The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 198: Made the same mistake

Chapter 198: Made the same mistake

When Anastasia heard this, she clenched her fists. She had not taken the medicine provided by Dorothy, so of course nothing unusual would be detected. Seeing how the king defended and protected Dorothy, her heart began to race. Even though she couldn’t clearly recall the details of her dream, the current atmosphere reminded her of it, and she saw how closely reality aligned with what she had seen.

Mary, did not stop the king. She, too, was beginning to doubt Anastasia. After all, Dorothy wore her emotions on her face; there was not a trace of guilt. Mary also began to wonder if Anastasia was using her to deal with her husband’s mistress.

Shortly after, Walter arrived with three other royal physicians. They all examined Anastasia.

"How is the queen’s health?" King Edward asked.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty is suffering from stress. Perhaps she has not been resting well. All she needs is some calming incense to help her sleep," the first physician said.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. Apart from needing rest, Her Majesty is in good health," the second physician added.

"That is true, Your Majesty. Her Majesty seems anxious. Once her mind is at ease, she will return to full health," the third physician agreed.

"The heavens have eyes, Your Majesty, Your Grace," Dorothy said, falling to her knees. "Although I am just a humble physician, I would never dare harm the queen. I am being framed. I do not beg for justice, only that my name be cleared." She had learned this tactic from Rosa’s behavior the previous day.

Mary’s expression darkened. She shot a cold look at Anastasia, but the queen remained composed. Just as Mary was about to question her, the king spoke.

"Physician Nathan, what is the meaning of this?" he demanded. He had already begun to believe that Anastasia was trying to frame Dorothy, so he didn’t question Dorothy further. Anastasia was still seated as queen, and he could not remove her openly because of Dorothy, but if Nathan confessed to wrongdoing, then the queen would be guilty of a crime, and her punishment would be in his hands.

Anastasia felt a wave of sadness at the turn of events. The king had not doubted Dorothy even with evidence before him, yet the moment something favored his mistress, he used his royal authority to protect her.

Anastasia smiled faintly. I never claimed to be sick, she thought. Fortunately, I said nothing. The issue lies in the prescription, not my condition.

Physician Nathan remained composed. "Your Majesty, although I am but a physician, I come from a noble family. I do not lack for food or means to care for my household. The late king favored me for my abilities. My reputation is well known in the palace. I took Physician Dorothy in at your request—why would I frame her?" he asked.

Dorothy rolled her eyes, thinking Nathan had no way to defend himself.

"Your Majesty, Queen, please ask the nanny to bring the two prescriptions so that the royal physicians may examine them," Nathan said.

Anastasia understood what he intended and sent a message. Soon, Grater arrived with the two prescriptions and handed them to Nathan.

Nathan gave the prescription written in Dorothy’s handwriting back to her. "Physician Dorothy, is this your prescription?" he asked.

Dorothy examined the paper. Certain it was what she had written the day before, and seeing nothing wrong with it, she nodded.

"Your Majesty, let the royal physicians present examine this prescription and see if there is anything wrong with it," Nathan said. He had grown up in a noble household and had seen countless schemes and plots. Sensing that the king intended to protect Dorothy, he had come prepared for anything.

The three physicians, seeing the king’s nod, stepped forward and took the prescription from Dorothy. Nathan did not hand it to them himself to avoid suspicion that he had influenced them.

At first glance, the physicians saw nothing wrong. But when they looked closely at the Yellow Life Herb and Mandrake, they immediately realized something was off. These two herbs must be used with caution; otherwise, there could be serious consequences.

"On the surface, nothing appears wrong. It looks like a formula meant to nourish the body. But the combination of these two herbs could cause problems," one royal physician said.

The other two nodded in agreement.

"What do you mean?" King Edward asked, surprised by the physician’s response. He had believed the truth was about to be revealed.

"Your Majesty, this prescription is not appropriate. Yellow Life Herb and Mandrake should only be used for elderly women. They may cause side effects in young women," the second physician replied. Though they feared the king, they answered truthfully.

"What kind of side effects?" King Edward asked. His thoughts began to swirl. Walter had intentionally brought royal physicians who often rivaled Physician Nathan. Although they competed professionally, all had reputations for honesty.

"Your Majesty, if a young woman is pregnant, it may cause a miscarriage. It could also prevent her from becoming pregnant in the future. Aside from these two side effects, there is no other danger," the first physician explained.

Mary lowered her head, feeling a pang of guilt for having doubted Anastasia. If Anastasia had truly intended to frame Dorothy, she would have needed to harm herself to do so. Mary couldn’t help but remember her own miscarriage. Something had been added to her tea by a mistress, but when the physicians checked her, they only said she was stressed and anxious. That was the explanation given for the miscarriage. She had been furious with the king at the time. Now, seated here, she realized she had nearly made the same mistake.

Back then, she thought the king was blind. But seeing this situation unfold, she realized it was not blindness—it was that the king only responded to evidence.

After all, at the time, the king had truly favored his mistress, and she could have been framed by her with the child in her womb. Both women had motives—only evidence could settle such matters.

"Physician Clay," Nathan said, "please tell His Majesty what the effects would be on a woman who has previously been poisoned, like Her Majesty."

Physician Clay hesitated. He remembered that when the queen had first visited the palace, she had fallen ill. Nathan had discovered that she was being poisoned—thankfully, the doses were small and not immediately noticeable.

"If Her Majesty takes this prescription over an extended period," Physician Clay said, "it may become impossible for her to conceive again. Especially since she was once poisoned."