The Debt Of Fate

Chapter 333: Loyalty

The great hall was silent when Ernest entered.

The ministers stood on both sides.

The hall had been divided into two sections.

On one side sat King Edward and his court.

On the other side, an empty row of seats had been prepared.

Ernest did not bow.

He did not kneel.

He simply walked forward, his boots echoing on the stone floor, and took a seat on the empty side. His presence carried a strong presence of mobility that had never been noticed.

A soft wave of whispers spread through the hall.

King Edward’s face hardened, but he did not speak of the disrespect.

This was no longer a normal court meeting.

This was a negotiation.

"Prince Ernest," Edward began slowly, "you have caused great unrest in the kingdom."

Ernest leaned back slightly. "I answered Your Majesty’s summons." his tone showed no respect.

Edward ignored the tone.

"You have raised a banner of rebellion. You have taken four regions. If this continues, blood will flood the land."

Ernest looked at the king, "I only ask justice," he commented after a deliberate silent.

The air grew heavy.

Edward folded his hands.

"If you lower your banner," he said, "and return the regions to the crown, I will allow you and your wife to leave the royal city safely. You may return to your estate. No punishment will follow."

A murmur rose among the ministers.

It was a generous offer.

Peace in exchange for surrender. Some of the men of war were disappointed by the king’s stand but they did not dare voice it out at this point.

Ernest suddenly gave a low sneer.

"Allow?" he repeated softly.

His eyes grew cold.

"And my sons?" he asked.

The simple question struck the hall like thunder.

King Edward stiffened.

For a moment, he did not answer.

All attempts to find the two boys had failed.

No bodies.

No clear trail.

Nothing. He had ordered that attack, his assassins swore to not have seen the two sons but he could not bring that forward. Even if he knew this might be a deliberate set up from Ernest, he had to be careful.

What if someone was deliberately pulling things from behind? One wrong move and he would expose his involvement.

"It was an unfortunate incident," Edward finally said. "The attack was not ordered by me." He felt the need to deny his involvement.

Ernest’s gaze did not move.

Edward continued, "I have already ordered a full investigation. The mastermind behind it will be punished."

"Will be?" Ernest repeated.

"I give you my word," Edward said firmly. "Your sons will be found—dead or alive. The one responsible will pay."

Silence filled the hall.

Ernest’s fingers tapped once on the armrest.

"Dead or alive," he said quietly.

He leaned forward slightly.

"Your majesty, my loyalty to your throne is known to all. I have risk my life to save yours. My wife and I had just one desire to live peacefully. My family were kept under your care. In the royal city assassin... Just my residence..." He emphasized.

Edward’s jaw tightened. "Do you think I would harm royal blood?" He could tell Ernest was letting the court know that he had ordered the attack.

Ernest’s eyes were sharp.

"I think," he said calmly, "that my wife was injured inside this city. My sons disappeared under your rule. And now you ask me to lower my banner. Why should I trust your majesty?"

The ministers shifted uneasily.

Edward’s voice became colder.

"This is not a negotiation, I am giving you this chance only because of your past loyalty.... If you continue this rebellion, you leave me no choice but to respond with force."

Ernest did not look afraid.

"I did not raise my banner for land," he said. "I raised it for justice."

He stood slowly.

"When my wife is brought before me alive and safe... when my sons are returned to me... then we may speak of lowering banners."

Edward’s expression darkened.

"You threaten the throne."

Ernest met Edward’s gaze directly.

"No," he said quietly.

"You forced my hand."

The hall felt colder than before.

Ernest made to leave the hall but king Edward stopped him, "your wife woke up this morning, would you like to see her," he asked.

Ernest paused his steps when he heard about Anastasia. He knew he could not show too much affection for Anastasia at this point. The more he cares the more Anastasia’ would be in danger but not showing care at all also means Anastasia might be dispose of immediately.

"Bring her in," King Edward order when he saw him paused.

