Chapter 36 Chapter 36 "Is there any need for me to stay?" Margaery lifted her gaze, staring directly at him. "There is," Dominic replied, taking a deep breath and forcing patience. "Once the guests arrive, I'll call you down. I intend to apologize to you publicly, before everyone, to demonstrate my sincerity." "And if I insist on leaving?" Margaery frowned. Knowing Dominic as she did, she didn't believe he was being so kind. At that moment, Joshua stood and walked towards her, his voice grave. "Today is the anniversary of your wet nurse's passing. "Her memorial tablet is upstairs. Father will also be coming to pay his respects. Are you truly set on leaving?" "Why would her memorial tablet be here?" Margaery's unease intensified. "When she died, Father wouldn't even allow her burial in the family plot." Joshua explained smoothly, "Precisely because she couldn't rest in the family plot, we arranged a separate memorial here. "This building is new and unused-everything is fresh. From now on, that room will house her tablet. Go on up and light a candle for her." Margaery could find no further reason to refuse. She turned and went up to the third floor. But the moment she stepped into the room, a heavy blow crashed down on her head. Her head throbbed with pain, and she fell to the ground. In her fading consciousness, she heard a man snort, "Don't blame me for being rough. Blame yourself for not knowing your place. "What good does it do you to ruin Lord Avery's career? Dreaming of catching Prince Dashnell? Keep dreaming." Panic surged through Margaery. She tried to push herself up and escape, but her limbs refused to obey. There was something wrong with the incense in the room. Although she wasn't very proficient in medicine, she had once helped Craig identify herbs. This scent held a love potion. They were trying to ruin her reputation. All that talk about the wet nurse and the apology was just an excuse. Soon, Dominic would come upstairs. Under the drug's influence, they would have an affair, and then Joshua or Avery would burst in with witnesses, catching them in the act. They would then pin the blame for drugging Dominic and being promiscuous on her. At that point, she would become a person despised by all. If Dominic deigned to marry her then, it would be a mercy, but never as his proper wife. Then, they could force her, as a mere concubine, to confess her crimes at court, with no one to defend her. Dashnell, the high and mighty prince, would never tolerate a compromised woman. It was a well-laid trap, a dead end. Terror seized her. Her fingers clawed desperately on the floor, trying to drag herself out. Meanwhile, the man who had hit her rushed downstairs to report to Joshua. "Lord Joshua, it's done. "Once Lord Dominic goes up, Lady Margaery will lose all restraint. Then you can go upstairs with a couple of friends under the pretext of looking for Lord Dominic." "Go," Joshua ordered, taking a deep breath. A ruthless glint hardened his eyes. "Tell the kitchens to prepare; the guests will arrive soon." 1/3 Thu, 21 Aug Chapter 36 Joshua thought, 'Sacrificing Margaery for the Chancellor's estate is justified. She brought this upon herself. 'If she hadn't made a scene at the Royal Medical Hall, if she'd been content and stayed away from Dashnell, would she be in this position? Joshua swiftly silenced any lingering doubt. Meanwhile, the front of Pero Cela was filled with guests. Estelle and Nathaniel, out of respect for the Chancellor's estate, came along with a group of people. The scene was quite lively. Joshua greeted them with practiced charm and a mature smile. "Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle, welcome. It's been too long. Let's have a good drink tonight." Nathaniel chuckled, playing along. "It's been a while. It seems you've developed a taste for wine, huh?" Nathaniel needed allies; his mother, Angelina, was gone, and his position at court was precarious. Aligning with the Chancellor was essential for him. Estelle, raised close to Alicia, was naturally aligned with the Wallens. She smiled broadly at the people behind her. "Lord Joshua is hosting. Don't hold back. Eat your fill. Don't worry about him spending too much." "Lord Joshua is most generous!" others chimed in with flattery, filing inside. Amidst the clinking of glasses, Avery looked at Dominic impatiently. Feigning drunkenness, he slurred, "Where's Margaery? She was here earlier. Where'd she go?" "Seems to have gone upstairs. I'll go and check on her," Dominic echoed smoothly, his eyes flickering. Dominic bowed slightly to the guests. "Please, continue enjoying yourselves. I'll check on Margaery and bring her down to join us." Exchanging a glance with Joshua, Dominic hurried upstairs, a thrill of anticipation coursing through him. He thought, 'After this, Margaery's reputation will be a mess. Marrying Tessa as my wife and keeping Margaery as a concubine will be simple. No family would let a woman who drugged her betrothed be their hostess. 'And while I don't love her, I can't deny she's a stunning beauty. Having her and ensuring Dashnell can't use her against me. She'll be powerless, begging for my favor. The thought made his heart race faster. "Margaery!" he called eagerly, pushing the door open quietly and tiptoeing towards the lump beneath the bedcovers. Meanwhile, Tessa's carriage raced towards Pero Cela. Her voice was tight with tension. "Are you sure? They've set a trap today. To force Dominic and Margaery to sleep together?" "Absolutely, milady," Paige confirmed, eager to please. "I heard them planning it last night. Early this morning, Lord Russell even took Margaery to the academy himself." Paige added, "Lord Joshua, Lord Avery-they're all there now. If you don't hurry, Lady Tessa, they'll consummate it. There'll be no turning back then." Tessa clenched her fists. "I thought Father and my brothers cared only for me. To think they'd scheme behind my back to help Margaery to Dominic. I won't let them succeed." Then Tessa snapped at the coachman, "Faster. Take the rear entrance." She thought, 'Dominic's mine. I wouldn't allow Margaery to take him away. I had to stop them at all costs. The carriage sped down an alleyway behind Pero Cela. Suddenly, a violent gust of wind whipped past. The horses screamed, 2/3 1101 Thu, 21 Aug 6 GI Chapter 36 veering dangerously close to a wall. 46% 2 The coachman wrestled them back under control, rubbing his eyes in shock. "What just flew right past us? Wind like a gale." "Was it?" Tessa was so preoccupied with Dominic and Margaery that she didn't care. She replied casually, "Probably just a bird." "A bird that big? Looked like a man," the driver mumbled, confused, but dropped it at Tessa's words. He pulled up at Pero Cela's back entrance. Tessa scrambled out, hiking her skirts as she ran upstairs, heading straight for the innermost room on the third floor. "Men's words are all lies," Tessa muttered furiously under her breath. "Saying his heart belongs only to me, yet rushing to defile himself with Margaery." Breathless, she reached the door and knocked softly, calling out in a voice trembling with hurt and accusation, "Dominic?" 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!