Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 The Walking Wounded

Finched

If he had simply rested in bed for a year or so, the injury might have had a chance to fully heal. But the moment he realized he could stand, he began rushing about day and night. Now, with this poisoning, the residual venom would irritate the old wound. Those already overburdened legs would cripple again within six months…

And worse than before. Previously, though paralyzed, his legs still retained sensation and could be saved. If they failed again, no remedy would exist…

The thought made Margaret feel not a flicker of anger.

Let him have his precious Stella. Let them have their fairy tale.

She’d love to see how long their undying love lasted when he was crippled again.

“Miss… Miss…”

A voice pulled her from her thoughts. Turning, she saw Winter, her face flushed.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came as soon as I heard you were back.” Winter hurried to keep pace. “But there was so much chaos, I didn’t dare approach, Please slow down–I can barely keep up.”

Margaret slowed her pace. “Why aren’t you resting in the courtyard? Why come looking for me?” “Miss, I’m your personal maid. I should be by your side at all times. I was negligent today…”

“I don’t like being followed everywhere. You can tend to your own matters. Don’t worry about me.” Margaret’s voice was cool.

Perhaps sensing her mood, Winter said timidly, “Miss, are you truly giving up the position of Crown Princess?”

Margaret couldn’t be bothered to answer such questions.

Winter continued, “I know His Highness has always misunderstood you, and it’s made you miserable. But he is the Crown Prince–second only to the Emperor and above all others. Everyone must endure his temper. Isn’t that what you always said?”

“If you become Crown Princess, you’ll be the future Empress. No one–not Ms. Stella Campbell, not any other noble lady–will dare look down on you. You’ll be second only to the Emperor and above all others. A little suffering now is nothing. Once you get through this, no one will ever bully you again…”

Listening to Winter’s rambling, Margaret felt exasperated. “A cripple can’t become a future sovereign.”

Winter’s face went pale with fright. “Miss, what are you saying? You mustn’t say such things! His Highness hates being called a cripple. If he heard that, he’d never love you again!

“You stood by him when he was at his worst. He’ll never forget that. He’ll never truly abandon you. Why

8

Chapter 22 The Walking Wounded

must you compete with Ms. Stella Campbell right now?”

By now, they had returned to the courtyard.

Emmshed

But Winter pressed on. “Truly, His Highness does care for you. If you’d just soften toward him, he’d relent. After all, you were the one by his side in his greatest difficulty. The only reason he’s so infatuated with Ms. Stella Campbell now is that she’s beautiful. That’s all.

“When he becomes Emperor, he’ll have countless beautiful women around him. Ms. Stella Campbell won’t stay favored forever. But you–relying on your kindness to him–the position of Empress will always be yours…”

Margaret’s patience frayed.

It seemed not only the original Margaret was weak–willed–even her maid was this timid and fearful…

Here she was, the one who’d suffered endless injustice, yet this girl kept urging her to endure. How spineless could one be?

“Don’t speak of this again.” Margaret’s voice was weary.

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