Chapter 19
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“She went to the Royal Medical Hall and said I stole her recipe. She even got Prince Dashnell to back her up. Now, Nolan plans to report this to the King, forcing me to resign within a month so no one loses face.
“Joshua, what should I do?” Avery was genuinely scared and unwilling to accept this.
He stared at Joshua with bloodshot eyes.
If he left the Royal Medical Hall, he would lose his chance of an official career and could only run a small clinic outside.
But as a son of the Chancellor, that would be laughable.
He couldn’t accept such an outcome.
Joshua was stunned upon hearing that. “What? Doctor Fischer wants you to resign? And Prince Dashnell backed her up? When did she get close to him?”
“I don’t know. Who knows when she hooked up with him?!” Avery’s voice cracked, tears and snot mixing into survival salsa.
“Joshua, I can’t leave Royal Medical Hall. You and Dad gotta pull me back from the cliff! Or else… no more face left in Sinderin. I’m roadkill. Finished.”
It took Joshua some time to process this before he had a headache. “If Prince Dashnell hadn’t gotten involved, I could plead on your behalf before the King, and it might work. But now… things are complicated.”
His influence wasn’t enough against the weight of Prince Dashnell.
This needed careful consideration.
“Sit down first while I think about it.” Joshua pointed at a chair opposite him.
Avery was too angry to sit still. Thinking about his humiliation just now made him feel hot–faced and ashamed.
Finally, he sulked. “If all else fails, ask Father to send me away somewhere–Frosthelm or Emberfall or anywhere. Sol won’t be mocked every day in Sinderin!”
His usually pale, bookish face was now absolutely red with anger.
“I understand how you feel.” Joshua tried to calm him down. “But rushing into things won’t help.”
He reached out and pulled Avery aside before analyzing calmly, “Think about it–the King already distrusts our family, 50 he uses my shifts as an excuse for constant rest periods.
“Right now, he’s itching for a chance to take a swing at the Wallen family. With you causing this scene, it’s like serving up our father’s face on a platter for him to slap.
“This is like a chain reaction, it’s not simple. How could my pleading with Father make any difference?”
At this point, he couldn’t help but complain, “You guys really messed up by letting Margaery run wild in the palace!”
23:42 Wed, 20 Aug
Chapter 19
“That’s unexpected!” Avery felt so wronged that he wanted to cry again. “Wasn’t it because of Prince Dashnell?
“Like, you know who Prince Dashnell is, right? Who would’ve thought Margaery would get tangled up with her!”
Avery finally figured it out. Prince Dashnell didn’t just show up to help Margaery; they were already up to something
before.
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So he said, “Last night, Prince Dashnell ran into Margaery at the door and tossed her a warming gemstone. I thought he was just in a playful mood, but then he showed up again today.”
Suddenly, he looked up at Joshua. “Joshua, do you think he’s got a thing for Margaery?”
“Humph.” Joshua chuckled. “If you say he’s looking for an excuse to mess with our family, I’d take that. But a thing for Margaery?
“You should see what she’s like–does she even deserve Prince Dashnell? Even if he’s disabled, he’s still the King’s and Queen Mother’s precious gem!
“Just the other day, Her Majesty the Queen Mother mentioned selecting a virtuous, gentle, and capable young woman from high–ranking officials” families to be Prince Dashnell’s consort–someone to tend to his daily needs.
“Now look at Margaery. Does she strike you as someone who could tend to anyone? Prince Dashnell is different from others.”
Joshua shook his head, thinking it impossible for Prince Dashnell to fancy Margaery and that he probably just wanted to mess with the Wallen family.
But Avery was seething with resentment over being outmaneuvered by Prince Dashnell and didn’t pay attention to anything else Joshua said. He gritted his teeth and spat out, “He is different from other princes.
“He’s disabled and needs someone who can be both a wife and a caretaker, Can Margaery do that?”
He was so angry that he was huffing and puffing.
“That said, we should keep an eye on things for now.” Joshua remained calm. “Here’s what we’ll do: You go home first.
“I’ll find an opportunity to go in with Doctor Fischer and feel out the King’s thoughts. Then we’ll discuss it with Father tonight.
“With Prince Dashnell involved in this mess, don’t make any rash moves.”
With that, Joshua added as a warning, “Once you get home, go see Lord Dominic. If there’s a chance Prince Dashnell has his eye on Margaery, we need to cut off that idea.”
“You mean…” Avery’s eyes lit up.
As long as Prince Dashnell stayed out of it, dealing with Margaery shouldn’t be too hard. If they could throw mud back on her, he might have a chance to clear his name and return to the Royal Medical Hall.
Joshua nodded. “You’re clover–don’t push this too far. After all, she is our sister, and she’s still promised to Dominic. Once that match is set in stone, even if Prince Dashnell had eyes for her, he’d recoil at the thought of touching used goods!”
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23:42 Wed, 20 Aug
Chapter 19
Avery nodded and took his leave.
Seeing hope again, he walked quickly out of the palace in no time.
When Margaery went out with Dashnell, they happened to meet.
Facing the prince, Avery had to bow respectfully. “Your Highness…”
But Dashnell ignored him completely, not even giving him a glance.
He just turned to Margaery and said, “It’s cold and slippery outside. Let me escort you out.”
Margaery was confused about being called his friend, but thanked him anyway.
Dashnell reached out and pulled her into the carriage.
Their skin touched briefly, making her heart race.
Blushing slightly, Margaery finally spoke up. “Your Highness, I’m engaged.”
Dashnell looked at her quietly, waiting for her to continue.
Margaery, noting his lack of reaction, pressed on, “But that wasn’t by my choice–and as it happens, my fiancé has already run off with my sister.”
Dashnell’s expression softened a bit as he asked, “So, do you have someone you like?”
Blushing again, Margaery lowered her head and replied softly. “Yes, but I don’t think I’m good enough for him. I haven’t asked for marriage either. Just let me be free from Dominic.”
Dashnell nearly asked who held her heart, but fearing the answer he didn’t want, settled on. “When the moment is right, I will help you.”
First things first–to get rid of Dominic certainly wouldn’t hurt.
“Would this count toward that chance you promised me, Your Highness?” Margaery lifted her eyes.
Though she tried to veil her hope, it lingered in her gaze–just a heartbeat too long.
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