Chapter 23 The maids jolted - hands snapped back like scorched birds . They scurried aside , heads lowered to the floor . Margaery's eyes welled up with tears . Her so - called family wasn't even as good as Dashnell , an outsider . Joshua turned pale , looking at Raul . " Father , we can't just confront them head - on . We need to think this through . " Raul frowned , his anger subsiding slightly . His expression became serious as he stared at Margaery . " What's going on between you and Prince Dashnell ? " " You should ask Prince Dashnell , " replied Margaery with a sneer . Raul clenched his fists , knuckles bone - white . A sharp jerk of his chin freed Margaery from the maids . " Show him in ." It was time to find out what was really happening . Margaery felt extremely sarcastic about it all . Her father wasn't rash by nature ; he knew how to handle people and situations , but was rough with her when needed . When facing someone more powerful than him , he remained calm and knew exactly what to say . At that moment , Adam walked in and greeted , " Greetings , Lord Chancellor . " +28 ) Raul came out of the study , all boiling rage swapped for ice - cold courtesy . " Ah , Mr. Elkins . To what do we owe the honor ? Might I inquire as to His Highness's … business with Margaery ? " His gaze fell on Margaery's face with a complex expression . Ignoring him , Adam turned toward Margaery and opened a purple sandalwood box in front of her . And then , he took out a hairpin from inside . " Lady Margaery , " Adam said as he placed the hairpin in Margaery's hair himself . " After Lady Serena saw you last time , she developed quite an interest in you . " Today , she sent me here to give you this hairpin and hopes that you will visit her in the palace soon . " Finishing , he turned towards Raul and added sternly , " Lord Chancellor , this hairpin belongs to Lady Serena and is bestowed upon her by our late King . Please take care of Lady Margaery so she doesn't accidentally damage it . " Things could get … treasonous by then . " With that , Adam clasped his hands . " I'll take my leave . " Margaery touched the hairpin on her head , her heart racing . Inwardly , she decided she was going to marry Dashnell . This time , she was going to marry him no matter what . Meanwhile , her father and brothers eyed the hairpin on her head , their expressions turning extremely grave . 1/4 a ་ 64 % 28 Chapter 23 " Father , do I have to go to the cellar now ? " Margaery couldn't be bothered to argue with them and asked directly . " Margaery , wait a moment . " Raul calmed down under the pressure of this hairpin and gestured for her to come over . " Follow me . " Then , he pointed at Avery . " You too . " Margaery followed Raul into his study . Soon after , Avery followed in as well . " Close the door . " Raul's voice , suddenly , terribly calm , even gentle , a stark contrast to the thunderous rage moments before . Only then did Margaery understand : her father wasn't stupid or blind to her suffering ; it was just that she didn't matter enough to him . That was what not loving someone meant . From the start , he never loved her enough . That was why she was so neglected . She remembered when she was very young , her father drunk and pointing at her nose , roaring , " It's all your fault. You killed your mother . If it weren't for you , a bad omen , how could she have left me alone ?! " His eyes were extremely fierce that day . Terrified , Margaery ran crying into Joshua's arms . Joshua comforted her. " Margaery , Dad just misses Mom . Come on , let's go make some popcorn . " Later on , she forgot about that incident completely . But now it came back to her again . Gradually , she understood why , after Tessa arrived , both her father and brothers quickly transferred their feelings onto Tessa . Because they believed Tessa had suffered greatly outside over these years . Although she also " killed " Mom in a way , Tessa had already atoned . In fact , like Mom , Tessa was seen as a " victim . " Only Margaery herself , growing up in luxury , was seen as the perpetrator because her birth caused Mom's death . She killed her mother , made Tessa suffer unjustly , and left her father all alone . Though all these accusations were baseless , they might fill the void of guilt in Raul's heart for not taking good care of his wife, leading to her miscarriage and death , and also for abandoning Tessa . By shifting all blame onto Margaery , he found relief . 214 23.47 Chapter 23 Aug D With some clarity now in mind , Margaery looked at Raul . " What does Lord Chancellor need me for ? " That " Lord Chancellor " hit like a knife - twist in his chest . Raul's voice cracked. " Margaery , must you speak to your own daddy like this ? " " Are you my daddy ? " Margaery looked at him . " I don't think so . You can't even tell right from wrong . You're not really blind ; you just don't want to see . " You only believe what you want to believe , and as for me … " She sneered , " To you , I'm just a tool . Do you think a tool would develop feelings for its user ? " " Lord Chancellor , one can't have it all . " That's too shameless . " " You- " Raul was about to explode with anger . But seeing her hairpin , he forced himself to calm down . " Margaery , you're the daughter of the Wallen family . Your every move affects the Wallen family . The rise and fall of the family is closely tied to you . " Dad has been busy with state affairs and Tessa's illness lately , so I did neglect you . I apologize . " He tried to take Margaery's hand . " But Margaery , you're still my daughter . Blood is thicker than water . If something's bothering you , please tell me . Can't we forgive each other this time ? " Margaery didn't say anything ; she just stared at him silently . ' If Adam hadn't come today , would he still be talking nicely ? ' he wondered . Looking at her blank expression , Raul realized that his clingy daughter was gone . That eerie calm didn't belong to a pampered kid . Her eyes held the world - worn chill of his years - as if she'd already seen what he'd seen . That once - warm heart ? Ossified into stone . His daughter no longer loved him . This realization hit him hard like a knife piercing his heart . He finally understood that he might lose her forever . Under the pressure of death and truth , Raul finally stepped down from his lofty position as the Chancellor and head of the family to face his daughter as a father . Only then did he realize that Margaery had lost weight significantly. Not only had she lost weight but also developed red rashes all over her body ; her hands were covered in chilblains ; some nails were missing without notice . The scars on her exposed wounds were shocking right before his eyes - likely from when she was dragged into the lumber room that day . 3/4 64 % 23:47 Wed , 20 Aug