Chapter 244: Chapter 244

"Your majesty it was my fault for not paying attention to my daughters. As you know my first wife died early. This time she was scared by the rumors. Even if your majesty marries her now, it would not do you any good," Lord Williams said. Since his daughter was unwilling to marry the king he had no plans of forcing her.

"What do you mean by this?" King Edward was angry to hear such words. The rumors about his mistress and his mistress has become unpleasant again.

King Edward Understood that someone was deliberately spreading those rumors but he was still angry.

"Your majesty, I still have two unmarried daughters, Rosalind is determined to become a nun...." He paused and looked at the king. "I promise my mother on her dying bed to care for her I can not push her this..." Lord William said.

King Edward frowned, "Lord Williams, we have agreed to this marriage, how can you not care about the royal family... I will marry only lady Rosalind from your family," king Edward refused. He understood that as long as he married any of Lord Williams daughters the effect would be same, he just found it unacceptable to be refused by her

He was a king, why could he not get the woman he wants? So what if he has a mistress?

"Your majesty this..." Lord William did not expect him to react this way, he honestly did not want to send Bridget or Beatrice over but he had no choice at this point yet the king refused.

"Your majesty, I have away been loyal to the royal family but Rosalind..." Lord William stopped talking. He could tell that the king was angry because of his daughter’s actions but as a father he could not let any harm come to her.

King Edward cast a cold gaze at Lord Williams.

"Would you get this done or shall I consider you an enemy?" King Edward asked in a cold tune. He felt that since the rumors were already so bad, then he would show his ruthlessness and shut others up.

Lord William did not expect things to turn out . He looked at the king feeling angry. After all, it was the king who made women scared to marry him.

Although he had never thought of betrayaling the king, in this moment he could not help but think of the latter that Lord Auraline had sent him a few days ago.

He balled his fist, just when he opened his mouth to speak again the door to the king’s study was pushed open.

Mary walked inside with a deep frown. "Lord William, please wait outside I would like to speak to the king," Mary said.

Mother," King Edward said, surprised to see her in his study. Ever since he had taken Dorothy as his mistress, his mother had not visited him nor involved herself in state affairs. There were times he had wanted to ask her opinion or seek her advice, but he had always stopped himself.

"What happened with Lord Williams?" Mary asked. She had hurried to the king’s study after receiving a report, but upon entering, she noticed that Lord Williams did not seem to be in a good mood.

"You already know that his daughter ran to the monastery to become a nun rather than marry me. Now Lord Williams proposes that one of his other daughters marry me instead. I do not agree," King Edward said. He could already tell from Lord Williams’ body language that he did not want his first daughter to become a nun. But how could Edward swallow the fact that a woman had rejected him? Why should she be allowed to live freely? If she refused to marry him, then she should remain cloistered in the monastery.

Mary looked at her son carefully. Fresh chapters posted on noveⅼfire.net

"The number of nobles on your side is getting smaller by the day. A king should have a strong hold on his people, but at the moment, nothing is working in your favor apart from the fact that you sit on the throne. Do not hurt the hearts of the loyal nobles who remain by your side during this fragile time."

"Mother, what do you mean?" King Edward asked, sensing that she had gotten hold of some troubling news.

"After I had the old seer arrested, I ordered people to watch his assistant. Everything appeared normal on the surface. I had even forgotten about the spies I sent, but recently, news came back—Lord Auraline is planning a rebellion," she said bluntly.

"Mother..." King Edward was shocked. He hadn’t known that someone was plotting against him right within the royal city.

"Is this information confirmed?" he asked.

"Yes. I discovered that Lord Auraline is a secret worshipper of the Old Gods. It turns out he is being called the ’chosen king’—the one the Old Gods have destined to rule. Your recent scandals have given him even more leverage. He’s been sending letters to the loyal nobles. Do not push those who are still on your side too hard, or they might turn against you," Mary warned. She had already realized her son didn’t always listen to her, so she simply gave the advice—it was up to him to follow it.

"But Mother, her actions were a slap in the face," King Edward muttered, his pride stung. Still, he understood what she meant. A desperate man could do anything.

Mary sighed. "I might not have agreed with your father on many matters, but he chose the best wife for you. That Anastasia knew how to win people’s hearts..." She paused and looked him in the eye.

"These rumors started because of your divorce. You are a king. If you want to be ruthless, then you must put her under control. Make an example of her—one the nobles will not forget."

Although Mary liked Anastasia, it was clear whom she would choose between her and her son.

"Mother, what do you suggest?" King Edward asked.

Mary moved closer and whispered something to the king.

"Mother..." King Edward was surprised, "this is risky?" He said

"But it is better than hurting a loyal noble," Mary said, her gaze was firm.

Anastasia had just finished tending to the herbs outside her cottage when Grater approached with a sealed letter. Her steps were hesitant, and her expression unreadable.

"It’s from the palace," she said, handing it over.

Anastasia took the parchment, her fingers pausing briefly at the royal seal. Her name was written in a fine, practiced hand not the king’s, but someone with equal authority.

She opened it carefully. The letter was brief but unmistakably formal.

> Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, Lady Mary of House Erlington, humbly requests the presence of Lady Anastasia at the royal palace at her earliest convenience. The matter is of personal nature and shall remain in confidence.

She read it twice, her mind already racing. Mary had not contacted her since the divorce. Her sudden interest now was no coincidence. Since Rosalind decided not to marry the king she had always known that she would get involved.

"Grater, make preparation, I will visit tomorrow morning " Anastasia said, folding the letter. The old woman looked at her with concern.

"Do you trust her?" She was worried about her going to the palace in times .

Anastasia shook her head. "No. But I can’t refuse her either."

The next morning Anastasia woke up early to visit the palace. She bathed and dressed simply, in a gown of soft gray silk that bore no emblems of royalty.

"If I don’t return by evening, raise an alarm that I am missing," Anastasia instructed Grater before leaving for the palace.

This time she only took Rosa with her.

When she arrived at the palace gates later that morning, the guards recognized her immediately and allowed her entrance without delay.

Her carriage was allowed to drive straight to queen mother Mary’s courtyard.

When she arrived she got down from her carriage, Miss Margaret was waiting for her outside the courtyard door.

"Greeting, lady Anastasia," she bowed with a polite smile.

Anastasia did not expect such reception she smiled and nodded her head.

"Let go in, her grace is expecting you," she gesture with her hand as she lead the way. The servants kept their heads down, avoiding her eyes. Whispers stopped when she passed.

"Your grace, lady Anastasia has arrived," Miss Margaret announced outside the door.

"Let her in," Mary"s voice came from the room.

Anastasia turned and looked at Rosa, instructung her to wait outside the door for her, before she pushed the door open and entered.

Mary was seated by the window, surrounded by scrolls and correspondence. She looked up when Anastasia entered, her expression unreadable. Not quite warm, but not hostile either.

"Thank you for coming," Mary said, gesturing to the chair opposite her. "I trust your journey was comfortable."

Anastasia sat. "It was." She folded her hands in her lap. "You asked for me."