The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 238 - 235
Everyone was silent and the room that initially was filled with a heated environment soon quieted down.
"Is this true?" The Crown Prince asked in a trembling voice. He did not know if what he was hearing was true or not but his mind was in a state of panic. The Lady was someone who was chosen by God and she was supposed to choose him as her partner. Had he not done everything in his power to achieve that position? It was difficult to manipulate her and now if she was attacked, then things would be even more complicated.
As soon as the words were said, the Grand Duke panicked and rushed out. There was a mild worry in his eyes as he swallowed hard to control his emotions. No one took notice of it as they all walked out along with him. Crown Prince Richard tried to match Grand Duke Christopher’s pace as he did not care about the situation he was in.
Commander Colt was also worried about Princess Eleanor. Even though he had not known the Princess for a really long time, he could clearly see that the Princess was a warm hearted person and someone really important to the Grand Duke. So much so that he had decided to fight for the throne. ’Please let the Princes be safe..’
Everyone had different expressions on their face, but not everything was as smooth as it should be. Grand Duke Christopher was not happy with the situation. He had just walked out of the Princess’s room making sure that she was sleeping in peace not too long ago. He had checked and no one was there in the room, so how did the Princess get attacked? What were the guards doing then? What were the people from the temple doing?
Grand Duke Christopher had many questions popping into his mind. It felt like everything that he had hoped for was different from reality. The reality was that no matter how much he tried, the Princess was still in danger and it made him worry about her.
—--
{An hour prior}
Princess Eleanor was deep in sleep when she heard a knock on the door.
’Who might that be?’ Princess Eleanor thought to herself, confused. She looked to the side of her bed, only to realise that no one was sitting there. The place was quiet. Her hands moved to the side of the bed as she touched it slowly. The warmth he left still lingered, making a smile blossom on her face.
Princess Eleanor sighed. Although she wished for the man to be here, she also knew that he would have a lot to discuss and convincing to do. ’The Crown Prince will try to pull him down regardless of him being a Crown Prince or the First Prince.’
The knock on the door was loud and her eyes flashed in worry. Princess Eleanor did not know who it was as she bit her lips. She got out of bed and she looked down at herself to arrange her clothes as her eyes softened. "Come in."
Christopher had made sure that she was warmly dressed. He must have been worried that she would feel cold and hence he had tried his very best to put a few layers on her.
Soon the door was opened and a guest arrived. Princess Eleanor’s eyes darkened as she saw the identity of her guest. She was not sure what this person was attempting by being here at this hour.
"Princess Vida?" Princess Eleanor asked as her eyes glanced out to the open door. The guards were standing outside, ready to protect her if required. Princess Eleanor looked back at Princess Vida and her lady-in-waiting. The panic and worry on their faces were evident.
"Princess Eleanor..." There was a tremble in Princess Vida’s voice. Someone who does not know the truth would think that Princess Vida was the one who was being wronged. "This...."
Princess Eleanor was silent but she could see the uneasiness in Princess Vida’s eyes. It was something that she was struggling to understand. What was making her panic so much? What was going on in her mind to make her come running to Princess Eleanor’s room so early in the morning?
"Have a seat..." Princess Eleanor invited as she walked towards the table at the side. Although it was dark, there was a small ray of light coming through the window. ’It will be bright soon.’ Princess Eleanor thought as she smiled. Her lips curled up as she saw the burning candle on the table. Christopher had really tried to ensure that she was warm.
"Princess Eleanor, I do not know where I should start..." It was Princess Vida who started the conversation. His eyes were looking at the princess with an unknown emotion glowing in them. "I feel ashamed..."
"In regards to what?" Princess Eleanor asked as she blinked her eyes. "About today?"
Princess Vida nodded her head. Her words at the banquet today were a clear indication that she was not happy with the results. She had at one point even questioned the High Priest’s words. Although she tried to ignore other people’s thoughts and expressions, she knew later on how rude she was. The High Priest was someone who held most of the power in the Empire. He was the man of God and her actions in questioning him was a direct question to God.
"I was impulsive. Like every other Princess, I thought that this would be my position. Maybe the prophecy is about me.... But unlike others, I was quick to voice my thoughts during the banquet and got myself embarrassed by not only questioning you but also the High Priest." Princess Vida looked down as if she was really embarrassed by the situation. How could she be happy when she was the one who by her words not only made her Kingdom’s honour weakened but the nobles who liked and admired her also looked down on her.
"I know that it was my mistake and I should have been more understanding." Princess Vida said in a small voice as she took a deep breath, "But I was impulsive and I did something that was not acceptable to society and also to the Temple."
Princess Eleanor could hear the grief in her tone but she did not try to comfort Princess Vida. There was no need to do anything like that, after all. Princess Eleanor could not forget that the lady sitting in front of her had once pretended to be her friend and had given her poison. She was also the reason for the unsightly incidents with the other Princesses in the Royal Palace. So how was she supposed to pretend to be ignorant of the situation?
Princess Vida understood that Princess Eleanor was not going to listen to her words with a kind heart. She was ignoring her and it was quite understandable that she would not like to associate with her.
"Princess Eleanor, I am not asking you to forgive me. I know that what I have done is unforgivable, and you might not even want to be friends with me anymore. I do not blame you at all. But I only wish that maybe Princess Eleanor will be cordial with me."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Princess Eleanor asked as she looked straight into Princess Vida’s eyes. Although she could see the self blame not only in her voice but also in her face, Princess Eleanor was not going to buy anything that Princess Vida says. She was already betrayed by the people she had trusted.
Princess Vida bit her lips as she tried to understand the situation. She looked to the side and soon, Kelly walked towards the Princess as she pushed forward a box in front of her.
Princess Eleanor’s eyes shook as she looked at the box, and under the hopeful eyes of them both, she opened it only to see a large diamond sitting on a small velvet pillow. There was nothing else but a sole diamond on the pillow, surrounded by rose petals.
"This is from our Kingdom. I know that it might be difficult to understand, but the situation had made us drift apart from one another. We are friends and this is a sincere gift from me to maintain our friendship. It is up to Princess Eleanor if she wants to accept it or not." Princess Vida said, but her eyes looked sideways, nodding to her lady-in-waiting.
Kelly, who stood beside Princess Eleanor, was silent as she moved her hand discreetly into her pocket, taking a sharp glass piece out of it. Her hand was shaking but under the watchful eyes of Princess Vida, she took in a deep breath.
Priest Erasmus’s words were lingering in her mind. She knew she should not be doing this and was hesitating a little. But when she glanced to the side and saw the wide eyes of Princess Vida and the warning in her gaze, she made up her mind. She had to take this step. She had to do it if she wanted to save her life and her family’s.
’Even if I die, I have to make sure that I keep my family safe.’ Kelly thought desperately as she took another deep breath and attacked Princess Eleanor.
