No Ads 10 59 Thu , 21 Aug 0 670 Chapter 35 Chapter 35 46 % Margaery instinctively glanced upstairs before taking her seat . She was still trying to puzzle out their true purpose for today . Joshua looked at her , his manner much gentler than usual . His voice deliberately softened . " The table is set with all your favorites . Try some ." " It's rare that you still remember what I like to eat , Joshua , " Margaery replied , meeting his gaze . The memory of her previous life made the moment bitterly ironic . In her previous life , Joshua was the one who knew best about her love for food . Yet he was also the one who cut off her tongue for Tessa's sake . Joshua's expression faltered for a split second at her words , but he quickly recovered . " My apologies , Margaery . I've been preoccupied lately . I haven't been as attentive as I should ." Margaery gave a cold laugh . " Avery said today was about him and Lord Dominic making amends . What about you , Joshua ? Are you here to apologize too ? " Joshua hadn't expected such a direct challenge . He frowned , attempting a placating tone . " Must I apologize simply for sharing a meal with you ? " Yet , Joshua's gaze drifted involuntarily to Margaery's wrist , lingering on the string of rosary beads she wore . First she gave Tessa the bracelet 1 gifted her . Now she wears these rosary beads instead ? And I recall these rosary beads belonged to Brother Norman . " They're the heirloom of the Chapel of Wisdom . How in the world did they end up on her wrist ? ' Joshua found himself momentarily lost in thought . " If it's just a meal , then certainly , " Margaery replied , not calling out his pretense . Joshua hadn't rushed back from his duties just for a meal . What the people in the Chancellor's estate truly wanted was twofold : the perception of Tessa's ailment and to sever her connection to Dashnell . Whatever trap lay within this meal , it surely aimed for one or both of these goals . Margaery knew she couldn't avoid it and could only face it . She lowered her head and began to eat . Joshua snapped out of his thoughts , his focus returning to the rosary beads . " Those rosary beads . Did Brother Norman give them to you ? " " Yeah , I've become his disciple , " Margaery answered without looking up . " Father is right . I'm grown now ; it's time I learned some wisdom . I intend to study diligently under him . Don't worry , Joshua . " Joshua's brow furrowed deeply . He thought , " The Chapel of Wisdom is sacred ground , and its brothers must not be defiled . Why would Brother Norman bestow the temple's heirloom beads upon her ? ' Even as a Christian , she shouldn't receive such an honor . Surely it ought to go to someone truly devoted to faith . If he learns that Margaery is about to become a notorious slut in Sinderin , won't he be furious ? The fallout wouldn't just anger Dashnell ; it could offend the Southern Abbey A headache began to pulse at Joshua's temples . He said uneasily , " Margaery , do you realize those rosary beads signify the lineage of the Chapel of Wisdom ? Wearing them means you cannot marry . You must take vows as a nun ." Margaery looked down at her wrist , feigning ignorance . " Is that so ? Brother Norman never mentioned that ." Joshua's voice sharpened , adopting his authoritative elder - brother tone . " He is a monk of profound standing . Those beads 1/3 10:59 Thu , 21 Aug Chapter 35 are the symbol of the chapel's heir . " They mean you are destined to inherit the chapel . How can you claim ignorance while accepting such a role ? How dare you become a disciple without understanding this ? " Joshua reached out to grab her wrist . " Give them to me . I will return them to Brother Norman at court tomorrow . A girl from the Wallen family can not become a nun ." " That doesn't seem right , " Margaery countered , swiftly pulling her arm back . " If they must be returned , I'll do it myself . I'd quite like to ask him why he didn't tell me wearing these meant I couldn't marry . " Joshua frowned deeply . He couldn't physically wrestle the beads from her in full view of everyone . " Very well , " he conceded stiffly . " But remember , you must return them to their rightful owner tomorrow . " Joshua clenched his fists , taking a deep breath to suppress the urge to snatch them . He mused , ' Why would Brother Norman give these to a young lady without demanding she renounce the world ? It made no sense . ' After today's events , I can only pray he will relent and take them back . The Chancellor's estate cannot afford to antagonize the Southern Abbey . Margaery continued eating , her fingers idly tracing the smooth beads . She doubted the situation was as serious as Joshua claimed . If accepting them truly required taking vows , Norman would have said so . Margaery didn't quite understand Norman's intention , but she knew exactly what Joshua was up to . It was simply that Norman's support for her had put more pressure on the Chancellor's estate . She wasn't stupid enough to take off what she had on her and give them a chance to act against her . Margaery glanced sideways at Joshua . " Isn't Tessa coming ? For the opening of a new restaurant , surely she should be invited . Wouldn't anyone say I'm stealing her place again ? " " She's not coming today ," Joshua replied , his expression darkening and his tone heavy . " She's not feeling well . Even if she came , she couldn't eat . " Today , it's mainly Avery apologizing to you . He really shouldn't have been so careless and neglected your wounds . He deserves to be punished ." Margaery looked up . " Is that all ? " Beside her , Avery stiffened . " Margaery , " he said , " about the perception thing , you must understand , it can't become a major scandal . " There are things you don't grasp about court politics - alliances rise and fall together . My position at the Royal Medical Hall benefits the family . What good would putting your name in their records do ? " Avery softened his voice further . " Can't you just let this go ? " Things I don't grasp ? And I'm the one making trouble ? ' she mocked inwardly . Margaery almost laughed aloud at the absurdity . " I may not grasp everything , " Margaery said coolly , " but I'm clear about one thing . It's not you or me that's useful , but the prescription ." She continued , " With that prescription , even a beast could gain the king's favor . My name may be useless , but yours seems even less potent . A name alone cures no one . " " You ! " Avery flushed with anger , barely containing himself . He wasn't very talented at studying medicine . He had passion but lacked aptitude . 2/3 10:59 Thu , 21 Aug Chapter 35 46 % +38 ) Over the years , every advancement he'd made was thanks to the prescriptions Margaery gave him in times of need , making others think he was a genius . Even before Margaery made a scene at the Royal Medical Hall , people thought those prescriptions were his creations . So the humiliation had been profound . His thoughts turned bitterly . ' She dares to act this way only because Dashnell backs her up . Once he's out of the picture , what power will she have ? That's why today's plan is the most important .' " Perhaps you're right ," Avery forced out , swallowing his pride . " I was wrong regarding that matter ." He picked up a wine cup . " Let this cup serve as my apology . Please , don't hold this grudge against me ." " After all , you're my blood - bonded sister . If this feud escalates , Mother's spirit in the afterlife will find no peace ." Avery drained the cup in one go , his tone laced with resentment . " Indeed , Mother would find no peace , " Margaery echoed softly , her heart filled with icy scorn . She thought , ' If Mother knew Raul and her five sons were pushing me , their biological daughter , to my death for a fraud , she'd be heartbroken . ' Margaery's appetite vanished . She pushed her plate away slightly . " I've had enough . Please continue . I'll be taking my leave ." "Wait ." Dominic stepped forward , blocking her path . " Go up to the room upstairs and wait . There's another party later . We'll leave together after it's over . " AD