Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 97 Summary
In Chapter 97 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” titled “Marrying The Woman Who Rules Him,” the story unfolds around Joshua and Dominic as they grapple with the emotional turmoil surrounding their impending wedding to Margaery. The chapter opens with Joshua observing Dominic’s conflicting feelings about marrying Margaery, a woman he once dismissed in favor of Tessa. This shift in Dominic’s affections creates a tension that Joshua feels deeply, as he too has faced rejection from Margaery, his sister. The pain of past heartaches lingers, and Joshua tries to offer Dominic words of encouragement, reminding him that Margaery’s current injuries make her less accessible to Prince Dashnell, who poses a threat to their relationship.
As the conversation progresses, the gravity of Margaery’s new title as Glowsend County Princess sinks in, leaving Dominic in disbelief and grappling with his own insecurities about their future together. Raul, their father, emphasizes the importance of respecting Margaery and prioritizing family standing. The weight of the royal title adds complexity to their relationship, making Dominic question his position and the dynamics of power that will shift once they are married. Despite the turmoil, Joshua attempts to provide a glimmer of hope, suggesting that marrying Margaery could ultimately protect Dominic from outside influences.
Meanwhile, a significant development arises when Joshua reveals that Margaery is willing to provide blood for Tessa, but with a condition that she will sever ties with her sister afterward. This news brings a mix of disbelief and relief, indicating Margaery’s willingness to take decisive actions for those she cares about. As the chapter progresses, Raul and Joshua reflect on Margaery’s unexpected rise within the Chapel of Wisdom and the implications of her newfound status, which stirs feelings of resentment in Joshua, who feels overlooked in comparison.
The chapter concludes with Joshua’s growing concern over Margaery’s emotional distance and her potential desire to sever connections with her past, including her family. The emotional landscape is fraught with tension as both brothers navigate the complexities of their relationships with Margaery, the looming wedding, and the influence of Prince Dashnell. Joshua’s foreboding thoughts about Margaery’s intentions leave him questioning the future of their familial bonds, setting the stage for further conflict and emotional upheaval.
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**Chapter 97: Marrying The Woman Who Rules Him**
Joshua stood there, momentarily struck dumb by the intensity of Dominic’s emotions. It was hard to reconcile the man before him with the one who had so adamantly rejected Margaery just six months prior.
Back then, Dominic had been utterly consumed by his infatuation with Tessa. He had made it abundantly clear that Margaery was beneath her, stating vehemently that if she didn’t change her ways, she wasn’t even worthy of kissing Tessa’s toes. He had warned her not to blame him if he eventually grew distant and chose Tessa instead. Those words had been like daggers, and Margaery had wept for days, her heart shattered by the harshness of his rejection.
Now, as he listened to Dominic lamenting his situation, Joshua couldn’t help but feel a pang of shared sorrow. As Margaery’s older brother, he was no stranger to heartache. Just as Dominic had once turned his gaze solely to Tessa, Joshua had found himself longing for a connection with Margaery, only to be met with her cold indifference.
“Hang in there, Dominic,” he offered, trying to inject some hope into the air. “It won’t be long now—just a few more days. Remember, even if Prince Dashnell shows up every single day, he won’t get anywhere with her. Margaery is seriously injured and can’t do much of anything. Bernard’s advice isn’t unreasonable; it’s simply about applying the right medicine to her wounds.”
He continued, trying to bolster Dominic’s spirits. “Once the wedding is over, she’ll be in the Hadley family’s backyard. You’ll have her all to yourself. Prince Dashnell and Bernard won’t dare to chase her into your family’s home.”
Yet, Dominic appeared unresponsive, his heart a tempest of jealousy, fists clenched in frustration. Joshua sighed, sensing the futility of his words. He needed a distraction, so he turned to Raul, asking, “Father, what news from the King?”
Raul furrowed his brow, clearly troubled. “The King has already issued a decree to bestow the title of Glowsend County Princess upon Margaery. I expect the official announcement will arrive in a few days.”
Joshua’s heart sank. “If I had known this would happen, we should have expedited the wedding arrangements! I thought we were already rushing, but now it seems we might still be cutting it too close.”
