Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale 187 Summary
In Chapter 187 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Margaery reveals a shocking plan to Craig, disclosing that Tessa is allegedly conspiring with the Shadow Doctor to orchestrate a kidnapping involving the Wallen family. Craig is taken aback, struggling to comprehend the betrayal from Tessa and the Wallens, whom Margaery has known for years. Despite his disbelief, he acknowledges the seriousness of the situation and resolves to help her prepare for the worst. Margaery, feeling a mix of betrayal and determination, reflects on her past and the coldness she now feels towards the Wallen family, realizing she cannot remain passive.
As the conversation unfolds, Margaery instructs her apprentice Adam to spread a false rumor about her being poisoned, which she plans to use to her advantage. She is determined to ensure Tessa faces consequences for her actions, igniting a spark of defiance within her. Adam, initially confused and alarmed by Margaery’s dangerous plan, grapples with the morality of assisting her in procuring poison. Margaery reassures him, revealing her confidence in crafting both the poison and its antidote, highlighting her growth and strategic thinking compared to her past self.
The chapter takes a darker turn as Wayne brings news about the Wallen family and Tessa’s precarious situation. Margaery analyzes the potential conflicts brewing between Tessa and the Wallen family, particularly concerning the child Tessa carries. She articulates her insights with cold logic, indicating her transformation from a naive girl to a shrewd strategist. As she contemplates the complexities of the power dynamics at play, Margaery’s determination to not repeat her past mistakes becomes evident.
The tension escalates as Callum, troubled by recent events and the King’s orders, learns that Tessa has acquired a crucial defense map without informing him. This revelation adds layers to the unfolding intrigue, suggesting that Tessa’s ambitions may pose a significant threat not only to Margaery but also to Callum and the broader political landscape. The chapter concludes with Margaery’s resolve to act decisively, her thoughts focused on forcing Tessa’s hand and reclaiming her agency in a game of power that has claimed her once before.
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**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 187**
Margaery leaned in closer to Craig, her breath barely a whisper against his ear as she shared her secret plan. The moment her words reached him, Craig’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You mean to say that Tessa is actually conspiring with the Shadow Doctor to orchestrate a kidnapping? And that the Wallen family would be involved in capturing you for some sort of exchange?” he stammered, his mind racing with the implications of such a betrayal.
Margaery nodded, her expression resolute. “Yes, but I want them to take someone else instead.” Her calm demeanor was striking, yet Craig couldn’t shake the feeling that beneath her composed exterior lay a tempest of emotions.
‘Your thoughts run deep; you’ve crafted a strategy of your own!’ he mused silently, admiration mingling with concern.
Craig’s brow furrowed as he considered the gravity of the situation. “If Tessa has indeed turned so malevolent, and the Wallen father and son are as unscrupulous as you suggest, then your plan may indeed be the most prudent course of action,” he conceded, though a flicker of anger simmered within him.
“After all, you’ve been part of the Wallen family for so many years. Could they truly stoop so low as to betray you?” he questioned, doubt creeping into his thoughts about the nature of humanity itself.
“I can hardly believe it either,” Margaery replied, her gaze drifting to the snowflakes swirling outside the window, each one a tiny reminder of the coldness she felt in her heart. “But I must prepare for the worst, just in case they do.”
In her previous life, she had never imagined her end would come in such a cruel manner. ‘But it happened nonetheless,’ she reflected bitterly.
She had never wished harm upon anyone in the Wallen family, yet fate had dealt her a tragic hand. Now, with her relationship with them shattered, they should harbor even greater animosity toward her. She couldn’t simply sit idly by and await her demise.
Craig stood up, determination etched across his features. “If they truly intend to act against you, I need to make preparations. Some materials require time to acquire.”
“Thank you,” Margaery said sincerely, rising to bow her head in gratitude.
“Come on now, there’s no need for such formality. You’re my apprentice; this is the least I could do,” Craig replied, waving his hand dismissively as he rose to his feet. “I’ll take the lead. If anyone dares to harm my disciple, I’ll have no qualms about confronting them.”
As Margaery saw him to the door, a warmth blossomed in her chest. Adam, who had been watching curiously, broke the momentary silence. “What did you discuss with him?” he inquired, eyes wide with curiosity.
