Chapter 51 Raul's outstretched hand trembled as he choked out , " Margaery …" " What is Lord Chancellor doing here ? " Amber was startled and quickly turned to look at Margaery . Margaery's expression was unreadable . She simply said , " Go open the door . " Amber opened the door and greeted , " My lord . " Raul stepped inside , casting a glance around the room . The more he saw , the more uneasy and ashamed he felt . 45 % The room was run - down . The furniture had been gnawed by rats , paint was flaking off , and stains from water leaks covered large patches of the wall . It had the feel of a space long forgotten . " Margaery , the conditions here are terrible . Why didn't you tell me ? If I'd known it had gotten this bad , I would never have let you live here , " Raul said , regret heavy in his voice . His gaze landed on Margaery's face , and his voice trembled . " Margaery , I'm your father , not a stranger . " Margaery heard resentment in his tone . She looked up at him , a faint smile tugging at her lips . " When Tessa wanted to move into Blissom Hall , you put up a new plaque yourself and changed its name to Sunbeam Court . Then you sent me off to Gracewind Garden without hesitation . " I told you I was scared . After Mother died , no one ever lived in Gracewind Garden again . It's eerie and run - down . " You said I was spoiled , that I didn't know real hardship , and couldn't understand what Tessa had been through . So you made me stay in Gracewind Garden for a while as it would help me appreciate how good I'd had it all these years . " Margaery's voice was steady , her gaze calm as she faced him . Everything was already long behind her . She was simply stating the facts . As she spoke , she stood up from beside the brazier , then bowed at Raul . " Thank you for your teachings , Father . I've come to understand what real hardship is . I've also learned the greatest pain is longing for something you'll never get . " Raul looked down , watching his daughter's trembling figure before him . Margaery had always been sweet and well - behaved , and what she was doing at that moment seemed to be what he once wanted , but looking at her , he felt like everything had gone wrong , irrepably wrong . " Margaery , I was wrong before . From now on , I- " Raul reached out , trying to hold her and hoping they could talk to bridge the deep rift between them . But before Raul could reach her , Margaery took a step back . " The past is the past . If you have something to say , just say it . " That bow marked their final farewell . From then on , Margaery would no longer see him as her father . He was just another stranger to her , and she had let everything go completely . Raul's gaze fell on her head , her face , and the graceful way she carried herself , and for a moment , he felt strangely out of place . Ever since Tessa arrived , he had hoped Margaery would be gracious and tolerant , stepping into the role of the leading example for the other women in the house . Only when she became that way did it hit him that she was just his daughter , not the matriarch of the Chancellor's estate nor 1/3 11:07 Thu , 21 Aug Chapter 51 his long - departed wife . Margaery and Tessa were twins . Yet he had expected Margaery to act as a mother to Tessa , just because she was the older one . But now , all of it was shattered . " Margaery , do you … not see me as your father anymore ? " His eyes grew red as he stepped forward , raising his hand to gently pat her head . Margaery tilted her head away . Though she said nothing , the message couldn't have been clearer . Raul wasn't a fool . Margaery's cold attitude chilled his heart and left him numb . He had held back so much before , and now it was even harder to get the words out . In the end , he could only say , " Get some rest . Tonight , the seamstress will come to take your measurements . All the jewelry your mother left behind will be given to you as your dowry . I'll only leave a pair of earrings for Tessa … " Before he could finish , Margaery cut him off . " Please see yourself out ." She didn't even call him Father . Raul stiffened , then silently nodded and turned to leave . Margaery returned to her seat . Amber closed the door and said in a low voice , " I can't believe this ! Lord Chancellor actually came to see you ! But my lady , why did you bow to him just now ? He didn't seem like he was here to punish you ." " It was a farewell , " Margaery replied . She lowered her eyes , gently stirring the charcoal in the brazier . " I'll be leaving the Chancellor's estate soon . From now on , he and I are just strangers . I'll take my mother's surname . " Amber's eyes widened in surprise . " Then where will we go after we leave ? " " Don't worry . There will always be a way , " Margaery said calmly , though she knew it would be difficult to start over . If the Chancellor didn't approve , no office in Sinderin City would dare to issue her a new household registration . It was something that needed careful planning . Amber was about to say something when a faint voice was heard from outside . " Father , what brings you here ? " It was Joshua's voice , sounding a little surprised . Raul stepped out from the gate of Gracewind Garden , looking exhausted . " I came to see Margaery . " After a moment , he added , " Time really shows no mercy . It hasn't even been that long , and look at what Gracewind Garden has become … Anyway , clean the side rooms in my quarters and let Margaery stay there . " Joshua paused in surprise , then let out a long sigh . " Yeah , Gracewind Garden has long since fallen apart . " The father and son stood in silence . Both were lost in thought . Back when Margaery was sent to Gracewind Garden , Raul was fuming . Joshua and his brothers all thought she was being unreasonable and picking on Tessa , so the whole family agreed she deserved that punishment . 2/3 11:07 Thu , 21 Aug O G Chapter 51 But that so - called " punishment " ended the moment Margaery wore that jeweled hairpin . With that , she was no longer someone to be shoved into a crumbling side house . She deserved a place in the royal palace , if not the Queen's residence or the manor of a favored consort , then at least Prince Marcus's grand estate . The Chancellor's estate just wasn't big enough for someone like her anymore . They used to gang up on her and make her feel like she didn't belong , but now , she was simply out of their league . Avery thought about the past with a mix of emotions , then said , " Father , you should head back . She agreed to go with me to the outskirts this afternoon . I've prepared some generous gifts , planning to offer them to the old beggar as an apology and ask if we can use his prescription . " Even if we can't win him over , Tessa's illness still needs to be treated . If we don't fix her stomach problem , she won't be able to eat , and her health will fall apart . Once she marries into the Hadley family , she needs to be able to bear children . That's the only way to secure her place . " Besides , it was also the key for the Wallen family to form an alliance with Lady Alicia and Prince Marcus . With Margaery acting like that , their only hope now was Tessa . Raul understood , so he nodded . " Alright , go ahead . We'll agree to whatever terms he gives . And if he's willing to help us , I'll let him stay in my quarters , and he'll be an honored guest here ." Joshua said , " With that kind of treatment , I doubt he'll say no . After all , who would choose to live like a beggar if they could enjoy wealth and status ? " Raul nodded and left . Joshua turned and stepped into Gracewind Garden . " Margaery , are you ready ? Let's go see Craig now ." 3/3 AD Comment