Chapter 45 " Thank goodness , a lifesaver ! ' Margaery thought , quickly turning her head toward the door . 45 % 38 ) Dashnell rolled in smoothly on his wheelchair , looking as composed as ever . " Lord Bernard , I get that you're in a rush to get married . Since we've known each other for a while , I'll head to the palace this afternoon and ask Father to grant you Princess Valeria's hand in marriage ." Bernard's eyebrow twitched . He said , " Prince Dashnell , your jealousy is showing . Aren't you even going to pretend anymore ? " Wait , I like Margaery , and now Prince Dashnell wants to make me his brother - in - law ? ' Bernard thought , feeling a little dazed . ' Princess Estelle has been chasing me for years . If she keeps it up , I'll have to hide out in my estate just to get some peace . And now if Princess Valeria joins in , maybe I should just move to another country ,' he grumbled inwardly . Bernard could only stare in disbelief . Dashnell chuckled . " You're not exactly subtle about trying to win her over , either ." Bernard choked , unable to come up with a comeback . The two men stared each other down , while Margaery , stuck between them , felt her cheeks flush and her heart race . She never expected Dashnell to barge in and crash a scene like this , looking for all the world like he was terrified she'd actually run off with Bernard . His words seemed aimed at Bernard , but every single one of them felt like they were really meant for her - as if he was confessing his feelings to her right in front of everyone . ' I like Dashnell too , Margaery thought . ' Does that mean we both like each other ? ' she wondered , her heart skipping a beat . Dashnell watched her blushing face , then rolled his wheelchair right up to her , tilting his head as he studied her closely . A teasing smile tugged at his lips , his voice low and tempting . " What , you're not even going to thank me ?" Margaery's heart was pounding so hard that she thought it might burst . She hurriedly picked up her coffee cup and stammered , " T - Thank you for helping me today , Prince Dashnell . " As she spoke , her cheeks grew even hotter . Bernard was just about to pour coffee for Dashnell . But before he could even finish , Dashnell reached over , snatched the cup right out of Margaery's hand , and took a bold sip from it - like it was the most natural thing in the world . Margaery's face flushed bright red , her blush spreading all the way to her neck . That was the cup she had just drunk from , and her lipstick mark was still on it . Bernard's hand shook , spilling coffee everywhere . He stared at Dashnell in utter disbelief . " Prince Dashnell , are you really that parched ? " Dashnell set the cup down , looking completely at ease . " If you had a pretty lady in your arms for half an hour and still couldn't get a taste , you'd be even thirstier than I am , Lord Bernard . " 1/4 1103 Thu , 21 Aug Chapter 45 45 % +38 ) As he spoke , he draped his arm around Margaery , giving her a mock - aggrieved , playful smile . " Margaery , you nearly tore my clothes off . My reputation's in shambles now . Aren't you going to make it up to me ?" He'd missed his chance with her before , but this time , he was determined to act when it mattered , and he wouldn't let anything go wrong for her again . His mind was in turmoil , but his gaze was utterly bewitching . Margaery was wrapped up in his arms , his strikingly handsome face just inches away . Remembering how Dashnell's shirt had been half open when she was fully awake made her utterly embarrassed . But since he was the one she liked , she mustered her courage and played along , asking , " And how exactly do you want me to make it up to you , Your Highness ? " Before she could even finish her sentence , Dashnell suddenly bent down and captured her lips with a kiss . " Your Highness … " Margaery whispered breathlessly . Her mind was completely swept away by the thunderous beat of her heart . Her hands gripped the edge of the table so tightly that her knuckles turned white , palms damp with nervous sweat . His breath was fresh and sweet , just like his kiss . It was the taste of a heart racing with love . " That's just too much , Dashnell , " Bernard said , drumming his long fingers on the table and calling Dashnell by name . " I invited you two for coffee , and now you're just making out in front of me . " Dashnell finally let go of Margaery , still looking reluctant , and grinned . " Don't worry , Lord Bernard . I'll invite you to our wedding soon . " With just a few words , he made it crystal clear that Margaery was his , crushing any hope Bernard had left . Bernard was at a total loss for words . He and Dashnell had always gotten along , and in the past , Dashnell was the definition of unflappable - nothing could faze him , not even if the sky was falling . He'd never done anything even remotely out of line . But Bernard never expected him to lose his cool like this . If someone didn't know better , they'd think Dashnell was a total womanizer . After Dashnell stirred things up like this , there was no way Bernard could just take Margaery away anymore . Bernard looked at him , his expression a tangle of emotions . " She's about to marry Dominic . " Dashnell lowered his gaze , his eyes lingering tenderly on Margaery . She was so petite sitting beside him , it made him want to cherish her even more . He wrapped his arm around her , holding her close , and declared with quiet certainty , " She won't . " " And how can you be so sure ? " Bernard challenged . He let out a soft snort , clearly not convinced . Dashnell gazed scoffeedily at Margaery , catching the shy blush on her cheeks and the unmistakable affection in her eyes . He knew she was totally into him . With a soft smile , he said , " I just know she won't ." Before Bernard could say anything else , Adam's voice came from the doorway . " Your Highness , His Majesty has summoned you … " 2/4 Q 11:03 Thu , 21 Aug 6 G70 Chapter 45 ི་ 45 % 38 ) Dashnell released Margaery , giving her a meaningful look . " Margaery, don't forget your promise to me . " Then he shot Bernard a glance . " Thanks for the coffee , Lord Bernard . " With that , he turned his wheelchair and rolled out of the room . Margaery watched him leave , feeling as if his silhouette was seared into her heart , making it race and burn with longing . " Hey ! Margaery ! " Bernard tapped the table , giving her a conflicted look . " Do you have a thing for Dashnell ? " He'd thought that if he seized the chance today , he could find a way to break up Dominic and Margaery , then run away with her and start over somewhere far away . But he never expected Dashnell to beat him to it . And judging by the way Margaery was looking at Dashnell , she was totally lovestruck . It was obvious this wasn't some new acquaintance but something much deeper . Margaery snapped back to her senses . There was no point hiding it anymore , so she just admitted , " Yeah . " Bernard was at a loss for words . " Ouch , that really hurts . Couldn't you at least sugarcoat it a little for the sake of my fragile single heart ? " Margaery looked a little embarrassed . " Thank you for everything you did for me today , Lord Bernard . I'm really sorry about all this . It's just that … " She paused , then finally looked up at Bernard , forcing herself to speak the truth . " Earlier on the third floor , I was drugged , and Dashnell was the one who took me away . I wasn't myself at all , and I … I did something to him that couldn't be undone . So … " Then , with a look of utter disbelief and a hint of teasing , he blurted out , " Wait , did you just have your way with Dashnell ? " " No , that's not it … " Margaery stammered , her face turning scarlet with embarrassment . She hadn't expected Bernard to be so forward and quickly shook her head . " It's not what you think ! I just … acted a little out of line , and he used his inner strength to help me get rid of the drug … " " Well , at least he's still a gentleman , " Bernard muttered , half teasing , half resigned . He was left completely speechless - how was he supposed to compete with that ? It was going to be even harder to steal her away . Any man could see that Dashnell was crazy about Margaery . He was so into her that he'd stop at nothing to win her over . But for someone that ruthless , when Margaery was drugged , he actually used his inner force to help her get rid of it instead of just going with the flow . Bernard couldn't help but mutter , " If he's not , you know , incapable , then honestly , I've got to respect the guy . " He looked at Margaery , half teasing , half serious . " But Lady Margaery , have you ever considered that Dashnell might actually be … well , incapable as a man ? That he might not be able to father children with you ? " " That doesn't matter , " Margaery replied , shaking her head without hesitation . " If we can't have children , we can always adopt . Or not - it's fine either way . There are so many orphans in the Eastvale Empire . Adopting one would be a good deed . And if we take in a few more , our home could be filled with laughter and warmth , just like a big family ," she said , her voice gentle but resolute . " You're hopeless , " Bernard muttered with a sigh , giving Margaery a complicated look . 3/4 - 11:04 Thu , 21 Aug 60 Chapter 45 ཊཱི 45 % +38 He let out a long breath , his expression conflicted as he stared at her . " But what about your engagement to Dominic ? I heard the Hadley family already sent betrothal gifts to the Chancellor's estate , and both your father and brothers accepted them . " AD