The Debt Of Fate

Chapter 341: Not to act yet

"Are you truly willing to allow her to leave the palace?" Ernest asked. He was surprised that Anastasia had promised Duke Thompson that, as long as the physician approved, Elizabeth could attend her mother’s funeral.

"Yes, as long as it does not affect your plans," Anastasia said calmly. Now that her husband was soon to be crowned, Elizabeth, as the former king’s wife, still held some meaning to certain people.

"She is of no use," Ernest replied. "Her only value was the child in her stomach. Now that it is gone, Edward has already taken back her title as punishment. She can return home. But she hurt you so much. Don’t you want her to pay?" He raised a brow.

"She is already punished. God has eyes," Anastasia said softly. "She lost her child and her ability to be a mother. Death is mercy. If I lock her in a prison, how will she see my life and burn with envy? Giving her freedom to watch is the best punishment."

If she asked for Elizabeth to be executed, it would not benefit her. It was better to forgive her publicly and gain a good name. Let Elizabeth live and suffer in silence.

Ernest looked at her. He could guess her thoughts.

"Then go ahead," he said. "Her life or death makes no difference to me."

"Thank you, I am thinking of going to the monastery to see my friend," Anastasia said. She remembered Rosalind. Her decision back then not to marry the king had indirectly helped her but now she was becoming a nun.

"Tell her if she has a chance of mind about becoming a nun she can give it up," Ernest said. Of course he remember that Anastasia was friends with this lady Rosalind. She was not in a hurry to take Anastasia’ place and become the queen, instead she had use her actions to defend Anastasia.

Anastasia was shocked, "can she do that?" She asked.

"Of course, have you forgotten your teacher Marie? As long as the final oat has not been taken she can change her mind," Ernest said.

"True, but this can ruin her reputation," Anastasia was worried she did not want anything bad to happen to her.

"You don’t have to worry about that. Everyone knew she decided to become a nun because she did not want to marry Edward. If she gives up now,bit is quite normal," Ernest said. Anastasia felt Ernest was right, back then even if Edward picked another wife, Rosalind could not change her mind about becoming a nun.

Edward Petty as he is would not let it go. But now big she did not want to, she could easily leave.

"Then, I will inform her," Anastasia was happy. She felt a bit guilty about Rosalind becoming a nun, now that there was a chance to change it, she was relieved.

"About the attack that month, have you identified the traitor?" Anastasia asked. She would not feel at easy until the traitor is known. After all what if he betrayed them another time.

"Yes, I am just waiting to confirm it," Ernest said. He had investigated it clearly and he had a suspect but without evidence, he decided not to act yet.

...

The next day, Anastasia invited several noble women to the palace.

These women had once seen her lying pale and weak after being poisoned. They had witnessed her suffering with their own eyes.

They gathered in the grand hall, dressed in fine gowns, whispering among themselves. Elizabeth was also brought in. She stood to the side, her face thin and colorless.

"Why is she here?" Someone pointed at Elizabeth not hiding her disdain.

"Maybe, her highness has finally decided on a punishment," her friend answered.

"True," the woman nodded.

"You don’t know, I heard she lost her child? Lady Isabel is that true," someone asked.

"Yes, my cousin could not stand the hurt about her mother’s death. Her pregnancy was already unstable," Isabel said. Since Anastasia allowed her to join her royal Court years ago, her relationship with Elizabeth had not been good. Even when Elizabeth later became queen she did not include her in her lady in court.

At that time, Isabel was not pleased but now she felt it was luck.

"Are you sure the child was not deliberately murdered?" Lady Amber asked.

"What do you mean by that lady Amber? Since His highness already took over the royal city, even if he had ordered her execution no one would say anything," someone snapped.

"This is heaven’s punishment.

Anastasia sat calmly at the front.

She looked gentle and composed. She watched the woman gossip and speculate.

Then finally she called their attention.

"Ladies," she began in a soft voice, "you all know the pain I suffered some time ago. I almost died and lost my children. Even now, one of my sons is still weak. You also know who was behind it."

The women nodded quietly. It was already known that Elizabeth poisoned her sister to frame the king’s mistress.

"But today," Anastasia continued, "Elizabeth has lost her mother and her child. She has suffered greatly. After much thought, I have decided to forgive her for all her crimes."

A small murmur spread through the room.

"This is what our Lord Jesus would have us do. I will allow her to return to her family home as a lady. Whatever kind of life she chooses from here will be up to her,"

For a moment, the hall was silent.

Then the praises began.

"Your Highness is too kind-hearted!"

"Such mercy is rare!"

"You truly have a noble heart!"

Some even wiped their eyes, moved by her words.

"She does not deserve such mercy," one woman whispered to another. "Losing her child and her mother... that is punishment from heaven. A person like her would not kindness.

"Yes," another agreed softly. "If you ask me, even if she is not kiled, she should be sent to the monastery to become a nun,"

Elizabeth stood there, hearing every word.

Her hands trembled inside her sleeves.

Forgive her?

Return home as a lady?

They spoke as if she should be grateful.

This was not mercy, it was punishment.

She lifted her eyes and looked at Anastasia.

Anastasia’s face was calm and kind. Almost holy. She turned and met Elizabeth’s gaze. "Sister, live well from now on," she said with a kind smile.

Elizabeth felt her chest burn with anger.

It would have been better if she had been executed.

At least death would have been quick.

Now she had to live.

Live and watch Anastasia rise higher.

Live and hear people praise the woman she hated.

Live with no child.

No title.

No future.

She lowered her head so no one would see the hatred in her eyes. After all, her hatred would only make this people praise Anastasia more.

"Why are you just standing there? Don’t you know how to Thank her highness for such grace?" An elderly woman said. Her voice was directed to Elizabeth.

"You should thank her highness," lady Robert joined in. Hey daughter had come to beg for this freedom, she lost her life in the process, fortunately Anastasia had a heart to forgive.

Elizabeth felt tears run down her cheeks, what did they mean by thank Anastasia. Was it not enough that she was stepping on her to build her reputation.

But no matter how unwilling she was, She understood she had to thank Anastasia’. If she refused, the one’s who’s reputation would suffer was herself. Although things had gotten to this stage, she was not willing to show witness.

"Thank you sister," Elizabeth said. She bow slightly, her voice sounded sincere.

"There is no need to thank me, We are sisters after all," Anastasia said. Her smile was sweet but all, Elizabeth wanted to do was stab her to death.

As she thought in this line, her gaze fell on a fruit knife that was used by the servant. It was laying on the serving table.

Elizabeth calculated how many move it would take her to the knife and stab Anastasia.

The more she thought about it, the more logical it sounded to her. She started moving towards the table, get step was small. She did not want to draw attention to herself, after all, this was the only way she would have a chance to kill Anastasia.

Just when she moved her hand to pick the knife a maid took it first. "Why are you here?" The maid asked. Her voice was cold. She had a feeling that Elizabeth was up to no good.

"I wanted to get a cup of tea, I am tasty," Elizabeth could only lie.

The maid looked at her not believe but since she had not touched anything, she handed her a cup of tea.

Elizabeth thank her and took a few steps back.

She turned to Anastasia, only now did she realize two guards were by herself. "Foolish," Elizabeth immediately realized that her plan to stab Anastasia was indeed foolish with two guards by her side she(Elizabeth) would be dead before she hurt Anastasia’ but she was unwilling.

She was clearly the legitimate daughter, why does Anastasia have better life.