Chapter 36 " Is there any need for me to stay ? " Margaery lifted her gaze , staring directly at him . " There is , " Dominic replied , taking a deep breath and forcing patience . " Once the guests arrive , I'll call you down . I intend to apologize to you publicly , before everyone , to demonstrate my sincerity . " " And if I insist on leaving ? " Margaery frowned . Knowing Dominic as she did , she didn't believe he was being so kind . At that moment , Joshua stood and walked towards her , his voice grave . " Today is the anniversary of your wet nurse's passing . " Her memorial tablet is upstairs . Father will also be coming to pay his respects . Are you truly set on leaving ? " " Why would her memorial tablet be here ? " Margaery's unease intensified . " When she died , Father wouldn't even allow her burial in the family plot . " Joshua explained smoothly , " Precisely because she couldn't rest in the family plot , we arranged a separate memorial here . " This building is new and unused - everything is fresh . From now on , that room will house her tablet . Go on up and light a candle for her . " Margaery could find no further reason to refuse . She turned and went up to the third floor . But the moment she stepped into the room , a heavy blow crashed down on her head . Her head throbbed with pain , and she fell to the ground . In her fading consciousness , she heard a man snort , " Don't blame me for being rough . Blame yourself for not knowing your place . " What good does it do you to ruin Lord Avery's career ? Dreaming of catching Prince Dashnell ? Keep dreaming ." Panic surged through Margaery . She tried to push herself up and escape , but her limbs refused to obey . There was something wrong with the incense in the room . Although she wasn't very proficient in medicine , she had once helped Craig identify herbs . This scent held a love potion . They were trying to ruin her reputation . All that talk about the wet nurse and the apology was just an excuse . Soon , Dominic would come upstairs . Under the drug's influence , they would have an affair , and then Joshua or Avery would burst in with witnesses , catching them in the act . They would then pin the blame for drugging Dominic and being promiscuous on her . At that point , she would become a person despised by all . If Dominic deigned to marry her then , it would be a mercy , but never as his proper wife . Then , they could force her , as a mere concubine , to confess her crimes at court , with no one to defend her . Dashnell , the high and mighty prince , would never tolerate a compromised woman . It was a well - laid trap , a dead end . Terror seized her . Her fingers clawed desperately on the floor , trying to drag herself out . Meanwhile , the man who had hit her rushed downstairs to report to Joshua . " Lord Joshua , it's done . " Once Lord Dominic goes up , Lady Margaery will lose all restraint . Then you can go upstairs with a couple of friends under the pretext of looking for Lord Dominic . " " Go , " Joshua ordered , taking a deep breath . A ruthless glint hardened his eyes . " Tell the kitchens to prepare ; the guests will arrive soon . " 1/3 Thu , 21 Aug Chapter 36 Joshua thought , ' Sacrificing Margaery for the Chancellor's estate is justified . She brought this upon herself . ' If she hadn't made a scene at the Royal Medical Hall , if she'd been content and stayed away from Dashnell , would she be in this position ? Joshua swiftly silenced any lingering doubt . Meanwhile , the front of Pero Cela was filled with guests . Estelle and Nathaniel , out of respect for the Chancellor's estate , came along with a group of people . The scene was quite lively . Joshua greeted them with practiced charm and a mature smile . " Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle , welcome . It's been too long . Let's have a good drink tonight . " Nathaniel chuckled , playing along . " It's been a while . It seems you've developed a taste for wine , huh ? " Nathaniel needed allies ; his mother , Angelina , was gone , and his position at court was precarious . Aligning with the Chancellor was essential for him . Estelle , raised close to Alicia , was naturally aligned with the Wallens . She smiled broadly at the people behind her . " Lord Joshua is hosting . Don't hold back . Eat your fill . Don't worry about him spending too much . " " Lord Joshua is most generous ! " others chimed in with flattery , filing inside . Amidst the clinking of glasses , Avery looked at Dominic impatiently . Feigning drunkenness , he slurred , " Where's Margaery ? She was here earlier . Where'd she go ? " " Seems to have gone upstairs . I'll go and check on her ," Dominic echoed smoothly , his eyes flickering . Dominic bowed slightly to the guests . " Please , continue enjoying yourselves . I'll check on Margaery and bring her down to join us . " Exchanging a glance with Joshua , Dominic hurried upstairs , a thrill of anticipation coursing through him . He thought , ' After this , Margaery's reputation will be a mess . Marrying Tessa as my wife and keeping Margaery as a concubine will be simple . No family would let a woman who drugged her betrothed be their hostess . ' And while I don't love her , I can't deny she's a stunning beauty. Having her and ensuring Dashnell can't use her against me . She'll be powerless , begging for my favor . The thought made his heart race faster . " Margaery ! " he called eagerly , pushing the door open quietly and tiptoeing towards the lump beneath the bedcovers . Meanwhile , Tessa's carriage raced towards Pero Cela . Her voice was tight with tension . " Are you sure ? They've set a trap today . To force Dominic and Margaery to sleep together ? " " Absolutely , milady ," Paige confirmed , eager to please . " I heard them planning it last night . Early this morning , Lord Russell even took Margaery to the academy himself . " Paige added , " Lord Joshua , Lord Avery - they're all there now . If you don't hurry , Lady Tessa , they'll consummate it . There'll be no turning back then . " Tessa clenched her fists . " I thought Father and my brothers cared only for me . To think they'd scheme behind my back to help Margaery to Dominic . I won't let them succeed . " Then Tessa snapped at the coachman , " Faster . Take the rear entrance . " She thought , ' Dominic's mine . I wouldn't allow Margaery to take him away . I had to stop them at all costs . The carriage sped down an alleyway behind Pero Cela . Suddenly , a violent gust of wind whipped past . The horses screamed , 2/3 1101 Thu , 21 Aug 6 GI Chapter 36 veering dangerously close to a wall . 46 % 2 The coachman wrestled them back under control , rubbing his eyes in shock . " What just flew right past us ? Wind like a gale ." " Was it ? " Tessa was so preoccupied with Dominic and Margaery that she didn't care . She replied casually , " Probably just a bird . " "A bird that big ? Looked like a man , " the driver mumbled , confused , but dropped it at Tessa's words . He pulled up at Pero Cela's back entrance . Tessa scrambled out , hiking her skirts as she ran upstairs , heading straight for the innermost room on the third floor . " Men's words are all lies , " Tessa muttered furiously under her breath . " Saying his heart belongs only to me , yet rushing to defile himself with Margaery ." Breathless , she reached the door and knocked softly , calling out in a voice trembling with hurt and accusation , " Dominic ? " 3/3