Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 189

**TITLE: Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 189**

Tessa’s heart raced as a troubling thought took root in her mind. *Could it be that Halle has betrayed me?* The idea sent a shiver down her spine, and before she could gather her thoughts to explain herself, Callum had already closed the distance between them. He pressed her against the table, his hands searching her with a fierce urgency, and in one swift motion, he pulled a rolled-up defense map from her bosom. His brows furrowed deeply, and a dark expression settled on his face as he demanded, “What is this?”

Tessa felt her throat go dry, words slipping away like grains of sand. She had never intended for this to happen. The map was something she couldn’t leave behind in her room; it was too important. But she had never anticipated that Callum would search her so thoroughly. The weight of the moment bore down on her, and all she could muster was a shaky response. “Your Highness, please don’t be angry. When you asked just now, I thought you meant a few days ago. I only received this item this morning, and I was planning to present it to you the next time we met…”

As she spoke, she found herself kneeling before him, her body trembling with a mix of anxiety and guilt. The sight of Callum’s furious face made her heart race even faster.

“Did you take me for a fool?” he snapped, his voice low and dangerous.

“I didn’t,” she managed to whisper, her gaze fixed on the floor, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I was just thinking of giving Your Highness both the defense map and the manuscript together. I haven’t received the manuscript yet.” The words tumbled out in a rush, desperate to convey her sincerity.

A cold sweat broke out on her brow as she realized how close she had come to disaster. Thank the heavens she hadn’t brought Raul’s manuscript with her today. “If Your Highness needs it urgently, I promise I will deliver the manuscript within the next two days,” she added, her voice barely above a whisper.

Callum’s glare bore into the back of her head, a storm of anger and frustration swirling within him. Yet, he could not deny the necessity of the manuscript. The defense map alone was not enough to topple the Wallen family, the Hadley family, and himself in one fell swoop. He needed Raul’s handwriting and seal to execute his plan.

With a menacing tone, he threatened her, “Within three days, provide me with both the manuscript and the seal. Otherwise, do not blame me for being ruthless.”

He sank into a chair, the previous warmth between them evaporating into the air, leaving only a chilling condescension in its place as he stared down at Tessa.

Her heart sank at the sight of his expression, but she was acutely aware of her position—she could not openly defy a prince. With a heavy heart, she nodded, “Your Highness, rest assured, three days from now at this time, I’ll see you here.”

“Get lost!” Callum spat, gripping the defense map tightly as if it were a lifeline, clearly in no mood to linger with her any longer.

Desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere, Tessa hurried out of the fabric shop. As soon as she was halfway outside, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding, relief washing over her in waves.

She touched her neck, feeling the weight of her predicament settle in her chest. *Callum is unreliable,* she thought bitterly. *And what of my identity as Tessa? I can’t continue like this.*

A sense of resolve began to form within her. *I need to change my identity and become someone new. As for the child… if it has to be aborted, so be it,* she thought, her mind racing as she made her way to the pharmacy with the prescription in hand.

Meanwhile, Wayne received the news and made his way to see Margaery.

“The item is now in Callum’s possession. Our informants reported that what Tessa handed him was the defense map, and Callum is demanding Raul’s seal and manuscript,” he explained, his tone serious as he studied Margaery’s reaction. “What do you think their intentions are?”

Margaery, engrossed in a medical book, looked up thoughtfully. Wayne couldn’t shake the feeling that she was far more astute than her youthful appearance suggested.

“Only those who wish to invade our borders would need our defense map,” she replied, her voice steady. “Callum’s intentions are clear; he aims to deliver it to the Southcroft Empire.”

She continued, her expression growing more serious. “The defense map in Raul’s possession is incomplete. It’s merely a small section detailing our deployment at the border of the Southcroft Empire. But that alone won’t suffice to prove anything. He needs a handwritten letter to show Raul’s collusion with the Southcroft Empire. That’s why he sent Tessa to retrieve both items.”

Margaery’s analytical mind raced as she explained, “With the manuscript, he can forge the handwriting, and with the seal, he can solidify the deception. They’ll just need to alter the date to make it appear as though the collusion occurred when Prince Marcus, the Hadley family, and the Wallen family were all together. When the Wallen family faces trouble, the Hadley family and Prince Marcus will be dragged down with them.”

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