Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 40 Summary
In Chapter 40 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Margaery receives a swan hairpin from Lady Serena, which she wears with pride, yet Estelle perceives it as a taunt. The hairpin symbolizes Serena’s approval of Margaery as a potential daughter-in-law, deepening Estelle’s frustration and anger. As tensions rise, Estelle confronts Joshua about a supposed wet nurse’s tablet, accusing him of lying. Joshua, panicking, tries to deflect blame onto Margaery, but she stands her ground, challenging his dishonesty and reflecting on her past mistakes in trusting him.
The situation escalates when Bernard Morales, known for his carefree demeanor, intervenes to defend Margaery against Joshua’s accusations. His arrival shifts the crowd’s attention and support away from Joshua, who is left flustered. Bernard’s words carry weight due to his noble lineage, further complicating Estelle’s feelings as she harbors unrequited love for him. As Bernard defends Margaery, Estelle’s jealousy surges, prompting her to lash out at Tessa, accusing her of impropriety and striking her in a fit of rage.
Tessa, distraught and claiming she was drugged, attempts to deflect blame onto Margaery’s maid, Paige. This accusation ignites a heated exchange between Estelle and Margaery, with both women trading sharp retorts. Margaery counters Estelle’s claims with logical arguments, but Estelle, desperate to maintain her dignity in front of Bernard, grows increasingly aggressive. The tension peaks as an unexpected voice from the stairwell interrupts their confrontation.
The High Priest, a figure of authority, reveals he witnessed Tessa’s arrival and confirms her lucidity upon entering the restaurant. His presence shifts the dynamics, leaving Estelle and Joshua in disbelief. With his arrival, the chapter concludes on a cliffhanger, hinting at further revelations and the potential unraveling of the tangled web of deceit and emotions among the characters.
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**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 40**
“Lady Serena bestowed this upon me, what?” Margaery replied, her smile radiant and bright. The swan hairpin, delicately framing her hair, accentuated her natural beauty—a beauty that was fierce and captivating, almost as if it were a challenge to those who dared to gaze upon her.
To Estelle, however, it felt more like a taunt than a gift. The late king’s authority loomed large, an unassailable force even in Estelle’s royal life. The gesture of Serena gifting Margaery the swan hairpin signified an implicit approval of her as a future daughter-in-law, a blessing that Estelle found infuriating.
A tempest of emotions brewed within Estelle, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. She clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white, fighting against the urge to shout. With a swift turn, she fixed her gaze on Joshua, her voice taut with suppressed fury. “You claimed her wet nurse’s tablet was here?”
“N-No, not me,” Joshua stammered, panic flashing across his face as he scrambled to deny the accusation. “She’s just spouting nonsense. Why would I say something so ridiculous? This is a restaurant. No sane person would place memorial tablets for the deceased in such a place.”
Joshua had not anticipated the situation spiraling out of control when he uttered those words. Now, denial seemed to be his only refuge.
He turned his attention to Margaery, his voice dripping with disdain. “Lies need a foundation. Please, stop causing trouble here.” His tone suggested that it was Margaery who was weaving a web of deceit.
Margaery had witnessed Joshua’s cruelty in her previous life, but the sheer audacity of his shamelessness was a revelation. “So now,” she challenged, her voice steady, “you lack the courage to stand by your words?”
Inwardly, she reflected, ‘In my past life, I must have been blind to seek reconciliation with someone like him. The realization washed over her, bringing with it a wave of sorrow mixed with bitter amusement.
Joshua pressed on, “Margaery, just admit your mistakes. Attacking me won’t help your case. I am your brother; I won’t hold this against you.”
“But today, with Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle present, things could escalate beyond your control if you keep this up.”
He spoke with the confidence of someone who believed he held all the cards, radiating an air of magnanimity, convinced that Margaery had no evidence to counter him.
Margaery almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation. Just as she felt cornered, a figure emerged from behind her, casually positioning himself at her side.
With a languid drawl, he addressed Joshua, “Lord Joshua, I once thought you were a gentleman. Today, however, I see you for what you truly are—utterly shameless.”
“Mr. Morales?” Joshua frowned, a wave of discomfort washing over him. “What brings you here?”
Margaery turned to the man beside her, surprise etched on her face. Bernard Morales, heir to the vast Morales estate, was known for his carefree and unruly nature. He seldom involved himself in courtly affairs, preferring instead to immerse himself in bizarre inventions that often left others questioning his sanity.
Bernard’s roguish grin spread across his face. “I had to step in, Lord Joshua. You were spinning tales so convincingly that you might have started believing them yourself. I saw you push Margaery and insist she go to the third floor.”
He continued, “You mentioned the wet nurse’s memorial tablet was up there and that she should wait for the Lord Chancellor to pay his respects together. So, how did a moment of respect turn into this spectacle?”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, the tension palpable. “Lord Joshua, what kind of theatrics is this?”
The guests Joshua had invited, initially inclined to support him, were now left stunned. Whose words should they trust—Joshua’s or Margaery’s?
Despite being the one who had summoned them, it was Bernard, the heir of the Morales estate, who boldly stepped forward to defend Margaery. He was no ordinary figure; the Morales estate was a formidable power, standing as the most influential noble house outside the royal bloodline.
Randal Morales, Bernard’s father, was Cillian’s sworn brother, having valiantly defended the northern borders in the king’s name for over two decades. The prestige attached to the heir of the Morales estate was immense, and Bernard’s words carried undeniable weight.
