Chapter 27 Chapter 27 A wave of jealousy surged up , burying Dominic before he could brace himself . His tone shifted sharply . Dominic hadn't wanted to marry Margaery before , always thinking she was beneath Tessa . ་ But now that Dashnell had his eyes on Margaery , Dominic couldn't shake the feeling that maybe he wasn't good enough for her - and worse , that Margaery had discarded him first . Dominic couldn't swallow that . Even if this engagement was going to break , it had to be on his terms , not with Margaery stepping all over his pride . Dominic wondered . ' Am I really that indifferent to Margaery ? ' The jealousy burning in his chest made it hard to be sure . In the end , Dominic gritted his teeth and said bluntly , " Fine , I'll go . prepare the proposal right away . " Even if Margaery had to die , she'd die in my bed , ' Dominic thought . " Good . No time to waste . Prince Dashnell just sent Lady Serena's jeweled hairpin to Margaery . The message couldn't be clearer . We need to move before they do . " Raul gave his orders and waved Dominic off . " I'll take my leave then . " Dominic gave a respectful bow , turned , and left the study . As he stepped into the courtyard , Dominic trudged through the snow , sinking deep with every step as he headed toward the main gates . The wind outside howled mercilessly , but it couldn't scatter the chaos in Dominic's mind . He couldn't let go of Margaery , but he couldn't let go of Tessa either . And with Tessa's health being what it was , if she found out about this , she'd be devastated . Then Dominic spun around and made his way straight to Sunbeam Court , heading to see Tessa . Inside Sunbeam Court , Paige had just gotten word . She stood by the door , eyeing Tessa with a flattering smile , ready to fuel her resentment . " Lady Tessa , if Lord Dominic really marries Lady Margaery , what are you supposed to do ? " He told you before he liked you and was planning to break off the engagement with Lady Margaery . How can he go back to his word now ? Tessa clenched her fists tightly , her face darkening . " Is this news true ? " " Would I lie to you ? Paige stomped her foot , fuming . " You should've seen the smug look at Lady Margaery's maid , Amber . She's over the moon . " Tessa's brows knitted together as her thoughts tangled in her mind . She didn't want Dominic to marry Margaery , but she couldn't find a good reason to stop him . And if Tessa confronted him herself , it'd go against the delicate , fragile image she had so carefully crafted - people would start asking questions . For now , Tessa could only wait for Dominic to come to her . But she was sure Dominic wouldn't let her go . He would come back . Actually , Tessa knew Dominic too well . Sure , Dominic and Margaery had been betrothed since childhood . 1/3 10:57 Thu , 21 Aug O C Chapter 27 46 % - But Margaery had always been the Chancellor's estate's little darling , pampered and spoiled . She was sweet and playful , which was entertaining if you kept her as a canary in a cage . But as a wife ? That was a different story . No man wanted to worship a goddess at home . Dominic was no exception . He wanted a woman who would submit to him , who would be delicate and rely on his protection . That way , Dominic could feel like a true hero and feed that fragile little ego of his . So , the one Dominic really needed - was her . Tessa slowly relaxed and cast a sideways glance at Paige . " Don't make a fuss . Dominic will give me an answer for this . " Sure enough , as soon as those words left her mouth , Dominic came rushing up the stairs and barged into the room , calling her name . " Tessa ! " Dominic had run so fast that he was gasping for air in the dead of winter , his cheeks flushed bright red from the cold . Tessa allowed a faint smile of triumph to tug at her lips , but it vanished in an instant . She shot Dominic a glance and then pulled on a frail , sorrowful expression , coughing weakly behind her hand . Only then did she speak , her voice barely a whisper , " Dominic , Amber said you're marrying my sister on December 8th ? " Tessa's words trembled at the end , as if a single poke would make her burst into tears . Dominic looked at her , his heart twisting . He walked over and sat at the edge of the bed , gently propping her up against him . With a troubled sigh , Dominic muttered , " It's something I can't avoid . Dashnell has his eyes on her . If I don't marry Margaery , he'll make his move . " If Dashnell marries her , with the way she and the Chancellor's estate look at me now , we're going to be in deep trouble . " Dominic tried to comfort Tessa , though his own thoughts were tangled . He thought , ' If Dashnell married Margaery , it would be a public slap in my face . From then on , whenever I met Margaery , if she was kind , I'd have to bow politely . If she wasn't , I'd be forced to grovel . If things got to that point , where would I hide my face ? So Margaery had to marry me . Even if she had to die , she'd die in the Hadley family's backyard . Tessa felt his arms around her , but she knew his mind had already wandered elsewhere . A wave of bitterness swelled in her chest . With a soft sob , Tessa murmured , " So even Prince Dashnell has fallen for Margaery . No wonder . Margaery's always been the darling of the Chancellor's estate , everyone's favorite . And everyone wants her . Unlike me . I grew up in the countryside . Even after coming back , I'm still just a country girl . I really envy Margaery . She's got Prince Dashnell's favor and you . Meanwhile , you're willing to marry her with a grand wedding procession . " Tessa lifted her small tear - streaked face , her voice trembling . " So from now on , you won't visit me anymore , will you ? " I don't want to let you go . But there's nothing I can do . After all , Margaery is your fiancée . " With those words , Tessa covered her face and broke into sobs . " But no matter what , you will always be in my heart . If you ever turn around , you'll see me standing right here . " Dominic's heart softened . He suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace and said , " Tessa , don't worry . Even if I marry her , I will never treat you unfairly . 2/3 105 Thu " 11 nin Chapter 27 " Just wait . I'll go beg my father and Lord Raul to let you marry me as well . All my love , Tessa , will belong to you Swept up in emotion , Dominic couldn't help but cup her face and kiss her They were entangled , lost in the moment , when a figure dressed in red stormed into the room . " Tessa- " The voice cut off abruptly . " Dominic ? What the hell are you two doing ? " མ % 46 %% Dominic and Tessa were startled , nearly biting each other's tongues as they scrambled apart and turned their heads . Seeing who was at the door , Dominic froze . " Phillipa … " Tessa stiffened as well , her voice faltering . " Phillipa , you- Phillipa stood in the doorway , her sharp eyes locking onto Dominic and Tessa . She cut them off coldly . " Aren't you ashamed of yourselves ? One is Margaery's fiance , the other her sister , and you're here doing something so disgusting " She turned to Tessa , her face filled with disdain . " If I had known you were this filthy , I would've let you die in that bed . I wouldn't have wasted my time bringing you medicine . Gross !" With a loud crash . Phillipa hurled the bottle of medicine into the courtyard . The glass shattered , and the liquid inside spilled everywhere , not a single drop left . By the time Dominic and Tessa snapped out of it , Phillipa was already storming down the stairs . " And Joshua still thinks I'd marry into this family ? Dream on ! " " Phillipa . " Dominic panicked , releasing Tessa and chasing after her in a hurry . " Phillipa , wait . Please ." 3/3