The Next Morning – The King’s Study
"What do you plan to do?" Mary asked.
When she heard that the royal celebration had been canceled, she assumed her son and Anastasia had come to some kind of compromise. No matter what, she didn’t want their family affairs to become public scandal.
It was only when she woke up that morning and learned the council meeting for the divorce would proceed that she realized things were far from settled. She hadn’t had time to send for the king, so she rushed over to find out his plan. Given the current situation, the one who might suffer most from this divorce was the king himself—after all, there were still those who eyed the throne.
Moreover, Mary remained uneasy about the man who had poisoned her husband. She had come especially to hear what preparations her son had made.
"You don’t have to worry about this, Mother. I gave her a chance to withdraw her statement, but she refused. She can only blame herself," King Edward said, a ruthless light flashing in his eyes.
"Why not just write her the divorce settlement? There’s no need to make things so ugly," Mary suggested. In her mind, her son was at fault, and no matter what he did now, few would be convinced otherwise.
"Don’t worry about this, Mother. I can’t let anyone threaten me. If I don’t deal with her, people might think I’m a weak king," Edward replied firmly.
His father hadn’t left behind the best legacy—he was ruthless, and because of that, no one dared challenge him. After months of quelling the rebellion in the south, Edward was convinced that only by showing his own ruthlessness could he avoid future trouble.
Mary took a deep breath. She still felt uneasy, but then she remembered the seer’s final words to her.
He had said that Anastasia could either bring fortune to the royal family or be its downfall.
Perhaps it was better not to hold on to such a dangerous sword. It was time for the king to rid himself of it.
And so, trusting in her son’s capability, Mary said nothing more and quietly left the study.
Royal Palace – Council Hall
The council chamber was unusually quiet. No courtiers, no ministers—only the members of the royal family had been summoned. The thick velvet drapes blocked out the sun, casting the hall in somber hues of red and gold. At the head of the long table stood the High Priest, clothed in white and silver robes, holding the ceremonial staff of judgment.
King Edward sat at one end, his expression cold and unreadable. Queen Anastasia was already seated opposite him, calm and poised, her back straight and hands folded neatly on the table. Queen Mother Mary took her seat beside Edward, while Prince Lucan and his wife princess Karen sat on the other roll.
Lord Auraline and his wife was also present. The two had only gotten married for one month. Thıs content belongs to noveⅼfire.net
Princess Karen was pleased to see this sitting. After all, if the crown prince was the son of a mistress, then her future child would have a claim to the throne.
She subconsciously touched her stomach hopefully that she would be confirm pregnant soon.
The third prince was also dragged here by his mother.
The High Priest raised his hand, and the low murmur of shifting chairs fell silent.
"By the authority granted to me by God," he began, his voice echoing through the solemn chamber, "we are gathered here today to witness a matter most grave. A queen’s request for royal separation—a rare petition that demands careful deliberation and divine clarity."
He looked at Anastasia, then at Edward.
"Queen Anastasia, do you still stand by your request for a royal divorce?"
Anastasia met the priest’s gaze directly. "I do, Your Holiness."
"Even after the king offered compromise?" The high priest asked. He had spoken with the king the previous day and knew that he was willing to make a little compromise so he brought it up.
"I no longer seek compromise. My decision is final." Anastasia answered, she was really scared about dying without knowing the cause.
A murmur stirred among the royal members, but the High Priest raised his staff slightly, commanding silence.
"Very well," he said. "Your Majesty, King Edward do you contest this request?"
Edward leaned back, his fingers drumming once against the armrest before he spoke.
"I do not accept her reasons. But if she insists on proceeding, then let the consequences be hers."
"Consequences?" Anastasia repeated quietly. "Your Majesty broke the sacred vow. I seek no revenge, I simply want peace." Anastasia refused to leave with a stain on her name.
King Edward’s jaw tightened.
Queen Mother Mary intervened with a tense voice. "There is no need to point fingers. We are here to resolve this quietly. Whatever happens today will reflect on the dignity of the Crown." She felt quite uneasy and wanted everything to end as quickly as possible.
The High Priest nodded. "Indeed. The law is clear. A queen may petition for separation if she has been wronged and if the temple finds her cause just. But she must also relinquish all power and authority given to her by her marriage to the Crown. This includes her titles, her lands, and any claim to future succession."
"I understand," Anastasia replied, her voice unwavering.
The High Priest studied her for a moment, then turned to King Edward. "Are you willing to allow the queen to depart in peace?"
There was a long pause.
Then Edward finally spoke, his voice low and cold. "She may leave. But do I don wish to bear the title of helping a mistress kill the wife. The queen had confuse before the high priest and God the previous day that we have never shared a bed as husband and wife but she had kept the reason why this happened...
Edward paused he took a deep look at Anastasia, he could see that her face was turning pale.
"I simply couldn’t share a bed with a vicious woman like her," king Edward said and turned to look at Walter.
"Bring him in," he instructed.
When the people present in the hall heard this statement they began to have various speculation in their heart.
Some even thought that perhaps the queen had not married the king as a virgin and had a lover outsider. After all, they could not think of another reason why the the King would refuse to fulfill his duty to his wife.
Anastasia also felt her heart missed a beat when she heard the king’s words. She wonder what kind of game he was playing at. She had prepared for various possibilities especially after the king’s threats the previous day.
As she looked at the door her heart was caught in her throat until she saw the person that was brought in
Anastasia recognize him as the man that had taking the fall for Dorothy trying to poison him. She could not remember his name but his face was easy.
"Everyone knows that I had traveled to the north the morning of our wedding, there have been no time to share a bed with the queen. After which there was war with Gube. After returning, I found out about the disgusting act of the queen and couldn’t bear to share a bed with her.
Thinking of her sacrifice in Lowe, I decided not to divorce her, but since she chose this part herself..." King Edward left his statement hanging.
Everyone in the hall turned to look at the man who looked like he has been to the interrogation room.
"What is your name child?" The high priest looked at the man who was on his knees. He thought the divorce would either not hold or proceed smoothly. He did not expect things to get to such point.
"My name is Gill," he answered. His voice was low and husky perhaps it was because he had not spoken for a few months.
"What do you have to say before the council, remember that God is here watching. The Bible is also present," the high priest said.
Gill looked at the high priest and then at Walter who had brought him in. "Few months ago I was drunk and said some nonsense. Sir Walter at they time was invisigaing her Majesty poisoning. I heard that lady Dorothy, his Majesty’s mistress was the female physician by her majesty side. It’s turned out that a single herb had been added to the medicine preparation resolving into the queen inability to give birth. I have been working in the medicine room for quite a while and I have help lady Dorothy sort out some medicine..." He suddenly stopped talking and looked at the king, then at the high priest.
"Speak," the high priest said seeing him look very fearful.
"Your holiness, I am afraid of my life and that of my family. I don’t care if I die but my family are innocent. The truth..." He stopped talking again.
"Your majesty this..." The high priest could only turn to the king. After all, he could not make promises to protect the man’s life.
"Speak the truth and I promise that no harm will come to you and you family," King Edward promise.