Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 86 Summary
In Chapter 86 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” titled “Forgive Your Father,” the tension between Craig and Dominic escalates as Craig expresses his disdain for Dominic’s attempts to impress him. Dominic, feeling humiliated after a recent encounter where he was beaten by Craig, struggles to maintain his dignity in front of both Craig and Dashnell, who is a rival for Margaery’s affection. Craig, concerned for Margaery’s safety, enlists Dashnell’s help to ensure her return home, showing a softer side amidst his usual harsh demeanor.
As the chapter unfolds, Dashnell’s noble character shines through as he agrees to escort Margaery back. Craig hands Dashnell a bundle containing Margaery’s medicines, emphasizing the importance of her well-being. The dynamic shifts when Dominic, eager to assert himself, suggests that Margaery should return to the Chancellor’s estate, but she dismisses his proposal with a sneer, aware that the conditions there are not as favorable as he claims. Margaery’s resolve to confront her past and the hidden truths surrounding her situation becomes evident as she prepares to leave.
Dominic’s jealousy intensifies when Dashnell carries Margaery away, wrapped in a luxurious cloak, highlighting the bond between them that he cannot compete with. Despite his attempts to regain Margaery’s attention by offering assistance, she firmly rejects his overtures, indicating her desire to stand on her own terms. Meanwhile, Raul, who is left shivering outside, feels the weight of his failures as he witnesses Dashnell’s commanding presence and Margaery’s departure.
In a moment of desperation, Raul attempts to follow them, pleading for forgiveness from Margaery, but he is left behind, unable to match the speed of the carriage. The chapter closes with Raul’s anguish, emphasizing the emotional turmoil and unresolved conflicts that linger between the characters. Margaery’s struggle to forgive her father and the complexities of love and rivalry among the men create a poignant atmosphere filled with longing and regret.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
**Chapter 86: Forgive Your Father**
Craig had no desire to engage in conversation with Dominic. Instead, he let out a derisive snort, his voice dripping with disdain, “My medical skills are unparalleled, but what relevance does that have to you?”
Dominic’s expression hardened, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson.
He was desperate to win Margaery’s favor, and naturally, he hoped to impress Craig as well. Yet, the truth was that Craig harbored a genuine aversion to him. Just the previous encounter had ended with Craig delivering a brutal beating, and now, here he was, facing Craig’s sharp tongue in the presence of Dashnell, the man he considered a rival in love. It was a humiliating position, one that made it nearly impossible for him to salvage any dignity.
Craig’s disdain for Dominic was palpable.
After casting a dismissive glance in his direction, he turned to Dashnell, his tone shifting to one of grave concern. “While the Wallen family is indeed my disciple’s home, I can’t shake the feeling that her return could spell disaster—either facing false accusations or coming to harm. I wonder if His Highness, Prince Dashnell, might be willing to lend a hand?”
Dashnell, ever the noble prince, responded with unwavering confidence, “I will personally see her home.”
“Thank you immensely, Your Highness,” Craig replied, his tone softening slightly in gratitude.
With a swift motion, he handed Dashnell a sizable bundle. “These contain her medicines, along with detailed medical instructions. Just adhere to them. If it proves inconvenient for you to stay at the Chancellor’s estate, you may leave Adam behind.”
Dashnell seized this opportunity with eagerness.
He nodded affirmatively, “Rest assured, Sir.”
Craig found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
Though he held a position that warranted respect as Dashnell’s mentor, his current circumstances felt rather shabby.
Nevertheless, he understood the importance of maintaining appearances in front of others. He nodded gravely, embracing the role he had to play. “From this point forward, your junior’s safety rests in your hands.”
The morning light cast a profound aura about Craig, hinting at deeper thoughts swirling beneath the surface.
Dashnell grasped the unspoken meaning behind Craig’s words and nodded in acknowledgment, “I will visit her frequently.”
While it would be inappropriate for him to reside at the Chancellor’s estate, he could discreetly leave some aides behind and make daytime visits to ensure her well-being.
“So, can we set off now?”
Dominic stood awkwardly to the side, feeling the weight of embarrassment as he overheard their exchange. Seizing the moment, he hastily turned to Margaery, “Margaery, the conditions here leave much to be desired. If you need to recuperate, it would be best for you to return to the Chancellor’s estate. Your wounds will heal much faster there.”
