The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 149
Princess Eleanor closed her eyes in fear. She did not know what to do anymore.
Princess Eleanor was well aware that the Grand Duke was asking her to come out. It was for no one else but her. But how did the Grand Duke know that she was hidden there? Princess Eleanor did not know how to answer that but her throat was dry due to fright.
"Do I have a rat in my house?" The Grand Duke’s tone was stiff as it showed clearly that he was not happy.
Duke Christopher raised his lips into a smirk. He could not have known that Princess Eleanor was here but when he sat down on the chair he could sense that something on the tables had been moved. His eyes narrowed as he tried to search for the culprit but when he heard small movements from under the table he knew that he had found the culprit. The only difference was that the culprit was wearing a dress.
The Grand Duke could easily see the corner of Princess Eleanor’s dress from his angle. He knew exactly where she was. He could imagine why the Princess was here. But it did not leave a good taste in his mouth.
’She decided to go against me. Why?’ Duke Christopher was angry but he did not voice his opinion. He had an option of ignoring the Princess and walking out of the room in hopes that Princess Eleanor will go to her room but the Grand Duke rejected the thought as soon as it struck him.
Duke Christopher knew that if he gave Princess Eleanor a chance, she would take it even if she knew that it was risky. Her being here in the room proved that she was desperate.
The Grand Duke blinked as he got up from the chair before moving towards the door. His eyes narrowed but soon he turned back and walked toward the bookshelves. He was well aware that the Princess was here for this so he decided to make sure that she knows not to cross some lines.
"The Princess should come outside. At least, before I am forced to take a firm step." The Grand Duke’s voice was like a devil’s voice in Princess Eleanor’s ears. No matter how hard she tried to manage her expression she could not. Her face was pale and so was her heart. Her rapid heartbeats were making her dizzy.
Princess Eleanor closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. ’Why did he come now,’ She questioned herself as she moved out.
Princess Eleanor did not dare to look up but she knew where the man was. Although the light in the room was dim as only a few candles were lit, but the cold aura was making it hard for Princess Eleanor to ignore Duke Christopher’s presence.
’Great, now he is standing in front of the bookshelves,’ Princess Eleanor tried to maintain her calm, ’He looks like a person who is telling me, I know why you are here and I will not let you succeed,’
Princess Eleanor managed to gear up her courage as she looked up only to see a pair of eyes looking down at her. Princess Eleanor could not see the face of the Grand Duke as he was standing against the light but only his silhouette made him look like a man not to underestimate.
Princess Eleanor did not know why but she had a strong sense of familiarity but it soon disappeared when she heard a deep chilly voice.
"The Princess should explain herself." Duke Christopher did not move out of the darkness but his aura pressured Princess Eleanor to look down.
Princess Eleanor did not know she was feeling the way she was. Maybe it was a guilty conscience, or maybe it wasn’t. But whatever it was Princess Eleanor knew that she was not in a position to question the Grand Duke, after all, she was in the wrong.
"I ... I ..." Princess Eleanor’s voice trembled.
"Princess I am not here to play. I need an explanation." The Grand Duke’s voice turned colder, "I think I should increase the guards in the mansion. Thieves are crawling everywhere now."
Princess Eleanor could feel the chills run down her spine. She bit her lips as her heartbeats were getting stronger. She wanted to refuse but she did not dare to look up, "Maybe I brought the thief inside my house willingly. Was it a mistake Princess?"
Princess Eleanor shook her head in a hurry. She did not know what she was thinking anymore. Maybe she should find a valid explanation for this but she knew that she had none. No matter what she said, Princess Eleanor had a feeling that she might not be able to convince the Grand Duke.
’I hope the Grand Duke does not find out that I was here with Sir Kit yesterday.’ Princess Eleanor bit her lips. Her thought was all over the place as she tried to control her expression, ’Will Sir Kit be punished? Will he be blamed?’
Princess Eleanor did not know what to expect anymore but she knew that she had to say something. It was a necessity for now.
"The Grand Duke is mistaken. I am not a thief. I just wanted to..."
Princess Eleanor’s voice trembled at the end. She did not know what to say anymore. Her heart was beating faster but she was also confused.
What if the Princess said that she was here to get information about the Royal family? Will she be treated as a traitor? What difference is there? She will be labeled as either a thief or a traitor. Nothing else will change. The punishment would be of a similar kind.
Princess Eleanor knew that she was thinking too deeply but she also knew that she had to find a way out soon.
"Wanted to do what?" The Grand Duke said but soon a wave of cold air passed through the open window and the candles that were still burning were put off. The room was now engulfed in complete darkness again and Princess Eleanor’s breathing hitched.
Princess Eleanor was silent as her heart was in her throat. She could hear a few steps walking towards her. Her eyes widened in shock as she took a deep breath. Princess Eleanor was afraid that if she made one little move she might be caught off guard. She was now in the focus and she needed to be careful.
"The Princess needs to be careful," Princess Eleanor heard the Grand Duke’s voice coming near her. She could imagine that he was too close. "I am not a patient man. And I hate when people disobey me. Do you think I do not know why you are here?"
Princess Eleanor looked up as soon as she heard the words. Did he know? Princess Eleanor was not sure but she was waiting for the Grand Duke to explain, "Just because I didn’t say anything, does not mean I do not know. This is not the first time that the Princess is here,"
Princess Eleanor’s eyes widened as her heart was filled with only one thought, ’He knows. How?’
"If the Princess does not want me to misunderstand further, she should know where to stop." The Grand Duke’s tone was filled with threat. He did not even try to hide it anymore. "I am giving you a chance to go out now Princess and I will forget that you were ever here."
The Grand Duke took a step forward as he moved a little closer to the Princess. The darkness was engulfing them both, emphasizing their other senses. "I have a bottom line. For everyone. Especially for my knights."
Princess Eleanor looked up as she saw the Grand Duke looking down on her. His face was right in front of her, but no matter what Princess Eleanor could not bring herself to say or do anything. She knew that the Grand Duke was threatening her with Sir Kit. After all, he was the knight that had crossed the Duke’s bottom line.
"I will remember it," Princess Eleanor managed to say under her breath as she took a step back. She knew that he had to go away from the Grand Duke. It was not that she was afraid for her life.
Princess Eleanor shook her head. Her steps increased as she opened the door without any second thought as she walked out. ’Who am I kidding? I am afraid of him. The rumors are not wrong. The man is terrifying’
Princess Eleanor did not slow down. She knew that she had to go to her room and calm down. It was clear that she would not be able to enter the Duke’s study room anyway. ’What will happen to Sir Kit? Will the Grand duke punish him too?’
Princess Eleanor did not want to think about it. She knew that Sir Kit had told her to not go there anymore and yet she did.
Princess Eleanor’s breathing had turned rapid but as soon as she reached her room, she opened the door but what greeted her was beyond her expectation.
"What are you doing here?"
