Chapter 46 Margaery was aware of this . But she said , " Whether they accept it or not , that's their business . It has nothing to do with me . " 45 % She stood up , set down the money for the coffee , and said , " Thank you again for today , Lord Bernard . I should be heading back now . " Bernard quickly pushed the money back to her . " Come on , the coffee's on me . Besides , it's nothing between us . " He stood up and looked at her seriously . " I've more or less figured out what's going on between you and Dashnell . But let me make one thing clear - if you can't stay in Sinderin City anymore , just come find me . I'll get you out of here right away ." " You'll always have a place to stay in Morales's estate , " he added . Margaery nodded . " I'll remember that . " Bernard walked her out , wanting to say something but holding back . Thinking about the mess at her home , he let her go . " If you ever need anything , just have Amber tell me . Don't be a stranger . Even if we can't be together , we'll always be friends ." " Okay " she replied . Margaery hadn't expected Bernard to be so straightforward . Feeling overwhelmed , she quickly climbed into the carriage . She realized she'd been so blinded by what was right in front of her that she'd missed everything behind it all . Tessa had taken her place in her father , brothers , and Dominic's hearts , and she'd been so caught up in trying to win them back that she'd forgotten there was a whole world out there , and so many people were willing to reach out to her . The world outside was so much more vibrant than she'd ever imagined . And of course , there was Dashnell … Just thinking about Dashnell , Margaery felt a gentle warmth bloom in her chest . Before she even realized it , she found herself at the gates of the Chancellor's estate . As soon as she stepped down from the carriage , she was surprised to see Dominic waiting there . He was standing by the gate , clearly waiting for someone . The moment he spotted her , he hurried over , a complicated look in his eyes . " Margaery , about what happened today , please , let me explain … " " Explain what ?" Margaery cut him off . Margaery instinctively stepped back , putting a clear gap between them . Dominic's expression froze , clearly thrown off by her reaction , but he forced himself to continue . " I swear , I didn't mean for any of this to happen today . What happened between me and Tessa was just an accident . I never thought things would end up like that . " Keeping that distance between them , he fixed his gaze on her and insisted , " But no matter what , I'll still marry you as scheduled . These are the betrothal gifts that arrived this morning . They're for you . See if they're good enough . " As he spoke , he pulled out a sheet of paper and showed it to her . 1/4 11:05 Thu , 21 Aug O G Chapter 46 Margaery almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of it all . 45 % She just glanced at the paper , didn't take it , and didn't even bother to step closer . Her tone was flat as she said , " Those betrothal gifts are for the Chancellor's estate , not for me . I'm not the one taking them away , so what's the point of showing me this ? You should be handing them to my father . " With that , she brushed past him and walked straight inside . Dominic's brows furrowed . For a moment , he honestly couldn't figure out what she meant . But he quickly remembered why he was there - to test her attitude and smooth things over , to coax her into marrying into the Hadley family . Snapping back to his senses , he hurried after her and said anxiously , " My father has already gone to the palace to ask Lady Alicia to officiate our wedding . It might not be an imperial decree , but it's almost as good . I promise you won't lose any face . I'll make sure you get all the respect you deserve . " Margaery just replied with a casual " Oh , " not even bothering to look back , and headed straight for Gracewind Garden . In the past . the Hadley family had invited Lady Alicia to officiate Dominic and Tessa's wedding , making it a huge , extravagant event . But at that time , Margaery had been thrown out of the Chancellor's estate , left to wander the streets , fighting beggars for a piece of bread . All that pomp and ceremony ? What does that have to do with me now ? ' Margaery thought , a cold smile tugging at her lips . This time around , isn't he still planning to marry Tessa too ? What I once begged for , I can't care less about now . ' Margaery let out a cold , silent laugh in her heart and picked up her pace . Dominic stood there , his brow furrowed deeply . He had already humbled himself , trying everything to please her , saying all the right words, offering every benefit he could think of . He thought for sure Margaery would be touched , forgive him , and promise to settle down with him for good . But he never imagined she'd react like this . But there was no way he could let her actually marry Dashnell . He had no choice but to chase after her again , following her all the way to the entrance of Gracewind Garden , where he finally managed to block her path . " Margaery , " he said , his voice low and urgent , " once you marry into the Hadley family , I swear I won't let you suffer . Even though what happened between me and Tessa … No matter what , you're the elder sister . In front of you , she'll have to keep her head down and act humble … No matter what , he had to make sure Margaery married into the Hadley family first . Otherwise , if she ended up marrying Dashnell and went after the Hadley family , he'd be in serious trouble . Dashnell was in a completely different position from Marcus . Neither of them could actually inherit the throne . There was still Prince Nathaniel above them both . But since Dashnell wasn't even in the running against Nathaniel , the King never worried about him scheming for the throne . In fact , he trusted Dashnell and treated him with special favor . Marcus , on the other hand , always had the King's guard up- he was afraid Marcus might try something against Nathaniel . 38 ) 2/4 11:05 Thu , 21 Aug © CO Chapter 46 ས ༢ 45 % If there was ever any conflict between Dashnell and Marcus , the King would almost always take Dashnell's side . Marcus barely stood a chance . After all , Marcus couldn't stand up to any real scrutiny . There were things Dominic had gotten involved in himself , so he knew exactly what was at stake . Right then , the most important thing was to keep Margaery firmly in his grasp . Margaery was willing to let him keep up his illusion , so she said with a faint smile , " Well , that's pretty decent of you . Thanks . " Dominic brightened instantly . " So … you're not mad with me anymore ? " " It's not like being mad would change anything , " Margaery replied , turning to look at him from the threshold of Gracewind Garden , her smile gentle and soft . She had no intention of getting tangled up with him any further , but she was more than willing to keep up the act for the time . She continued , " Besides , ever since Father locked me in the lumber room last time , I've really thought things through . It's always been that way - women sharing a husband , men having as many wives and concubines as they want . Having Tessa around is just more of the same . Go keep her company . I'm the elder sister , and I won't hold it against her . " Dominic rarely saw her like this - not crying , not making a scene , just so gentle and calm . For a moment , he was completely captivated by the smile on her face , feeling a long - lost flutter in his chest . " Margaery … " He stepped forward quickly , reaching out to take her hand . But Margaery smoothly dodged him . " We shouldn't be getting so close . Besides , there aren't many days left until the wedding . You should head back now . As for Tessa … " She smiled , her tone gentle but with a hint of mockery . " After what happened to her today , her reputation's basically in shambles . She probably needs your comfort more than ever . And isn't her stomach still acting up ? The way she dressed today , I bet she caught another chill . " Dominic reached out but caught nothing but air . He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off , but listening to her , he convinced himself she was making sense . He nodded , saying , " Margaery , you've really grown up . You actually care about your sister now . " " I was just too young and foolish before , " Margaery said . She sneered inwardly , " That's why I used to put you people on a pedestal Dominic felt even more pleased , already thinking that once things were settled at the Clan Court , he'd go ask Marcus for a favor . If Margaery could keep up this generous and virtuous act , he could have her manage the household in the Hadley family , freeing up Tessa to focus on her health and maybe give him a child or two . He could enjoy the blessings of having both women - a pretty sweet deal , all things considered . So he said , " Margaery , once you're part of the Hadley family , I promise you won't be treated unfairly . Even if Tessa gives birth , the child will be raised as yours . Your status will never be shaken "