The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 272: Making up stories

Anastasia frowned at Elizabeth’s words. She knew nothing good would come out of Elizabeth’s visit; she had merely underestimated her sister’s rudeness.

Elizabeth did not care about Anastasia’s reaction. She stepped gracefully into the hall, her light pink gown shimmering faintly under the evening sun.

"Dear sister," she greeted again, her voice soft and honeyed, though the smirk at the corner of her lips betrayed her true intention. "I hope you don’t mind my sudden visit. Father insisted I deliver his message personally. He was quite... concerned after hearing the news."

Anastasia rose slightly from her seat, maintaining her composure. "Lady Elizabeth, you are welcome. I was not expecting you, but you are a guest."

Anastasia subtly denied their kinship. Her voice was calm, though there was a cold edge beneath it.

Amber and her friends exchanged quick, knowing glances. The tension between the two sisters was no secret, and Elizabeth’s engagement to the king only made the situation more delicate—and entertaining.

"Please, sit," Anastasia said with a polite gesture. "Would you care for some tea?"

Elizabeth smiled sweetly and sat without hesitation, taking the seat opposite Anastasia. "You are too kind, sister. I see your new home is... modest but lovely," she said, letting her gaze travel around the room with deliberate leisure. "General Ernest must be a thoughtful husband."

Anastasia met her eyes. "He is."

Elizabeth gave a faint laugh. "That is good. Father was worried you might have been forced into this marriage. After all, the palace is the dream of many women."

Amber’s brows arched in interest. The other ladies leaned slightly forward, pretending to admire the tea set while listening closely.

"Why would His Grace think that?" Anastasia asked, her tone still even. She refused to acknowledge Duke Thompson as her father. Since he had publicly disowned her, there was no need for reconciliation.

"Oh, you know how rumors spread," Elizabeth said casually. "Some say His Majesty arranged this match suddenly to make amends for what happened in the palace. Others say General Ernest took pity on you. Father only wishes to understand what truly happened. After all, no matter the conflict between a father and daughter, blood is always thicker than water."

Amber hid a grin behind her cup. The words were dipped in honey, yet every syllable was meant to sting.

"I appreciate His Grace’s concern," Anastasia replied smoothly. "You may tell him I am quite content. The general has treated me with respect and honor—something I could hardly expect from those who once called me family."

Elizabeth’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "You mustn’t misunderstand, sister. Father’s decision to disown you was made in anger, not hatred. He is willing to reconcile if you will only visit him and apologize."

"Apologize?" Anastasia repeated softly. "For what, exactly?"

"For the shame you brought upon our house," Elizabeth said, her tone gentle but her eyes glinting with malice. "Surely you understand that your... past actions were indeed shameful and have caused people to speak ill of the Thompson name. But after all, you are Father’s daughter. Hearing of your sudden marriage yesterday, he became worried. So he sent me to bring the news—and all can be forgiven if you show a little humility."

Her words were meant to remind everyone present that Anastasia’s marriage to the king had failed not because His Majesty was biased toward his mistress, but because Anastasia was too prideful.

The ladies around them exchanged faint smiles, eager for more.

Anastasia’s lips curved faintly. "So His Grace sent you here to ask for an apology?"

Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, and to deliver a small token of goodwill." She gestured, and one of her maids stepped forward, setting down a small, ornate box wrapped in crimson silk.

Amber leaned closer, pretending to admire the box. "How thoughtful of His Grace," she murmured. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Elizabeth looked at Anastasia with a smile. No matter what decision Anastasia made, her reputation would be ruined. If she agreed to apologize, she would be admitting to an immoral past. If she refused, she would only prove the rumors about her pride to be true.

Anastasia looked at the box but did not touch it. "You may thank His Grace on my behalf," she said quietly. "But tell him I no longer owe apologies for choices made to preserve my honor. If my existence brings shame to the Thompson name, then let it be so."

Elizabeth blinked, pretending to be momentarily caught off guard by her calm defiance. "Sister, pride is a dangerous thing," she said softly.

"Lady Elizabeth is being too serious," Anastasia replied, her tone cool. "A person must have basic decency. We all have our names to protect."

Her words meant she was not being proud, but simply recognizing her self-worth.

The room fell silent. Even the servants dared not move.

Amber, sensing the tension, quickly set down her cup and rose. "Ah, it seems we have overstayed our welcome. Lady Anastasia, Lady Elizabeth—thank you for entertaining us this afternoon. We shall take our leave."

"Lady Amber is being too polite. You are welcome to continue staying," Anastasia said. Since Elizabeth wanted witnesses, she would let them stay.

Amber wanted to say something, but Anastasia spoke first.

"Everyone already knows I have been disowned by His Grace, Duke Thompson. I do not wish to continue being part of the family either. You said what I did was shameful—but Lady Elizabeth was also found in a compromising position with His Majesty, the king. A few noble ladies witnessed it. Yet I did not hear that His Grace disowned her after that event. Why must I be the one to apologize?" Anastasia asked.

Her gaze was innocent, but by mentioning the king, she ensured that none of these ladies would dare to spread rumors about today’s incident.

Elizabeth’s gaze turned cold. She had not expected Anastasia to drag the king into this. She began to plot how to twist these words before His Majesty—but Anastasia’s next words shattered that thought.

"Back then, Her Grace, the Queen Mother, had invited me to the palace. She hoped I would make peace with His Majesty, so she arranged a private meeting between us. Hearing that I had fallen ill halfway through the party, His Majesty came to see me. But who would have known that the one in bed was no longer me—but my sister?" Anastasia said, pretending to wipe a tear from her eyes.

Gaps" Amber and her friends were shocked to hear Anastasia’s words.

Anastasia pretended not to hear the gaps and continued speaking. "The maid who took me to that room can testify that I was gravely ill and could not leave the bed on my own. I have no idea how I ended up with the general. I had to confess before the church because I did not dare deceive the king," Anastasia continued. Since everyone had been making up stories, who said she could not make up one of her own?

Elizabeth’s face turned pale. "You are lying!" she snapped, losing her composure and pointing a trembling finger at Anastasia. "I merely went in to check on you when I noticed you were sick..." She paused mid-sentence, realizing that no matter what she said now, no one would believe her. She could not believe she had walked straight into Anastasia’s trap and began to regret ever stepping into this room.

Amber and her friends looked at one another. Although they did not like Anastasia, hearing her version of the story made them believe her. After all, her statement sounded logical and matched what they had witnessed in the palace that day.

"So, Lady Anastasia did not know how she ended up with the general?" Clarisse asked.

"Yes," Anastasia replied, covering her face as she began to cry pitifully. "I have no idea what happened."

Even Amber, who hated her the most, could not help but feel sorry for her. After all, they were all women—and to lose one’s purity in such a way was cruel.

Elizabeth sat there, stunned, her fingers digging deep into a flesh to keep her calm. The one who should have been humiliated today was Anastasia, she could not understand why things turned out the other direction. She realized she had underestimated Anastasia.