The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 293: Best Outcome

Lord William did not waste time in taking charge of the case. He met with the people who had been investigating it and, to his surprise, discovered that they had not been doing anything serious.

After examining the evidence before him, he could already tell that the case was a scheme. The man who had jumped down was of poor moral standing. Within his neighborhood, it was well known that he did no honest work and was constantly gambling.

His wife had fallen ill a few months earlier, but he had not cared. Her condition worsened due to neglect. The man also had enormous gambling debts that were mysteriously paid off, and his wife had mysteriously obtained a physician to care for her.

From the evidence and testimonies, it was exactly as Ernest had said: even if the man were alive, he was not a fit witness. The ironic part was that the king had already been aware of all this even before the first hearing.

Lord William was disappointed in the king’s judgment, but none of it mattered anymore.

"Send word to Duke Thompson’s residence and Sir Ernest’s house. The council will convene tomorrow to conclude the case," Lord William ordered. Since the king had entrusted him with handling the matter, he was free to make decisions without seeking further approval.

"Yes, my lord," the man in charge of the investigation replied with a bow. He immediately dispatched two groups to deliver the messages to both residences.

One of the messengers returned late that evening, his expression strained as he bowed before Lord William.

"Why are you back so late?" Lord William asked. Delivering a message should not have taken so long.

"My lord," the messenger reported, "General Ernest no longer resides in the general’s residence."

Lord William frowned. "What do you mean?" The general’s residence had been gifted to Ernest by the king when he received the title. Even though he had been suspended, it did not mean he was required to move out.

"The estate is empty, my lord. The servants said the general moved out shortly after his suspension. It took some time to discover his current lodging."

"And?" Lord William prompted, sensing that matters were taking an unfavorable turn.

"When we finally located his new residence, we were informed that General Ernest is unwell," the messenger said, lowering his head. "However, Lady Anastasia sent word that she will appear."

Lord William fell silent for a moment.

"Sick?" he repeated quietly.

"Yes, my lord. The physician advised him to rest."

Lord William dismissed the messenger with a wave of his hand. As he turned back to the documents on his desk, his expression grew thoughtful.

So he had withdrawn completely—even from his own residence.

Logically speaking, the case concerned Anastasia, and it should not matter whether Ernest attended or not. But given the king’s petty nature, would he go back on his word if Ernest failed to appear?

With a sigh, Lord William decided to close the case first and allow everything else to unfold naturally.

The following morning, the council chamber filled once more.

Lord William arrived earlier than most. The long table was already prepared, documents neatly arranged, seals laid out with deliberate precision. Sunlight filtered through the high windows, but it did little to warm the cold tension lingering in the room.

He had slept little.

Anastasia arrived just in time. She was surprised to see that the hall looked fuller than it had during the previous hearing.

But the king and queen were not present.

Duchess Anita sat beside Duke Thompson. This time, she did not bother to put on a front; her confidence was written all over her face.

"General Ernest has not come?" someone asked upon seeing Anastasia enter alone.

"They say he has fallen ill," a councilman replied, shaking his head.

"Convenient, isn’t it?" someone commented.

Lord William heard everything and acknowledged none of it.

When the final bell rang, Lord William rose and was about to begin the hearing when an announcement came from outside.

"Her Majesty the Queen has arrived."

Lord William was surprised. Although he had been reporting progress to the king, Edward had told him to handle the case personally, so he had not expected royal attendance. The queen’s arrival, however, made sense, given that the case involved her mother.

Queen Elizabeth entered, followed by two noble ladies and her personal maid. A formal smile rested on her lips. She had no intention of missing Anastasia’s downfall.

"Your Majesty," everyone rose to greet her. They bowed until she took her seat.

Elizabeth felt that enduring strict palace rules for the past months had been worth it. Following Anastasia’s plans had unexpectedly brought her many benefits, and she was beginning to fit comfortably into her role as queen.

She walked gracefully to her seat. Seeing that no one spoke, she felt pleased. "Begin," she said calmly, laughing inwardly at Anastasia. Who would willingly give up such power and prestige? Only a fool like Anastasia.

