The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 190: So Uneasy

Chapter 190: So Uneasy

Physician Nathan was surprised by her sudden turn; she seemed to doubt his diagnosis. But there was truly nothing wrong with the queen.

"Your Majesty..."

"Think before you answer," Anastasia said as she presented two prescriptions to Physician Nathan.

When he saw the prescriptions, his heart skipped a beat. It had only been a month since the king’s death, he hadn’t believed Anastasia would already notice something was wrong.

He had sworn an oath to the late king to do his best to prevent Anastasia from becoming pregnant for a few years.

To reassure him, the king had written a letter and had his personal eunuch and the seer bear witness. But those two had encountered unfortunate fates.

The seer was dead, and the eunuch had been sent out of the palace after it was discovered the king had been poisoned. Given the current situation, if Nathan were exposed, the Queen Mother would surely believe he had worked against the royal family.

He couldn’t afford to bear such a name. The queen would likely associate him with the person who had poisoned the king. Not only would he lose his life, his entire family would be endangered.

He had carefully chosen a herb that would not be easily detected. He had even tested Dorothy to see if she was aware of the conflict between the herbs, but she had shown no sign of knowing. Since the king’s death, even the letter of promise had become useless. After all, a dead man and a suspected traitor can not be trusted.

Nobody would believe that the king had plotted against his own grandchild; especially since he had been the one to choose the bride.

"Your Majesty, I truly found nothing wrong after examining you. If you do not believe me, you may call another physician," Nathan replied. He was confident that no one would easily notice what was wrong.

"Oh? It seems Physician Nathan underestimates me. In the entire royal clinic, you are the most knowledgeable. You were the one who detected the poison I was given and offered to treat me. You said I was recovering well. Yet now, when something is clearly wrong with the prescription Physician Dorothy gave me, you pretend not to notice. This," she held up one slip, "is the prescription you provided earlier. And this is the one Dorothy gave me. Two of the herbs conflict with each other. Is this your doing? Or have you heard of His Majesty’s favor toward Dorothy and dared to cover for her?" Anastasia asked.

There was nothing wrong with her because she had not taken the medicine but that didn’t mean someone wasn’t plotting against her. Even if all the physician were present she would insist she was feeling uncomfortable.

"Your Majesty..." Physician Nathan was drenched in cold sweat. He hadn’t expected something so carefully hidden to be uncovered so quickly.

After hearing Anastasia’s words, he realized she didn’t suspect him directly but believed Dorothy was responsible. He had heard of Dorothy’s relationship with the king but hadn’t cared, after all, he was simply responsible for treating illnesses.

He hadn’t expected to get caught in the middle of it. Since the queen already knew what was wrong with the medicine, he dared not continue to lie.

Just as he was struggling to find the right words, a servant knocked and entered.

"Your Majesty, a messenger is here. He says His Majesty requires Physician Nathan’s attention," the servant announced.

Anastasia frowned. She began to wonder if this situation was orchestrated by the prince. But he had never shared a bed with her, there was no need for such a scheme.

"Is His Majesty unwell?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I do not know, Your Majesty. His Majesty only requested that Physician Nathan go to the former Crown Prince’s courtyard," the servant replied.

Hearing this, bitterness spread from Anastasia’s tongue to her heart.

She had thought the king was showing her respect. She hadn’t expected that he still hadn’t visited her chamber and had instead returned to his mistress.

"Grater, accompany Physician Nathan to the former Crown Prince’s courtyard. Let His Majesty know that I am unwell, and that Physician Nathan is the only one capable of treating me," Anastasia said. She couldn’t hold the physician back when the king himself had summoned him.

She sent Grater because she wanted to learn firsthand what was going on. She trusted that Grater would handle the situation better than the hot-headed Rosa.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Grater replied with a bow, then followed Nathan out.

Physician Nathan was relieved to leave—this would give him time to think of a solution.

Outside the palace, a carriage was already waiting. Clearly, the king wanted the physician to arrive swiftly. Grater remained quiet and entered the carriage. The ride was swift.

When they reached the former Crown Prince’s courtyard, the previous physician was still present. Dorothy sat beside the king, looking pale. Grater frowned at the sight.

"Your Majesty," Grater said, bowing alongside Physician Nathan.

Still preoccupied with concern for Dorothy, Edward didn’t notice her.

"Quickly, examine her," he said, clearly both anxious and excited.

Grater, who was about to relay the queen’s message, had to swallow her words. After all, the queen wasn’t truly sick.

Physician Nathan did as instructed. After checking Dorothy, he spoke:

"Your Majesty, the lady is not ill; she is pregnant," he said, his brow deeply furrowed.

With Dorothy, the mistress pregnant, there was no way Queen Anastasia would let the prescription incident slide.

What should I do? Nathan thought, covered in cold sweat.

"Why do you look so nervous? Is something wrong?" King Edward asked.

"Your Majesty, the lady is in good health, and the child also appears healthy. The pregnancy is already three months along and stable," Physician Nathan replied. The more he spoke, the more anxious he felt. He feared for his life.

Grater, standing to the side, frowned. She pitied her lady’s fate. Suppressed by her stepmother in the past, now she was being suppressed by a mistress.

King Edward, however, continued to frown. Though Nathan was saying all the right things, Edward noticed the uneasiness in his eyes.

"Why are you so uneasy?" he demanded, his voice heavy with authority.