The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 72: Marry a little lower

Chapter 72: Marry a little lower

Isabel suggested going shopping after she and her grandmother had breakfast. The reason the granddaughter and mother came was to try to win Anastasia’s trust. However, Anastasia did not care whether they were sincere or not. Her mother had once told her a little about the nature of people. ’They would care as long as you had something to offer.’ She believed that as long as she became the crown princess, they would continue to be nice to her, even if it was all just pretense. But this was good, too as their support also meant that the royal family would not treat her too poorly.

Anastasia also understood that since they were not her real family she had to be careful dealing with them, after all they might just use her and let her suffer the consequences when she was no longer of any use to them.

Anastasia agreed to go out to buy something. This was because, in all her life, she had never gone out to do anything. She wanted to experience what it felt like to shop for new outfits or jewelry.

Duke Thompson, knowing that he had never given Anastasia any money, took the opportunity to provide her with funds to buy whatever she wanted. Seeing her father act so generous, Anastasia felt that her marriage to the crown prince came with its blessings.

Elizabeth, who was throwing a tantrum, nearly went mad with anger when she saw Isabel and Anastasia preparing to go out. It felt as if no one in the family cared about her feelings.

"My lady, your grandmother is here today. You must behave appropriately. Now that your sister is set to marry the crown prince, you should try to get along with her," Lala advised.

"She is not my sister. I am the only legitimate daughter of the Duke’s residence," Elizabeth declared. Lala nodded in agreement.

"Your mother loves you the most. Who do you think she is doing this for? After her marriage to the crown prince, she will have to choose ladies for her court to keep her company or learn together. If you are selected, it would mean that you would only marry slightly below her rank," Lala explained, but Elizabeth cut her off.

"Who would marry just a little lower than that person?" Elizabeth fumed. The more she thought about the situation the more she got angry.

Lala shook her head. The crown prince was the most desirable match in the kingdom. Even if Elizabeth married one of the other two princes, it would hardly make a difference.

"You do realize that no one wishes for you to marry the crown prince more than your mother does, but there is nothing that can be done. Even if, by chance, you managed to stop this wedding, the marriage would not become yours. Moreover, Anastasia becoming your sister will raise the status of the entire family," Lala reasoned. The Duchess had asked her to speak with Elizabeth and see if she would be willing to join them for the outing.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Her mother had even explained that her grandfather had discovered the king chose Anastasia to marry the crown prince based on a fortune teller’s advice. Their kingdom was predominantly Christian, so she did not understand why the king would suddenly resort to such an ancient practice.

"Your cousin Isabel is getting along well with Lady Anastasia. You don’t have to like her; just put up a front. Anyway, she is already set to marry the crown prince. If you don’t maintain a good relationship with her, she might not choose you to join her nobel ladies-in-waiting. It would be even more disgraceful if you married far below her status," Lala said. She believed that the Duchess had spoiled Elizabeth too much, making her blind to the bigger picture.

"I will go," Elizabeth suddenly agreed to join Anastasia and Isabel. "Help me pick a suitable dress," she ordered.

Lala took a deep breath, thinking she had finally convinced Elizabeth. What she did not realize was that Elizabeth had only agreed because she saw the outing as an opportunity to harm Anastasia. No matter what anyone else said, if she could not marry the crown prince, then Anastasia could forget about it too.

Anastasia and Isabel had just gotten into the carriage, ready to leave, when they were informed that Elizabeth had decided to join them.

The three of them shared one carriage, while their personal maids rode in another. Rosa sat confidently and glanced at Elizabeth’s maid. She had never imagined a day would come when she could sit in the same space as them and not feel inferior.

"Rosa, long time no see," Agnes, Elizabeth’s personal maid, greeted her with a friendly smile.

She and Rosa had joined the Duke’s residence at the same time. Since Elizabeth was only a year younger than Anastasia, they had both been assigned personal maids at the same time. Agnes had always considered herself fortunate to be assigned to the Duchess’s daughter. Even before Lady Maureen’s death, Anastasia’s position in the household had never been good.

After Lady Maureen died years ago, Agnes had tried to convince Rosa to leave Anastasia and serve Elizabeth instead, but Rosa had refused.

Back then, Agnes had thought Rosa was a fool. She never expected a day would come when Rosa would serve the future queen. This realization left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Although Elizabeth was the Duchess’s daughter, she had quite a temper and frequently punished her servants. But Agnes had to admit; Anastasia was different. When she had no power, she could not protect Rosa. But now, looking at Rosa, she could see that Anastasia’s engagement to the crown prince had already improved her condition significantly.

"Yes, it’s been a long time. Even though we serve in the same residence, our masters are different. And soon, I will be moving out," Rosa replied with a smile, recalling how Agnes had once mocked her for serving Anastasia.

Agnes recognized those words immediately. "All that is in the past now," she said with a smile. When she was young, her grandmother had always advised her not to look down on others because no one knew what the future held. At the time, she had dismissed her grandmother as old and timid. Only now did she realize the wisdom in her words.

"Agnes is right. We are all related," Isabel’s maid joined the conversation. She was not familiar with Rosa, so she supported Agnes as the two of them get along well anytime Elizabeth visits her grandparents.

Rosa simply smiled and said nothing. She did not know Isabel’s maid well, but she suspected she and Agnes were familiar with each other.

Agnes, seeing Rosa’s reserved demeanor, felt irritated. Her lady had not yet married the crown prince, yet Rosa was already acting high and mighty. There were still two days before the wedding—who could guarantee there wouldn’t be an accident? As Elizabeth’s personal maid, she understood her mistress better than anyone.

Even if everyone seemed united, she still felt that this was all a grand scheme to deal with Anastasia.

Rosa noticed Agnes’s resentful gaze but chose not to respond. She knew that Agnes had long been used to looking down on her.