Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale 178 Summary
In Chapter 178 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Lady Serena expresses her disbelief and concern over the King’s fears that his sons might harm him in their quest for the throne. Despite her attempts to provide comfort, the King remains troubled by historical precedents of familial betrayal. As he struggles to find peace, Serena is equally restless, particularly worried about Dashnell’s character. She assures the King that Dashnell would never harm him, which prompts the King to reflect on his bond with his son.
Meanwhile, Dashnell and Margaery share a tender moment as they wake up together in the inn. Margaery feels embarrassed about wrinkling Dashnell’s clothes, but he finds joy in her presence. Their conversation reveals Margaery’s anxiety about her mentor, Craig, while Dashnell reassures her of his safety. As they share breakfast, Margaery expresses her desire to cherish moments like these forever, leading to a deepening of their feelings for each other. Dashnell promises to return for her once court affairs are resolved, but outside their intimate bubble, political tensions loom.
As Margaery contemplates her precarious position within the Wallen family, she reflects on her past life and the threats she faces. Her thoughts turn to Andrew Wallen, who has yet to harm her in this life, but she remains wary of the escalating danger surrounding her. She resolves to distance herself from the Wallen family, accepting that the home and love she longs for may never be hers. This acceptance brings a bittersweet clarity as she awaits the inevitable severance from her past.
At the Chancellor’s estate, Raul prepares to visit the Eastern Palace, maintaining appearances regarding Margaery’s betrothal to Nathaniel. His interactions with Tessa reveal a complex family dynamic, as he expresses concern for her health while harboring disdain for Margaery. Tessa, however, harbors her own dark intentions, eagerly anticipating the day when Raul discovers the truth about Margaery’s lineage. The chapter closes with Tessa plotting in secrecy, setting the stage for impending conflict and revelations.
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**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 178**
Lady Serena’s lips parted, her voice trembling with disbelief. “How could that possibly be? You are their father. Even if they yearn for the throne, they would never dare to harm you.” Her eyes searched his face, hoping to find some reassurance.
The King took a deep draught of the calming water, its coolness a brief respite from the tempest of his thoughts.
Yet, sleep eluded him, a cruel companion that night.
He turned to history, seeking solace in its lessons.
Through the annals of time, princes had clashed in brutal contests for succession; it was not unheard of for a king to meet his demise in the chaos that ensued.
Serena’s words, though meant to comfort, fell flat against the weight of his worries.
He lay back down, extinguishing the light, but the darkness brought no peace.
Serena, too, wrestled with her own restlessness, for the King’s reference to “my sons” weighed heavily on her heart, especially regarding Dashnell.
She could not guarantee the safety of the others, but she was acutely aware of Dashnell’s character.
Finally, she sighed, a sound filled with conviction. “I can’t speak for the rest, but when it comes to Dashnell… I would stake my life that he would never harm his own father.”
The King pondered her words, his thoughts drifting to Dashnell.
After a lengthy silence, he murmured, “He is the one who resembles me the most.”
With that, the room fell into a heavy silence, the air thick with unspoken fears and unyielding bonds.
*****
That night, Margaery slept soundly, wrapped in the blanket of dreams, untouched by the worries of the world.
When morning light crept into the room, she stirred, a hint of embarrassment washing over her. “I wrinkled Your Highness’s clothes,” she mumbled, glancing at Dashnell.
He chuckled softly, a warmth spreading through him. It was more than just the rumpled fabric; his arm had gone numb from being pinned beneath her.
Yet, witnessing her peaceful slumber, he couldn’t bring himself to disturb her. “Sleep a little longer,” he urged gently.
He waited patiently, hoping his arm would regain feeling, so he wouldn’t embarrass himself by struggling to rise.
Margaery, blushing slightly, began to tidy herself, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s daylight, Your Highness. Are you planning to leave?”
“Mm,” he replied, his gaze assessing her delicate features. “There are matters I must attend to. Someone will stay by your side. Should you need anything, just have them send word.”
She perked up, excitement dancing in her eyes. “If nothing unexpected happens, your mentor will come to see you today.”
