The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 193: Hear her mistress’s grievance.

Chapter 193: Hear her mistress’s grievance.

King Edward looked at Anastasia. He had the highest authority in the palace and the entire kingdom, but he would not disgrace his mother. When he said those words, he had only hoped to give Dorothy a chance to defend herself. He also had doubts.

He did not expect Anastasia to twist his words into an accusation that she was framing Dorothy.

King Edward took a deep breath. "You are not in good health. Rest. I promise to investigate this matter thoroughly," he said.

Anastasia looked at the king. She did not believe him. Fortunately, she had already sent Grater using her seal to investigate the situation independently.

King Edward sighed. Although Anastasia nodded obediently, he could tell she did not trust his words.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the palace, Rosa hurried to the queen mother’s courtyard. Her eyes were red from crying along the way, and she kept wiping away her tears.

These days, seeing the king share two out of three meals a day with Anastasia, she had thought her mistress would finally enjoy happiness after all the suffering in the Duke’s residence, who knew the palace was also filled with schemes and poison ?The only fortunate thing was that Anastasia had never taken the medicine provided by Dorothy.

"My name is Rosa. I am a maid by Her Majesty the Queen’s side. She sent me to Her Grace, the king’s mother," Rosa said as soon as she met the gatekeeper of the courtyard.

The gatekeeper first sent word to the king’s mother before allowing Rosa in.

Mary had just finished her breakfast and was relaxing in the garden. When she heard that a maid from Anastasia’s side had come with news, she was not surprised. After all, with a mistress suddenly pregnant, Anastasia would certainly be anxious. So she allowed Rosa in. Even though Anastasia had not sought her out directly, she herself had no intention of letting Dorothy’s pregnancy news spread further.

"Your Grace," Rosa said, kneeling as soon as she reached Mary. "My lady begs the king’s mother to investigate and seek justice for her. Today, my lady woke up feeling unwell and summoned the royal physician. Upon examining Her Majesty, he discovered something wrong. One of the herbs in her prescription appeared normal on its own, but when combined with others, it became harmful. Physician Nathan said that taking this medicine in the short term could prevent pregnancy, but prolonged use could cause permanent damage.

"Her Majesty was heartbroken when she heard this. She had brought Physician Dorothy to her side out of gratitude for saving His Majesty’s life—even if Dorothy was the mistress His Majesty wished to keep. The queen had no objection. After all, due to certain circumstances, she herself could also be considered the daughter of a mistress.

"Upon hearing the palace rumors, she thought it unseemly for Physician Dorothy to remain in the palace without a proper title or status. This was meant to protect the reputation of His Majesty and the woman who saved his life.

"When Her Highness discovered the issue with the medicine, she intended to investigate. But it turned out that Physician Dorothy is carrying His Majesty’s child. Not wanting to cause chaos, the queen decided to speak to the king directly. I do not know what Physician Dorothy said to His Majesty, but now the queen is accused of framing her.

"The queen seeks your help to investigate and grant her justice," Rosa said everything in one breath, pausing only to catch air and wipe her tears.

Mary was surprised by the news. She had thought the issue would be Dorothy’s pregnancy, not this. Seeing how much the maid cried, she couldn’t help but pity Anastasia. The girl had risked her life twice for the king. She had managed to escape from kidnappers, if not for a hunter who found her, she might have died. The queen had even been bitten by a snake, yet she had kept the royal seal and sceptre safe. She had volunteered to act as bait, while the useless mistress hid under her son’s protection.

Mary herself had once been a wife, and she understood Anastasia’s position. At first, King George had taken no mistress and treated her well. But after he became king, he still pampered her—until he began favoring a mistress. Eventually, he stopped visiting her chambers altogether.

Even though a mistress’s child could not inherit the throne, those women were greedy. Mary should have had three children. Once, the king had been drunk and visited her chamber after a long absence, and she became pregnant. That mistress played a trick, and she lost the baby. There was no proof, and so her child died without justice.

Later, that same mistress tried to harm Prince Edward. That time, Mary had been prepared. Although there was no concrete evidence, the king exiled both mother and son. Only then did she live in peace.

All the beauties she later introduced to the king—she secretly made them infertile. Without children, they wouldn’t harbor ambition. Fortunately, the king wasn’t too fond of them and replaced them often.

Her daughter-in-law, however, was even more pitiful. Her husband had spent his wedding night with his mistress.

Though she hadn’t seen the evidence, Mary was already convinced Dorothy had tried to harm Anastasia—especially now that she was pregnant. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

"Go back to your lady and tell her I have heard her plea. As a mother, I will certainly stand up for her," Mary said coldly.

Rosa was relieved upon hearing the queen mother’s words. At least someone in the palace would hear her mistress’s grievance.

"Many thanks, Your Grace. My mistress is fortunate to have met such a virtuous mother," Rosa said, kneeling as she thanked Mary before taking her leave.

Mary was pleased to hear such words. Everyone enjoyed being praised, and as someone who had long managed the palace, she was glad to know she still held influence.

"Margaret," Mary called to her lady-in-waiting.

"My lady," Margaret stepped forward.

"Go and order the servants to clean the southern courtyard. My son is welcoming a new mistress," Queen Mary instructed.