The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 319: Suppress Ernest

Anastasia once again went into early labor. While the physician examined Anastasia, Ernest summoned Grater and Rosa.

"Take charge of the residence. No news must go out," he instructed.

"I understand, General," Grater said. She had already heard the rumors going around, saying that Ernest was some prince’s son. Given the situation of the kingdom, she understood that they had to be careful with their actions.

She immediately left the room with Rosa. "You take charge of caring for the lady and helping her. I will manage the situation of the house," Grater said.

Although everyone within the residence seemed loyal to the General, she would not be at ease if neither she nor Rosa were there to take care of things.

Inside the room, the physician finished examining Anastasia and reported the situation to Ernest.

"General, there is nothing we can do now but help her give birth to the children," the female physician announced.

Ernest frowned. He could not stop blaming himself. He should have planned more carefully, but he wanted to reduce the bloodshed.

"How bad is the situation?" he asked.

"My lady is in good shape, but it is hard for children born early to survive," the female physician said.

Ernest knew there was no time to wait. "What do you need?" he asked.

"The midwives to assist with the birth. I will take care of my lady," the female physician said. She knew that Anastasia was important. "Also, I will need a few medical herbs boiled." As she spoke, she started writing down instructions. Time was short; the longer they waited, the more things would get out of hand.

The room filled with hurried footsteps.

Servants rushed in and out, carrying hot water, clean cloth, and lamps, Rosa stood by the side making sure everything was organized. Since the incident at the palace, Ernest had two midwives stationed in the residence, so they arrived at the main building quickly, their faces tight with worry but knew what to do as soon as they got in.

The air smelled of herbs and smoke as the pot began to boil. The female physician burned incense; she hoped it would help give Anastasia strength.

Anastasia lay pale against the pillows, sweat clinging to her brow. Her breathing was uneven, each breath sharper than the last. Pain rolled through her in waves, stealing her voice, then giving it back in broken sounds.

"Stay with me, my lady," the female physician said softly as she took Anastasia’s hand. "Look at me. Breathe when I tell you."

Ernest stood outside the room, his fists clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms. He wanted to step inside, to do something—anything—but he understood his presence might make things worse.

A cry tore from Anastasia’s throat.

"Now," the physician said. "Push."

Anastasia gathered what little strength she had left and pushed. Her face twisted in pain, tears slipping down the sides of her face. The midwives moved quickly, murmuring prayers under their breath.

Moments stretched like hours.

Then, at last, a faint cry cut through the room.

"It’s a boy," a midwife announced.

The child continue to cry, the sound was thin.

Ernest’s breath caught. He moved to enter the room but held back at the last moment.

The midwife wrapped the child quickly and placed him aside, working without pause.

"Again, my lady," the physician urged. "There is another."

Anastasia shook her head weakly. "I can’t..."

"You can," the physician said firmly. "You must. You already have one child. Think about what will happen if you give up now. A motherless child is always pitiful."

Anastasia’s trembling hands gripping the sheets at those words. Her life in the Duke’s residence had become worse after her mother died. She wondered what her little child would have to go through if she died.

Although weak, Anastasia gathered all her strength. Fueled by the will to live, she pushed again. Her body shook, exhaustion pulling her down, but she forced herself onward.

Another cry filled the room.

"Another boy," the midwife said, surprise clear in her voice.

Twins.

Two small boys, born too early, their bodies tiny and fragile. The midwives worked fast, rubbing their backs, clearing their breaths, whispering prayers as though words alone might keep death away.

One child cried weakly. The other barely made a sound.

Ernest could no longer hold himself back. He walked into the room.

"Are they alive?" he asked, his voice low.

"They are breathing," the physician said carefully. "But the night is long. We must keep them warm. Very warm."

Anastasia turned her head slightly, her eyes half-open. "My... children?"

"They are here, my lady," the physician said gently. "Two sons."

