The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 61: Seething with Anger and Jealousy

Chapter 61: Seething with Anger and Jealousy

The next evening, Anastasia dressed on time for the royal celebration. The Queen had arranged for her to appear in the grand hall alongside Prince Edward.

Anastasia could tell from the prince’s reaction the previous day that he did not like her very much, but it was expected. Most noblewomen were married for duty rather than love. However, what troubled her was the fact that he had brought another woman into the palace.

Knock, knock.

"My lady, the prince has arrived," a servant knocked on the door, notifying Anastasia.

The Queen had arranged a separate courtyard for Anastasia since she would be staying in the palace until her marriage to Prince Edward.

"Okay," Anastasia said as she rose with Rosa’s assistance.

For this royal celebration, the Queen had personally selected Anastasia’s dress and jewelry, making her look stunning that evening.

"My lady is the most beautiful in the kingdom. The prince will surely be smitten when he sees you later," Rosa said eagerly. She wished for nothing more than for her lady to be favored by the crown prince. She did not want Anastasia to endure the same neglect her mother had suffered.

Anastasia smiled. All she cared about was maintaining a bit of respect and dignity. After all, she has heard that when her parents just got married her father used to care for her. Later she just became a negligent woman.

"Your Highness," Anastasia greeted with a bow when she met the prince, who was waiting at the door.

Prince Edward nodded and, out of courtesy, extended his hand to her. Anastasia was grateful for his gesture. The two walked hand in hand toward the carriage.

Anastasia’s courtyard was far from the grand hall where the celebration was to be held. The prince behaved with proper etiquette, assisting Anastasia into the carriage before seating himself beside her.

Anastasia could not help but feel moved. The crown prince of the kingdom was indeed handsome. Unfortunately, he did not seem to notice her beauty.

When the carriage arrived at the grand hall, Prince Edward once again helped Anastasia down. The two walked hand in hand into the ballroom through the royal family’s entrance.

"His Highness, the Crown Prince, and his fiancée, Lady Anastasia, daughter of Duke Thompson," the eunuch at the entrance announced.

News of the crown prince’s engagement had already spread throughout the kingdom. Although Anastasia had performed well at Lady Augusta’s party, many still doubted the rumors. So, all eyes turned toward the infamous daughter of Duke Thompson.

Gasps unconsciously escaped the mouths of many nobles present. No one had expected Anastasia to be so beautiful and elegant. Walking beside the crown prince; who was also strikingly handsome. Everyone suddenly felt that the two were a match made in heaven.

Prince Edward was used to attention, so it meant little to him. However, this was Anastasia’s first time attending such an event, and she felt nervous under so many scrutinizing gazes. Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on the prince’s arm.

Noticing her nervousness, Prince Edward was slightly displeased, but with so many eyes on them, he could only offer a reassuring tap on her hand.

Anastasia took a deep breath and composed herself. No matter what, she could not embarrass herself or the crown prince. She mentally treated all the nobles present as the servants in her father’s house who often stared at her.

"Your Highness, Lady Anastasia," a nobleman approached them with a polite smile. He was a friend of the prince.

"Your Highness, I must say you are fortunate to be marrying such a beautiful wife," the nobleman remarked. He had never known that Duke Thompson’s eldest daughter was so stunning.

Prince Edward shot him a glare but felt a twinge of pride. Though he thought the compliment was exaggerated, in his heart, no matter how well-dressed Anastasia was, she could never compare to Dorothy.

Several others approached, all offering similar compliments to Anastasia’s beauty. Seeing so many young noblemen captivated by her, many noble ladies grew jealous.

"Elizabeth, you never told me your sister was this beautiful," Susanna, Elizabeth’s close friend, remarked.

Elizabeth forced a smile. Since Prince Edward had arrived hand in hand with Anastasia, she had been seething with anger and jealousy.

"I am just as surprised," Elizabeth said, then suddenly covered her mouth as if she had spoken too much. Her words made it seem as though Anastasia had never been beautiful before, implying she had relied on excessive makeup.

"So that’s how it is? She must be a vain woman," Susanna scoffed. It made her feel better if Anastasia’s beauty was not natural.

"But I heard she is also talented. I was told she knows a lot about flowers and that her musical skills are remarkable," another noble lady added.

"Is that so?" Susanna asked, intrigued. She had not attended Lady Augusta’s party and was unsure of the details.

Elizabeth bit her lip. She wished she could go back to that party and stop herself from embarrassing Anastasia, unknowingly giving her a chance to shine. She could still downplay Anastasia’s beauty—after all, at the last party, she had not dressed carefully, so her appearance had not stood out. But she dared not question her musical talent, as too many nobles had witnessed it.

"Elizabeth, what are you spacing out for?" Susanna asked, sensing her friend’s strange reaction. Though she and Elizabeth were close, she had never met Anastasia, as the two sisters seemed not to get along.

"I don’t know much about her musical talent. She learned from her mother," Elizabeth paused and sighed. "Her performance at the last party was indeed pleasant."

Those who could read between the lines understood Elizabeth’s words as implying that Anastasia might only know a single piece. As for the flowers, it suggested she had merely recognized one her mother had planted.

Her sigh made the young ladies around her believe that Elizabeth dared not speak ill of her sister, as noble families valued unity.

"Lady Elizabeth, Lady Anastasia’s mother has been dead for five years now. I think it’s impressive that she can still play beautifully after five years without practice," Alice, another young noblewoman, chimed in.

Alice did not like Elizabeth because she was more talented than herself, so she took the opportunity to make Elizabeth uncomfortable.

After all, everyone knew that step-siblings rarely had good relationships. So, Alice defended Anastasia just to irritate Elizabeth.

"You are right," Elizabeth reluctantly agreed. She was about to make an excuse to leave when—

Suddenly, trumpets sounded, echoing through the halls.

The heavy oak doors swung open, and two heralds stepped forward, their voices ringing out:

"Make way for His Majesty, King George of Nixel, and Her Grace, Queen Mary! Long live the King and Queen!"