Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 45 Summary
In Chapter 45 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Margaery feels a wave of relief when Prince Dashnell enters the room, signaling a potential resolution to her complicated feelings. Dashnell, maintaining his calm demeanor, offers to request Princess Valeria’s hand for Lord Bernard, which stirs jealousy within Bernard. Bernard grapples with his own feelings for Margaery, realizing that the dynamics of their relationships are shifting in unexpected ways. The tension thickens as Dashnell and Bernard engage in a subtle battle of wills, while Margaery finds herself caught in the emotional crossfire.
As Dashnell’s possessiveness becomes evident, Margaery’s feelings for him deepen, leading her to confront her own heart. The playful banter escalates when Dashnell takes a sip from Margaery’s coffee cup, an act that ignites embarrassment and excitement within her. The atmosphere shifts dramatically when Dashnell kisses Margaery, leaving Bernard stunned and Margaery’s heart racing. Their connection becomes palpable, and Dashnell asserts his claim over her, leaving Bernard feeling utterly defeated and speechless.
After Dashnell’s departure, Bernard confronts Margaery about her feelings for Dashnell, revealing his own vulnerability. Margaery admits her affection, and Bernard is left to grapple with the reality of their situation. He attempts to understand the implications of her past experiences with Dashnell, which adds to the complexity of their relationships. Margaery expresses her willingness to embrace a future with Dashnell, regardless of societal expectations regarding children, indicating her strong resolve and hope for a loving family.
The chapter encapsulates a whirlwind of emotions, from jealousy and possessiveness to love and longing. Margaery’s internal struggle highlights her desire for genuine connection, while Bernard’s reaction showcases the pain of unrequited feelings. Ultimately, the interactions between the characters reflect the intricate web of relationships that bind them, setting the stage for future developments in their intertwined lives.
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**TITLE: Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 45**
“Thank goodness, a lifesaver!” Margaery exclaimed silently, her gaze darting toward the door, relief flooding through her.
With an air of effortless grace, Dashnell wheeled himself into the room, his demeanor as composed as ever. “Lord Bernard,” he said, his voice smooth and steady, “I understand your eagerness to tie the knot. Given our long-standing friendship, I’ll make my way to the palace this afternoon and request Father to bestow upon you the hand of Princess Valeria in marriage.”
Bernard felt a twitch in his brow, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. “Prince Dashnell, your jealousy is quite palpable. Are you even going to pretend otherwise?” he retorted, his voice thick with sarcasm.
*Wait a minute, I have feelings for Margaery, and now Prince Dashnell wants to make me his brother-in-law?* Bernard’s thoughts spiraled, leaving him momentarily dazed.
*Princess Estelle has been pursuing me relentlessly for years. If she continues, I might as well barricade myself in my estate just to find some peace. And now, if Princess Valeria decides to join the fray, maybe I should just relocate to another country altogether,* he grumbled inwardly, frustration mounting.
Bernard could only stare in disbelief, his mind racing.
Dashnell chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “You’re not exactly being discreet about your intentions with her, either.”
Bernard choked, momentarily at a loss for words, unable to formulate a witty comeback.
The tension between the two men was palpable, each locked in a silent battle of wills. Margaery, caught in the middle, felt her cheeks heat up and her heart race, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.
She had never anticipated Dashnell would burst in like this, radiating an aura of possessiveness, as if he feared she might actually choose Bernard over him.
His words, while directed at Bernard, felt like a confession aimed squarely at her heart, each syllable echoing a deeper truth that resonated within her—*as if he were admitting his feelings right in front of everyone*.
*I like Dashnell too,* Margaery thought, her heart fluttering wildly.
*Does that mean we both have feelings for each other?* she pondered, her pulse quickening at the realization.
Dashnell’s gaze turned to her, watching her blush deepen, and he rolled his wheelchair closer, tilting his head in contemplation. A playful smile danced on his lips, his voice dropping to a low, inviting tone. “What’s this? Not even a word of thanks?”
Margaery’s heart raced so fiercely she feared it might explode. In a flurry, she grasped her coffee cup and stammered, “T-Thank you for your help today, Prince Dashnell.”
As the words escaped her lips, her cheeks flared even hotter, a vibrant crimson.
Bernard was just about to pour coffee for Dashnell when, in a swift motion, Dashnell reached over, snatched the cup from Margaery’s hand, and took a bold sip as if it were the most natural act in the world.
Margaery’s face turned a brilliant shade of red, her blush creeping down her neck.
