Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 36 Summary
In Chapter 36 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Margaery grapples with her doubts and the emotional weight of her past as she contemplates whether to stay or leave a gathering at Pero Cela. Dominic insists she remain for a public apology, but Margaery’s skepticism grows when Joshua reveals that today marks the anniversary of her wet nurse’s death, prompting her to confront painful memories. As she ascends to the memorial room, a sense of dread fills her, leading to a sudden, disorienting attack that leaves her vulnerable and trapped in a malicious scheme orchestrated by those around her.
Margaery’s fear intensifies as she realizes that the situation is a setup to ruin her reputation, with plans to make her appear disreputable in front of the guests. The mocking voice she hears indicates that she is being targeted to take the blame for a drugging incident involving Dominic. The emotional turmoil she experiences—fear, panic, and the crushing weight of impending disgrace—highlights her desperation and the precariousness of her situation. The thought of becoming a pariah, especially in the eyes of Prince Dashnell, adds to her anguish, making her feel utterly powerless.
Meanwhile, as the guests gather downstairs, the atmosphere is filled with laughter and camaraderie, contrasting sharply with Margaery’s plight. Joshua, with cold calculation, prepares to sacrifice her for the sake of political gain, rationalizing his actions as necessary for the Chancellor’s estate. Dominic, too, is caught up in his own ambitions, eagerly anticipating the downfall of Margaery’s reputation, which he believes will secure his future with Tessa. This duality of merriment and malice underscores the tension in the chapter, as the characters’ motives intertwine in a web of deceit.
Amidst the unfolding chaos, Tessa races against time to thwart the plot against Dominic and Margaery. Angered by the betrayal of her family, she is determined to assert her claim on Dominic and prevent Margaery from succeeding in her perceived ambitions. Tessa’s emotional turmoil—anger, betrayal, and urgency—fuels her frantic efforts to reach Dominic, showcasing her desperation to reclaim what she believes is rightfully hers. The chapter culminates in a palpable sense of impending confrontation, as Tessa’s arrival at Pero Cela sets the stage for a dramatic clash of intentions and desires.
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**TITLE: Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 36**
“Is there truly any necessity for me to remain here?” Margaery inquired, her eyes locking onto Dominic’s with an intensity that betrayed her skepticism.
“There is,” Dominic asserted, inhaling deeply as he wrestled with his own impatience. “Once the guests arrive, I will summon you downstairs. It is my intention to offer you a public apology, in front of everyone, to prove my genuine remorse.”
“And what if I choose to leave regardless?” Margaery’s brow furrowed, her expression a mix of defiance and doubt. She knew Dominic too well to take his words at face value.
Just then, Joshua rose from his seat, moving toward her with an air of solemnity. “Today marks the anniversary of your wet nurse’s passing,” he stated, his voice steady yet somber. “Her memorial tablet is located upstairs. Our father will be arriving shortly to pay his respects. Are you truly intent on departing?”
“Why would her memorial tablet be here?” Margaery’s anxiety spiked, her heart racing. “When she passed away, Father would not even permit her burial in the family plot.”
Joshua’s tone remained smooth and unyielding. “Precisely because she could not rest in the family plot, we arranged for a separate memorial here. This building is new and untouched—everything is pristine. From now on, that room will be her resting place. You should go upstairs and light a candle for her.”
With no further arguments left to make, Margaery felt compelled to comply. She turned and ascended the staircase to the third floor, her heart heavy with a mix of nostalgia and sorrow.
However, the moment she stepped into the room, an overwhelming force struck her, and darkness enveloped her mind. Pain exploded in her head, and she crumpled to the ground, the world around her fading into a blur.
As her consciousness slipped away, she heard a man’s mocking voice. “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 ensnaring Prince Dashnell? Keep dreaming.”
Panic surged through Margaery as she fought to push herself up and flee, but her body betrayed her, refusing to respond. There was something amiss with the incense wafting in the air. While she wasn’t an expert in medicine, she had once assisted Craig in identifying herbs. The scent that filled the room was unmistakably that of a love potion.
