The feast ended on a good note. Many of the noble women also agreed to attend the queen’s upcoming public feast. So what if the king favored a mistress? They were all noble wives.
If the queen lost her position because of a mistress today, then there was a chance that lords and nobles would learn from the king’s example—and they could face the same fate. Even if they managed to escape such a fate, what about their daughters?
Although these women could not openly oppose the king, they would certainly not support a mistress rising in status. So this noble ladies could only support the queen no matter what.
Dorothy felt isolated and regretted coming. She had thought she might be able to make some noble friends, but it turned out the queen had only invited her to humiliate her.
The nanny by her side followed quietly. She had been scared that the queen would do something to hurt Dorothy. Instead, it turned out the queen had only wanted to remind her of her place.
No matter how much the king favored her she was only a mistress.
Dorothy was so angry that she began to feel pain in her stomach. She frowned. Being a physician herself, she understood that her emotions were likely affecting her, but she could not calm down.
She wanted nothing more than to find the seer and know when she can wear the crown. Although she used to care about the king’s heart before but now she understood the meaning of status within the royal city.
"Those arrogant women would be forced to bow to me when the time comes," she thought with a deep frown.
The nanny grew anxious upon seeing her expression. "My lady, are you alright?" she asked.
"I’m fine. Just a little pain," Dorothy replied.
The nanny kept quiet, but after a short while, seeing Dorothy frown from time to time she hurriedly sent for a royal physician.
It was already late at night when the king happened to come by to check on Dorothy. The physician was still examining her.
"What happened?" King Edward asked, noticing the nanny’s anxious expression.
"Your Majesty, Lady Dorothy has been experiencing stomach pain since returning from the queen’s feast. Although she said she was fine, I called the physician to take a look," the nanny explained.
At this, King Edward’s gaze turned cold. Since the queen announced the feast three days ago, unrest had been brewing.
He had just taken a mistress, and already someone had started an outrageous rumor that he was helping that mistress poison his wife. It was even said that since he couldn’t manage his household, he was unfit to be king.
Someone from the south even dared to start a rebellion because of this.
King Edward had been busy handling several matters. He had simply wanted to rest with his beloved and hadn’t expected her to be ill.
The door opened, and the physician stepped out. His expression was grim.
"What is wrong?" King Edward asked, his aura so cold that the royal physician grew nervous.
"Lady Dorothy is not in good condition. Her mood is poor, and it seems she may have eaten something that didn’t agree with her. Her pregnancy has become unstable..." the physician said.
"She ate something wrong?" King Edward cut him off.
He hadn’t believed Anastasia would grow so desperate as to attack Dorothy. He knew she didn’t believe the story about Gill and suspected it was a cover-up—but he had done no such thing.
He had hoped the interrogation would soon yield answers, but so far, there was nothing. Gill had refused to speak, no matter the torture used. And they couldn’t go too far—he might be the only link to discovering how the late king had been poisoned.
King Edward understood that under such pressure, the queen must be furious. He had gone against his mother’s advice to accept a mistress because it was something he had promised Dorothy after their first night together. Since she had been proven innocent, he wanted to protect her from being bullied.
He never expected things to spiral out of control or for the public to speculate that the queen would soon be forgotten.
Even if he was a fool, he knew the kingdom was still fragile after his father’s death. He couldn’t afford to appear weak. He couldn’t give the person who killed his father another opportunity to strike. So he would never dare kill ’a wife to protect a mistress ’
"Yes, Your Majesty..." The physician tried to continue, but the king interrupted him.
"Go immediately and investigate the food and service at the feast. Also, send men to guard the queen’s chambers. She is not allowed to step out," King Edward instructed Walter.
He was convinced that Dorothy’s condition was connected to the queen. After all, he had arranged trustworthy servants in her courtyard, and they hadn’t made any notable mistakes recently. It was too much of a coincidence that she fell ill right after attending the queen’s feast.
Walter bowed and immediately set to work. Meanwhile, the nanny grew even more anxious. She feared the king might blame her for failing to care properly for Dorothy.
Royal Palace – Queen’s Chambers
Queen Anastasia sat calmly before her dressing mirror, her hands resting lightly on her lap. The scent of jasmine lingered in the air, faint and soothing, though her heart bore none of its peace. The feast had ended without disruption. Everything had gone as planned. She understood that even if those noble women mocked her secretly, they did not dare support a mistress and risk their own position.
Anastasia had invited Dorothy to that gathering with careful restraint, not vengeance. If Dorothy wished to walk into the lion’s den dressed in silk and pride, Anastasia would not stop her. Let her see the court for what it was merciless and calculating. Read complete versıon only at Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
A knock sounded on her chamber doors, followed quickly by the firm voice of Walter.
"By order of His Majesty, the queen is to remain in her chambers. No one is allowed in or out without royal permission."
"Why?" Anastasia asked. She wondered if the king found out she was the one responsible for the rumors outside.
"I am not certain of the situation, but I lady Dorothy fell sick after returning from the feast," Walter answered. He still respected the queen for her brave actions in Lowe. So he decided to tell her.
Anastasia raised a brow but showed no sign of surprise. "So, he believes I tried to poison her." Her voice was dry, laced with quiet scorn.
Miss Magdalene stepped forward from the corner of the room. "Should we send a message to her Grace?" she felt that the king’s mother did not like Dorothy and should be willing to help Anastasia.
"No." Anastasia stood and adjusted her sleeves. "If the king doubts me, then let him investigate. The truth does not fear the light."