Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 276

Chapter 276 A Stern Warning

No sooner had the words left their lips than a tall, imposing figure materialized in front of them

Cyan stood there, his gaze icy as it swept over the two women. “Where might the two of you be headed?

As Prince Theodore’s personal guard, he was no stranger to Stella. A flicker of wariness crossed her features. “We were just-”

“Never mind!” Cyan cut in, his voice devoid of warmth. “Your destination is irrelevant. I am here on orders from my lord. Regarding the groundless accusations Prince Christopher made today, His Highness won’t tolerate a single whisper of them beyond these walls. Should even a hint of today’s events circulate, we hold you solely responsible.” *

Before he could finish, Nadia bristled with indignation. “How can you be so unreasonable? Everyone present heard what Prince Christopher said! How can we possibly control what others say?”

A cold smirk played on Cyan’s lips. “His Highness cares not for idle gossipers. Regardless of the source, any leak will be attributed to you. Therefore, I suggest you keep a tight rein on your people. Fail to do so, and His Highness will show no mercy.”

With that final, chilling pronouncement, he turned on his heel and strode away, leaving the two women seething in his wake.

Stella’s pretty face contorted with fury, while Nadia cursed under her breath, “This is utterly unjust! It’s pure bullying!”

Stella spat, her voice trembling with rage. “It must be that bitch. She’s poisoned Theodore’s mind against me. How else would he guard against me so fiercely?/She knows me too well. Damn her!”

“Should we still proceed with spreading the word outside…”

Stella snapped, shooting her a venomous glare, “What do you think? Do you take Theodore for a man who makes empty threats?”

Nadia bit her lip anxiously. “Is there truly nothing we can do against her? The assassin we hired with all our savings failed to kill her, and now no one will even take the contract. We lack the means to eliminate her ourselves. Are we really left with only that final option…”

Stella drew a long, shuddering breath. “She is Theodore’s betrothed now. Who would dare touch her?”

“What should we do, then?”

“It seems we must follow Robin’s plan after all,” Stella said, her voice grim with resignation.

********

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Theodore held Margaret’s hand tightly, his grip firm and reassuring from the moment they had departed.

“What brought you here today?” Margaret asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

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Chapter 276–Stern Warning

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Theodore’s gaze softened as it rested on her. “You never arrived as planned. Worry gripped me. When I learned Norina had left the palace, I suspected trouble and came at once,”

His eyes searched her face tenderly. “How are you feeling today? Any discomfort?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Margaret said quietly, avoiding his question.

Theodore paused, then understood her meaning “Your well–being is all that matters. Everything else is trivial.”

“This poison… it must be terribly difficult to cure. You-”

“It’s manageable,” he said.

“I dreamed you fell from a cliff.”

*

Theodore blinked, then offered her a gentle, spring–like smile. “As you said, it was only a dream. I am perfectly well.”

At the sight of her warm smile, a pang of heartache struck Margaret. “Why do you keep everything to yourself?”

“I feared causing you worry.”

She retorted, “This is beyond mere worry! I knew your injury couldn’t have been-”

Theodore leaned.closer, a playful glint in his eyes. “So you’re concerned for me?”

A faint blush colored Margaret’s cheeks. “A little, perhaps–Mmm…”

Her words were cut short as his lips met hers in a tender kiss.

Surprised at first, Margaret did not pull away. Instead, she allowed herself to sink into the warmth of his

embrace.

Long moments later, Theodore finally drew back, his breath warm against her skin. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long… while you were awake.”

“We’re in a carriage…” Margaret murmured, her face flushed.

“It’s of no consequence. We are betrothed, our union proper and recognized.” Gently, he drew her closer. his fingers threading through her silken hair. “I can’t bear to see you hurt again. Never again.”

“I am fine…” she murmured.

“Life is fleeting, Margaret. To live truly free means pursuing what you desire and marrying whom you love. I adore you, and I know you feel the same, yet I sense your hesitation. I beg you, let it go. Choose me, wholeheartedly.”

He held her tightly, his voice a soft murmur by her ear. “Today marks the final treatment. After this, I know you’ll have little reason to seek me out unless necessity demands it. But I long to see you every single day: If you feel you lack an excuse, let me come to you. Or better yet, let us marry soon. Come live by my side,

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Chapter 276 A–Stern Warning

and stay with me forever. Would you…”

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