‘Heal faster? Just because you say so?’ Margaery thought, a sneer forming in her mind.
In truth, Gracewind Garden was hardly superior to this place.
Although Craig had once resided here, it didn’t mean he lacked wealth. The garden was replete with rare medicinal herbs, and for him, making money was a simple task.
This place was a stark contrast to Gracewind Garden, where not a single piece of coal had been sent her way throughout the entire winter.
However, there were pressing matters that awaited her upon her return.
With a resolute nod, she finally said, “Alright, let’s head back then.”
Dominic let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “That’s splendid! I’ll have someone prepare the carriage immediately. Please, just wait for me.”
But before he could take another step, Dashnell interjected, “She will return in my carriage.”
Dominic froze, his heart racing as he turned to face Dashnell.
Dashnell, seated in his wheelchair, was clearly at a disadvantage in height, yet his presence was so commanding that Dominic felt a chill run down his spine, almost compelling him to kneel.
Words escaped Dominic as he struggled to maintain composure. He forced a smile, albeit a strained one, “Thank you, Prince Dashnell.”
Unfazed by Dominic’s discomfort, Dashnell focused on Margaery, carefully lifting her from the bed and settling her onto his lap. He wrapped her snugly in a luxurious white fox fur cloak, even placing a hat upon her head, ensuring she was thoroughly protected before calling out to Adam, “Push me out.”
Adam strode in confidently, pushing Dashnell out the door.
As the edge of the wheelchair brushed against Dominic’s robe, a surge of jealousy coursed through him, his eyes nearly brimming with unshed tears as he watched the intimate scene unfold.
‘Margaery is supposed to be his fiancée. Why is she being carried away in Dashnell’s arms?’
A wave of regret washed over him, and he hurried after them, calling out, “Margaery, is there anything else you need? I’ll prepare it for you right away!”
“I don’t want Tessa coming to look for me again,” Margaery replied, casting a sidelong glance at him.
She was willing to fulfill Tessa’s wishes, but not at this moment, and certainly not by giving everything away in such an ambiguous manner.
She wanted them to face the consequences they deserved.
She would unearth every hidden truth, one by one, bringing them to light.
Even if she had to leave, she would do so with her dignity intact.
Dominic had not anticipated her to propose such a condition, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Once he regained his composure, he misinterpreted Margaery’s intentions, believing she was vying for his affection, competing with Tessa. Elated, he exclaimed, “Alright, I’ll go and clarify things with her right away!”
With that, he dashed out the door in a flurry of movement.
Outside the main gate, Raul stood, shivering from the cold. Upon seeing Dominic emerge, his reaction was sluggish, his speech slurred, “Has Ma… Margaery come out?”
His voice was hoarse, and a burning pain coursed through his throat.
Dominic glanced at him, feeling a sense of relief that he was not the one kneeling outside. His eyes darted as he replied, “I’ll head back first and take care of things at Sunbeam Court…”
As long as he severed ties with Tessa, Margaery would naturally return to him. They would reclaim their childhood romance, and once Margaery married into his family, the leverage he held would be more than enough to overshadow anyone else.
With this thought racing through his mind, Dominic’s heart raced with excitement.
He paid no more attention to Raul and swiftly made his way toward the Chancellor’s estate.
Raul pondered Dominic’s words, then turned his gaze toward Craig’s courtyard.
Dashnell’s wheelchair emerged, halting directly in front of him. In his arms, he held a bundle of pure white, obscuring Margaery’s face entirely. Only Dashnell’s strikingly handsome visage remained visible, cold as ice, his abyssal eyes locked onto Raul.
Though silent, the pressure he exuded was palpable.
For the first time, Raul felt the weight of Dashnell’s presence, more intimidating than that of the King himself, radiating a power that seemed capable of consuming everything in its path.
He had always known that Dashnell was far more complex than he appeared, yet he never imagined that one day, the prince’s wrath would be directed at him.
Lowering his head, Raul croaked, “Your Highness, since Margaery is returning, I shall accompany her as well. After all, the household needs someone to support it, and I can also tend to her injuries…”
The cold pain radiating from his knees made him wish for nothing more than to disappear.
