Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 17 Summary
In Chapter 17 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” the Royal Medical Hall is thrown into chaos when a shocking revelation about Avery comes to light. The usually charming Avery appears disfigured, leading to speculation among the staff about the cause of his injuries. Initially dismissing his swollen face as a mere bug bite, Avery’s facade crumbles when Margaery steps forward to reveal the truth: he was caught attempting to steal a prescription. This revelation ignites a wave of mockery from his colleagues, who have long grown weary of his pretentiousness, and they seize the opportunity to ridicule him for his actions.
As Margaery confronts Avery, she recounts a series of betrayals and broken promises that highlight his failures as a brother. Her words are laced with venom, exposing Avery’s selfishness and the emotional toll it has taken on her. The room falls silent as her accusations resonate with the gathered audience, who had only previously heard whispers of sibling rivalry. The atmosphere shifts from laughter to shock as the reality of the Wallen family’s dysfunction is laid bare, leading to a loss of respect for Avery and his family.
Nolan, the head of the Royal Medical Hall, presses Avery for an explanation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the institution’s integrity. The weight of the scandal begins to sink in for Avery as he grapples with the potential loss of his status and wealth. In a moment of desperation, he attempts to deflect blame onto Margaery, threatening her with consequences if she does not cease her troublemaking. However, his threats are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Prince Dashnell, who has come to collect a prescription.
Dashnell’s presence complicates matters further, as he appears to be supporting Margaery, prompting a mix of confusion and dread in Avery. The prince’s involvement suggests deeper connections between the siblings’ struggles and the palace’s intricate politics. As Nolan realizes the implications of Dashnell’s visit, he begins to piece together the relationship between the prince and Margaery’s formulas, setting the stage for a potential confrontation that could change the dynamics of their world. The chapter ends with a sense of foreboding, leaving readers eager to see how these revelations will unfold.
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**Chapter 17**
A stunned silence enveloped the Royal Medical Hall as the shocking revelation hung in the air like a thick fog.
Every staff member, previously engaged in their tasks, froze and turned their attention to Avery, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
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Avery’s face, which usually bore the charm of good looks, was today marred by swelling and bruises. Earlier that morning, when Nolan inquired about his unusual appearance, Avery had nonchalantly dismissed it as nothing more than a bug bite.
But the biting cold of winter raised eyebrows. ‘A bug bite in this frigid weather?’ they thought, perplexed.
No one anticipated that Margaery would step forward to unveil the truth behind Avery’s disfigurement.
As it turned out, he had been caught in a scuffle while attempting to pilfer a prescription.
Upon closer inspection, it became painfully clear that there were no traces of insect bites on his skin; rather, it appeared as if someone had delivered a series of stinging slaps to his face.
The unfolding drama promised to be quite the spectacle.
His colleagues, who had long grown weary of Avery’s pretentious demeanor, now erupted into mocking laughter. “Doctor Wallen, aren’t you the one always preaching about propriety? How low can you sink to resort to theft?”
“What about that prescription?”
“Didn’t you boast about its originality? Seems like that might not be the case after all.”
“Could it be that you pilfered your sister’s formula and then tried to coerce her into apologizing to Tessa?”
“If that’s the truth, then you’ve truly sunk to a new low!”
Each derisive comment felt like a physical blow, stinging Avery’s cheeks and igniting a furious embarrassment within him.
As the heat of humiliation washed over him, he resolved to remain silent, refusing to engage further.
With a fierce glare directed at Margaery, he retorted defiantly, “Margaery, the prescription has already been submitted to the Royal Medical Hall. If they want it, let them come and retrieve it themselves.”
“Moreover, you were the one who gifted me that formula in the first place. Any trouble that arises is on your head.”
“No,” Margaery shot back, her voice firm. “I provided you those formulas under specific conditions.”
“The first formula was for flying kites with me, but you broke your promise and chose to go candy shopping for Tessa instead. The second was for standing up for me in front of Father so he wouldn’t send me off to Gracewind Garden.”
“But instead of helping me, you sided with Tessa, allowing her to seize control of my Blissom Hall while I was banished to the desolate Gracewind Garden.”
“The third formula was for fetching allergy medicine for me. But when you returned that day, all you had was stomach medicine for Tessa!”
Margaery’s words dripped with venom as she laid bare the litany of Avery’s failures.
“The eighteenth formula was for instructing the warehouse staff to deliver lumber for me. Yet, it wasn’t until last night, when you came to collect the formula, that you remembered my fireplace was empty.”
With that, tears began to gather in her eyes. “The nineteenth formula was given to you after I knelt before you, pleading with all my heart, assuring you that I hadn’t framed Tessa. You took the formula but still forced me to apologize as a price for my freedom from the lumber room.”
“Avery, please don’t tell me you’ve forgotten all of this.”
All of these instances served as evidence of her attempts to win his favor.
Avery had taken the formulas but had never honored any of the promises or requests she had made.
“On stage? You’re Mr. Perfect, the glue that holds everything together. But off-script? Your version of ‘family harmony’ means my tears finance everyone else’s happy endings. You’re like an apology vending machine—just feed me obedience coins.”
“Now, it’s your turn to apologize to me.”
A heavy silence fell over the room, all eyes glued to the siblings, stunned by Margaery’s outburst.
They had only heard whispers of Margaery’s jealousy and her disdain for Tessa, which had provoked the Chancellor to demand she apologize to Tessa publicly.
But they were unaware of the deeper, more painful truths that lay beneath the surface.
Someone in the crowd could no longer contain their thoughts. “Avery, I never imagined you could treat your own sister like this. How could you?”
“I never knew the Wallen family harbored such sordid secrets. This is truly eye-opening.”
The murmurs spread like wildfire, and respect for the Wallen family evaporated in an instant.
