Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 26 Summary
In Chapter 26 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Margaery firmly asserts her refusal to marry, displaying a resolve that is both fierce and desperate. She instructs Amber to deliver a message to Phillipa, a friend from her past, who has distanced herself from the Chancellor’s estate. Margaery’s thoughts are clouded with a mix of longing and despair as she reflects on her friendship with Phillipa, who has chosen a life of loyalty to the Emperor over the complexities of the Chancellor’s world. Despite the pain of their separation, Margaery clings to the hope that Phillipa’s return could provide the strength she needs to escape her engagement and confront the manipulative forces around her.
Meanwhile, the tension at Dashnell’s residence escalates as Adam reveals the cruel treatment Margaery has faced at the hands of her father, Raul. Dashnell’s anger simmers beneath the surface as he grapples with the injustice of Raul’s actions towards his own daughter. The conversation reveals the depths of Raul’s cruelty, as Adam expresses disbelief that a father could treat Margaery with such disdain. Dashnell’s determination to protect Margaery intensifies, leading him to plan a decisive course of action to confront Raul and ensure Margaery’s safety.
Simultaneously, in Raul’s study, the atmosphere is fraught with tension as Raul pressures Dominic to marry Margaery, revealing the political implications of her potential union with Prince Dashnell. Dominic’s confusion and fear grow as he realizes the stakes involved, particularly the threat of losing Tessa, the woman he truly loves. The revelation that Prince Dashnell has taken an interest in Margaery complicates matters further, suggesting a looming conflict that could disrupt the delicate balance of power among the families involved.
The chapter culminates in a sense of impending chaos, as Margaery’s plight intertwines with the ambitions of those around her. Dashnell’s resolve to intervene on her behalf and Raul’s manipulative strategies set the stage for a confrontation that could change the fates of all involved. The emotional weight of the characters’ struggles—Margaery’s isolation, Dashnell’s fierce loyalty, and Dominic’s turmoil—creates a rich tapestry of tension and longing, hinting at the challenges that lie ahead.
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**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 26**
“I will never marry her,” Margaery declared, her voice cutting through the air with an unwavering sharpness. The conviction in her tone was palpable, as if she were carving her will into stone. “Go take care of it. I know exactly what I’m doing. And when you return, send a message to Phillipa for me. Give her this.”
As she spoke, Margaery extended her hand, presenting Amber with a neatly rolled piece of parchment, the edges slightly frayed, a symbol of her urgency.
“Lady Margaery, why are you seeking out Lady Phillipa?” Amber inquired, her brow furrowing in surprise. “You know Phillipa has never been fond of anyone associated with the Chancellor’s estate. The last time we spoke, she even remarked that Lady Tessa didn’t seem like someone we would have brought back from the countryside.”
“It’s fine, just go. I assure you, she’ll come,” Margaery replied, a bitter taste rising in her throat like an unwelcome guest. The thought of Phillipa stirred a mix of longing and despair within her.
Phillipa, the daughter of Roy, the formidable Lord of Warfare, had grown up in a world of swords and shields, her childhood steeped in the clangor of battle. She had entered the palace at a tender age, taking on the role of a personal guard for the Emperor, a position that demanded both strength and unwavering loyalty.
In a peculiar twist of fate, Phillipa and Joshua had become colleagues, their paths intertwined by duty and, perhaps, a hint of affection. Joshua had developed a fondness for her, dreaming of a future where they would be united in marriage.
So, with hopeful intent, Joshua had invited Phillipa to the Chancellor’s estate, introducing her to Tessa, proclaiming that they would all be family one day. Yet, when the moment came for Phillipa to depart, she had flatly rejected him, her voice steady and resolute. “I, Phillipa, will never step into the Chancellor’s estate. I don’t belong there.”
Joshua, taken aback, had pressed her for an explanation. He reminded her of the days of their youth when she had adored Margaery and would seek her out without hesitation. “Why this sudden aversion to the Chancellor’s estate?” he had asked, confusion clouding his features.
Phillipa’s gaze had shifted to Tessa, her expression a mixture of disdain and truth. “I do like Margaery, but she is a girl who was raised in the Gracewind Garden. No matter how you look at it, that place lacks the stature of the main courtyard of the Chancellor’s estate. It simply doesn’t hold that kind of significance.”
