The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 175

Lady Gisella smiled as she sat in front of the Crown Prince.

Crown Prince Richard’s gaze narrowed as he looked into Lady Gisella’s eyes. Although he was holding a cup of tea, all of his attention was on the lady in front of him. "I didn’t know that Lady Gisella would approach me, here in the Beaumont mansion."

Lady Gisella understood the gravity of his words. The Crown Prince was angry and she could tell why. It was unlike her to take the first step, especially when the Crown Prince was still in the Beaumont mansion.

"I had to report the territorial unrest to the Grand Duke, but he is not in the mansion. And then when the butler told me that the Crown Prince is in the mansion, I just simply cannot ignore him, can I?" Lady Gisella took a sip of tea as she smiled innocently, as though it was all a coincidence.

"Lady Gisella is truly blessed with the ways of using words. But what if people talk?" Crown Prince Richard raised his eyebrows as he asked irritably. He placed the cup down rather hard that caused it to clunk on the table. He was supposed to meet the Princesses for tea in a few hours anyway, so he did not drink much.

Lady Gisella placed her own cup down on the table as well to show her respect to the Crown Prince. She knew that she was here to get information. After all, she was considered to be close to the Crown Prince.

"I heard that the Crown Prince is here for Princess Eleanor?" Lady Gisella leaned a little forward as she raised her eyebrows, "I hope the Crown Prince knows why the other Princesses are here as well. This move will make the other nobles talk, especially the Grand Duke."

"Are you threatening me?" Crown Prince Richard’s eyes stared straight into Lady Gisella’s as if he was giving her a warning.

"How could I?" Lady Gisella’s body shivered as she leaned forward and said almost in a whisper, "I do not know how to say this, but I request you to think carefully of your actions. You are the Crown Prince of the Roulux Empire. The future heir to the throne. I am saying all of this because I am worried about you, dear prince. You know even though my house comes under the Grand Duke, I am loyal to you. I have proven it to you, time and again."

Lady Gisella leaned back as her eyes were filled with tears. "Even when the Crown Prince had asked me to go and escort Princess Eleanor from the Angevin Kingdom, I did not say a word and went without any complaints. All I want is to be useful to the Crown. Our family has always been loyal to the throne." Lady Gisella pleaded her case.

Crown Prince Richard sighed as he looked at Lady Gisella who looked like she was hurt. It was true that their family was truly loyal to the Crown. That was the reason why the Emperor had asked them to serve the Grand Duke Beaumont when his brother took the title. He wanted someone loyal to him, to keep an eye on the Grand Duke.

After all, everyone knew that Grand Duke Beaumont also had royal blood and was able to claim the throne. Although neither the late Grand Duke nor the current one had ever tried to do so, the possibilities still cannot be denied nor overlooked.

"I know that Lady Gisella is considering my state, but we are not in the Royal Palace right now." Crown Prince Richard reminded, a little more forgiving.

"I know." Lady Gisella nodded her head readily. "But the rumors are bad. If I do not know at least some basics, I am afraid that I might not be able to help the Crown Prince."

"And what might those rumors be?" Crown Prince Richard smiled but his gaze narrowed. He knew that his move might not sit well with others but he was desperate and he took a stand to do whatever he wanted. "Was it a bad move?"

"The temple might not think so but the nobles do have different views. I heard some are saying that you have already decided on the Crown Princess." Lady Gisella’s voice was low but the Crown Prince heard it well. His eyes looked at Lady Gisella who sat straight as if she was not afraid of the man and his position.

Crown Prince Richard smiled. He remembered that this was the same Lady Gisella who had once in the past, drank poison to save his life. It was because of that incident that he could trust her so unwaveringly.

"And what does Lady Gisella think? Do you also think that I have already decided on the Crown Princess?"

Lady Gisella was silent for a few seconds as she blinked her eyes. She knew that this was a question she needed to be careful in answering. Her response will determine if she would be able to get the information or not.

"I know that the Crown Prince has a good impression of Princess Eleanor. If it was not the case, why would you send me there? But are you sure that she could be the Crown Princess?" Lady Gisella looked at the teacup that was on the table as she continued, "I have seen her and understood her a little. She is not someone who is a little timid. Princess Eleanor has strong viewpoints on things. But that is not something I am worried about."

Lady Gisella’s gaze moved towards the Crown Prince as she said, "The Princess has lost her family. Although she is still a Princess and no one can say otherwise, there is still a possibility that if the Crown Prince chooses her then the rumors will be unstoppable."

"What if she is the chosen one? Will her past affect her then?" Crown Prince said in a hurry, making Lady Gisella’s eyes widen in shock.

"Chosen?" Lady Gisella swallowed hard as she looked bewitched by the words. "If the Princess is the chosen one then it will be a different matter altogether!"

The Crown Prince smiled as he saw Lady Gisella in a daze. He knew that if the rumors spread, then it would be hard to handle. But that was why Lady Gisella was here. "Lady Gisella, I would like to tell you something and I hope you will help me with it."

Lady Gisella’s eyes sharpened as her body straightened. She knew that the Crown Prince trusted her enough to tell her what was in his mind. Even a little information was appreciated. "Yes."

"I want you to maintain Princess Eleanor’s dignity in society. I am well aware that you have that power." The Crown Prince smiled as he leaned forward. His voice was low as he continued, "I want the nobles to be happy when they hear the news that the future Crown Princess is from the Angevin Kingdom and not talk about her past or of the dead."

Lady Gisella’s eyes widened but she soon nodded her head, "I understand. I will make sure that no one questions Princess Eleanor. I will make her position stronger if that is something the Crown Prince desires. But something else is bothering me..." Lady Gisella looked at the Crown Prince carefully as she bit her lips. She knew that she had to ask the question, "Crown Prince seems aware of what the prophecy is going to be. Is it possible that....."

Lady Gisella did not complete her words but the meaning to her silence was self-evident. The Crown Prince also knew what was bothering her. "The prophecy is yet to come down. Does the Lady think that Priest Erasmus will be quiet? But Princess Eleanor will indeed be the future Crown Princess."

"But if the prophecy is not ..." Lady Gisella closed her mouth when she saw the irritated gaze of the Crown Prince. Her eyes moved down as she tried to explain, "I am afraid that the Crown Prince will be afraid if the Prophecy says something else.."

"It will not." Crown Prince Richard smiled confidently as he leaned forward. "We have long known who is the one that we need. All Lady Gisella needs to do is maintain the flow of thoughts between the nobles. I know that the Grand Duke will never go and say anything, so it is your responsibility to make your stand known. After all, in the eyes of other nobles, you are the one that represents the Beaumont house."

Lady Gisella remained silent but she soon nodded her head. "I understand. The Crown Prince need not worry about anything regarding this. I will make sure that the nobles in the Roulux Empire happily accept Princess Eleanor as the Crown Princess. But I still want to let you know that the other noble households have started making their moves. They are supporting some other Princesses from the other kingdoms and are trying to push them up."

Crown Prince Richard laughed as he looked at Lady Gisella. He again took up the teacup in his hand. The tea had long turned cold, but he did not mind it at all. He looked down at the brown liquid as his eyes darkened. "Do not worry. When the prophecy comes down, no one will be in a position to object." With these words, the Crown Prince sipped the cold tea with a satisfied smile on his face.