The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 252: Become a mistress

Royal Council Hall – Morning

The long table was filled with murmurs as the kingdom’s highest officials gathered. Lords, generals, and senior advisers took their seats beneath the high ceiling, flanked by guards in ceremonial armor. The tension was palpable. Everyone had heard the whispers—of scandal, of shifting allegiances, and of the king’s mistress being sent away.

King Edward entered last, flanked by his advisor Walter. He wore his crown lightly, his expression unreadable as he took the central seat at the head of the table.

"My lords," he began, "we have many matters to address—trade tariffs from the eastern border, bandit activity near the northern passes..."

But he didn’t get far.

General Robert, the grizzled war hero with silver streaks in his beard and a presence that demanded respect, leaned forward. His voice was steady, but sharp.

"Your Majesty, before we proceed—I believe there is a matter that must be clarified. My granddaughter, Lady Elizabeth, was caught in... a compromising situation within the palace yesterday."

The room stilled.

"I would like to know," Robert continued, his dark eyes locked on the king, "what her fate will be. Will she be cast out in disgrace? Married off to hide the shame? Or worse, left to bear the weight of the scandal alone?"

A murmur rippled through the council.

King Edward did not flinch.

He folded his hands and met Robert’s gaze calmly. "Lady Elizabeth is not to be cast out. In fact, I intend to keep her within the palace."

Gasps echoed around the room.

"You intend to wed her?" one of the nobles asked in shock.

"No," the king replied firmly. "I intend to take her as my mistress."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Robert’s jaw clenched. "Your Majesty—she is my granddaughter. A noblewoman. You cannot expect—"

"She is also the sister of my former queen," the king said, his voice hardening. "And she entered my private chambers willingly. The scandal is already public. To deny her now would not only shame her further—it would insult your house, General."

"You speak of honor, but is this not a mockery of your reconciliation with Queen Anastasia?" another lord questioned.

The king stood, his voice rising with authority.

"I have not betrayed the queen. We are reconciling. I made that clear. But one must understand—my duties as king are not always bound by sentiment. I must restore order and contain disgrace before it spreads further."

He glanced around the table. "Many of you are men of scripture. Do you forget Jacob? He loved Rachel, but he did not cast Leah aside. He kept both and honored them. The old ways made room for necessity and strength. I do not ask for your approval—I inform you of my decision."

The lords shifted uneasily. General Robert sat back slowly, expression unreadable, though his knuckles remained white against the wood.

Edward’s gaze swept the room one last time. "I have made my choice. Let this council proceed."

---

Outside the Council Chamber – Moments Later

The heavy doors of the council chamber swung open, and the nobles filtered out slowly, their voices low with speculation. The scent of incense still lingered in the air, mingling with the tension that clung to their silks and coats.

General Robert walked with stiff, clipped steps, his jaw set. Though his face remained composed, those who knew him could see the storm behind his eyes.

Lord Walter approached with a respectful nod. "General."

Robert gave him a curt glance but did not reply. It wasn’t Walter he wished to confront.

From behind, a calm voice spoke—low, but amused.

"Well, that was an interesting turn of events."

Robert turned to see Duke Thompson, dressed immaculately, a small smile resting at the corner of his mouth. The man looked pleased—far too pleased, given the scandal that had just been discussed.

"You find this amusing?" Robert asked coldly. "The king parades your younger daughter through scandal and declares her his mistress—while reconciling with your elder daughter."

Duke Thompson clasped his hands behind his back. "I find it... advantageous."

Robert stared at him, incredulous. "You would throw your daughters into such a mess for advantage?"

Thompson’s voice lowered, smooth and certain. "Let us not be dramatic, General. They were already in the mess. If the king insists that Elizabeth was at fault and so he would not be responsible what can we do? So I choose to I see the pattern. The queen reconciles, the younger sister remains within reach, and whoever bears the next heir... well." He smiled faintly. "That is how bloodlines are shaped, and how legacies are secured."

Robert scoffed. "You speak of legacy while your family name is being dragged through gossip."

Duke Thompson shrugged. "Gossip passes. Blood remains. If the king fathers a son with either of my daughters, that child will be raised with influence. tell me, father in-law who truly wins?"

Robert’s fists clenched at his sides. "You disgust me." for the first time, Robert regrets his decision of letting his daughter Mary someone like Duke Thompson.

"You are too proud," Thompson said mildly. "You think this is about virtue. I think it’s about position. And I know the king. He will not stop until he stabilizes his reign—even if it means playing Jacob’s game."

Robert turned away sharply, mounting his horse without another word. "He never expected, that a day would come when his beloved granddaughter would become a mistress.

Thompson watched him go with the same thin smile. He had played this game for decades—through kings, wars, and marriages.

And he wasn’t done yet. As he walked towards his carriage he suddenly remembered his fall out with Anastasia a while back.

"I must go and visit her," Robert made up his mind. He did not care if they reconcile, as long as there was surface peace, it was fine by him.

Anastasia’s Cottage – Late Morning

The wind rustled the trees outside, carrying the scent of approaching rain. Inside the quiet cottage, Anastasia sat by the hearth, a shawl draped over her shoulders. A steaming cup of herbal tea rested untouched on the small table beside her.

She hadn’t slept well.

The night before, she’d awoken in a cold sweat—again.

In her dream, she was back in the palace, it’s was the familiar nightmare where she died cold and alone. This time her state was even more miserable.

"It’s just a dream, perhaps the incident of yesterday triggered it," Anastasia comforted her.

Rosa entered just then, looking uncertain.

"My lady..." she began hesitantly.

Anastasia turned her head slowly. "What is it?"

Rosa fidgeted. "There’s news. I thought it was gossip at first, but it’s everywhere in the city. The nobles are talking, even the market women whisper it."

Anastasia’s expression didn’t change, but a stillness settled over her like glass.

"What news?" Anastasia could guess that Rosa acted the way she did because the news was somehow related to her.

"They say... that the king has sent Lady Dorothy away."

Anastasia raised a brow. She did not expect to hear such news but it made her feel uneasy even if it should not longer concern her

Rosa continued, "And... that you—my lady—are returning to the palace in her place."

Silence.

A log in the fire cracked. Anastasia’s gaze dropped to her lap, her hands clenching the fabric of her dress.

"They say it was at your request," Rosa added quietly. "That you demanded her removal as a condition for reconciliation."

Anastasia let out a breath. It was neither laugh nor sigh—but something bitter in between.

"So that’s how he intends to force my hand," she said softly. "He plays the part of the dutiful king, casting aside his mistress... and now waits for me to play the grateful wife."

Anastasia could not help but think about Mary attitude towards her the previous day at the palace.

Rosa stepped closer. "What will you do?"

Anastasia shook her head. "What can I do? If I speak, they’ll say I’m defying him again. If I stay silent, they’ll say I’ve returned in secret. Either way, I’m the villain or the pawn."

She stood and walked to the window, staring out at the gray skies. She wonder if it was really impossible to ecape the doom fate in her dreams.

"I did not escape that palace only to be dragged back through lies," she whispered, she was determined not to return.

Rosa hesitated. "Should we send a letter? Deny it publicly?"

Anastasia closed her eyes. The palace had spun its web, and now the world watched to see if she would fly into it. Could she really deny the rumors? The answer was no.

Why else will the king send away his beloved mistress. It finally made sense why Mary had invited her to the palace. She had thought that the conversation was to simply, only now did she really what the real plan was.

"I need to think of something," Anastasia’ answered. "But I fear time is no longer mine to hold."

Behind her, Rosa said nothing. There was nothing to say. She also did not want her lady to return to the palace but the current situation makes it quiet impossible.