That was the very cup she had just sipped from, her lipstick still adorning it.
Bernard’s hand trembled, coffee splattering everywhere as he stared at Dashnell, utterly flabbergasted. “Prince Dashnell, are you truly that thirsty?”
Dashnell set the cup down with an air of nonchalance. “If you had a beautiful lady in your arms for half an hour and still hadn’t tasted anything, you’d be thirstier than I am, Lord Bernard,” he quipped, his tone teasing.
With a playful flourish, he draped his arm around Margaery, flashing her a mock-pout. “Margaery, you nearly ripped my clothes off. My reputation is in tatters now. Don’t you think you owe me a favor?”
He had missed his opportunity with her before, but this time, he was resolute; nothing would go awry for her again.
His mind was a tempest of emotions, yet his gaze remained utterly captivating.
Margaery found herself enveloped in his embrace, his striking features mere inches from her own. The memory of how Dashnell’s shirt had hung loosely when she was fully awake flooded her with embarrassment. But since he was the one who held her heart, she summoned her courage and played along, asking, “And what exactly do you want me to do to make it up to you, Your Highness?”
Before she could finish her sentence, Dashnell leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss.
“Your Highness…” Margaery breathed, her words barely escaping her lips.
Her mind spun, overtaken by the thunderous rhythm of her heart. Her hands clutched the edge of the table, knuckles whitening, palms damp with nervous sweat.
His breath was fresh and sweet, mirroring the warmth of his kiss.
It was as if she were tasting a heart racing with love.
“That’s quite enough, Dashnell,” Bernard interjected, drumming his fingers on the table, his tone a mix of irritation and disbelief. “I invited you two for coffee, and now you’re making out right in front of me.”
Reluctantly, Dashnell released Margaery, a grin still playing on his lips. “Don’t worry, Lord Bernard. I’ll be sure to invite you to our wedding soon.”
With those words, he made it abundantly clear that Margaery was his, effectively crushing any flicker of hope Bernard might have harbored.
Bernard was left utterly speechless.
He and Dashnell had always shared a camaraderie, and in the past, Dashnell was the epitome of calm—nothing could rattle him, not even if the world was crumbling around them. He had never once crossed a line.
But now, Bernard found himself astonished by Dashnell’s sudden display of emotion.
If one were to observe from the outside, they might think Dashnell was a complete rogue.
After Dashnell stirred the pot like this, Bernard realized there was no way he could simply take Margaery away.
He looked at Dashnell, his expression a tumultuous mix of emotions. “She’s about to marry Dominic.”
Dashnell lowered his gaze, his eyes softening as they lingered on Margaery.
She seemed so delicate next to him, igniting a protective instinct within him. He wrapped his arm around her, holding her close, and declared with quiet conviction, “She won’t.”
“And how can you be so certain?” Bernard challenged, skepticism lacing his tone.
He let out a soft snort, clearly unconvinced.
Dashnell’s gaze flicked to Margaery, catching the shy blush dusting her cheeks and the unmistakable affection sparkling in her eyes. He knew she was completely smitten with him. With a gentle smile, he replied, “I just know she won’t.”
Before Bernard could utter another word, Adam’s voice echoed from the doorway, “Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you…”
Dashnell released Margaery, giving her a meaningful look. “Margaery, don’t forget your promise to me.”
Then he shot Bernard a glance. “Thanks for the coffee, Lord Bernard.”
With that, he turned his wheelchair and rolled out of the room.
Margaery watched him leave, feeling as though his silhouette had etched itself into her heart, igniting a fire of longing within her.
“Hey! Margaery!” Bernard broke the silence, tapping the table with a conflicted expression. “Do you have feelings for Dashnell?”
He had hoped that today would be his chance to break up Dominic and Margaery, to whisk her away and start anew somewhere far from here.
But he never anticipated that Dashnell would beat him to the punch.
And judging by the way Margaery looked at Dashnell, it was clear she was head over heels. This was no fleeting attraction; it was something much more profound.
Margaery snapped back to reality. There was no point in hiding her feelings any longer, so she simply confessed, “Yeah.”
Bernard’s expression fell, a mix of hurt and disbelief washing over him. “Ouch, that stings. Couldn’t you at least soften the blow for the sake of my tender, single heart?”
