Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 261

Rejected by the Crown Prince? Married Bis Uncle
Chapter 261 Chastity Locket
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Margaret said, her tone gentle, “I was wondering where you’d been, silly thing. Try not to roam outside so much in the future. I know what you’re worried about.
“Crown Prince Christopher brought this on himself. Leave him be. By the way, I thought I heard Stella’s voice earlier.”
At the mention of Stella, Winter perked up. “I was just about to tell you! On my way back, I passed by Rosethorne Court and saw Mr. Campbell yelling at her. Isn’t that strange?”
Margaret understood immediately. “So, he’s not a fool after all.”
Winter, still puzzled, continued, “I heard Mr. Campbell accuse her of poisoning the marchpane tartlets. He sounded furious, like he wanted to skin her alive. Stella was wailing and crying, insisting she was innocent. I couldn’t stay to hear much more and hurried back.”
She paused, adding, “On the way, I even spotted Mr. Jasper Campbell himself. He’d clearly heard the commotion but just stood there watching from a distance, not lifting a finger to stop it or defend Stella. Odd, isn’t it?
“Nowadays, Mr. Campbell seems to care for you more and more, and Mr. Jasper Campbell isn’t as biased as he used to be. Both of them seem to dislike Stella intensely. Even my life in the manor has gotten easier. I’m so glad things are finally looking up for you after all you’ve been through. I only hope they despise Stella even more, so she gets a taste of the misery you once endured…”
Listening to Winter’s chatter, Margaret felt no joy, only a lingering heaviness in her heart.
Her thoughts kept circling back to Theodore.
He must have exhausted himself running around for her these past two days while I was unconscious.
Those wounds on his body… they were probably from searching for medicine to save me.
Why didn’t he say a word about all he’s done?
If he’d told her from the start, she wouldn’t have treated him so coldly.
He’d laid his heart bare, yet she’d hesitated over uncertainties.
Margaret had promised to give them a chance, but while he was offering his sincerity, she was still wavering.
In comparison, she was the one acting more like someone from this ancient world…
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Chapter 261 Chastity Locket
How awful.
I’m truly terrible…
No! Tomorrow, I must properly thank him—not just for saving my life, but also to clarify my own feelings…
45 Pearlo
“Ms. Campbell, what’s on your mind? You seem so down. Are you feeling unwell?” Winter’s worried voice cut through her thoughts.
Margaret shook her head.
Winter sighed in relief, saying, “That’s good. These past couple of days, I’ve been feeling so drowsy myself, like I can never get enough sleep. Especially the day before yesterday. You have no idea how early I crashed. After dinner, my eyelids just grew so heavy. I slept straight through till morning, and even yesterday, I was in a daze all day. I wanted to come to the Ducal Palace to find you, but I was too tired and slept until evening. When I woke up and you still weren’t back, I was so worried… But… well, I’m just glad you’re back safe.”
Margaret took Winter’s hand and checked her pulse. Everything became clear.
Christopher had really been afraid of anyone interfering. The dose he’d given a mere maid was strong enough to knock out an ox. No wonder Winter felt so groggy.
She’d probably remain muddled for another two days.
At the thought of Christopher, Margaret’s heart remained calm.
Not a shred of worry remained; in fact, she half-wished he’d be left completely crippled.
Overwhelmed by fatigue, she asked Winter to draw a warm bath for her.
Sinking into the water, Margaret finally felt a bit of her energy return.
At the sight of the numerous hickeys covering her skin, memories of last night flooded back, painting her cheeks a bright red.
But they say a woman’s first time is supposed to be agonizing. Why did I feel no pain at all?
It must have been because I was barely conscious…
Amidst her tangled thoughts, her fingers brushed against the silver Chastity Locket she wore. She froze.
“The engraving on the locket remains bright…”
How could this be?
10:49 Fri, Jul 10
Chapter 261 Chastity Locket
If the lock’s engraving hadn’t darkened, did that mean last night was just an illusion?
Yet the faint kiss marks on her body were undeniably real.
She clutched the cool silver pendant. The engraving was as pristine as ever, not a hint of tarnish.
In other words, Theodore had never overstepped that boundary with her.
In retrospect, it all made sense.
Given the potent poison she’d ingested and her critical condition, someone like Theodore? Of course he wouldn’t take advantage.
Even so, her mind was filled with those strange, vivid memories.
She remembered, in her dream, being the one to kiss Theodore first.
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