Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 302

Chapter 302 Smug Stella

Finished

Spencer’s words carried a heavy weight of unspoken implications. Leaning back, he spoke with deliberate calm. “Your father holds significant sway at court. However, Theodore is not a scholar of statecraft; he requires the support of military families. Do not mistake me–I don’t deem you unworthy. Yet you must understand… you were once engaged to another.

“Whether you initiated the broken engagement or Christopher did, your reputation has suffered for it. Should Theodore make you his princess, it would stir public debate. And then there was the incident with the incense…” Spencer paused, his gaze steady. “I have considered all this carefully.”

A faint tremor passed through Margaret’s eyelids. So this is his true concern.

She remained seated, schooling her features into careful neutrality

Spencer sighed, the sound heavy with feigned regret. “It is plain to see Theodore’s deep affection for you. If you don’t relent, he may delay his union with Ms. Hickman indefinitely. You are a sensible girl, Margaret. For the greater good, and if you truly care for him, you should consider what is best for his future. Sometimes, loving someone means letting them go to a more… suitable match.”

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. “Finally, remember this visit was unofficial. You grasp my meaning?”

Silence stretched in the wake of his speech. Margaret listened, her posture perfectly composed.

After a long moment, she dipped her head respectfully. “Your Majesty’s meaning is perfectly clear. You may set your mind at ease. I won’t trouble Prince Theodore with these matters or burden him with my discontent. He won’t learn of your visit from me. For the sake of his honor and prospects, I will… step aside and allow his advantageous marriage to proceed. I understand my duty.”

Her calm, measured response seemed to take Spencer by surprise. He had expected protests, perhaps tears, from a young woman faced with such a dismissal.

It was not every day a prime minister’s pampered daughter was asked to quietly accept being cast aside.

Your

Spencer said, rising to his feet, a look of approval on his face, “Your understanding is most commendable.

“Take comfort. Though you will marry him as a Royal Consort, your cooperation in this matter will not be forgotten. Should you face difficulties in the future, you may appeal to me.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Margaret’s voice was a flat, emotionless plane.

Inside, a strange numbness had settled, making it impossible to name the swirl of feelings.

She had no desire to prolong this conversation, offering only the expected deference in hopes he would leave sooner.

Satisfied, Spencer gave a final nod. “Very well. I shall return to the palace. Do not forget your promises.”

“I will not, Your Majesty.”

He left without another word.

12:17 pm PN

Chapter 302 Smug Stella

Finished

Only when his presence had fully receded from the room did Margaret allow herself to take a deep, shaky

breath.

Instead of the scalding rage she might have expected, a peculiar sense of liberation washed over her.

Yes.

The decision crystallized in her mind. She would let Theodore go.

The imperial decree was final. Their shared future was now an impossibility, and she refused to share a husband with another woman.

The clearest path forward was to remove herself from the equation entirely.

The attachment wasn’t so profound that it would shatter her.

Before Margaret was in too deep, she would extract herself. She would leave Breston.

The how required careful thought.

Openly breaking the engagement was tantamount to defying the crown.

She had no wish to spend her life as a fugitive.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a mocking sound.

Stella sauntered in, her expression brimming with smug satisfaction. “Well, well. Still sitting here all alone? His Majesty has departed, Prince Theodore is too occupied to call, and Father rushed off the moment the coast was clear to search for your missing engagement gifts again. With so much drama, I thought you’d be running yourself ragged.”

“Not long ago, you were the talk of the town, betrothed to Prince Theodore. How ironic that now he prepares for a grand wedding with the Hickman girl. And I hear you’re to be a mere Royal Consort? To think you turned down the position of Crown Princess once, only to end up as…”

“Being Prince Theodore’s consort is still preferable to being Prince Christopher’s.” Margaret cut in, her voice icy.

She stood, her movements crisp. “Your own wedding approaches, right? Instead of minding my affairs, perhaps you should practice pushing a wheelchair. You’ll have a lifetime of that ahead–along with less dignified chores.”

With that, Margaret swept past her, head held high, leaving Stella sputtering with fury.

Nadia placed a soothing hand on her arm. “Don’t waste your anger on her, Ms. Campbell. Her dream of becoming Prince Theodore’s Princess is dust. Let her stew in her bitterness. We can simply watch the show.”

Stella snorted, her composure returning as spite took over. “A cast–aside woman, still dreaming of royalty. Does she think life in the Ducal palace will be any kinder? We may both be consorts, but at least my wedding day won’t be shared. I won’t be left waiting alone in an empty chamber on my wedding night. What has she to be proud of? Nothing but a cast–off plaything.”

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