Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 82 Summary
In Chapter 82 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” titled “I Will Guard You,” Dominic is consumed by a desperate desire to take control of the situation and administer medicine to Margaery himself. However, he finds himself paralyzed by fear and uncertainty, unable to act against Dashnell, who remains resolute and focused on Margaery’s well-being. The tension in the room is thick, with Dominic grappling with feelings of inadequacy and resentment as he reflects on Margaery’s unfortunate connection to someone he deems unworthy.
Craig’s arrival introduces a practical perspective, urging both Margaery and Dominic to eat, while he assesses her recovering condition. Despite the slight improvement in her pulse, the atmosphere remains tense, especially for Dashnell, who is visibly distressed by Margaery’s vulnerability. As he tends to her, Dominic is overwhelmed with a sense of longing and helplessness, realizing that the woman he has loved since childhood is now out of reach, cared for by another man. This emotional struggle intensifies as he witnesses the tender moments shared between Margaery and Dashnell, further deepening his sense of loss.
Margaery gradually regains consciousness and finds comfort in Dashnell’s presence, which stirs conflicting emotions within her. As she leans against him and accepts his care, Dominic is left feeling like an outsider, grappling with feelings of jealousy and regret. Despite his attempts to offer her soup, he is met with Margaery’s dismissive response, leaving him stunned and speechless. The realization that she may choose Dashnell over him solidifies his sense of despair, and he resolves to stay by her side, even as exhaustion weighs heavily on him.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Raul kneels in the cold, consumed by worry for Margaery and the consequences of her brother Clyde’s actions. He feels powerless against Dashnell’s authority and reflects on his past neglect of Margaery’s needs and the allies she has gained. Joshua, witnessing the strained dynamics inside, attempts to advocate for Raul, urging Margaery to intercede on her father’s behalf. The chapter closes with a heavy silence, underscoring the emotional turmoil and complex relationships at play, as Margaery’s fate hangs in the balance amid the brewing conflicts.
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**TITLE: Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 82: I Will Guard You**
Dominic felt an overwhelming urge to surge forward, to snatch the box from Dashnell’s grasp and personally administer the medicine to Margaery. The thought ignited a fire within him, yet as the words teetered on the edge of his lips, he found himself paralyzed by a mix of fear and indecision. Instead, he could only scowl, his gaze boring into Dashnell with an intensity that was almost desperate.
Dashnell remained unmoved, his focus unwavering.
The tension in the air was palpable, thick with unspoken words and hidden resentments. Dominic’s thoughts spiraled as he grappled with the absurdity of the situation. *Margaery is such a good person. How could fate allow her to be entangled with someone as vile as Dominic? Truly, the heavens have conspired in ways that defy all logic!*
Just as the standoff reached an unbearable silence, Craig re-entered the room, breaking the tension with his practical demeanor.
“Your Highness,” he said, his voice steady, “you should eat something. And wake Margaery; it’s important for her to eat too. The food is still hot.” He set down the provisions he had brought, moving swiftly to Margaery’s bedside to check her pulse. A deep sigh escaped him as he assessed her condition. “Her pulse is stronger now, but she still requires time to recuperate.”
“Mm.”
Dashnell’s mood darkened further, a storm brewing behind his eyes.
The last time he had seen Margaery, she had been vibrant, full of life. Now, she lay pale and fragile, her recovery uncertain, casting a shadow over his heart. Today was merely the beginning of a long, arduous journey.
*I will make Clyde pay for this,* he vowed silently, *making him suffer in ways he cannot imagine, unable to live, unable to die.*
With a gentle touch, he placed the ointment aside, taking Margaery’s hand with a tenderness that belied his turbulent emotions. “Margaery, wake up,” he urged softly.
Dominic rose from his seat, a surge of longing coursing through him. He wished fervently that he could be the one holding her hand at that moment. His throat felt parched, as if it could ignite into flames. It dawned on him then, with a heavy weight, that the girl who had been his fiancée since childhood was now so tantalizingly out of reach. The sorrow that enveloped him was profound, hollowing out his heart and leaving a raw ache in its wake.
But there sat Dashnell, an imposing figure of imperial authority, and Dominic dared not cross him.
