The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 288: battle of Words

Duchess Anita’s lips trembled. "He... he did not live long enough—"

"So he named no one," Anastasia said softly. "Then this accusation rests entirely on speculation."

A few councilors nodded.

"Furthermore," Anastasia continued, "if I wished to harm Duchess Anita, why would I choose such a reckless method? Rumors are uncontrolled. They damage everyone involved—including the royal family. I gain nothing from placing the palace in chaos."

Lord William narrowed his eyes, clearly thoughtful.

King Edward studied Anastasia for a long moment. "And yet you refused to see your father when he came to you."

"Your Majesty, I have no father. This issue is the very reason I was disowned. If there is anyone who does not want people to talk about the incident the most, it is I." Anastasia paused, then looked around the court.

"I have lived in the shadows for so long without complaining. There is a saying: with a stepmother comes a stepfather. He found me disgraceful. Why should I come out now to bear the responsibility?" she asked.

"How would you know that if you did not even come out to meet him? I say you started the rumors, so you are happy to watch me burn with them. I do not care about my reputation, but Her Majesty the Queen is innocent. She cannot carry such a reputation," Duchess Anita argued back.

"Duchess Anita, your logic is quite something. Simply because I did not meet with the Duke, it is a sign of my guilt. Can I follow the same logic and say that you are here as a thief crying thief?" Anastasia asked. Her voice was sharp. Although she understood that she most likely would not win this battle of words because the king sided with Duchess Anita, it did not mean she would not fight.

Duchess Anita stiffened. "You dare—"

"Enough," King Edward interrupted. He noticed that the duchess had lost her composure and worried that if she kept speaking, she would make mistakes.

Anastasia lowered her head to hide her hatred for the king. No matter how he had treated her in the past, she had kept her feelings in check, but watching him direct the whole scene, determined to nail her to a pillar of shame, was unbearable.

King Edward’s gaze shifted to Ernest. "General Ernest, you have accompanied your wife into the council. Do you have anything to say?"

Ernest stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, I vouch for my wife. Since becoming my wife, she has remained under my protection. She had neither the opportunity nor the need to arrange such a scheme."

A councilor spoke up. "Then who benefits from the rumors continuing?"

"The man who died confessed to having been paid to say such words. He is dead, so we cannot verify which of his words are true. A man with such moral corruption is not fit to be a witness. He made two claims of payment. He was said to have jumped to his death—what if he was threatened by the one who employed him from the beginning? Even if the drunk man is dead, it is a fact that someone schemed against my wife that day. Following Duchess Anita’s logic, no one else would have a motive to hurt her except the duchess," Ernest said. Although he noticed the king siding with the duchess, he was not about to let his wife take the fall.

Silence followed.

Duchess Anita cried out loudly, "You wrong me! Even if I dared to scheme against Lady Anastasia, would I harm my own daughter? Even if I ate a lion’s heart, I would not dare scheme against the king!"

Murmurs started among the people again. Each side made a good point.

Queen Elizabeth’s fingers tightened around the armrest.

King Edward rose slowly from his throne. He understood that if they continued to battle with words, there would be no end to it, and even if there were, it might not bring his desired result.

"This council will not rely on conjecture alone," he said. "The dead man cannot speak further, but silver leaves a trail. Accounts will be investigated. Surely there will be a trace. Anyone found to have financed the rumor will be punished without mercy."

He turned his gaze to Duchess Anita.

"Until then, no judgment will be passed."

Relief flickered briefly across Anastasia’s eyes, but it was too soon.

"However," Edward continued, his voice hardening, "the damage has already been done. Until the truth is fully revealed, Lady Anastasia will remain under palace supervision."

Ernest stiffened. "Your Majesty—"

"This is not a punishment," Edward said coldly. "It is a precaution." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Anastasia lowered her head. "I understand, Your Majesty."

"General Ernest, during this time you will be relieved of your duties in order not to affect the investigation," King Edward said. He hated that Ernest dared to stand opposite him. He wanted to remind Ernest that the power he now wielded was given to him and could easily be taken back.

