Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 A Lesson in Fear

“What happened to your face?”

Finished

Margaret hadn’t noticed before–but now she saw it. A bright red handprint on Winter’s cheek. Fresh.

Winter quickly lowered her head. “It’s… it’s nothing…”

“Who hit you?”

Winter hesitated. “It’s nothing serious. I-“

“I’ll ask one last time. Who hit you?”

Sensing Margaret’s anger. Winter’s eyes reddened. “It’s…”

She glanced furtively at the two maids standing in the courtyard.

Dressed in emerald green, they stood guard at the bedroom door without a trace of fear. Even seeing Margaret return, they made no move to greet her.

From Margaret’s memories, these two had been transferred from Stella’s courtyard.

Originally, her own courtyard had three or four maids. But after Stella’s repeated slanders, the Prime Minister himself had angrily dismissed them all, claiming Margaret needed to suffer a little to learn sense.

After that, only Winter remained to serve her.

When Stella later returned, their father and brother, fearing she’d be mistreated, assigned her seven or eight maids.

But Stella, feigning generosity, insisted on giving two to Margaret.

From then on, these two maids ran wild in the courtyard. Not only did they constantly bully Winter, but they also sneered at Margaret to her face when idle.

They did none of the actual work, piling everything onto Winter. Yet at the slightest provocation, they’d run straight to Stella with reports.

The original Margaret had scolded them, punished them–but whenever she did, Stella would conveniently appear with Jasper, while Margaret’s own suffering went unnoticed…

Remembering this, Margaret clenched her fists in anger.

She walked slowly toward the two maids. “You two were the ones gossiping outside my door this morning, weren’t you?”

The maids exchanged glances, then curtsied without a trace of fear.

“Ms. Margaret Campbell, you misunderstand. We wouldn’t dare.”

“We said nothing.”

8:35 pm

Chapter 23 A Lesson in Fear

E

Fin died

Margaret smiled, “Funny. I heard you had plenty to say to the Crown Prince too. You must have a lot of tongues between you.”

Seeing Margaret’s smiling face, the maids showed no fear. One said, “We wouldn’t dare. His Highness questioned us directly, so we answered truthfully.”

“Truthfully, you say.”

Margaret’s smile widened. “And you struck Winter. You’re getting quite bold.”

The other maid said, “His Highness demanded we speak nothing but the truth. But Winter lies with every breath. Not only did she try to deceive His Highness, but she also intended to slander us before Mr. Campbell. We were sent by Ms. Stella Campbell. You’re too kind to punish her, but we-”

Before she could finish, Margaret interrupted. “So you admit it, then?”

The maids merely lowered their heads, still unafraid.

Seeing this, Margaret slapped one across the face.

Smack! The maid’s eyes flew wide. “Ms. Margaret Campbell! By what right do you strike me?”

“By right of being your lady!”

With that, Margaret kicked her squarely in the stomach, sending her sprawling.

“Ah! Ms. Margaret Campbell! Mr. Campbell forbade you from mistreating us! How dare you-”

Before she could finish, Margaret stepped forward and kicked her in the face.

“Ahhh!”

The maid screamed as Margaret kicked her again and again–until she finally fell unconscious.

Margaret stopped, dusted off her hands, and turned to the other maid, who stood frozen in shock. “Winter,” Margaret called calmly, “fetch a bucket of water. Wake this one up. We’ve only just begun, and she’s already out cold. How are we supposed to have fun if she can’t take it?”

Winter stood dumbfounded, then hurried off…

Margaret’s gaze shifted to the other maid.

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