They were plotting to tarnish her reputation. All the talk about the wet nurse and the apology had been nothing more than a ruse. Soon, Dominic would come upstairs, and under the influence of the drug, they would orchestrate an affair, only to be interrupted by Joshua or Avery, arriving with witnesses to catch them in the act.
In that moment, she realized the terrible truth: they would lay the blame for drugging Dominic and her supposed promiscuity squarely at her feet. She would become a pariah, reviled by all. If, by some twist of fate, Dominic chose to marry her afterward, it would be a mere act of charity—never as his legitimate wife. They would force her into a role as a mere concubine, compelled to confess her “crimes” in court, with no one to defend her honor.
The thought of Dashnell, the proud and powerful prince, never tolerating a woman with a tarnished reputation sent waves of dread crashing over her. It was a meticulously woven trap, a dead end from which there was no escape. Terror gripped her heart as her fingers clawed desperately at the floor, seeking a way out.
Meanwhile, the man who had struck her hurried downstairs to report to Joshua. “Lord Joshua, it’s done,” he announced, a smirk playing on his lips. “Once Lord Dominic goes up, Lady Margaery will lose all restraint. Then you can head upstairs with a few friends under the pretext of searching for Lord Dominic.”
“Go,” Joshua commanded, taking a deep breath as a cold glint of ruthlessness flickered in his eyes. “Instruct the kitchens to prepare; the guests will be arriving shortly.”
As he contemplated the situation, Joshua rationalized, ‘Sacrificing Margaery for the good of the Chancellor’s estate is justified. She brought this upon herself. If she hadn’t caused a scene at the Royal Medical Hall, if she had simply stayed away from Dashnell, would she find herself in this predicament?’ He quickly silenced any remnants of doubt that dared to linger in his mind.
*****
Meanwhile, the front of Pero Cela buzzed with guests, laughter and chatter filling the air. Estelle and Nathaniel, out of respect for the Chancellor’s estate, had come accompanied by a lively entourage. The atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming.
Joshua greeted them with a practiced charm and a warm, mature smile. “Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle, welcome! It has been far too long since we gathered. Let us indulge in a fine drink this evening.”
Nathaniel chuckled, playing along with the jovial atmosphere. “Indeed, it has been a while. It seems you’ve developed quite the taste for wine, haven’t you?”
Nathaniel needed allies more than ever; with his mother, Angelina, gone, his position at court hung by a thread. Aligning himself with the Chancellor was crucial for his survival.
Estelle, having grown up alongside Alicia, naturally aligned herself with the Wallens. She beamed at the guests trailing behind her. “Lord Joshua is hosting tonight! Don’t hold back—eat your fill and enjoy yourselves. Don’t fret about him spending too much.”
“Lord Joshua is most generous!” others chimed in with flattery as they filed inside, eager to partake in the festivities.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation, Avery shot a glance at Dominic, impatience etched across his features. Pretending to be inebriated, he slurred, “Where’s Margaery? She was here earlier. Where did she disappear to?”
“Seems she has gone upstairs. I’ll check on her,” Dominic replied smoothly, his eyes glinting with a mix of anticipation and mischief.
With a slight bow to the guests, Dominic added, “Please, continue to enjoy yourselves. I’ll fetch Margaery and bring her down to join us shortly.”
Exchanging a knowing glance with Joshua, Dominic hurried up the stairs, a thrill of excitement coursing through him.
He thought, ‘After this, Margaery’s reputation will be utterly destroyed. Marrying Tessa as my legitimate wife and keeping Margaery as a concubine will be an easy task. No family would ever allow a woman who drugged her betrothed to be their hostess.
‘And while I don’t love her, I cannot deny her striking beauty. Having her at my side ensures that Dashnell cannot leverage her against me. She will be powerless, begging for my favor. The mere thought of it sent his heart racing, filling him with a dangerous exhilaration.
…
“Margaery!” he called out eagerly, pushing the door open cautiously and tiptoeing toward the figure huddled beneath the covers.
*****
Meanwhile, Tessa’s carriage sped toward Pero Cela, her voice taut with anxiety. “Are you certain? They’ve set a trap today to force Dominic and Margaery to sleep together?”
