Reborn I Refuse To Save The Traitors (Margaery) novel Chapter 79

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

**Chapter 79: Are You Not Returning Tonight?**

Despite the haze of drugs clouding her mind, it was painfully evident that she was utterly naive when it came to the complexities of relationships between men and women. The way she kissed was anything but graceful; her attempts were clumsy and awkward, as if she were still learning the very basics of affection.

And as for what they termed physical intimacy…

Dominic, since Tessa’s arrival, had been ensnared by her presence, his gaze never once drifting toward Margaery. It was as if she had been rendered invisible to him, leaving her to grapple with the humiliation that had become her daily companion. How could she ever have hoped for a relationship with Dominic under such circumstances?

In a moment that felt both inevitable and surreal, Dashnell took her hand, his grip firm yet gentle. “Since you insist, I suppose I have no choice but to grant your wish,” he said, his voice steady.

Before the weight of his words could settle in the air, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

Craig, lingering by the door, shifted his gaze outside.

The sky had surrendered to darkness, a blanket of night enveloping the world. In the courtyard, Raul remained on his knees, his body hunched and trembling, his face a mask of despair and frozen resolve.

“How do you feel?” Craig asked, stepping outside to confront the man who was so clearly suffering.

Raul, feeling as if the very essence of life was being slowly drained from him, wished for nothing more than to escape this torment. He had never anticipated that kneeling in the biting winter wind for half a day could be so excruciating—an ordeal akin to hell itself.

Memories of Margaery’s own suffering flooded his mind; she had endured a full day and night in a similar position, and now, she had agreed to marry Dominic, cutting ties with Dashnell. She had proven herself to be an obedient daughter, and in that moment, Raul resolved not to be cruel to her any longer.

Tears streamed down Raul’s cheeks as he choked out, “I know I was wrong. I should never have treated Margaery that way. I am truly sorry, Margaery. I have failed you!”

“It was I who hurt her,” he murmured, overcome by a wave of sobs that threatened to consume him.

‘Sorry?’

Inside the room, Margaery’s cheeks flushed slightly, her expression twisted into a cold smile.

‘What good is an apology?’

Had her mentor not intervened with acupuncture, alleviating the cold that gripped her, and had she not humbled herself to admit her faults to Tessa, she would have faced the grim fate of being locked in the woodshed for half a month, leading to a debilitating case of rheumatism—just as in her previous life, where pain had been her only companion until the end.

No mere ‘sorry’ could erase the scars of her past.

This was merely the beginning.

She vowed to make each person who had wronged her pay dearly, one by one.

Outside, Craig regarded Raul with a mocking smile. “Ah, so it’s only when you’re in the hot seat that you truly understand pain,” he remarked, before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

Inside, Dashnell could no longer contain himself; he kissed his disciple passionately right in front of Raul. It was clear that he could no longer remain in the presence of such turmoil.

After an entire day filled with chaos, one must eventually eat.

Though Dashnell had acknowledged Raul as his mentor in name, he could not truly be commanded, especially while confined to a wheelchair.

Thus, the responsibility of procuring food fell squarely on Raul’s shoulders.

**Successfully unlocked!**

**Chapter 79: Are You Not Returning Tonight?**

Raul watched the figure of Craig retreat, curling up in agony as sobs wracked his body on the cold, unforgiving floor.

Once, he had held the highest rank among officials, basking in glory and respect. Now, he could hardly comprehend how his life had spiraled into this abyss.

Everything had begun to shift the moment Tessa had arrived.

As he thought of Tessa, Raul narrowed his eyes, a sense of urgency gripping him.

It seemed crucial that blood be taken, and Tessa could not marry Dominic.

It had to be Margaery instead.

With this resolution, he called out toward the window, his voice thick with emotion. “Margaery, I know I was wrong. Will you find it in your heart to forgive me? I promise I will make amends from this day forward!”

Margaery, still feeling the warmth of Dashnell’s kiss and his lingering scent, licked her lips, a blush creeping onto her face.

Yet Raul’s desperate words felt like icy water splashed across her soul.

She had no desire to respond.

Noticing her silence, Dashnell interjected, “Chancellor, she needs to rest.”

Raul fell abruptly silent, only to see Dashnell maneuvering his wheelchair toward the doorway, his expression icy. “Go kneel outside the main gate.”

Raul froze, shock coursing through him.

He looked up at Dashnell, scrutinizing his youthful, handsome face, but found no hint of emotion or thought there.

In the end, he gritted his teeth, forced himself to his feet, and staggered out, murmuring, “Yes.”

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, shimmering like jewels in the candlelight.

Bending down, Dashnell pressed a gentle kiss to her eyelashes. “Close your eyes and sleep. I promise, as soon as you awaken, I’ll be right here.”

Margaery nodded, surrendering to the warmth of his presence as she shut her eyes.

Her feelings for Dashnell ran deep; he made her feel safe and cherished, yet a sense of grievance welled up within her, urging her to cry.

In her moments of unconsciousness, when she called out for her mother, he would step in, pretending to be that motherly figure, soothing her with the words, “Don’t be afraid, Mother is here.”

Throughout her life, all she had ever wanted was to be with him.

*****

In the inky darkness of night, Joshua stumbled upon Raul outside the main gate, his expression a mixture of astonishment and concern. “Father, why are you kneeling here? I’ve searched high and low for Margaery, but all I’ve heard is that Clyde has been stabbed and is fighting for his life…”

His instinct drove him to glance inside the main gate.

Who could possibly compel his father, the esteemed chancellor, to kneel here in such a state?

His heart raced with anxiety. Joshua had his own suspicions, but he dared not voice them.

Raul, eyes closed, replied hoarsely, “Margaery is inside.”

After a moment of silence, he added, “And so is Dashnell.”

“Prince Dashnell?” Joshua echoed, disbelief flooding his voice. “What is he doing here?”

He had dispatched men to keep watch over Dashnell’s residence, fearing that Margaery might seek him out. Yet, he had never anticipated that Dashnell himself would abandon his own home to come to this place.

‘When did he meet Margaery?’ Joshua pondered, confusion clouding his thoughts.

After a long pause, realization struck him. “Father, are you saying that old beggar is actually Prince Dashnell’s mentor?”

Then a troubling thought crept into his mind. “But isn’t he confined to a wheelchair? What could he possibly be learning?”

Learning medicine seemed unnecessary.

And martial arts training was out of the question.

Raul, consumed with worry for Clyde’s well-being, couldn’t help but ask in a low, strained voice, “Have you discovered who attacked Clyde?”