Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66 The Return

Finished

The women gathered behind her murmured in immediate agreement. “She’s right–I’m going to wake my father this instant. After what they tried to do, selling his own daughter… he’ll have their heads!”

“I’ll rouse my brothers and uncles. Once the whole village bands together, we can drive those scoundrels out for good!”

A sense of relief and restless energy passed through the group as they spoke. As soon as they reached the lane, they scattered toward their own homes.

Amber spoke up again, her voice firm. “Since everyone is returning home, I’ll make for the town to report this to the sheriff. The nearest parish office isn’t far. I’ll change into my brother’s riding clothes, take the forest path, and be back before first light.”

With a quick wave, she hurried off into the darkness.

Margaret made to call her back, but Amber was already gone. She sighed softly.

Well, so be it.

Once the village was awake, the raiders would likely be too occupied to come looking for any one of them.

Then Zoe said quietly, “My grandmother is old… she wouldn’t be able to fight. I should go to her first–let her know I’m safe, so she doesn’t fret.”

“I’ll come with you,” Margaret said. “Those men were just at your cottage. It isn’t safe to go alone.”

She turned to the remaining women. “Stay together, all of you. If you see any of those raiders, shout as loud as you can. Once the village gathers, no matter how many of them there are, they won’t dare touch you again.”

Then she followed Zoe back toward Carol’s cottage. The few women from nearby hamlets, with no kin in the village, trailed anxiously behind them.

Theodore wore a dark, thoughtful expression the whole way.

Margaret nudged him lightly. “Everything’s settled now. Why do you still look so grim? We saved them all -ought we not be glad?”

“It all went too smoothly,” Theodore replied in a low voice.

Margaret shrugged. “Is that such a bad thing?”

“It feels… off.”

Hearing his tone, Margaret’s own cheer faded. “Now that you say it… you may be right.”

If there truly were more than twenty raiders, why had none of them stirred even after all the captives slipped away?

At first, perhaps they hadn’t noticed—but by now?

11:33 am

Chapter 66 The Return

Finished

So many women had returned to their homes. With all the stirring and whispers, the raiders must have known something was amiss. Why were they still so quiet?

Even the village itself lay in an eerie stillness.

Late as it was, with daughters gone missing, wouldn’t at least some families have come out searching by now?

And by this time, those women should have reached their doors.

So why did the village remain so silent?

Troubled by these thoughts, they arrived at Carol’s cottage.

As soon as they entered, Zoe rushed tearfully into her grandmother’s chamber.

“Grandmother! I’ve returned! Where are you…?”

She emerged moments later, eyes brimming. “She’s not there.”

Just then, a trembling voice came from the rear of the cottage.

“My child… can it be you?”

Carol emerged from the pantry and hurried straight to Zoe without a glance elsewhere. “My dear girl, where have you been all these days? You’ve worried me half to death.”

Zoe clung to her tightly. “I hardly know what happened, Grandmother. I fell asleep, and then those men took me. Were it not for these two, I might never have found my way back.”

Only then did Carol turn to look at Margaret and Theodore. When her eyes fell on them, a flicker of surprise crossed her worn face.

“You–you both…”

Margaret offered a reassuring smile. “Do not be alarmed. We were resting here when some raiders stole in and took me. That is how we discovered where they were hiding the others.”

She placed a hand on Theodore’s arm. “In truth, it was my brother here who freed everyone. If thanks are owed, they belong to him.”

Carol trembled, her expression shifting to one of immense relief. “And… these others?”

Margaret glanced back at the four women behind them. “They were taken as well, but they are from neighboring hamlets. With nowhere to go tonight, they followed us. Since it is still dark, might they shelter here awhile? At daybreak, we can take them to the parish constable. The authorities will see each returned

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