The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 52: Last chance

Chapter 52: Last chance

Anastasia and the Queen ate breakfast together that morning before heading to the chapel to pray. Since they had heard nothing about the two princes’ conditions, the Queen was still quite worried.

They had just finished praying and were preparing to return to their chambers when a maid delivered the news that Duchess Anita was seeking an audience with the Queen.

"Let’s go," the Queen invited Anastasia. She had sent a message to the Duke’s residence, asking them to investigate Anastasia’s poisoning, so she was certain that the Duchess had come to report the findings. As such, Anastasia needed to be present.

Duchess Anita and Elizabeth were already seated when Anastasia and the Queen arrived. The two stood up and bowed to the Queen.

"Your Majesty," they greeted in unison.

Elizabeth lowered her head to hide her displeasure at seeing Anastasia walking side by side with the Queen. She could never have imagined that a day would come when Anastasia would be favored by the royal family. She finally understood what her mother had meant. Even if this marriage could not be snatched, it was better to ensure that Anastasia did not marry the Crown Prince.

The Queen nodded and took her seat, then gestured for the others to sit.

"Your Grace, Sister," Anastasia acknowledged the Duchess and Elizabeth before taking her seat beside the Queen. Even if their relationship was not good it’s would be rude to ignore them.

This scene angered the mother and daughter, but they could not voice their frustration, they could only respond back with a smile. After the pleasantries, Duchess Anita proceeded with her report.

"Your Majesty, the Duke and I have investigated the poisoning incident. To tell you the truth, we suspect that this incident happened recently. We questioned all the kitchen servants and those in Anastasia’s quarters. We discovered that the personal maid of Anastasia was responsible for serving her food. However, we could not question her since she entered the palace alongside Anastasia, yesterday" Duchess Anita explained.

Last night, the Duke almost discovered that the duchess was responsible for the poisoning because the head of the kitchen had kept a sample of the poison. The Duke was furious and should have punished her, but she argued that she was not the one who poisoned Anastasia. After all, the side kitchen had been opened the very next day after Leah had given her instructions.

So, the Duke summoned the maids from Anastasia’s quarters. Fortunately, Anastasia had made her most trusted maid responsible for her food, which allowed the Duchess to shift the blame onto Rosa without implicating herself.

The Queen looked at the Duchess. She did not believe she was uninvolved in the poisoning but could not accuse her without evidence.

"Well, I have also questioned Miss Madalege and Lady Anastasia’s maid. I would like to hear from the other two servants from Anastasia’s courtyard," the Queen said. She found it strange that the poisoning pointed directly to Rosa.

"Your Majesty, the two are waiting outside the palace gate," Duchess Anita replied. She had prepared for all possible scenarios.

The Queen immediately summoned a servant and instructed them to bring the two maids inside.

A few minutes later, Nile and Dorata were brought in. They looked as if they had endured significant torture.

"I will give you only one opportunity to tell the truth. Speak now," the Queen commanded, gazing at the two kneeling before her.

"Your Majesty, I know nothing about the poisoning. I am usually responsible for the heavy lifting in the outer courtyard. I definitely had no chance to poison my lady’s food," Dorata said, bowing her head.

Anastasia looked at her and couldn’t help but shake her head. The arrogance Dorata had displayed on her first day in the courtyard was completely gone.

"Well, precisely because you usually wouldn’t have the chance to poison her, you might dare to do it. After all, if discovered, no one would suspect you," the Queen pointed out.

"I would never, Your Majesty! I truly know nothing about the poisoning," Dorata cried, tears streaming down her face. She felt her luck was terrible. She had been transferred from the vineyard to the residence, believing she would work less and have a better life, only to be assigned to serve the unfavored daughter. This had angered her, but now she was facing death over a crime she knew nothing about.

"What about you?" the Queen turned to Nile, who had been silent.

"Your Majesty, I am in charge of washing and cleaning the courtyard. I do not know anything about the poisoning," Nile said, crying as she spoke. She looked genuinely innocent.

The Queen smiled. She had not expected any of them to confess.

"Then, since you work in the courtyard, did you notice anything suspicious?" she asked.

"No," Nile shook her head.

"Are you responsible for cleaning the kitchen as well?" the Queen questioned.

"No, the one who cleans the kitchen is Rosa, my lady’s handmaid. She never allows anyone else to handle the lady’s food," Nile replied.

The Queen nodded. Madalege had already told her that Rosa was Anastasia’s trusted maid. Judging from the statements of these two maids, it was clear that Rosa took great care of Anastasia’s meals, making it foolish to think she would poison her.

"Rosa, what do you have to say?" the Queen asked.

Rosa, who had been following Anastasia all day as her personal maid, quickly fell to her knees.

"Your Majesty, although I am responsible for my lady’s food, I did not poison her. How could I possibly dare to poison the food I oversee?" Rosa pleaded.

The Queen nodded. This was a valid point.

"Since we cannot determine who poisoned Lady Anastasia, then all three of you will bear the crime," the Queen declared.

The three of them were shocked.

"Your Majesty, His Grace personally questioned these two yesterday. They were even tortured. I believe they are telling the truth," the Duchess intervened, fearful that Nile might confess out of desperation, just as the kitchen workers had.

"But it makes no sense for Rosa to poison the food, knowing it would be traced back to her—unless she is a fool," the Queen stated.

"This is also true, Your Majesty," the Duchess nodded, pretending to be in deep thought.

"Your Majesty, may I ask what kind of poison it was? Can it be easily detected? Perhaps these clues will help uncover the truth. We searched their rooms and clothes yesterday but found no evidence," she suggested.

"Indeed, the physician said this poison would not be easily noticeable," the Queen confirmed.

Physician Nicholas was one of the most skilled in treating poison within the palace. If the King had not been concerned and summoned three physicians at once, the poison might have gone undetected.

The Queen’s gaze landed on Rosa again.

"I will give you one last chance to confess. That poison is expensive. If you tell me who instructed you, I might consider sparing your life," the Queen said. She was wondering why Rosa had not mentioned seeing another servant sneaking around the kitchen.