She continued, her voice steady, “The one residing in the main courtyard doesn’t appear to have come back from the countryside either. I am accustomed to walking on solid ground. If I were to fall into the mud, I wouldn’t be able to extricate myself. I lack the grace to remain untainted once I am stained.”
With those words, Phillipa had turned on her heel and left, never to return to the Chancellor’s estate. Occasionally, she would send allergy medicine and treats to Margaery through palace couriers, but the warmth of their friendship felt like a distant memory.
As Margaery reflected on this, a heavy weight settled in her chest. Although she resided within the walls of the Chancellor’s estate, she felt isolated, unable to find anyone who would extend a hand of assistance or trust her with their secrets. In the sprawling city of Sinderin, her mind wandered back to Phillipa, the only person she could truly count on.
Yet, deep down, Margaery held onto hope. She believed that if Phillipa were to come, it would illuminate the darkness surrounding her. With her friend by her side, she could sever her engagement with Dominic and put an end to Raul’s manipulative schemes.
—
Meanwhile, at Dashnell’s residence, the atmosphere was tense. Dashnell closed the book he had been absorbed in, his attention shifting to Adam as he entered, his expression taut with concern. “How is she?” he inquired, his voice low, laced with worry.
Adam’s face was a mask of tension as he replied, “When I arrived, Lord Chancellor was coercing Lady Margaery to plead guilty before the King. If she refused, he threatened to imprison her in the cellar. If I had arrived even a moment later, she would have been locked away.”
Dashnell’s pupils constricted slightly, a flicker of anger igniting within him. “Raul is becoming less human with each passing day,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, steeped in disbelief.
Adam sighed, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on him. “Exactly. I can’t fathom it. They are both his daughters, born of the same mother. How can Raul and his sons harbor such bias? Lady Margaery was raised like a cherished jewel. How could a father inflict such cruelty upon his own daughter? That cellar is no place for anyone. It’s not just the bitter cold; a girl like her wouldn’t survive the toxic air.”
“Raised like a precious jewel?” Dashnell scoffed, a bitter smile twisting his lips. “Even a dog knows to wag its tail when you toss it a bone. They claim Margaery is being unreasonable now, but that is only because she has always been far too understanding.”
He continued, his voice gaining intensity, “Craig’s prescriptions are invaluable. Just one could earn her the title of Lady from the King. Avery took so much from her and treated her like dirt in return. And Joshua—his sword techniques were honed under Margaery’s guidance. As for Raul, do you truly believe he captured those rebels through sheer skill?”
Adam was taken aback, his mind racing. “Wait, are you suggesting that Lady Margaery played a role in that too?”
He recalled that Margaery had been merely seven years old during that tumultuous time.
Dashnell’s voice turned cold, “The rebels’ hideout was exposed through the messages Simon relayed using Margaery. If Raul hadn’t exploited that information to eradicate the rebels, he would never have ascended to his current position.”
A sharp glimmer of resolve ignited in Dashnell’s frosty gaze. “I had hoped that with such knowledge, he would grasp the stakes and treat Margaery with the respect she deserves. I never anticipated he would mistake it all for his own brilliance and now seek to sacrifice her. In that case, he cannot fault me for being ruthless.”
Turning to Adam, his tone turned icy, “Prepare the carriage. I’m heading to Westview Street.”
Adam, beads of sweat forming on his brow, regarded Dashnell with a mixture of admiration and disbelief.
He muttered to himself, “The year Raul decimated the rebels, Margaery was just seven, and Dashnell was merely fourteen. At such a young age, he had already set his sights on Lady Margaery?”
He pondered, ‘To ensure Raul treated Margaery better, Dashnell deliberately gifted him military merit, subtly indicating that he was watching over her? Yet Raul remained oblivious, and now Dashnell had finally reached his breaking point?’
The pieces began to fit together in Adam’s mind. “No wonder, after hearing about Margaery being locked in the woodshed, Dashnell insisted on attending Tessa’s recognition party. He had clearly made up his mind to step in and rescue her himself.”
As Adam pieced this together, he couldn’t help but voice his concern, “But Lady Margaery is still engaged to Dominic Hadley. If they don’t break off the engagement, it will be difficult for you and her to be together openly.”
‘He can’t just snatch a bride away, can he?’ Adam thought.
“I have my own plan,” Dashnell replied, his expression darkening as if a painful memory had resurfaced. “This time, I won’t let my guard down.”
