The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 192: Complicated

Chapter 192: Complicated

King Edward also left the formal Crown Prince’s courtyard and returned to the main palace. Usually, he would have breakfast with the Queen, but since she was sick, he first went to his chamber to bathe and change his clothes before visiting her.

Meanwhile, Physician Nathan copied the prescription that had been written by Dorothy. He said he wanted to study it further to confirm the situation before leaving. Although he already knew the effect of the herb, he claimed he needed to verify it, for appearance’s sake. After all, he had initially stated there was nothing wrong with the Queen.

Seeing his cautious attitude, Anastasia was certain he would not speak recklessly.

"Your Majesty, that girl is pregnant with the King’s child," Grater reported as soon as Physician Nathan left the room.

"What did you say?" Anastasia was shocked. She had not expected such news. She was hoping to use the prescription to suppress Dorothy, not to find out she was pregnant.

"How long?" Anastasia asked after her initial shock.

"Three months," Grater answered with a bitter smile.

Anastasia clenched her fists when she heard the response. She knew instantly that Dorothy must have gotten pregnant on her wedding night.

The King had left her alone on their wedding night and gone to his mistress. The next day, he had traveled to the north. Dorothy hadn’t had another opportunity to sleep with him since then, so it had to have happened that night. The more she thought about it, the colder her heart became.

Meanwhile, Physician Nathan, who was leaving, met the King, who was on his way to visit the Queen.

"How is the Queen’s condition?" King Edward asked, his gaze filled with concern.

"Her condition is stable, Your Majesty. Fortunately, we caught it in time," Physician Nathan replied.

"The extra herb—what does it do?" King Edward asked.

"If a woman takes it for a short time, it will prevent her from becoming pregnant. But prolonged use can render her infertile," Physician Nathan explained. He deliberately made the situation sound more severe. With Dorothy pregnant, the more serious the Queen’s condition seemed, the more suspicion would fall on Dorothy. This way, the King would be less likely to sacrifice him to protect her.

"How could you make such a mistake?" the King asked with a cold gaze. His voice was loud, drawing the attention of the nearby servants. Though none dared look, their ears were listening.

"Your Majesty, spare me. This is not my doing. I gave the Queen a prescription earlier. I don’t know how the extra herb was added. Only Physician Dorothy can explain that," Nathan said.

King Edward was surprised by the response. Indeed, he had suspended Dorothy when Nathan first mentioned the issue, but seeing that Dorothy didn’t appear uneasy, he had let it go. Now, hearing this again, he began to doubt.

Physician Nathan kept his head lowered, waiting for the King’s response. He had deliberately spoken loudly so that others would hear. No matter what the King decided in the future, he would be wary of rumors.

"Can the Queen be cured?" King Edward asked after a moment.

"Your Majesty, I wish to study the prescription further to create the best medicine for Her Majesty," Nathan replied.

"Go ahead," the King said, gesturing with his hand, then continued on to visit Anastasia.

Inside the chamber, Anastasia already knew the King was coming. She walked to her bed and lay down.

She felt fortunate that she had reviewed the medicinal books the previous night, allowing her to discover the issue just in time. If she had called Nathan any later, it might have seemed like she was framing Dorothy after learning about the pregnancy.

"Your Majesty," Rosa and Grater bowed as the King stepped in.

"How is the Queen doing?"

"Her Majesty just lay down. I’m leaving to prepare her medicine," Grater said.

The King waved her off. Rosa also left the bedchamber and waited at the door. King Edward walked around the screen to Anastasia’s bedside.

"How do you feel?" he asked, concern in his eyes. But Anastasia remained guarded. She feared the King might try to protect his beloved, just as the Duchess had once poisoned her, and her father helped cover it up. Elizabeth had pushed her, nearly causing her to be trampled by a horse, yet hadn’t even been made to apologize.

She had learned that no one would protect her, and except herself.

"Your Majesty, what wrong have I done? When you brought Physician Dorothy to the palace, you said she had saved your life. Seeing that she had medical skills, you wanted her to learn under the royal physicians," Anastasia paused and wiped her tears.

"I didn’t know she was your lover. Later, the Queen Mother felt that her presence sparked unnecessary rumors. We had just gotten married and you should not have taken a mistress so soon. So she wanted to send her away while you were gone. I thought that since you brought her to the palace, you intended to take care of her. So I asked Mother to let her become my personal physician. That way, the unpleasant rumors would end—especially for your reputation.

"I am only your wife. If you want a mistress, I dare not stop you. But if you are simply showing kindness because she once saved your life, these rumors could affect her future. What if no man dares to marry her? I thought of you as my husband and of her as your savior. I was grateful to her—after all, if something had happened to you shortly after our engagement, people would have said I bring misfortune.

"Why have I thought of everyone, yet she harms me like this?" Anastasia let her tears fall. She knew only those who truly cared would want to stop her from crying. But given the court’s current state, she acted not only for the King but also for Rosa, who was still within earshot.

King Edward was stunned. Since marrying Anastasia, he had never seen her cry. Though she always appeared gentle, she never showed weakness—not even when he asked her to serve as bait.

The situation was indeed complicated, and he didn’t know how to comfort her.

"What are you saying? Although there was a mistake in the prescription, that doesn’t prove it’s Dorothy’s fault..." King Edward said. He still believed Dorothy could not be so malicious.

"So Your Majesty thinks I’m framing Dorothy? Rosa, go to the Queen Mother’s courtyard. Tell her that as Queen and daughter-in-law, I ask her to uphold justice for me," Anastasia instructed. She had never placed her trust on the king to give her justice. She believes that Mary would help her as long as it did not affect her son.

Before the King could respond, Rosa had already bowed and left the room.