The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 223: Learn to fear him

Chapter 223: Learn to fear him

Royal Chapel – Morning of the Celebration

The great bells of the royal cathedral tolled solemnly, their deep chimes echoing across the capital. Within the chapel’s sacred walls, incense wafted upward, mingling with the murmurs of hymns and prayers. The stained-glass windows bathed the room in golden light as nobles gathered in ceremonial robes.

The royal family sat at the front, dressed in stately finery. King Edward was solemn in his embroidered robe, holding the infant prince in his arms. Beside him stood Dorothy, dressed in soft silks with her head bowed modestly.

Queen Anastasia, standing apart and radiant in deep violet and silver, who drew the most eyes. She was calm, composed, and unreadable.

The Archbishop finished the final rites, raising the golden chalice. "May peace reign in our kingdom, and may the royal bloodline be blessed," he intoned.

"Amen" the congregation answer.

As the congregation began to kneel for communion, Queen Anastasia remained standing.

The murmur of robes and whispers stilled.

"I have a petition to bring before the king," she said clearly, her voice echoing across the marble pillars.

The Archbishop paused, confused. The king lifted his gaze, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Queen," Edward said, his tone low, warning.

But the queen stepped forward, her chin high. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice steady, "before the altar of the heavens, I ask that you grant me a royal divorce."

Gasps rippled through the noble rows like a sudden wind.

Dorothy stiffened.

Even Mary, seated in the first row, gripped her armrest in shock. ’Divorce’ this was not the first time there was a royal family divorce, it’s just that in the past, it was a king wanting to put away his wife. This was the first time a queen was making such a request.

Mary took a deep breath, she had a feeling that today would not go smoothly.

The king’s eyes hardened. "You dare say this—here, before the court and clergy?"

He was shocked, he did not expect Anastasia to say such words before so many people. When he had decided to name the first prince his heir, he had expected Anastasia to stand against it but she had been quiet. She even sent a gift, making him believe that she did not have opinion. Only in this moment did he realize that she did.

"I dare, because it is the truth," she replied. "It has been about a year since our union, and in that time, you and I have never shared a bed, nor lived as husband and wife. There has been no consummation. According to law and doctrine, this marriage may be dissolved."

The Archbishop opened his mouth, but no words came. Everyone waited for the king’s reply.

King Edward looked at Anastasia, he remember a few months back when she had once asked for a divorce. Back then, she had waited for everyone else to leave the room before saying this words.

This time, she was saying it in presence of so many people. He did not expect it, "was she not afraid that people will mock her for failing to bring her husband to bed as a wife?’ he wondered.

" you have already chosen another in your heart .Yet you agreed to this marriage and crowned me your queen. I was used for the alliance in the north, for the war, for peace—and now that you have your son, you no longer need me. Heaven bear witness that I have fulfilled my duty as your queen and wife," Anastasia paused she looked right into the king’s eyes.

A flicker of something passed through the king’s eyes—guilt, perhaps, or annoyance. But he said nothing.

"This kingdom deserves a queen who shares her husband’s heart. And I..." She paused, then faced the altar. "I choose dignity. I choose peace."

Then, turning to the assembled court, she added, "I make this request not out of bitterness, but out of truth. Let the law decide. Let the clergy judge. But I will no longer wear a crown that is only a cage."

Silence.

Even the infant prince had stopped crying.

The Archbishop finally rose. "This is... highly irregular," he murmured, "but the queen speaks truth. If the marriage was never consummated, there may be grounds..."

Edward raised a hand, cutting him off. His voice was low, tense with barely restrained fury.

"This is not the place."

"No," Anastasia said. "This is precisely the place. Before heaven and man. Before the God you claim guide your rule. We were married before in his presence and before the nobles present, this is only right.

A long silence stretched, until the king stood abruptly, handing the child back to Dorothy and storming out without a word. The nobles parted quickly, bowing as he passed.

Only when the heavy chapel doors closed behind him did the tension in the air loosen.

The Archbishop turned to the queen. "Your Majesty... the council will need to meet. This request must be weighed carefully."

Anastasia nodded. "I will wait," her answer was simple

Then she turned and walked down the aisle with quiet dignity, her train sweeping behind her like a shadow of royal defiance.

Mary watch her leave bd sighed. She knew that things were going to simply, even a sheep would fight for it’s life if pushed to far.

"Let’s go," she said also rising to her feet and leaving. Although only those related to the royal family had entered the chapel this time, she still felt that her family had lost all face

She looked at Dorothy who was holding the baby and walked away without a word.

The other noble also began to leave one after another. No, one dare to say a word to Dorothy who was still holding the young prince.

Dorothy felt her world spin, this noble had been smiling at her just a moment ago but now they all acted as though they were not familiar with her.

Dorothy could not understand why the King had such a strong reaction to the queen wanting a divorce. When she felt heard the queen’s request, she had fought hard to hide her smile.

She thought her day had finally come, who knows the king would reject her e

"Let us leave, my lady," the nanny beside her reminder.

...

The king went back to his study, with a big frown. The guard is were not aware of what happened inside the chapel seeing him walk out with a big frown they all become serious.

Walter followed the king quitily without saying a word. If he could he really wanted to stay away from king.

"Have you gotten anything from that man?" King Edward finally asked after thinking for a while. Divorcing the queen now would do him no good. He had just ended the rebel from the south, the queen asking for a divorce in this time would only bring more problems.

If there would be a divorce, it has to be because the queen had failed in her duties.

"Your majesty, there is nothing, the man has not said another word since we took him for interrogation," Walter said. He found the case with water really strange..

Mary had instructed that the man must not die without giving any information. They have been investigating him. Yet, there was nothing strange about him. There was also no evidence of his crime.

"Torture him more, I want answers in other two hours. Do whatever it takes," king Edward said.

Walter bowed and turned to leave, he had just taken a few steps when the king stopped him. "He does not have to confess the truth. Tell him that as long as he would put the blame of the poisoning on the queen, then I will let him go," Edward said. Although he felt guilty towards Anastasia’ he was not willing for her to threaten him.

Since she wanted a divorce then he would grant it to her. If the queen thinks she could threaten him then she can think again.

"Your majesty, this is not good right? The queen previously had evidence against lady Dorothy. Just that man’s words are not enough to convince everyone," Walter could not help but voice out his thoughts.

King Edward looked at him, "then arrange as much people as are needed. I want everything flawless," the king said.

Walter did not feel pleased with the king’s reaction but he still bowed. In his opinion, as long as he does not name lady Dorothy’s son the crown prince this divorce can be forgotten.

"Cancel the royal celebration," king Edward instructed and massage his head feeling a bit tired.

He knew he should not have name that child his heir, it just that the moment he saw him he was moved. The little prince looked a lot like him. He had spoken before he thought about it but now, no matter how he regrets his actions he was unwilling to take back his words.

He felt that if he gave in to the queen he would lose all his respect as a king.

So, he decided to teach Anastasia a lesson.

He can still remember how ruthless his father was, he did not mind if others did not believe the evidence but they would learn to fear him going forward