As for the details , Joshua didn't say much 46 % He only told Russell that tomorrow , they were going to Pero Cela to apologize to Margaery . It would be a good excuse for the siblings to gather . After all , Russell couldn't keep his mouth shut , and Joshua worried telling him too much might backfire . Russell went back to his room , flopped onto his bed , and tossed and turned all night . He kept thinking about how to explain things to Margaery the next day , and his mind drifted back to when they used to go . to school together , messing around and playing on the way there . When did everything start to fall apart like this ? Russell turned over and thought of Tessa . But the thought was too heavy , Russell didn't dare dwell on it . He forced himself to close his eyes . " Tessa had suffered so much , wandering out there alone for years . How could I blame her ? It was my fault . The guilt weighed on him all night as Russell stared at the ceiling . The next morning , Russell got up early , barely washed his face , and rushed out with dark circles under his eyes , heading straight to Gracewind Garden . Margaery , on the other hand , had a good night's sleep . After taking several doses of medicine to drive out the cold , her body felt a lot better . When she woke up , Margaery was refreshed and clear - headed . Amber came in to help her wash up and asked , " Lady Margaery , today's the day you're supposed to go to Inkwell Academy . Are you planning to go ? Lord Russell's been pacing outside since early morning , asking over and over if you're up yet . " " Russell ? " Margaery's lips curled with a trace of sarcasm . " Why is he waiting for me ? " Amber shrugged . " No idea , my lady . He didn't tell me . He just keeps asking if you're awake . He looks like he hasn't slept all night , with those huge dark circles under his eyes . " Before Amber could finish her sentence , Russell barged in , all flustered , and said in a rush , " Margaery , the snow's thick and the roads are slippery today . Let's go to class together . You can take my carriage ." Margaery looked up at him . Russell got a bit awkward , his eyes darting away as he scrambled for an excuse . " It was Joshua who told me to come get you . " Otherwise , I wouldn't have bothered . But today , I'm being generous . I'll let you ride in my carriage . " Margaery's gaze grew thoughtful . Among the Wallen brothers , Russell was by far the most unpredictable , his personality swinging from one extreme to another . When he liked someone , Russell would care for them to the bone . But when he didn't , he could hate them so much he'd want to kill them . In her previous life , it was always like this . Russell would treat her well one day and then lash out the next , sometimes so furious he'd grind his teeth , sometimes acting like none of it mattered . Margaery had long grown immune to it . But when he mentioned , " Joshua told me to come get you , " she knew there was more to it . If it were truly important , Joshua wouldn't have passed it through Russell . 1/3 10:58 Thu , 21 Aug G 50 Chapter 31 " Alright , Margaery said , nodding slowly as her thoughts settled . Today was indeed Margaery's day to attend Inkwell Academy . 46 % 2 The male students had to attend every day , but as a girl , she only needed to go once every seven days , which was enough to keep up appearances . Since the mess at Tessa's recognition party , it had been exactly seven days . Even if Russell hadn't come , Margaery would've gone on her own . Russell finally got the answer he was waiting for . A grin spread across his face as he rushed in , reaching out to grab her hand . " Then let's go . I brought fresh bread from the kitchen . We can eat it on the way . " Two days of not seeing her had made him overly enthusiastic . Margaery sidestepped his hand , lifting her gaze . " Russell , haven't you been visiting Tessa these days ? " Russell's face dropped instantly . " Margaery ! Don't push your luck . You even gave her the charm I made for you , and now you dare mention her name in front of me ? " His heart pounded furiously , a messy mix of anger , sadness , and a hint of guilt . Honestly , Russell had spent the last two days reflecting . He knew he was wrong . He shouldn't have jumped to conclusions after hearing Tessa cry and accuse Margaery of pushing her off the rock garden. That's why he came today to make peace . But Margaery was way out of line too . She went and gave away the gift he had painstakingly prepared . That stung him more than she could imagine . Russell stared at her , blurting out , " Go get it back from her . " " Russell , you're childish . Once a gift is given , I can't get to ask for it back , " Margaery replied calmly . If she didn't know Russell so well , Margaery might've believed he was standing on her side this time . In her previous life , Margaery had been strung along by Russell for years , never really knowing where she stood . When she was abandoned on the streets , it was Russell who found her , holding out his arms and saying , " It was my fault , come home with me , Margaery . " Margaery had been so touched that she threw herself into his embrace and cried her heart out . Only to learn later that Russell had found her to replace Tessa in a marriage deal . At that time , Cillian had arranged a marriage between Tessa and Dashnell . But Tessa despised Dashnell , who was crippled , and she was already pregnant with Dominic's child . Adding to that, rumors spread about Dashnell's cruelty towards his servants . Fearing Dashnell would harm Tessa , Russell decided to have Margaery marry in her place . That was also when Margaery discovered Tessa's true motive . Tessa had infiltrated the Chancellor's estate with the sole purpose of destroying the Wallen family . But when Margaery tried to reveal the truth , Russell slapped her across the face right in front of everyone , accusing her of being unrepentant and slandering Tessa . Margaery sneered silently . " That charm - who's it really protecting ? Whether it's on me or not , they're always protecting Tessa and no one else . 2/3 10:58 46 % +38 ) Chapter 31 ' One day , when Tessa destroys the entire Wallen family , that'll be quite the show . " " Besides , Margaery said lightly , " Tessa's the sister you love the most . That charm is perfect for her ." Margaery still remembered how Russell had tried to drown her in a frozen lake , hiding her body to erase any trace of her . Even now , the memory of that icy water seeping into her wounds , the bone - deep cold , the suffocating helplessness - it made . Margaery's whole body tremble , gasping for breath . Russell's eyes reddened as he looked at her indifferent expression . He said softly , " Margaery , are you still mad at me ? " " No ," Margaery replied , gathering her things and heading for the door . " Let's go ." Russell followed behind , his chest rising and falling with anger , but he still yelled out , " Margaery , I'm sorry , okay ? I'm apologizing to you ." Calling her by her full name , barking an apology through gritted teeth - that was as far as his pride would let him go . When Russell messed up , it was nearly impossible for him to humble himself and speak kindly . Margaery didn't want to provoke him further at that moment . She turned her head and said , " I forgive you . " " That's good ! Let's head to Inkwell Academy . Joshua said there's a new bakery that opened up . Their cakes are amazing . He's taking us there for lunch . " Russell perked up immediately , catching up with her , chattering as if nothing had happened . " The sun's out today , but the roads are icy . Let me help you . Don't want you slipping and falling . " As he spoke , Russell threw an arm around her shoulder , wrapping her up in his cloak . Margaery was caught off guard , tears almost spilling from her eyes . Russell was four years older than her. By the time Margaery started at Inkwell Academy , he'd already been studying there for three years . Whenever it rained or snowed , when the roads were slippery , Russell would always carry her on his back . Even when she pretended to be lazy , not wanting to walk , he'd see right through her tricks but still let her climb onto his back . But this very person , who had once been so good to her , had later sided with Tessa in everything , openly ignoring boundaries , carrying Tessa around in his arms as if she was the only one who mattered . In the end , Russell had accused her of pushing Tessa into the water , slapped her , and even went to their teacher to have her expelled . AD Comment Send gift No Ads