Duchess Anita's Chamber
"Mother, how could Father do this to me? I am his first legitimate daughter! How could she be allowed to marry the crown prince?" Elisabeth complained. She had gone straight to her mother's chamber after class.
She had wanted to ask this question earlier in the receiving hall, but seeing that Miss Magdalene intended to follow Anastasia to the classroom, she changed her mind. With such a noble figure following Anastasia, Elisabeth worried about the news spreading.
The only person who should marry the crown prince from the duke's residence was her. No matter how much she wanted answers, she knew it was best to tread carefully for now.
When Duchess Anita heard this, she took a deep breath, recalling her conversation with her husband the night before. He had claimed that the king had decided on the marriage without his input. Of course, the duchess did not fully believe his story, but she was uncertain about her next move.
The king had backed her into a corner.
"I don't know why your father did this. Maybe you should ask him yourself," Duchess Anita said after some thought.
The duke had always been fond of Elisabeth, so she believed he might change his mind if his daughter came crying. There were things she could not say as a mother, but Elisabeth could.
"Mother, will you come with me?" Elisabeth asked. Although her father had always been gentle toward her, she was afraid of him. He carried an air of cold authority, and she knew he hated having his decisions questioned. She hoped her mother would support her.
"No. As his wife, I cannot favor one child over another. If I interfere, your father might find fault with me," Duchess Anita replied. She had already questioned his decision yesterday, and the duke had only responded with threats. She wasn't sure what he was planning, but she knew she had to be careful.
Elisabeth looked at her mother. She hadn't expected her to refuse, but she understood that her reasoning was valid. This only made her more anxious.
Could it be that Father truly wants Anastasia to marry the crown prince? she wondered.
How could that be? I am my father's first legitimate child. This marriage should be mine by right. Elisabeth fumed, enraged by the entire situation.
Just as Elisabeth was about to leave, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" the duchess asked, her tone sharp with irritation.
"Leah, Your Grace," Leah's voice came from behind the door.
"Come in," Duchess Anita said. She knew Leah wouldn't come unless there was something important.
Leah entered and bowed. "Your Grace, my lady," she greeted.
"His Grace sent word that he is going away for a few days," Leah reported.
"Going away?" The duchess frowned. "Did he say where?"
"No, Your Grace, but I heard from Steward Muman that there seems to be a problem with one of His Grace's vineyards," Leah said awkwardly. The steward was always tight-lipped, so she had not been able to gather any useful information.
Duchess Anita clenched her fists, barely restraining her anger. She suspected the duke had found a convenient excuse to leave the house, avoiding the marriage situation entirely. That selfish man, she cursed in her head.
Elisabeth, on the other hand, felt as if the heavens had turned against her. She feared that the longer Anastasia remained engaged to the crown prince, the harder it would be to take what was rightfully hers.
"Mother, what should I do now?" Elisabeth turned to her mother, unsure of her next move.
"Don't worry. The only person who can marry the crown prince is you," Duchess Anita assured her. Although she wasn't sure if her husband had left deliberately to test her or if his absence was legitimate, this was an opportunity she could not waste.
"My lady, I have an idea," Leah said. She had seen the gifts sent from the palace, each one more precious than the last. In her opinion, Anastasia, a mere daughter of a mistress, did not deserve such luxuries.
"What?" Duchess Anita frowned.
"I believe Miss Magdalene is the key. If my lady can win her favor, she will send a favorable report to the palace," Leah suggested.
Elisabeth's expression darkened. Leah might as well have shoved a bitter pill down her throat. She wasn't foolish she knew the importance of Miss Magdalene. But the woman had not spared her a single glance, focusing all her attention on that good-for-nothing.
Even the duchess was displeased with Leah's response. Everyone knew the significance of Miss Magdalene, but the woman was not easy to approach.
Leah quickly continued, noticing their dissatisfaction. "Then, perhaps we should ruin Anastasia's reputation."
The duchess's frown deepened, her eyes flashing with anger. Leah shivered under her gaze and hurried to explain.
"What I mean is, the crown prince should marry Lady Elisabeth, the first legitimate daughter. But Anastasia stole the position. If we make Miss Magdalene believe that Anastasia is spoiled and scheming, surely the royal family would not want such a woman," Leah reasoned.
The thought of bowing to Anastasia in the future, if she became queen, felt like thousands of needles stabbing into Leah's heart. She could not accept it.
Elisabeth, however, frowned. She needed a plan that ensured she became the crown prince's bride, not just one that ruined Anastasia. Of course, she wouldn't mind destroying her in the process, but she had to be certain she would reap the benefits.
"My lady, there are only two daughters in this household. If one falls, the other will naturally benefit," Leah pointed out, noticing Elisabeth's hesitation. Having served her for years, she could easily read her thoughts.
"Not necessarily. That girl is also a duke's daughter. If we act carelessly, we may harm the entire family," Duchess Anita countered.
The royal family was no fool. If one daughter was deemed unworthy, who can guarantee the other was any better? Moreover, her husband seemed to be supporting Anastasia. If she damaged the family name, he might retaliate.
"Then, Mother, what should we do?" Elisabeth asked, her frustration growing.
"What if she falls ill?" Leah suggested. She wanted to propose something more permanent, but worried she would sound too ruthless. Instead, she chose sickness.
"A sick person recovers," Elisabeth scoffed. Leah's ideas only seemed to get worse.
Leah smiled slyly but turned to the duchess. "Her mother was cast aside because she was sick and unable to bear an heir for the duke. If Anastasia suffered from the same illness, she would have no choice but to give up the marriage to her sister."
A deep silence filled the chamber.
There was no greater curse for a woman than infertility.
Duchess Anita smirked. She felt fortunate to have someone as cunning as Leah by her side. Her husband would certainly suspect her, but without evidence, there was nothing he could do. After all, Anastasia's own mother had not been 'healthy' either.
"When all of this is settled, I will grant you a reward," Duchess Anita said with a satisfied smile.