Lord William inclined his head and unfolded the first document.

"Wait—where is Lady Anastasia’s husband?" Elizabeth asked, scanning the hall. Without a title, she assumed he was likely waiting outside.

"Your Majesty, Sir Ernest is not in attendance," Lord William replied.

"Oh." Elizabeth struggled to hide her smug smile. Her lady-in-waiting had reminded her that a queen’s emotions should never show.

"Sir Ernest is unwell and confined to bed by a physician," Lord William explained.

A ripple passed through the chamber.

"Sick?" a councilor muttered. "At such a time?"

Duchess Anita let out a quiet scoff, poorly concealed behind her sleeve.

"How convenient," Elizabeth remarked, making her disbelief clear. In her mind, he was simply too ashamed to appear.

Lord William met her gaze without flinching. "Your Majesty, illness is not a crime. Besides, his suspension was His Majesty’s way of ensuring he did not interfere in the case. His presence or absence now makes no difference."

Silence fell.

For a brief moment, something dark flickered in Elizabeth’s eyes—but she said nothing. With time, she had learned that certain nobles were not to be offended lightly. Lord William was one of them.

"Proceed," she commanded.

Lord William cleared his throat and continued. "As ordered, the investigation into the source of the rumors and the flow of silver has begun. Preliminary findings confirm that the deceased was burdened with debts far beyond his means. Those debts were settled shortly before the rumors spread. However, the funds did not originate from military accounts, nor from any estate registered under General Ernest’s name or Lady Anastasia’s."

Murmurs spread again.

Queen Elizabeth’s grip tightened on her sleeve.

Duchess Anita straightened. "That proves nothing."

"It does," Lord William replied. "Without evidence linking Lady Anastasia to the payment of the drunk man, she cannot be declared guilty."

"But no one else could have used this to harm me. Only she knew what happened that night," Duchess Anita insisted, unwilling to relent.

"Duchess Anita, this council operates on evidence, not speculation," Lord William said patiently. "Furthermore, the man’s character is questionable. Even if he were alive, his testimony would not stand unless it had been obtained under torture."

"Then has the source of the money been found?" Elizabeth pressed.

"The man is already dead, making further verification impossible," Lord William answered. "Moreover, according to neighbors, he showed little concern for his wife despite her long illness. His final statements are unreliable. He may have been forced to say those things."

Elizabeth’s anger flared. "Are you saying my mother falsely accused Lady Anastasia?"

"Without evidence, Your Majesty, the accusation remains unproven," Lord William replied calmly.

"But the absence of evidence does not mean she is innocent," Elizabeth countered.

Several council members nodded in agreement. Anyone with sense would avoid using funds directly traceable to themselves.

Lord William felt a headache coming on. He simply wanted the case concluded.

"I believe the man was paid by the person who tried to harm me that night," Anastasia said calmly. "Only that person knows who the drunk man truly was. He spread the rumors while intoxicated, so they found him, forced a confession, and likely staged his death. Had he lived, the truth would have come out under torture." She was almost short of pointing out that Duchess Anita was playing at a script she wrote.

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked sharply.

"Your Majesty, I am also speculating," Anastasia replied, a faint smirk on her lips. With the rebellion growing, the king needed this case closed to restore Ernest. Ernest had already explained the risks and benefits to her before court. So Although she could not deal with the mother and daughter at the moment, she must leave room for doubts.

"Lord William, we cannot judge based on speculation," a council member said.

"You are right," Lord William agreed. "Although there is no evidence of Lady Anastasia’s involvement, it is clear that someone is acting from the shadows."

The room stirred in confusion.

"Therefore, the case filed by Duchess Anita against Lady Anastasia is hereby closed," Lord William declared. "However, the investigation will continue to uncover the true culprit, so justice may be done for both Duchess Anita and Lady Anastasia" His final statement clear both women and named them victim of another plot.

Though Elizabeth and her mother were displeased, they knew this was the best outcome they could achieve under the circumstances.