Hearing those words, Anastasia felt guilty. A few court officials present suddenly understood that the king was determined to place the crime on Anastasia.

Lord William lowered his head. He disapproved of the king’s decision but knew better than to question it at this moment.

"Then I will hand over everything as soon as I return to the training camp," Ernest replied. His heart turned cold. He had won victories for the king, yet he was discarded at will.

"Does any council member have anything to say?" the king asked.

"His Majesty is wise," the councilmen all replied. Not everyone agreed with the king’s choice, but none dared to question him. Anyone who could read the room could tell that the king was determined to nail Anastasia.

The only people who were happy with this outcome were Queen Elizabeth and her mother, Duchess Anita. Although the king had not outright named Anastasia guilty, his actions already suggested how the case would end. Even if she was never named guilty for lack of evidence, this would become a guilt she would have to carry.

...

"I am sorry," Anastasia said as soon as she was in the carriage. She had expected to be punished; what she never expected was for the king to use the case as an excuse to punish Ernest.

After all, Ernest had risen so much because he was trusted by the king. Now, with the king showing displeasure, it would be difficult for him to continue to rise.

"What do you mean? You are my wife, and it is only right that I protect you," Ernest said. Although he felt bad about the situation, he could not blame Anastasia for it. He blamed himself for thinking that although Edward had issues, he was still a wise king. Now, looking at the situation, it was indeed a case of like father, like son.

King Edward could have ended the case by declaring both sides victims and stating that he intended to investigate, but he chose to nail Anastasia.

Ernest suddenly felt powerless.

Seeing the frown on Ernest’s face, Anastasia felt guilty. He was the first person to truly love her apart from her mother. Although Rosa and Grater cared for her, their affection was born of gratitude. She could not understand why he would be so good to her. "It is my fault. You risked your life to get the position you have now," Anastasia said.

"This is not your fault. I was the one who paid the drunk man," Ernest revealed in a low voice.

Anastasia was shocked. He had never discussed the plan with her.

"All the more why it is my fault. You took this step to gain justice for me," Anastasia could not stop herself from crying. She had told herself many times that she would not cry, but at this moment she really could not help it.

"It’s not. I should have planned better," Ernest said. All he wanted was to ensure that Elizabeth did not have it easy in the palace. He never planned to let the rumors grow, but things had gotten out of control, and a rebellion had even started. He had taken his time to find the drunk man. The person who fell to his death from the tower was not the man he had used.

Although he had no evidence, he could already guess that the whole thing was a staged play.

"Then... will His Majesty be able to investigate the truth?" Anastasia became worried. She would rather have a ruined reputation than see Ernest take the fall.

"No," Ernest shook his head.

"I will go back and plead guilty," Anastasia said, unable to feel at ease. At most, she will be convicted for spreading rumors to harm Duchess Anita but Ernest—she was worried about the kind of punishment he would receive.

"Trust your husband. The man who died was not my man. This is all an act set up by the duchess," Ernest pulled her close.

Anastasia paused, then suddenly understood. No one could truly confirm who the drunk man was. It was only a rumor.

"Then can we have the real person testify?" Anastasia asked after some thought.

"No, there is no way to prove his identity," Ernest shook his head.

"Are you really going to hand over everything?" Anastasia felt it was a pity that he would lose everything.

"You do not have to worry about me. I have enough money to take care of us. At most, I will lose my position," Ernest said.

"How can that be the same? If you become a rich businessman, I will feel guilty," Anastasia said.

"Then you like me for my power?" Ernest asked.

Anastasia nodded, although this was not true, she worried he would give up all his hard work for herm

"How about I become king?" Ernest asked, half-joking and half-serious.

"That would be good too. A king has the most power in the kingdom. Unfortunately, you have no claim to the throne," Anastasia shook her head.

Ernest thought about her words. The only reason he had failed to protect her today was because he lacked power. A throught stir but he quickly dismissed it.