Chapter 21 Tessa said , lowering her eyes with regret , " It's just a shame for Avery . If I had such a good brother , I'd beg for a thousand formulas for him . " She wiped away tears that weren't even there . Joshua turned to look at her . Seeing her break out in cold sweat from stomach pain but still speaking up for Margaery , he couldn't help but sigh . " If she were half as sensible as you , we wouldn't have to send her to the Laundry Bureau . But look , keeping her in the lumber room didn't work . " She dared to cause trouble at the Royal Medical Hall today ; tomorrow she'll do it at the King . I think she needs to be taught a lesson by being sent to the Laundry Bureau . " Only then will she realize how important it is to have a strong family ! " He comforted Tessa , " Don't worry about her . Focus on getting better yourself ; that's what's most important . " Avery was also deeply moved , thinking Tessa was way better than Margaery . So he made a solemn promise to Tessa , " From now on , you're my only sister . I'll do everything I can to cure your stomach problem . " Raul also looked at Tessa with affection and nodded . " What you said makes me more determined to send her to the Laundry Bureau . She needs this lesson . Otherwise , one day she'll ruin our entire family . " " Should we let her come in now? " Tessa was overjoyed inside . Finally , she could get rid of Margaery from this family forever . Though she wasn't too familiar with Sinderin , her tutor had told her that the Clan Court dealt with royal descendants . For regular folks , going in meant either death or disability . Even if Margaery survived inside , when she came out , she'd be sent to wash clothes in the Laundry Bureau . In this freezing weather , it was not known if she could make it till spring . If her luck was really bad , she might end up in the Labor Division . Surviving ten days there would be tough . Even if she somehow made it through all that , her reputation would be ruined . No high - ranking official would marry a / woman with a criminal record ; even a lowly county magistrate wouldn't want her . ' In the end , all Margaery could end up with was some commoner , and she'd still have to bow and scrape , calling me " Miss Wallen " to my face . Thinking about this made Tessa feel triumphant . She weakly pleaded for Margaery , " Daddy , can we let Margaery come in ? It's so cold outside today . " 1/4 64 % 23:47 Wed , 20 Aug Chapter 21 She lowered her head and shed tears . " My fault , really - putting rebellion in Margaery's heart . If I hadn't shown up , she'd have treasured Father and brothers . After all , they're such fine men . Others would die for brothers like ours . " Hearing this , Raul was heartbroken . " You'll have a father too in the future , and your brothers will take care of you . " Joshua also tried to comfort her . " Yeah , Tessa , just focus on getting well . We'll figure out a way to get her to hand over the medicine for your stomach . " Plenty of good days ahead once you're back on your feet . " Tessa looked up at him with red eyes , tears still hanging from her lashes . She said timidly , " Maybe we should let Margaery in so I can apologize . " After all , she's my sister . After she yells or hits me a bit , she might calm down . As long as she doesn't cause trouble with Avery anymore , I'll do anything . " " What are you apologizing for ! " Raul's anger boiled over at her prodding . " Leave her standing outside . She's the one who'll be apologizing ! " Just then , Astrid's voice came from outside . " Sir , Lady Margaery has left ." " What ? " Raul was taken aback . Astrid entered with a shocked expression . " By rights , when I locked the front door , she should have known what you wanted and started banging on the door like usual while crying and begging not to be abandoned . " " But this time there wasn't any noise outside at all . " " I found that strange and went out to check . Turns out there wasn't a trace of Lady Margaery out there - vanished like smoke . " I asked the snow sweepers , and they said she'd bolted the moment she arrived , didn't even stick around long enough to catch a chill . " Raul widened his eyes in anger and stood up abruptly . " She left ? " After causing such chaos , how dare she just leave like that ? " He was almost driven mad . Previously , when he used this tactic on Margaery , it always worked perfectly . Growing up motherless , she feared losing him more than anything else ; Every time he didn't want to see her , she'd throw fits and refuse to budge , giving him pounding headaches . Funny how quiet she was today , he'd thought moments ago . He assumed she'd finally matured - or was too scared to fuss after her own mess . It turned out she just turned and left , ' How dare she ?! ' Raul trembled with rage as he stared fiercely at Astrid as if it were entirely her fault that Margaery hadn't come crying for him to open the door . 2/4 304 % 23:47 Wed , 20 Aug Chapter 21 Astrid lowered her head and whispered softly , " Yes … she did go back to her yard . " +28 " Haul her here now . I'll beat the life out of her today , or dishonor her mother's death to bring her into this world ! " Fuming , Raul gave the order on the spot . Astrid nodded , leading Paige and two other maids to the Gracewind Garden , marching in like they owned the place . A moment later , they dragged Margaery over . Margaery didn't struggle . She had expected this and had her cards ready . " Once we get there , you'll see what's coming for you ! " Astrid glared at her , acting all high and mighty . " Hurry up already ! " Margaery ignored her and stepped into the courtyard , looking at the people inside . " Margaery , Father called you here . Why did you leave first ? " Joshua came out of the door , eyeing her with a grim expression . To him , this sister had changed so much in just a few days . This was the first time Joshua really looked at her , his brows furrowed . " Astrid locked the door . I thought Father didn't want to see me , " Margaery said with a cold smile, raising her eyes to meet her big brother's gaze . " I can't fly or anything . I figured Father wouldn't expect a sane person to scale the walls ? " " It's been a while since we last saw each other . You sure have gotten sharp - tongued , " Joshua remarked , his eyes turning stern . " So , why did you go to the Royal Medical Hall ? Don't you know what will happen because of what you did today ? " He worked for the King and had picked up some moves from him . When he spoke , he carried an air of authority that wasn't obvious but made people feel intimidated . In her previous life , Margaery relied on him the most but also feared him deeply . With Father swamped by state duties and Mother gone since her infancy , Joshua was her father in all but name . When she was a child , it was him or her wet nurse - no one else . Ever since she could walk , she'd trail after him like a devoted duckling . She used to call him " Brother " in a sweet voice over and over again . Back then , Joshua doted on her more than anyone else . Whenever he had free time at home , he would play with her . Any treats given by the King or ladies in the palace , he would save them for her . But it was this very same person who later cut out her tongue to save Tessa . She would never forget how it felt when he dislocated her jaw with one hand and sliced through her mouth with a blade- utter agony ! Margaery's gaze fell on that hand of his as she clenched her fingers slightly . 3/4 23.47 wea , zu Aug 04 %