The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 312: Bad feeling

The celebration continued into the grand hall, where tall pillars of white stone rose toward a ceiling painted with scenes of past victories. Golden chandeliers blazed overhead, their lights reflecting off polished marble floors and long banquet tables laden with food. Servants moved swiftly between the guests, refilling goblets with deep red wine and carrying platters heavy with roasted meat, fruits, and sweet pastries. Laughter echoed through the hall, mingling with the sound of music as minstrels played lively tunes.

The great doors opened at last.

King Edward entered the hall after changing back into his royal robes. Rich crimson fabric fell from his shoulders, embroidered with gold thread that caught the light with every step he took. His presence drew immediate attention, and the hall rose in unison.

"Long live the king!"

Queen Elizabeth walked beside him, composed and regal, her crown resting firmly upon her head. On the king’s other side was Dorothy, dressed in fine silk, her appearance elegant and carefully measured, neither too bold nor too modest. The three of them moved toward the high table as applause followed them like a wave.

Wine flowed more freely once the king was seated. Toasts were raised in his honor, praising his courage and the army’s triumph. Edward accepted the words with calm confidence, lifting his goblet in acknowledgment. The mood in the hall grew warmer, looser, as voices grew louder and laughter more unrestrained.

Amid the celebration, Queen Elizabeth’s gaze drifted across the hall.

That was when she saw Anastasia.

Anastasia stood among the noblewomen, her figure unmistakable. Her pregnancy was far along now, her stomach round and prominent beneath her carefully chosen gown. She looked radiant, her face glowing despite the long day, one hand resting lightly over her belly as she spoke with those around her.

Queen Elizabeth’s fingers tightened around her goblet.

For a brief moment, the music, the laughter, and the praise seemed to fade. Her eyes lingered on Anastasia’s stomach, and something dark flickered behind her composed expression. Envy rose quietly, sharp and unwelcome. She forced a smile when someone addressed her, but the feeling did not leave.

Jealousy settled in her chest like a slow-burning fire.

She looked away at last, lifting her wine and taking a measured sip. She turned to look at her husband only to finding him chatting happily with Dorothy. The scene made her both angry and worried.

Her mother already got the medicine she asked for, unfortunately the king had personally arranged the people around Dorothy so she had not found the opportunity to act.

Now that the king was back, she was worried that the king would get her pregnant again. The thought made her so angry that her forced smile was unpleasant to look at.

The celebration progress quickly, Elizabeth offered announced that she had a special flower that would bloom that night and she offered to have the noble ladies watch with her.

Everyone in a high spirit follow the queen to the royal garden, now that peace and prosperity was returning to the kingdom everyone was relaxed.

Dorothy also followed, her step was very light, now that the king was back she was feeling relaxed.

The royal garden had been carefully prepared in advance. Lanterns were hung along the stone paths, their soft glow lighting the trimmed hedges and blooming shrubs. At the center of the garden stood a rare night flower, its pale petals still tightly closed, waiting for the darkness to deepen before revealing its beauty. Benches were arranged around the flower bed, and servants moved quietly among the noble ladies, ensuring everyone was comfortable.

Maids soon appeared with trays of warm tea. The evening air had grown cool, and the steam rising from the cups carried a faint, calming scent. Each lady was served in turn, and polite conversation filled the garden as they waited. Anastasia accepted her cup and thanked the maid, wrapping her fingers around it to warm her hands. She took a few slow sips. The taste was slightly unfamiliar, but she dismissed the thought, assuming it was a blend meant to suit the season.

Time passed, and the garden slowly grew quieter as all attention turned to the flower.

At last, the first petal stirred.

"How beautiful," a soft murmur of admiration spread through the group as the flower began to bloom, its petals unfolding one by one under the lantern light. Just as the ladies leaned forward to admire it more closely, Anastasia suddenly stiffened.

A sharp pain twisted through her lower stomach.

She gasped, one hand flying to her belly.Sge took a deep breath not wanting to draw any attention to herself.

