The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 41: Quick-witted

Chapter 41: Quick-witted

Later that morning, when Anastasia looked at the breakfast on the table, she could not help but think of her dream again. Miss Magdalene, who was sitting across from her, noticed her strange behavior.

"What is the matter?" she asked. The food looked better than what had been served the previous day. ’could it be that she is surprised?’ magdalene Wonder.

Anastasia forced a smile. She had no resources to prepare her own meals, and it was impossible for her to go without eating until she was married off from the Duke’s residence.

"The thing is, I am allergic to some of the ingredients used in most of the meals here. Sometimes, when I eat them, I fall sick, but I can’t complain and make things difficult for others," Anastasia said, a troubled look on her face. She was hoping to get Lady Magdalene to help her.

Rosa looked at her lady in surprise. Her lady was not a picky eater and definitely did not have any allergies. She only fell sick because of the deliberate poisoning from the kitchen.

Magdalene studied Anastasia carefully. She had been in the palace all her life and knew of the many schemes women could use.

"I don’t mind falling sick, but you are here to teach me, and I feel it would not be good to waste the Queen’s grace due to my condition. I was wondering if you could request the Duchess to allow me to reopen my mother’s small kitchen so that we can prepare meals more suitable for me," Anastasia suggested with a troubled look.

Magdalene smiled. "Then I will request an audience with the Duchess later. As the future queen, it is important to take care of your body, and the food you eat should not be a problem," Magdalene agreed. She was very pleased with Anastasia’s approach.

"Thank you," Anastasia said, relieved that Magdalene would help solve her problem. After all, the Duchess would not be able to reject her request.

"Then, I will just skip breakfast. I am not hungry," Anastasia added, rising from the table. Her dream did not predict events exactly as they happened, so she could not tell if the poison that made her barren had been added to her meal gradually or if it had been a one-time dose. To be safe, she decided not to take the risk and skip breakfast.

---

Duchess Anita’s Chambers

"Your Grace, Miss Magdalene is in the side hall seeking an audience," Leah informed the Duchess, who was reading a book.

"Who did you say?" Duchess Anita asked, not believing that Magdalene would take the initiative to seek her out.

"Miss Magdalene, the Queen’s lady-in-waiting," Leah clarified, sensing that the Duchess might not remember her.

"Did she say why she is here?" the Duchess asked, wondering if something had gone wrong in Anastasia’s courtyard.

"No, she only said she wanted to speak with Your Grace," Leah replied.

"Have someone send refreshments. I will change my outfit and meet her," Duchess Anita instructed.

When Duchess Anita arrived at the side hall a quarter of an hour later, Miss Magdalene stood to welcome her.

"Your Grace," she greeted with the courtesy due to a Duchess.

"Miss Magdalene," Duchess Anita responded with a nod before taking her seat. Miss Magdalene sat down after her.

"I am sorry to trouble you at this time," Magdalene said.

"It’s no trouble," Duchess Anita replied with a friendly smile. "I hope you are feeling comfortable in the Duke’s residence?" she asked after a pause.

"It is fine, Your Grace," Miss Magdalene replied.

Duchess Anita nodded at this response. "So, what might Miss Magdalene wish to see me for?" she asked after a short silence.

"Your Grace, as you know, I am here to teach and prepare Lady Anastasia for her marriage to the Crown Prince. Since the date will be set soon, I need to take care of many things. I noticed that the young lady might need a change in diet. I do not wish to trouble Your Grace, so I request that a side kitchen be opened for her meals," Miss Magdalene said.

Duchess Anita frowned. She had not expected Magdalene to request an audience for something like this. She had assumed the visit would be about Anastasia’s progress, not about opening a small kitchen for her. She had only just begun poisoning Anastasia yesterday, and now there was already an obstacle in her way.

"Miss Magdalene’s request is simple, but there are not many free hands in the residence at this time. If you wanted an extra maid, that would be easier to arrange, but a kitchen requires a cook, and we do not have a free cook at the moment. How about you write down the new diet for Anastasia, and we will instruct the kitchen staff to prepare her meals accordingly?" Duchess Anita replied.

"Your Grace’s suggestion is reasonable... however," Magdalene paused. She suspected something was wrong with the food. Anastasia had refused to eat, but Magdalene did not believe it was due to an allergic reaction. After spending the entire day with her, she had not once seen Anastasia being cautious about what she ate. Now, seeing the Duchess’s reaction, she was even more convinced that the woman was up to something.

"What seems to be the problem?" Duchess Anita asked, maintaining a fake smile.

"Your Grace, some of these recipes are meant for the royal family. You may not know this, but I sometimes prepare the Queen’s food myself. Running from the courtyard to the kitchen every time would not be easy for me. Your Grace need not worry about providing a cook—just send over the necessary kitchenware. Since Lady Anastasia resides in her mother’s courtyard, there should already be a kitchen for her mother. We would simply use that. I hope this is not too much trouble for Your Grace?" Miss Magdalene asked.

Duchess Anita continued to smile. "It is no trouble at all," she replied. No matter how much she hated the idea, she could not come up with a valid excuse to reject Magdalene’s request, so she had no choice but to agree.

"Then, I will take my leave. I thank Your Grace for her time," Magdalene said, bowing slightly before departing.

As soon as she was out of sight, Duchess Anita’s expression darkened. "What a nuisance," she cursed.

"Your Grace, I think it would be better to set up the kitchen for that girl. We sent two servants to her courtyard yesterday, both of whom are under your command. We can have one of them tamper with the food. This is even better. Since her food will no longer be connected to the main kitchen, even if she dies, you would not be the first suspect," Leah suggested.

"Can those maids be trusted?" Duchess Anita’s face relaxed slightly as she saw a new opportunity.

"Yes, they are quick-witted. Nothing should go wrong," Leah assured her.

"Then, I will let you make the preparations. Send the necessary kitchenware to that courtyard," Duchess Anita said, feeling relieved.