Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103 Believe Me or Not

Margaret stared at them, thoroughly confused. “What are you even talking about?”

These words are completely absurd.

I cannot understand a single thing they’re accusing me of.

Finished

Jasper spoke in a tone of frustrated disappointment. “Margaret, Crown Prince Christopher has endured endless pain because of your carelessness. Admit your mistake and beg for his mercy at once.”

He stepped directly in front of Christopher, shot Margaret a quick, pleading look, and spoke for everyone to hear. “Stella’s medicine would have healed his injury fully if the wound had been cleaned properly from the start. You pricked his arm with random needles and wrapped the mess carelessly. That careless work made the flesh fester and left lingering poison trapped in his body. Now even Stella’s potent remedies cannot cure him. Do you have any idea how serious the damage is?”

Jasper blinked at her subtly, his gaze clear and urgent–silently telling her to apologize, and promising he would protect her.

Stella shook her head with a sorrowful expression. “I truly wish I could defend you, Margaret, but Crown Prince Christopher suffered terrible agony just now. You made a terrible, unforgivable mistake. No one should ever have to endure the pain of rotting flesh.”

Jasper added sharply, “The royal doctors were powerless to help him. Stella was the only one who suggested cutting away the dead flesh to treat the poison. The royal doctor agreed with her method. Without her quick thinking, Crown Prince Christopher would have lost his arm entirely.”

Christopher snapped in a rage, “What are you still standing there for? Kneel!”

He laced his good hand tightly through Stella’s fingers, his anger blazing hot. “There is no use wasting words on her. Patrick made it clear–amputation was the only other option. Stella saved me from that fate with her cure. Those useless doctors would have taken my arm without a second thought.”

His eyes softened the moment they landed on Stella, warm and grateful. “You are the one who saved my arm. Once I return to the palace, I will speak to Mother and reward you greatly.”

A faint pink blush colored Stella’s cheeks. “You need not thank me, Crown Prince Christopher. I studied the healing arts solely to be of service to you. Helping you through this hardship is my greatest honor.”

While the two spoke, Jasper hurried over to Margaret’s side and lowered his voice into a hurried whisper. ‘Do you not see how dire this is? His arm nearly got cut off today, and he is still in terrible pain. Do you know how much rotten flesh they removed? The royal doctor’s pain tonic was the only thing that kept him from collapsing mid–treatment. Apologize now, and I will speak on your behalf to lighten your punishment.”

He grabbed her arm roughly, forcing her down toward the ground.

Then he raised his voice to sound calm and reasonable. “Crown Prince Christopher, Margaret knows she has acted foolishly. She will never repeat this mistake again. As her elder brother, I will discipline her properly. Your wounds need rest, so please return to your place and recover.”

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Chapter 103 Believe Me or Not

Before Christopher could reply, Margaret shoved Jasper’s hand away with force.

Finished

“Will all of you stop spouting these ridiculous lies?” Her frustration edged into sharp anger. “What mistake have I made? How is this injury my fault?”

A bitter, humorless laugh escaped her. “Fine. I admit I acted foolishly. I should never have stopped to save you that day. I warned all of you back then that lingering poison still remained in your body, yet no one listened to a single word I said.”

Christopher glared at her with unbridled fury. “You? A doctor? Be honest with yourself. You got lucky once with Uncle Theodore, and now you pretend to be a skilled medical expert. Uncle Theodore only called you to treat him because he does not know the truth about you. Once he sees your true nature, you will never leave the Ducal Palace alive.”

“You still refuse to admit fault?” Christopher’s voice boomed with rage. “Guards, seize her. Give her twenty heavy lashes as punishment.”

Two soldiers rushed into the courtyard, the second the order left his mouth, grabbing Margaret’s arms to hold her tight.

Margaret immediately took a set of silver needles out of the storage space, ready to fight back. She glanced up and saw the dozens of armed men surrounding the yard, and she realized resistance was impossible.

I can poison all these men right now, but what comes after?

More guards will flood in, and I will be outnumbered in seconds.

If I fight back, they will only pile more crimes against me.

Winter is resting inside, weak and feverish. If I am taken away and punished, no one will protect her.

She pushed every urge to resist aside and stayed still in their grasp.

“Crown Prince Christopher, believe me or not–it changes nothing.” Margaret’s tone was steady and unyielding. “You collapsed from poison that day, and I used acupuncture to purge the toxin and save your life. Not some worthless pill from Stella.

“I told you plainly that more acupuncture treatment was needed to clear the last of the poison. You all refused to listen. You rushed to praise Stella and credited her for your recovery, so I held my tongue and let you believe what you wanted. Now the leftover poison has flared up, all because you ignored my warning. You blame me for poorly cleaning your wound instead? Can you not see how ridiculous that is?”

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