The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 291: Gaining momentum

The situation remained stable for a period of time, but Lord Aureline seemed to be gaining momentum. Although there had been no direct battle between the royal army and Lord Aureline’s rebels, he was steadily gaining loyalty in the second region, and more and more people pledged themselves to his cause.

No one knew where the rumors began, but they soon spread to the royal city that the gods had rejected Edward as king. It was said that the late king had made a covenant with the Old Gods, which was why he reopened their temple within the palace shortly before his death.

The nobles of the royal capital knew this well. After all, Lady Anastasia’s marriage back then had followed the old rites. So even though many were now Christians, doubt lingered in their hearts.

Moreover, it was said that the old seer had died by the queen’s hand. Shortly before his death, he had instructed his only living disciple on how to find the gods’ chosen one. That disciple had supposedly found Lord Aureline and named him king according to the will of the Old Gods.

While this debate raged on, Princess Karen gave birth to a child—a son. A few lords visited under the guise of congratulating her, but their true motive was to incite Prince Lucan to rebel against the king, as he was the most qualified candidate.

These nobles were secret worshippers of the Old Gods. Since King Henry had removed the death penalty for worshipping them, only a few dared to be openly bold. Yet both secret and open worshippers believed that if the gods had rejected Edward, then the king’s other son could be approved instead.

Although Prince Lucan was believed to have only a few years left to live, now that he had a son, there was nothing to fear.

When King Edward heard this, he was livid. Even though his brother rejected the suggestion and pledged his loyalty to King Edward—stating that he believed only in the one true God—Edward remained uneasy.

His worries deepened when the royal physicians reported that Prince Lucan had been quietly recovering and, with the princess’s care, might live far longer than previously diagnosed.

Moreover, even if Edward dared to trust his brother, the same could not be said of Princess Karen. As a beloved princess from Gube, she might scheme to place her son on the throne in the future.

Thus, since the birth of the child had inspired these nobles to turn their attention to his brother, the child could not be allowed to live.

Princess Karen was no fool. After the visit of several lords, she guessed that her husband had become a thorn in the king’s side, so she guarded him carefully from harm. After all, the longer he lived, the safer she and her son would be. What she never expected was that the king would target her child.

Fortunately, she had been paying close attention, and the poison was discovered in time. Unfortunately, although she managed to save her son’s life, he became a frail child. The poison could not be entirely expelled, and the child might not live long.

After saving her son, Princess Karen investigated the incident. Though there was no conclusive evidence, everything pointed toward the king.

Prince Lucan could not believe that his brother would harm his child over a throne he was not even fighting for. The shock caused him to fall gravely ill.

Princess Karen was not one to swallow her grievance. The very next day, rumors spread throughout the royal city about Edward’s attempt to kill Prince Lucan’s son.

Some claimed it was merely rumor, as the king and his brother had always shared a good relationship. Others whispered that the child was destined to be king, and like King Herod in the Bible, Edward had sought to kill him—but God had intervened.

Each story was more shocking than the last. To prevent the king from dismissing it as mere rumor, Princess Karen took her son to the church to pray. It was said that she fasted for seven days and seven nights, praying for God to heal her child.

Several noblewomen, curious about the truth, went to the church under the pretense of praying. By "chance," they encountered Princess Karen in the midst of her fast.

"Please, while you seek the face of the Lord, help pray for my son. He has been poisoned," Princess Karen pleaded through tears.

The noblewomen were shocked. They had expected it to be difficult to draw such words from the princess.

"Ah! The young prince was poisoned? I thought he was merely gravely ill," one noblewoman exclaimed, feigning surprise.

"My son did not fall ill—he was poisoned. Fortunately, my father was worried and sent a skilled medical maid with me. Otherwise, my son would be gone by now," Princess Karen sobbed.

"It is my fault. I should have protected him better," she cried.

The women were moved. After all, they were mothers themselves. No one wished to bury a child after months of pregnancy and the agony of childbirth.

"Who would harm a child? May such a person never know peace," a noblewoman known for her fiery temper cursed before someone hurriedly covered her mouth.

"Has the culprit been found?" another woman asked carefully. "I do not wish to gossip—only to ensure the traitor does not strike again."

"The servant who administered the poison was discovered," Princess Karen replied. "But she insists she acted alone, claiming she bore a grudge against me because her father died in the war between Gube and Nixel. Yet the poison used was far too potent. I investigated her background—she had no means to acquire such poison. Someone must have instructed her. But who would wish to harm my child?"

She paused, letting the implication sink in.

"I do not know whom I have offended since arriving in Nixel. I came only with trusted aides. I could not have brought a spy from my homeland. And my husband... given his health, what power does he truly have?"

"Princess, you must guide your son well," one woman said gently.

"I will do my best," Princess Karen replied.

By the end of the day, no one called it a rumor anymore. Whispers spread from ear to ear that the king had tried to kill his own nephew. Seeing that he had not even spared a child, many hearts turned cold. Rebellion quietly took root. Though no one dared openly challenge the king, the tension in the royal city grew thick and suffocating.

A few days later, news arrived from the sixth region: the third prince, Darius, had escaped the royal city and raised the banner of rebellion, claiming he sought to preserve their father’s noble legacy.

A man who despised blood and loyalty, he declared, did not deserve to be king.

His claim was welcomed by many in the fifth region. The King of Gube also sent envoys to Nixel, demanding justice for his grandson.

Edward overturned his study table when the messenger announced that the envoys from Gube were already on their way.

"I am the king! How dare they slander me?" he roared, his anger rising with every word. What enraged him most was that the child had survived.

All his attendants lowered their heads, scarcely daring to breathe. If they could, they would have vanished on the spot.

"Send word. Anyone who speaks of the poisoning is to be arrested and thrown into prison," Edward commanded.

"At once, Your Majesty," a eunuch replied eagerly, bowing as he fled the room.

Walter, standing nearby, could only shake his head. No truth could be hidden forever. Words might be silenced, but hearts could not. He had tried to advise the king, but Edward would not listen.

"Summon the military council. I want an update on Lord Aureline—and that little traitor. My mother should never have allowed him to survive this long," King Edward said coldly as he strode out.

Walter followed in silence.

Hours later

The military council convened in the grand war room, the walls lined with maps and reports from every corner of the kingdom. King Edward stood at the head of the table, his gaze sharp and unyielding, scanning each commander like a hawk.

"Report," he commanded, his voice cold as iron.

General Corwin stepped forward, his hand resting on a map. "Your Majesty... as you know, the situation in the second region has deteriorated. Lord Aureline has consolidated control over the entire area. Local garrisons have surrendered without resistance, and towns that attempted to hold out have fallen. The rebel has secured strongholds and established supply lines. Any attempt to retake territory without a clear strategy risks total disaster. We are carefully looking at an attack that would break the stalemate," he explained.

A murmur ran through the room, but no one dared meet the king’s eyes.

Edward’s jaw tightened. Of course, he did not expect good news. He did not expect the situation to be so bad.

"What is your next course of action?" he demanded.

All the men sitting at the table broke out in cold sweat.

Finally, someone dared to speak. "As Your Majesty commanded last time, we have looked at General Ernest’s strategies and implemented as much as possible to stabilize our forces, but the situation in war is always changing..."

The man was still speaking when King Edward slammed his hand heavily on the table.

"Nonsense. Are you saying that all of you are useless? What General Ernest this or that? What I want is results, not excuses. You have until tomorrow to show me a comprehensive plan," King Edward ordered.