The Debt Of Fate

Chapter 334: Win the war

The hall echoed with agreeing voices. Even if many knew that it was likely true, some disagreed because they were loyal to Edward. Some were just worried that internal war would do the kingdom no good, while others refused to believe anything without evidence.

Ernest smiled, then in a calm voice he spoke.

"Evidence," he said slowly. "I do have evidence."

A ripple of shock moved through the court.

King Edward’s eyes narrowed.

Ernest lifted his hand slightly.

At once, one of his men stepped out of the hall.

Moments later, he returned with two men.

The first man looked thin and tired, but his eyes were steady.

The second man had a scar across his neck. His face was pale, as if he had lived many years in hiding.

Murmurs rose from the ministers.

Some of the older nobles stood up in shock.

"That... that is Captain Rolf?" one whispered. He had his doubts; after all, this captain should have been dead years ago.

The scarred man bowed slightly. He was old, so he was supported by a guard.

"I was the head guard in charge of the royal hunt that year," he said.

The year Prince Christopher died. Saying this, he produced his token for recognition. A eunuch stepped forward and examined it.

Then he nodded to the king and nobles.

The hall grew tense.

The first man stepped forward.

"I was the personal guard of Prince Christopher." He also presented his token.

Everyone looked at this man. Unlike Captain Rolf, no one recognized him, but they had heard the rumors from the second region some time ago, and a few had seen the letters and evidence.

Once again, the eunuch confirmed the token.

Edward’s fingers tightened.

Ernest remained seated.

"Speak," Ernest said calmly.

The former head guard swallowed.

"That year, during the royal hunt, the two princes were separated from their guards and got lost in the forest," he began. "It looked like an accident, but I was ordered to lead the guards in another direction. Otherwise, by following the prints, we could have found them in time and no serious harm would have occurred."

"By whom?" a minister asked.

The man hesitated.

Then he lowered his head.

"By then-Prince George."

The hall exploded into noise.

"Silence!" Edward shouted, rising to his feet.

But the shock had already spread.

The guard continued quickly.

"After the hunt, when the crown prince died, I received the payment His Majesty promised me. He also said he would raise my rank once he was crowned king. I was pleased."

His hand trembled slightly as he touched the scar on his neck.

"But that never happened. The guards of the crown prince and the crown princess were suspicious and began to investigate. His Majesty, scared of being exposed, decided to destroy all evidence. That included me. He set fire to my house, but I managed to escape. Fortunately, I prepared for the worst. I knew the only way to survive was to ’die.’ So I allowed His Majesty to believe I died in the fire. The court announced that I died in that fire."

Many from the old generation remembered it.

The strange fire.

The sudden death.

The body of Captain Rolf was burnt beyond recognition. Since he died in a fire, no one thought anything of it.

"I did not die," the man said simply. He showed the scars on his back and face from the fire.

The hall fell into deep silence.

All eyes slowly turned toward Edward.

The second man stepped forward.

"I served Prince Christopher," he said. "Before his death, I am sure you have heard the rumors from the second region. These are true, and here with me is the original copy of the letter and the evidence we gathered. It was just that before we had enough proof, the princess died in a difficult childbirth. But in truth, she was partially poisoned, which led to her death during childbirth."

Saying this, Ernest’s men got up and shared copies of the evidence with everyone present, while the original copy was given to a minister who was knowledgeable in recognizing handwriting and evidence to examine it.

Edward’s face had gone pale, though he tried to remain calm.

"These are lies!" he thundered. "Men who have been in hiding for years appear now, and you believe them?"

Ernest finally stood.

His voice was steady.

"When my father died, I was yet to be born."

He looked at all the lords and nobles present. "You all know what kind of man the late king was. I have gathered evidence for years. Why is King Edward in a hurry to argue? If the written evidence is fake, the minister will tell us."

Ernest turned his gaze back to Edward.

"I never planned to fight the old generation’s battle now, since my mother’s wish was for me to live peacefully. I buried all evidence after King George’s strange death. But it is true what they say: if there is a father, there is a son," Ernest said.

"Indeed, we all know that a few lords wanted Ernest to contest for the throne, but he said he was loyal and left the royal city with the king’s command," a lord stood up and spoke for Ernest.

A few agreed.

"If you ask me, I will say today’s event is a deliberate scheme by Prince Ernest. Otherwise, how do you explain him taking over four regions in a single day?" a lord loyal to Edward spoke up.

"So, you are saying I harmed my own sons to frame the king?" Ernest asked.

The lord was at a loss. "Who knows? Your sons were born early. They might already be dead," another lord argued.

"Oh! My wife was poisoned in this palace, which led to them being born early. Later we found out it was the queen’s doing. But apart from losing her position as queen, she lives well within the palace," Ernest said.

The lords did not know what else to say.

"Moreover, why would I use my family as bait? I already have my people in four regions. I could just use the late king’s crime as a reason," Ernest said.

"That... even if King George killed his brother, this has nothing to do with His Majesty King Edward. He was only a child back then," another lord argued.

The nobles and lords began to argue among themselves. Some felt that Edward, with such a father, was not fit to be on the throne. Others claimed that his father was already dead and the grudge of the old generation should not be brought up now.

Lord William did not say anything. He just looked at the old minister who was examining the evidence.

"The evidence is genuine," the old minister said after he examined it. He was a man who feared God and did not dare to lie.

Everyone knew this fact. Unless he made a mistake, he would never lie. This was also why Ernest trusted him to examine the evidence.

The hall fell into deep silence.

The silence did not last long.

King Edward’s face turned dark.

His hands trembled, not with fear—but with rage.

He looked around the hall and saw doubt in the eyes of the nobles. He saw fear. He saw hesitation.

He knew he could not win with words.

His voice became cold.

"Guards!" he shouted.

The doors of the hall burst open.

Royal guards rushed in, their armor clanking loudly against the stone floor.

"Seize Ernest and his men!" Edward commanded. "Anyone who supports him is a traitor. Kill them all!"

Gasps filled the hall.

Some nobles stood up in shock.

"Your Majesty!" one cried. "This is the royal court!"

But Edward no longer cared.

His eyes were red with fury.

"If I cannot clear my name, then none of you will leave this hall alive!" he roared.

The guards began moving toward Ernest.

But Ernest did not panic.

He stood calmly in the center of the hall.

Behind him, his men slowly placed their hands on their swords.

Then—

Before the royal guards could reach them, a loud clash of steel rang from outside the hall.

Everyone froze.

Another shout followed.

Then the clear sound of blades striking against blades.

The heavy doors of the hall trembled slightly as hurried footsteps rushed past outside.

The sound of intense battle echoed through the palace corridors.

Cries of pain.

Orders being shouted.

Armor crashing against the ground.

The royal guards inside the hall hesitated.

They looked toward the doors, confusion on their faces.

Edward’s expression changed.

"What is happening?" he demanded.

No one answered.

The fighting outside grew louder.

It was no small struggle.

It sounded like two full forces clashing within the palace grounds.

Ernest remained calm.

"You think I would walk into the royal city without preparation?" he asked quietly.

The nobles began to panic.

Some stepped back.

Some whispered in fear.

The sound of battle closed in, moving nearer to the hall.

Edward looked at Ernest, he knew Ernest would not come unprepared, this is why in the past few days he had strict surveillance all over the royal city.

Even if Ernest came with a large number of soilders they should not have reached the palace so soon.

"Seize Ernest, as long as he is in our hands, we have won the war," Edward ordered.

The guard immediately charged forward.