Chapter 31 As for the details, Joshua didn't say much 46% He only told Russell that tomorrow, they were going to Pero Cela to apologize to Margaery. It would be a good excuse for the siblings to gather. After all, Russell couldn't keep his mouth shut, and Joshua worried telling him too much might backfire. Russell went back to his room, flopped onto his bed, and tossed and turned all night. He kept thinking about how to explain things to Margaery the next day, and his mind drifted back to when they used to go. to school together, messing around and playing on the way there. When did everything start to fall apart like this? Russell turned over and thought of Tessa. But the thought was too heavy, Russell didn't dare dwell on it. He forced himself to close his eyes. "Tessa had suffered so much, wandering out there alone for years. How could I blame her? It was my fault. The guilt weighed on him all night as Russell stared at the ceiling. The next morning, Russell got up early, barely washed his face, and rushed out with dark circles under his eyes, heading straight to Gracewind Garden. Margaery, on the other hand, had a good night's sleep. After taking several doses of medicine to drive out the cold, her body felt a lot better. When she woke up, Margaery was refreshed and clear-headed. Amber came in to help her wash up and asked, "Lady Margaery, today's the day you're supposed to go to Inkwell Academy. Are you planning to go? Lord Russell's been pacing outside since early morning, asking over and over if you're up yet." "Russell?" Margaery's lips curled with a trace of sarcasm. "Why is he waiting for me?" Amber shrugged. "No idea, my lady. He didn't tell me. He just keeps asking if you're awake. He looks like he hasn't slept all night, with those huge dark circles under his eyes." Before Amber could finish her sentence, Russell barged in, all flustered, and said in a rush, "Margaery, the snow's thick and the roads are slippery today. Let's go to class together. You can take my carriage." Margaery looked up at him. Russell got a bit awkward, his eyes darting away as he scrambled for an excuse. "It was Joshua who told me to come get you. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered. But today, I'm being generous. I'll let you ride in my carriage." Margaery's gaze grew thoughtful. Among the Wallen brothers, Russell was by far the most unpredictable, his personality swinging from one extreme to another. When he liked someone, Russell would care for them to the bone. But when he didn't, he could hate them so much he'd want to kill them. In her previous life, it was always like this. Russell would treat her well one day and then lash out the next, sometimes so furious he'd grind his teeth, sometimes acting like none of it mattered. Margaery had long grown immune to it. But when he mentioned, "Joshua told me to come get you," she knew there was more to it. If it were truly important, Joshua wouldn't have passed it through Russell. 1/3 10:58 Thu, 21 Aug G 50 Chapter 31 "Alright, Margaery said, nodding slowly as her thoughts settled. Today was indeed Margaery's day to attend Inkwell Academy. 46%2 The male students had to attend every day, but as a girl, she only needed to go once every seven days, which was enough to keep up appearances. Since the mess at Tessa's recognition party, it had been exactly seven days. Even if Russell hadn't come, Margaery would've gone on her own. Russell finally got the answer he was waiting for. A grin spread across his face as he rushed in, reaching out to grab her hand. "Then let's go. I brought fresh bread from the kitchen. We can eat it on the way." Two days of not seeing her had made him overly enthusiastic. Margaery sidestepped his hand, lifting her gaze. "Russell, haven't you been visiting Tessa these days?" Russell's face dropped instantly. "Margaery! Don't push your luck. You even gave her the charm I made for you, and now you dare mention her name in front of me?" His heart pounded furiously, a messy mix of anger, sadness, and a hint of guilt. Honestly, Russell had spent the last two days reflecting. He knew he was wrong. He shouldn't have jumped to conclusions after hearing Tessa cry and accuse Margaery of pushing her off the rock garden. That's why he came today to make peace. But Margaery was way out of line too. She went and gave away the gift he had painstakingly prepared. That stung him more than she could imagine. Russell stared at her, blurting out, "Go get it back from her." "Russell, you're childish. Once a gift is given, I can't get to ask for it back," Margaery replied calmly. If she didn't know Russell so well, Margaery might've believed he was standing on her side this time. In her previous life, Margaery had been strung along by Russell for years, never really knowing where she stood. When she was abandoned on the streets, it was Russell who found her, holding out his arms and saying, "It was my fault, come home with me, Margaery." Margaery had been so touched that she threw herself into his embrace and cried her heart out. Only to learn later that Russell had found her to replace Tessa in a marriage deal. At that time, Cillian had arranged a marriage between Tessa and Dashnell. But Tessa despised Dashnell, who was crippled, and she was already pregnant with Dominic's child. Adding to that, rumors spread about Dashnell's cruelty towards his servants. Fearing Dashnell would harm Tessa, Russell decided to have Margaery marry in her place. That was also when Margaery discovered Tessa's true motive. Tessa had infiltrated the Chancellor's estate with the sole purpose of destroying the Wallen family. But when Margaery tried to reveal the truth, Russell slapped her across the face right in front of everyone, accusing her of being unrepentant and slandering Tessa. Margaery sneered silently. "That charm-who's it really protecting? Whether it's on me or not, they're always protecting Tessa and no one else. 2/3 10:58 46% +38) Chapter 31 'One day, when Tessa destroys the entire Wallen family, that'll be quite the show." "Besides, Margaery said lightly, "Tessa's the sister you love the most. That charm is perfect for her." Margaery still remembered how Russell had tried to drown her in a frozen lake, hiding her body to erase any trace of her. Even now, the memory of that icy water seeping into her wounds, the bone-deep cold, the suffocating helplessness-it made. Margaery's whole body tremble, gasping for breath. Russell's eyes reddened as he looked at her indifferent expression. He said softly, "Margaery, are you still mad at me?" "No," Margaery replied, gathering her things and heading for the door. "Let's go." Russell followed behind, his chest rising and falling with anger, but he still yelled out, "Margaery, I'm sorry, okay? I'm apologizing to you." Calling her by her full name, barking an apology through gritted teeth-that was as far as his pride would let him go. When Russell messed up, it was nearly impossible for him to humble himself and speak kindly. Margaery didn't want to provoke him further at that moment. She turned her head and said, "I forgive you." "That's good! Let's head to Inkwell Academy. Joshua said there's a new bakery that opened up. Their cakes are amazing. He's taking us there for lunch." Russell perked up immediately, catching up with her, chattering as if nothing had happened. "The sun's out today, but the roads are icy. Let me help you. Don't want you slipping and falling." As he spoke, Russell threw an arm around her shoulder, wrapping her up in his cloak. Margaery was caught off guard, tears almost spilling from her eyes. Russell was four years older than her. By the time Margaery started at Inkwell Academy, he'd already been studying there for three years. Whenever it rained or snowed, when the roads were slippery, Russell would always carry her on his back. Even when she pretended to be lazy, not wanting to walk, he'd see right through her tricks but still let her climb onto his back. But this very person, who had once been so good to her, had later sided with Tessa in everything, openly ignoring boundaries, carrying Tessa around in his arms as if she was the only one who mattered. In the end, Russell had accused her of pushing Tessa into the water, slapped her, and even went to their teacher to have her expelled. AD Comment Send gift No Ads Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!