Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 155

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

**Chapter 155**

Ultimately, Wrenna welcomed a daughter into the world, a moment that should have been filled with joy and celebration.

Yet, the joy was overshadowed by tragedy, for the very person with whom a betrothal had been arranged succumbed during childbirth, leaving a void where hope had once flourished.

Serena and Raul, strangers to one another, found their engagement plans dissolving like mist under the morning sun. Their intentions to propose a marriage once Margaery reached maturity were abruptly halted by unforeseen circumstances that neither had anticipated.

As Dashnell pondered these events, a heavy cloud of contemplation settled over him. His brow furrowed, and his gaze dropped as he wrestled with the implications of his earlier decisions. He had once believed that by crediting the Wallen family for quelling the rebels of the previous dynasty, he was paving a smoother path for Margaery’s future.

How wrong he had been.

Raul ascended the ranks with alarming speed, yet the fruits of his labor did not extend to Margaery. And while Wrenna bore other sons of the Wallen family, none of them seemed deserving of the wealth and prestige that had eluded Margaery.

If this was indeed a mistake, then let the scales of fate be righted.

When Dashnell finally lifted his head, his eyes bore the chill of winter frost, reflecting the turmoil within him.

Callum, ever observant, scrutinized Dashnell with a curious intensity. “Is there something about Dashnell that remains hidden from us?” he inquired, a hint of intrigue lacing his tone.

Callum had encountered Dashnell on numerous occasions before. In his estimation, Dashnell was a quiet presence, one who blended into the background rather than standing out. He often sat alone in a shadowy corner, his silence a fortress unless someone dared to breach it with conversation.

When addressed, Dashnell would respond with terse words, as if he were guarding his thoughts as closely as a treasure.

Callum had once thought Dashnell’s reserved nature was merely a reflection of his disability, a reason to withdraw from the world. It was a sentiment that many shared, for it seemed logical.

Thus, although the King often spoke of Dashnell with a certain fondness, the rest of the court dismissed him, failing to recognize the strength that lay beneath his quiet exterior.

Then came the day when Dashnell revealed his true power, and it was a force to be reckoned with.

Callum’s gaze sharpened, filled with a mix of curiosity and caution.

In that moment, Dashnell met Callum’s scrutiny with a steady gaze of his own. “We don’t truly know everything about Callum, do we?” he remarked, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.

His eyes remained fixed on Callum’s face, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Though little was articulated, the incident involving the beggar who had intruded upon the Hadley family echoed in the back of their minds, a reminder that appearances could be deceiving.

As the snow began to fall outside, a cold wind swept through the air, carrying with it an ominous sense of foreboding.

*****

Inside the Imperial Study, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The King and Simon sat opposite each other, engrossed in a game of chess that stretched on for hours.

Only when the dim light of dusk blurred the distinction between the black and white pieces did Simon finally break the silence.

“This morning’s celebration for Lady Sophia’s birthday was merely a facade, a means to exert control over Margaery,” he began, his voice low and measured.

“In the afternoon, as the festivities commenced, it was announced that Dominic would marry Margaery in just three days.”

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. “Almost immediately, Margaery severed the engagement, Lady Sophia passed away, and Marcus, without a thought for his cousin’s loss, sought to claim her for himself.”

“Prince Callum intervened, and Prince Dashnell asserted his influence…”

Simon glanced at the King, noting the subtle shift in his demeanor. “The political landscape within the court has shifted dramatically. Your Majesty has remained silent throughout the day. By evening, you summoned people back, yet you have delayed meeting them. Is it that you have not yet decided how to address these matters?”

He directed his gaze toward the main doors, where the chief eunuch stood, his head bowed in contemplation, a mere silhouette against the dim light.

The doors remained firmly shut, a barrier that concealed the unfolding drama outside.

Yet, the urgency of the situation demanded resolution, and Simon felt a gnawing worry for Margaery’s safety.

The King lifted his gaze, and in the dim light, Simon could discern the complexities etched upon his face. It was a visage that revealed far more than it concealed, hinting at thoughts that could not be spoken aloud.

His voice resonated deeply in the quiet room. “Earlier today, Prince Dashnell approached me for an imperial edict, which I granted. High Priest, do you grasp the significance of this?”

Simon regained his composure, though the weight of the King’s inquiry loomed large.

How could he possibly be unaware of the implications? The King, too, desired to prevent Margaery from marrying Dominic, for such an alliance would surely spark speculation.

Would Marcus then emerge as the next heir?

If that were to occur, Nathaniel would find himself in peril.

Moreover, the King was determined to keep his intentions shrouded in mystery, lest others begin to speculate about his motives.

Thus, this morning, he acquiesced to Dashnell’s request, issuing an edict that effectively severed the alliance between the Wallen and Hadley families.

In doing so, he dismantled the ironclad bond the Wallen family had painstakingly forged over the past decade.

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