Chapter 12
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“Even if I had it, I wouldn’t part with it.” Margaery flicked him a cool glance, her tone resolute. “And those remedies you. took from me? I only got them through deceit to win your favor.
“I’ve mended my ways now–I’m done with thievery.”
“What are you playing at, Margaery?” Avery’s heart sank, a chill of foreboding creeping over him.
Her words carried a weight that hinted her newfound virtue might drag him down too.
Margaery held his gaze, steady and unyielding. “I’m saying, dear brother, that I want every remedy you took returned to me. Tomorrow, I’ll see them restored to their rightful owners.”
Her voice softened. “After all, an apology isn’t just owed to Tessa–it’s owed to everyone I’ve wronged. That’s the only way to show my heart’s truly changed. Don’t you agree, brother?”
Avery’s jaw tightened, his frustration bubbling over. “Margaery, are you even thinking straight?
“Tessa’s life hangs by a thread–she needs help now! Your apologies can wait. And those remedies? They’re already with the Royal Medical Hall. How am I supposed to fetch them back?”
“That’s not my concern,” Margaery replied, calm as a still lake. “I gave you those remedies to gain your help, but you never kept your word. It’s only right you return what’s mine. I have amends to make.”
Avery’s temper flared. “You’re impossible! If I’d known you’d turn so heartless, I’d never have given you that charcoal!”
He pointed at the glowing brazier, his voice sharp with anger. “I won’t return the remedies. If you want to keep that fire burning, you’ll hand over the cure for Tessa’s ailment and brew her medicine now.”
Margaery watched him falter, a faint, cold smile tugging at her lips.
She glanced at the brazier, her voice icy as winter. “Sp, your care comes with a price, does it? Those remedies I gave you
were worth a king’s ransom, brother. This pitiful pile of charcoal doesn’t come close.”
“You’re haggling with me?” Avery stared, stunned, his disbelief plain. “Margaery, this isn’t the sister I knew.”
“And what sister did you know?” she asked, her smile sharp as a dagger.
Avery faltered, words catching in his throat.
The Margaery of old would rush to him with every new remedy, eyes bright with hope, pressing them into his hands.
A single “Good work” from him would make her glow, never asking for thanks.
For two years, he’d gathered nearly twenty of her remedies. With them, he’d built a shining name, forged alliances, and secured his place in the Royal Medical Hall
If all went well, when Nolan Fischer stepped down, Avery would rise to take his place.
He’d be the youngest head of the Royal Medical Hall in Eastvale Empire’s history, perhaps even named the King’s Royal
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Healer.
His rise had been easy, wrapped in praise and ambition. He’d thought her remedies were his by right.
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Didn’t she say so? That I am her brother, and giving them is only natural?‘ he thought, resentment bubbling. ‘Why’s she holding back now? It’s because of Tessa, isn’t it?
“Margaery’s always been petty, all sweet apologies but never sincere, still stewing, over Tessa.”
The thought stung, and he fixed Margaery with a sharp look. “Are you still sore at Tessa? Is that why you’re keeping the remedy for her chills to yourself?”
Margaery opened her mouth to reply, but Dominic stormed in, his face worn from Tessa’s suffering.
“No need to reason with her,” he snapped, glaring at Margaery. “How can you be so heartless?
“Tessa’s your sister, wracked with pain no physician can ease. Yet you hoard the remedy. Is this how family acts?”
“Exactly.” Avery added, his brow furrowed as if Tessa’s pain were his own. “If you’re upset, I’ll apologize now. Just hand over the remedy. Tessa’s hurting.”
“You’re the elder sister,” he pressed, his tone cutting. “Act like it. Give it to me.” He held out his hand, poised to take it by
force.
Margaery stared, a cold weight settling in her chest, as if winter had crept into her heart. “I told you,” she said softly, “I
don’t have it.”
Hearts always picked sides. If that was their way, she w…
playing the dutiful sister.
Swallowing her hurt, she met their eyes. “Two choices: I tell you where to find it, and you steal it for Tessa. Or you leave.
Now.”
“What?!” Avery sputtered, red–faced.
‘She’d have me steal?‘ he thought. “If I were caught, I’d be ruined in Sinderin City!‘
Her steady gaze held no lie. His anger faded, doubt creeping in. “You really don’t have it? You used to get remedies all the
time.”
“That was before,” Margaery said, her laugh sharp. “Forgotten already? I’ve been locked in the woodshed. And last time I begged you to believe I hadn’t hurt anyone, I gave you a remedy.”
Avery went quiet, the inemory choking him. That remedy, taken from her trembling hands, was three nights ago, when she’d been confined. She had nothing left.
“Fine,” he said, softer now. “Get your cloak. We’ll go where you got it before. If you did it once-
“So I should turn thief for Tessa?” Margaery cut in, her voice like steel. “Didn’t you all say my character’s lacking, nothing.
like Tessa’s?
“Well, I’ve changed, I’m done. If Tessa wants it, she can steal it.”
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The truth hit hard: for Tessa, this family would abandon all honor. Duty, shame–empty words.
Dominic’s face darkened. “This is life and death. Tessa’s too weak to leave her bed.”
“Then you steal it,” Margaery shot back. “Westview Street, number nine.”
Secretly, she hoped Craig would teach them a lesson they’d not forget.
“How dare you!” Dominic’s voice trembled as he flung his sleeve. “You’d have me skulk like a common thief?”
“So you know shame after all,” Margaery said, her smile laced with scorn.
AD
