CHAPTER 231: FACE THE TRUTH

Duke Thompson’s Residence

It was still early the next morning when the Chancellor’s carriage rolled into the inner courtyard of Duke Thompson’s estate. The guards saluted crisply, and Steward Muman guided the esteemed guest into the drawing room, where Duke Thompson was already waiting—dressed in dark green velvet, his graying beard neatly trimmed.

"Lord Bultain," Duke Thompson greeted with a measured bow, offering a seat. He had been shocked to receive word that Lord Bultain had come to visit. After all, he and the Chancellor were, at best, mere acquaintances.

"This visit so early—it must be important," Duke Thompson commented after Lord Bultain had sat.

The Chancellor returned the gesture with formality. "Indeed, Your Grace. I bring a matter of delicate urgency from His Majesty."

Duke Thompson raised a brow, intrigued. "I’m listening."

Though he had been a Duke for years, he had rarely been noticed by the king. Even while his daughter Anastasia was queen, his presence at court remained modest.

After a brief pause, Lord Bultain leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "The rumors surrounding the royal divorce are spreading like wildfire through the court. The High Priest Council’s silence has only deepened the unrest. His Majesty believes that Lady Anastasia, your daughter, can still quell the doubts—if she speaks in his favor."

"Speak in his favor?" Thompson echoed, a slow smile forming. "Now he needs her voice?"

The Chancellor ignored the pointed remark. "This is not about reconciliation. We only ask that she publicly acknowledge that the divorce was her decision... that the king did not cast her aside for a mistress, nor cover up any ill-doing. If she speaks, the council may step back. The nobles will settle. Her words still hold weight."

Lord Bultain knew this would not be an easy conversation.

The Duke stroked his beard, nodding slowly. "Yes... she does have a gift for winning the hearts of the people," he said. In truth, he had opposed Anastasia’s divorce. Unfortunately, she hadn’t listened to him. He had expected his family would become disgraced after the scandal. Who would have thought that the tide would turn against the king instead?

"Then I trust you will help His Majesty in this matter?" Lord Bultain asked.

"Gladly," Thompson replied, rising to his feet. "It’s time the royal court remembered who stood with the crown in times of darkness. If my voice can remind them, I will raise it."

He was willing to show support to the king—after all, he hoped it might earn him favor and increase his influence within the kingdom.

The Chancellor exhaled in relief. He had come confident that Duke Thompson would do the king this favor.

"But..." the Duke added, and the Chancellor tensed again, "Anastasia has not returned to my estate since leaving the palace."

The Chancellor blinked. "Not returned?" It had been expected that she would return to her father’s estate.

"I had expected her days ago," Thompson said, walking to the window. "Her maid brought a few things, but Lady Anastasia herself is nowhere to be found. I sent messengers to the estate in Windmere, but they said she never passed through. She may be staying in a temple or sheltering with a friend..." He let the thought trail off.

In truth, Anastasia had sent back two maids and all the gifts she’d received from General Robert’s family. The Duchess later revealed that the maids had been assigned by Anita. From that, Thompson guessed that Anastasia was cutting ties with him—but he would not admit this to the king.

He wanted to remain relevant. Besides, it was usually the parents who disowned the child, not the other way around. At first, he hadn’t cared when she didn’t return. He had even considered her a disgrace. But now... everything was different. And he wanted to find her.

The Chancellor’s relief quickly twisted into concern. "Does the king know she’s missing?"

"She is not missing," the Duke said pointedly. "She is avoiding being found. I did not support her choice to seek a royal divorce," he added, trying to suggest that Anastasia was simply throwing a childish tantrum.

The two men stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation hanging in the air.

After considering, Lord Bultain concluded it wasn’t yet a crisis. "When you find her," he said carefully, "convince her to speak. The king is not asking for love or loyalty. Only a sentence or two. Enough to calm the storm."

"I will try," Duke Thompson replied. "But if you truly want her to do this, then the king must fix what he broke. Not with words... but with actions."

The Chancellor frowned. "You think she would come back to him?" Lord Bultain personally felt that the daughter of Lord Williams was a better match. Anastasia had made her decision, and she should not expect to return.

"I think she doesn’t care anymore..." Thompson said flatly. Seeing the look on Lord Bultain’s face, he added, "And that, Chancellor, is far more dangerous than anger."

Lord Bultain took a deep breath. "Your Grace, once this matter is settled, His Majesty will surely remember your support. Lady Anastasia said she wants peace—let her know that if she speaks for the king, she will be granted a noble title."

Hearing this, Duke Thompson showed a small smile. "Then the king must remember to keep his promise."

---

Anastasia’s Cottage – The Day

Anastasia stood at the window, a cup of untouched tea in her hand, her hair unbound, her gaze fixed on the hills beyond. It had been over a week since she left the palace, and no one had come looking for her.

So when she heard the sound of hooves and a carriage stopping at her gate, she didn’t stir at first. Only when a firm knock echoed through the cottage did she raise her brow in surprise.

"My lady, His Grace is here," Rosa, who had gone to open the door, came in to report.

Anastasia was stunned but composed herself quickly and made her way to the receiving hall.

"Father," Anastasia greeted as she entered.

"Anastasia," he replied, his voice gruff, lined with a mix of affection and hesitation.

She took her seat, and the two sat in silence for a while.

"Why didn’t you return to the Duke’s residence?" Duke Thompson asked eventually.

"I needed air," she said simply.

He paused. He wanted to ask her to return, but he guessed she would refuse. So instead, he went straight to the reason for his visit.

"I came on behalf of the king."

Anastasia’s expression darkened at once.

"Of course," she murmured. Just then, Grater brought in tea and snacks.

"You wouldn’t ride this far just to check on your divorced daughter," she added coldly.

Duke Thompson sighed but didn’t deny it.

"Lord Bultain approached me yesterday. The court is restless. Rumors grow louder each day. They want you to speak just once. To say the divorce was your choice. That His Majesty had no part in it."

Anastasia’s mouth parted in disbelief. "So that’s what this is about?"

Duke Thompson hesitated at her reaction. "You know your words carry weight. You’re still beloved by many. If you speak, the nobles will fall back in line. It could protect the crown and ensure peace. Those greedy men are taking advantage of the unrest."

"Protect the crown," Anastasia echoed bitterly, ignoring the rest of his argument. "And what about me, Father? Who protected me?"

"Anastasia—"

"No," she snapped. "Don’t say it’s for the kingdom. Don’t ask me to pretend I left willingly. I was humiliated; cast aside. I suffered in silence while he paraded a mistress through sacred halls. And now, when the same court that turned its back on me is whispering too loudly for your comfort, you come to me? Why didn’t Lord Bultain advise the king to act with honor?"

Her voice trembled not with weakness, but with the fury of long-suppressed pain.

"You didn’t come to comfort me when I wept alone. You didn’t demand justice when he let a mistress step all over me. And now you want me to speak for the man who broke his vows and tried to ruin me?"Anastasia looked at her father not hiding her disappointment. Perhaps if Edward hadn’t tried to use Gill against her, she might have helped him. But his ruthlessness had frozen her heart.

The Duke looked down, jaw clenched. "I am your father, and I love you. But I am also a Duke. I must think of the kingdom."

She laughed bitterly, the sound cold and sharp. "Don’t say you love me. You never did." How could she easily forget his indifference all those years.

He looked up sharply, pain flickering in his eyes. "I only ask you to consider—"

"No," she firmly cut him off, standing. "I will not lie to protect his crown. Let him face the truth alone; ust as I did."

Duke Thompson lingered a moment longer, took a slow sip of tea, and rose. The weight in the room told him there was nothing more to say.