“Absolutely, milady,” Paige confirmed, her eagerness to please evident. “I overheard their plans last night. Early this morning, Lord Russell even took Margaery to the academy himself.”
Paige added urgently, “Lord Joshua and Lord Avery—they’re all there now. If you don’t hurry, Lady Tessa, they’ll consummate it. There will be no turning back then.”
Tessa clenched her fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “I thought my father and brothers cared only for me. To think they would scheme behind my back to aid Margaery in winning Dominic! I won’t allow them to succeed.”
She snapped at the coachman, “Faster. Take the rear entrance.” Her thoughts raced, ‘Dominic is mine. I won’t let Margaery take him away from me. I must stop them at all costs.’
The carriage hurtled down an alleyway behind Pero Cela. Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind whipped past, causing the horses to scream and veer dangerously close to a wall.
The coachman struggled to regain control, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. “What just flew past us? That wind was like a tempest.”
“Was it?” Tessa, consumed by her thoughts of Dominic and Margaery, brushed off the incident. “Probably just a bird.”
“A bird that size? It looked like a man,” the driver mumbled, confusion evident on his face, but he decided to drop the subject at Tessa’s insistence. He pulled up at Pero Cela’s back entrance.
Tessa scrambled out, hurrying up the stairs, her skirts hiked high as she raced toward the innermost room on the third floor.
“Men’s words are all lies,” Tessa muttered furiously under her breath. “Claiming his heart belongs solely to me while rushing to defile himself with Margaery.”
Breathless, she reached the door and knocked softly, her voice trembling with hurt and accusation as she called out, “Dominic?”
Conclusion
In the dim light of the memorial room, Margaery’s world crumbled around her, the weight of betrayal pressing down like a suffocating shroud. As the love potion’s effects began to cloud her mind, the realization of her precarious situation ignited a fierce resolve within her. No longer would she be a pawn in the cruel game orchestrated by Joshua and his ilk. Despite the darkness threatening to consume her, a flicker of defiance sparked in her heart. She would not allow them to define her fate, nor would she accept the role of a mere concubine. Instead, she would fight for her honor, for the memory of her wet nurse, and for the chance to reclaim her narrative. Margaery’s spirit, though battered, began to rise from the ashes of despair, determined to shatter the chains of manipulation that sought to bind her.
Meanwhile, Tessa’s arrival at Pero Cela marked a turning point in the unfolding chaos. Her fierce determination to protect her claim on Dominic propelled her forward, even as the winds of fate swirled unpredictably around her. With each hurried step toward the door, she felt the weight of her family’s expectations and the bitter sting of betrayal. Tessa’s heart raced not just with jealousy but with the urgency to confront the truth of her feelings. As she knocked softly, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and resolve, she understood that love could not be won through schemes or traps. It required honesty and courage. In that moment, both women stood on the precipice of their destinies—Margaery, ready to reclaim her power, and Tessa, poised to confront the reality of her heart. The choices they made in the coming moments would echo through their lives, shaping not only their futures but the very fabric of the world around them.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect a dramatic confrontation as the carefully laid plans of betrayal begin to unravel. Margaery, trapped in a web of deceit and manipulation, must fight against the effects of the love potion and the treachery of those she once trusted. As Dominic ascends the stairs, driven by his own dark motives, the tension will escalate to a fever pitch. Will Margaery regain her senses in time to thwart the scheme against her? Or will she succumb to the machinations of Joshua and Avery, becoming the pawn in a game that could destroy her reputation forever?
Simultaneously, Tessa’s arrival at Pero Cela will add another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. Her determination to confront Dominic and reclaim her place in his heart will clash with the sinister plot already in motion. As she navigates the treacherous waters of familial loyalty and romantic rivalry, the stakes will rise higher than ever. Will Tessa arrive in time to save Margaery from her fate, or will she unwittingly walk into the same trap? The intertwining destinies of these three characters promise a whirlwind of emotions, revelations, and unexpected alliances, leaving readers breathless and eager to discover what fate awaits them all.
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.
