The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 295: Poisoned

Anastasia was curious about what the Duke could possibly have sent to her husband, so she hurried into the study. Ever since they moved out of the mansion granted by the king, the two of them had lived more freely. Upon entering the study, she found Ernest examining several strange items and papers.

One of the papers looked old, and Anastasia grew curious about its contents. Although Ernest had been open with her about many things, he had never spoken about his father or his childhood in the Duke’s estate. Having grown up as an illegitimate child herself, she did not believe his life had been any easier. After all, what would drive a twelve-year-old noble boy to join a military camp?

"You are back," Ernest said, lifting his head from the letter he was reading.

What the Duke had sent was evidence his mother had managed to gather before her death regarding his father’s demise. The bear incident had not been the first attempt on his father’s life.

"Yes," Anastasia replied. She noticed that Ernest’s mood seemed subdued. "The case has been closed, and I was declared innocent, just as you predicted. His Majesty did not appear, though." She smiled as she spoke.

"Oh..." Ernest began to say something else, but at that moment a servant announced from the doorway that envoys from the palace and the military camp had arrived, bearing a decree from the king.

Anastasia turned to look at Ernest. It was as though he had anticipated everything.

Ernest looked up and, without changing his expression, opened a cabinet and took out a small bottle. Without a word, he drank its contents.

Anastasia watched silently, asking no questions. Moments later, his face began to pale.

"Help me outside to meet the people from the palace," Ernest said. His voice came out weak.

"What did you take?" Anastasia asked. Ernest had told her about his plan to feign illness, but she had not expected him to actually take medicine.

"Acting would not fool the king," Ernest explained.

Anastasia moved to support him, and together they made their way to the receiving hall.

Lord William, General Crowe, and the eunuch who served beside the king were present. Anastasia and Ernest greeted them.

The visitors were surprised to see Ernest in such a weakened state. Although they had heard news of his illness, none of them had truly believed it or taken it seriously. Only now did they begin to accept it as real.

The eunuch at the king’s side stepped forward and began to read the royal decree.

The eunuch’s voice rang clearly through the hall as he read the decree in full.

"By the will of His Majesty, King Edward of Nixel, and in consideration of loyalty rendered to the crown, General Ernest is hereby reinstated to his former rank and authority, with all privileges and duties restored, effective immediately."

A subtle stir passed through the room.

General Crowe stepped forward at once. From the velvet-lined case in his hands, he removed a familiar insignia—the military token of command, etched with the royal crest and marked by years of battle. He bowed slightly before Ernest and held it out with both hands.

"By order of His Majesty," Crowe said solemnly, "your command is returned to you."

Anastasia felt Ernest’s hand tighten briefly against hers as he accepted the token. His fingers trembled, though whether from weakness or restraint, she could not tell.

"I thank His Majesty for his trust," Ernest said, forcing steadiness into his voice. "I am willing to continue serving the crown with all that I have left. However..." He paused, his breath uneven. "My health has not yet recovered. I fear I may not be able to resume my duties immediately."

The eunuch inclined his head. "His Majesty anticipated this concern. For that reason, he has dispatched Physician Nathan to examine you."

At the mention of the name, Lord William’s gaze sharpened. The king had asked him to follow the process; he knew a royal physician was coming, but what he did not expect was for it to be Nathan.

Physician Nathan was the finest royal physician in the kingdom; his loyalty to the royal family was known to all.

Anastasia was also surprised. She turned to look at Ernest. She wondered how he could predict the king’s actions so clearly. In her opinion, taking medicine just to pretend one was sick was a risk. Now that the king had sent Physician Nathan to treat him, it was clear that the feigned illness needed to appear real.

Moments later, Physician Nathan, dressed in deep blue robes, was ushered in. His movements were calm. Anastasia remembered his grave expression as he approached Ernest.

Anastasia began to worry. After all, Ernest’s sickness was not real. She feared that even their trick might be seen through by Nathan. After all, he had once diagnosed her poisoning when no one else noticed.