Even Estelle paled, her expression a tumult of emotions. She had long harbored feelings for Bernard, dreaming of a union with him. Despite Cillian’s hints, Bernard had shown no interest in her. Now, witnessing him defend Margaery, a flicker of jealousy ignited within her. Could it be that he harbored feelings for Margaery? she pondered, casting a fleeting glance at Margaery, recalling her own harsh words just moments before.
Humiliation and rage surged within Estelle, prompting her to lash out. She struck Tessa across the face with such force that five crimson marks blossomed instantly on her cheek. “You are so shameless, sleeping with your sister’s betrothed!”
Tessa stumbled, disoriented, falling to the ground in tears. “Your Highness, please! This wasn’t my doing. I was drugged! I don’t know how this happened!”
Her tears flowed freely, a portrait of vulnerable distress that even stirred pity within Dominic’s heart.
Yet Bernard remained unmoved. “Drugged, were you?” he sneered, his voice devoid of sympathy, tinged with mockery.
Tessa couldn’t meet his gaze, trembling as she stammered, “I was drugged! I don’t know how I ended up there. All I remember is Paige giving me a cup of spiced tea. She said it would warm me up.”
With a fleeting, fearful glance at Margaery, she quickly redirected the blame. “P-Paige is Margaery’s maid.”
Seizing the opportunity, Estelle turned on Margaery with venom in her voice. “You! Did you order your maid to drug Tessa?”
“Princess Estelle, is your memory failing you?” Margaery met her glare head-on, her tone cold and mocking. “Remember what Tessa said earlier?”
Margaery continued, “She claimed to feel strange the moment she stepped inside. That proves she was lucid before entering that room.”
“Assuming I did have my maid drug her, what about Dominic? Was he lucid when he engaged with Tessa?”
“Because you wanted Dominic to lose control too,” Estelle shot back stubbornly. “So you changed the incense in the room.”
Margaery almost sighed at the illogic of Estelle’s accusations. “If incense alone could affect everyone, why would I complicate things by having my maid drug Tessa specifically?”
Yet Margaery understood Estelle’s desperation. Everyone in Sinderin knew of Estelle’s unrequited love for Bernard.
Estelle was eager to salvage her dignity, fearing the embarrassment of facing Bernard. Margaery, however, stood firm, her calm reason giving her an advantage.
Cornered by her flawed argument and swirling emotions, Estelle grew more aggressive. “Of course, you had to drug Tessa! How else would she have come here?”
‘Bernard witnessed events inside the restaurant, but not necessarily Tessa’s arrival. Let’s see Margaery wriggle out of this one,’ she thought, a cold, triumphant smile gracing her lips.
But her moment of satisfaction was short-lived. A deep, resonant voice rose from the stairwell. “Princess Estelle, choose your words with care.”
An elder in simple grey robes, exuding an aura of serene authority, ascended the staircase. “From my seat in the teahouse, I witnessed Tessa arrive by carriage. She entered Pero Cela through the rear entrance and hurried directly to the third floor.”
He continued, “She was perfectly lucid. She brought a maid and a coachman who are waiting downstairs. Doubters may summon them for verification.”
“High Priest?” Estelle gasped, recognition dawning upon her. She hurriedly offered a respectful bow, her heart racing.
Joshua, equally stunned, turned to Simon in disbelief. “High Priest? What brings you here?”
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the tumultuous confrontation, the air hung heavy with the weight of revelations and shifting allegiances. Estelle’s emotional turmoil reached a crescendo as her carefully constructed facade crumbled before the undeniable truth laid bare by the High Priest. The sting of humiliation and betrayal coursed through her veins, igniting a desperate need to reclaim her dignity. Yet, as Bernard stood resolutely by Margaery’s side, Estelle was forced to confront the reality of her unreciprocated feelings and the precariousness of her position within the royal court. The echoes of her earlier accusations reverberated in her mind, a stark reminder of how far she had strayed in her quest for validation, leaving her standing alone amidst the ruins of her ambitions.
For Margaery, this confrontation marked a turning point, a reclamation of her strength and identity in a world that had often sought to define her by the whims of those around her. With the support of Bernard, she felt a newfound sense of agency, a fierce determination to carve out her own narrative amidst the chaos. The laughter that once seemed distant now resonated within her, a promise of brighter tomorrows shaped by her choices and courage. As the dust settled and the crowd began to disperse, Margaery understood that the whispers of the past no longer held power over her; she was ready to embrace the future, one filled with the potential to forge her own destiny, free from the shadows of others’ expectations.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter of *Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows*, readers can expect the tension to escalate as the confrontation between Margaery and Estelle reaches a boiling point. With the arrival of the High Priest, the stakes have been raised considerably, and the delicate balance of power within the room is set to shift dramatically. As the truth of Tessa’s arrival and the events leading up to the tumultuous scene unfolds, alliances will be tested, and hidden motives will come to light. Will Margaery manage to navigate this treacherous landscape, or will Estelle’s desperation lead to unforeseen consequences that could alter the course of their lives forever?
Moreover, Bernard Morales’ unexpected intervention has thrown a wrench into Joshua’s carefully laid plans, and his growing interest in Margaery adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught dynamics. As whispers of betrayal and ambition swirl around them, both women will have to confront their feelings and the implications of their choices. The chapter promises to delve deeper into the characters’ motivations, revealing more than just their surface-level desires. Will Margaery leverage Bernard’s support to reclaim her position, or will Estelle’s jealousy drive her to further extremes? The anticipation builds as the narrative hurtles toward a climax that could redefine their fates in the royal court.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
