Chapter 40 Chapter 40 45% "Lady Serena gifted it to me, what?" Margaery replied with a smile. Framed by the swan hairpin, her unpainted face possessed a breathtaking, almost aggressive beauty. But to Estelle, it seemed more like a provocation. The late king's authority was sacrosanct, even for Estelle, the princess. Serena giving Margaery the swan hairpin carried an implicit blessing as her future daughter-in-law. Furious but constrained, Estelle could only swallow her rage, her fists clenched white. She whirled on Joshua, her voice tight. "You claimed her wet nurse's tablet was here?" "N-No, not me," Joshua instinctively denied, scrambling. "She's spouting nonsense. Why would I say such a thing? This is a restaurant. No sane person places memorial tablets for the dead here." Joshua hadn't expected things to turn out like this when he said those words. Now, denial seemed his only recourse. He turned to Margaery. "Lies need a foundation. Stop causing trouble here." His words made it sound as if it were Margaery who was talking nonsense. Margaery had witnessed Joshua's cruelty in her previous life, but never his utter shamelessness. It was eye-opening for her. "So now," she said, "you lack the courage to stand by your words?" She thought, 'In my previous life, I must have been truly blind to seek reconciliation with such people. The thought filled her with profound sadness and bitter amusement. Joshua said, "Margaery, admit your mistakes. Smearing me won't help. I am your brother; I won't hold this against you. "But today, with Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle present, things could escalate beyond control if you persist." Joshua spoke with the certainty of someone holding all the cards, projecting magnanimous authority, secure in the belief that Margaery had no proof. Margaery almost laughed at the absurdity. Just as she seemed cornered, a figure emerged from behind her, positioning himself casually at her side. He addressed Joshua with a lazy drawl. "Lord Joshua, I used to think you were a gentleman. Today, I see you're utterly shameless." "Mr. Morales?" Joshua frowned, a wave of unease washing over him. "What brings you here?" Margaery turned to look at the man beside her, also surprised. Bernard Morales, the heir of Morales's estate, was born with a carefree and unruly nature. Bernard rarely got involved in court affairs and preferred to dig into bizarre and astonishing inventions that often left people questioning his sanity. Bernard disdained most social interaction, usually holing up with his inventions. 'Given his nature, why would he involve himself in this sordid mess? What brought him here?' Margaery wondered. Bernard offered a roguish grin. He said, "Had to step in, Lord Joshua. You were spinning tales so thick you might've started believing them yourself. I saw you stop Margaery and force her to go to the third floor. "You said her wet nurse's memorial tablet was there and that she should wait for the Lord Chancellor to pay respects together. So, how did paying respects turn into this spectacle?" A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. "Lord Joshua, what kind of playacting is this?" 1/3 Chapter 40 The guests Joshua had invited were stunned. "Whose word do we trust-yours or Margaery's?" n Joshua invited them. By rights, they ought to have taken Joshua's side. But it was Bernard, the heir of Morales's estate, who came forward to testify to Margaery. Bernard was no ordinary figure. The Morales Estate commands a vast army, standing as the most powerful noble house outside the royal bloodline. Randal Morales, moreover, is Cillian's sworn brother, having guarded the northern borders in the king's name for over twenty years. One can scarcely imagine the prestige of the heir to the Morales Estate. Bernard's words carried immense, undeniable weight. Even Estelle paled, her expression conflicted. She had long harbored feelings for Bernard, yearning to marry him. Despite Cillian's hints, Bernard remained uninterested. Now, he stood defending Margaery. Could it be he likes Margaery?' she mused. Estelle glanced at Margaery, recalling her harsh words moments before. Humiliated and furious, Estelle lashed out, striking Tessa across the face with such force that five finger marks bloomed instantly. "You're so shameless. Sleeping with your sister's betrothed." Tessa felt dizzy and fell to the ground, crying. "Your Highness, please. This really wasn't my doing. I was drugged. I don't know how this happened." Tessa's tears flowed freely, a picture of vulnerable distress that stirred pity even in Dominic's eyes. Bernard, however, remained unmoved. "Drugged, were you?" Bernard sneered, his voice devoid of sympathy, tinged with mockery. Tessa couldn't meet his gaze. Trembling, she stammered, "I was drugged. I don't know how I ended up there. All I remember is Paige giving me a cup of spiced tea. S-she said it would warm me up." Tessa dared a fleeting, fearful glance at Margaery before quickly looking away, redirecting the blame. "P-Paige is Margaery's maid." Estelle, seizing the diversion, turned on Margaery with venom. "You! You ordered your maid to drug Tessa?" "Princess Estelle, is your memory failing you?" Margaery met her glare head-on, her voice coldly mocking. "Remember what Tessa said earlier?" Margaery added, "She said she felt strange the moment she stepped inside. That proves she was lucid before entering there. "Assuming I did have my maid drug her. What about Dominic? Was he lucid when he engaged with Tessa?" "Because you wanted Dominic to lose control too," Estelle retorted stubbornly. "So you changed the incense in the room." Margaery almost sighed at the illogic. "If incense alone could affect everyone, why the pointless complication of having a maid drug Tessa specifically?" But Margaery could understand Estelle's desperation. Everyone in Sinderin knew that Estelle was in love with Bernard. Estelle was eager to try to save face, or she would be too embarrassed to face Bernard. Margaery, however, held the advantage of calm reason. Cornered by her flawed argument and swirling emotions, Estelle became more aggressive. "Of course you had to drug Tessa. How else would she have come here?" 'Bernard witnessed events inside the restaurant, but not necessarily Tessa's arrival. Let's see Margaery wriggle out of this 2/3 Thu, 21 Aug Chapter 40 one,' she thought. A cold, triumphant smile touched Estelle's lips. ནྲྀ་ 45% 38 But her satisfaction was short-lived. A deep and resonant voice rose from the stairwell. "Princess Estelle, choose your words with care." An elder in simple grey robes, radiating an aura of serene authority, ascended. "From my seat in the teahouse, I witnessed Tessa arrive by carriage. She entered Pero Cela through the rear entrance and hurried directly to the third floor." He added, "She was perfectly lucid. She brought a maid and a coachman. They wait downstairs. Doubters may summon them for verification." "High Priest?" Estelle gasped, recognizing him instantly. She hurriedly offered a respectful bow. Joshua was also stunned. He looked at Simon in disbelief. "High Priest? What brings you here?" 田 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!