Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 213

Chapter 213 Fell Heavily on the Stage

Finished

Jasper spoke up beside him. “Stella, your dancing is lovely, but you’re unwell today. You shouldn’t…”

“It’s fine, Jasper.” Stella’s gaze was firm and resolute. “I know both you and Father are only worried about me, but I’m truly all right. The poison only left me swollen; it hasn’t taken my life. I can do this.”

She carried herself with quiet strength. “Besides, a promise once spoken cannot be taken back.”

Stella then pretended to cover her mouth softly. “I’m sorry, Margaret. I don’t mean to blame you for breaking your word. With so many people watching today, it’s only natural you’d hesitate. I won’t force you. I can dance alone just fine.”

With that, she stepped over to the lute players below and spoke briefly, arranging the melody for her dance.

Margaret suddenly spoke. “I don’t understand why you’d drag me into this out of nowhere. I never once promised to play accompaniment for you. But since you’ve put it this way, how can I refuse to come up?”

She walked slowly toward the stage. “I’m not particularly skilled at playing the lute, but since you’ve asked, I have no reason to turn you down.”

Stella’s lips twitched with suppressed irritation, yet she spoke sweetly. “I’m glad you’ve come.”

The veiled barbs in their exchange were not lost on the cunning nobles watching below, and quiet murmurs broke out once more.

“I’ve long heard Margaret is a good–for–nothing with no skills at all–when did she ever learn to play the lute?”

“It’s true she was once Crown Prince Christopher’s fiancée. How did she end up beside Prince Theodore all of a sudden?”

“I met her once before, and she was round and plump as could be. I never imagined she’d slim down so beautifully. Her face still holds a little softness, but beside Stella, she shines far brighter. I can’t even imagine how stunning she’ll look once she’s fully slimmed down.”

“It’s not certain she’ll stay this slender.”

“They say she knows nothing at all. How dare she step up on stage like this?”

“She was almost Crown Princess after all. Even if no one trained her properly back then, she must have picked up a few basic skills later on.”

Ignoring the surrounding chatter, Margaret walked straight to the lute and sat down. “What dance will you perform? I need to know the melody to play the accompaniment properly.”

“Ethereal Dream.” Stella’s voice was soft, her eyes sharp and determined.

The moment she spoke, the crowd burst into exclamations.

“Ethereal Dream? That’s one of the most difficult traditional dances in Northpoint. Only Queen Norma

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Chapter 213 Fell Heavily on the Stage

herself was known to dance it beautifully in her youth–hardly anyone performs it anymore.”

“No wonder she’s so confident to take the stage. She actually knows how to dance Ethereal Dream.”

“The dance is filled with incredibly difficult moves. She truly is as talented as the rumors say.”

“The melody for Ethereal Dream is also notoriously hard to play. Today’s performance will be extraordinary.”

Finished

Even Norma smiled warmly, “Ethereal Dream–what a lovely choice. I look forward to your performance, Stella.”

As Norma spoke, Stella began to move slowly to the opening notes.

The prelude was soft and unhurried, with only a few gentle lute tones, calm and soothing like a lullaby.

Though Stella was now swollen and plump, her body remained lithe and flexible, every movement vivid and graceful.

As she danced, the entire banquet fell into a hushed silence, all eyes fixed intently on her. Her footwork was perfect.

Her steps grew lighter and more intricate, and the lute melody followed in perfect rhythm.

Just as the crowd praised the perfect harmony between the two, Stella suddenly stumbled and fell heavily on the stage.

The lute music cut off abruptly.

Every guest’s eyes widened in shock.

What shocked them most was that as she fell, Stella’s hairpiece slipped off entirely, leaving her completely bald on top.

It all happened in an instant. Before anyone could process the scene, Stella let out a shrill scream.

She scrambled to snatch her wig and fix it back on her head, then glared furiously at Margaret, eyes blazing. “It’s you! You attacked me! You couldn’t play the rest of the melody, so you schemed to trip me. How could you be so cruel and vicious?”

Before the crowd could recover from the shock, Stella pulled an acupuncture needle from her leg and dropped to one knee dramatically.

“King Spencer! Queen Norma! You must do me justice!” she sobbed tearfully. “I was dancing peacefully when an acupuncture needle pricked my leg out of nowhere, forcing me to ruin my performance. Whoever did this is heartless and malicious to the core!”

She wept bitterly, yet the entire banquet remained dead silent.

Norma was still stunned by the sight of Stella’s bare scalp, and it took her a long moment to find her words. “You… You…”

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