Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 160

Chapter 160 Nothing Like Him

Margaret spoke with complete sincerity.

She truly thought nothing more of it.

Finished

Margaret never saw herself as particularly close to Theodore, yet he kept taking her hand every now and then.

It had to be just a habit of his–she wasn’t about to read any deeper meaning into it.

The carriage rolled forward. Julie murmured thoughtfully, “I see now…”

Margaret asked curiously, “Why were the two of you waiting at the gate anyway? I told you to stay inside and wait for me before I left.”

She’d originally planned to let them stay the night at the Ducal Palace and arrange proper lodgings for them the next day.

Lisa replied softly, “The palace servants told us to wait out front. They said you’d be back soon, and that the Ducal Palace never allows outsider women to stay overnight. That’s why we were left waiting there.”

Julie nodded in agreement. “It’s true. Prince Theodore keeps to himself completely. The manor is enormous, yet he wouldn’t spare even one guest chamber just because we’re women.”

Lisa chided her gently, “Don’t speak that way. Just getting to lay eyes on Prince Theodore is already a great honor for people like us. We have no right to complain about staying in the Ducal Palace at all. It’s more than kind of him to take us in and let us meet Ms. Campbell.”

Julie quickly backed down. “You’re right. I spoke out of turn.”

Margaret asked casually, “Where have you two been staying these past two days?”

Julie answered, “The palace staff booked us rooms at an inn nearby. They only sent for us today so we could meet you.”

Margaret didn’t know he’d be this strict.

Is Prince Theodore simply overly guarded, or truly determined to keep his distance from all women?

If he avoided women entirely, why did he keep taking my hand all the time?

I’m still far from slender, and I doubt he’d ever look past my appearance to see what’s inside me.

The carriage traveled farther away down the road.

Meanwhile, Theodore had returned to his private chambers.

Cyan followed behind him with his head bowed, then froze in surprise when he saw Theodore stop in front of a bronze mirror.

Prince Theodore almost never bothered to look in the mirror.

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Chapter 160 Nothing Like Him

Finished

What brought this on today?

Theodore asked, “Do you think Vincent is more handsome than I am?”

Cyan’s lips twitched awkwardly, and he hung his head low without a word.

The silence stretched on, and Theodore’s expression turned dark and stormy all at once.

He glanced away sharply and snapped coldly, “Leave me alone.”

I must be losing my mind, asking such pointless questions.

Cyan didn’t dare make a sound and was about to slip quietly out of the room when Theodore spoke again. “Tell her to be here sharp at seven tomorrow morning.”

Cyan replied respectfully, “Yes, Prince Theodore.”

He closed the chamber door behind him, still utterly stunned.

Did I really just hear that come from Prince Theodore?

That’s nothing like him at all.

Margaret arrived back at the Prime Minister’s Estate as dusk fell.

No sooner had she stepped through the gates than she ran straight into Jasper.

She didn’t spare him a single glance and walked straight toward her own courtyard with Lisa and Julie at her side.

Jasper called out to stop her. “Father wants us all to dine together tonight. I was just about to go look for you.”

Margaret paused briefly. “I understand.”

With that, she walked off without another word. Her cold indifference made Jasper feel like he was looking at a complete stranger.

A servant beside Jasper muttered quietly, “Ms. Campbell grows more arrogant by the day. She doesn’t even show you the proper respect anymore.”

Jasper said slowly, his tone heavy with self–blame, “She has every right to treat me this way. After how terribly I behaved, I deserve her cold shoulder.”

The servant stared at him in shock. “Mr. Jasper Campbell, what are you saying?”

Jasper let out a bitter laugh. “Can you imagine how painful it must have been falling off that cliff? And kneeling in the ancestral shrine day after day, too? Why never once did she stand up for herself back then?”

The servant tried to comfort him. “Don’t keep dwelling on that bowl of chicken soup incident. I truly think

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Chapter 160 Nothing Like Him

Finished

Ms. Stella Campbell isn’t as bad as you make her out to be. You’re probably overthinking the whole thing.”

Jasper said quietly, “Stella may not be as terrible as I imagined, but Margaret is far more innocent than I ever realized.”

A sharp twinge of sorrow tugged at his heart as he spoke.

The servant persisted, “But Ms. Stella Campbell is to be the future Crown Princess. Mr. Timothy Campbell has told you time and again to look out for her no matter what happens. Her wedding is less than a month away now. Just hold your tongue and stay out of the household’s inner affairs.”

Jasper took a deep breath and stared up at the sky. “Perhaps you’re right.

“Margaret was right about me all along. I’m weak and fragile, spineless and useless. I’m not tall enough, nor strong enough, to protect anyone. I can’t even stand up for my own sister. I have a terrible temper and no self–awareness at all. I’m truly pathetic.”

Inside Bloomveil Court, as soon as they stepped into the courtyard, Lisa leaned in and asked softly, “Ms. Campbell, who was that handsome gentleman we just passed by? He’s almost as striking as Prince Theodore.”

Julie agreed at once, “He’s definitely good–looking, just a little shorter than Prince Theodore. If he were a bit more built…”

Margaret said plainly, “That’s Jasper, raised spoiled and sheltered in the Prime Minister’s Estate–naturally, he has soft, fair skin and delicate features.”

Lisa looked surprised. “Mr. Jasper Campbell… So that’s your elder brother?”

Margaret had no desire to talk about Jasper any longer. She called Winter over and introduced her to the two girls.

She explained gently, “This is my personal maid, Winter. We grew up together, and she’s like a close friend to me. You three get acquainted. She’ll arrange your lodgings for tonight. I need to go see my father now, so don’t wander off anywhere while I’m gone,”

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