Margaery felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. “Thank you for everything you did for me today, Lord Bernard. I truly apologize for all of this. It’s just that…”
She hesitated for a moment, then finally met Bernard’s gaze, summoning the courage to speak her truth. “Earlier, on the third floor, I was drugged, and Dashnell was the one who took me away. I wasn’t myself at all, and I… I did something to him that can’t be undone. So…”
Before she could finish, Bernard’s eyes widened in disbelief, a teasing glint in them as he blurted out, “Wait, did you just…?”
“No, that’s not it…” Margaery stammered, her face burning with embarrassment.
She hadn’t anticipated Bernard’s boldness and quickly shook her head. “It’s not what you think! I just… acted a little out of line, and he used his inner strength to help me shake off the effects of the drug…”
“Well, at least he’s still a gentleman,” Bernard muttered, half-joking, half-resigned.
He was left utterly speechless—how could he compete with that?
Stealing her away would be an uphill battle.
Any man could see that Dashnell was utterly infatuated with Margaery. His devotion was evident; he would stop at nothing to win her heart.
But for someone so determined, the fact that he had used his inner strength to help her rather than taking advantage of the situation spoke volumes. Bernard couldn’t help but mutter, “If he’s not, you know, incapable, then honestly, I have to give him credit.”
He turned to Margaery, half-teasing, half-serious. “But Lady Margaery, have you ever considered the possibility that Dashnell might actually be… well, incapable as a man? That he might not be able to father children with you?”
“That doesn’t matter,” Margaery replied, shaking her head without hesitation.
“If we can’t have children, we can always adopt. Or not—it’s fine either way. There are so many orphans in the Eastvale Empire. Adopting one would be a noble deed. And if we take in a few more, our home could be filled with laughter and warmth, just like a big family,” she said, her voice soft yet resolute.
“Your optimism is hopeless,” Bernard sighed, giving Margaery a conflicted look.
He exhaled deeply, his expression a mix of frustration and admiration as he gazed at her. “But what about your engagement to Dominic? I heard the Hadley family has already sent betrothal gifts to the Chancellor’s estate, and both your father and brothers accepted them.”
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the tumultuous encounter, Margaery stood at a crossroads, her heart a battlefield of conflicting emotions. The kiss from Dashnell had ignited a flame within her, illuminating the depths of her feelings in a way she could no longer deny. She had always been drawn to him, but now, with the weight of Bernard’s unspoken affection and the looming specter of her engagement to Dominic, she felt the pressure of choices that could shape her future. As she faced Bernard’s wounded gaze, she understood that honesty was her only path forward. The warmth of her connection with Dashnell contrasted sharply with the uncertainty of her past commitments, leaving her both exhilarated and terrified at the prospect of a new beginning.
Meanwhile, Bernard grappled with the sting of rejection, his heart heavy with the realization that the woman he admired had chosen another. Yet, amid his disappointment, he could not help but respect Margaery’s resolve and the genuine affection she shared with Dashnell. In that moment, he recognized that love, in all its forms, was complex and unpredictable. As Margaery contemplated the future, filled with the promise of laughter and warmth, Bernard understood that sometimes, letting go was an act of love in itself. With a bittersweet smile, he resolved to support her choice, even if it meant stepping aside for the sake of her happiness. In this tangled web of emotions, the whispers of their hearts would shape distant tomorrows, each character embarking on a journey uniquely their own, bound by the threads of affection and the courage to embrace what lay ahead.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, the tension between love and obligation will reach a boiling point as Margaery grapples with the weight of her engagement to Dominic while her heart undeniably leans toward Dashnell. The stakes are higher than ever, and Margaery will have to confront not only her feelings but also the expectations placed upon her by her family and society. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions as Margaery seeks clarity in her tumultuous heart, all while navigating the court’s intricate web of politics and romance.
Meanwhile, Bernard, reeling from the revelation of Margaery’s affections for Dashnell, will be forced to confront his own feelings and insecurities. His internal struggle will deepen as he contemplates the implications of his unrequited love and the fierce competition he faces. Will he muster the courage to fight for Margaery, or will he resign himself to the sidelines, watching as another man claims the heart of the woman he desires? The chapter promises to delve into the complexities of friendship, rivalry, and the choices that shape their futures, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover who will ultimately win Margaery’s heart.
As the narrative unfolds, unexpected alliances may form, and the arrival of new characters could further complicate matters. The whispers of fate will echo through the halls of the palace, hinting at surprises that could change everything. Will Margaery find the strength to choose her own path, or will tradition bind her to a future she did not choose? The next chapter promises to be a pivotal moment in their journey, filled with heart-stopping revelations and the tantalizing possibility of love triumphing over duty.
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.
