The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 310: Exposed

The grand celebration was held in the Queen’s Hall.

Golden lamps lit the room, and soft music flowed through the air. Noblewomen filled the hall in bright gowns, their laughter rising and falling like waves. Tables were set with wine, fruit, and sweet cakes. For the first time in many weeks, the palace felt alive.

Anastasia arrived quietly.

She wore a loose gown of deep blue, the fabric flowing gently from her shoulders. The high waist and wide sleeves hid her body well. To anyone who did not look closely, she appeared no different than before.

At her side stood the female physician Ernest had arranged. She looked like a maid, calm and alert, her eyes never resting for long.

Anastasia kept her movements slow and careful. She smiled when spoken to, bowed when needed, and avoided crowded places.

She walked over to pay her respect to Elizabeth, her posture was humble not wanting to draw attention to herself.

Seeing her now, Elizabeth was smug, "no need for so much formality, dear sister," She acted generously.

Anastasia thank her and looked for her seat. Elizabeth had deliberately arranged for her to set in a less prominent position. This was to remind her of her place, but Anastasia loved the position as it was less crowded with little attention.

The celebration continues smoothly.

Queen Elizabeth sat at the center, surrounded by noblewomen. She laughed, spoke freely, and accepted praise and attention with ease. Gifts were presented. Compliments were exchanged. All eyes were on her.

As the wine flowed and the mood grew lighter, a group of older noblewomen gathered nearby. They spoke of past births, heirs, and blessings.

Anastasia listen and she took the opportunity to find out what happened been happening around the kingdom.

It was a joyous occasion, so everyone spoke freely. Anastasia was relieved that no major events had happened yet. She subconsciously strock her stomach gently.

One of the women Lady Marwen, noticed her actions. With her years of experience, she immediately picked on something.

Her gaze lingered long on Anastasia.

Anastasia felt it and grew uneasy.

Lady Marwen stepped forward, her voice warm but loud enough to carry.

"Lady Anastasia," she said with a smile, "you should have shared the good news of your pregnancy with us."

The words cut through the hall like a blade.

"So we could have had even more reason to celebrate." She meant no harm she was just curious if her guest was true.

All eyes turned to Anastasia.

The hall fell into a brief, silence. Then whispers spread.

"That’s impossible," some said quietly. "She has been ill for months."

"Are you sure?" others asked, their eyes fixed on her waist. They doubt because must of them knew of her poisoning and how difficult it was said for her to be pregnant.

But just as quickly, voices rose in congratulations.

"What joyful news!" "A blessing for the family!" "How wonderful!"

Anastasia had no choice but to accept it. She placed a hand over her stomach and smiled politely, though her fingers trembled. She thanked each person who spoke, her voice calm even as her heart raced.

Across the hall, Queen Elizabeth froze for a moment.

Shock flashed across her face, but it was gone just as quickly. She stood, lifting her cup, her smile flawless.

"Dear sister" she said warmly, "this is truly good news. Congtatualtion, May God protect you and the child."

Her words were perfect. Her tone was gentle.

Only Anastasia could sense the cold beneath the kindness.

Dorothy was also present in the hall, standing near one of the side tables. When she heard Lady Marwen announce Anastasia’s pregnancy, she stepped forward with a warm smile.

"Congratulations, Lady Anastasia," she said, her voice carrying across the room.

A few heads turned at her words, curious at her cheerful tone.

"Fortunately," Dorothy continued, "the news about your poison was false. Now you can bear your own child."

Her words carried a subtle reminder to everyone present—Anastasia had once accused her of trying to harm her. Dorothy’s smile never wavered, but those who knew the history of the two women could sense the pointed undertone.

Anastasia’s polite smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly composed herself, keeping her hand lightly resting on her stomach.

"Lady Dorothy knows weather the poisoning incident was false or true," Anastasia paused and met her gaze. "I was only fortunate to have been treated on time and met a man who cared and did not stop at anything to help me," Anastasia said.

Her words reminded everyone that the king had cover Dorothy crime, and she was fortunate to be pregnant because of Ernest care and nurture.

Dorothy rolled her eyes, she hated that she was unable to win against Anastasia, but then she figured that she did not need to fight her head on.

"As long as you and your baby are healthy. Unfortunately I failed to protect my child well. Now that his condition is not showing much improvement... Look at me, what am I saying her majesty would be able to birth and heir for his majesty soon," she sounded as though she was lamenting her fate but the goal of her speech was to pull Elizabeth into mix.

Every one smile, and looked at Elizabeth, of course she was not pregnant but Dorothy’s words reminded everyone that she had been caught in bed with the king and had gotten married at about the same time with Anastasia.

Although no one dare say anything to Elizabeth after all she was the queen their gaze said it all.

Anastasia laughed, of course she understood what Dorothy was doing but she was not one to take anything lying down. "Of course, her majesty my sister has always been in good health. I am only lucky because my husband does not have a mistress yet," as she spoke her gaze was fixed on Dorothy.

*True, this is the reason a man should not welcome a mistress before his wedded wife is with child," a noble woman said. She had been suppress by her husband mistress at home and so she was willing to join the conversation.

All the noble women present were wives, of course they all hated mistresses no matter how had they tried to hide it.

Dorothy noticed the unpleasant gaze she got and shivers. She turned to look at Elizabeth but she was also looking at her with hatred.

Dorothy felt a shiver run through her spine but she thought Elizabeth was too short sighted. Anyone could look down on her but Elizabeth after all she had scheme her way to the king’s bed.

Moreover since they had Anastasia as their common enemy they should join forces to ruin her reputation.

"Definitely, once the king returns victorious, we would have many joyous occasion," a friend of Elizabeth spoke up.

"Indeed, her majesty is blessed," more people agreed. While it felt like they were all praying for her, it was also to mount pressure, after all, even Anastasia’ who was once poisoned was already pregnant

"What are you all going about, children are gifts from God, they would come at the right time," Duchess Anita said. It has only been a few months since her daughter married the king. Anastasia had been married for more than a year with a pregnant mistress, no one ever pointed it out.

"Indeed," a few of the older women agreed seeing that the atmosphere was becoming tensed.

...

Elizabeth found a reason to leave the hall, her mother followed her. "Why are you angry? Anastasia’s pregnancy has nothing to do with you?" Duchess Anita reminds her daughter. The kingdom was in a delicate situation and no mistakes could be made.

"I know," Elizabeth said but she was envious of the fact that Anastasia was living a good life even if she was married to a general. She felt Anastasia’ had the kind of life she would never dream of as a queen.

What woman did not want to have a happy home.

"Then why the fact?" Duchess Anita asked.

"Mother, his majesty has never shared a bed with me, although when he left this time he promised but... With a mistress what if she gets pregnant again?" Elizabeth had realized a problem today. Dorothy was still very healthy and could bear another child.

"What are you thinking..." Duchess Anita asked. Now that he daughter was the one married to the king, she suddenly realizes that it was not easy for Anastasia.

Elizabeth gestured with her hand that she wanted to kill her.

"What nonsense are you saying. The king personally increased the guards around her, killing her would not be easy. The only reason you easily attacked them the last time was because there was already chaos," Duchess Anita felt it was too risky.

"But I have to deal with her, At least make her unable to give birth if I can’t kill her," Elizabeth said. She still believes the best time for her to act was while the king was away.

"This..." Duchess Anita did not know what to say.

"Just help me get the medicine, I will find a way to use it," Elizabeth said. She had no idea how to purchase such things.

"Then, be careful, remember she is a physician herself," Duchess Anita said.