Chapter 34 ཊཱི་ 46 % " So Lady Christina gave Russell a hard time . What's that got to do with me ? " Margaery looked at Avery , trying to figure out his purpose for being here today . Avery was taken aback . Remembering his task , he held back from scolding her . " Just get in the carriage . A new restaurant called Pero Cela just opened . 38 " Let's go and give it a try . Dominic's already ordered food . He's waiting for us there . And about the prescription thing , I owe you an apology . " Margaery glanced at him . ' If he's acting this strangely , there must be a scheme . What on earth are Avery and Dominic up to ? " she mused . Seeing her hesitation , Avery urged , " Come on , it's freezing out here . " He sounded genuinely concerned . " Fine . " Margaery climbed into the carriage without another word . Avery relaxed slightly and offered her a candy . " Made it myself . Have a taste ." " No , thanks . I've got a toothache . " Margaery shook her head , refusing the treat . She wouldn't be fooled by such petty gestures anymore ; it wasn't worth it . Avery frowned . The Margaery he used to know wasn't like this . She would happily take whatever he gave her , regardless of whether it was tasty or not . It was the first time she'd rejected his kindness . ' So the distance between us is real now , he thought , a pang of discomfort making him clench his fists on his knees . He turned and tossed the candy onto the snowy ground . Margaery caught his movement from the corner of her eye and gave a cold laugh . ' Now , he can't even pretend anymore ,' she thought . The silence in the carriage grew heavy . Avery , feeling awkward , grasped for something to say . " Lord Dominic's birthday party is in ten days . What gift did you prepare ? Need any help ? " " It's handled . Don't trouble yourself , " Margaery replied flatly . " Alright . " After another pause , Avery continued , " Your wedding to Dominic is approaching . This morning , the Hadleys sent their formal proposal . " We need to start preparations here . Mother passed away early , so the arrangements for your dowry will fall to you ." Avery added , " If you don't want to do the work yourself , hire someone . Have them work through the night ; they will surely get it ready before the wedding . What style of bridal gown do you favor ? " Thinking that after the wedding , Margaery would be forced to confess the prescription in front of Cillian and then be punished in the Clan Court , Avery felt a bit better . After all , it would be cruel for a young lady like her to spend the rest of her life in the Labor Division or Laundry Bureau . So Avery wanted to make things a bit nicer for her before that happened . " I am your brother , after all ," he added . " If there's anything else you truly need , just tell me . I'll see you have it . " Sitting so close , Avery's words grated on her nerves . Margaery turned her head sharply . " Is that a promise ? Anything I want ? " " Of course , " Avery nodded . " Then I want nothing else , " Margaery stated clearly . " I want that bolt of silk Queen Angelina gifted us a fortnight ago . I'll use 1/3 10:59 Thu , 21 Aug O S Chapter 34 it for my wedding gown . " Avery frowned upon hearing this . " Impossible . That silk has already been given to Tessa . " ཊཱི་ 46 % Margaery gave a cold laugh that was sharp with scorn . Avery was left speechless for a while , his expression darkening . 38 " In that case , Avery , " Margaery said , turning back to the window , " spare me empty promises . It saves me the effort of playing along . " Avery stared at her profile , his eyebrows knitted tightly . He thought , ' It seems there's no mending things with her . ' So be it . The plan goes ahead today . She leaves me no choice . Avery tightened his grip on the vial of medicine and made up his mind . After getting off the carriage , he put the vial in his pocket and said to Margaery , " Oh , Margaery , about your birthday last time . " We were all so preoccupied with Tessa , and we didn't properly celebrate for you . We felt bad about it . So we arranged a little surprise for you upstairs . Why don't you go and take a look first ? " " A little surprise ? " Margaery looked up at the newly opened Pero Cela . The ground floor is where meals are served . The second floor is for taking refreshments . And the third , it seems , is for lodging . She couldn't figure out what kind of surprise would be waiting for her here , so she was on her guard . " You'll see when you get there ," Avery said with forced warmth , gesturing vaguely upwards . " Last room at the end of the third - floor corridor . " " All right . " Margaery nodded but made no move towards the stairs right away . " I need to go to the toilet first . " Avery instinctively reached out to stop her . But then he thought there was no reason to stop her from going to the toilet , so he let her go . Margaery quickly rounded the building towards the back courtyard toilet . Amber , who had been waiting anxiously near the rear entrance , rushed over . Glancing around to ensure they were alone , she whispered urgently , " I followed Lord Dominic here , but I dared not get too close . " She continued , " But I overheard Lord Joshua plan to host other guests here later . Even Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle are expected . I don't know what they're up to , but it must be something serious . " Amber clutched Margaery's hand , worries in her eyes . " Lady Margaery , you asked me to keep an eye out . Do you think they mean you harm ? " Margaery's expression was grim . " Harm or not , I can't say yet . Listen . Go to the outskirts of the city and find Craig . " Tell him I'm having a party at Pero Cela and might get into trouble when I'm drunk . Ask him to come and help as soon as possible . " Amber nodded fervently . " I'll go right away , Milady . " Margaery pressed some money into her hand . " Get something hot to eat on the way . " Amber took it and ran off . Margaery took a deep breath and turned towards the front entrance of Pero Cela . Just then , a figure left the balcony on the second floor of Pero Cela and entered the teahouse . He addressed the man seated by the window , " Your Highness , the Wallens have set a trap for Lady Margaery at Pero Cela . 2/3 10:59 Thu , 21 Aug Chapter 34 ཊཱི , 46 % 38 " They plan to force Lord Dominic and Lady Margaery into an irreversible situation . They've even invited Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle to witness it . This could be quite a problem . " The man by the window was Dashnell . His eyes narrowed dangerously . " Is that so ? " he murmured , his voice cold . " Then find someone . Inform Tessa . " " Right away , Your Highness ." Leandro left quickly . A cold smile touched Dashnell's lips . " Push me downstairs . " Adam stepped forward and pushed Dashnell out of the rear exit . Once settled in the waiting carriage , Adam asked , " Where to now , Your Highness ? " " I'll wait here . Fetch me another carriage . We're going to the alley behind Pero Cela . " Dashnell's voice , even in the depths of winter , held a chill sharper than the frost - laden air . Across the street , Margaery returned to Pero Cela . As soon as she entered the room , she saw Dominic coming downstairs . Avery and Joshua were already seated , but the other promised guests hadn't arrived yet . Seeing her , Dominic greeted her warmly . " Margaery , there you are . We've been waiting . Come and take a seat . " A pleasant smile played on his lips . The sight of Dominic's amiable expression made Margaery feel a bit dazed . Ever since Tessa came , Dominic had never smiled at her like this . Every time they met, he either disliked her , forced her to apologize to Tessa , or called her jealous and vicious . Today , it was unexpected . 3/3