The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 283: plans

Lord William masked his disapproval, but surprise flickered in his eyes.

Though Ernest was illegitimate, his military skill could not be underestimated. With rebellion so near, every loyal and capable general should be handled with care.

"Do you disapprove of my intentions?" King Edward asked, raising a brow. He had sought counsel—not opposition.

Before Lord William could respond, the eunuch’s voice rang out from beyond the chamber doors.

"Duke Thompson is granted audience."

The heavy doors opened, and Duke Thompson stepped inside, his bearing composed but wary. The long wait outside the council hall had not escaped his notice, nor had the tension clinging to the air within. He advanced with measured steps, his mind turning at various possibilities. He knew of the rumors all over the royal city, so he hoped the king was not too angered by them.

"Your Majesty," he said, lowering his head.

"You may rise," King Edward said coolly.

Duke Thompson obeyed, though he did not lift his gaze too quickly.

Edward studied him in silence. The duke had always been cautious—never brilliant, never foolish. A man who survived by knowing when to bow and when to remain still.

The Thompson family should have fallen years ago after a failed assassination of the king. This man had risked his life to save the king, standing opposite his father.

Many praised him that year for being loyal, but King Edward remembered that his father had explained that it was a plot by father and son, a way out for the family no matter what the situation would be.

This was why, even if he still bore the duke title, it was empty, and only someone as bold as General Robert dared to marry his daughter after he set aside his first wife.

"Do you know why you were summoned?" the king asked.

Duke Thompson hesitated only a heartbeat. "This subject dares not presume, Your Majesty."

A faint, humorless smile touched Edward’s lips.

"Your household has become the subject of certain... conversations."

The duke’s shoulders stiffened. He guessed it was about the rumors related to Elizabeth and Anastasia, but what shocked him was how angry the king seemed.

After all, no matter what, a decree could stop the gossiping, and Elizabeth could then gently rebuild her reputation after some time.

"Rumors," Edward continued, his tone deceptively mild. "Poisonous ones. They spread quickly, like rot through grain."

Duke Thompson lowered his head, ashamed.

"Your Majesty, my household has always upheld the dignity of the crown. If there has been offense, it was never our intent."

Lord William remained silent, observing both men closely.

Edward rose from his seat and descended the steps slowly, stopping just before the kneeling duke.

"Intent," the king said softly. "A few weeks ago, I asked for an explanation when your daughter was lying on the wrong bed. At that time, what did you tell me?" Edward asked, his gaze as sharp as a knife.

Duke Thompson broke into a cold sweat. He had never thought his wife and daughter would do something so shameful. What he could not understand was why the news had spread after Anastasia promised.

"Your Majesty, these are just the words of drunk fools. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding," Duke Thompson said. He did not dare act ignorant of the situation. After all, Elizabeth remaining queen was of great benefit to the family.

"Rumors!" Edward snapped. "Queen Elizabeth’s name has been dragged through the streets. My authority has been questioned. And rebellion has followed..."

The king was still speaking, but Duke Thompson was shocked by his words. His face paled as he repeated it.

"Rebellion?" shock breaking through his composure.

"Lord Aurelin has raised his banner," Edward replied. "And he did so under the pretense of protecting moral order—using whispers born within the palace."

The duke understood the seriousness of the matter.

Falling to his knees, he said, "Your Majesty, my household must have been used as a pawn by malicious tongues. This subject begs permission to investigate. Although the relationship between my two daughters is not the best, they both understand the norms."

Edward regarded him for a long moment.

"Your loyalty has never been doubted," the king said at last. "That is precisely why you are still standing."

Duke Thompson remained kneeling, waiting.

"But as for investigating the truth, your wife and daughter are involved. They have done something so malicious. Yet, for your years of loyalty, since you once saved my father’s life, I will give you an opportunity. Only the reputation of one of your daughters can be saved. Which do you choose?" King Edward asked.

Actually, he had already decided to have Anastasia serve as the scapegoat. After all, Elizabeth was now his wife, and whatever affected her would affect the entire family.

But seeing Lord William’s reaction, he decided to use Duke Thompson as the knife.

"Your Majesty, indeed, if my wife and daughter had truly tried to hurt my first daughter, then their crime should be punished..." Duke Thompson paused and glanced at the king.

"But, Your Majesty, my daughter Elizabeth is so kind. She must have been ignorant of the truth. My wife failed in her duty to raise her properly and should be punished. I only fear that if my wife’s reputation is ruined, it would affect Elizabeth, who is innocent. If it were just my daughter, I would not mind, but her reputation reflects on Your Majesty. I indeed owe Anastasia a lot, but only if she steps forward will the rumors be cleared," Duke Thompson said.

Actually, even if Anastasia stepped forward, many would still not believe it, but the king could release a decree afterward and force people to stop talking.

"Then you should go and find your daughter and have her step forward," King Edward said. He had expected Duke Thompson to choose Anastasia as the scapegoat. After all, the duke was someone who calculated interest and gain.

"I thank Your Majesty for his grace," Duke Thompson said, relieved when the king agreed so easily.

"You may leave," King Edward waved his hand.

Duke Thompson rose and walked away. As the council room doors opened, he suddenly remembered the last time he had spoken to Anastasia. She had said that since he disowned her, she would never accept him as a father. It was only at this moment that he realized he had no way to make Anastasia step forward, willingly or otherwise.

If it had been before she married General Ernest, he might have thought of using force. But now, with a valued general standing before him, he knew he had no standing.

"What do I do?" Duke Thompson thought as he exited the hall.

.....

Duke Thompson did not return home after leaving the palace.

Instead, his carriage turned toward the mono district. It was a house gifted to Ernest by the king after he was named general, built not for comfort alone, but for defense, its iron gates watched day and night by soldiers loyal to ’Ernest’ alone.

At the first visit, the duke announced himself with measured dignity.

"I am Duke Thompson, here to see my daughter, Lady Anastasia," he said.

The guard did not even hesitate. "The lady is not receiving visitors."

"I am no visitor, go tell her that I am here to see her," Duke Thompson said. Although in his way he knew that Anastasia was not easy to convince he did not just expect to be stopped at the gate.

The guards exchanged a look before sending someone to ask Anastasia.

Seeing this, Duke Thompson waited, certain that his name would carry weight once relayed inside. No matter what he refused to believe that Anastasia would disrespect him so openly, unfortunately he was wrong.

The person sent returned, "The lady says she ha no father as she is a disowned child," the messager repeat Anastasia’s words.

Duke Thompson wanted to curse out when he heard those words but thinking of the king’s fury he chose to wait, perhaps she would be embarrassed but nothing changed until he could no longer bear the humiliation and went home

He returned the next day. After all, he did not dare return to the king without news.

This time, he decided to speak with Ernest, been so loyal to the king, he thought that if he passed the message to Ernest as the king’s instructions he would have no choice but to convince Anastasia but he was told that Ernest was not in the residence.

He waited to late in the night but Ernest did not return, at some point he suspected that perhaps Ernest was inside but unwilling to see him.

Duke Thompson left, he planned to spread rumors about Anastasia treating her father without respect in order to force her to see him, who knew that once the topic was brought up people immediately defended her.

"What do you know? The Duke family is full of snakes and vipers. Indeed once there is a step mother, there is a step father too,"

"True, Duke Thompson already disown her back then we are all aware of that."

"Could it be that now that the truth is out the Duke regrets his action."

Although a few felt that Anastasia should honor her father noatter what but they were not enough to ruin her reputation, intend their voice pushed Elizabeth reputation further down the drain.

So he had no choice but to seek Anastasia again.