The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 322: Debate

Royal Study

"Is it done?" King Edward looked at Physician Nathan, who had returned to the palace.

"Your Majesty, forgive me, but I have failed you this time," Physician Nathan said. The last few days in Ernest’s house had been a waste. During that time, he did not see Ernest even once, much less get the chance to poison him.

"What do you mean?" King Edward frowned.

"Your Majesty, during my time in General Ernest’s house, I did not get to see him at all," Physician Nathan answered honestly.

"What? Was his injury fake?" King Edward asked. His heart began to race with speculation. Even if the one who stabbed him the second time was Lord Aureline, he suspected that Ernest was putting on a show. After all, given his skills, he could have killed Aureline without putting himself in danger.

"Your Majesty, the injury is real. I examined it myself on the day of his injury, but with Lady Anastasia’s personality..." Physician Nathan stopped speaking, but King Edward understood.

Anastasia did not trust the royal family, so she would not let Nathan treat him. As for asking a steward to come to the palace to request a physician, it was all for show. If the king refused, he would appear to repay good with evil. If he agreed, everything would seem proper, but it would also spread the news that Anastasia and Ernest had almost lost their lives, and their loyalty would be praised by all.

From beginning to end, it was a thankless task for the royal family. As for the rumors that followed, Edward was not foolish enough to think no one was directing them.

"Anything else?" Edward asked, seeing that Nathan had not left.

"Your Majesty, although I was not allowed to treat Ernest, I learned some news. Someone from Ironhaven came to see him. The men around him are well trained. I was allowed to move around and ask questions. On a few occasions, nobles sent their stewards to congratulate the family on the birth of the children, but I fear not all of them were simple congratulations," Nathan said.

"Are you saying the nobles are already trying to choose sides?" Edward frowned. Some unknown man had spoken a few reckless words, and the nobles were already moving? He could not believe it.

"I only wish to remind Your Majesty to be careful. General Ernest has always been an honest man, but Lady Anastasia—her schemes run deep. Now that his identity is exposed, and he is not without support, Ironhaven has always been strong ground," Physician Nathan said and stopped. Some things did not need to be said.

"You have done well," Edward said. Although he was disappointed that Nathan had not poisoned Ernest, he had at least brought back information Edward had neglected.

Physician Nathan bowed and left the study while the king fell into deep thought.

Ernest was indeed not without support. His uncle was the Duke of Ironhaven. As a prince, Edward understood their strength. Ironhaven was entirely under the Duke’s control. He had sworn loyalty to the throne of Nexile for peace, but it was not royal ground.

His grandfather had known of this problem, which was why the crown prince—Edward’s uncle—had married the Duke’s daughter. The next to sit on the throne should have been related to them, closing the gap. But his uncle had died early, and shortly after that, the crown princess had returned to her home.

She had left before his father, King George, was crowned. On the surface, she was grieving, but given that King George had killed his brother, she had been fleeing for her life.

"But if she had a child... why hide his identity?" Edward asked himself. The answer was clear—to let the child grow up peacefully. Edward had been raised by his father; he had seen how ruthless he could be.

"Summon Lord William and a few advisers," he instructed. Since his attempt to poison Ernest had failed, he decided to seek advice.

The summons went out before nightfall.

By the next morning, the royal study was filled.

Heavy curtains were drawn. Guards stood at every door. Around the long table sat the king’s most trusted advisers—old nobles with sharp eyes, young lords eager to prove loyalty, and men who had survived three reigns by choosing their words carefully.

King Edward sat at the head, silent.

"The matter before us," he said at last, "is General Ernest and the incident at the execution ground."

The room stirred at once.

An old minister was the first to speak. "Your Majesty, his identity should not be acknowledged. The words spoken at the execution ground by some unknown soldier mean nothing. No proof was given. If the crown declares it a lie, it will only be a matter of time before it fades."

Several heads nodded.

"Aye," another adviser added. "Once the court refuses to confirm it, the nobles will not dare push further. To name him a prince now is to invite chaos," he said in support.

"But can we truly ignore it?" a younger lord asked. "The resemblance is clear—too clear. The people have eyes. The nobles have memory. You say there is no evidence to prove his identity, but do we have evidence to prove he is not? Given his resemblance to Prince Christopher, if the Duke of Ironhaven claims he is the child of his sister and presents evidence, can we counter it?"

His questions sparked debate. Many who believed denial was the answer began to see its flaws.

The room grew louder.

One man stood. "Your Majesty, denying it will make Ernest a symbol. It would give him the chance to rise and indirectly confirm the rumors that the late King George killed his brother."

King Edward’s fingers tightened on the arm of his chair.

Everyone present was intelligent and quickly realized the issue was not easy to solve. Murmurs spread through the hall.

At that moment, Lord William spoke.

"Your Majesty," he said calmly, and the room slowly quieted. "I believe it is impossible not to acknowledge him."

Several advisers frowned at once.

Lord William continued, "If we deny him, the nobles will move in secret. If we kill him, he becomes a martyr. Ironhaven will not stay quiet. The army will split."

"And what do you suggest?" the king asked coldly.

"Acknowledge his birth," Lord William said. "Name him a royal prince. Then use royal authority to bind him."

The room erupted.

"Madness!"

"Acknowledging him gives him legitimacy!"

"You would hand him a sword!"

Lord William did not flinch. "Hear me out. Give him a title without power. Send him far from the royal city. Lower Pass would be suitable. It is cold, remote, and always in conflict with the Gube Kingdom. Name him guardian of the border. Keep him busy."

Some advisers began to hesitate.

"That would place him under royal control."

"And strip him of excuses."

"If he accepts, he submits."

"If he refuses, he reveals ambition."

A few nodded slowly.

But another voice rose, sharp and angry. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Why waste time?" a noble shouted. "Frame him for the chaos at the execution ground. Say he planned the attack. Say he used Lord Aureline as cover. Execute him publicly. Once he is dead, Ironhaven will fall silent. Moreover, even if Ironhaven wants to fight, it has no claim to the throne."

The room froze.

Several men looked away.

Others leaned forward, eyes gleaming.

"Yes," one said softly. "Dead men claim no thrones."

"But can we prove it?" someone asked.

"Proof can be made."

The debate turned fierce.

Voices overlapped.

"To kill him will ignite war!"

"To spare him will invite rebellion!"

"The people already love him!"

"The people can be taught to fear him!"

King Edward listened in silence as his advisers argued, sweat forming at his temples.

At last, he raised his hand.

The room fell quiet at once.

"He saved my life," Edward reminded them. "The people saw it. The soldiers saw it. If he truly wanted the throne, letting Lord Aureline kill me, then killing Lord Aureline and claiming the throne would have been the better move. Why would he choose chaos and injure himself? Even if the people can be fooled, what about the nobles?"

The hall fell quiet. No one knew how to answer. The man who had suggested framing him lowered his head in shame.

"Whatever choice I make," King Edward continued, "will shake this kingdom."

The council remained seated, breath held.

"The council is dismissed," King Edward said at last. "I will decide."

One by one, the advisers rose and bowed.

As they left, none spoke.

When everyone was gone, King Edward took a sheet of paper and decided to write to his mother. She had helped his father many times. Edward believed she might have a plan that could work.

He wrote everything down, sealed the letter, and called for his messenger bird. He needed a reply as soon as possible. After all, the longer the delay, the more things could fall apart.