The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 260: Let her go

Anastasia’s cottage

"My lady, it is all over town that you have been abandoned by the Duke’s household. Your reputation is ruined," Rosa informed Anastasia, tears running down her cheeks. Bitterness spread across her tongue as she spoke.

Anastasia was not surprised to hear this. If it had been before, she might have felt broken and utterly disappointed, but since Grater had told her about her true background, she understood that the Duke was not her father, and so he could be cruel to her without remorse.

"Is this not better? Now I can live as a commoner. People will talk for only a few days. With the king’s wedding coming up, the rumors will soon be forgotten," Anastasia said in a calm voice. After Duke Thompson’s visit yesterday, she had expected the worst. Anyway, she was never truly his daughter, it was fine for them to go their separate ways.

"My lady..." Rosa’s tears flowed more freely. She could not believe Anastasia was so calm about something so grave. Rosa herself had been abandoned as a child and never knew her parents. She often felt alone but had been fortunate to meet a good master. Her lady, however, was of noble birth. Even if her status was lower than that of a legitimate child, she still had something. Now, even that was gone, and different rumors about her were spreading through the royal city.

A few months ago, her lady had still been the respected queen of the kingdom. Now, she was like a street rat, how could she not be hurt? The more she looked at Anastasia putting on a strong front the more her tears flowed.

Seeing Rosa cry so much, Anastasia lowered her head. It would be a lie to say she felt nothing about her situation, but when she thought of how her fate had ended in that nightmare, she shivered. ’This is a better ending, with life there is hope,’ Anastasia comforted herself.

"I am fine. Dry your tears—how can you still cry like a child?" Anastasia tried to lighten the mood, but her words only made Rosa sob harder.

"I am fine. Why are you crying as if I were dead?" Anastasia said in a sterner tone. She feigned anger so Rosa would stop crying.

Seeing her lady grow impatient, Rosa quickly wiped her tears. "My lady is right. There is nothing so great about being a noble. You planned well while you were still queen, starting a business. We have money. In the future, you could meet a kind man and marry. He will treat you well." Rosa said not sure if she was comforting Anastasia or herself.

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "Stop talking nonsense," she replied, though a sudden bitterness spread through her heart. She could not help but think of her agreement with General Ernest. ’Would he still marry me, given my current reputation?’ 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Ernest was a general with an unblemished reputation. Ever since Edward took the throne, several nobles had tried to form marriage alliances with him.

"Why would he dare marry you now?" she mocked herself inwardly. She could have mentioned his name during her confession to ensure he wouldn’t back out, but she hadn’t thought it necessary. She had never expected Duke Thompson to strike her so hard when she was already down.

Then again, it was not surprising; when she had first divorced the king, he had also aided Edward. Anastasia balled her hands into fists. ’Why must every choice I make lead to a dead end? How have I offended the heavens?"

"My lady..." Just when she was about to lose control, Grater walked in.

"What is it?" Anastasia took a deep breath, trying to steady the ache in her heart.

"General Ernest is outside. He seeks an audience," she reported.

Anastasia was startled. She had just been thinking about him possibly breaking their agreement—yet here he was.

"Let him in," she said. Rosa left for the kitchen to prepare snacks for their guest.

Once alone, Anastasia quickly adjusted her dress and reached for a mirror to check her face. Her heart was beating fast with anticipation. She didn’t know why, but she truly wanted to see General Ernest.

Shortly after, there was a knock.

"Come in," she called, hastily putting away the mirror and forcing a warm smile. She didn’t know if Ernest was here to discuss marriage or to end their agreement, but she didn’t want him to see her looking unkempt.

Grater opened the door, and Ernest walked in.

"Lady Anastasia," he said, giving a polite bow.

Anastasia rose to her feet. "General Ernest, welcome," she greeted, a small smile playing on her lips.

Ernest nodded in response. Though she looked composed, he could tell from the redness in her eyes that she had been crying. Seeing her like this, he wanted to take her into his arms, but he restrained himself. He didn’t want her to think he was taking advantage of her vulnerability.

"Please, sit," Anastasia said. She waited for him to settle before taking her own seat.

At that moment, Rosa entered with the tea.

"You may wait outside," Anastasia instructed, worried that Rosa might say something reckless if Ernest was here to end their engagement. ’Can it even be called that?’ she thought bitterly.

Rosa bowed and left. Ernest studied Anastasia, who was trying to appear strong.

"Lady Anastasia, I know you agreed to marry me because you feared the king might force you back into the palace, but I have spoken to His Majesty, and he has already agreed to our marriage..." Ernest paused. A sudden worry gnawed at him—would she refuse now? After all, she had only accepted because it was the only way to keep the king from pursuing her. Now, with her ruined reputation and the king’s desire to marry her sister, perhaps she no longer needed this marriage.

Anastasia clenched her fists out of sight. She knew there was a chance her current reputation might make her an unsuitable match for Ernest, yet she still hoped against hope. She didn’t understand why her heart ached at the thought of him not wanting her.

"You’re not planning to back out simply because you no longer need this marriage to stay away from the palace, are you?" Ernest asked when she stayed silent too long.

Anastasia opened her mouth but froze—his words made no sense. Wasn’t he the one who wanted to end their agreement? Why was he making it seem like it was her decision?

"That is not possible..." Ernest’s voice grew anxious. He hated that he had only met her after she became engaged to the king. Now that fate had given him this chance, he was unwilling to let it go.

"What do you mean by this, General Ernest?" Anastasia’s face turned cold with anger. She believed he was here to break their agreement because of her bad reputation, yet he was twisting things to make it seem as if she was the one backing out.

Hearing her icy tone, Ernest felt a pang in his chest. "You already agreed to this marriage. There will be no backing out," he said, his own voice turning cold and commanding. He didn’t care if he had to force her she could only be his. He would not let her go again.