The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 194: Waiting

Chapter 194: Waiting

Margaret took the order, and within a short time, the southern courtyard was cleaned. Although this courtyard was in good condition, it was located in a forgotten part of the palace, close to the Old Gods’ temple.

Usually, when the king officially accepted a mistress, she would be entitled to a courtyard within the palace. This time, Mary followed the custom by arranging one but she deliberately chose the most unfavorable location.

Dorothy was still basking in the king’s favor from that morning. A capable nanny and two maids had been sent to her, and she was now living in the former Crown Prince’s courtyard, one of the best within the palace. With her identity more or less confirmed, she felt at ease.

She did not expect a maid to report that the lady-in-waiting to the king’s mother was there to see her.

"Let her in," Dorothy said, trying her best to sit upright and appear like a proper lady. Now that she had become the king’s mistress, she could not allow others to look down on her.

Miss Margaret entered. Seeing Dorothy trying to present herself as a refined lady, she inwardly scoffed.

"Physician Dorothy, Her Grace has instructed that you move to a new courtyard. This one belongs to the Crown Prince," Margaret said coldly.

Dorothy frowned, displeased by Margaret’s tone. She clearly did not respect her in the slightest. But this was the king’s mother’s order; resisting it would do her no good.

"When do I move?" Dorothy asked, trying to maintain a proper tone.

"Today. I’ve brought servants to help you. The new courtyard has already been prepared," Margaret said. Without waiting for a response, she turned to the servants at her side and ordered them to begin the move.

The nanny and maids who had just been assigned to Dorothy were shocked by the sudden turn of events. It was clear the queen mother did not favor Dorothy. After all, giving her new status she should be given a day or two, to prepare.

Dorothy frowned again. The king had told her she could send someone if she had any complaints, so she ordered a maid to report the situation to him.

Margaret saw her actions but chose not to interfere. She directed the servants, and in less than half an hour, all of Dorothy’s belongings had been removed. A carriage was prepared to take her to her new residence.

As they traveled, Dorothy looked out the window. The road was unfamiliar.

When they arrived at the southern courtyard, she frowned deeply. Although the courtyard was in good condition, the location was isolated. If she had doubts about the queen’s mother actions before, seeing the location of the courtyard confirmed it.

Her eyes reddened. She remembered the courtyard she had stayed in when she first arrived at the palace; it had been in a far better location. This place felt like somewhere one would use to hide someone away.

Margaret ignored her reactions and continued instructing the servants. Dorothy stood there, staring down the road they had come from, silently praying and waiting for the king to come to her rescue but she waited in vain.

The servants soon completed their tasks and left the courtyard.

There were originally two maids assigned to clean the courtyard. Upon hearing they now had a new mistress, they came out to greet her.

"Greetings, Physician Dorothy," they said, bowing slightly.

From what they had heard, this woman had climbed into the king’s bed and was now carrying his child. Women like her were looked down on the most. If Dorothy had come from a noble family, no matter how minor, she would have earned at least some respect. But now they heard she was just a wild physician who had accidentally saved the king’s life. With no family after the war in the East, the king had brought her back.

The queen, being kind, had been grateful and allowed her to serve as her personal physician, giving her a measure of respect and status within the palace. But no one had expected her to be so greedy as to climb into the king’s bed.

The difference between a wife and a mistress was clear—as was the difference between an official mistress and a woman who simply shared a man’s bed. Such women were seen as no better than prostitutes.

Hearing them call her "Physician Dorothy," Dorothy’s face darkened with anger. That morning, all the servants in the former Crown Prince’s courtyard had begun addressing her as "My Lady."

Sensing her displeasure, the maids lowered their heads to hide their disdain. Although Dorothy wasn’t of noble birth, she had gained the king’s favor and been assigned a courtyard. That alone was enough to make them cautious. Besides, Mary had ruled the palace for years, and all the servants were well-disciplined.

"Why are you just standing there? Lead the way to the resting room. My lady is tired from all the moving," the nanny beside Dorothy snapped. Having been appointed by the king himself, she was highly competent.

She had already noticed how much the king cared for Dorothy, so she didn’t show even the slightest disrespect. Moreover, she had seen Dorothy send a maid to inform the king of the situation—surely he would respond.

The two maids, seeing the nanny’s respectful attitude, said nothing. They simply rolled their eyes discreetly before raising their heads to lead the way with polite smiles.

"My lady, go in and rest. Although the physician said you’re in good health, you’re pregnant and must take care of yourself," the nanny reminded her. It was also a subtle warning—Dorothy’s only value now was the child in her womb. She could not afford to be careless and lose it.

Dorothy followed the maids into the courtyard. Seeing the interior, she felt a wave of disappointment. After having lived in the Crown Prince’s residence, she couldn’t help but look down on this place.

She stayed in the resting room, brooding and thinking about how to complain to the king. Even if she could not return to the former Crown Prince’s residence, she hoped at least to be moved back to the smaller courtyard she had stayed in upon first arriving at the palace. Though it had been smaller, it was in a much better location.

But she waited the entire afternoon, and no word came from the king.