The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 77: Extremely valuable

Chapter 77: Extremely valuable

Duke’s Residence

Anastasia stepped down from the carriage and entered the residence to pay her respects to the Duchess and her mother. The Duke was probably in his study she wasn’t sure.

"Why not stay for dinner?" Duchess Anita suggested.

"I am tired and wish to return to my courtyard to clean up and change into fresh clothes," Anastasia replied. She had spin her leg from the fall so Rosa supported her.

As she spoke, the Duchess and her mother finally noticed that her dress was dirty. Before they could ask what had happened, Anastasia excused herself and left.

At the same time, Isabel and Elizabeth arrived at the hall. The two seemed at odds with each other.

Lady Robert immediately sensed that something must have happened while they were out shopping.

"What is the matter?" she asked after they had both paid their respects.

Isabel recounted the incident exactly as it had happened, without favoring either Elizabeth or Anastasia. She spoke truthfully.

"I know Elizabeth is my real cousin, but I only asked her to apologize to Anastasia because Grandmother said unity with her is important for the time being. But Elizabeth turned around and accused me instead. Her actions make it seem as if she truly wanted Anastasia to die," Isabel said.

When Duchess Anita heard this, she took a deep breath. She knew her daughter well, so she could guess that Elizabeth had deliberately pushed Anastasia, hoping to harm her.

Lady Robert, however, remained silent. She simply looked at her daughter, waiting to see how she would handle the situation. While they only truly considered Elizabeth as family, that didn’t mean they could treat Anastasia however they pleased. At the very least, they needed to maintain an appearance of fairness.

"Choose a gift and go apologize to your sister later," Duchess Anita finally instructed. Anastasia was no longer the weak girl of the past. In less than two days, she would become a member of the royal family, and things could not be handled as before.

"Mother!" Elizabeth gasped in shock. She hadn’t expected her mother to take Isabel’s side. She felt wronged; just because Anastasia was marrying the prince, did everyone have to bow to her? She wasn’t even the crown princess yet!

"Are you unwilling?" Duchess Anita asked in a stern voice.

"I am unwilling! She’s just the daughter of a mistress. She’s not even the crown princess yet! Let her marry the prince first before she dares to order me around!" Elizabeth said angrily. She still believed that there was a whole day left, and anything could happen.

"You—" Duchess Anita’s face darkened. "Go to your room. You are not allowed to step out until you realize your mistake!" she commanded.

Although she also disliked asking Elizabeth to apologize, she couldn’t simply cover up the incident as she had in the past.

Hearing that her mother was punishing her because of Anastasia, Elizabeth stormed out of the hall, vowing to deal with her cousin at the first opportunity.

"Lala, pick a gift and send it to Anastasia. Tell her that I apologize on Elizabeth’s behalf. She must have been frightened today. Also, call a physician to check if she sustained any injuries," Duchess Anita instructed. She wasn’t truly willing to have Elizabeth lower her head to Anastasia, but she had to do something.

Lala nodded and left the room.

"You have spoiled her," Lady Robert said disapprovingly, looking at her daughter.

"Mother, Elizabeth is still young. Besides, the current situation isn’t easy for her to accept," Duchess Anita defended.

Lady Robert disagreed. "Young? She is already of marriageable age. Do you think she can survive in a large household with that attitude? One must know when to lower their head." Elizabeth was at fault in this matter, a simple apology could have solved it but she was throwing a tantrum.

Hearing this, Duchess Anita lowered her own head. She understood what her mother meant.

She was fortunate to have married into a relatively small household like the Duke’s residence. Most noble families were much larger, filled with sisters-in-law and other relatives. No one liked an arrogant lady, and such a personality would put Elizabeth at a disadvantage if she ever married into a scheming family.

"I will talk to her, Mother," she finally said.

Lady Robert nodded, relieved. Just as they finished speaking, Lala returned, still holding the gift she had taken out.

"What happened?" Duchess Anita immediately noticed the awkward look on Lala’s face.

"Lady Anastasia refused the gift," Lala hesitated, unsure if she should continue.

"What did she say?" Duchess Anita’s expression darkened. She felt Anastasia was starting to act too proud.

"Your Grace, Lady Anastasia said her life is not worth a precious gem from your collection, so she dares not accept it. After all, she and Lady Elizabeth are sisters, and she cannot be petty. As for today’s incident, she was not seriously injured, so there was no need for an apology from your grace," Lala reported.

Anastasia’s words sounded polite, but anyone could tell she was mocking the Duchess. She had almost died, yet Elizabeth hadn’t even offered a simple apology only sending a meaningless gift.

Since there was no sincerity, there was no need for an apology.

Duchess Anita was furious. Just as she was about to speak, a deep voice interrupted.

"What happened?"

All the women in the room stiffened in shock.

"Speak," Duke Thompson ordered, looking at Lala.

"Your Grace, there was an accident when the ladies went out earlier. Lady Anastasia felt wronged, so the Duchess sent her a gift, but she refused it," Lala said carefully, deliberately downplaying the situation.

"What accident? And why is it connected to Lady Anastasia’s life?" Duke Thompson was no fool; he immediately sensed that Lala was trying to minimize the issue.

"Your Grace..." Lala hesitated, unsure how to respond.

"I can send Muman to investigate. If you dare lie to me, get out of the Duke’s residence," Duke Thompson said coldly. He could tell that Anastasia wouldn’t have reacted so strongly if it were just a minor grievance.

"Uncle, there was an accident today. A horse suddenly went mad, and the entire area fell into chaos. In a panic, my cousin Elizabeth accidentally pushed Anastasia, and she almost got trampled. Fortunately, she was saved, and nothing happened to her. The scene was truly terrifying, and Elizabeth was frightened as well. If I hadn’t held her in time, she might have collapsed.

"When my aunt heard what had happened, she decided to apologize on Elizabeth’s behalf. Even though it was an accident, Elizabeth still almost caused Anastasia to lose her life. But it seems Anastasia misunderstood and believes that the Duchess does not care about her well-being and was trying to brush off the matter with a simple gift," Isabel explained.

She had spoken honestly to her grandmother and aunt earlier because she knew they wouldn’t be too harsh on Elizabeth. But she couldn’t say the same for the Duke.

Anastasia was about to marry the Crown Prince, which made her extremely valuable. Isabel was also worried that Elizabeth’s arrogance would cause trouble in front of her father, making the situation even more complicated.