Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 54

**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 54: His Highness Is Outside**

“What do you mean by ‘their fates are intertwined’? Even if Tessa dies and your family is wiped out, it wouldn’t even leave a scratch on Margaery! Get lost!” Craig’s voice thundered, each word laced with venom.

The force of his roar reverberated through Joshua’s body, causing him to sputter and cough up a mouthful of blood. The metallic taste filled his mouth, but what truly unsettled him was the weight of Craig’s words. They struck him like lightning, illuminating a truth he had been unwilling to face.

‘Yeah, Margaery isn’t the same person she once was anymore,’ Joshua thought, grappling with the reality of the situation.

In days gone by, she was merely the sole daughter of the Wallen family, a shadow of her family’s dark past—the one blamed for their mother’s demise. Her life had been inextricably linked to the family’s reputation, her worth measured against the standing of her brothers. Even in the context of marriage, she would have relied heavily on them to secure her position within her husband’s household.

But now, everything had changed. Margaery had risen to become the successor of the Chapel of Wisdom, the Star of Fortune. With the Southern Abbey’s might backing her and the King’s favor in her corner, she was no longer the girl who needed protection.

And then there was the old beggar, whose scruffy appearance belied his incredible martial prowess. Joshua knew, without a doubt, that even the palace’s finest guards would struggle against him. On top of that, the man possessed remarkable medical skills that could rival the best healers. The thought of someone like him being Margaery’s mentor sent a shiver down Joshua’s spine.

His cheeks burned with humiliation as he covered his face, peering through the warped door at the young woman standing gracefully under the eaves. It suddenly dawned on him that she was no longer that little girl they had once dismissed—no longer the one who had chased after them, eager for their attention.

The chasm between them was no longer just physical; it was a profound divide in status and power. While they had been preoccupied with indulging Tessa, Margaery’s status had quietly ascended to heights that far surpassed theirs.

They had all assumed Margaery was trying to take something from Tessa, but now it seemed to Joshua that she was indifferent to it all. The realization struck him hard, creating a hollow ache in his chest, a crushing sense of loss that left him feeling panicked and vulnerable.

“Margaery…” Joshua’s voice trembled as he called out from the other side of the door, each word heavy with regret.

“I know I let you down before. That was my fault. But now… could you please speak up for me, just this once?” he pleaded, desperation lacing his tone.

Margaery stepped outside, her expression calm yet unreadable. “Joshua, what exactly do you want me to say?” she queried, her voice steady.

Caught off guard, Joshua found himself at a loss for words, silently wishing she could intuit his needs without him having to articulate them. But instead, she turned the question back on him, leaving him to wonder, ‘Does she really need me to lay it out for her so she can just echo my words?’

If he dared to speak his true thoughts aloud, he was certain Craig would strike him down where he stood.

Ultimately, he could only lower his gaze, mumbling, “Never mind.”

“If that’s all, you should head home now,” Margaery said coolly, ushering him away with a wave of her hand.

She had already achieved what she intended by bringing Joshua to this moment. It was a clear message: when she eventually severed her ties with the Wallen family to forge her own path, they better not attempt to impede her progress. Otherwise, they would come to regret it.

Joshua rose to his feet, casting a lingering look back at her before he stumbled toward the carriage. He had initially come to seek a remedy for Tessa and to win over the old beggar, but he had miscalculated both his own abilities and the strength of his family, completely underestimating Craig and Margaery. He felt utterly defeated, the sting of humiliation pricking at him like a thorn lodged deep within his pride.

In the end, Joshua had no choice but to hurry back and consult his father, hoping to devise a plan for what to do next.

Meanwhile, Margaery watched as the carriage disappeared down the road, her heart heavy. Turning to her mentor, she said, “Thank you, Craig.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she spoke.

Craig reached out, gently patting her head, a gesture of comfort, and then he said something that caught her completely off guard. “I knew your mother long ago. I didn’t object when she married Raul, but I never anticipated he would turn out to be such a disgrace.”

Margaery’s eyes widened in shock. “So you’re…”

In that moment, the pieces fell into place. She finally understood why Craig had taken her under his wing and protected her with such fervor. He was looking out for her in honor of her mother.

A sharp pang of emotion gripped Margaery, and tears began to spill from her eyes.

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