Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80 The Witch’s Stand

No matter how loudly they shouted, the magistrate did not so much as glance in their direction.

Finished

Dozens of villagers had encircled them, and though the women cried and pleaded, not one of the men loosened his grip.

Perhaps realizing their screams were futile, they began struggling to loosen the ropes binding each other’s wrists, then turned to claw and strike at the men surrounding them.

But what could a handful of weakened women do against so many grown villagers?

With a few rough slaps and shoves, Amber and the others were thrown back onto the muddy ground.

“Enough of this noise! Once we’ve dealt with those two outsiders, you’ll be next.”

“Your fathers raised you fair and unspoiled so they could fetch a good bride price. And this is how you repay them–causing trouble instead of obedience.”

“Since they’re worth nothing now, we might as well keep them here as wives. Hah!”

Screams, curses, and coarse laughter echoed around Margaret.

The guards had still not moved, and the magistrate’s patience was wearing thin.

“Useless fools! Do you mean

to tell me two strangers can defeat you

At his roar, the guards finally lifted their spears and rushed forward.

all? Move now!”

Then–a flicker of silver in the air. The men at the front crumpled, legs giving way, and fell.

Those behind stumbled back in alarm.

“A witch! She’s a witch!”

“She only waved her hand–our brothers dropped where they stood!”

“Your Honor, she’s using dark magic!”

Margaret wasted no time on words. While the crowd hesitated, she flung another handful of needles.

More than a dozen fine steel points flew–and seven or eight more men collapsed.

Watching his men fall one after another, the magistrate’s eyes widened in outrage. “This is sorcery indeed! What manner of demon are you?”

Theodore shot her a startled glance; he had not realized she still carried so many needles.

But Margaret had no chance to explain. Her voice came out cold and clear. “Yes. I am a witch. Approach me again, and I will drag every last one of you down to hell.”

Even as she spoke, her hand slipped into the pouch at her belt, another set of needles ready between her

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Chapter 80 The Witch’s Stand

fingers.

Finished

She turned to Theodore, her expression grave. “I will not leave. Even if it takes the last of my strength, I will stand with them–no matter what happens.”

Then she looked toward the bruised and bleeding women in the distance.

“They found the courage to follow me. How can I abandon them now? If we go, we go together.”

Theodore’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

The village head, however, showed no fear. He strode forward until he stood only paces away.

“Take them all with you? Do you truly believe you can walk out of here?”

His face was hard, his tone mocking. “Witch or fairy, it makes no difference. Enter our village, and you become just another creature for our use–like those girls there. All of you exist for the pleasure and service of men. Do not think your petty spells frighten us. Go on then, kill us all if you can.”

With that, he cast a sharp look toward the far side of the crowd.

At once, the men holding the women tightened their grip.

Blades were pressed against pale throats.

The village head smiled thinly. “Kill one more of my people, and every one of those girls dies. Go ahead. Do you dare?”

Margaret’s hands clenched into fists.

“So many have died already,” the village head went on, spreading his hands. “I do not know why you still resist. We offered you a chance to leave unharmed—you refused. Now none of you will leave. And you speak of rallying them? A jest. Look behind the crowd. Look at those old women at the very back.”

The street was packed, wall to wall with villagers.

And at the rear, huddled together, stood a group of women–silent, trembling, their faces hollow. A few quietly wiped away tears, then shrank back behind others as if wishing to disappear.

Their timidity seemed to please the village head greatly.

“You see them? Every one of those creatures was bought from markets and traders across the land. You made such a stirring speech earlier–did they even stir? The young ones reacted only because a flicker of childish hope still lives in them. But after they have been broken in by a few husbands, give that speech again. See if they so much as look at you.”

His grin turned vicious.

“They are livestock. Why grow so angry over livestock? Those women you see there–let me tell you, there are more women in this village than men. And more still locked in cellars and attics. The ones standing here are the bold ones. Most are hidden in their homes, too terrified to step outside. Why?”

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Chapter 80 The Witch’s Stand

Finished

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial rasp. “Because they are animals. We have trained them so well they have forgotten they were ever human. This is all they will ever be. They do not need saving… and they cannot be saved.”

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