In his heart, Dashnell vowed, ‘Not again. I won’t stand by and watch her suffer so tragically.’
The twilight cast shadows that hid the tears welling in Dashnell’s eyes. The armrest beneath his palm splintered under the pressure of his grip. His voice dropped to a low, chilling whisper, “Inform Jury. Have him keep a watchful eye on the Wallen family.”
“Yes!” Adam responded, his face turning serious, aware that time was of the essence.
Dashnell had spent nearly a decade building Stormshade Hall, yet this was the first time he had mobilized it—because of Margaery.
—
At the same time, in Raul’s study, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Raul spoke slowly, his tone deliberate, “Dominic, I know your heart belongs to Tessa. But right now, you must marry Margaery.”
Raul’s expression was grim as he locked eyes with Dominic. “I’ve already dispatched word to your father, instructing him to propose as soon as possible. We cannot afford to waste any time. Let’s schedule the wedding for December 8th. There’s still half a month left for you to prepare.”
Dominic was taken aback, his mind racing. “But Mr. Wallen, didn’t you promise to allow me to marry Tessa when the time was right? Why is it suddenly Margaery?”
“Because Prince Dashnell has taken an interest in her,” Raul replied, his anger bubbling to the surface, his chest rising and falling with agitation. “I don’t wish to hurt Tessa’s feelings either, but we have no other choice at this moment.”
Raul continued, “Consider the implications. If Prince Dashnell were to propose and Margaery accepted, or worse, if the King were to issue a marriage decree, she would be absorbed into the Prince’s household. With the chaos she is currently causing, both our families would be in jeopardy.”
Dominic’s complexion drained of color. “Mr. Wallen, are you suggesting… Prince Dashnell has fallen for her?”
The weight of the revelation hung heavy in the air, a storm brewing on the horizon.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of Margaery’s resolute declaration, the emotional tides began to shift within the confines of the Chancellor’s estate. Margaery stood at a crossroads, her heart heavy with the burden of familial expectations and the suffocating grip of her father’s ambitions. The once vibrant connections she had cherished, especially with Phillipa, felt like distant echoes, a haunting reminder of the warmth now shadowed by betrayal and isolation. Yet, amid the turmoil, a flicker of hope ignited within her—a yearning for freedom and authenticity that could only be realized with the return of her steadfast friend. Margaery’s determination to sever the ties binding her to Dominic and Raul’s manipulations became a catalyst for her transformation, a potent reminder that even in the darkest of times, the whispers of friendship could shape the contours of her future.
Simultaneously, Dashnell’s resolve solidified as he prepared to confront the oppressive forces threatening Margaery’s autonomy. The weight of his past decisions pressed heavily upon him, fueling a fierce protectiveness that had lain dormant for far too long. As he mobilized his resources, the specter of their shared childhood memories spurred him forward, igniting a fierce loyalty that would not allow him to stand idly by. The stakes were higher than ever, with the looming threat of Margaery’s forced marriage casting a long shadow over their fates. In this moment of reckoning, both Margaery and Dashnell emerged as champions of their own destinies, ready to challenge the oppressive structures that sought to define them. Together, they would navigate the treacherous waters ahead, united by the whispers of their past and the promise of brighter tomorrows.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows*, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Margaery’s desperate plea for Phillipa’s support unfolds into a dramatic confrontation that could change the course of her fate. With Dashnell’s resolve hardening and his plan to intervene taking shape, the stakes are raised significantly. Will he be able to outmaneuver Raul’s sinister intentions and protect Margaery from the impending marriage to Dominic? The shadows of the past will loom larger, revealing the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that bind the characters together in a fight for survival and love.
As the narrative shifts back to the Chancellor’s estate, the atmosphere will crackle with anticipation. Margaery’s growing sense of isolation will clash with the newfound determination of those around her, leading to unexpected alliances and revelations that will challenge her perceptions of loyalty and trust. Meanwhile, Dominic’s internal struggle will deepen as he grapples with his feelings for Tessa and the looming threat of marrying Margaery. With the clock ticking down to the wedding date, secrets will unravel, and the choices made will have far-reaching consequences that could alter the destinies of all involved. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions as the characters navigate love, betrayal, and the harsh realities of their world, culminating in a climax that promises to leave readers breathless.
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.
