Said No to the Prince and Yes to the King novel Chapter 82

No one could say how many had silently brushed away their tears.

A heavy sorrow had settled over the entire square.

Finished

The village leader only let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Now she’s talking to the livestock. She’s completely lost her mind.”

The magistrate, who had been hiding behind the crowd, shouted, “What are you all standing around for? Afraid? Rush her together–anyone who seizes that witch gets fifty silver marks from my own purse!”

At those words, dozens of villagers stirred, weapons clutched tight in their hands.

Margaret paid them no mind. She went on, her voice clear and urgent, “Please, believe me–this is not your home! There are good men beyond these mountains. They won’t beat you, won’t curse you, won’t lock you in a dark cellar in chains. They certainly won’t call you beasts at every turn!

“They are gentle and kind, strong and honorable–like the sun itself, shining with its full light! Those are true men. The ones in this village? They’re nothing but animals! They don’t deserve to be called human, and they surely don’t deserve to be your family!“,

The moment her words faded-

A shadow darted through the crowd. One by one, Amber and the other women were pulled free.

Theodore had used the distraction to slip past and unbind them all.

Once Margaret saw the women were safe, she charged straight toward the village leader.

“You’ve shown such cruelty–now let this place be washed in blood!”

Terrified, the leader stumbled backward. “Quick! Seize the witch-!”

In an instant, bodies surged toward Margaret.

She flung a handful of poisoned needles, but many dodged–they had learned her trick by now.

“Watch her hands! She throws poisoned darts!”

“I’ve got her! That reward is mine!”

Chaos erupted.

In the fray, someone grabbed Margaret’s ankle. She kicked hard, sending him sprawling, but two more rushed in and seized her arms.

Drawing a short blade from her hidden sheath, she slashed at those around her, cutting down several in swift motions.

The blade was coated with potent venom. Those she wounded crumpled to the ground, writhing in agony,

11:38 am

Chapter 82 The Women Rise

With a final shove, Margaret reached the leader and kicked him sharply under the jaw.

A sickening crack echoed as he fell onto his back.

Finished

Margaret stepped forward at once, pressing her knife to his throat. “Everyone halt–now! Or I slit his throat!”

But the crowd only grew wilder. Many kept lunging at her, ignoring the threat.

“Don’t steal my catch–the silver is mine!”

“Out of my way!”

The villagers shoved and fought each other as they closed in.

Just at that moment, a crowd of young girls burst from a nearby alley.

“Charge!”

“Everyone, forward–help them!”

“Beat those men back!”

“Miss, we’re here with you!”

Zoe led the way, followed by two dozen girls, none older than fifteen, faces still soft with youth.

Most carried kitchen knives or hay sickles, swinging at any man they saw, swift and determined.

“Amber, we’re coming!”

“If we don’t fight now, what’s happening to our sisters will be our fate next!”

Seeing the girls rush in, Lisa and the others–under Theodore’s guard–grabbed tools and weapons from the ground.

“Go home!” Julie cried out, distressed. “Why are you here?”

But the girls pushed forward, voices fierce.

“We’re not leaving! We know the truth now!”

“No wonder my father never gave me eggs–he never saw me as family.”

“If you’re sold off today, I’ll be next!”

“I won’t end up like Mother, tied to a bed for years!”

“Thank the heavens Zoe woke us. Now we know- -we won’t accept this any longer!”

“We’ve wanted to strike them for so long! Onward!”

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