Chapter 40 45 % " Lady Serena gifted it to me , what ? " Margaery replied with a smile . Framed by the swan hairpin , her unpainted face possessed a breathtaking , almost aggressive beauty . But to Estelle , it seemed more like a provocation . The late king's authority was sacrosanct , even for Estelle , the princess . Serena giving Margaery the swan hairpin carried an implicit blessing as her future daughter - in - law . Furious but constrained , Estelle could only swallow her rage , her fists clenched white . She whirled on Joshua , her voice tight . " You claimed her wet nurse's tablet was here ? " " N - No , not me , " Joshua instinctively denied , scrambling . " She's spouting nonsense . Why would I say such a thing ? This is a restaurant . No sane person places memorial tablets for the dead here . " Joshua hadn't expected things to turn out like this when he said those words . Now , denial seemed his only recourse . He turned to Margaery . " Lies need a foundation . Stop causing trouble here . " His words made it sound as if it were Margaery who was talking nonsense . Margaery had witnessed Joshua's cruelty in her previous life , but never his utter shamelessness . It was eye - opening for her . " So now , " she said , " you lack the courage to stand by your words ? " She thought , ' In my previous life , I must have been truly blind to seek reconciliation with such people . The thought filled her with profound sadness and bitter amusement . Joshua said , " Margaery , admit your mistakes . Smearing me won't help . I am your brother ; I won't hold this against you . " But today , with Prince Nathaniel and Princess Estelle present , things could escalate beyond control if you persist . " Joshua spoke with the certainty of someone holding all the cards , projecting magnanimous authority , secure in the belief that Margaery had no proof . Margaery almost laughed at the absurdity . Just as she seemed cornered , a figure emerged from behind her , positioning himself casually at her side . He addressed Joshua with a lazy drawl . " Lord Joshua , I used to think you were a gentleman . Today , I see you're utterly shameless ." " Mr. Morales ? " Joshua frowned , a wave of unease washing over him . " What brings you here ? " Margaery turned to look at the man beside her , also surprised . Bernard Morales , the heir of Morales's estate , was born with a carefree and unruly nature . Bernard rarely got involved in court affairs and preferred to dig into bizarre and astonishing inventions that often left people questioning his sanity . Bernard disdained most social interaction , usually holing up with his inventions . ' Given his nature , why would he involve himself in this sordid mess ? What brought him here ? ' Margaery wondered . Bernard offered a roguish grin . He said , " Had to step in , Lord Joshua . You were spinning tales so thick you might've started believing them yourself . I saw you stop Margaery and force her to go to the third floor . " You said her wet nurse's memorial tablet was there and that she should wait for the Lord Chancellor to pay respects together . So , how did paying respects turn into this spectacle ? " A collective gasp rippled through the crowd . " Lord Joshua , what kind of playacting is this ? " 1/3 Chapter 40 The guests Joshua had invited were stunned . " Whose word do we trust - yours or Margaery's ? " n Joshua invited them . By rights , they ought to have taken Joshua's side . But it was Bernard , the heir of Morales's estate , who came forward to testify to Margaery . Bernard was no ordinary figure . The Morales Estate commands a vast army , standing as the most powerful noble house outside the royal bloodline . Randal Morales , moreover , is Cillian's sworn brother , having guarded the northern borders in the king's name for over twenty years . One can scarcely imagine the prestige of the heir to the Morales Estate . Bernard's words carried immense , undeniable weight . Even Estelle paled , her expression conflicted . She had long harbored feelings for Bernard , yearning to marry him . Despite Cillian's hints , Bernard remained uninterested . Now , he stood defending Margaery . Could it be he likes Margaery ? ' she mused . Estelle glanced at Margaery , recalling her harsh words moments before . Humiliated and furious , Estelle lashed out , striking Tessa across the face with such force that five finger marks bloomed instantly . " You're so shameless . Sleeping with your sister's betrothed . " Tessa felt dizzy and fell to the ground , crying . " Your Highness , please . This really wasn't my doing . I was drugged . I don't know how this happened ." Tessa's tears flowed freely , a picture of vulnerable distress that stirred pity even in Dominic's eyes . Bernard , however , remained unmoved . " Drugged , were you ? " Bernard sneered , his voice devoid of sympathy , tinged with mockery . Tessa couldn't meet his gaze . Trembling , she stammered , " I was drugged . I don't know how I ended up there . All I remember is Paige giving me a cup of spiced tea . S - she said it would warm me up . " Tessa dared a fleeting , fearful glance at Margaery before quickly looking away , redirecting the blame . " P - Paige is Margaery's maid . " Estelle , seizing the diversion , turned on Margaery with venom . " You ! You ordered your maid to drug Tessa ? " " Princess Estelle , is your memory failing you ? " Margaery met her glare head - on , her voice coldly mocking . " Remember what Tessa said earlier ? " Margaery added , " She said she felt strange the moment she stepped inside . That proves she was lucid before entering there . " Assuming I did have my maid drug her . What about Dominic ? Was he lucid when he engaged with Tessa ? " " Because you wanted Dominic to lose control too ," Estelle retorted stubbornly . " So you changed the incense in the room . " Margaery almost sighed at the illogic . " If incense alone could affect everyone , why the pointless complication of having a maid drug Tessa specifically ? " But Margaery could understand Estelle's desperation . Everyone in Sinderin knew that Estelle was in love with Bernard . Estelle was eager to try to save face , or she would be too embarrassed to face Bernard . Margaery , however , held the advantage of calm reason . Cornered by her flawed argument and swirling emotions , Estelle became more aggressive . " Of course you had to drug Tessa . How else would she have come here ? " ' Bernard witnessed events inside the restaurant , but not necessarily Tessa's arrival . Let's see Margaery wriggle out of this 2/3 Thu , 21 Aug Chapter 40 one ,' she thought . A cold , triumphant smile touched Estelle's lips . 1 . ནྲྀ་ 45 % 38 But her satisfaction was short - lived . A deep and resonant voice rose from the stairwell . " Princess Estelle , choose your words with care . " An elder in simple grey robes , radiating an aura of serene authority , ascended . " From my seat in the teahouse , I witnessed Tessa arrive by carriage . She entered Pero Cela through the rear entrance and hurried directly to the third floor . " He added , " She was perfectly lucid . She brought a maid and a coachman . They wait downstairs . Doubters may summon them for verification . " " High Priest ? " Estelle gasped , recognizing him instantly . She hurriedly offered a respectful bow . Joshua was also stunned . He looked at Simon in disbelief . " High Priest ? What brings you here ? " 田