“County Princess?” Dominic echoed, his voice thick with disbelief. “So she’s a County Princess now…”
His mind raced with implications. *What does that make me? Am I to treat her like some kind of living deity once we’re wed?*
Raul’s gaze was piercing, as if he could sense the turmoil within Dominic. “Once she becomes part of the Hadley family, she will be your wife, and you must treat her with respect. Always prioritize the greater good; it’s vital for our family’s standing.”
His expression turned grave. “With this royal title, everything changes. After your marriage, you cannot entertain any other affections, especially not for Tessa. You must let that go.”
Raul closed his eyes for a moment, wrestling with the situation. “Today, the King referred to her as the Star of Fortune. If she is indeed the Star of Fortune, she may have to share her husband with others and be subject to their influence. Dominating her is akin to dominating the King himself, and it could affect the fate of the entire realm.”
Dominic was left in stunned silence, grappling with the realization that he was about to marry a woman who might ultimately hold power over him.
Joshua, sensing his friend’s despair, attempted to offer a different perspective. “Consider it this way: if you marry her, no one else will ever have the chance to dominate you. At worst, it will only be her.”
Dominic took a deep breath, trying to find solace in Joshua’s words. “You’re right. I’ll treat her well. After all, we were childhood friends.”
Yet, as he spoke those words, a sense of forced optimism washed over him. The warmth of their childhood bond felt like a distant memory, one that had faded over the course of the past year. He wondered if it could ever be rekindled.
“No matter what, the fact that she is still willing to marry you is the best possible outcome,” Raul remarked, casting a sidelong glance at Dominic.
Joshua had intended to bring up the recognition ceremony scheduled for that night, but it felt inappropriate to mention it in front of Dominic. Instead, he said, “The situation is quite serious. Prince Dashnell is here, and you can’t gain entry. Why don’t you head back and inform your father? We can’t afford to neglect the wedding arrangements.”
“Alright, alright!” Dominic nodded, eager to distance himself from the tension. He left, preferring to focus on tasks he could control.
Once Dominic was gone, Joshua leaned in closer to Raul, lowering his voice. “Just now, Margaery sent someone to deliver a message to me. She’s willing to have blood drawn for Tessa. Mark only needs to come to Gracewind Garden tonight to collect it.”
Raul’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “She agreed?”
Joshua nodded, a mixture of disbelief and relief washing over him. “I was taken aback as well, but she set a condition: after this bloodletting, she will sever her sisterly ties with Tessa. From this point forward, there will be no further connection between them. I can understand her position, though.”
Raul’s earlier suspicion began to dissipate. “If she’s setting this as a condition, it’s reasonable. Since she has agreed, we should proceed with the verification; such opportunities are rare.”
He took a deep breath, his expression serious as he looked toward Gracewind Garden. “Today in the Golden Throne Hall, I met Mr. Stonier.”
“What did he say?” Joshua’s heart raced at the thought of the implications.
Back in his days at Inkwell Academy, he had knelt before Norman, pleading to be accepted as a disciple, hoping to bask in the prestige of the Southern Abbey. Yet, Norman had turned him away.
Now, in an ironic twist of fate, Norman had taken Margaery—whom they had all once dismissed—as a disciple of the Chapel of Wisdom. Joshua couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment as he recalled the rosary beads adorning Margaery’s wrist. If only he had been recognized as a successor of the Chapel, his future would have been boundless. After all, the King himself had once been a disciple of the Southern Abbey in his youth.
Bitterness gnawed at Joshua’s heart, and Raul felt a similar discontent brewing within him.
But now that the situation had unfolded this way, all they could do was exchange stiff words. “I inquired about Margaery’s apprenticeship. He mentioned that she would soon be married and wouldn’t leave home to become a nun. However, he also stated that Margaery is a lay disciple of the Chapel of Wisdom and doesn’t need to take monastic vows. The successor doesn’t have to reside in the temple; the teachings are meant to benefit all beings.”
Raul continued, “Disciples of the Chapel of Wisdom are meant to traverse the world, seeking enlightenment for themselves and others, rather than merely reciting prayers. The King praised these sentiments and remarked on his own time spent at the Southern Abbey when he was a prince. Now, look at him—he has ascended to the throne! So, they all believe that Margaery inheriting the Chapel of Wisdom poses no issue.”
