The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 227 - 225
Princess Vida walked into her room as she fiddled with her fingers nervously.
She never thought that things would turn against her. How could she when she had done everything in her power to get to the position? "Did you hear anything from Lady Fiona? She must have tried to calm the situation down from her end, right?"
Princess Vida was getting anxious as she looked around nervously. She wanted to have something to calm her mind but unfortunately, there was nothing that could.
Kelly could not see her master suffer so much as she looked down. She could not tell why, but something was wrong and she could feel it. ’Maybe the thoughts they all had to become Crown Princess will not succeed.’ Although Kelly thought so, she did not say it out loud. She knew that she was here as Princess Vida’s lady-in-waiting. And her only job was to listen to what her master ordered her to do and work through it.
"Lady Fiona did not send any message. But rumors are going around." Kelly swallowed hard. She knew that they were alone in the room and with Princess Vida’s temperament, she would be the one suffering in the end. However, if she hid it from Princess Vida, the consequences will be far worse when she finds out about it later.
Kelly looked at Princess Vida’s questioning gaze. It was clear that many things were making her anxious, but Kelly’s heartbeats were racing too.
"Since the morning, the condition of the Gio household is no longer what it used to be." Kelly took a deep breath after she reported and looked to the floor. Her hands fiddled with one another as she grew more anxious. "It is estimated that there will no longer be a Marquess Gio in a matter of days."
Princess Vida’s eyes widened at the news. She was shocked and angry as well. How can a house as famous and powerful as Gio’s be on the verge of crumbling without warning? "Why?!"
Kelly’s eyes darted to the side. "They must have offended someone important. It is said that the family is under suspension for treason and might be facing hefty charges." Her voice was small as she continued answering her master’s questions.
Kelly’s body shivered as she saw a heavy object flying her way from the corners of her eyes. The vase hit the wall behind her as it shattered into small pieces, sending shards flying and cutting Kelly’s arms until it bled. She suppressed her cry of pain as she swallowed hard. Kelly knew that something was coming her way.
’At least I am still alive...’ Kelly thought miserably to herself as she closed her eyes nervously before opening them again to look at Princess Vida who was in a hurry.
Princess Vida was walking in a circle, biting her nails. The anxiety and nervousness were evident in her body language. "This cannot be. Why is this happening to us?" Princess Vida was confused. "Who might they have offended? No, they cannot have. Why are those people more powerful than them..."
Princess Vida was murmuring under her breath as she blinked her eyes nervously. Many things were bothering her. "This... No... that cannot be..."
Princess Vida stopped in her tracks as she looked over at Kelly. Her lady-in-waiting was standing against the wall looking straight at her with wide, frightened eyes. Her arms were bleeding and the blood dripped to the ground.
Kelly’s eyes followed Princess Vida’s gaze as she looked at the floor that was stained with drops of blood. "I will get this cleared soon." Kelly rushed to say the words and moved out of the Princess’s way as if she was never there in the first place.
Princess Vida was still looking at the floor as her breathing picked up its pace. She walked towards the spot as she bent down. She held the glass from the broken vase in her hand as her eyes darkened. She wanted it to pierce her. She wanted to feel the pain that could bring her back to the senses so that she will be able to think more clearly. But Princess Vida was afraid too.
"I cannot harm my own body. After all, the Crown Princess’s body cannot be damaged." A dangerous light flashed in her eyes, "But it doesn’t matter if someone else suffers. Someone who will never be the Crown Princess."
Princess Vida got up and she walked towards the window in her bedroom. Her eyes were glazed as she said in a dull tone. "The only person Gio offended is Princess Eleanor. But the Princess is not powerful enough to make Gio’s household shake. A Princess whose own Kingdom does not support her can nerve be able to make a powerful Marquess Gio bend down. So who is it?"
Princess Vida thought about it for some time but she still did not get any answer. She was only using the Marquess’ family to get closer to the Crown Prince. And in her eyes, she was a little closer to him than Princess Eleanor. Even the nobles had a good impression of her. Princess Vida feared nothing, but Princess Eleanor’s attitude was rubbing her the wrong way. "The suffering will not be that bad Princess, trust me. I will let you suffer slowly." And a mad light shone in the depths of her eyes.
—--
"Princess Eleanor should not have talked like that to Lady Fiona."
"Yes, I do not know whether I should call her brave or dumb? She should have calculated the pros and cons before taking such a stance."
"But didn’t she stand up for all of us? That thought behind it was not wrong. We are Princesses from the Kingdom and even the nobles in the Roulux Empire should be mindful of this."
"Yes, that makes sense. But Lady Fiona thinks she will be a part of the Royal family. Isn’t she trying her best to marry Grand Duke Beaumont?"
"But the man does not love her at all. Do you think the rumors are true?"
"Which one? If we are talking about the one where Grand Duke Beaumont has decided to take action on Marquess Gio because he supports Princess Eleanor, then maybe it might be true. I heard that they are suspected of treason now."
"Shh, we should be mindful of such words. We do not know the exact situation yet."
The Princesses talked amongst themselves as they walked towards the hall. Many things were being said in the capital and the rumors had always found their way into their ears.
But they did not notice a man who was standing at the side, looking at them with narrowed eyes.
"Marquess Gio." Commander Colt bowed his head as he looked at the man. "Crown Prince Richard is waiting for you."
Marquess Gio came back to his senses. His hands that had formed fists were now relaxed as he smiled and followed after Commander Colt.
Commander Colt only looked at Marquess Gio with a smile. He was enjoying it. On one hand, his Lord wanted to punish Marquess Gio while on the other hand, Crown Prince Richard tried to save him before he was targeted by the Grand Duke.
’They really think the Lord will be happy just to see Gio’s family charged with treason? No, he is planning something huge. Who had asked Lady Fiona to be disrespectful to Princess Eleanor? She has to suffer.’ Commander Colt shook his head in disapproval. Everyone in the Empire knew that the heir of the Gio family wanted to marry Grand Duke Christopher. But they also knew that the man did not have any favorable opinion of her.
’They thought that because the Lord does not object and ignore them, they can do anything they want. Poor things. They are being led right into his trap.’ Commander Colt opened the door as he nodded at Marquess Gio who entered. Although he did not enter the room, he knew what would be the discussion.
Marquess Gio was nervous. He looked at the Crown Prince who sat on the chair looking straight at him like a hunter and he was the prey. Marquess Gio swallowed hard as he walked toward Prince Richard and bowed low.
"Crown Prince Richard..." Before he could complete the words to his greeting, he heard the man speak.
"You have always supported Grand Duke Beaumont right?" Crown Prince Richard said as his lips curled up in a smirk. "But what did you get for that? I think you are well aware why you have been charged with treason and who was it that submitted the proof."
Marquess Gio was silent but it was filled with meaning. "It was because Fiona loves him."
"Isn’t it silly for an heir to the noble family of Gio to not know what she should and should not talk about? She should not be spreading groundless rumors about the Grand Duke. I do not blame my cousin for taking actions against you." Crown Prince Richard said as his eyes narrowed. He could see Marquess Gio swallow as he continued, "But I blame you, Marquess. You should have known better who you should support."
Marquess Gio understood the meaning behind his words. "Crown Prince..."
"Your decision should be made here and now, Marquess Gio. Will you continue supporting the man who your daughter and heir to the family loves and would eventually destroy your family name? Or would you take my side in making the man disappear forever?"
