The Debt Of Fate

Chapter 327: Someone fitting

When Edward heard that Ernest was missing from the group, his face darkened at once.

He stood up from his seat.

"Send my decree. Prince Ernest’s residence is to be watched night and day. No one is allowed in or out," he ordered the eunuch.

The eunuch bowed and hurried away.

Edward clenched his hands behind his back.

He had never thought dealing with Anastasia would become such a difficult matter.

In his mother’s last letter, she had warned him. The old seer, before his death, had said that Anastasia would either bring great glory to the royal family—

Or destroy it.

At that time, Edward had not taken it seriously.

Now he could not ignore it.

When she was still his wife, the court had been stable. There were small problems, but nothing beyond control. The borders were calm. The nobles were obedient.

After the divorce, nothing went smoothly.

Rebellions rose.

Rumors spread.

His first son remained ill.

Even the court no longer felt steady.

When Ernest asked to leave Anastasia and the twins behind because they were too weak to travel, Edward had happily agreed. He believed it would be easier to deal with her alone.

Ernest at the border.

Anastasia in the capital.

Separated.

Easy.

But even after sending so many assassins, she had only been injured.

Injured.

Not dead.

Edward’s jaw tightened.

He had sent Physician Nathan to check on her, but just like before, Nathan was allowed past the outer gate yet never permitted to see her.

Ernest’s actions were clear.

He never trusted the king.

"Investigate for me," Edward said coldly, turning to Walter. "Those royal guards who went to the rescue—who gave them the command?"

Walter lowered his head.

He wished to advise against digging deeper. The matter was already unstable. But Edward did not like his decisions questioned.

Walter could only bow and leave.

He was gone for half a day.

When he returned, his expression was grave.

He knelt.

"Your Majesty... the commander who led the rescue, along with several royal guards, has fled the royal city."

Edward’s eyes narrowed.

"They have spread word as they left," Walter continued carefully, "that it was Your Majesty who ordered the killing of Prince Ernest’s twins. They claimed they were unaware soldiers who saw the residence of a loyal prince in chaos and rushed to help. Now, they say, the king seeks their lives as well."

Silence filled the study.

Walter swallowed.

"Your Majesty’s order to monitor Prince Ernest’s residence and forbid anyone from entering or leaving has further confirmed these rumors in the eyes of the people."

For a long moment, Edward said nothing.

Then he slammed his hand against the table.

"Fools!"

But he knew the truth.

This was no longer a quiet matter.

If Ernest learned that his wife had been attacked in the capital—

If the rumor reached him that the king had ordered the death of his sons—

It would be the perfect reason to raise a banner.

Rebellion would no longer be ambition.

It would be justice.

Edward’s breathing grew heavy.

"Bring Anastasia into the palace," he ordered immediately. "By any means necessary."

Walter hesitated. "Your Majesty..."

"If she remains outside my sight, she is a threat," Edward said sharply. "Alive, she must be under my control. Dead, she must be within my walls."

Edward understand that where or not Ernest’ love Anastasia’ he must be willing to negotiate for her safety. Otherwise, no one would trust his righteous justice.

"Also," Edward added, "send a message to General Robert. He is to abandon the idle chase of the Third Prince’s remnants and return to the royal city with his army immediately."

Walter’s heart sank.

Recalling the army now would send a clear signal.

The capital was preparing for war.

But he bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As Walter left, Edward stood alone in the silent hall.

For the first time since the divorce, he regretted his decision.

He felt something close to fear.

Somewhere on the road to Lowe Pass, Ernest was missing.

In the capital, the people were whispering.

And the woman he had once divorced—

Had become the center of a storm that might swallow him.

At that moment , Dorothy entered she was looking pale, "Your majesty," she bowed.

"Why are you here?"Edward seeing her frigel state.

"I brought you food, you have been busy for a few days without coming to see me. I was worried that you have not been eating well ," saying this she signed the maid to bring the food then she cleaned his table and served him.

