Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177 Obsessed With His Own Dignity

The way they’d been raised in that village was truly chilling.

Finished

Looking at Lisa’s bright, earnest smile, Margaret spoke gently. “Don’t ever say things like that again. You’re your own person. Working for me is only an employer–and–worker arrangement, not master and servant. In my heart, you’re a close friend, and I’d never let a friend wait on me hand and foot.”

She paused, then added softly, “It’s not that I don’t want you staying by my side. It’s just that things are very complicated where I live. I have a sister named Stella who’s insane. I’m afraid she might hurt you two if you stay near me. Stay out of trouble and don’t come looking for me at the estate. Whatever you do, don’t let that unpredictable girl set her sights on you.”

Lisa listened intently, her heart filled with warm gratitude. “I don’t deserve to be your friend, Ms. Campbell. Great nobles like you would never even spare ordinary folks like us a kind glance, yet you don’t look down on our humble origins at all. You’re truly the kindest person I’ve ever met.”

She spoke from the bottom of her heart.

The higher one’s status, the more they cared about lineage and birth.

They only befriended those of equal standing–never simple commoners like them.

Margaret patted her shoulder lightly. “Focus on learning your trade here, and tell Julie to work hard, too. In a year or two, you might even become my most trusted right–hand helpers.”

Lisa looked utterly honored. “Rest assured, Ms. Campbell. We’ll study and train with all our effort.”

After that, Margaret headed back to the Prime Minister’s Estate.

She slept restlessly that night.

The next morning, when she went to give Theodore his acupuncture treatment, she couldn’t stop yawning

nonstop.

Theodore sat in his usual medicinal bath, eyes closed in quiet repose.

Margaret yawned again and again, pricking the needles a little too hard without realizing it.

Theodore said, “Go easier.”

Margaret jolted back to her senses. Theodore was always quiet and calm during every session–she must have really pressed too hard this time.

She lightened her touch at once, looking embarrassed. “Your health is far better than I expected, Prince Theodore. You’ve been taking your medicine faithfully these days, haven’t you?”

Theodore kept his eyes closed and said nothing.

Margaret went on, “It’s good you’re sticking to the treatment. Your condition has improved so much. I imagine you can use your inner strength occasionally now without feeling any severe pain, right?”

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1:16 am P P M.

Chapter 177 Obsessed With His Own Dignity

Theodore finally let out a low hum of acknowledgment.

Finished

“That’s exactly it,” Margaret said. “From now on, the sweet bay scent won’t trigger your poison instantly anymore. You’re recovering faster than I predicted. With your strong constitution, we might even finish the acupuncture treatment and rid you of the poison much sooner than planned.”

Theodore asked quietly, “Are you saying the cure can be accelerated?”

Margaret nodded. “Yes. It’s all thanks to how well you’ve cooperated with the treatment.”

No sooner had she spoken than she yawned again.

I’m so exhausted. I tossed and turned all night, lost in random thoughts, barely sleeping a wink.

Her mind drifted unbidden to Christopher’s frightening face…

The memory of him throwing himself at her without a shred of restraint the day before made her skin crawl with disgust.

I truly detest men like him.

No real ability to speak of, yet full of petty tempers.

Arrogant, stubbornly proud, obsessed with his own dignity.

He acts as if he’s untouchable and above everyone else, yet he’s long since become thoroughly loathsome.

She knew perfectly well why Christopher had acted that way all of a sudden.

It was never because he’d fallen for her. He finally realized how valuable she was,

He knew she was the only one who could cure his injured arm. When kind words and force both failed to make her help him, he resorted to that shameless scheme.

He thought forcing her into a compromising position would leave her with no choice but to treat him- and bind her medical skills solely to his use forever.

That trick wouldn’t work on her, of course.

But for any ordinary young woman in this era, trapped in a world ruled entirely by men, falling victim to such a scheme would mean being controlled by him for the rest of her life.

The more she thought about it, the more disgusted Margaret felt with Christopher.

He always claimed he disliked plump women. Even now that I haven’t fully slimmed down, he still tried to force himself on me the second he saw I had value.

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