Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 78

Rejected by the Crown Prince? | Married His Uncle

Chapter 78 The Corrupt Magistrate

“Your Honor, you’ve arrived at last! We beg of you–bring justice to our village!”

Finished

With a trembling finger, the man pointed accusingly toward Theodore. “That man there–he’s the outlaw who stormed our homes! He has already cut down so many of our own!”

Margaret felt her temper flare.

She moved to step forward, but Theodore extended an arm to gently hold her back.

With his other hand, he drew from within his robes a small, weighty seal and raised it high for all to see.

“By my authority, I command order. Who dares disturb the peace?”

The seal caught the morning light, gleaming like polished gold. Every eye in the crowd was drawn to it.

meant in tales, but none had ever

Most of the villagers only stared in

laide

They were simple country folk–they knew what a lord’s seal on one. Even the village leader watched with a covetous glint,

quietly imagining how much such a fine object might fetch.

Then, swift as a hawk, the magistrate leaned forward and snatched the seal from Theodore’s grasp.

“By my authority?” he e

be?”

mockingly, turning the object over in his hands. “And which lord might you

He rubbed the seal against his sleeve, studying it carefully before slowly pronouncing, “Prince Theodore…

A cold fury flashed in Theodore’s

es, but he reminded himself that this magistrate was nothing more

than a small–minded official from a remote corner of the realm. A man who had likely never stood before true nobility, whose ignorance made him bold.

After a long moment, the magistrate handed the seal back. “So you claim to be Prince Theodore.”

Theodore’s voice was like frost. “This seal is not for the hands of just any man. If you value your life, you

will-”

“Where did this whelp come from?” the magistrate suddenly boomed, cutting him off. “How dare you pose as Prince Theodore!”

Theodore’s expression darkened lethally. “Do you wish to die?”

The force of his presence was so palpable that the magistrate stumbled backward several paces. “I may never have met Prince Theodore,” the official spat, “but everyone knows his reputation. He is a war hero, a commander who rides into battle with an entourage–not some lone wanderer covered in road dust. In all my years, I’ve never heard of him traveling alone, much less to a forgotten place like this.”

Contempt dripped from the magistrate’s voice as he looked Theodore up and down.

“Look at you. No matter what you say, you could never be the great Prince Theodore. Yes, this seal resembles the ducal crest, but don’t think that just because I’ve never seen the original, I can’t recognize a forgery. One glance at those worn clothes tells me you’re impersonating his lordship. Do you have any

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Chapter 78 The Corrupt Magistrate

idea what penalty that carries?”

Finished

Theodore’s hand clenched. “Who in this kingdom would be fool enough to impersonate Prince Theodore?”

“You just said no one would dare,” the magistrate shot back, edging away as he spoke, slipping subtly behind the wall of guards. “Yet here you are with a false seal. That is unforgivable.”

Margaret was so outraged she could barely form words. “You may not have dined at the king’s table, but you must know what a royal crest looks like. The true seal is right before you, and you–a magistrate–fail to recognize it? We should be asking what crime that ignorance represents.”

“And who are you, woman?” the magistrate snapped, glaring at her. “This is men’s business. No one asked for your tongue.”

He then turned to the village leader. “I came as soon as I received word. I only regret I was not faster. That so many of your people suffered at the hands of these outlaws…. it shames me.”

The leader’s eyes gleamed with naked greed. “You rode through the night, Your Honor. Your dedication is clear. But the brigands were vicious, and our villagers were outmatched. Now that you are here–and these two are wounded–seize them. Throw them in the dungeons.”

He paused, then added meaningfully, “To think he’d have the gall to pretend to be Prince Theodore. No wonder he killed without remorse. Probably believed that fake seal granted him the right. You ought to take it from him.”

The magistrate’s face brightened at the suggestion. “Well reasoned.”

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