The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 298: Would you support me?”

Ernest’s Residence

When Walter delivered the message along with the investigation report, Ernest was stunned. Anastasia, on the other hand, looked at her husband and began to analyze the situation.

She quickly realized that Ernest must have known the servant was trying to poison him. He had simply avoided eating the food, but once the servant made his move, everything was easily traced back to him.

"Tell His Majesty that I, Ernest, am grateful for his favor," Ernest said, bowing slightly as he spoke to Walter. "As soon as I feel better, I will go straight to the war front. Even if I cannot fight, I can at least offer insight."

"His Majesty will be pleased to hear that," Walter replied. Seeing the deep gratitude in Ernest’s gaze, he felt reassured. He now believed the king had made the right decision. Ernest must have had some dissatisfaction when he was suspended but seeing the king’s good will and grace, he was moved.

Anastasia also thanked him. Once Walter left, she helped Physician Nathan settle into one of the courtyards.

"What secret mission did His Majesty send you on this time?" Anastasia asked once she was alone with Physician Nathan. This physician once held the king’s secret command to stop her from getting pregnant. His loyalty to the royal family could not be underestimated.

"None," Physician Nathan replied, guilt flickering across his face.

"I do not trust you," Anastasia said coldly. "Each time you prepare medicine for my husband, I must be present. You will explain everything clearly to me. If you try anything deceitful, I promise your entire family will be buried alongside my husband."

Physician Nathan looked at Anastasia stunned. "You misunderstood his Majesty’s intentions. General Ernest is a great asset to the kingdom of there is someone who wants him safe the most it is his majesty.

Anastasia shook her head, she found it pointless to argue with him.

"I understand," Physician Nathan said seeing her stand. He hated being threatened, but he had no choice. Ordinarily, he would not fear Anastasia she was, after all, a woman with no official power. Yet remembering how she had secured herself a royal divorce and still managed to marry Ernest, he knew her means were far from simple. If she truly wished it, she might find a way to harm his family.

Fortunately, His Majesty genuinely wanted him only to treat Ernest.

Seeing the clarity in his eyes, Anastasia felt satisfied and decided to leave.

When she arrived at the main building, Ernest was already in his study.

"When did you find out someone was trying to poison you?" she asked.

"Before we got married," Ernest answered honestly.

"What? That long ago?" Anastasia was shocked.

"Yes," Ernest nodded.

"Then why didn’t you tell me?" she asked. After all, it would have been best if they both guard against him.

"At first, I wasn’t sure who the mastermind was," Ernest explained. "I didn’t believe the king would use such methods, even if he wanted to get rid of me. So I had to use myself as bait while I investigated the servant."

"Then... you knew it was Lord Aureline?" she asked.

"Yes. Shortly after His Majesty’s wedding to your sister, I found out," Ernest said. "But I couldn’t understand his motive. Afternoon all, he was not a general himself and I did not stand in his way. It was strange, So I pretended to consume the poison to uncover his plans. That’s when I discovered his intent to rebel."

Anastasia looked at him, "So you knew before the rebellion?" it was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes. Otherwise, he would never have escaped the royal city," Ernest replied.

Anastasia was shocked once again. Ernest had always been loyal to the king. He could have exposed the plot early and ended the war before it began. He would have earned immense merit. Yet he hadn’t.

No matter how she thought about it, his actions made no sense.

Seeing her deep in thought, Ernest rose and walked toward the window.

"I once believed King Edward would be a wise ruler," he said quietly. "Moreover, my loyalty to him existed only because you were his wife."

It was a secret he had never intended to share. But if they were to face the future together, there could be no secrets between them.

Anastasia was speechless, unsure how to process his words. Did he love her that much that he was willing to be loyal to Edward? It was hard to believe.

Ernest continued without waiting for her response. "Ever since the royal divorce, I realized he was not as wise as I thought. He is just as selfish as his father. I wasn’t sure I could continue serving him—and he proved my doubts correct. A man who dares to lay hands on his own nephew is no king."

"Then... are you planning to pledge allegiance to the Third Prince or to Lord Aureline?" Anastasia asked. Having spoken so much she would be a fool if she did not understand his intentions.