Margaery’s heart raced at the thought. “Your Highness, do you know where my mentor went?”
Her mind was clouded with worry for Craig, fearing he might face repercussions because of her.
She had intended to visit him that very day, but the unexpected mention from Dashnell caught her off guard.
Dashnell nodded reassuringly. “Don’t fret; he is safe.”
Yesterday, Simon had been confined within the palace walls, hidden away from her.
Margaery had never considered the complications of managing two identities simultaneously.
In truth, she had never really known much about Craig or Simon, neither in her past life nor in this one.
Moreover, the gulf between their statuses was vast and unbridgeable.
No ordinary soul would ever think to connect the two.
At that moment, Adam entered with breakfast, breaking the spell that held them.
Finally, Dashnell stretched his numb arm, climbed out of bed, washed up, and joined her for the meal.
In the modest inn, they sat across from each other, an unexpected warmth blooming in their hearts, as if they had shared countless ordinary days together.
Margaery gazed at him, her voice barely a whisper. “I want to look at Your Highness like this for a lifetime.”
Her heart raced, a tempest of emotions swirling within her. She had always been the reserved type, but this moment shattered those walls.
When feelings surged, it became nearly impossible to maintain that reserve.
Reservations often led to missed opportunities, and she realized that when something—or someone—was too precious to lose, one had to fight for it, to stoke the flames of passion.
Dashnell’s lips curled into a soft smile. “You will.”
The knowledge that the person he loved reciprocated his feelings filled him with a sense of unparalleled fortune. He reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch tender and reverent. “In at most two months, we will be together.”
But outside their cocoon, storms brewed in the court, a tempest that could not be quelled by mere wishes.
Even in stillness, others would act.
He could not afford to remain passive, especially since the King had given him a mere ten days; the position of Chancellor must be eradicated from the Eastvale Empire within that timeframe.
It was time for those who needed to act to make their moves.
A fierce determination glinted in Dashnell’s eyes. “Take care of yourself here. Once the court’s affairs are settled, I will come for you.”
Margaery walked him to the door, her heart heavy with unspoken feelings. “I will wait for you.”
Words failed to encapsulate the depth of their emotions, everything communicated in a shared glance.
Dashnell nodded, turning to Adam and Wayne. “Look after Margaery.”
With that, he departed the inn, leaving her standing by the railing, watching as he climbed into the carriage.
She waited until the carriage rounded the corner before retreating inside.
Amber had prepared a medicinal brew and brought it to her, concern etched on her face. “Lady Margaery, when I went down to fetch a medicine pot, I saw Lord Chancellor’s fifth son from a distance.”
“Who?” Margaery asked, momentarily caught off guard.
Amber hesitated before responding. “It’s Andrew Wallen.”
“From the path he took, it seems he must have just come down from the mountain.” Amber’s brow furrowed with worry. “If he comes to see you, will you soften?”
In Amber’s heart, Andrew had never posed a threat to Margaery.
Margaery drifted into thought, memories flooding back.
In this lifetime, Andrew had yet to harm her.
But in the previous one…
That life had already slipped away.
Fifteen vouchers.
Now, with tensions escalating between herself and the Wallen family, the likelihood of Andrew approaching her had diminished considerably.
After all, Raul and Joshua had already hired assassins to eliminate her.
A cold smile unfurled on Margaery’s lips as she contemplated this. “The affairs of the Chancellor’s estate are no longer our concern.”
The medicinal concoction was bitter as it slid down her throat, a reminder of the home that felt perpetually out of reach.
A home, a place everyone was born to have, seemed like a distant dream for her.
Perhaps the kind of family she longed for—a home filled with love and warmth—was something she would never experience in this life.
With that realization, she allowed herself to let go, waiting for Raul to reach a point of no return, to sever ties with her publicly, to declare that she was no longer a daughter of the Wallen family.
*****
At the Chancellor’s estate, Raul finally found himself free from the morning court’s demands.
Having prepared early, he intended to visit the Eastern Palace.
After all, the King had arranged a marriage between Margaery and Nathaniel, and as her father, he had to maintain appearances, despite the growing distance between them.
