The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 69: Blessed by Heaven

Chapter 69: Blessed by Heaven

"If this is considered bad, then your skills must have reached perfection," Lady Williams joined the conversation.

Anastasia smiled, not knowing how to respond to the compliment. She could not continue to belittle herself but she dare not claim perfection.

"Anastasia, this is Lady Williams, my father’s wife, and these are my sisters, Bridget and Beatrice," Rosalind introduced.

Anastasia curtsied with a smile. "I am pleased to be acquainted with you," she said.

"It is an honor to make your acquaintance," Bridget and Beatrice curtsied back with smiles. They were already thinking about how to become close friends with her.

Lady Williams nodded, maintaining the proper posture of the lady of the house. "I will leave you ladies to get along," she said and left the room.

Rosalind rolled her eyes mentally and walked over to Anastasia. "You play the viola da gamba so well. How about you teach me how to improve my skills, and I’ll teach you the lute?" Rosalind suggested. She felt that just learning a new piece on the virginals could not compare to improving her skills on the viola da gamba.

"We can do that too, but you must still teach me the piece you played earlier," Anastasia agreed.

The two started talking about music and completely ignored the other two in the room. Bridget and Beatrice did not like this at all. They felt that Rosalind was deliberately preventing them from becoming friends with Anastasia.

The truth was, Anastasia already had no interest in befriending them. She knew that the only reason they were acting friendly now was because she would soon become the crown princess. She had no desire to keep such insincere friends around her.

Moreover, since she had grown up with a stepsister like Elizabeth, she subconsciously saw them as similar to her.

Despite being ignored, Bridget and Beatrice did not get offended or leave. Instead, they stayed in the room, looking for any opportunity to join the conversation.

When it started getting late, Anastasia decided to leave so she could return to the palace in time for dinner. Rosalind and her sisters walked her to her carriage.

"If you ever need company in the palace, remember to invite us. We are always free," Bridget said. Despite being ignored all afternoon, she still wanted to make friends with Anastasia. After all, it would give them an opportunity to visit the palace frequently. And with two unmarried princes, there was always a chance that one of them might take a liking to them. Given their family background, if either prince showed interest, they could also become part of the royal family.

Rosalind rolled her eyes but said nothing to rebuke them. It was Anastasia’s choice whether to invite them or not.

Rosa and Miss Magdalene were already waiting by the carriage. They helped Anastasia in before joining her.

"Lord Williams’ first wife died in childbirth, leaving only Lady Rosalind behind. He remarried a year later, to the Lady Williams you met today. Bridget and Beatrice are her daughters. She also has a son, who should be seven years old this year," Miss Magdalene explained. She knew that Anastasia was not very familiar with the noble families. As the future crown princess, it was important for her to understand their backgrounds when making friends.

"Lord Williams doesn’t have a mistress?" Anastasia asked.

"No. Lord Williams is a devout Christian. He would not have taken a second wife if his first wife had not died," Miss Magdalene said.

"Oh. I wonder if the second wife treats Lady Rosalind well," Anastasia mused. Just because no one openly spoke about it didn’t mean people were unaware when a stepmother mistreated her stepchild.

"Well, from what I have learned, even if Lady Williams wanted to treat Lady Rosalind poorly, she never had the chance. After the death of Lord Williams’ first wife, it was his mother, Old Lady Williams, who took care of Lady Rosalind. Old Lady Williams passed away when Rosalind turned twelve, but before she died, she specifically asked her son to arrange a separate courtyard for her granddaughter.

"Lord Williams is a wise man. He allowed his mother to personally select all the maids serving his eldest daughter. He also appointed an old nanny to take care of Lady Rosalind and manage her courtyard. Moreover, Rosalind’s maternal relatives adore her, as she is the only child of their late sister," Miss Magdalene explained.

"Her maternal relatives live in the royal capital?" Anastasia asked. She felt that Lady Rosalind was truly fortunate, unlike herself she knew nothing about her mother’s family.

"Yes. Although her grandparents have passed away, Lady Rosalind has three noble uncles. Her eldest uncle is Lord Felix, a member of the Privy Council. The other two are in the army, with significant contributions to the kingdom. Her second uncle is already a general in the northern army, while her third uncle serves in the capital," Miss Magdalene elaborated.

Anastasia took a deep breath. The more she listened, the more she felt that Lady Rosalind was truly blessed by heaven. With such powerful and loving relatives, it was no wonder she could live in such a good environment and always appear cheerful.

"I almost forgot to mention, her only aunt is married to the Duke of Ironhaven," Miss Magdalene added after a short pause.

Anastasia nodded. She recalled how happy Rosalind had been when she saw her aunt at the celebration banquet. Ironhaven was a three-day journey from the royal capital, so they likely did not get to meet often.

---

The next day, Physician Nathan arrived at Anastasia’s courtyard to check on her condition. In truth, he did not visit daily, her medicine was simply brought to her twice a day.

He took his time examining her and frowned. Anastasia noticed his reaction immediately.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Well... I expected you to be fully recovered by now, but it seems I underestimated the poison," he replied, his brows furrowing.

"Then can I still be cured?" Anastasia’s heart skipped a beat.

She had not thought about her nightmares for a long time, but hearing the physician’s words made her remember them again. In her dreams, the royal physicians had examined her shortly after her marriage and declared that she was barren. A few days later, her husband had taken a mistress.

When she had been poisoned in reality, she was initially worried but had felt reassured when the royal physician said that, since it had been discovered early, she could be treated. Even when he checked on her during the royal celebration, he had confirmed that she would be fine after a few days of taking her medicine.

So what had changed?

Anastasia wondered if her luck was truly this terrible.

"It can be treated, it will just take a longer time," Physician Nathan reassured her.

Anastasia felt her body go cold.

"How long?" she asked.

"I’m not sure, but don’t worry. I will adjust your medication, and everything should be fine," Physician Nathan said.