Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 264

Chapter 264 Disappointment

Christopher snapped, a tremor in his voice, “But it really was him-

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“Then why don’t you tell me why he attacked you?” Norma cut in, her tone icy. “Or better yet, explain why you dared not tell your father immediately after it happened?”

Christopher’s mouth clamped shut under her relentless gaze.

With a sharp crack, Norma slammed the pot onto the floor. Her voice dropped to a chilling whisper. “Feeling ashamed now? You have the nerve to cry about him beating you, yet you omit the whole sordid story?”

Christopher blurted out, his face flushing, “Why should I be ashamed? Margaret was my betrothed. Even if I had… taken things further, who would dare judge? It was Uncle Theodore who stuck his nose in! I didn’t even confront him after he snatched her away, and then he has the gall to come after me. This is all on him!”

A vein pulsed at his temple as his anger boiled over. “And he lied, saying she was at death’s door! My men reported to me first thing–she returned to the Prime Minister’s Estate safe and sound. Clearly, there was nothing wrong with her. Theodore just invented an excuse to come after me. He started this, so he should pay the price!”

“You disgrace yourself by even speaking of it!” Norma shot to her feet, storming around the ornate screen to glare at him. “If I were you, I’d be too mortified by my own foul deeds to utter a word!”

“Mother…”

She hissed, her eyes blazing, “Do you have any idea what your father despises most? Men who force themselves on women! You were the one who disliked her, who made a scene to break the engagement and clamored to marry her sister instead. She was the one who personally petitioned your father to annul it, and his decree sealed it. That bond was severed. She was not your betrothed. Yet you had the audacity to go to the Prime Minister’s Estate and drug her! What were you thinking? Have

you lost your mind?”

She stared at him, a mix of fury and profound disappointment etched on her face. “This isn’t just about ravishing a woman. You spat on your father’s imperial decree and trampled the dignity of the Prime Minister. If word gets out, not only will your father be disgusted, but every minister in court will lose faith in you. Do you truly think this is some trivial romantic dalliance?”

Christopher blinked, his anger momentarily doused by confusion. “I–It’s not that serious,

Mother…”

“What fills that head of yours? Nothing but this drivel about love?” Norma jabbed a finger hard

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10:49 Fri, Jul 10

Chapter 264 Disappointment

against his temple. “Have you forgotten who you are? Have you forgotten the duty on your shoulders as Crown Prince?”

His expression soured. “So what do we do now? Just… not tell Father?”

“You think telling him will make him take your side?” Norma’s laugh was bitter. “This mess is entirely your fault. Consider yourself lucky if he doesn’t strip you of your title!”

Her words landed like a physical blow, leaving Christopher speechless.

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Taking a deep, steadying breath, Norma continued, “Right now, the priority is finding a way to heal your leg. If you cannot stand again, your position as Crown Prince…

“Margaret! Her medical skills are exceptional. She might be able to cure me!” Christopher interrupted, a spark of desperate hope lighting his face.

A cold smirk twisted Norma’s lips. “After what you did to her? You think she’d lift a finger to help you?”

Christopher insisted, clinging to the memory, “Everyone knows how much she adored me. When I was crippled before, she stayed by my side day and night. I refuse to believe she’s truly abandoned me. She’s just angry right now. She must still have feelings…”

“Is it her feelings for you, or is it you who can’t let go?” Norma retorted sharply.

The question made him flinch. “Fine, I admit it. I never stopped caring for her. Everyone knows that, too. If she hadn’t let herself go, ballooning into that… that massive creature, I would have happily cherished her. It’s her own lack of discipline that drove me to her sister!”

In his mind, the blame lay elsewhere. “Stella is beautiful, gentle, understanding… any man would be drawn to her. What’s the big deal? I’m the Crown Prince. I’m not the first to fancy two women. What did I do wrong?”

Norma said, her tone turning analytical, almost clinical, “Your error wasn’t in your desires. It was in underestimating a woman’s jealousy. You showered her with affection when you were helpless, then tossed her aside for her sister the moment you recovered. Any woman would be consumed by envy and hatred. The depth of her past affection now matches the intensity of her loathing. So why would you imagine she’d heal your legs?”

A shrewd glint entered Norma’s eyes. “Besides, her so–called medical prowess is mere rumor. Who knows if it’s real? Perhaps this is her revenge–making you believe she holds the cure, forcing you to crawl back and beg, just to humiliate you.”

Christopher shook his head stubbornly. “No. She can do it. I know she can…

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10:49 Fri, Jul 10

Rejected by the Crown Prince? 1 Married His