Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121 Offer a Trivial Kindness

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The attendant hesitated, then spoke out of turn. “The two young ladies have worn themselves out lately, and Ms. Campbell suffered a brutal beating as well. Shall I go catch a few farm hens? I recall when you were children, Ms. Campbell always loved rich soup slow–cooked with free–range hens…”

Jasper nodded gently. “Both of them enjoy it. Very well, I shall prepare the soup myself and send a bowl to each of them.”

Evening came soon after.

Margaret had napped on her bed, and all the soreness across her body faded away by the time she woke.

Christopher’s guards had held back in their attack–they left no torn flesh or fractured bones on her. With the healing salve fully settled in her skin, she could lie flat without any lingering pain in her hips.

She’d barely roused from sleep when a knock rang out at her chamber door.

Winter’s voice drifted through the wood, soft and hesitant. “Mr. Jasper Campbell, Ms. Campbell is still resting within.”

Jasper called out, “Margaret? Are you awake? I made warm chicken soup for you, with my own hands.”

“Come in,” Margaret answered plainly.

She dragged herself out of bed slowly. She’d had no wish to see Jasper at all today.

He never bothers with such small kindnesses for me. Something unusual must have happened to make him act this way.

The door creaked open, and Winter stepped inside first to light a dozen tallow candles around the room.

Bright candlelight flooded the chamber in an instant, clearing the last of Margaret’s drowsiness.

Jasper stood behind her, gripping a woven food hamper in one hand.

He moved softly and set the steaming soup on the front table, shifting awkwardly on his feet, clearly ill at

ease.

“You’ve rested long enough. Does your injury still ache?” Jasper asked cautiously, “I keep fine healing balms in my quarters. I can send a servant to bring them to you shortly.”

Winter’s eyes widened in stunned confusion. She glanced back and forth between Jasper and Margaret, her face full of bewilderment.

Margaret felt just as confused by his sudden shift in attitude.

How could he change his whole demeanor in such a short span of time?

“You bring me soup and medicine out of nowhere–do you plan to pressure me into apologizing to Crown Prince Christopher?” A cold smirk tugged at Margaret’s lips.

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Chapter 121 Offer a Trivial Kindness

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She stood slowly, stretching her stiff muscles as she spoke sharply. “I have stated my piece before. I was giving Crown Prince Christopher acupuncture to treat his wounds that day. The worsening of his poison had nothing to do with me. If you have come only to force an apology from me, you may leave at once.”

Jasper’s eyes flashed with surprise at how easily she could stand and move, yet the emotion quickly faded behind a look of shame.

‘I know the whole truth now,” he said heavily. “I wronged you, without any doubt.”

Margaret froze in shock.

Has he finally come to his senses?

Jasper stared at his feet, overcome with embarrassment. “We visited the Life Preserve Pavilion earlier. Mr. Kingston told us everything–Crown Prince Christopher’s poison cannot be cured by any medicinal pill, and only acupuncture can save his life. We all misjudged you completely. You were the one who saved Crown Prince Christopher that day.”

He ducked his head lower and went on, “Every bit of this is my fault. I was the first to misunderstand you, and my mistake led Crown Prince Christopher and Stella to turn against you, too.”

Margaret’s jaw tightened faintly.

He truly has come here to apologize. I never expected this.

She was still reeling from the odd moment when Jasper continued, “Luckily, Crown Prince Christopher’s men knew to restrain their blows. You can stand now, so they clearly held back their strength. No lasting harm was done, and that keeps my guilt from growing heavier.”

Margaret stared at him blankly.

He is still the same cold man, no change at all.

Those words are exactly what I’d expect from Jasper.

She paid him no mind, her tone laced with disdain. “If you only mean to ramble on with useless words, you may take your leave.”

Jasper’s expression turned grim. “Margaret, I am here to offer you a sincere apology.”

“An apology?” Margaret let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Is your idea of an apology celebrating that my lashing was not severe enough? Do I need to be left broken and bloodied for you to feel true remorse? It is laughable. If you hope to see me humbled and broken, save your time–I will never give you that satisfaction.”

Her sharp, confrontational words sparked a surge of anger in Jasper’s chest.

Still, he reined in his temper, remembering he’d come to make amends. “I have fully realized my wrongs, which is why I came to you personally. Why must you be so harsh and unyielding?”

He sighed deeply, “I know you have endured great unfairness these days. You saved Crown Prince Christopher’s life, yet my carelessness made everyone turn on you. You suffered twenty lashes because of

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Chapter 121 Offer a Trivial Kindness

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my error, and my conscience weighs heavily because of it–that is why I made this soup for you myself.”

“I have no taste for chicken soup,” Margaret replied in an icy tone.

Jasper sighed with helplessness, “Do not be stubborn, Margaret. I know you have loved this soup since childhood. You always said it was sweet and savory, even if you never cared to eat the meat.”

“You strike me down harshly, then offer a trivial kindness to make up for it. You have always been far too skilled at that manipulative game, Jasper.” Margaret stood off to the side, her words soft and under her breath.

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