Chapter 35 No Ads 10 59 Thu, 21 Aug 0 670 Chapter 35 Chapter 35 46% Margaery instinctively glanced upstairs before taking her seat. She was still trying to puzzle out their true purpose for today. Joshua looked at her, his manner much gentler than usual. His voice deliberately softened. "The table is set with all your favorites. Try some." "It's rare that you still remember what I like to eat, Joshua," Margaery replied, meeting his gaze. The memory of her previous life made the moment bitterly ironic. In her previous life, Joshua was the one who knew best about her love for food. Yet he was also the one who cut off her tongue for Tessa's sake. Joshua's expression faltered for a split second at her words, but he quickly recovered. "My apologies, Margaery. I've been preoccupied lately. I haven't been as attentive as I should." Margaery gave a cold laugh. "Avery said today was about him and Lord Dominic making amends. What about you, Joshua? Are you here to apologize too?" Joshua hadn't expected such a direct challenge. He frowned, attempting a placating tone. "Must I apologize simply for sharing a meal with you?" Yet, Joshua's gaze drifted involuntarily to Margaery's wrist, lingering on the string of rosary beads she wore. First she gave Tessa the bracelet 1 gifted her. Now she wears these rosary beads instead? And I recall these rosary beads belonged to Brother Norman. "They're the heirloom of the Chapel of Wisdom. How in the world did they end up on her wrist?' Joshua found himself momentarily lost in thought. "If it's just a meal, then certainly," Margaery replied, not calling out his pretense. Joshua hadn't rushed back from his duties just for a meal. What the people in the Chancellor's estate truly wanted was twofold: the perception of Tessa's ailment and to sever her connection to Dashnell. Whatever trap lay within this meal, it surely aimed for one or both of these goals. Margaery knew she couldn't avoid it and could only face it. She lowered her head and began to eat. Joshua snapped out of his thoughts, his focus returning to the rosary beads. "Those rosary beads. Did Brother Norman give them to you?" "Yeah, I've become his disciple," Margaery answered without looking up. "Father is right. I'm grown now; it's time I learned some wisdom. I intend to study diligently under him. Don't worry, Joshua." Joshua's brow furrowed deeply. He thought, "The Chapel of Wisdom is sacred ground, and its brothers must not be defiled. Why would Brother Norman bestow the temple's heirloom beads upon her? 'Even as a Christian, she shouldn't receive such an honor. Surely it ought to go to someone truly devoted to faith. If he learns that Margaery is about to become a notorious slut in Sinderin, won't he be furious? The fallout wouldn't just anger Dashnell; it could offend the Southern Abbey A headache began to pulse at Joshua's temples. He said uneasily, "Margaery, do you realize those rosary beads signify the lineage of the Chapel of Wisdom? Wearing them means you cannot marry. You must take vows as a nun." Margaery looked down at her wrist, feigning ignorance. "Is that so? Brother Norman never mentioned that." Joshua's voice sharpened, adopting his authoritative elder-brother tone. "He is a monk of profound standing. Those beads 1/3 10:59 Thu, 21 Aug Chapter 35 are the symbol of the chapel's heir. "They mean you are destined to inherit the chapel. How can you claim ignorance while accepting such a role? How dare you become a disciple without understanding this?" Joshua reached out to grab her wrist. "Give them to me. I will return them to Brother Norman at court tomorrow. A girl from the Wallen family can not become a nun." "That doesn't seem right," Margaery countered, swiftly pulling her arm back. "If they must be returned, I'll do it myself. I'd quite like to ask him why he didn't tell me wearing these meant I couldn't marry." Joshua frowned deeply. He couldn't physically wrestle the beads from her in full view of everyone. "Very well," he conceded stiffly. "But remember, you must return them to their rightful owner tomorrow." Joshua clenched his fists, taking a deep breath to suppress the urge to snatch them. He mused, 'Why would Brother Norman give these to a young lady without demanding she renounce the world? It made no sense. 'After today's events, I can only pray he will relent and take them back. The Chancellor's estate cannot afford to antagonize the Southern Abbey. Margaery continued eating, her fingers idly tracing the smooth beads. She doubted the situation was as serious as Joshua claimed. If accepting them truly required taking vows, Norman would have said so. Margaery didn't quite understand Norman's intention, but she knew exactly what Joshua was up to. It was simply that Norman's support for her had put more pressure on the Chancellor's estate. She wasn't stupid enough to take off what she had on her and give them a chance to act against her. Margaery glanced sideways at Joshua. "Isn't Tessa coming? For the opening of a new restaurant, surely she should be invited. Wouldn't anyone say I'm stealing her place again?" "She's not coming today," Joshua replied, his expression darkening and his tone heavy. "She's not feeling well. Even if she came, she couldn't eat. "Today, it's mainly Avery apologizing to you. He really shouldn't have been so careless and neglected your wounds. He deserves to be punished." Margaery looked up. "Is that all?" Beside her, Avery stiffened. "Margaery," he said, "about the perception thing, you must understand, it can't become a major scandal. "There are things you don't grasp about court politics-alliances rise and fall together. My position at the Royal Medical Hall benefits the family. What good would putting your name in their records do?" Avery softened his voice further. "Can't you just let this go?" Things I don't grasp? And I'm the one making trouble?' she mocked inwardly. Margaery almost laughed aloud at the absurdity. "I may not grasp everything," Margaery said coolly, "but I'm clear about one thing. It's not you or me that's useful, but the prescription." She continued, "With that prescription, even a beast could gain the king's favor. My name may be useless, but yours seems even less potent. A name alone cures no one." "You!" Avery flushed with anger, barely containing himself. He wasn't very talented at studying medicine. He had passion but lacked aptitude. 2/3 10:59 Thu, 21 Aug Chapter 35 46% +38) Over the years, every advancement he'd made was thanks to the prescriptions Margaery gave him in times of need, making others think he was a genius. Even before Margaery made a scene at the Royal Medical Hall, people thought those prescriptions were his creations. So the humiliation had been profound. His thoughts turned bitterly. 'She dares to act this way only because Dashnell backs her up. Once he's out of the picture, what power will she have? That's why today's plan is the most important.' "Perhaps you're right," Avery forced out, swallowing his pride. "I was wrong regarding that matter." He picked up a wine cup. "Let this cup serve as my apology. Please, don't hold this grudge against me." "After all, you're my blood-bonded sister. If this feud escalates, Mother's spirit in the afterlife will find no peace." Avery drained the cup in one go, his tone laced with resentment. "Indeed, Mother would find no peace," Margaery echoed softly, her heart filled with icy scorn. She thought, 'If Mother knew Raul and her five sons were pushing me, their biological daughter, to my death for a fraud, she'd be heartbroken.' Margaery's appetite vanished. She pushed her plate away slightly. "I've had enough. Please continue. I'll be taking my leave." "Wait." Dominic stepped forward, blocking her path. "Go up to the room upstairs and wait. There's another party later. We'll leave together after it's over." AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!