Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 28

**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 28**

“Don’t you dare touch me! Get lost!” Phillipa’s voice was sharp and biting as she forcefully shoved his hand away, her face twisted in disgust. “You make me sick.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, she turned to the maid who had accompanied her. “We’re leaving. If I ever set foot in the Chancellor’s estate again, I might as well be a dog.”

Dominic stood there, momentarily stunned, his footing slipping in the thick blanket of snow beneath him. He regained his balance and instinctively cast a glance toward Gracewind Garden, his heart racing with a sudden, inexplicable dread. It felt as though a shadow of a terrible secret had been cast over him, one that threatened to engulf him in its darkness.

In that moment, thoughts of Tessa evaporated from his mind, replaced by an urgent need to find Margaery.

Meanwhile, Tessa was leaning out of the window, her voice trembling with desperation. “Dominic!” she called, but he didn’t turn back. The fury boiling within her was palpable, her nails digging into her palms as if to release some of the pent-up frustration. “I can’t believe this! Even now, at this critical moment, he’s still such a coward, still terrified that Margaery will discover the truth.”

“Looks like I’ll have to take matters into my own hands,” Tessa muttered through clenched teeth, her determination hardening. She turned to Paige, her loyal companion. “You need to keep a close watch on him. The moment anything happens, you come straight back and tell me.”

Paige hesitated, glancing out at the swirling snowstorm. The thought of venturing out in such harsh conditions filled her with dread, yet with Gracewind Garden no longer an option for her, she felt obligated to stay by Tessa’s side and earn her keep.

Tessa’s rage kept her awake, a gnawing discomfort settling in her stomach, growing worse with each passing moment. Before coming here, she had naively believed that with the Chancellor’s estate wielding such influence, finding a skilled doctor to alleviate her ailment would be a simple task.

But after consulting countless imperial physicians, none had managed to provide her with relief.

At times, a wave of jealousy washed over her as she thought of Margaery. Here she was, trapped in a woodshed, yet somehow still exuding an undeniable vitality.

*****

Dominic finally arrived at Gracewind Garden, his heart still racing from the encounter with Phillipa.

The light in Margaery’s room was glowing softly, illuminating her figure as she sat by the brazier, deeply engrossed in her reading. Her expression was one of tranquility, a stark contrast to the chaos of the world outside.

Dominic found himself captivated, unable to look away. In the past, he had dismissed Margaery as immature, viewing her sixteen-year-old tantrums as a sign of her unworthiness to become the lady of the house.

But now, she appeared to embody everything he had ever envisioned in a wife—a serene companion, sharing a quiet evening, lost in the pages of a book, her red sleeves draping elegantly around her.

After all, they had grown up together, their lives intertwined in ways that were both beautiful and complicated.

“Margaery…” he breathed, unable to contain the impulse to call her name.

In the dim light, Margaery lifted her gaze to the doorway, feigning ignorance. “What brings Lord Dominic to my humble abode once again?”

Dominic’s heart sank as he noticed her nonchalant demeanor. He released a slow, measured breath, gathering his thoughts. “Margaery, I’ve come to inform you that I will be marrying you soon. After all these years, we have grown up side by side.”

Through the closed door, he observed her still seated by the warm glow of the brazier, her focus unwavering as she studied a chart of acupuncture points. A tumult of emotions swirled within him, and he continued, “It’s true that Prince Dashnell has taken an interest in you, but he is a cripple. He will never be able to father children.”

Taking a deep breath, Dominic softened his tone as he stepped further into the room, his eyes never leaving her. “You are a woman of worth. If you marry him, what future awaits you? But fear not.

“Once you become my wife, as long as you fulfill your duties as the lady of the house, I will ensure you are treated well. At the very least, you will have children of your own, and your life will not be devoid of purpose.”

In his mind’s eye, Dominic could already envision her future: marrying him, explaining the medicinal formula to the King, helping Avery regain his position in the imperial medical bureau. Meanwhile, she herself would be relegated to the Laundry Bureau or worse, the Labor Division.

“Father is well aware that Dashnell might be watching me. He fears I’ll lose control and refuse to advocate for Avery. That’s why he’s pushing for Dominic to marry me quickly—to keep me in line and compel me to approach the King to reinstate Avery in the imperial medical bureau.

“The palace has always been interconnected. If Lady Alicia loses Avery, my father’s political standing will crumble as well. To him, my life holds no value compared to family interests.

“And now that Tessa is aware of Dominic’s intentions to marry me, she will undoubtedly make every effort to keep his affections with her. Dominic won’t be able to resist her tears and pleas, and they’ll likely end up sweet-talking and flirting again.

“But on the surface, he’ll still want to maintain his gentlemanly facade, labeling me a wicked woman while he preserves his reputation. However, that pristine image was shattered by Phillipa.”

Margaery let out a cold, mirthless laugh. “All those times he looked down on me and accused me from his lofty perch? They mean nothing now.

“He came tonight solely to ensure that Phillipa wouldn’t come to me and create further chaos. He’s terrified I’ll discover the truth and humiliate him, leaving him with no means to save face and handing me leverage over him.”

Outside, the wind howled, and the snow continued to swirl violently. Inside, the flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows, while the brazier crackled and popped, filling the air with warmth.

Margaery spoke of matters that would significantly shape her own destiny, yet her expression remained eerily calm, as if recounting the tale of someone else’s life.

Amber, feeling a mix of heartbreak and astonishment, finally broke the silence. “Then why didn’t you confront him? You clearly knew that Lady Phillipa had caught them… No, you even orchestrated it.”

Phillipa had been invited by Margaery herself, and it was Amber who had delivered the letter. Yet Amber couldn’t fathom why Margaery hadn’t acted upon it.

“I’m holding back for now because the timing isn’t right,” Margaery replied, tossing another piece of charcoal into the brazier, sending a flurry of sparks into the air. “When I strike, it must be decisive.”

**Chapter 29**