Margaery stirred, her hand feeling cool yet refreshing against Dashnell’s warm grip. As she opened her eyes and saw him keeping vigil at her side, a flicker of warmth ignited within her heart. “Your Highness, it’s already very late,” she murmured, a soft smile gracing her lips.
He hadn’t left her side. He was there, steadfast, a guardian in her moment of vulnerability.
To claim she wasn’t moved would be a lie.
“Mm, we should eat something,” Dashnell replied, his voice gentle as he helped her sit up slightly, allowing her to lean against his chest. He deftly took the soup from Craig’s hands. “Your wound needs to stop bleeding, so you can only have something light and astringent. Mr. Eastwick personally prepared this medicinal meal. Please, try it.”
A spoonful of the medicinal soup was brought to her lips, and Margaery felt a blush creep onto her cheeks. “Your Highness, I can manage this myself.”
“Your shoulder is injured; it’s crucial to prevent any further tearing and bleeding.” Dashnell gently refused her protest, feeding her one spoonful at a time with a careful precision that made her heart flutter.
In that tender, intimate atmosphere, Margaery found herself momentarily forgetting the pain in her shoulder, and before she knew it, she had consumed an entire bowl of soup.
Dashnell then offered her several pieces of crike, ensuring she was well taken care of.
The sight of them together pierced Dominic’s heart like a dagger, leaving him feeling utterly powerless. He couldn’t comprehend how he had allowed someone as remarkable as Margaery to slip through his fingers, little by little.
As he contemplated the power that Margaery wielded, he couldn’t help but notice that her beauty was that of a woman destined to bring prosperity to her husband.
“Margaery, the cream soup you wanted to eat…”
Unable to hold back any longer, Dominic stepped forward, offering the soup he had procured for her.
“I’m full,” Margaery replied, her eyes meeting his with a hint of disdain hidden beneath her calm exterior. “I thought you weren’t here; you didn’t say anything just now.”
Dominic froze, caught off guard by her words.
With Dashnell present, he found himself at a loss for words, his voice trapped in his throat.
“It’s alright, you can go back now. I’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Margaery said, leaning back against the bed with Dashnell’s assistance, dismissing Dominic entirely.
He stared at the cream soup in his hand, its ingredients now wilted and unappetizing, feeling a wave of conflict wash over him.
Finally, he mustered the courage to speak. “You’re seriously injured; how could I leave? Tonight, I’ll stay here and watch over you.”
He was exhausted from the day’s events, his body weary and his eyelids heavy.
But with Dashnell in the room, he felt an obligation to remain.
What if Margaery returned to consciousness and chose to marry Dashnell? The thought sent a chill down his spine.
Even if it was merely a matter of keeping vigil, he would endure the night alongside Dashnell, just to see who would relent first.
Margaery glanced at Dashnell, feeling a pang of sympathy for him. “Your Highness, why don’t you get some rest as well? I’m feeling better now.”
Dashnell remained steadfast, his resolve unyielding. “I’ll stay here with you.”
Margaery studied him for a long moment before finally conceding, “Alright.”
Though her smile was faint, her eyes shimmered with emotions that twisted and turned like a tempest within her.
He watched over her now, and perhaps, in the future, she would watch over him in return. The thought of living a lifetime in such a manner felt strangely comforting.
With a gentle sigh, Margaery closed her eyes.
Craig sat at the table, eating quietly, deliberately ignoring Dominic’s presence.
Dominic’s stomach growled loudly, a reminder of his hunger, yet he could not bring himself to eat the bowl of cream soup. It felt inappropriate and insincere to indulge in a meal he had intended for Margaery.
In the end, he could only endure his hunger, the night stretching on into an endless silence.
Outside the door, Joshua and Raul engaged in quiet conversation. Raul glanced towards the main gate, uncertainty clouding his features. “I’ll keep watch here. You should return home. Discuss the marriage arrangements with Tessa. The rest can wait until I come back.”
Joshua nodded in agreement. “I’ll talk to Tessa about it.”
Yet, witnessing his father kneeling on the cold ground stirred a wave of pity within him. “What if I go in and plead with Prince Dashnell? Perhaps he would allow you to rise for Margaery’s sake. It’s too cold to remain kneeling like this. If this continues, your body will suffer.”
Raul’s voice was hoarse, strained as if it had been sliced by a knife. His knees felt shattered, chilled to the bone.
