The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 82: A bit Awkward

Chapter 82: A bit Awkward

Prince Edward had indeed gone to see Dorothy. He had been worried about her, seeing that she was drunk. In truth, he had no intention of spending the night at her residence. He knew she was saddened by his marriage to another woman, so he had planned only to comfort her briefly before returning to his courtyard.

After all, it was not appropriate for him to spend his first marital night outside the bridal chamber.

Unfortunately, he had failed to resist Dorothy and ended up sharing a passionate night with her. Since it was already late and she was clinging to him, he decided to stay, hoping to return to his courtyard before the first light of day. He had not expected Walter to suddenly arrive, informing him that the king demanded his presence in the front hall.

When Prince Edward tried to rise, Dorothy tightened her hold on him, but he pulled away firmly. He dared not keep the king waiting.

"Be good. His Majesty has sent for me," Prince Edward said, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

Hearing that he had been summoned by the king, Dorothy suddenly felt more alert. She had never expected him to leave his bride on their wedding night to come to her. Knowing how much he cared for her feelings, she had acted spoiled, seducing him and making him stay the night.

Dorothy felt quite smug at her success. She had even entertained the thought of flaunting her achievement before Anastasia. So what if Anastasia was a noblewoman and married to the prince? The prince only cared for her.

However, despite her arrogance, Dorothy knew better than to act on such thoughts. Anastasia could have her eliminated with a mere word, and the prince would not always be able to protect her. Until she was officially recognized as a royal mistress, she had to remain in the shadows if she wished to stay alive.

But hearing that the prince had been summoned so late on his wedding night, she suddenly grew fearful. Had Anastasia complained to the king? The prince would be fine—at worst, the king would scold him or impose a light punishment. But Dorothy herself might not be so fortunate.

Dorothy grips her sheet nervously. "Why did his majesty ask for you?" She asked in fear.

"I don’t know. Go to sleep," the prince said, changing into the set of clothes Walter had brought for him.

Seeing that he was still speaking gently, Dorothy reassured herself that it had nothing to do with her. She watched as he left the room and soon heard the sound of his horse departing.

Dorothy took a deep breath and tried to sleep, but she failed. Even the prince did not know why he had been summoned. Fear gripped her as she began to regret convincing him to stay the night. Their affair should never have been discovered especially not on his wedding night.

---

The Front Hall

The king sat weakly at the head of the table, his expression grim. Three other men were present.

When Prince Edward entered the front hall, he was relieved to see others in attendance. He had feared that his father had learned of his indiscretion and summoned him for reprimand. But seeing the other men, he realized it was a matter of state.

Prince Edward recognized two of them one was a general in the royal army, and the other was an advisor to the king. He did not recognize the third man.

"Father," he greeted, bowing as he stepped forward.

The king nodded and gestured for him to take a seat.

"Your Highness," the three men in the room greeted him respectfully.

Prince Edward sat and waited to hear the matter at hand.

"Our negotiations with the Gube Kingdom have been ongoing since your brother’s injury," the unfamiliar man explained. "They have appeared cooperative, willing to negotiate, and we have held several discussions. However, none have been fruitful. We suspected that their king was merely stalling for better terms, but two nights ago, our spies discovered the truth."

The man’s voice grew heavier.

"They have been using the negotiations to buy time for reinforcements. Moreover, several of their spies have already infiltrated our borders."

Prince Edward tensed. He cursed the king of Gube in his heart.

"From our calculations, their reinforcements will arrive in no more than five days. We do not know if they will rest first or attack immediately, but within ten days at most, there will be war. The northern border is far easier to defend than attack. If they breach our defenses, we may lose that entire region of the kingdom."

Prince Edward was shocked. He had not expected such dire news.

"The most pressing matter," the general spoke up, "is sending royal reinforcements to the border. Even with the finest horses, it will take ten days to reach the northern front." He hesitated, glancing at the king.

The king sighed before speaking.

"Although you have just married, you are the most suitable candidate to lead the royal army," King George said. "The morale of the soldiers is already low. Only you can inspire them to fight."

The king had originally intended to summon General Robert to lead the troops, but his advisors had warned that the soldiers needed encouragement. The Second Prince was still injured. The third prince could not be sent either, as no soldier would take an illegitimate commander seriously. Only the Crown Prince could rally them.

The king had privatly consulted the royal seer.

The seer had foretold that unless Prince Edward led the troops and took his wife’s luck as a blessing the northern city would be lost.

Hearing this, the king had no choice but to send his son.

Prince Edward was stunned. He had been married for barely a day and now had to face war.

"Are you willing?" the king asked when his son remained silent.

"Of course, Father. I am the Crown Prince of this land, and I am willing to defend our people," Prince Edward declared.

His words earned nods of approval from the men in the hall.

The king, too, was pleased.

"Then return to your courtyard and make your preparations. Orders will be sent to the royal camp. Once you are ready, you will depart with the army," the king instructed.

"I will do as you command, Father," Prince Edward replied, rising from his seat and bowing.

The king hesitated for a brief moment before asking about Anastasia.

"She is fine," the prince answered looking a bit awkward.

"Then, remember to wake her when you leave," the king added. "You are a married man now. Let her see you off at the gates and wish you a safe return."