Ernest Walked back and took his seat, shortly after, Anastasia’ was escorted into the hall, two women helping her and two guards following behind.

Ernest watched her every steps, his trouble heart for days finally rested.

As long as he was fine, he would do everything to save her.

Anastasia was helped to seat down on the side of the king, this gesture showed that the king was holding her hostage.

"Lady Anastasia, tell this court about the attack that night," Edward said. He was determined to clear his involvement.

Anastasia’s face was pale.

She looked weak, but her back was straight.

Ernest did not move.

But his eyes followed her every step.

Only when he saw that she was breathing steadily did the tightness in his chest ease entirely.

Edward looked at her.

Anastasia hearing the king’s words lowered her eyes briefly, then raised them again.

Her voice was soft but clear.

"That night was quiet," she began. "My husband had already left for duty as you all know. The children were asleep."

The ministers listened closely.

"Suddenly, armed men broke into the residence. They were dressed in black. Their faces were covered."

Murmurs spread.

"They attacked without warning. My guards fought them at once."

She paused slightly, as if remembering the blood.

"At first I thought it was just some one daring to steal but it was clear this men came to do more than stealing,"

Ernest’s hand tightened on the armrest, but his face remained calm.

Anastasia continued.

"The strange thing was... the royal guards who usually patrol near our residence were not there."

A ripple passed through the hall.

Edward’s expression stiffened slightly.

"They had been reassigned earlier that evening," she said carefully. "This was routine."

She did not accuse.

She did not point.

But the meaning was clear.

"But even if they were not stationed close by on this night, the attack was loud, they should have heard it clearly, yet our rescue came almost half an hour later than expected," she added.

Half an hour.

In an assassination, half an hour was life or death.

Prince Ernest resident was at the center of the royal city, it was close to a royal guard camp, recus should never be late.

"If my lord had not left a few well-trained personal guards behind," Anastasia said quietly, "I would not be sitting here today. I would have died before the royal guards appeared."

The silence in the hall deepened.

Some ministers exchanged uneasy glances.

Edward’s face remained controlled.

"And your sons?" he asked.

A shadow crossed Anastasia’s eyes.

"In the chaos... they were taken," she said. Her voice trembled slightly for the first time. "I do not know by whom. I do not know where. I saw a group of men leave his room, as a mother of course I wanted to chase but against trained men...what can I do as an injured woman?"

She lowered her gaze.

"I have just woken up since then, I have no idea how much time have passed,"

Her words were honest.

She had not blamed the king.

She had not said he ordered it.

But she had reminded everyone—

The royal guards were missing.

The rescue was late.

And without Ernest’s own men, she would be dead.

Edward clasped his hands tightly.

"This proves nothing," one minister said quickly, trying to ease the tension. "The attackers could have planned around the patrol."

But doubt had already been planted.

Ernest finally spoke.

His voice was calm.

"Your Majesty," he said, "my wife speaks with care. She does not accuse. But the facts remain."

He stood slowly.

"My residence was under royal protection."

His gaze swept across the court.

"My children vanished inside the royal city."

His eyes returned to Edward.

"Should I believe this is coincidence?"

No one answered.

Even the men who supported the king remained silent.

Edward’s jaw tightened.

"My father, on a good day had gone hunting with his brother. During the royal hunt the two prince got separated from their guards, yet when they were found, onlyy father was greatly injured by the bear and was beyond serving. A bear had killed the crown prince. I have investigated for years and I am certain he died in the hand of his brother, but for the royal family sake, I chose not to fight the former generations war.

I pledge my loyalty to his majesty but my entire family was almost whipped out, just like my father," Ernest said.

Everyone in the hall were stunned, no body expected Ernest to suddenly admit that he had known for a long time that he was from the royal family.

"Prince Ernest, you can not speak without evidence," one trusted Lord of the king spoke up.

"It is a crime to accuse the king, dead or alive," Another joined in. Their aim was to force Ernest to a Conner to reveal all his piece.