Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 183

183 /334

**TITLE: Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 183**

Andrew stood, momentarily stunned, his mind swirling with the implications of Russell’s revelation. The weight of the words hung heavily in the air, pressing down on him like an impending storm.

Yet, amidst the chaos of his thoughts, one truth crystallized in his mind: the Chancellor’s estate must remain intact, no matter the circumstances surrounding its inhabitants. He grasped Russell’s arm firmly, leading him down the staircase with a sense of urgency. “You’re mistaken to think that,” he asserted, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Margaery lingered at the top of the staircase, her heart a tumultuous sea of emotions as she stared out at the swirling snowflakes dancing in the winter air. Each flake seemed to whisper secrets of its own, and she felt a kinship with their fleeting beauty, trapped in a world of uncertainty.

Amber, standing beside her, leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “Lord Russell appears genuinely remorseful about everything.” She cast a cautious glance at Margaery, her eyes searching for any sign that Margaery might reconsider her stance.

Just then, Elaine, Nathaniel’s maid, stepped forward, her demeanor assertive. “Lady Margaery, I think it would be wise for you to return home. After all, you are a young lady surrounded by several male guards, and such a situation is hardly appropriate.”

Elaine’s words dripped with an undertone of disdain, an unspoken judgment that Margaery could feel prickling at her skin.

Margaery’s lips curled into a subtle sneer as she regarded Elaine. “So, is Prince Nathaniel sending you to lecture me?” she shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm. “If that’s the case, perhaps you should return to him and ask why he insists on marrying me. Surely, there are countless young ladies in Sinderin City who would leap at the chance to become the Crown Princess without stirring up any controversy.”

She was struggling in Sinderin City, yes, but she would not allow herself to be bullied any longer. Margaery narrowed her eyes, a sharp glint reflecting her resolve.

Elaine’s expression soured further, clearly unsettled by Margaery’s defiance. She understood all too well why Nathaniel sought a union with Margaery; she was the Star of Fortune. The mere presence of Margaery in the Eastern Palace would bolster Nathaniel’s claim to the throne, convincing the court that he was destined to ascend, to become the next Star of Fortune.

It was precisely this concern that prompted Nathaniel to send Elaine and Lillian to oversee Margaery, but what he hadn’t anticipated was Margaery’s fierce independence.

After a moment of silence, Elaine stiffened, her voice rigid. “If you choose to ignore my advice, then let us pretend this conversation never happened.”

At that moment, Andrew reappeared, his brow furrowed with worry. He locked eyes with Margaery, his expression grave. “Margaery, regardless of your thoughts, as long as Father hasn’t declared you not his daughter, you will always be his. The notion of a blood test is utterly unfounded. I’m not sure where you heard such nonsense—”

Before he could finish, a guard rushed in, breathless and wide-eyed. “Lord Andrew, something dreadful has occurred!”

Andrew’s expression shifted instantly, his heart racing. “What is it?” he demanded, urgency lacing his tone.

The guard hesitated, glancing between Andrew and Margaery, before stammering, “Rumors are spreading outside that Lady Margaery isn’t the biological daughter of Lord Chancellor. They’re saying she is the daughter of a midwife, who only entered the Chancellor’s estate by taking Lady Tessa’s place.”

The words hit Andrew like a blow. “How did this get out?” he asked, incredulity etched across his face.

‘Good grief,’ he thought, frustration coursing through him. ‘Even I have only just learned of it. Father and Joshua kept this under wraps; how could it have become common knowledge overnight? Surely, Margaery wouldn’t be the one to spread such a thing. What could she possibly gain from revealing that? And Russell… he believes she is truly his sister. So, who…?’

Before he could unravel the mystery, the guard continued, “I-I inquired around, and they say it was Lady Tessa who let it slip. Now, not only is this rumor spreading, but they’re also claiming that Lord Chancellor, in an attempt to control the Star of Fortune, insisted she was his own child and refused to let her leave. He even silenced Mark, who conducted the blood test, and had the midwife killed.”

Andrew’s expression froze, a chill seeping into his bones as he processed the gravity of the situation. After a long, tense pause, he murmured, “What is Tessa thinking?”

Without another word for Margaery, he turned on his heel and dashed downstairs. “I need to find Father and Joshua,” he called over his shoulder, his mind racing with the implications of this latest development. ‘This is serious. Very serious.’

Margaery watched Andrew’s hurried departure, a laugh escaping her lips, tinged with a hint of triumph. “Lord Andrew, you no longer insist that I return?” she taunted, her tone light yet heavy with meaning.

Andrew spun around, his eyes wide, momentarily speechless. The truth about Margaery’s parentage could no longer be hidden. The Chancellor’s estate had no justification to maintain its facade.

Unfazed by Margaery’s presence, he rushed down the stairs, intent on securing answers.

“Lady Margaery, your actions are quite ruthless,” Adam remarked, standing beside her, his gaze lingering on her with a mixture of admiration and concern.

Not everyone possessed the courage to confront such overwhelming opposition. A single misstep could lead to total ruin. But Margaery was no stranger to devastation; she had already tasted the bitter fruit of failure in her past life.

No matter how dire the consequences, she believed nothing could be worse than what she had endured before. As long as she avoided the same path, she was sure a new opportunity awaited her.

Her eyes drifted to the bustling street below, and a sense of clarity washed over her. “After today, regardless of how many reasons the Wallen family conjures, they can no longer confine me. Now that Nathaniel has chosen the Chancellor’s estate, I wonder if he will still find joy in it.”