The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 59: Best opportunity

Chapter 59: Best opportunity

Royal Palace

"Your Majesty, there is a message from the eastern border," the eunuch who received the message announced as he entered the king’s study.

When the king heard this, he immediately asked the eunuch to bring the paper over.

He opened it and read through it. Upon seeing that the prince had been successfully rescued, he felt relieved. Walter had also sincerely reported on the prince’s injuries, including the fact that he had narrowly escaped a stab to the heart.

Reading this message, the king was very glad. He felt more and more satisfied with his decision. He knew that his son had survived the attack this time only because Anastasia’s favor had been borrowed.

When he reached the part where the prince mentioned his intention to stay back and investigate the mine, the king rejected the idea immediately. He wanted Prince Edward to return as soon as possible so that his fate could be tied to Anastasia’s, preserving him from the wrath of heaven.

"Prepare paper and send a reply for me," King George ordered. "Also, arrange for a trusted advisor to travel to the eastern border to investigate the mine," he added after a brief pause.

Each day that passed, his time grew shorter.

After arranging everything, the king was about to rest when he received another piece of good news—his second son, who had been unconscious, had woken up.

"Send for the Queen. We must host a feast to celebrate the safety of our sons," the king instructed the eunuch by his side.

---

The Queen and Anastasia were at the chapel, praying as they had the previous day when a servant arrived with the message that the crown prince had been rescued and that the second prince had even regained consciousness.

Hearing this good news, the Queen was overjoyed. She immediately knelt at the altar and thanked God for answering her prayers.

Seeing the Queen so happy, Anastasia also felt relieved. After all, if something had happened to the prince shortly after their engagement, there was no telling what kind of rumors would have spread. She was sure her stepmother would have seized the opportunity to ruin her future.

"His Majesty has asked you to organize a royal ball to celebrate the safety of the two princes. Also, the war in the third region has been won, so it is a good time to celebrate," the servant reported.

The Queen nodded in agreement. As long as her sons were safe, she was more than willing to celebrate.

"Come with me. You should learn how to organize such events in the future," the Queen invited Anastasia.

Anastasia was happy to learn. She was also grateful that the Queen treated her well. At this point, she was beginning to feel that marrying the crown prince might not be as bad as it seemed in her nightmares.

The news of the royal ball spread across the royal city within a day. A few days later, invitations were being sent out.

---

When Duchess Anita received the invitation, she was not the least bit happy. Since the news of Anastasia’s engagement to the crown prince had spread, she had not stepped outside.

She had even avoided her friends’ invitations to gatherings and rejected anyone who sent a card to visit. She did not want to face them. After all, as the main wife, having her stepdaughter marry the crown prince while her own daughter remained unmarried was a major embarrassment.

"Mother, what should we do now?" Elizabeth asked. It had already been a few days, and Anastasia was still living in the palace with no news of her return to the Duke’s residence. Elizabeth worried that Anastasia would appear at the royal celebration alongside the royal family, confirming the engagement.

"What can I do? I will ask your father to inquire about Anastasia’s condition and when she will return home. After all, she is only engaged to the crown prince, not yet married," Duchess Anita said.

"Your Grace, if I may," Lala spoke up. Since Leah had been arrested, she now served as the Duchess’s closest maid.

"Speak," Duchess Anita said.

She was not particularly pleased with Lala, especially after her affair had been exposed at the last party, but she knew the woman was knowledgeable. That was the only reason she still allowed her to serve her.

"Given the fact that Anastasia was just poisoned and the culprit was traced back to your personal maid, I advise you not to interfere with anything related to her for the time being. If she were to have an ’accident’ on her way back from the palace, you would be the first suspect," Lala advised. Some risks simply weren’t worth taking.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. She had long doubted Lala. In her opinion, the woman was a coward, always trying to avoid trouble. She missed Leah. Although Leah sometimes came up with foolish ideas, it was still better than listening to a coward.

"What do you suggest? I don’t want her to marry the crown prince smoothly," Duchess Anita said. She could never accept Anastasia marrying the crown prince.

Unlike her daughter, she understood Lala’s reasoning. Although no one was openly accusing her of Anastasia’s poisoning because Leah had taken the blame, if anything unexpected happened to Anastasia again while she was still under the Duke’s household, she would never be able to clear her name.

"Who said accidents can’t happen in the palace?" Lala asked.

"How?" Duchess Anita frowned. Even if she bribed a palace maid to harm Anastasia, there was no guarantee that she wouldn’t be exposed. Besides, how would she find a maid greedy enough to be used? The palace was not a place she could act carelessly.

"What is there to worry about? This royal celebration is Your Grace’s best opportunity," Lala said with a knowing smile.

"When I served Lord Fortune, I made some friends within the palace. Don’t worry, I can make the arrangements," Lala assured her.

Since her humiliation at lady Augusta’s party, she had been looking for an opportunity to prove her worth.

"What do you have in mind?" Duchess Anita asked.

Although she wanted to harm Anastasia, she had learned to be more cautious after the last incident.