If he remained kneeling through the night, he feared the chill would seep into his bones, leaving him with an affliction that would never heal.
Dashnell was exacting his revenge, and the weight of that realization grew heavier with each passing moment. Raul felt utterly powerless, not only because Dashnell held the authority of a prince, but also because Margaery was the Star of Fortune.
Even though Simon from the Hall of Divinity had not made an appearance, the four vague, unsubstantiated words he had left behind were enough to keep anyone in check.
Including him, the chancellor.
Raul sighed deeply, burdened by the realization of how much he had neglected his daughter, failing to recognize the multitude of powerful allies and an unassailable status that had gathered around her.
The room fell silent, a heavy stillness settling in.
Joshua stepped through the door, his eyes landing on Dominic, who sat pale and hunched in the corner.
Upon seeing him, Dominic seemed poised to speak, but the words never left his mouth. Instead, he directed a gaze full of grievance towards Dashnell.
Dashnell, however, remained oblivious to the tension, his focus solely on Margaery.
Joshua felt a sense of helplessness wash over him, and he bowed, saying, “Your servant greets Prince Dashnell.”
Still, Dashnell paid him no mind, his attention fixed on Margaery.
Joshua had no choice but to kneel and address Margaery. “Margaery, the one who harmed you today was your brother Clyde. He has already faced his retribution. Someone pierced his shoulder with a sword, leaving a bloody wound, and now his life hangs by a thread.”
“Father is resolute. Once Clyde recovers, he will be brought to the palace to confess his wrongdoings and will be sent to the Clan Court to repent.”
After circling around the subject, he finally got to the crux of the matter. “Father has been kneeling outside for an entire day. If this continues, he won’t be able to endure it. Could you please plead with Prince Dashnell to allow him to rise? If he kneels another night and develops rheumatism, it will torment him for the rest of his life.”
“You are your father’s daughter. Surely, you wouldn’t want to see him suffer, especially when this suffering is tied to you, would you?”
Conclusion
As the night wore on, the weight of unspoken emotions hung heavily in the air, binding the three of them in a delicate web of tension and longing. Dominic’s heart ached as he watched Margaery lean against Dashnell, a silent testament to the bond they shared in her moment of vulnerability. The realization that he had allowed her to slip away, that he had become a mere shadow in her life, gnawed at him with a relentless ferocity. His desire to protect her clashed with the reality of his powerlessness, leaving him trapped in a tempest of regret and sorrow. Yet, amid the chaos, a flicker of hope began to emerge; perhaps he could still find a way to prove his worth, to reclaim the affection that felt so irrevocably lost.
Margaery, caught between the two men who represented different paths in her life, felt the stirrings of a profound change within herself. The warmth of Dashnell’s presence was comforting, yet it was Dominic’s unwavering gaze that ignited a spark of recognition in her heart. She understood now that her choices would shape not only her future but also the destinies of those around her. As she closed her eyes, surrendering to the night, she felt a sense of resolve building within her. The whispers of fate were calling, urging her to embrace the strength she possessed and to navigate the tumultuous waters ahead with courage. In that moment, she vowed to guard her own heart and to forge a path that honored her true desires, no matter how daunting the journey might be.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows*, the stakes are set to escalate dramatically as the tension between Dominic, Dashnell, and Margaery reaches a boiling point. With Margaery’s health still precarious, her choice of companions becomes increasingly significant, and the emotional undercurrents will ripple through the palace like a storm. As Dominic grapples with his feelings of helplessness and the looming threat of losing Margaery to Dashnell, readers can expect a confrontation that could redefine their relationships forever. Will Dominic find the courage to assert his claim, or will he remain a silent witness to the bond forming between Margaery and Dashnell?
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the political machinations at play, particularly with the ominous presence of Clyde’s impending return. The repercussions of his actions will reverberate throughout the court, and the fate of Margaery—and perhaps even the kingdom—hangs in the balance. As Joshua pleads for his father’s relief, the emotional weight of familial ties and loyalties will clash with the harsh realities of power dynamics. Expect revelations that will challenge alliances and test the limits of love and sacrifice. The next chapter will not only explore the fragile state of Margaery’s recovery but also set the stage for a reckoning that could alter the course of their destinies.
