Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 Turning the Tables

She tossed the bucket aside. “Still not awake. Winter, fetch me a knife.”

Winter’s mouth opened and closed. “Miss…”

“Do as I say!”

Winter timidly withdrew…

For bed

The other maid scrambled to her feet and bolted for the courtyard gate. But before she’d gone far, a sharp pain shot through her legs and she crumpled helplessly to her knees.

“Ah! My legs! What’s wrong with my legs?”

“Don’t worry. Just a little needle–temporary weakness. Won’t kill you.”

Margaret stepped forward and planted her foot on the maid’s back. “I don’t usually bother with this kind of thing. But when I do, I don’t leave witnesses. So don’t bother running to tattle. You’ve done enough of that.”

A single needle, and she was completely powerless. The maid had never known Margaret could be so terrifying…

The thought made her wail in terror.

“Please–I’m sorry–I’ll never-”

Margaret crouched beside her. “I remember now. When Stella ‘gifted‘ you to me, she gave me your contracts too. Very generous of her.” She tilted her head. “Wonder what a slave trader would pay for you. Or maybe a brothel?”

The maid’s face went green with horror. “Please–I’m begging you-”

“Promises are useless. I don’t even know where your family lives. But I could find out.” Margaret’s smile was almost pleasant. “Maybe they should suffer instead. Then you’d learn to keep your mouth shut.”

Was this still the timid, weak Margaret?

This was a demon. A monster.

The maid kowtowed frantically, forehead hitting the dirt. “I’ll do anything–please don’t sell us–don’t hurt my family-”

“Fine.” Margaret straightened. “That one’s still faking unconsciousness. Go give her fifty slaps. Then she gives you fifty. After that, pack your things and get out. Go back to Stella. Tell my father and brother everything she’s done. Use those gossipy tongues for something useful. Do well, and I’ll double your pay.” Margaret spoke casually as she took the knife from Winter and walked to the stone table in the courtyard.

“But if you fail…” She paused meaningfully. “I can’t guarantee which brothel your indenture papers will end up in. And your families… well, bandit raids happen all the time, don’t they?”

Chapter 24 Turning the Tables

The maid scrambled forward on hands and knees. “I’ll carry out your orders perfectly!”

With that, she pounced on the other maid–conscious or not–and began slapping her viciously.

The sound echoed through the small courtyard. Winter stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded.

Fuushed

She crept cautiously to Margaret’s side. “Miss, do you know what you’re doing? If Mr. Campbell finds out…”

“What if he does? Will he kill me over two servants?”

“Well… of course not…”

“Then what’s the problem?” Margaret finally glanced at her. “He can’t kill me. But I can kill them. Easily. I’m being generous, letting them off with a few slaps.” She smiled. “Originally, I was going to cut out their tongues.”

She smiled at the thought, “But then I reconsidered. Gossips like this–if properly utilized–could be quite useful. Don’t you think?”

Winter couldn’t suppress a shiver. Was it her imagination, or was Margaret’s smile a little… sinister?

After what seemed an eternity, the two maids finally finished beating each other.

The one who’d feigned unconsciousness was now bruised and swollen, yet still knelt trembling. “Miss, we’ve done as you commanded. Please spare us this once…”

Margaret smiled, “How about my earlier proposal? Go back to Stella. Treat her the way you’ve treated me…”

The two maids trembled, heads bowed.

Margaret’s smile faded slightly. “What’s wrong? Seems you’re afraid.”

One of them knocked her head against the ground. “Please, Miss–we’ll do anything–but her courtyard is a den of vipers. She’ll kill us.”

Margaret raised an eyebrow. “True enough. My foolish father and brother–both blind as bats–could kill you two on a whim. Tsk…”

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