The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 269: Not an easy target

Duke Thompson’s Residence

"This news—is it true?" Duke Thompson asked. He could not believe that, just four days after disowning his daughter Anastasia, she had married Ernest.

"My lord, it is true. Even the wedding was acknowledged by His Majesty. Gifts were sent from the palace to General Ernest’s residence yesterday, and today many nobles have also sent theirs," Mamod replied with a small sigh.

Duke Thompson took a deep breath. He had decided to disown Anastasia and was praised for it. He never expected that everything would change in just three days. He had lost the chance of becoming the father-in-law to a general.

In the entire kingdom, everyone knew that the king relied heavily on Ernest’s strategies and skill to maintain the throne. Even his father-in-law, General Robert, saw Ernest as a threat to his position in court.

"My lord, shall we also send a gift to the general’s residence like the others?" Steward Mamod asked. After all, while everyone still looked down on Anastasia, with Ernest marrying her and gaining the king’s approval, they had no choice but to respect her.

"Why would the king do this?" Lord Thompson frowned. He remembered that there had been nothing the king wanted more than to ruin Anastasia’s reputation.

"My lord, I have asked around. I think the king had no other choice," Mamod said carefully.

Duke Thompson frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, His Majesty was indeed in support of ruining Lady Anastasia’s reputation. Back then, we even hosted a feast just to spread the rumors and push the blame onto her. But as the saying goes, paper cannot cover fire. Anyone who thought deeply could tell that the lady was not guilty—but who cared about the truth? The more the story spread, the more people believed it. No one anticipated that Lord William’s daughter would rather become a nun than marry the king. You saw it yourself—she was unwilling to have anything to do with him. She would rather become a commoner. Do you not find it strange that Her Grace, the Queen Mother, suddenly hosted a feast and claimed that the king and the former queen were about to reconcile?" Steward Mamod asked.

Duke Thompson’s expression changed at his words. Indeed, he had once sent word asking Anastasia not to proceed with the divorce, but she had been stubborn. Even if he didn’t know his daughter well, he could tell she truly did not want anything to do with the king.

Moreover, it had been suspicious that Anastasia suddenly fell ill at the palace, and the Queen Mother deliberately led a group of women to her room. Elizabeth had also confessed to seeing a maid help Anastasia into the chamber. Then, the king had suddenly appeared, followed shortly by the Queen Mother and the women. Even if Thompson were thinking with his toes, he could tell it had all been a setup.

But if that were so, the king should have been angry that another man had "eaten his prepared meal"—not sending gifts afterward.

Unfortunately, no matter how much he thought about it, he could not make sense of the king’s actions. Nor could he understand why Ernest would want to marry Anastasia.

"Do you think she has some hold over His Majesty?" Thompson asked.

"No. With her ruined reputation, even if she did, His Majesty would never sacrifice his loyal general for her," Steward Mamod said, shaking his head. "I think this was truly the general’s own decision. I have heard he is an honest man."

Duke Thompson also found that reasoning logical, so he nodded. If it was Ernest decision the king could not stop it, so he had no choice but to bless it.

"Go and meet the duchess. Tell her to prepare a wedding gift and send it to the general," Duke Thompson said. Since other nobles were sending gifts, he didn’t want to stand apart.

Steward Mamod nodded and left the study.

---

A few moments later, Duchess Anita came to see the Duke.

"My lord," she greeted.

"Has the gift been sent?" Duke Thompson asked, frowning. He could already guess that his wife would not be willing to send it.

"Not yet, my lord. I understand that you wish to follow the others and send a gift, but you just publicly declared that you would have nothing to do with her. I feel it is not proper to send a gift at this time. How about I send a secret message and ask Anastasia to come over and apologize? That way, there would be proper ground for reconciliation. Even if our ducal house does not hold much power, we must protect our honor," Duchess Anita said calmly. Her tone was thoughtful, but in truth, she had no intention of helping father and daughter reconcile.

She was convinced that Anastasia would never come back to apologize. Ever since marrying the king, Anastasia had shown a strong, stubborn, and foolish character. Duchess Anita believed that General Ernest had no true fondness for Anastasia. He had married her out of duty. Without any family support, it was only a matter of time before she was forgotten in some corner of the general’s household.

Duke Thompson considered her words and thought she made a good point. It wasn’t that he didn’t care about his honor, but he was willing to go to any length to restore the Thompson family to its former glory. He knew that in uncertain times, supporting the right faction would lead to power.

"Then send the message," he agreed.

Duchess Anita smiled and left the room.

---

"How is it? Did Father agree?" Elizabeth, who had been waiting outside, rushed to her mother as soon as she saw her coming out. Elizabeth hated that the wedding of Anastasia and General Ernest had overshadowed her own wedding to the king. When she attended a tea party, she even heard people praising Anastasia’s wedding dress as one of a kind. How could she stand the thought of Anastasia rising again from her ruined reputation?

"He did," Duchess Anita said, taking her daughter’s hand and patting it gently.

"Then, may I go and speak to her?" Elizabeth asked. Since her engagement to the king, she had wanted to show off before Anastasia. She thought this was the perfect opportunity.

"You may, but remember—the goal is to make sure she will never want to return. Do not get carried away and ruin your own reputation," Duchess Anita warned. She was worried her daughter might act without thinking. After all, Anastasia was not an easy target.

"I know, Mother," Elizabeth said. She planned to go with two other ladies who had become close to her after the announcement of her marriage to the king.

Seeing her daughter’s confidence, the duchess smiled. With her mother’s approval, Elizabeth quickly hurried to leave. She didn’t just want to ensure Anastasia never came back; she wanted to disgrace her so thoroughly that she would never again show her face in public.