Though he held the title of Chancellor, he could not allow Nathaniel to come to the Chancellor’s estate; the King had decreed the match, and it was his duty to uphold that decree.
He needed to gauge the sentiments of others and determine his next steps.
As Tessa entered, she noticed the servants arranging a multitude of gifts on the table and saw Raul preparing to leave. Her curiosity piqued. “Father, didn’t the King grant you leave?”
Raul’s mood darkened. He replied in a low voice, “I’m heading to the Eastern Palace. We must keep up appearances until she passes.”
He turned to her, his gaze softening. “Tessa, your health is fragile, and it’s bitterly cold outside. You shouldn’t venture out.”
“And as for your stomach ailment…”
“I’ve already sent for the Shadow Doctor. Today, I will also mention your condition to Nathaniel. Now that Margaery is betrothed to him, she must heed his authority.”
“Once Nathaniel is willing to assist, Margaery’s treatment for her stomach issues will be brought forth, and you won’t have to endure so much suffering.”
“Thank you, Father,” Tessa replied, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I must have been blessed in a past life to have become your daughter.”
“You are my flesh and blood; it is only right that I care for you,” Raul said, dabbing at her tears with a gentle hand. “Unlike that wretched Margaery!”
With that, he turned and exited the room.
Tessa watched him leave, a cold smile creeping across her face.
‘Raul, how spectacular it would be if one day you discovered that Margaery is indeed your biological child, yet you personally orchestrated her demise.’
She could hardly wait for that day to arrive.
Once she was certain no one lingered behind her, Tessa returned to Raul’s study, stealthily retrieving something and hiding it in her sleeve pouch.
Conclusion
In the quiet aftermath of the night, the emotional currents that intertwined the lives of these characters surged forward, each pulse echoing the weight of their choices. Lady Serena’s unwavering belief in Dashnell’s integrity stood as a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of betrayal that loomed over the kingdom. The King, burdened by the haunting specter of potential treachery, found a flicker of solace in the bond he shared with his son, yet the looming threat of ambition and discord cast a long shadow over their relationship. Meanwhile, Margaery and Dashnell’s tender exchange illuminated the fragility of their love, a fragile flower blooming against a backdrop of chaos. Their hearts, entwined in a dance of longing and determination, faced an uncertain future, yet they clung to the promise of togetherness, even as the world outside threatened to rip them apart.
As the dawn broke, the characters’ paths diverged, each carrying the weight of their unspoken fears and desires. Margaery’s resolve to sever ties with her past reflected a deep yearning for autonomy and belonging, while Raul’s misguided intentions toward his daughter revealed the darkness lurking within familial bonds. Tessa’s cold ambition hinted at a brewing storm, one that could unravel the very fabric of their lives. With the stakes rising and the court’s machinations in motion, the whispers of ambition and love intertwined, shaping distant tomorrows that remained uncertain and fraught with peril. In this intricate tapestry of relationships, the choices made today would echo through the corridors of fate, leaving indelible marks on the hearts of those who dared to dream and fight for their place in a world teetering on the brink of upheaval.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as the stakes grow higher for both Margaery and Dashnell. With the looming threat of the Wallen family’s machinations and the impending marriage that could bind Margaery to Nathaniel, the emotional landscape will shift dramatically. Margaery’s resolve to sever ties with her past and embrace her newfound identity will be tested, especially as Andrew Wallen re-enters the scene. Will he pose a challenge to her newfound strength, or will Margaery’s determination and cunning allow her to navigate this treacherous web of familial loyalty and ambition?
Meanwhile, Dashnell’s journey to secure his position and protect Margaery will intensify. With only ten days to dismantle the Chancellor’s influence, his path will be fraught with peril and unexpected alliances. As he grapples with his growing feelings for Margaery, the question of loyalty to his father and the throne will weigh heavily on his conscience. Will he be able to strike the delicate balance between duty and love, or will the court’s intrigues pull them apart? The chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of their relationships, as well as the unfolding drama within the palace walls, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how these intertwined destinies will unfold.