"Neither," Ernest said, shaking his head.

Anastasia frowned. "Then the Second Prince? But he is ill. Moreover, he would never rebel as long as their mother is alive."

Indeed, Lord Aureline’s claim to the throne was far-fetched. The Third Prince was illegitimate. The only viable claimant was the Second Prince—but Anastasia was certain he would never rebel.

Ernest turned to her. He had always known she was intelligent, but hearing her analyze the situation still filled him with pride.

"How would you like to be a queen?" Ernest asked.

"What?" Anastasia frowned, startled by the question. But seeing the seriousness in his expression, her heart skipped a beat.

"You... you plan to—" She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

"Yes," Ernest replied calmly. Why should he support another man to be a good king when he could claim the throne himself?

"But you have no claim," Anastasia reminded him. "For someone outside the royal family to seize the throne, the royal house must either lack capable heirs or commit unforgivable crimes."

Edward, as flawed as he was, had not committed any grave mistake. If Ernest rebelled now, he would gain little support, and his chances of success would be painfully slim.

Ernest smiled. He was glad she was sharp enough to grasp the reality of the situation. He couldn’t help but wonder why Edward had cast aside such an intelligent wife for a mistress—but he wasn’t complaining. Edward’s foolishness had given him the chance to marry her.

"I have a claim," Ernest said.

Anastasia looked at him sharply. "Are you also the illegitimate son of King George?" she asked.

Her mind immediately began calculating the possibilities. Ernest was older than the Second Prince. Perhaps the late king had visited Ironhaven and left behind a mistress, forcing the duke to claim the child as his own.

She shook her head. Or perhaps Ernest’s mother had been King George’s true love, hidden away to protect her from Queen Mary. The Duke of Ironhaven might have been entrusted with raising the child.

The more Anastasia thought, the more plausible it seemed. Yet who would believe such a story? Without official recognition, proof would be nearly impossible.

"No. I am legitimate—" Ernest began, but Anastasia cut him off.

"I’ve never heard that King George had a wife before Queen Mary. Or are you her lost child? But I’ve never heard of the queen losing a child," Anastasia said. Somehow, her mind kept producing theories, perhaps influenced by the tangled truths within her own family.

"Neither," Ernest said, shaking his head. He wondered how her imagination could be so wild.

"I am the son of Prince Christopher," Ernest said plainly. "He was the rightful heir to the throne. King George murdered him and took his place."

Anastasia froze, then searched her memory. Yes—King George had once had an elder brother, Prince Christopher, the original crown prince. Before his sudden death, Christopher had effectively governed, as the king at the time was already gravely ill.

"But wasn’t Prince Christopher killed by a bear?" Anastasia asked. She had studied history carefully when she married Edward.

"Do you always believe what you’re told?" Ernest asked quietly.

Anastasia shook her head. The more she thought about it, the more plausible it became.

"But Prince Christopher died without an heir," she said. "It was said the Crown Princess fell into despair and died a few months later. There was no mention of a child."

"Who was the Crown Princess?" Ernest asked.

"Isabella Grayhaven, daughter of the Duke of Ironhaven," Anastasia replied from memory.

Then it struck her.

Ernest had grown up as the Duke of Ironhaven’s illegitimate son. Isabella had been the duke’s blood sister.

If King George had truly murdered his brother, the mother and child would never have been safe. History even recorded that Princess Isabella had returned home, fallen ill from grief, and died shortly after.

What she once thought were wild theories now seemed frighteningly real.

"Can you prove your identity?" Anastasia asked. A child hidden for so many years would be difficult to validate. With nearly everyone from that generation dead, doubts would be inevitable.

"I have my plans," Ernest replied. "But tell me—would you support me?"

Rebellion was no small matter. No matter how carefully planned, failure was still possible. He wanted her to have a choice.

Anastasia clenched her fists. She was afraid—there was no guarantee of success. Yet thinking of how well Ernest had treated her, and how Edward’s petty nature might never allow her peace, she looked at Ernest with firm resolve.

"I will stand by you."