The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 256: unwilling

Alwyn’s Cathedral –

The great bells tolled slowly, their solemn chime echoing through the stone halls of the ancient cathedral. Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting crimson and gold across the marble floors.

Nobles, merchants, and townsfolk gathered in quiet curiosity. The church had not called for a public confession in years, yet the summons had come from Anastasia, the former queen herself.

She stepped forward into the pulpit, dressed in a simple ivory gown with no embellishments—no crown, no jewels, not even a veil. Her hair was tied back in a modest braid. The high priest, standing to the side, gave a slight nod.

She began to speak, her voice trembling at first—but growing stronger with each word.

"I, Anastasia of House Duke Thompson, once Queen of this kingdom, stand before you not to seek sympathy but to speak the truth."

A hush fell over the congregation. Not even the youngest child stirred.

"Two nights ago, my heart was broken. Upon witnessing of His Majesty’s intentions to take another as well as the rumors of my sister’s involvement—I became overwhelmed. I drank. I wept. And in my weakness, I sought comfort not from God, but from a man not my husband."

Gasps rippled through the pews.

"Though I was no longer queen by law, I understand that many still held me to that sacred vow. I have broken it in spirit. I am no longer fit to be reconciled to the king, nor to return to the palace. And I will not allow scandal or pity to follow me."

She paused, scanning the faces of the audience—some were wide-eyed, others narrowed with judgment.

"I release His Majesty from any further obligation toward me. Let the kingdom know: it was I who failed this time, not he." Anastasia was willing to say anything this time as long as she did not have to go back to the palace. She had decided on this confession this time because she was worried the king might notice the inconstancy with Ernest Story and refused to leave her to.

A noblewoman near the front whispered, "She’s ruined herself..."

Another muttered, "What foolish pride... To throw away the crown for a night of heartbreak?"

The High Priest moved forward, laying a hand lightly on Anastasia’s shoulder. "Is this your will, freely given?"

Anastasia nodded.

"Then your confession is heard. May the heavens grant you peace... and justice."

As the congregation dispersed, the whispers grew louder.

"She’s disgraced herself." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"And for what? One man’s arms over a kingdom?"

"A queen without loyalty is no queen at all."

"I knew she is not the saint she always present herself to be,"

But despite the condemnation, Anastasia walked out of the cathedral with her head held high.

She had finally made a choice no one could undo.

She would never return to the palace. She would not play right into the king’s game. Those who wanted to be his queen could hurry step forward but she was unwilling.

Royal Palace – Council Chamber, Early Afternoon

The thick scent of ink and burning wax lingered in the chamber. King Edward sat at the long table, parchment scattered before him—plans drafted by his advisors on how to gradually turn the tide of public opinion against Anastasia.

Mary stood nearby, arms crossed, her brows drawn tight as she dictated a message to the court scribes.

> "We’ll leak whispers through the noble households—make it seem as though she returned to the palace willingly, that she is manipulating sympathy again..."

Just then, the heavy oak doors opened. A steward, pale and breathless, stumbled in.

> "Your Majesty... Your Grace... urgent news from the Cathedral."

Mary turned sharply. "What now?"

The steward bowed deeply, voice cracking.

> "Lady Anastasia... she stood before the whole congregation this morning. She confessed—publicly. She admitted to lying with another man... said she was drunk, heartbroken after hearing about Your Majesty and her sister."

Silence.

King Edward stood slowly, the blood draining from his face. "She... said that? In front of everyone?"

> "Yes, sire. She renounced any claim to return to the palace. She said she was no longer fit for reconciliation."

Mary’s lips parted slightly in shock. "She ruined herself... before we could."

The steward nodded. "There were nobles, commoners, even merchants in attendance. The confession spread like wildfire—half the royal city has heard it already."

Edward slammed his fist against the table, making the scrolls leap.

> "She stole the narrative!" he growled. "We were meant to control the story—paint her as manipulative, unfaithful. Now she’s made herself the victim again. The noble houses will admire her honesty. The people will sympathize!"

Mary’s voice remained cold, but her eyes showed unease. "She’s cleverer than I gave her credit for."

"Worse," Edward muttered, pacing. "She’s made herself untouchable. I can’t even punish her now it would look like vengeance. That general... Ernest... this was his doing."

King Edward had fought side by side with Ernest he understood he was a man with clear direction.

Mary narrowed her eyes. "That man has always been too careful. If this was his idea, he’s more dangerous than we thought."

Edward turned to her, voice rising. "What do you suggest I do now? The people would soon think I’ve forced her to break down in grief—and that she chose another man over my throne." king Edward could tell that it was only a matter of time before the voice speaking against the queen change to pity her. After all, he was the one who had a scandal with her sister first.

Mary was silent for a moment.

"Then we continue to direct the story again. Say she betrayed you and you chose mercy. Say you sent Dorothy away out of respect for your former wife’s pain. And as for Ernest..." she looked toward the window, calculating. "We’ll wait. The kingdom is unstable—removing him now would cause unrest."

Edward gritted his teeth. "She made the first strike. I will make the last."

Mary looked at her son without a word, she felt things would not have come to this if she had listened to him from the beginning.

.....

The news of Anastasia’ public confession kept spreading around the royal city. Soon even Elizabeth heard it

Along with the news came the king’s marriage proposal.

"Mother, am I really going to become the next queen?" Elizabeth could not believe her ears.

Duchess Anita smile, "of course, his majesty already sent words. This marriage will take place in one month," she answered. Although she knew that this wedding ceremony would not be as grand as when Anastasia had married the king, she still was quite pleased with it.

Duke Thompson looked at the mother and daughter who were smiling from ear to ear.

"This might not be a good thing, his majesty said he would only accept you as his wife if you agreed to adopt the first prince as your son," Duke Thompson said looking at the letter in his hand. The enunch that brought words only announced the king’s intentions to accept Elizabeth as a wife, the condition were written down

Duchess Anita and Elizabeth who were celebrating froze. They did not expect the king to make such a demand.

"Never, I am in good health, why would I adopt the first prince?" Elizabeth looked at her father as though she heard a joke. She was unwilling to raise another woman’s son. Moreover, if she becomes the queen and adopt the young prince, that would make him the crown prince, what will become of her own children?

"This is the king’s request, if you can not I will send a message back,’’ Duke Thompson said. He also felt that the request was out of place.

"Wait," Duchess Anita who had been calm suddenly spoke.

"Mother," Elizabeth looked at her mother not believing she would consider this option.

"Agree to his majesty’s request. There are still a few years and who can guarantee that he would grow up safely," Duchess Anita said.

Elizabeth paused when she heard this. She remembered that she had also felt that Anastasia’s decision to leave the palace was a fool’s move. So what if there is a young prince? What is the guaranty he would grow up healthy and inherit the throne. Seeing that her daughter understand the implications of her words Duchess Anita smile and looked at her husband.

Duke Thompson also understood her thoughts but sometimes dealing with a prince might not be as easy as the mother and daughter thought. He knew that the only reason why the scheme of Elizabeth and Duchess Anita had successfully hurt Anastasia and her mother was because, he did not protect them. On the other hand, the king seems to care a lot about his mistress and that first son, it might make it difficult to hurt him.

"If you enter the palace, remember to be smart. It does not matter even if that young prince becomes the king, as long as you have full control over him," Duke Thompson said. Elizabeth and her mother looked at the Duke. They immediately understood why he was worried. Acting against the prince might bring trouble if discovered. The first prince was still a baby which made it easier for Elizabeth to have him under her control.