Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 96 Summary
In Chapter 96 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” titled “Ice And Fire,” Bernard grapples with his growing frustration over Dashnell’s relentless pursuit of Margaery. The prince appears to shadow her everywhere, from the Royal Medical Hall to the Chancellor’s estate, creating an atmosphere of tension and rivalry. Bernard’s bitterness deepens as he witnesses Dashnell’s casual demeanor and audacity, feeling overshadowed and sidelined in a situation he had hoped to control by bringing medicine for Margaery.
As Dashnell takes charge, ordering everyone out to apply the medicine, Bernard’s defensive posture highlights his discomfort and unwillingness to accept the prince’s dominance. Meanwhile, Joshua and Raul, concerned about the propriety of the situation, discuss the implications of Dashnell’s presence, recognizing the power dynamics at play. Joshua’s anxiety about the potential fallout from Dominic, Margaery’s betrothed, adds to the rising tension, as he fears the consequences of a prince being alone with her.
Inside, the dynamic shifts as Dashnell applies the ointment to Margaery’s shoulder, provoking a mix of emotions within her. She experiences a flutter of feelings, contrasting the warmth of Dashnell’s touch with the coolness of her reality. This moment of intimacy ignites a realization within her, symbolizing the collision of her feelings for Dashnell and her obligations to Dominic. Bernard, observing from the sidelines, feels a sense of resignation as he acknowledges that he is too late in claiming Margaery’s affections, realizing the societal constraints that bind her.
The arrival of Dominic heightens the tension, as he grapples with his indignation over Dashnell’s proximity to Margaery. His internal struggle reflects the complexities of their engagement and the insecurities that arise from Dashnell’s assertiveness. Joshua attempts to reassure Dominic, but the prince’s frustration only grows as he wishes for a swift resolution to their engagement, feeling powerless in the face of Dashnell’s pursuit. The chapter concludes with a palpable sense of conflict, highlighting the emotional turmoil among the characters as they navigate love, duty, and rivalry in a world that seems to favor those like Dashnell.
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**Chapter 96: Ice And Fire**
Bernard couldn’t shake the feeling that Dashnell had transformed into a relentless shadow, trailing Margaery through every corner of their world. It was as if the prince had made it his life’s mission to follow her every move. Whether it was at the Royal Medical Hall, the bustling Pero Cela, or even Craig’s place just the day before, Dashnell seemed to be everywhere she was.
Now, here he was again, at the Chancellor’s estate, as if he belonged there.
‘His audacity is astonishing,’ Bernard thought bitterly, a storm of frustration brewing within him.
Dashnell, however, wore an air of nonchalance, as if the Chancellor’s estate was merely an extension of his own home. “Ah, Bernard! Just returned from the palace. I didn’t expect to find you here,” he announced with an easy smile, as if they were old friends sharing a casual chat.
Without waiting for a response, he reached out and took the ointment from Bernard’s hand. “Thanks,” he added, the word dripping with casual familiarity.
Bernard stood there, momentarily dumbfounded. He had brought the medicine with the intention of helping Margaery, and yet here was Dashnell, effortlessly snatching away the credit.
‘Well, what can I say? He is Prince Dashnell after all,’ Bernard sighed, crossing his arms tightly over his chest as he stepped back, feeling like an unwilling spectator in a play he hadn’t signed up for.
“Everyone out. I need to apply the medicine for Margaery,” Dashnell commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. The order was directed primarily at Joshua, who stood at the threshold, ready to protest.
Joshua opened his mouth to speak, but before he could voice his concerns, a firm grip on his sleeve made him turn. It was Raul, his expression dark with worry.
“Let’s go,” Raul murmured, his tone brooking no dissent. Joshua swallowed his protest and followed Raul out into the courtyard, where the cool air felt like a balm against his rising anxiety.
“Father, what’s happening? Why is Prince Dashnell here again?” Joshua whispered, his brow furrowed with concern. The propriety of the situation weighed heavily on him; it was hardly appropriate for a prince to be alone with Margaery while administering her medicine. If Dominic found out, the fallout would be difficult to manage.
Raul sighed, casting a cautious glance back at the room. “Let’s discuss this once everyone has left. It’s complicated, but the Hadley family wouldn’t dare to challenge Prince Dashnell,” he replied, his voice low and serious.
Joshua felt a knot tighten in his stomach. It was true; even the Chancellor’s estate would hesitate to confront someone of Dashnell’s stature. The phrase ‘the King’s favorite son’ carried a weight that was not easily dismissed.
He was burning with curiosity about the palace’s affairs, eager to learn what had transpired between Dashnell and the King that day. Yet, with Dashnell still inside, he could only stew in silence, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.
“Bernard is still in there. Do you think they’ll start arguing?” Joshua asked reluctantly, a hint of dread creeping into his voice.
Raul pressed his lips into a thin line, his gaze fixed on the doorway.
Inside, Bernard remained, leaning against a worn cabinet, his posture defensive. “It’s just a shoulder, for heaven’s sake! Why are you all making such a fuss? No one bats an eye at the bare-chested wrestlers in the training grounds. It’s just medicine application. If you’re too squeamish to do it, I’ll supervise,” he declared, trying to mask his discomfort with bravado.
Dashnell shot him a look, his expression unreadable. “Bernard has a point,” he replied, his tone surprisingly agreeable.
Bernard was momentarily taken aback, rendered speechless by the unexpected support.
Meanwhile, Dashnell’s fingers moved deftly, untying the knot of Margaery’s collar with a gentle touch. Margaery’s gaze fell upon his long, elegant fingers, and an inexplicable warmth surged within her. Her heart raced, a flutter of emotions igniting within her.