Raul’s voice trembled as he spoke.
Dashnell regarded him with a sneer, “You wish to return? I thought the Chancellor had a particular fondness for this icy wilderness and desired to enjoy it a while longer.”
Raul felt as though he had been plunged into an ice cellar, forcing a smile as he replied, “Your Highness must be jesting. Who would truly enjoy this bitter cold…”
Had he foreseen this day, he would never have allowed Margaery to kneel outside for so long.
Every inch of his body was prickling with pain, chilled to the bone.
He never wished to endure such humiliation again.
Dashnell narrowed his eyes, his tone icy. “Next time, you won’t be so fortunate.”
With that, he carried Margaery away, leaving Raul to grapple with his despair.
Raul thought he might need assistance getting into the carriage and was prepared to step forward, hoping to resolve the situation.
But unexpectedly, Dashnell rose effortlessly, and by the time Raul managed to stand, Dashnell was already inside the carriage with Margaery, completely out of sight. The carriage door slammed shut. Not only did Raul fail to see Margaery, but he didn’t even catch a glimpse of her sleeve. He stood there, trembling, feeling the piercing pain in his knees, which threatened to bring him to his knees once more.
He was further shocked to realize that Dashnell possessed martial skills that seemed to exceed even those of his eldest son, Joshua.
In his daze, Adam drove the carriage away.
No one uttered another word to him.
“Margaery, are you truly unwilling to forgive your father?”
Raul snapped back to reality and chased after them, tears streaming down his face.
But a man frozen by the cold could never hope to match the speed of the carriage. He was left behind, his heart heavy with anguish.
Conclusion
In the wake of the tumultuous events, Craig found himself at a crossroads, grappling with the weight of his past decisions and the burdens of familial ties. The interactions with Dominic and Dashnell had illuminated the complexities of love and loyalty, forcing him to confront the unresolved feelings he harbored towards his own father. As Margaery prepared to leave, Craig’s heart ached with a sense of urgency; he understood that forgiveness was not merely a gift to be bestowed but a necessary step towards healing for both himself and Margaery. The morning light that bathed the courtyard felt like a promise, a whisper of distant tomorrows where reconciliation might be possible, if only they could find the courage to confront their truths.
Meanwhile, Dominic’s desperate attempts to reclaim Margaery only served to highlight the fragility of his aspirations. The jealousy and humiliation he felt in the presence of Dashnell were palpable, yet they also ignited a spark of determination within him. Raul’s futile chase after the departing carriage echoed the desperation that often accompanies unresolved relationships, reminding him that the path to redemption is seldom straightforward. As the carriage rolled away, leaving behind a flurry of emotions, the characters stood at the precipice of change, each whispering their own hopes for forgiveness, understanding, and the chance to shape their destinies anew. In this moment, the future seemed uncertain, yet filled with the potential for growth and the possibility of mending fractured bonds.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the echoes of despair fade, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of relationships that bind Margaery, Craig, and the men vying for her affection. With Raul left behind in the biting cold, his emotional turmoil will likely take center stage, revealing the depths of his regrets and the choices that led him to this moment of isolation. Will he confront his past mistakes, or will his pride keep him shackled to the very decisions that haunt him? As Margaery embarks on her journey back to the Chancellor’s estate, the question looms: will she find the strength to confront her father and the shadows of their fractured bond?
Meanwhile, Craig’s role as a mentor to Dashnell will be put to the test as the prince grapples with his own feelings for Margaery. Can he navigate the treacherous waters of love and loyalty amidst the brewing tension with Dominic? The rivalry is far from over, and with Dominic’s desperation to reclaim Margaery’s heart, the stakes are higher than ever. Expect moments of unexpected alliances and fierce confrontations as the characters are forced to confront their true desires and the consequences of their actions. Will they rise above their grievances, or will the past continue to haunt them, shaping the distant tomorrows they each strive to build?
As secrets unfold and allegiances shift, readers will be on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the fates that await these complex characters. The next chapter is set to unravel the intricate tapestry of forgiveness, ambition, and the quest for redemption, leaving readers breathless with anticipation.