Joshua’s indignation flared. *Not taking monastic vows, not chanting prayers, spreading teachings among the people—am I not capable of doing the same? Why her?*
Raul shot him a knowing glance. “Don’t dwell on it. As for Prince Dashnell, it’s best we stay out of his affairs. He and Margaery may be bound together for life. Remember, he is not only Mr. Eastwick’s disciple but also Mr. Stonier’s. That creates a complex web of connections.”
He continued, “Now that the Chapel of Wisdom serves the King, both Prince Dashnell and Margaery will be closely tied to him in the future. Even if there are no personal matters at play, official duties will surely arise.”
Even Dominic would likely have to endure this new reality. Joshua fell silent, contemplating the implications.
Dashnell’s interest in Margaery felt more like a personal vendetta against Dominic than anything else, and Joshua couldn’t shake the feeling that he was merely a bystander in this unfolding drama.
What truly concerned him was what Margaery, in her current state, might bring into his life. If there was still a chance for reconciliation, he would seize it. Those who admired Margaery, even if they didn’t respect him, would have no choice but to acknowledge him due to their connection.
But with Margaery’s current demeanor, that seemed increasingly unlikely.
A sense of foreboding settled over him, and he turned to Raul, voicing his concern. “Father, do you think Margaery will eventually want to draw a line between herself and all of us? She has already cut ties with Clyde, saying he is no longer her brother. She’s also managed to offend Avery.”
Conclusion
In the swirling tempest of emotions, both Dominic and Joshua found themselves grappling with the weight of expectations and the shifting sands of their relationships. Dominic stood on the precipice of marrying a woman who had transformed from a childhood friend into a figure of immense power and influence, all while wrestling with jealousy and insecurity. Joshua, witnessing the turmoil in his friend, felt the echoes of his own unrequited feelings for Margaery rise to the surface, amplifying his frustration and resentment. Yet, amidst the chaos, a flicker of hope emerged—the possibility that Margaery’s willingness to sever ties with Tessa could pave the way for a new dynamic, one where she could reclaim her agency and redefine her relationships. The emotional arc of the chapter culminated in a poignant realization: the bonds they once cherished may have been irrevocably altered, yet the potential for healing and growth lingered in the air, waiting to be grasped.
As the chapter drew to a close, the characters stood at a crossroads, their fates intertwined yet fraught with uncertainty. Margaery’s ascent to the title of County Princess and the implications of her impending marriage loomed large, casting shadows over their past connections. Dominic’s struggle to reconcile his feelings for Tessa with his duty to Margaery signified a deeper conflict within himself—a battle between love and obligation. Joshua’s bitterness simmered beneath the surface, tempered by a flicker of determination to forge a new path for himself, even as the specter of Margaery’s transformation threatened to redefine their relationship. In this moment of vulnerability, they were reminded that while the past could not be changed, the future remained unwritten—a canvas waiting for their choices to paint a new narrative, one where understanding, respect, and perhaps even love could flourish amidst the whispers of distant tomorrows.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter, readers can expect to delve deeper into the tangled web of emotions and allegiances that surround Margaery and her impending marriage. As the wedding day approaches, tensions will rise, and the stakes will become even higher. With the official announcement of Margaery’s title as the Glowsend County Princess looming, the pressure on Dominic will intensify. Can he reconcile his feelings of jealousy and insecurity while navigating the expectations that come with marrying a woman of such newfound status? The dynamics between him, Margaery, and Prince Dashnell will undoubtedly shift, leading to unexpected confrontations and revelations.
Moreover, the chapter will explore the ramifications of Margaery’s decision to sever her ties with Tessa, as well as the implications of her apprenticeship under Mr. Stonier. Will this newfound power and autonomy change her relationship with those around her, especially with Joshua and Dominic? As Margaery grapples with her identity and the responsibilities that come with her title, readers will witness her struggle to maintain connections with her past while forging a path toward her future. The emotional turmoil brewing beneath the surface promises to erupt, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these relationships will evolve and what sacrifices may be required to secure a place in Margaery’s world.
