The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 271: Tell stories

Hearing Lady Amber’s words, the other ladies faked a cough. It was an open mockery—after all, everyone knew that Anastasia had lain with the general before their marriage. Now, Amber’s words seemed to suggest that Anastasia only got to marry Ernest because she was pregnant.

"But that would be strange, wouldn’t it? When Lady Anastasia left the palace back then, she claimed she had been harmed by the king’s mistress. I heard it would be difficult for her to get pregnant," Lady Brea said, her gaze showing genuine confusion.

Anastasia looked at the two ladies. She knew they had come to make her uncomfortable, but their act was rather poor.

"Lady Anastasia, if you do not mind sharing the good news early—are you really with child?" Lady Clarisse asked, her smile still deceptively innocent.

"Yes," the other ladies echoed after her. Anastasia frowned at the question. These ladies were not her close friends, and it was quite rude of them to ask about something so private.

Amber’s smile became even more radiant when she saw the faint frown on Anastasia’s face. "You ladies should not make things difficult for Lady Anastasia. After all, such news is not good for her reputation." Saying this, she covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"So she is with child?" Lady Brea asked, still looking confused.

"I thank you, ladies, for your concern, but it has not been confirmed if I am with child," Anastasia said. No matter how much she did not want to answer their questions, she understood that she could not let them leave spreading false news. After all, her hard-won reputation could easily be ruined.

"Oh, that is unfortunate," Amber said, feigning sympathy. "Then I wonder how you convinced the general to marry you? I heard he was already in marriage talks with a noble lady’s family. Although his background is a bit lacking, he is still the son of a duke and has earned a place at the king’s court."

Anastasia was stunned when she heard those words. She was not aware that Ernest had been in marriage discussions with another family.

"Really? The general already had a woman he loved?" Lady Brea asked. The other ladies also turned to Amber, curiosity shining in their eyes.

"I do not know if the general loved the lady," Amber replied smoothly, "but if he was considering marriage, there must have been some affection involved—or perhaps they were simply well-matched in status." She spoke lightly, but her words cut deep. Amber wanted everyone to believe that Anastasia had stolen another woman’s place.

"You are right, Lady Amber. Which noble daughter should have become his bride?" Lady Clarisse asked.

Amber shook her head. "I do not think it is right to gossip about other people’s affairs," she said, lowering her gaze with mock modesty. She wanted to spread the rumor without tying herself to it.

"Come now," Lady Brea coaxed. "You just said we are your close friends. We would never tell anyone."

Amber looked troubled, though in truth she was cursing Brea in her heart. Like her father had said, General Ernest had not yet agreed to the marriage. Naming the lady now would only invite embarrassment.

"We should not press Lady Amber," Lady Miriam interjected gently. "The lady who was to marry General Ernest must have remained silent because she did not want her own reputation tarnished."

"Lady Miriam is right," Lady Clarisse added. "If my engagement were ruined like that, I would be too embarrassed to let anyone know." Her words implied that Anastasia was the thief who had taken another’s place.

The other ladies chuckled softly.

"Lady Anastasia, I hope you do not take our words seriously. These are just harmless conversations," Amber said sweetly.

Anastasia smiled. "Lady Amber is too serious. I am blessed by the Almighty. I also heard that the queen mother and Lady Thorne once made an agreement before having children—to betroth them. Later, her grace bore two sons. Lady Amber could have married either of them. When I was first married to the crown prince, I heard that Lady Amber was unofficially engaged to him, but the queen mother assured me she had never promised him. And then there was the second prince. Later, he was injured during the war and the physician said he would not live long. I heard her grace was willing to honor her verbal agreement with lady Thorne. After all, whether his Majesty the king or the second prince they where both her grace sons. Anastasia paused and looked at Amber .

Anastasia spoke in a calm, measured tone. Since Amber wanted to tell stories, she could just as easily tell one of her own.

Amber’s smile froze. She had not expected Anastasia to strike back. At best, Anastasia should have denied knowing about Ernest’s supposed fiancée. Why bring up old wounds?

"I heard Lady Amber was dissatisfied with the second prince’s condition, so lady Thorne refused to honor the engagement," Anastasia continued mildly. "Or perhaps I heard wrong, and it was the queen mother who forgot her promise and decided Princess Karen was a better fit. Or perhaps, by Lady Clarisse’s logic, Princess Karen is—"

Anastasia did not finish the sentence, but the faces of all the ladies in the room turned pale.

They wanted to be close to Amber, so none dared speak. Breaking off an engagement because a prince had been injured defending the kingdom was shameful. Nor could they call the queen mother forgetful or insult Princess Karen—she was currently pregnant with the second prince’s child, and it was known that the queen mother was very pleased with her. If any rumor reached the wrong ears, they would be in serious trouble.

"Lady Anastasia, we were only having small talk," Lady Miriam said quickly. "Breaking off an engagement is much like a divorce—it is not done lightly. Lady Amber was never officially engaged to either of the princes. The two mothers simply agreed, and when it was not fated, they let it go."

"I agree with you, Lady Miriam. As long as an engagement is not confirmed, one cannot speak of breaking it off," Anastasia said with a polite nod. She then picked up her cup and took a sip of her tea.

The atmosphere grew tense. With no way to argue back, the others followed her lead and sipped their tea in silence.

At that moment, a servant entered the hall.

"My lady," she said with a bow, then stepped closer to whisper, "there is a lady outside who claims to be your sister—Lady Elizabeth. She brings a message from your father, His Grace."

Anastasia felt a dull ache in her head. She did not want to deal with Elizabeth, but she knew it would be unwise to send her away. Elizabeth was now engaged to the king, and though Anastasia did not care for herself, she did not wish to bring trouble upon Ernest.

"Welcome her into the other hall. I will be with her shortly," Anastasia instructed.

The servant bowed and left.

Amber and the other ladies shifted uncomfortably, though curiosity flickered in their eyes. Anastasia watched them for a moment, allowing the unease to linger before speaking.

"Ladies, I thank you all for your kind wishes, but I am quite busy and will not be able to continue entertaining you. I will invite you another time," Anastasia said politely.

"Lady Anastasia is too kind," they replied, rising to their feet. They were already eager to leave, their pride pricked and their smiles brittle. Amber was worried that if they continued to stay the ones whose reputation would be ruined is herself.

What Anastasia did not expect was for Elizabeth to refuse the servants’ invitation to wait in the side hall. Upon hearing that Anastasia was with other guests, she boldly made her way to the receiving hall. The servants wanted to stop her but dared not use force.

"Dear sister," Elizabeth said with a sweet smile, "there’s no need to send your guests away. We can all get along, can’t we?"

How could she possibly pass up the opportunity to have witnesses for what she intended to do next?