The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 254: Fear

Duke Thompson’s Residence

The heavy silence in the drawing room was shattered by the clatter of a teacup against its saucer.

Elizabeth stood near the window, arms crossed tightly over her chest, face pale but burning with indignation. She had just been told of the king’s announcement—his intent to reconcile with Anastasia as queen, and to name her, Elizabeth, as his mistress.

"A mistress?" she repeated, her voice sharp with disbelief. "He wants me to be his mistress? While Anastasia takes back the crown?"

Duke Thompson sat calmly in his chair, his fingers laced together. "That’s the arrangement."

Elizabeth turned on him, eyes blazing. "He used me! And now he expects me to sit quietly in the shadow of that woman?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"He didn’t use you," the Duke said sternly. "You stepped into that room willingly. You wanted to outshine your sister. Now that it has consequences, you want to back out?"

"I thought—he would choose me. Not... put me behind her like some cast-off," Elizabeth hissed. Although she had never planned to seduce the king, this time was really a coincidence but she thought that since so many witness it and her engagement got called off the king would Mary her.

Elizabeth was not scared of the mistress, she thought that Anastasia was just being petty. With her ability she could soon become the beloved queen, she never expected things to turn the other way.

The Duke rose slowly, his tone cold. "Then consider your options. Either accept the king’s decision and stay at court as his mistress... or pack your belongings and join your sister Rosalind in the monastery. Those are your only choices."

Duke Thompson was a bit angry with Elizabeth. What was wrong with being a king’s mistress? There has never been a shame to it. Although her children could not become the next king, they might be giving a noble title.

Elizabeth recoiled. "You would send me to the monastery?" she was in believe. Her father has always pamper her. While it was not a shame to be the king’s mistress, her big problem was Anastasia would be the queen. By right and status she should be the queen, While Anastasia the daughter of a mistress should be the mistress.

"I will send you wherever it ensures the survival of this family," he replied without flinching. "The king’s favor is fragile, but right now it leans in our direction. Do not ruin that with pride."

She clenched her fists, breathing heavily. "What of dignity? I’ll be laughed at—mocked by the same women who saw me in his bed and now know I’ll never be queen."

"Dignity?" The Duke’s voice grew sharper. "You lost that the moment you stepped into that chamber. This arrangement—however bitter—still gives you power. Influence. And if the king’s reconciliation fails, who do you think he’ll turn to next?"

Elizabeth’s lips parted, but she had no words. The weight of reality pressed down on her, heavier than the jeweled pins in her hair. "What reconcilation fail? He already sent away his mistress as requested by Anastasia. It was clear she had a lot of power. She was also a bit worried that Anastasia might use the chance to take revenge for all the harm she had caused her.

"You want revenge?" the Duke said more quietly. "Then take the position. Endure. Be clever. A queen may sit beside him but a mistress can whisper in his ear."

Elizabeth turned back to the window, the light fading across her face. She could not believe her father was saying those words to her

"Take your time and think about it," Duke Thompson said and walked away.

Elizabeth remain by the window not sure how much time has passed before her mother came in.

"Why are you sad?" Duchess Anita asked. She had been busy with some affairs when her husband returned and she just learned that her daughter was to become a mistress to the king.

"His Majesty wants to make me his mistress," Elizabeth said. She expected her mother to be shocked but her gaze remains indifferent meaning she was already aware.

"Mother," Elizabeth called out shocked by her reaction.

"Things had already come to this, if you do not become the king’s mistress what else will you do? Run to the monastery like that Lady Rosalind?" Duchess Anita asked. She also did not want her daughter to become a mistress but their family was not strong enough to fight the king.

Moreover, this time it was Elizabeth who went into the wrong room. Becoming thr king’s mistress was the only way to reduce the impact.

"But mother... Anastasia will be the queen, she is so smart what if she takes the time to deal with me?’’ Elizabeth was both angry and afraid. She could tell Anastasia was no longer the weak sister she grew up with.

"What do you know? The king definitely hates her after the scandal of their divorce. Hey going back to the palace at this time might not be a good thing. Besides you have me backing you. As long as we find a way for you to give birth while she remains barren you might be the winner in the end," Duchess Anita advice.

Hearing her mother planning for her like this, Elizabeth began to feel more confident.

---

Anastasia’s cottage

Ernest was a bit surprised that Anastasia was not willing to return to the palace. What shocked him the most was that she never agreed to go. All this was the king’s plan to force her back to the palace. As he walked over to her, his heart was in his throat. He felt that this was a special opportunity that the heaven had provided him with.

"General Ernest, welcome," Anastasia got up to welcome him then offered him a chair to sit down.

Grater and Miss Magdalene also greeted him before they left the two alone.

"I was planning to send you a card to come and thank you for your help," Anastasia said after they were both seated.

"My lady, it’s nothing. This is what I should do as a general," Ernest said. He looked straight into her eyes, there were many things he wanted to do for her but.

Anastasia seeing Ernest looked at her with such care felt her heart missed a bit.

"General Ernest is been to kind, it was a risk to help my maid search for me without an official decree. This grace I really can not pay you but I am grateful for your help," Anastasia’ has felt the coldness from people. She did not know why he had saved her so many times already.

"You don’t have to feel this way, I am willing to take any risk for you," Ernest said. His gaze was sincere and he did not hide his care for her. Maybe it was because he now knows that she was unwilling to go back to the palace and it was king Edward playing some tricks.

Anastasia seeing so much care in his eyes could not help but want to ask why he was so good to her. She even considered if he liked her but she quickly pushed such thought to the back of her mind.

"Still, I thank you," Anastasia got up and bowed deeply towards him.

"Please, lady Anastasia sit, I will feel too embarrassed if you keep thanking me like this," Ernest said. Their eyes met And Anastasia felt her heart beating rapidly.

"General Ernest, why are you here today," Anastasia clear her throat in an attempt to calm herself.

"I came here to bring you news from the palace but it seems you never intended to return to the palace, so I don’t know if it is necessary," Ernest said.

Anastasia’s heart missed a beat when she heard him.

"His majesty sent you to escort me to the palace?" Her voice was heavy when she said the word escort as she knew that it would be forcing her that return.

"No, no," Ernest realized that she had misunderstood him. After all, everyone was saying that he was the most loyal to the king.

"Then..." Anastasia was really anxious. She had used everything to leave the palace, suddenly she realized how powerful the king was.

"I accidentally heard some news, and I thought you should know if you want to return to the palace. The king, is only sending the mistress away to pave a way for her. He hopes that since you and your sister did not like each other you will fight to death, while he takes care of other matters, before he brings her back as his wife and queen," Ernest spoke very quickly not wanting her to misunderstand him again.

Anastasia hearing those words felt her feet go cold. After all, his statement was almost the same with her ending in her nightmare. Although there was no Elizabeth in the mix but she had really done her best to help the king but in the end she had died from poisoning.

"The nightmare is really a warning," Anastasia unconsciously voiced our her thoughts.