The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 114: Forbidden Technique

Chapter 114: Forbidden Technique

The Queen felt extremely anxious after receiving news that the ship had been attacked and that Anastasia’s fate was unknown. Queen Mary was not as concerned about Anastasia’s life as she was about the box she had entrusted to her.

Anastasia had been personally responsible for safeguarding the box, so, naturally, the Queen feared that it might fall into the wrong hands. Until she received a message from Miss Magdalene confirming that the box was now in her possession, she was unable to relax.

"Your Majesty, a message has arrived from the seaside," her lady-in-waiting announced.

"Bring it in," Queen Mary replied, trying to conceal the anxiety in her voice. The lady brought a small letter and handed it to her.

Queen Mary immediately opened it, convincing herself that it contained good news; that the box was safely with Magdalene. However, upon reading its contents and discovering that the box was missing, she broke into a cold sweat.

"Give my orders, send more men to search for the Crown Princess. Whether she is in the water or has been taken away, she must be found before tomorrow morning," Queen Mary commanded. She reasoned that Anastasia had likely kept the box close to her. If Anastasia was found, then the box might be recovered as well. Although she knew that, amid the chaos, someone could have taken it, she comforted herself with the fact that the box was locked with a special mechanism, making it difficult to open. Moreover, due to its size, no one would dare break it open for fear of damaging whatever was inside.

"Also, track down the attackers who escaped and search the bodies left behind for clues. Everything must be reported to the palace," Queen Mary added. The box could not fall into the wrong hand.

As it was nearly time for the King to take his medicine, she went to his chamber. Although the exact nature of his poisoning remained unclear, the royal physician had been giving him special herbs known for their health benefits, hoping to strengthen his body and slow the poison’s effects until the correct antidote could be found.

"Your Majesty," she said upon entering the room. The King had just finished taking his medicine. Although she saw no significant improvement, he no longer seemed as if he would perish at any moment.

"What is the matter?" King George asked. Though she had yet to say a word, he could already sense her concern.

The Queen smiled and waited for the servants to leave the room. "The box is missing," she finally said. She did not dare reveal what was inside, but King George understood at once.

"How did that happen?" he asked, frowning in concern.

"I told you before; during the attack, the Princess reportedly fell into the water. She has yet to be found, and the trusted person I placed by her side to protect the box discovered that it had gone missing," the Queen explained.

King George remained silent, his expression slightly distressed, though, in truth, he was not worried.

"Send a message and find out how exactly the Princess fell into the water. If she had the box with her, they should check the waters. Otherwise, our men are already tracking the attackers. If they have Anastasia, they likely have the box as well. They will demand a higher ransom when the time comes," King George said.

Queen Mary took a deep breath. His reasoning made sense, but she feared that someone was plotting against the royal family. If the box fell into the wrong hands, the consequences would be disastrous.

She voiced her doubts, but the King waved them off. He knew he was not truly poisoned, and though many had wished to rebel, none had succeeded in harming him. Moreover, no one could have launched such a bold attack on the royal fleet so easily.

The Queen was about to speak again when there was a knock at the door.

"Your Majesty, the seer has sent a message," a eunuch announced from outside.

"Come in," the King instructed.

A young man who served the seer entered and bowed.

"What did the seer say?" the King asked. The Queen was surprised that he did not wait for her to leave before inquiring. Perhaps, she thought, he was beginning to trust her more.

"The Great One asks if you have found the rare herb he mentioned. He says the ritual should be performed sooner rather than later. It will be most effective if done immediately," the young man reported.

"Yes, the herb should be delivered to the palace by tomorrow evening at the latest," the King replied.

"Then I shall return to my master and inform him, with Your Majesty’s permission," the young man said, bowing.

King George waved his hand in dismissal. The young man bowed again and departed.

"Your Majesty, if I may ask, what herb are you searching for?" Queen Mary inquired. Since the king let her listen she felt the need to ask.

"The seer believes he has identified the poison I was given and says that only a rare herb can cure me. I did not tell you earlier because I was uncertain whether we could find it. However, when he visited yesterday, he had a vision and suspected that the herb could be located on Mount Glib, a half-day’s journey from here. I sent men to search for it, and I just received word that they found it. But extracting it will take time; we must avoid damaging the roots, as they are the most valuable part," the King explained.

Of course, the "herb" he referred to was Anastasia. He dared not tell the Queen the truth about the ritual. The story of the rare herb was merely a deception, and the young man’s inquiry had been staged for the Queen’s ears. King George was not a man who allowed others to discover his weaknesses.

No matter what, Anastasia’s death should not be traced back to him or the royal family. Once this happens, those people who had plans to rebel would finally have an excuse.

"Your Majesty, can you truly be cured?" the Queen momentarily forgot about the missing box upon hearing this news.

"The seer has a way. However, this technique is forbidden, so you must not speak of it to others," the King warned. He knew his wife was no fool. Telling her a partial truth was the best way to ensure she would not become suspicious.

"Then I pray for Your Majesty’s recovery," Queen Mary said. In the past, she might have opposed her husband resorting to a forbidden technique, but now, as long as he could be saved, she no longer cared how it was done