The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 289: Livid

Lord William thought hard after the council closed. A few days ago, he had hinted to the king that using Anastasia as a scapegoat was not a good choice, since she was now married to Ernest. At that time, he had seen the king hand over the task to Duke Thompson, which seemed fair. As long as the king was not directly involved, there was nothing to worry about. But now...

Having been loyal to the royal family for so long, he felt the need to correct the king. So he did not leave the palace at once.

Instead, he asked for an audience with the Queen Mother.

Mary received him in her sitting chamber.

Her smile was calm. "Lord William, please have a seat," she said. Then she dismissed her attendants with a single glance, already sensing the reason for his visit.

"You come because of Ernest," she said before he could speak. She heard everything that happened as soon as the meeting was over.

Lord William inclined his head. "And because of Anastasia. Your Grace, I fear His Majesty has overreached."

Mary gestured for him to continue.

"It was already a misstep to corner Lady Anastasia as he did," Lord William continued carefully. "The council saw it, even if they dared not say it. But to suspend General Ernest under the guise of investigation..." He paused, choosing his words with care. "That decision weakens the crown at a dangerous time."

Mary’s gaze darkened slightly.

"The banners of rebellion are still raised," Lord William pressed on. "Ernest commands loyalty not only from his men, but from the border generals as well. He is one of our most capable commanders. Removing him now sends the wrong signal—to allies and enemies alike."

"And to Edward himself," Mary said quietly.

Lord William nodded. "This feels less like justice and more like... reassertion."

Silence stretched between them. Mary lowered her head a bit, her expression calm, but her eyes held the weariness of a mother who had watched her son become a king

"You are not wrong," she said. "Edward acted from wounded pride as much as from strategy. Ernest stood against him in open council, and Edward does not forgive such defiance easily." As a mother, she understood this much about her son.

"Ernest was only protective of his wife. It is one thing if she was guilty, yet another if her innocence was so clear for all to see," Lord William said.

Mary lowered her head. She understood that her son looked down on Ernest. He felt he was the one who made him and could easily remove his power, but what he failed to realize was how wrong the timing was. Moreover, a man who worked his way up from a foot soldier was one with real skill. Even if she had never been to the battlefront, she understood this much.

"Then you will speak to him?" Lord William asked, seeing that she agreed with him.

Mary did not answer at once.

"I have spoken to my son all my life," she said at last. "As a boy, as a prince, as a king. He listens—until he believes himself challenged. And today, he believes himself surrounded by challengers."

She adjusted her sitting position, folding her hands neatly in her lap.

"If I interfere now, he will see it as confirmation that his authority is being questioned. That will only harden his resolve."

Lord William frowned. "So you will allow this?"

"I will allow him to rule," Mary replied. "And to bear the consequences of how he chooses to do so."

Her voice softened then, losing its edge. "Edward must learn which battles strengthen a crown, and which ones fracture it. No lesson I give him will be as lasting as one learned through his own misjudgment."

Lord William exhaled slowly. "And if the cost is too high?"

Mary met his gaze steadily. "Then it will be my duty—as Queen Mother—to step in. But not yet."

She looked toward the distant banners, fluttering against the sky.

"For now, we watch. And we prepare."

Lord William rose, bowing deeply. Though unease still weighed on him, he understood her choice. In a court ruled by pride and power, patience was sometimes the only shield left.

As he departed, Mary remained seated, her fingers tightening slightly.

She loved her son.

But she feared the king he was becoming.

That night, King Edward went to visit Elizabeth. It was as though he was sending a message to everyone that he believed in her innocence.

When he arrived at her chamber, Elizabeth was shocked. After all, it had already been more than two weeks since they got married, but he had never visited her.

"Your Majesty," Elizabeth got up to welcome him. She was already in a very good mood, as Anastasia had suffered such loss earlier. Now, the king coming to see her made her feel fulfilled.

Edward nodded and walked further into the room. Elizabeth responded by walking closer to him and trying to help him remove his outer coat, but Edward stopped her.

"Your Majesty..." Elizabeth called out, her voice filled with complaint and unwillingness.

"You think I am treating you unjustly?" Edward raised his brows. For a brief moment, he missed Anastasia. She was never one to boldly take the initiative, and she helped relieve his worries, not cause trouble. But thinking along these lines only made him angrier.

He was a king, and every woman within the kingdom and beyond should be willing to marry him. Yet Anastasia dared to divorce him and play wife with a general he had promoted.

"Your Majesty, we have already been wedded for more than two weeks. It is only... right. Or could what my sister said be true—that you only care for your mistress and neglect your wife?" Elizabeth asked. She was determined to have her way. If she did not have a son soon, that mistress’s child could take over everything in the future.

"You dare to say that?" Edward’s gaze turned cold.

"I am just stating the truth, Your Majesty," Elizabeth argued. Although she was scared by his state, she understood the importance of standing her ground now. "I am not asking you to love me, just fulfill your role as my husband." Elizabeth lowered her head shyly.

King Edward snorted when he heard those words. "As expected of a woman with your character," he said.

"Your Majesty," Elizabeth was shocked by his comment.

"Did I say anything wrong? Already having an engagement, yet you dared to scheme against me. Do you think you are even qualified to be my wife? You should be grateful you can still wear this crown. Do not expect anything else," Edward said furiously.

"Your Majesty wrongs me. My mother and I are indeed innocent," Elizabeth said, tears raining down her eyes. She thought that even if the king did not believe her, his doubts would at least be reduced.

"Indeed, when there is a mother, there is a daughter. The way mother and daughter can cry so easily—it is no wonder your family is in chaos. Do you and your mother take me for a fool? Do you think I cannot see through your act? I personally sought out the drunk man from that night but could not find him, yet he suddenly appeared and jumped to his death. Does your Duke Mansion hold more resources than the royal family, or does your mother already have contact with him? Do you think I do not know he owed gambling debts that were suddenly cleared a few months ago? A man with such moral corruption would not feel guilty unless he was threatened," King Edward said. The more he spoke, the darker his gaze became.

Elizabeth’s face turned pale. As far as she knew, the incident with the king back then was an accident. She even suspected Anastasia had deliberately set her up, but she had no evidence, and there was no logic to it.

Seeing her pale face, the king became more irritated. He did not know why, but he suddenly thought of the time when his wife was Anastasia.

"Here," he said, dropping a book. "This contains all of Anastasia’s activities while she was queen. She built a good reputation among commoners and nobles alike, helping me with small matters. Read it, so you can continue in her stead. The royal family is not a place for your cheap schemes." Edward stated the real reason he bothered to come apart from putting on a show.

Elizabeth was smitten with anger when she heard his words. By giving her Anastasia’s work to read, was he saying that she was inferior to Anastasia?

Seeing that she was not pleased, Edward’s frown deepened. "I will ask Mother to send you one of her ladies at court to guide you. Read and familiarize yourself. This is the only opportunity you have to build your image and contribute to the royal family. If you fail, you can only become the kind of queen I dispose of." Saying this, he turned around and left the room.

Elizabeth was livid at his words and actions. She wanted to hit someone, but there was nowhere to vent her anger. She could only throw the book the king had given her onto the floor and step on it multiple times.

What she really wanted to do was tear the book into pieces, but logic stopped her from such an act.