“Just a precaution against being killed,” she replied, her voice steady. After a moment’s contemplation, she added, “Adam, I need you to help me with something. Send out a message claiming that someone poisoned my food today, which caused me to lose my voice and ruin my appearance.”
As she spoke, she handed him a prescription. “When you return, I need you to gather these medicines for me.”
“To put on a show, one must fully commit to the act. This time, I’ll ensure Tessa reaps what she has sown,” she thought to herself, a spark of defiance igniting within her.
Adam, utterly perplexed, stared at the prescription in disbelief. “You’re not actually planning to poison yourself, are you? That’s far too dangerous!” he exclaimed, panic lacing his words.
‘What kind of apprentice would I be if I helped you procure poison for your own use? My master would have my head!’ he thought, grappling with the absurdity of the situation.
He hesitated, contemplating whether to discuss this alarming plan with Dashnell. Margaery, sensing his reluctance, reassured him. “It’s fine. If I can prepare the poison, I can certainly craft the antidote as well.”
She had previously obtained several prescriptions from Craig, and this one included both the poison and its countermeasure.
Seeing Adam still visibly uneasy, she added, “I just spoke with Craig about this. There won’t be any issues.”
Adam scrutinized her face, searching for reassurance. “He agreed?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. Margaery nodded, choosing not to elaborate further.
Then, she turned to Amber, who was waiting nearby. “Amber, take this money and buy me a veil. Since I’m going to be disfigured, I need to cover my face.”
Amber Stark looked confused but nodded, setting off to fulfill the errand without further question. Moments later, Wayne entered the room, his expression serious.
“There’s news from the Wallen family,” he announced, his brow furrowing with concern. “Avery has returned with people from Pinewoods, but they didn’t go to the Chancellor’s estate; they stayed at a hotel instead. Only Avery has gone home.”
He glanced at Margaery, his eyes reflecting a hint of sympathy. ‘Even a beast wouldn’t harm its own young. Yet Raul is so ruthless; he actually wants to kill her. What a pitiful young girl,’ he thought, feeling a surge of protectiveness for her.
Margaery was no longer the naive girl she once was, who had cared only for the Wallen father and son.
“As I suspected, Avery returned likely due to the child Tessa carries,” she said, a sneer curling her lips. “However, while the Wallen father and son may want to eliminate Tessa’s child, Tessa herself might not be so willing.”
Wayne’s brows shot up in surprise. “What do you mean by that?” he asked, intrigued.
“If the child is aborted, how will she maintain control over Callum?” Margaery replied, her voice laced with cold logic.
“Previously, she had her sights set on Dominic to become the young madam of the Hadley family. Now that Dominic is out of the picture, she naturally needs to pursue another option.”
“She’s allied with Callum; it’s only sensible for her to seek him out,” she explained, her eyes gleaming with insight.
Wayne’s expression shifted as understanding dawned on him. “So, does this imply that the Wallen father and son are about to clash with Tessa?”
“Well, isn’t the Shadow Doctor arriving soon?” Margaery responded, her tone matter-of-fact.
She cast a glance toward the Chancellor’s estate, continuing, “Avery has never had a knack for medicine. He previously relied entirely on Craig’s prescriptions. Now that Keaton is protecting Tessa, he stands no chance.”
Wayne pondered her words, feeling bewildered. “Are you suggesting that although Andrew brought the Shadow Doctor back, he’s actually aligned with Tessa?”
‘This Chancellor’s estate is truly a web of complexities,’ Wayne thought to himself. ‘The more I observe, the clearer it becomes that Tessa is no simple pawn; she’s far more formidable than she appears.’
In her previous life, Margaery had been oblivious to the depths of Tessa’s cunning. By the time she realized the danger, it was too late.
This time, however, she was determined not to be careless. After all, she had grown up in obscurity, while Tessa had been trained from childhood to be a strategic piece on the chessboard of power.
One was blissfully unaware of the games being played, while the other was born into them. In Margaery’s past life, her demise had been unjust, but she had learned from her mistakes.
