Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 259

Chapter 259 A Name to Protect

Well, that is something of a relief. At least my reputation remains intact.

Fialah

If the world ever discovered Christopher had slipped into her room to drug her-even if nothing physical had happened-that single act of poisoning would have utterly destroyed Margaret’s good name.

In a world that prized sons over daughters, a woman’s reputation was her most precious asset.

Fortunately, the worst had been averted.

Stepping down from the carriage, Margaret made straight for her own courtyard.

Halfway there, Jasper came hurrying towards her, his face etched with worry.

“There you are! I was just about to head over to the Ducal Palace and fetch you back myself if you’d delayed any longer!”

Seeing his obvious agitation, Margaret replied coolly, “Why such a fuss, Jasper? I was only gone for a single night.”

Jasper looked at her with clear disappointment. “A single night? You’ve been missing for two nights, and you have the nerve to call it ‘one’? Doesn’t the night of the Lantern Fair count?

If you wanted to see the fair and stay out, you should have told us beforehand. Sending a messenger the next day? Unacceptable! And I thought you’d return yesterday, but instead you decided to overstay your welcome at the Ducal Palace. Even if Prince Theodore’s invitation was sincere-which it might not have been-you, an unmarried lady, should never have agreed. How could you just stay for a day or two on a whim? If word gets out, your name will be mud!”

Margaret was puzzled.

Two nights gone…

So the incident with Christopher and the drug was from the day before yesterday?

Have I been unconscious for two days?

It was just a bit of an aphrodisiac… How could it last that long?

Jasper droned on, but Margaret had no mind to listen. Pushing past him, she continued towards her

quarters.

Frustrated, Jasper trailed after her.

“Margaret, I can see you’re quite taken with Prince Theodore, but you live in different worlds. He keeps you around mostly because you’re useful to him. Once that usefulness runs dry, he’ll toss you aside. If he truly cared for you, he’d have given you a proper position by now. Instead… it might just be you pining

after him alone!”

Helplessly, she said, “Don’t be ridiculous, Jasper. Theodore and I

9:52 am P P P

Chapter 259 Nome to Protect

Fintoher

Before. I’d have believed you if you said there was nothing between you. But two nights missing, spent under his roof? How can you expect me not to jump to conclusions? I’m your brother. I only want what’s best for you. I don’t want to see you played for a fool!” jasper’s brow furrowed with concern. “I know you’re prettier now, and cleverer, but-”

“You’re getting on my nerves.” She shot him a glance before stepping into her courtyard. “I need some peace, Please. Jasper, don’t disturb me.”

He followed her in, undeterred. “Margaret, will you please listen to me for once? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been, with you vanishing for two whole days?”

Before she could reply, Timothy’s voice sounded from the gateway.

“Leave your sister be. It wasn’t her choice to stay away. Prince Theodore sent word-he insisted on keeping Margaret, and it wasn’t as if she could simply refuse and come hofne

Timothy strolled in, munching on an apple. “So, how has Prince Theodore’s headache been these past two days? You might ask him if there’s anything I can assist with. If there is—”

“Father, we don’t even know what’s really going on between them! You should be advising Margaret to visit less, not encouraging this,” Jasper protested, exasperated.

Timothy shot him a sharp look. “If Prince Theodore shows, interest in Margaret, it’s a blessing for her. Why must you make such a scene?”

Swallowing his frustration, Jasper could only say, “Regardless, if something like this happens again, give us some warning first. Or find an excuse to return home. Staying overnight without any formal standing… it’s simply not done.”.

With a long, weary sigh, he finally turned and left.

Timothy, however, beamed at Margaret, his eyes glinting with calculation.

Irritated, Margaret didn’t mince her words. “Father, your skin carries an unusually oily, shiny sheen today. Is that swelling, or have you simply put on weight? You seem quite different from a while back. Have you stepped on a scale recently?”

A cold smile touched her lips. “Forgive my bluntness. I’m only concerned for your hearth, so I felt I must

ask…”

Timothy’s smile froze instantly.

As he glanced down at his noticeably rounder belly, the apple slipped from his fingers and thudded to the

1. “Now that you mention it… I suppose I have gained a little…”

s laugh held no warmth. “A little? Father, are the people around you blind? At your current size, be at least fifteen pounds heavier than I was at my very heaviest. Has no one had the

re starting to resemble a ball?”

courage to

Rejected by the Crown Prince? | Married His Uncle