Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Chapter 43 45% Raul still had doubts gnawing at him. He hurried after Simon and caught his arm. High Priest, there's still something I can't figure out. For the sake of all the years we've served together, could you give me a hint?" Simon paused and turned to look at him. Raul quickly said, Tm talking about what happened nine years ago. You sent word to me about the rebels hideout. Was that really... Simon studied him for a long moment before finally saying, Lond Chancellor, you really think that was all your own doing? Did it ever cross your mind why I would entrust something so important to Margaery, and have a seven-year-old child deliver that message to you? Once Raul's suspicions were confirmed, a wave of bitterness washed over his face. Back then, he thought Simon had recognized his talent and wanted to promote him, giving him such a tremendous favor. He'd even been smug about it for a long time. But it turned out Simon had only done it for the sake of Margaery-a favor to a seven-year-old girl, nothing more. If he'd known the truth, he never would have treated Margaery like she didn't matter. But it was already too late for regrets. A flood of emotions surged through Raul, and for a moment, he was at a complete loss for words. Simon looked at him, his tone laced with irony. "Even if Tessa is your own flesh and blood, the fact that she ended up lost is on you. If you feel so guilty, you could get down on your knees and apologize to her-no one would say a word against you. "But instead, you turn around and dump all your mistakes on Margaery. What, are you trying to tell everyone that Margaery isn't your daughter? Or are you saying she was the one who caused Tessa's disappearance? "Don't forget that they're twins. "When Tessa went missing, Margaery had barely just come into this world. "The life she's lived in the Chancellor's estate is rightfully hers. It was never something she stole from Tessa!" Simon grew angrier as he spoke. "You said it yourself. We've been colleagues for years, and you've climbed to the top. But today, I honestly think you don't deserve that position. From now on, don't go around telling people you know me. "And you'd better be careful. Make sure you don't end up in my hands again." With that, he turned and left without another word. Raul watched him leave, his nerves stretched to the limit. The last thing he ever expected was for Simon to actually take Margaery's side. What shocked him even more was that the crippled Prince Dashnell had enough pull to get Simon, Bernard, and Quinn to all step in and protect Margaery so forcefully. All his calculations had fallen apart. And then, things were spiraling out of control. 1/3 11:03 Thu, 21 Aug 6 -70 O Chapter 43 45% He looked at Margaery, not knowing how to face his daughter, and this was hardly the right place for such a conversation. So, he turned to Joshua. "Go and see Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle out." "Prince Nathaniel, Princess Estelle, this way please," Joshua said hurriedly. Nathaniel snorted, clearly displeased. Estelle's face turned even uglier. Ignoring Joshua, she looked at Bernard with a complicated expression. "Lord Bernard, would you like to have dinner with me later?" "No time," Bernard replied flatly, rejecting her without hesitation. Estelle's face twisted in bitterness, and she turned her anger on Joshua, shooting him a fierce glare. Joshua broke out in a cold sweat and quickly apologized. "Your Highness, I didn't expect..." "Shut up!" Estelle cut him off, then turned and gave Margaery a long, searching look. Margaery met her eyes without flinching, her expression calm and unwavering. There was no doubt about it. She'd made herself another enemy today. But there was nothing she could do. Estelle had grown up with Lady Alicia and was always part of Joshua's camp. If Margaery wanted to cut off all family ties, distance herself from the Chancellor's estate, and tear up her engagement with. Dominic, offending Estelle was inevitable. She'd seen it coming, so it barely ruffled her mood. Estelle stared at her for a while, more convinced than ever that Margaery was totally out of control and didn't give her the slightest respect. In the end, she left, practically seething with anger. Once Nathaniel and Estelle left, their entourages quickly followed, slinking away like whipped dogs. Only the Wallen family, Dominic, Quinn, and Bernard were left in the hallway. Only then did Raul turn to Quinn. "Lord Thornton, this is really just a misunderstanding." He then shot a glance at Avery. "My son, lacking in ability as he is, can barely manage his duties as a royal physician. How could he possibly be the infamous assassin, Titan Wheeler? The grievances between these siblings are, after all, a private matter of the Chancellor's estate. We'll handle it at home. I hope you can understand and allow us this courtesy." Quinn glanced at Margaery and said, "This is both a family matter and not, Lord Chancellor. You should know what Star of Fortune really means. "That's all I have to say. Farewell." With that, Quinn turned and walked away. When Raul heard Star of Fortune, he could have strangled Simon right then and there. But there was nothing he could do about it. He had to pick up the pieces fast, before he became the butt of everyone's jokes. Finally, he turned to Bernard and asked, testing the waters, "Lord Bernard, did Prince Dashnell send you here?" Bernard gave a snort of laughter and yanked Margaery over to his side. "I like Margaery. Do I need anyone's permission for that? You're making a scene in my place and picking on the woman I like, and you think I'm just going to stand by and say nothing?" Raul's brow furrowed deeply. "Lord Bernard, Margaery is already engaged." 2/3 11:03 Thu, 21 Aug O G ca Chapter 43 Margaery looked at Bernard in surprise. "Lord Bernard, you're going to make people get the wrong idea... Honestly, the only thing between her and Bernard was that, years ago, when he was being hunted, he hid out in her bedroom for a night! But at that time, she was just a little girl. She was as innocent as they came! After that, they never even saw each other up close again. Since when did she suddenly become the girl he liked? But Bernard saw it differently. "Me liking you is my own business. It's got nothing to do with you." +38) With that, he jabbed a finger at Dominic. "Seriously, Lord Chancellor, you still want to marry your daughter off to this piece of trash? Just look at him. Does he look like someone any sane person would trust with their whole future? What respectable family would ever let their daughter end up with a loser like this?" Dominic was left utterly shredded by his words, not even a scrap of dignity left. He was heir to Hadley's estate, always swaggering around like he was the gold standard for all the young men in Sinderin City. But today, he'd made such a fool of himself that he honestly wished he could just disappear. His face darkened. "My business is none of your concern, Lord Bernard." And yet, he shamelessly used Margaery's words from last night to talk back to Bernard. "Besides, in a few days, it's my grandmother's birthday. Margaery will be there with a generous gift. We grew up together-childhood sweethearts. Something this small isn't going to break us apart." He turned to Margaery as he said. "Right, Margaery?" Margaery looked at him and couldn't help but want to laugh. 'Where did he get that kind of confidence from?" But in ten days, at the banquet of Hadley's estate, she did have something to announce. So after giving him a quick glance, she turned away and invited Bernard, "Lord Bernard, thanks for speaking up for me today. Let me treat you to some coffee later, okay?" Bernard arched his brow with a playful grin. "Sure." He shot Dominic a mocking glance, then turned and walked off with Margaery at his side. AD Comment Send gift Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!