“Shadow Doctor is not just Tessa’s ally; he may also be connected to the Southcroft Empire,” Margaery stated, piecing together the connections surrounding Tessa. “Prince Callum aims to use Tessa Wallen, but Tessa may also be playing her own game with Prince Callum.”
Wayne sighed, shaking his head. “The Chancellor’s estate is truly rife with hidden agendas.” He turned to Margaery, his expression serious. “Do you need me to investigate further?”
“If you have the time, please do,” Margaery replied, a hint of envy creeping into her thoughts as she considered Dashnell and his extensive network. All she had was Amber, still so young and inexperienced.
‘I truly hope my shoulder injury heals soon, so I can resume my medical studies and martial training, and achieve something meaningful,’ she thought, determination flaring within her.
Wayne nodded, his resolve firm. “I’ll arrange for someone to look into it.”
‘If there’s any connection to the Southcroft Empire, Stormshade Hall must gather intelligence swiftly to prevent any unforeseen incidents,’ he thought, his mind racing with the implications of the situation.
Once Wayne departed, Margaery’s gaze fell upon the hourglass on the table, its grains of sand slipping away, marking the passage of time. She stepped out onto the terrace, her eyes scanning the horizon toward Callum’s residence.
By now, the morning court session must have concluded. What remained uncertain was how Callum had explained the fire at Springcourt House to the King, and what actions the King had taken in response.
‘If nothing untoward occurred, the news about Tessa acquiring the defensive layout should have already reached Callum’s ears. I want to force Tessa’s hand,’ Margaery thought, her eyes narrowing, hands clenched at her sides in determination.
*****
Meanwhile, at the main entrance of Callum’s residence, he had just stepped out of his carriage, his expression dark and troubled.
He had just endured a scolding from the King, who had inexplicably ordered him to take a month-long respite without offering any justification.
Confusion and worry gnawed at him, especially regarding the Springcourt House incident.
As he prepared to enter, his personal guard approached, hesitating before speaking. “Your Highness, I’ve heard some news, but I’m uncertain if I should share it with you.”
“What is it?” Callum snapped, irritation bubbling to the surface.
The guard leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “Your Highness, Lady Tessa has already obtained the defense map; someone witnessed it firsthand. However, she did not present it to you last night.”
Conclusion
In the wake of Margaery’s revelations, the emotional landscape has shifted dramatically. Once a naive girl ensnared in the web of familial loyalty, she now stands resolute, ready to confront the treachery that surrounds her. The warmth she felt in Craig’s unwavering support ignites a spark of defiance within her, transforming her fear into a strategic resolve. No longer will she be a passive player in the game of power; she will take control of her fate. The weight of past betrayals now fuels her determination to outmaneuver Tessa and the Wallen family, marking a pivotal turn in her journey towards empowerment.
Meanwhile, Callum’s turmoil reflects the broader chaos of their intertwined fates. As he grapples with the King’s inexplicable orders and the unsettling news of Tessa’s machinations, the tension escalates. His concern for Margaery and the implications of Tessa’s actions weigh heavily on him, pushing him to question his own loyalties and the very nature of his relationships. The stage is set for a confrontation that will not only challenge their individual resolves but also redefine the very fabric of their interconnected lives. With the stakes higher than ever, both Margaery and Callum are poised on the brink of a reckoning that promises to reshape their destinies and the world around them.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Margaery’s intricate web of deception begins to unravel. With the looming threat of betrayal from the Wallen family and Tessa’s cunning machinations, Margaery must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with hidden agendas and unforeseen alliances. The stakes are higher than ever, and as she prepares to execute her daring plan, the question remains: will her strategy succeed, or will it lead to her ultimate downfall? The arrival of the Shadow Doctor could shift the balance of power, leaving Margaery racing against time to outwit her adversaries before they strike.
Meanwhile, Callum finds himself caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty. The King’s unexpected decree for a month-long respite raises suspicions, and with Tessa securing the defense map, the implications of her actions could have dire consequences for him and the kingdom. As he grapples with the weight of his responsibilities and the looming threat of Tessa’s ambition, Callum must decide whom to trust. Will he uncover the truth in time to thwart Tessa’s plans, or will he be another pawn in her dangerous game? As alliances shift and secrets come to light, the next chapter promises to be a thrilling ride filled with intrigue, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of power.
