Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68 The Betrayal

Now it all made sense–why the old woman had insisted on preparing a meal for them so late at night.

She had been trying to drug them all along.

No wonder more than twenty men had been waiting outside but never rushed in.

They were waiting for everyone to lose consciousness.

No wonder Zoe had been taken without a sound.

No wonder Carol hadn’t woken earlier, despite the noise they’d made.

And no wonder Carol’s face had looked so pale and uneasy when they returned.

Everything that had seemed strange before suddenly fell into place.

No wonder Margaret had felt that something was off.

A storm of emotions churned inside Manet?

as she stared intently at Carol’s back.

“Carol, would you mind closing the door?” she asked, a last thread of doubt lingering in her voice.

But Carol didn’t move to shut it. Instead, she stepped quietly aside and called out to those outside, “They’re nearly all unconscious now. You can come in.”

That single sentence shattered whatever hope Margaret had left.

Carol truly was in league with the bandits.

Deep down, Margaret had suspected it.

How else could they have been targeted so quickly after arriving in this village? They’d only walked down the main road that evening–it had all been too sudden, too deliberate.

And that old woman they’d just met… why would she be so kind? Taking them into her home, feeding them, offering them a place to sleep…

“Bloody hell, I’ve been freezing out here!” growled a rough, booming voice from beyond the doorway. “You killed plenty of my men. Now it’s time to pay.”

A towering figure, nearly six and a half feet tall, strode inside, a pair of iron war hammers gripped in his hands. Just his presence was enough to chill the air.

As he entered, a crowd of rugged men flooded into the yard behind him.

“Boss, best not get too close just yet,” warned one of them, a lean man with a wary gaze. “Anyone who took down our lot that easily—those two must be skilled fighters.”

“Aye, best wait and make sure they don’t move. Then finish them clean.”

11:33 am

Chapter 69 The Betrayal

“Old woman, you’re certain you drugged them, yes?”

The men kept talking as they packed the small yard.

Finished

One of them, a scar–faced brute, tossed a leather pouch toward Carol. “Not bad, granny. That silver’s for you. Bring us the rest of the girls, and the boss will make it worth your while.”

Carol caught the pouch, her face breaking into a wide, toothy grin. “Don’t you worry. Those lasses won’t slip away from you.”

The scar–faced man let out a hearty laugh. “I like your way of talking, you old crone! You even handed over your own granddaughter. I’ve taken quite a liking to you! Hah!”

Zoe, who hadn’t fully passed out–likely because she’d eaten little of the stew–stared in disbelief, her eyes wide. “Grandmother, what are you doing? These are bandits! They’re the ones who took me!”

The scar–faced man laughed even louder. “Look at this plump little thing, getting all worked up. She still doesn’t know, does she? Her own grandmother drugged her and handed her right over to us!”

The giant with the hammers looked thoroughly pleased, his gaze fixed on Theodore. “Was the dose strong enough? Why are those two still sitting up?”

One of his followers nodded. “That’s what we meant–they must be trained. Give it a little longer, Jasper. They won’t hold out.”

The bandits roared with laughter. Carol had already shuffled aside, counting the silver coins in her palm. Zoe broke into hysterical sobs. “No! Are you threatening her? Grandmother, come save me! They said they’ll sell me! They’ll sell me to some far–off village, to be an old man’s wife! Grandmother, please…!”

Overwhelmed, she collapsed to the ground, weeping bitterly.

Margaret felt the sting of betrayal deep in her chest.

She kept her eyes locked on Carol.

“Carol,” she said, voice low but clear. “I want to know why as well.”

Why would a woman who had seemed so gentle conspire with bandits?

Why would a grandmother sell her own flesh and blood?

Even if she loved coin, how could she do such a thing?

Margaret truly couldn’t understand.

Her heart ached–perhaps because she had trusted too easily. Even when the whole village felt strange, she had never once doubted this kindly old woman.

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