Even Nolan, typically composed, found himself unable to remain neutral.
“Avery, what do you have to say for yourself?” he pressed, his gaze piercing into Avery, whose complexion had turned ghostly pale. “If those prescriptions are tainted, we will not accept them. Can’t trace your paper trail? Fine, let the Inquisition Court uncover the truth.”
“The Royal Medical Hall cannot afford to tarnish its reputation.”
Nolan had always prided himself on honesty; under his leadership, the Royal Medical Hall had maintained an impeccable record. It was the reason the King’s lineage thrived.
Now, as he neared retirement, he found himself ensnared in this scandal, and understandably, it left him perturbed.
As the gravity of the situation settled in, Avery’s thoughts spiraled into a panic about the wealth and prestige he stood to lose.
His eyes burned with anger as he turned to Holam. “Doctor Vischer, don’t spew nonsense. There’s nothing wrong with those prescriptions. She’s just a walking fabrication. Every word that escapes her lips is pure drivel.”
Then, he pivoted to Margaery, his voice low and threatening. “Margaery, since you’re my sister, I won’t hold this against you—if you cease causing trouble. If you return now and behave yourself, I might even plead with Father for leniency regarding your punishment. Otherwise—”
His words were abruptly interrupted by a chilling voice that sliced through the tension like a knife.
“Otherwise?”
The voice was unmistakable, once heard, never forgotten.
Exchanges of startled glances rippled through the room as whispers erupted. “Is that Prince Dashnell’s voice?”
“Prince Dashnell?” Nolan echoed, taken aback, as he hurriedly lifted the curtain to see who stood outside.
“It’s freezing today. What brings Your Highness here in person? Just let us know how we can assist you,” he said, his tone respectful and accommodating.
As he turned his gaze back to Margaery, a flicker of confusion crossed his features.
He had watched Dashnell grow up; the prince was known for his aloof demeanor and rarely engaged with others. It was rare for him to step forward, especially for a woman, let alone to confront the Chancellor’s son on her behalf.
Margaery, taken aback by the sudden attention, quickly regained her composure and bowed respectfully. “Your Highness.”
Avery’s heart raced as he jolted back, his jaw clenched tight. “Your Highness.” The words escaped his lips like a strained salute, filled with trepidation.
A sense of foreboding washed over him. ‘Was Prince Dashnell actually defending Margaery and challenging me? But why?’
He struggled to comprehend how Margaery had managed to garner the prince’s support. With a cautious tone, he ventured, “Prince Dashnell, just now—”
However, Dashnell chose to ignore him, fixing his gaze solely on Nolan. “I came to collect my prescription today to pick up some medicine. You know how particular the divine doctor who manages my poison is; he refuses to let anyone else see his prescriptions. That’s why I had to come personally.”
Nolan mulled over Dashnell’s words, his mind racing. As the King’s personal doctor since the late King’s reign, he was well-versed in the intricate dance of palace politics. A few carefully chosen words fell into place, and suddenly, the puzzle began to take shape.
**Chapter 17**
‘So, Prince Dashnell is here for Margaery. Moreover, the prescription in his hand likely originates from the same source as Margaery’s.’
“This truly complicates matters,” he thought, his mind racing with implications.
He turned his attention back to Avery, his expression steely as he locked eyes with Margaery. “So, Your Highness, the miracle-scribe behind Lady Margaery’s formulas—could he be your ghost healer?”
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the storm that had erupted within the Royal Medical Hall, the air crackled with a mixture of tension and revelation. Avery stood at the center of the whirlwind, his carefully constructed facade crumbling under the weight of Margaery’s accusations and the eyes of his peers. The laughter that had once echoed in his ears now felt like a distant memory, replaced by the biting sting of betrayal and shame. As Margaery laid bare the truth of their fractured relationship, the laughter turned to murmurs of disbelief, shifting the tide of sympathy that had once favored him. Avery’s heart raced, not just from the fear of losing his status, but from the dawning realization that he had failed not only his sister but himself. The truth, once hidden in the shadows, now illuminated the path of his own shortcomings and the cost of his ambition.
With Prince Dashnell’s unexpected arrival, the stakes had risen dramatically, and Avery could feel the ground beneath him shifting. The prince’s presence was a reminder of the delicate balance of power and the consequences of his deceitful actions. As the whispers around him grew louder, Avery faced the undeniable truth that his past choices had led him to this moment of reckoning. No longer could he hide behind his charm and pretense; the time had come to confront the reality of his actions and the hurt he had inflicted on Margaery. In that moment, as the weight of his family’s legacy bore down upon him, Avery understood that the whispers of the past would shape the distant tomorrows he had once taken for granted. With a deep breath, he prepared to face the consequences, knowing that redemption would require more than mere words; it would demand a profound change within himself.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” readers can expect the tension to escalate as Prince Dashnell’s unexpected intervention sets off a chain reaction that could alter the fates of both Avery and Margaery. With the air thick with uncertainty, the Royal Medical Hall stands on the brink of scandal, and the stakes are higher than ever. Will Dashnell’s support for Margaery embolden her to take a stand against her brother, or will Avery, in a desperate attempt to salvage his reputation, resort to underhanded tactics to undermine her newfound ally? As the whispers of the crowd grow louder, the fragile balance of power within the Hall teeters precariously.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the complex web of familial loyalty and betrayal. With Margaery’s past grievances laid bare, the emotional stakes rise, revealing the scars of their sibling rivalry. Readers will be left wondering how Avery will respond to the mounting pressure and whether he can manipulate the situation to his advantage, or if he will finally be forced to confront the consequences of his actions. As secrets threaten to unravel and alliances shift, the tension will reach a boiling point, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what choices each character will make in the face of impending chaos.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