"General," Nathan greeted, bowing lightly. "If you would allow me."

Ernest nodded and was guided to a chair. Anastasia remained close, her eyes never leaving his face as the physician began his examination—checking his pulse, observing the pallor of his skin, the faint tremor in his hands, and the sluggish reaction of his pupils.

Nathan said nothing at first.

The silence stretched.

Finally, he straightened, his expression no longer neutral.

"This is no ordinary illness," he said slowly. "General Ernest has ingested a toxin."

The words fell like a blade.

"Poison?" General Crowe exclaimed.

Anastasia was shocked. He dared to poison himself just to make his sickness real?

"Physician Nathan, could there be a mistake? We had a physician check him before, and he said he was merely sick from years of stress. He said as long as he rested well, he would be fine," Anastasia spoke up. She took this approach, hoping to clear any doubt.

Nathan nodded once. "Not many would notice the poisoning. After all, this is not something consumed over a day or two. It is a slow-acting compound. Taken in small quantities, it weakens the body without immediately claiming a life."

Anastasia’s grip tightened on Ernest’s arm. She looked at him, unsure of what to believe again.

Ernest took her hand and gently squeezed it to comfort her. To others, it appeared as though he was comforting her about the news, but Anastasia could tell he was assuring her that he was fine. Still, she did not feel reassured. She knew Nathan’s abilities—he could not be easily fooled.

Lord William’s eyes darkened.

"Can it be treated?" he asked.

"Usually, if it is discovered before it takes effect, I would be confident in treating it. But now, I can only manage it to prolong his life. I fear his strength may never fully return," Physician Nathan answered.

The room fell quiet.

"Is there truly no way?" Anastasia asked. Her face had turned pale, and her worry was unmistakable.

"I can only do my best," Physician Nathan said, shaking his head.

"Physician Nathan, can you tell how long the poison has been consumed?" Anastasia asked the question that was on everyone’s mind. Who could poison Ernest, and why?

"I cannot be certain, but since it is already active, it must have been consumed for a few months," Physician Nathan answered.

Ernest cleared his throat. "Physician Nathan, please do your best. Lord William, inform His Majesty that I will do my best to meet his expectations."

Lord William sighed. He felt deeply uncomfortable with the situation. At first, he had doubted the sickness as well. To be honest, he believed the king’s actions might have pushed Ernest toward disloyal thoughts, but seeing him remain sincere moved him.

Lord William and the rest departed shortly after, while Physician Nathan remained behind to treat Ernest. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Anastasia stood by his side. Once again, she regretted not studying medicine more deeply.

She watched Ernest cooperate with the treatment, unsure whether to feel relief at the sight.

"I will return and report your condition to the king," Physician Nathan said.

Then he wrote down the process for preparing and administering the medicine and handed it to Anastasia.

"He must drink this three times a day," he instructed.

Anastasia accepted it and thanked Physician Nathan. Although he had been sent by the king, she still sent him off with gifts.

Once all the outsiders were gone, Anastasia hurried back to their bedchamber. She needed answers.

"You poisoned yourself just to fake an illness?" she asked the moment she entered the room.

Ernest, who had been pretending to sleep before Nathan left, was now seated, reading reports.

Hearing the anger in her voice, he paused.

"I did not," he denied.

"You are still lying to me? Physician Nathan is not easily fooled," Anastasia said.

"I would never lie to you," Ernest shook his head.

"Then tell me honestly—what did you take?" Anastasia asked. She remembered he had avoided answering earlier.

"Just something to make me appear poisoned," Ernest replied. His gaze was clear and honest.

Yet Anastasia did not believe him. If it had been any other physician, perhaps—but not Nathan.

"No matter how skilled Physician Nathan is, there is always someone more skilled. Since we met, I have never lied to you," Ernest said when he saw her doubt.

"Then do you have an antidote?" Anastasia asked. Even if it was not real poison, it had to contain something potent to deceive Nathan.

"Yes," Ernest answered helplessly. Then he pulled her effortly to himself to prove he was fine.