Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 298

Chapter 298 The Unspoken Decree

Winter bit her lower lip, a flicker of distress in her eyes. “You already know, Ms. Campbell? Prince Theodore gave strict orders for everyone to keep it from you for now…

A faint, weary smile touched Margaretips. “It’s nothing worth making a fuss over. Why shouldn’t I know?”

Winter’s expression softened into one of heartfelt sympathy. “No wonder you’ve seemed so out of sorts. You must be heartbroken, aren’t you? I’m so sorry, Ms. Campbell. I meant to comfort you, but when the Ducal Palace sent for me, they specifically instructed me not to say a word. That’s why I’ve just been rambling about nonsense all this time…”

A sudden, cold dread tightened in Margaret’s chest.

This isn’t about the same thing I know. Something’s wrong.

“They told you not to tell me anything when they summoned you to the palace?” Margaret asked, her voice carefully controlled.

Winter nodded, still oblivious to the shift in the air. “Yes. They said you’d be staying at the Ducal Palace a few more days and thought I should come keep you company. They told me to act like everything was normal, to say nothing at all. I thought they’d all managed to keep it from you… but it seems you already

knew.”

There it is. Something is indeed off.

“Why do you assume I’m upset about this particular matter?” Margaret began, her tone deceptively light.

Unaware of the trap, Winter poured out her concern. “Well, with Prince Theodore having proposed to you, everyone thought you were set to be his Princess. But then that old general used his dying wish–and all his battlefield honors–to beg the King to grant his granddaughter, Myrna, marriage to Prince Theodore. Now your rightful place is gone, and you’re only to be a Royal Consort. It’s terribly unfair. You must be so hurt. And heaven knows how many people will be laughing about it behind your back…”

indignation

Her voice trembled with genuine pity and a touch of shared indignation.

But for Margaret, the words landed like a thunderclap, shocking her into utter stillness!

What?

King Spencer has betrothed Theodore to Myrna?

On Randall’s dying request?

Her mind whirled into chaos, pieces of a bewildering puzzle suddenly snapping into a horrifying picture.

Now it all made sense.

Theodore’s strange, late–night visit, his cryptic words.

Megan’s desperate, almost frantic attempts to keep her at the palace today.

12:15 pm PT

Chapter 298 the Unspoken Decree

Even Baxter himself came out to stop her.

Why, Theodore, after his proposal and their seemingly settled engagement, was so insistent she remain within the Ducal Palace walls.

Of course–it was the only way to keep her from hearing the news now spreading through the city like wildfire.

A revered general, a national hero, the man who had saved Theodore’s own life. His final wish was to humbly ask for a marriage for his granddaughter.

Given his service, how could the Spencer possibly refuse?

Especially when Theodore and Myrna were childhood friends, a fiatch seen by all as perfectly suitable in rank and station.

Seeing Margaret pale and silent, Winter grew anxious. “Ms. Campbell, please say something. I know you’re hurting. I could tell the moment you came back alone today. But… Prince Theodore is a fine match. Some might say even better than Crown Prince Christopher was.

“Being his choice, his true desire, counts for something. Ms. Hickman is just a political match, a duty he must fulfill because of the decree. You are the one he loves, Even as a Royal Consort, you’ll hold his heart. He’s had to accept this for now, but he’ll surely cherish you all the more for it later…”

Margaret felt the blood drain from her face. A cold sweat broke out across her skin in mere moments.

Winter’s heart ached for her.

“Ever since the decree was announced, I’ve been thinking of how to comfort you. It’s the King’s command, after all. The edict is issued. Not even Prince Theodore can defy it. And with his deep ties to General Randall… everyone says the general was like a second father to him.

“If the Prince Theodore dishonored Randall’s last wish, people would call him ungrateful. To defy King Spencer’s will would be disloyal. He could never be seen as faithless or treasonous. You’re a woman, Perhaps the best course is to show understanding now. That way, you’ll earn his lasting gratitude and affection.”

୮

She sighed deeply, adding, “At least King Spencer remembered your prior engagement. He made a separate decree for you to marry as a Royal Consort. You and Ms. Hickman are to marry Prince Theodore on the same day. It seems King Spencer has even chosen an auspicious date already…

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