"My lady?" Grater always alarmwd noticed her actions.

"I am...." Anastasia opened her mouth to comfort her but the pain came again this time sharpet than before. She could not stop herself from gasping in pain.

A noblewoman besides them noticed her pale face and unsteady posture. "Something is wrong—she’s in pain!" the woman’s call was loud.

Anastasia tried to speak, but the words would not come. Her face had drained of color, and her breathing grew uneven.

Grater supported her not know what to do.

"Call for help!" someone shouted.

"Fetch the physicians at once!" Elizabeth also moved over because of the commission.

Elizabeth immediately took the posture of a host, she asked the maid to join Grater and assistant Anastasia to a near by Courtyard to wait for the Physician while informing a servant to sent a message to general Ernest.

The quiet beauty of the blooming flower was forgotten. Panic spread through the garden as maids hurried help Anastasia away, Elizabeth following behind.

...

Physician Nathan was summoned as he was the best royal physician. Nathan frowned when he heard Anastasia had gotten sick

He hurried towards the courtyard, at the same time Ernest got the news, he felt his heart skipped a beat. He had a bad feeling about Anastasia attending the celebration but he never expected something to go wrong.

Fortunately, he had been prepared having the female Physician wait with other servants outside the palace.

He immediately sent words to have her enter, together they hurried to the courtyard closed to the garden.

When they were closedl, they saw a group of women gathered outside.

Ernest could feel his heart turning cold. He prayed over and over again that his wife is fine.

Just as they joined the crowd, Physician Nathan calm out.

"Has general Ernest arrived?" He asked.

"Yes," Ernest increase his pace as he moved forward.

"Your wife’s situation is not good, I fear she might go into a premature labor," physician Nathan said. His gaze filed will worried.

"How can this be? My lady was in good shape," the female Physician that followed Ernest felt that the turn of events was too sudden.

"You can go in and check her?" Physician Nathan said. Since he stayed in Ernest resident for a while, he recognized her.

The female Physician immediately walked inside. Ernest wanted to follow but he was worried that his presence might not help.

The female Physician came out after a short moment, she looked round the crowd and found Grater standing by the door.

"Tell me, what did my lady eat?" Her question made everyone standing frown.

Grater did not care, she carefully recounted everything Anastasia has eaten since morning.

The female Physician frowned, nothing she eat seems to have a problem but her symptoms showed that she had eaten something forbidden for a pregnant woman especially given her special condition.

"Is there something wrong with what she eat?" Ernest asked. He was impatient.

"No, I think my lady has been poisoned," the female Physician announced.

Gaps, everyone was surprised to hear those words.

"Be careful what you say? How can my sister be poisoned in the palace?" Elizabeth question. Her gaze was fierce.

"Your majesty, this is true. There is definitely no mistake," the female Physician said. She came with Ernest as she believes he would guarantee her safety.

"Physician Nathan has already said your lady might be having earlier labor why did it turn to poison in your mouth?" Elizabeth question. She did not believe the words of some unknown female Physician.

Some noble women standing by also had the queen’s view

"Then, physician Nathan, tell us why my lady is suddenly having symptoms of early labor?" The female Physician turned to Nathan.

Physician Nathan met the gaze of the female Physician. "Indeed, lady Anastasia seems to have eaten something wrong," he said. Not wanting to call it poison, after all given Anastasia’ history with the palace, if she was said to be poisoned then the royal family image would take the hit.

Elizabeth frowned, "what do you mean, speak clearly?" She demanded.

"It is a hot herb, usually when mixed with tea, it helps keep the body warm but this is not safe for a pregnant woman to drink. Moreover the morning herb is not commonly mixed with tea," physician Nathan said.

The group of noble women were shocked. If it was a common herb added to tea then it might be said to be a coincidence but hearing Nathan’s explanation it was hard not to suspect that Anastasia was deliberately targeted.

A few noble women looked at the queen, after all, the sisters did not get along.