A faint smile touched Anastasia’s lips before her eyes slipped closed again. Her body sagged into the bed, drained of all strength.

"Anastasia," Ernest called out, worried when he saw her eyes close.

The female physician quickly checked on Anastasia. "She has lost much energy, She must rest." The physician said.

Hearing that she only needed to rest, Ernest felt relief.

The twins were placed near the hearth, wrapped in layers of cloth. One stirred, fingers curling weakly. The other lay still, his chest rising only faintly.

Ernest knelt beside them.

Two lives. So small. So fragile.

He bowed his head, not knowing whether he was praying for Anastasia, for the children, or for forgiveness—for whatever sins had brought them into such danger so soon.

"Do your best to take care of them. Remember, Anastasia is the priority. Nothing must happen to her," Ernest said, he was worried that in order to care for the children, the physician would forget to pay attention to Anastasia.

The physician, midwives, and servants all nodded.

The General and his wife were good masters; they naturally prayed for their safety.

.....

In Ernest’s study

"What is the situation?" Ernest asked. A man whose face was covered stood before him.

"My lord, the news of your identity has spread throughout the royal city. By morning, the second region should have heard it. We have people ready to paste your painting and that of His Highness, your father," the man said.

"How are things going in the east?" Ernest asked.

"Colonel Edwin is as you said. Although on the surface he seems to be helping Her Grace manage the region, he already has a firm hold on the mines and resources," the man reported.

"And Lower Pass?" Ernest asked. He wanted to win the throne with as little blood as possible.

"As you said, once we used Lord Aureline’s location to lure Colonel Simon out, we managed to take charge. Our banner can be raised at any point," the man said.

"No. How long can General Robert be delayed?" he asked.

"As long as you want. Your uncle is heavy-handed; he trapped them. General Robert and his men are under his control," the man said. He felt that the Duke of Ironhaven had secretly been planning this rebellion for a long time, to have the manpower to seize a royal army and block news from reaching the royal city.

"My lord, what should we do?" the man asked.

Ernest frowned. Everything was set, but Anastasia had just given birth. Neither she nor the children were suitable for traveling.

"We wait. Watch the movements of the palace closely. When you go out, send out news that my situation has worsened. Send a steward to the royal palace to beg for a royal physician. Claim I am at the point of death and that the one taking care of me is unable to do anything," Ernest laid out his instructions.

"Yes, my lord," the man bowed and left the house.

Due to the incident at the excursion center that day, many were paying attention to Ernest, so as soon as the news of his condition came out, it quickly spread.

Before the steward could get to the royal palace, the king had already learned the news. He summoned Physician Nathan to his study.

"Do you have a poison that would not be noticeable for a few weeks?" King Edward asked.

Physician Nathan’s heart trembled when he heard the question. After all, he was well informed of the situation. "Yes," he answered honestly.

"I will send you to treat Ernest. Nurse him back to health if you can, but poison him so he can die shortly after from an illness. If he cannot be saved, ensure you do not give people reason to doubt you," King Edward said. Nathan was the most trusted physician of the royal family.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Physician Nathan bowed.

Not long after the conversation, a steward from Ernest’s house arrived at the palace, begging for a physician.

King Edward immediately ordered Physician Nathan to go.

His actions started a debate the next morning. When people heard that he had sent the most skilled physician, they doubted his intentions.

Some believed he was showing goodwill because Ernest had saved his life. Others said he was a cold-blooded man who sent his most loyal physician to silence Ernest.

Late in the morning, news came that Anastasia learned of her husband’s situation and went into early labor. Everything might have been fine, but because she had once been poisoned in the royal palace, her condition was uncertain.

This new information brought up another debate.

"What mistake of a cook? If you ask me, I will say that during the war in the second region, the king learned Ernest’s identity and deliberately tried to kill his children," one lord speculated.

Others did not fully agree, but they all remembered how the king had been trying to suppress Ernest in the past months, and many began to believe it.