Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71 Carol’s Last Words

Margaret came to a halt.

She had, of course, noticed Carol’s condition.

Frushed

When the older woman had struck the heavy oak table, she had also gashed her head against its edge.

Carol was already advanced in years, and the blood loss had been considerable. In such a state, continuing onward was simply impossible.

Perhaps out of bitter disappointment, Margaret felt little urge to intervene. “She won’t make it. We should leave this place.”

Zoe clung tightly to Carol, shaking her head desperately. “No! I won’t go! If I leave, I take my grandmother with me. Oh, it’s my fault… I never paid heed to what she truly needed. This is all my doing…”

“What does her poor judgment have to do with you?”

Margaret’s tone was cold.

But Zoe’s weeping seemed to have stirred Carol back to consciousness, for the old woman’s hand lifted weakly to brush the tears from her granddaughter’s cheek.

“Silly child… Foolish girl…”

Hearing her voice, Zoe exclaimed at once, “Grandmother, you’re awake! Thank heavens…”

Then, turning eagerly to Margaret, she pleaded, “You see, my lady? She’s roused. She will recover. Might we bring her along? Those brigands all lie dead here. If they have any allies, they will surely come. We cannot remain in this cottage any longer. I beg you–please take my grandmother and me away from here. Please…”

“Go with them, dear child. My time is over…”

“Do not say that! Let me help you up!”

Carol shook her head faintly and, for the first time, looked straight into Zoe’s eyes with grave clarity.

“How is a young maid like you to survive in so cruel a world, you simple thing? You would be better taken into a wealthy household–there you might live out your days in comfort.”

Zoe replied in distress, “Grandmother, your mind is wandering! I’ve no wish to be sold. I only want to stay with you, always.”

Carol pushed her away with what strength remained. “An old crone like me has no need of you. Go. Go

with them.”

But Zoe clung to her once more. “I will not leave! Where you are, Grandmother, there I stay.”

“If you remain, sooner or later I will sell you

still.”

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11:34 am

Chapter 71 Carol’s Last Words

“Then I shall remain even so!”

Finished

Zoe strained to lift her, but despite all her efforts, she could not raise the old woman from the ground.

Failure after failure broke her spirit.

Tears flowing freely, she looked up at Margaret. “Miss, I implore you… take my grandmother with us, will you not?”

At last, Margaret moved toward them, step by measured step.

When their eyes met, Carol’s gaze wavered, frail and evasive.

Margaret spoke, but what she said was, “You told me your son was a hero. If he knew what you have done, would it gladden his heart?”

A shudder ran through Carol. She closed her eyes, and silent tears traced the lines of her aged face.

Zoe held her close. “It is well, Grandmother. Whatever you have done, I forgive you. We shall-”

“There is no escaping. None of us can flee what is to come.”

Carol offered a bitter smile, then fell into a fit of coughing that wracked her thin frame.

Each cough brought visible pain, and with each one, a little more of her strength ebbed away.

She turned a weary gaze upon Margaret. “You are a good lass, miss. I lied to you. I am not a good soul… But my poor granddaughter–she is innocent.”

She clasped Zoe’s hand.

“I pray you trust my words one last time. Once past the gate, do not take the road toward the village square. Follow the leftward path through the woods and keep on quietly. Do not trouble yourselves with the other girls. They are but a handful of gentle–born misses–not worth the risk.

“Worry for no one else. Go now. Perhaps… perhaps you may still slip away.”

Margaret frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

Carol coughed uncontrollably before she could reply. “You were right. My son was a hero. He died saving others. How could I… how could I bring harm upon people?”

Her grip tightened on Zoe’s fingers.

“Dear child, even though a girl may be reckoned less than a boy, even though a daughter may be called worthless, even if this life holds little promise for you… to be alive is to have hope. I only wish you to live. Just live.”

“No,” Zoe insisted. “Women can be worthy too. Come with me, Grandmother. I will prove it to you. Do not stay here…”

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