. If the child she carries isn’t Dominic’s, then is it yours? Or perhaps Joshua’s? Avery’s? Russell’s? Whose, then?”

Gasps erupted from the crowd, their eyes widening in disbelief. “Lady Tessa is actually pregnant?”

“But she hasn’t even married yet! There hasn’t been any talk of her engagement with another family; how could she suddenly find herself in this predicament?”

Previously, whispers had circulated that Margaery was petty and envious, unable to tolerate Tessa’s presence. Meanwhile, Tessa was revered for her kindness and respect towards her elders, her nurturing spirit evident to all. Though her origins were humble, she carried herself with the grace of a noblewoman.

No one had anticipated that, following the scandal, she would be found pregnant within the confines of her own chambers. Had she sullied the reputation of noblewomen? The crowd’s gaze shifted toward Tessa, their expressions a mix of shock and judgment.

Feeling the weight of their scrutiny, Tessa’s face drained of color. “Margaery, what absurdity are you spouting? When did I become pregnant?” Her voice trembled, barely able to maintain her composure.

Just moments before, her ambition had been to ascend as Sinderin City’s premier noblewoman, using this opportunity to rise to the pinnacle of society. Margaery had been her stepping stone. Yet, in an unexpected twist, Margaery had now pulled her down into the depths of scandal.

Caught off guard by this sudden turn of events, Tessa could only respond, her voice laced with distress, “Aside from that one time at Pero Cela, I have not been with anyone. Even if you harbor resentment towards me, Margaery, you need not stoop to this level.” As she spoke, tears began to well in her eyes, and she lowered her head in despair.

The murmurs among the crowd swelled once more. “That’s right! The incident at Pero Cela was only a few days ago, wasn’t it? If she truly is pregnant, then she must have lost her virginity at least two months ago!”

“This is quite straightforward. Let’s simply verify whether Lady Tessa is indeed pregnant, and the truth will come to light,” someone suggested, their voice cutting through the tension.

“Exactly! Surely, you cannot claim that Lady Tessa’s pregnancy was caused by someone from the Wallen family?” Subtle glances began to dart towards Raul and Joshua, suspicion hanging thick in the air.

Margaery, sensing his hesitation, taunted him, “Go on, hit me!”

In her mind, she recalled past encounters where even grown men of the Wallen family and Raul had embraced Tessa, leading her to think they merely cherished her as a daughter.

It was only later that she discovered Tessa was not a Wallen by blood, nor was she of humble origins; she was a courtesan, trained from a young age in the art of seduction.

On the surface, the Wallen family and Tessa appeared to be a close-knit unit. In truth, their interactions often teetered on the edge of propriety.

Margaery’s thoughts spiraled, and a wave of disgust washed over her. “If you cannot win with words, you resort to violence? Today is hardly a suitable moment for you to confine me to the woodshed or toss me into the cellar!”

“You!” Joshua was seething with rage, his breath coming in short gasps. The slap remained poised before Margaery’s face, yet ultimately, he could not bring himself to let it fall. His hand trembled, hovering in the air, caught between fury and restraint.

The jeweled hairpin adorning Margaery’s head glinted in the light, a painful reminder of the king’s decree—that if Margaery was unwell, the nation’s fortunes would falter. Anyone who struck her would be seen as wishing ill upon the realm.

Joshua’s anger boiled within him, his gaze locked onto Margaery, wishing he could obliterate her with a single glare. Yet, as the standoff dragged on, he was left with no choice but to pull Dominic into the fray, imploring him to speak up. “You need to say something!”

In truth, he was uncertain whether Dominic and Tessa had ever crossed the line, nor could he confidently assert that Tessa was truly pregnant.

Regardless, this scandal could not be traced back to him or Raul. If it were, the Chancellor’s estate would have no place in Sinderin City, forced to retreat to some distant corner of the realm. No one could abide by a family embroiled in such disgrace.