Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 179

**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 179**

As the sun began to rise, casting a soft golden hue across the main gate, Raul found himself face-to-face with Andrew, who had just returned from some errand.

“Father, where are you headed at this hour?” Andrew asked, his voice tinged with surprise as he took in the sight of his father.

Raul’s early departure struck Andrew as unusual; he couldn’t help but scrutinize his father’s weary appearance, which was a stark contrast to the dignified figure he was accustomed to. A wave of concern washed over him.

Raul had never appeared so worn and haggard before.

Noticing the worry etched on Andrew’s face, Raul felt a flicker of comfort in his heart, as if the bond between them momentarily bridged the gap of unspoken fears. “I’m off to the Eastern Palace,” he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. “In a little while, I need you to find Margaery. Speak with her sincerely, persuade her, and convince her to return.”

Andrew’s brow furrowed. “What should I say to her?”

“Just tell her that the Chancellor’s estate will manage her marriage arrangements with utmost care. She’s on the brink of a new life, and it’s essential for her to honor her late mother’s memory by coming back.”

Raul’s mind raced as he sought the right words to sway Margaery’s heart. “If she resists, remind her that you genuinely care for her well-being, that you worry for her, and that you can’t bear the thought of her living away from us.”

“I hope she returns,” Raul added, his voice thick with emotion. “And that you’ll accompany her through the New Year festivities.”

As he spoke, a tightness gripped his chest, a reminder of the burdens he bore.

Here he was, the esteemed Chancellor, having to plead with an impostor for the sake of family ties.

It was a reality that defied all reason and logic.

In a dark corner of his mind, he pondered that perhaps it would have been easier if she were simply gone.

His gaze drifted toward the Pinewoods, and he turned to Joshua, who stood nearby. “Have you investigated again? Are the people from Stormshade Hall still lurking in Sinderin City?”

The thought of eliminating Margaery was one thing, but inciting the wrath of Stormshade Hall would be a peril too great to contemplate.

Yet, as he weighed his options, it seemed he was left with no other choice.

Joshua nodded, his expression serious. “I looked into it. They reported that no one is around. The last individual seen might have been an impostor or merely passing through.”

“Who provided you with this information?” Raul inquired, his curiosity piqued.

“The King has had dealings with Stormshade Hall over the years,” Joshua explained. “I had a palace servant discreetly check on it.”

“Good,” Raul said, relief washing over him.

Taking a deep breath, he climbed into the carriage, the weight of his responsibilities settling heavily on his shoulders.

As the carriage rolled away, Andrew turned to Joshua, his brow furrowed with concern. “Joshua, is Margaery truly going to cut ties with our family? I remember a time when she was always eager to be close to us.”

“What has transpired at home these past few days?” he wondered aloud, glancing toward Gracewind Garden, disbelief etched on his face.

Joshua hesitated, his thoughts churning as he chose his words carefully. “Well, she is the midwife’s daughter, having taken Tessa’s place in our household.”

“A few days ago, after she grew close to Prince Dashnell, she began causing chaos. Not only is she pushing Tessa out, but she’s also breaking off her engagement with Dominic.”

“Lady Sophia of the Hadley family was practically driven to her death by Margaery’s actions.”

Andrew’s eyes widened. “But how could it come to this? I thought she was one of us.”

Joshua continued, his tone grave. “Who would have thought that the King would then arrange her marriage to Nathaniel?”

“Now, she has risen to the heights of the Eastern Palace, with the Chapel of Wisdom and Prince Dashnell supporting her, yet she harbors a deep-seated animosity toward our family.”

“Moreover, given our fallout with Marcus, if she truly refuses to return and severs all ties with us, the Chancellor’s estate will be besieged from all sides, leading to our inevitable decline.”

Joshua’s thoughts turned bitter as he recalled Margaery.

He despised her for usurping Tessa’s place and reveling in the fortune that should have belonged to Tessa, who had suffered greatly as a result.

He also loathed her for sabotaging Avery’s future and dragging the Chancellor’s estate into this precarious situation.

Andrew listened, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. “All these years, I had no idea she was a fraud!”

“Who could have foreseen this?” Joshua replied, his tone serious. “Haven’t we all treated her like royalty over the years?”

“In the end, this bond we thought was family was nothing but misplaced trust.”

“Not to mention, she shamelessly spread lies and even led Russell astray! Now he’s out there somewhere, and he won’t come back!”

Just as Joshua was about to release her, Tessa looked up at him, her voice soft yet pleading. “Joshua, my stomach still hurts. Could you give me a massage? Your hand is so warm; it would help soothe me.”

Joshua hesitated for a moment, his mind swirling, but ultimately he couldn’t resist her request. “Alright,” he replied, his voice unsteady.

His hand slipped beneath her clothing, moving along her collar in a way that felt both intimate and wrong.

Tessa, leaning against his chest, thought of the Shadow Doctor, her mind racing with possibilities.

Raul had already sent for the Shadow Doctor, unwittingly placing her ally right at her disposal.

Could she conspire with the Shadow Doctor to rid herself of Margaery?

The thought of the Wallen family still scrambling to win Margaery over filled her with indignation.

She wanted Margaery to understand that no matter how high she climbed, even if she became the Star of Fortune and the future Crown Princess, in the eyes of the Wallen family, Tessa would always be their priority. They would send Margaery away if it meant protecting her.

A malicious plan began to form in Tessa’s mind as she rubbed against Joshua’s chest, her body soft and inviting.

“Joshua,” she murmured, “my stomach feels a bit cold too…”

Joshua’s hand moved down again, both of them acutely aware that the atmosphere had shifted, yet they chose to ignore the tension hanging in the air.

“Without Dominic, I’m not sad at all. But without you, I wouldn’t even know how to go on living…”

********

At that very moment, Nathaniel arrived at the inn, his presence commanding attention.

Margaery, deeply engrossed in a medical book, looked up as he entered. “Nathaniel, I didn’t expect to see you,” she said, her voice laced with surprise.

“I came to check on you,” he replied, his gaze sweeping around the room.

Not spotting any signs of others lingering about, he felt a flicker of relief. Yet, when his eyes landed on Margaery’s face, a sense of unease settled in.

After all, the one who held her heart was Dashnell.

It was a thought that gnawed at him, irritating him more than he cared to admit.