Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Playing Hard to Get?

Margaret wanted nothing to do with him. She tried to walk around him and leave.

Finished

But he grabbed her arm. “I admit your ploy worked. My mother is forcing me to marry you. For her sake, I’ll give you what you want. But let me make this clear–even if I do marry you, you’ll never replace Stella in my heart!”

Margaret wrenched free. “Are you insane? How many times do I have to say it? I won’t marry you!”

“Enough with this ‘playing hard to get‘ act! Don’t think this makes me interested! My patience has limits!”

Christopher glared at her venomously. “I know you’re sulking. You’re angry I fell for someone else, angry I treated you badly. But you brought this all on yourself. I’ve been more than generous! You’d better know your limits!”

He took a deep breath. “Here’s your last chance. Apologize to Stella. Be nice to me. And on our wedding day, I’ll show you some respect. Otherwise-”

“Are you incapable of understanding basic human speech?

“We. Are. Done. No more engagement. No more ‘us. You go your way, I go mine. Is that clear enough? Need me to shout?”

Christopher sputtered, “You–you—”

“I don’t like you! I don’t want to marry you! I don’t want to be your damned Crown Princess! If you love Stella so much, marry her already and stop bothering me. Before I really lose my temper and-”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

Christopher’s fury knew no bounds.

“Why wouldn’t I dare? You two dare treat me like this–why shouldn’t I fight back? I know you’re conceited, Your Highness, but do you really think every woman on earth is desperate to marry you?”

“Fine! Margaret, don’t you regret this! You’ve thrown away your last chance! From now on, no matter what schemes you try, I’ll never forgive you!”

Margaret smiled, “Couldn’t ask for anything more!”

“Good! Just don’t come crying to my mother again—”

“If you love Stella so much, why do you care whether I complain? Why not just propose to her outright? Announce to the world that she’s your Crown Princess! Once word gets out, what could little old me do to stop it? Even if I complained, it wouldn’t matter, would it?”

Christopher clenched his fists. “Fine! Tomorrow I’ll announce it to all-Stella will be my sole Crown Princess! Just don’t go crying in a corner!”

“Idiot.”

Chapter 49 Playing Hard to Get?

Margaret rolled her eyes, sidestepped him, and hurried out the palace gates,

Christopher’s face burned red. He stormed back into his carriage.

A guard ventured quietly, “Your Highness, should we offer Ms. Margaret Campbell a ride?”

Finy bed

It was quite a distance back to her estate. Since the snow had melted, the days had been sunny, but heavy rains at night had left the streets muddy and difficult to traverse.

Christopher shot the guard a glare. “Why should we care? If she’s so capable, let her walk!”

“Yes, Your Highness…”

The carriage lurched forward, passing Margaret without so much as a curtain twitch.

Margaret showed no reaction.

Christopher stewed in his anger, refusing to acknowledge her.

But the guard outside murmured, “Your Highness, are you truly dissolving the engagement with her?”

Christopher sneered, “Do you honestly think she’d give me up?”

The guard considered. “She went to the Empress. That suggests she doesn’t want to lose you. But she can’t change your mind, so she’s trying a different angle. Retreat to advance.”

“Obviously. She thinks I don’t see through it. Pathetic.”

“Maybe she’s just angry, Maybe she’s waiting for you to bend first.”

“Bend? To her?” Christopher’s laugh was sharp. “She’s the one who’s gone too far. Tomorrow, I’ll propose to Stella. I’ll give Stella the Crown Princess position. Let’s see how long Margaret’s ‘retreat‘ lasts.

“She dares treat me with such contempt? I’ll make sure she learns who should be doing the groveling!”

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