Dorothy has been worried sick since she found out she might be unable to give birth.

King Edward was moved, his regret for divorcing Anastasia vanished. What did he do wrong? He simply got himself a mistress. Even if he waited according to custom he did not see the much difference..

"You are not feeling well, yourself, you should rest," King Edward said as he took his sit and began to eat.

....

That evening, before the palace lamps were fully lit, urgent news arrived from the Six Regions.

The messenger rode without rest. His horse collapsed at the palace gate.

Inside the court, the scroll was opened at once.

"Ironheven has raised its banner," the eunuch announced, his voice shaking.

A heavy silence fell.

Ironheven.

Ernest’s homeland, the Duke of Ironhaven was Ernest Uncle by birth.

The land that had always stood firm at it border. The influence of the royal family there was painfully small.

"They demand an explanation from His Majesty," the eunuch continued, reading from the scroll. "They ask what has happened to Prince Ernest, and why his family was attacked within the royal city."

Edward’s face turned pale.

"General Robert?" he asked sharply.

The eunuch hesitated.

"Your Majesty... General Robert and his men have already been defeated by the Duke of Ironheven. They are now under his control."

The words struck like thunder.

Defeated?

Robert had led seasoned soldiers.

How could he lose so quickly?

The messenger knelt and lowered his head to the floor.

"The Duke has declared that if Prince Ernest is not returned safely, and if justice is not given for the attack on his family, he will march to the royal city."

King Edward erupted

"Rebellion!" he slammed his fist on the table.

"This is treason!"

"They dare raise a banner against the throne?"

But beneath the shouting, fear spread.

Ironheven was not weak.

Its soldiers were hardened by years of border battles.

And now—

They had General Robert and his men as prisoners.

Edward gripped the arm of his throne.

The situation had turned faster than he expected.

It was because he feared Ironheven that he had not moved against Ernest carelessly.

If Ironheven marched—

Other regions might follow.

Many nobles had already questioned him in secret. Some had shown sympathy toward Ernest.

If this turned into open war, it would not be a small uprising.

It would be a divided kingdom.

The messenger spoke again.

"The Duke has sent one final message."

"Speak," Edward took a deep breath and tried to control his emotions.

"He says... he does not seek the throne. He seeks only justice. If the king is innocent, he should have nothing to fear. But if harm has come to Prince Ernest... Ironheven will not remain silent."

Edward’s breathing grew uneven.

Justice.

Such a simple word.

Yet so dangerous.

He rose slowly.

"Prepare the council," he ordered coldly. "Seal the city gates. Strengthen the palace guards."

His voice was steady.

But his mind was racing.

Ernest was missing, this had nothing to do with him. His mother had told him to weaken Ernest power slowly in order not to give others reasons to point fingers but now...

Ironheven had raised its banner.

General Robert had fallen.

The pieces were moving beyond his control.

"Has lady Anastasia been brought into the palace?" Edward asked after some thought.

"Yes," she was settled in a small courtyard," Walter answer.

"Ask physician Nathan to do anything to wake her up," Edward said. The twins were not even seen by the people he sent. If he could provide any explanation then Anastasia first have to wake up and answer his questions.

"Yes," your majesty. Walter bowed and left.

All members of the royal council resigned the news shortly and were forced to return to the palace.

"Your majesty, I say we send troops to Ironhaven and remind the Duke of his position,"A young Lord said.

A debate immediately started some agreed other felt that sending a troop would not bring any outcome.

"Your majesty, the Duke of Ironhaven is making a justified claim. Prince Ernest had left his family under royal care. Even now news of royal guards fleeing the royal city after helping Prince Ernest House defend against the assassins has spread. All fingers are pointing at the throne. Even if no one dared to challenge now. The best form of action is to find the twins and the one behind the scene," Lord William said. Even if he knew those was most likely the king’s doing he still could not say it.

"I will investigate the matter of the assassin clearly," king Edward promised, his heart beginning to think of someone fitting to take the blame.