She stole another glance at him, but his face was serious, focused, devoid of any flirtation. There was a cool, restrained intensity about him that captivated her.
‘So this is what it means for fire to collide with ice,’ Margaery thought, her cheeks flushing at the realization.
As Dashnell lifted her collar, exposing her shoulder, a rush of embarrassment washed over her. Unable to bear the teasing, she turned her head toward the window, seeking refuge in the outside world.
It was as if a veil had been lifted, her feelings blossoming like flowers in spring—natural, beautiful, and trembling with life.
Outside, the wind howled, a stark contrast to the warmth building within her.
Dashnell dipped his fingertip into the cool ointment, his movements careful as he applied it to her wound. Margaery felt a shiver run through her, a spark igniting deep within her heart.
The room was enveloped in a tense silence, Bernard watching the scene unfold with a mixture of envy and resignation.
In that moment, he realized he was too late.
No one could have anticipated that Dashnell would swoop in and claim Margaery’s attention so effortlessly.
He pondered the world they lived in, where girls were married off far too young, expected to bear the weight of family responsibilities while still in their youth. At least he had waited until he was eighteen.
But life didn’t bend to his desires; even without Dashnell’s interference, Margaery was already betrothed to Dominic. If not for Tessa’s meddling, their marriage would have been sealed months ago.
This era seemed to favor men like Dashnell, who pursued their desires with unyielding determination. Once he set his sights on something, he would not back down.
Bernard sighed deeply, a sense of resignation washing over him as he glanced at Dashnell. “Prince Dashnell, this medicine… it needs to be applied daily. Are you planning to come here every day to help Lady Margaery?”
Despite their camaraderie, Bernard never imagined they would both find themselves vying for the same woman.
“Then I shall come every day,” Dashnell replied, his tone unwavering.
Bernard raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the main gate.
He didn’t mind Dashnell’s daily visits; after all, Margaery seemed genuinely fond of him. However, the whispers of others outside would be less forgiving. If word got out, Dominic would become the subject of ridicule.
As if on cue, Dominic entered through the main gate, his brow furrowed with concern. “Why is everyone gathered in the courtyard? How is Margaery?” he inquired, his voice laced with urgency.
Raul met his gaze, feeling a twinge of awkwardness. “Prince Dashnell is inside, applying medicine for her,” he said, trying to gauge Dominic’s reaction.
Dominic’s face darkened at the news, his blood boiling with indignation. He wanted to storm inside and demand answers from Margaery, to question why she was allowing another man to get so close, seemingly disregarding their engagement. Yet, the moment he remembered who was inside, his courage faltered.
After taking a few steps forward, he hesitated, the weight of uncertainty holding him back.
Joshua noticed Dominic’s struggle and stepped in to comfort him. “You’re the one engaged to Margaery. Even if Prince Dashnell has feelings for her, he can only act as her senior. Besides, Bernard is in there too; surely they won’t overstep any boundaries.”
He continued, “It’ll be fine in a few days. Once she becomes the Hadley family’s daughter-in-law, even if Dashnell still thinks about her, he won’t dare to intrude on your family’s affairs. From now on, just let her come out less often.”
Dominic clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him. “I wish the wedding were tomorrow!”
He hadn’t anticipated that the very person he had once looked down upon would now be pursuing Margaery, while he stood on the sidelines, unable to reach her or understand her heart.
Conclusion
In the throes of unspoken emotions and tangled loyalties, the air thickened with the weight of unfulfilled desires and simmering tensions. Bernard’s realization that he was too late to claim Margaery’s affections loomed over him like a specter, a bitter reminder of the cruel machinations of fate. As he watched Dashnell effortlessly bridge the gap between intimacy and duty, a profound sense of resignation settled in his chest. The world around them, with its expectations and societal norms, felt increasingly suffocating. Margaery, caught in the crossfire of ambition and affection, was a flower blooming in a garden of thorns, each petal a testament to the complexities of love and obligation.
Meanwhile, Dominic’s frustration simmered beneath the surface, a tempest of jealousy and uncertainty threatening to erupt. The realization that he was now competing with the very prince he once dismissed weighed heavily on his conscience, leaving him grappling with the fragility of his own position. Joshua’s attempts to soothe his brother highlighted the intricate web of relationships that bound them all, a delicate balance of power and emotion. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the courtyard, the characters stood at a precipice, their hearts entwined in a dance of ice and fire, each yearning for connection while battling the constraints of their reality. In that moment, the whispers of the past mingled with the echoes of a future yet to be written, leaving them to ponder the paths that lay ahead.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As tensions rise within the Chancellor’s estate, the stage is set for a confrontation that promises to alter the dynamics of loyalty, love, and ambition. With Dashnell’s unexpected presence complicating matters, Bernard’s simmering frustration threatens to boil over, leaving readers on edge about how he will react to this prince who seems to have claimed Margaery’s attention. Will Bernard muster the courage to confront Dashnell, or will he continue to play the reluctant observer in this tangled web of emotions? The stakes are high, and the air is thick with unspoken feelings that could ignite at any moment.
Meanwhile, Dominic’s internal struggle deepens as he grapples with his insecurities regarding Margaery and Dashnell’s burgeoning connection. His desire to protect Margaery clashes with the reality of their engagement, and readers will be left wondering whether he will take decisive action or remain a passive participant in a game that could cost him dearly. With the wedding date looming and tensions mounting, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the hearts of these characters, revealing their true motivations and desires. Expect unexpected alliances, heart-wrenching decisions, and the haunting question of whether love can truly conquer all in a world fraught with societal expectations and personal ambition.
