Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180 Good Times Will Come

“Very well.” Margaret handed the illustrated recipe book to her without hesitation, making Lisa overwhelmed with gratitude.

She said, “Thank you so much, Ms. Campbell. I’ll treasure this dearly.”

Finished

“Silly girl, it’s nothing precious at all, no need for such formality,” Margaret smiled softly. “Go on and start learning the recipes. I’ll be looking forward to tasting your cooking soon.”

Lisa nodded happily and rose to leave with a bright smile.

Just as she turned to step away, Margaret reached out and tugged lightly at her clothing. “Wait a moment. There’s something stuck on your dress.”

Lisa took another step forward, and a sudden chill brushed over her shoulder. She realized the fabric had come undone accidentally.

She let out a startled gasp and quickly pulled her clothes back into place.

Margaret let go of her hand at once. “I’m sorry. I only meant to remove whatever was stuck to your dress.”

Lisa looked away awkwardly. “It’s all right. The dress got torn a while ago, and I patched it up with a scrap of cloth. The colors just don’t match very well.”

Thankfully, there are hardly any other guests on the second floor, and we’re tucked away in this quiet corner–no one noticed a thing.

Margaret quickly changed the subject to ease the awkwardness. “It’s fine. That birthmark on your shoulder is actually quite pretty.”

Lisa smiled gently, “My mother always said the same thing. She even told me I might one day find my birth parents because of this mark.”

Margaret looked surprised, “You weren’t raised by your real parents?”

In such a remote village, where everyone valued boys over girls, I never thought they’d adopt a baby girl,

Lisa nodded, “No, Mother found me abandoned. She said someone left me on her doorstep one night. She heard me crying and took me in. She didn’t have any children back then, and even though I was only a girl, she doted on me greatly. Though she’d grumble sometimes when angry, saying she’d gotten nothing but trouble taking me in for free.”

Her tone turned melancholy as she spoke of her mother. “Mother had a harsh fate, too. Her own family sold her to my father when she was young. I watched Father beat her countless times growing up. Whenever she tried to resist, he’d lock her up in the pig pen. She’d often sigh that if village families didn’t sell their daughters for coin, she might never have taken me in at all–Father never wanted a daughter to begin with.

“When I was little, I always thought they only spoke harshly but truly loved me. I never believed they’d really sell me… until what happened later.”

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1:16 am P PM.

Chapter 180 Good Times Will Come

Finished

Listening to her story, Margaret felt a surge of sympathy welling up inside her. “Let’s not talk about sad things anymore. Better days are ahead for you.”

“I believe that as long as I stay with you, good times will come.” Lisa brightened at once. “I’ll go study the recipes now. I can’t read many of these words yet, so I’ll find someone literate to teach me.”

With that, Lisa left cheerfully.

Watching her lively retreating figure, Margaret’s heart grew heavy.

I’ve given them food and shelter, but their clothes are old and worn out.

I barely pulled at her dress just now, yet it tore open so easily.

If some lecherous rogue had come along…

I dare not think what might’ve happened. I really ought to buy them both new outfits.

Just then, Julie hurried over to her. “Ms. Campbell, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I even almost went to the Prime Minister’s Estate to find you.”

Margaret looked curious. “What’s the matter?”

“A gentleman came to the Healing Peace Hall asking for you to treat him,” Julie said. “Healing Peace Hall only hung its new sign up recently. I have no idea how he even knew it was your shop. He specifically asked for you by name. I was ready to turn him away, but the reward he offered was far too generous.”

Julie set a heavy pouch of silver on the table. “This is the deposit he gave upfront. He said he’d pay even more once you cure him. There must be nearly a hundred silver marks in this bag alone.”

Having never seen so much silver before, Julie’s eyes sparkled with amazement.

Margaret already had a faint idea who it might be. She stood up and headed downstairs at once.

Julie quickly grabbed the silver pouch and followed. “Ms. Campbell, take this–it’s his consultation deposit.”

“You and Lisa split it between you,” Margaret said calmly. “I’ve been meaning to buy you both new clothes anyway. Use this to pick out what you like, and keep whatever’s left as your wages for the next few months.”

Julie’s eyes widened in utter shock at her casual words. “Ms. Campbell, I couldn’t possibly. This is far too much.”

“You work for me, you’ve earned it,” Margaret replied plainly. “Besides, this is our medicine shop’s first official customer. Now that you’re helping out there…”

“No, really, it’s too much.” Julie hurried after her, pressing the silver pouch back into Margaret’s hand. “A single silver mark each for Lisa and me would be more than enough. You give us food, lodging, and now you want to give us silver, too. We’ll never be able to repay all your kindness in a lifetime.”