Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 141

**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 141**

Marcus turned his head, his gaze landing on Dashnell, who was seated in a wheelchair. The sight was jarring. Dashnell’s hand rested lightly on Marcus’s wrist, yet the grip felt like iron, unyielding and firm, rendering any thought of escape utterly futile.

“Marcus,” Dashnell’s voice cut through the tension like a blade, “do you truly intend to drive her to death?”

The question hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Marcus felt a sharp pang in his wrist, as if it might splinter under the pressure.

“Under the weight of parental commands and the machinations of matchmakers, how could a child ever dare to threaten such an act?” Marcus retorted, his voice laced with frustration.

Raul, startled by the exchange, quickly turned his gaze to Dashnell, his brow furrowed with concern. “Prince Dashnell, given Margaery’s current behavior, is she genuinely the Star of Fortune? If word of this spreads, what will the common people believe?”

He paused, letting the implications settle, before continuing, “Wouldn’t every woman in the realm follow her lead and rebel against their parents? What chaos would ensue?”

The term “Star of Fortune” was not merely a title; it was a mantle that demanded both virtue and talent. If Margaery’s reputation were to be tarnished, if the people were to turn their backs on her, then her title would become nothing but a hollow echo.

In the aftermath, Simon would be accused of spreading falsehoods and deceiving the Emperor, a fate that neither he nor Margaery could afford.

Raul had exhausted every avenue to rein in Margaery’s rebellious spirit. “Prince Dashnell, while she may be your junior disciple, she is first and foremost my daughter,” he asserted, his voice rising with indignation.

“The world may be vast and complex, but nothing surpasses the obligation of a child to honor their parents. She dares to defy my authority—can such a disobedient daughter truly safeguard the King?”

In the Eastvale Empire, the principle of filial piety reigned supreme.

If Margaery were to be branded as unfilial, it would cast a long shadow over her future, be it in life or in marriage. Even if Dashnell wished to claim her as his bride, the King would never grant his approval.

He could not support such unrighteousness.

Dashnell’s pupils contracted ever so slightly, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

The title of Star of Fortune had been a shield for Margaery, a protective charm agreed upon by him and Simon.

Yet today, it had morphed into a shackle, binding her in ways they never intended.

Though Dashnell could facilitate the dissolution of Margaery’s engagement with Dominic, he lacked the evidence necessary to sever the ties between Raul and Margaery without inflicting harm upon her reputation.

Yet one thing was clear: Margaery must not marry Marcus.

With narrowed eyes, Dashnell confronted Raul. “Lord Chancellor, she is your daughter, yes, but she is not solely yours to dictate. The choice of whom she marries must be sanctioned by the King. I ask you, in the Eastvale Empire, who holds the reins—yourself, or the King?”

Raul’s face flushed with anger, the words lodged in his throat like a stone.

“Your…”

He struggled to form a coherent response, his anger seething beneath the surface.

Callum, sensing the tension, interjected, “Dashnell, your argument is sound. Since Lady Margaery is the Star of Fortune, every aspect of her life, including her marriage, impacts the King’s safety and the fate of the Eastvale Empire. How could such a pivotal decision rest solely in the hands of the Chancellor?”

Nathaniel chimed in, “Russell is correct. Moreover, given the recent events, the Chancellor’s estate has shown clear favoritism towards Lady Tessa. The audacity of the Wallen family’s son attempting to drug Lady Margaery, aiming to tarnish her reputation, raises serious questions about the Chancellor’s integrity.”

He paused, his voice growing more fervent. “In light of these developments, all matters concerning the Star of Fortune should henceforth be governed by the King, not arranged on a whim.”

Callum nodded in agreement, “Prince Marcus claimed to have fallen for Margaery at first sight. I can attest to the same. She is indeed the Star of Fortune. Who could resist her charm upon meeting her?”

With those words, the facade of politeness was stripped away.

In the intricate web of courtly politics, Margaery had become nothing more than a pawn.

Love and animosity were but fleeting shadows in this game of power.

The room had split into two factions, each side firmly entrenched in their beliefs.

On one side stood Marcus, backed by Lady Alicia, Estelle, the Hadley family, the Chancellor’s estate, and several other influential families attending the banquet.

Opposing them were those who rejected the alliance between Marcus and the Star of Fortune: Nathaniel, Callum, Dashnell, Bernard, and their supporters.

With Margaery’s agreement, the dissenting voices would fade into the background.

A wave of relief washed over Marcus.

Margaery regarded him with a mix of disdain and disbelief.

She was not so vain as to think that countless people would fall in love with her at first sight. She recognized Marcus’s true intentions; he was more interested in her status as the Star of Fortune, seeking to keep her firmly under his control.

But she would not allow him to succeed.

Her fingers twitched slightly, contemplating the poison she had hidden, a means to threaten Marcus into leaving her be.

Dashnell, sensing her resolve, gently restrained her, rolling his wheelchair forward to face Marcus. “Marcus, it seems you’ve forgotten that you have a fiancée. Aileen Segal is still on the border, waiting for you.”

Marcus froze, the weight of Dashnell’s words crashing down upon him.

Dashnell was referring to Aileen Segal, the daughter of General Nipsy Segal, whose engagement had been orchestrated by Alicia three years prior to win Nipsy’s favor.

Yet, the tides of fate had shifted rapidly. In a matter of moments, Margaery had become the object of desire for all. Dominic’s blunders had forced Marcus into desperate measures, causing him to overlook Aileen entirely.

Caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, Marcus finally steeled himself, declaring, “I can break off my engagement with Aileen and marry only you.”

No matter the cost, he would not let Margaery slip away.

In a bold move, he even went so far as to demean Tessa, stepping on her pride. “Margaery, Dominic betrayed you for that promiscuous little wretch Tessa. It was his folly.

“For the past year, I have witnessed everything and felt your pain! Rest assured, from this moment on, anyone who dares to bully you must first contend with me!”

Tessa, seething with rage at being singled out, felt as though she might explode.

Turning her gaze toward Marcus, she saw him kneeling, insisting on marrying Margaery. His humble posture ignited a tide of jealousy within her, rising and crashing like waves against the shore.