The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 64: Unacceptable

Chapter 64: Unacceptable

Dorothy also had the opportunity to attend the royal celebration. Although she was present, she could only look around and admire the grandeur of the hall. None of the young ladies took notice of her, and she felt very shy to speak to anyone.

The celebration lasted late into the night. When Dorothy stepped out of the hall, preparing to return to her courtyard, she realized that there was no carriage waiting for her. Unfamiliar with the palace surroundings, she grew frustrated, unsure of how to find her way back.

At that moment, the prince stepped out. Seeing Dorothy looking distressed, he walked over to her.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked.

"Your Highness," Dorothy bowed. She had not expected to run into the prince. Seeing him standing beside Anastasia earlier had made her realize the vast difference between their statuses. Back in the mines, she had been able to face him confidently. But now, she was just a woman of unknown origin, and him the crown prince. His fiancé was also a noble lady beautiful and fit to stand beside him. yet she could not stop her heart from being moved.

"Speak," Prince Edward said. He was captivated by her beauty. He had been the one who secretly order a maid to send her the dress, and seeing her in it made his heart race for reasons he could not explain.

"Your Highness, I just realized I don’t know my way back to my courtyard," Dorothy admitted, embarrassed. She lowered her head to hide the blush creeping onto her face.

"Come, I will take you," Prince Edward offered. He was completely smitten by her shy expression, and it took all his self-control not to reach out and touch her face.

"That... Your Highness, wouldn’t that be inappropriate?" Dorothy asked hesitantly. Although she wanted nothing more than to spend more time with him, she was worried about getting into trouble. Her grandmother had warned her many times to be cautious and not to offend the rich and powerful. She had only just arrived in the royal city, and after learning that Anastasia was the Duke’s daughter, she feared that she might become a target. She knew nothing about Anastasia being the child of a mistress or being unfavored at home.

"What is inappropriate? We have ridden in the same carriage before. I’m simply taking you back to your courtyard," Prince Edward said. He did not see anything wrong with his actions, even though he could have easily arranged for a carriage to take her.

Dorothy shyly nodded and followed him to his carriage.

At the same time, Anastasia stepped out of the hall with a palace maid. The Queen had arranged for Prince Edward to arrive and leave the grand hall with Anastasia, but now, she saw him leaving with another woman.

This was truly improper. A pang of pain shot through Anastasia’s heart.

She had never expected the prince to love her. She only hoped that he would treat her with the respect that every legal wife deserved. On an occasion like this, she was supposed to be the only one by his side.

"My lady, please wait here. I will arrange for another carriage to send you back," the palace maid, who had also witnessed the scene, said.

Everyone in the palace had been wondering about the relationship between the crown prince and the woman he had brought back. Some of the servants speculated that she would become his mistress, but this behavior was unacceptable. A mistress could never be welcomed before a wife. Although many noblemen had lovers before marriage, those women were not officially recognized until at least a year after the wedding.

"Alright," Anastasia said, forcing a smile to hide the hurt in her heart.

"Anastasia."

Shortly after the maid left, Duke Thompson and his family also emerged from the grand hall. Anastasia cursed her luck. She had no idea why the prince had chosen to leave through the main entrance. She had spent the entire evening avoiding the Duke and his family, yet here they were.

"Father, Your Grace, Sister," Anastasia greeted them reluctantly, acknowledging their presence.

"How have you been adjusting to life in the palace?" Duke Thompson asked in a tone that sounded like that of a caring father.

"I am getting used to it, Father," Anastasia replied.

"Your wedding has been set for fourteen days from now. When do you plan to return home? It would not look good if you continued to stay in the palace and married from here," Duke Thompson said. He was worried that if Anastasia married directly from the palace, he would not be able to reap any benefits.

"Father, the royal physicians are still taking care of me. I am yet to fully recover. Given the importance of the royal bloodline, I dare not be careless," Anastasia answered.

"What happened before was due to my negligence. Speak to the Queen and see if you can return home at least a day before your wedding. You may not realize it, but the Duke’s family backing you will strengthen your status in the palace," Duke Thompson advised.

Anastasia bit her lip. She knew her father was right. She needed the Duke’s family support to establish herself smoothly as the crown princess.

"Then, I will consult the royal physicians and see if it is possible to return home at least a day before my wedding," Anastasia said. However, she remained wary of Duchess Anita and did not want to stay in the Duke’s residence too long before the wedding, giving her stepmother an opportunity to harm her.

"That’s my good daughter," Duke Thompson said, pleased that Anastasia still listened to him. He could tell from her clear gaze that she did not truly hate him.

"I thank Father for his guidance," Anastasia said politely.

Just then, the maid returned with the carriage.

"My lady, it is time to leave," the maid said, standing beside it.

"Father, Your Grace, Sister, I will take my leave now," Anastasia announced.

Duke Thompson nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Duchess Anita and Elizabeth seethed with anger at how composed and dignified Anastasia appeared.

---

On the east side of the palace, Prince Edward successfully brought Dorothy to her courtyard. The ride was quiet and slightly awkward.

Prince Edward could not deny that he was drawn to her, yet he was unwilling to act on his feelings.

Since the carriage was moving slowly, it took nearly half an hour to reach Dorothy’s courtyard. Though her residence was not in the most prestigious part of the palace, it was still well-kept.

"Dorothy," the prince called softly.

Turning to look at her, he noticed that her eyes were closed. He reached out to wake her, but she was sleeping soundly.

As he leaned in, he caught the faint scent of alcohol on her breath. Realizing she was drunk, he stepped out of the carriage and carried her in his arms, princess-style, into her courtyard.

Though he could have ordered someone else to do it, there were no maids stationed in this part of the palace. Apart from himself, only the coachman and his knight, Walter, were present and he felt reluctant to have another man hold her.

The courtyard had a simple layout, making it easy for him to carry her inside.

Dorothy stirred just as he placed her on the bed and turned to leave.

"Your Highness, please don’t go," Dorothy mumbled in a drunken, sleepy voice.