Chapter 12 68 % " Even if I had it , I wouldn't part with it . " Margaery flicked him a cool glance , her tone resolute . " And those remedies you . took from me ? I only got them through deceit to win your favor . " I've mended my ways now - I'm done with thievery . " " What are you playing at , Margaery ? " Avery's heart sank , a chill of foreboding creeping over him . Her words carried a weight that hinted her newfound virtue might drag him down too . Margaery held his gaze , steady and unyielding . " I'm saying , dear brother , that I want every remedy you took returned to me . Tomorrow , I'll see them restored to their rightful owners . " Her voice softened . " After all , an apology isn't just owed to Tessa - it's owed to everyone I've wronged . That's the only way to show my heart's truly changed . Don't you agree , brother ? " Avery's jaw tightened , his frustration bubbling over . " Margaery , are you even thinking straight ? " Tessa's life hangs by a thread - she needs help now ! Your apologies can wait . And those remedies ? They're already with the Royal Medical Hall . How am I supposed to fetch them back ? " " That's not my concern ," Margaery replied , calm as a still lake . " I gave you those remedies to gain your help , but you never kept your word . It's only right you return what's mine . I have amends to make . " Avery's temper flared . " You're impossible ! If I'd known you'd turn so heartless , I'd never have given you that charcoal ! " He pointed at the glowing brazier , his voice sharp with anger . " I won't return the remedies . If you want to keep that fire burning , you'll hand over the cure for Tessa's ailment and brew her medicine now . " Margaery watched him falter , a faint , cold smile tugging at her lips . She glanced at the brazier , her voice icy as winter . " Sp , your care comes with a price , does it ? Those remedies I gave you were worth a king's ransom , brother . This pitiful pile of charcoal doesn't come close . " " You're haggling with me ? " Avery stared , stunned , his disbelief plain . " Margaery , this isn't the sister I knew . " " And what sister did you know ? " she asked , her smile sharp as a dagger . Avery faltered , words catching in his throat . The Margaery of old would rush to him with every new remedy , eyes bright with hope , pressing them into his hands . A single " Good work " from him would make her glow , never asking for thanks . For two years , he'd gathered nearly twenty of her remedies . With them , he'd built a shining name , forged alliances , and secured his place in the Royal Medical Hall If all went well , when Nolan Fischer stepped down , Avery would rise to take his place . He'd be the youngest head of the Royal Medical Hall in Eastvale Empire's history , perhaps even named the King's Royal 1/3 23-41 Wea , zu Aug Chapter 12 Healer . His rise had been easy , wrapped in praise and ambition . He'd thought her remedies were his by right . 68 % / Didn't she say so? That I am her brother , and giving them is only natural ? ' he thought , resentment bubbling . ' Why's she holding back now ? It's because of Tessa , isn't it ? " Margaery's always been petty , all sweet apologies but never sincere , still stewing , over Tessa . " The thought stung , and he fixed Margaery with a sharp look . " Are you still sore at Tessa ? Is that why you're keeping the remedy for her chills to yourself ? " Margaery opened her mouth to reply , but Dominic stormed in , his face worn from Tessa's suffering . " No need to reason with her , " he snapped , glaring at Margaery . " How can you be so heartless ? " Tessa's your sister , wracked with pain no physician can ease . Yet you hoard the remedy . Is this how family acts ? " " Exactly . " Avery added , his brow furrowed as if Tessa's pain were his own . " If you're upset , I'll apologize now . Just hand over the remedy . Tessa's hurting . " " You're the elder sister ," he pressed , his tone cutting . " Act like it . Give it to me . " He held out his hand , poised to take it by force . Margaery stared , a cold weight settling in her chest , as if winter had crept into her heart . " I told you , " she said softly , " I don't have it . " Hearts always picked sides . If that was their way , she w … playing the dutiful sister . Swallowing her hurt , she met their eyes . " Two choices : I tell you where to find it , and you steal it for Tessa . Or you leave . Now . " " What ?! " Avery sputtered , red - faced . ' She'd have me steal ? ' he thought . " If I were caught , I'd be ruined in Sinderin City ! ' Her steady gaze held no lie . His anger faded , doubt creeping in . " You really don't have it ? You used to get remedies all the time . " " That was before ," Margaery said , her laugh sharp . " Forgotten already ? I've been locked in the woodshed . And last time I begged you to believe I hadn't hurt anyone , I gave you a remedy . " Avery went quiet , the inemory choking him . That remedy , taken from her trembling hands , was three nights ago , when she'd been confined . She had nothing left . " Fine , " he said , softer now . " Get your cloak . We'll go where you got it before . If you did it once- " So I should turn thief for Tessa ? " Margaery cut in , her voice like steel . " Didn't you all say my character's lacking , nothing . like Tessa's ? " Well , I've changed , I'm done . If Tessa wants it , she can steal it . " 2/3 23.41 Wed , 20 Aug Chapter 12 The truth hit hard : for Tessa , this family would abandon all honor . Duty , shame - empty words . Dominic's face darkened . " This is life and death . Tessa's too weak to leave her bed . " " Then you steal it , " Margaery shot back . " Westview Street , number nine . " Secretly , she hoped Craig would teach them a lesson they'd not forget . " How dare you ! " Dominic's voice trembled as he flung his sleeve . " You'd have me skulk like a common thief ? " " So you know shame after all , " Margaery said , her smile laced with scorn . AD