The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 193

Nia’s heartbeats were beating faster as she tried to control her racing heart.

As soon as the door opened, her breathing stopped. She could not help but widen her eyes in shock, but soon her eyes were riveted to that one spot. The man that she had only known for a few days was standing there breathlessly as if he had suffered a lot.

"Princ.... Princess Eleanor ..." The man’s voice trembled as he looked at the two, "Something has happened.... The Princess wants ..."

Nia’s eyes blurred and her mind blanked out as she instinctively ran. In her hurry, she even passed Commander Colt. who was yet to say something more.

Doctor Raul took in a deep breath as he looked at Commander Colt who had walked into the dungeon. "That was quick." Commander Colt commented as he shook his head.

"You were about to say something more? Is the Princess alright?" Doctor Raul asked. He was not as impulsive as Nia. He understood that if something had happened to Princess Eleanor, Grand Duke Christopher would have taken the heads of everyone in the mansion and destroyed everything.

"Princess Eleanor is alright. Don’t worry." Commander Colt said as he nodded his head. "But something happened in the Angevin Kingdom. There was an attack during the wedding."

—--

"Princess!" Nia called out as she rushed into the room as tears started running down her eyes. Nia’s heart was beating faster. She could see Sir Kit standing beside Princess Eleanor but Nia did not care. She walked up to Princess Eleanor as she held onto her shoulders tightly.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere!?" Nia’s voice was trembling. The tears were about to overflow, making it hard for her to see clearly.

"Nia." Princess Eleanor’s tone sounded worried but soon she sighed as she took in a deep breath. Her arm curled around Nia’s shoulders and she squeezed it slightly. "I am alright... but something happened in the Angevin Kingdom."

Nia listened to Princess Eleanor’s words as she nodded her head. She sat down on a chair that Princess Eleanor had led her to, while she stood in front of her. It took a minute for Nia to grasp what Princess Eleanor had said earlier.

"In the Angevin Kingdom?" Nia’s voice had a nasal quality to it due to all her crying. She could see Princess Eleanor standing beside her as she rubbed her eyes and tried to keep herself as rational as she could.

Princess Eleanor then sat on the chair beside Nia, making Nia’s heart calm down and feel a little more secure. She was certain that the Princess was really alright. But then anger filled her heart. If Commander Colt had been direct and told the truth first, then she would have reacted differently.

Nia could see Commander Colt and Doctor Raul walking towards the room as well, but they were not alone. Lady Gisella was also with them. The door was closed as soon as they all entered. Everyone quickly settled down as if they were all waiting for an explanation.

Lady Gisella was the one who came forward. Her doubt that Princess Eleanor and Duke Felix had something going on had been busted long ago. And looking at Nia’s expression of helplessness, she was doubtful if the young woman was feeling bad.

"Nia, are you worried about Duke Felix?" Lady Gisella’s voice was like a pin dropping on the silent floor. Even though her voice was not loud, the effect was the opposite.

"Worried about Duke Felix? Why should I be?" Nia was confused, making Lady Gisella worry. Although Lady Gisella knew that the thing between Duke Felix and Princess Eleanor’s lady-in-waiting was long over, Lady Gisella feared that there might still be some residual feelings left behind. What if Nia decided to help the Duke? Now they had even found out that Duke Felix was also involved in Princess Eleanor’s family’s death. So how would Nia react to the situation?

Lady Gisella observed Nia’s expression, but looking at her confused face, it soon became clear to her that it was something beyond her expectation. Nia was unaffected. As if whatever happened to the man in the Angevin Kingdom was totally none of her concern.

"There was an attack, and it was reported that Duke Felix got hurt while protecting Princess Macy." Lady Gisella explained as she looked at Princess Eleanor. "But we got some recent news. Not only was the attack aimed at Princess Macy, but it was also aimed at Prince Arlo."

Princess Eleanor’s eyes widened as she nodded her head. Her eyes blinked again and again as if she was trying to understand the situation completely. "Prince Arlo? Why?"

"And why is that?" Doctor Raul felt that this matter was bugging him. The attack itself was unnecessary, but now it was even aimed at the Crown Prince. Does it not make this attempt a conspiracy to kill the man?

"I heard that there are rumors which claimed that it was Grand Duke Beaumont’s knights who were ordered to kill the Crown Prince of the Angevin Kingdom, because he was angry and trying to get revenge." Lady Gisella reported as she looked over at Sir Kit who did not react much, as if he was already used to such things coming his way.

"And why is that? Commander Colt asked

"Because they saw the badge with the dragon insignia on them." Lady Gisella explained. "Those are the old badges."

"It makes sense..." Princess Eleanor spoke in a whisper and everyone looked over at her. She looked up at Sir Kit who was standing beside her as she continued, "Remember the documents that Crown Prince Richard had asked me to get from the Grand Duke? It was regarding the army stationed along the outskirts of the Empire. It was them who were ordered to attack."

Sir Kit was silent, but soon he felt a pair of soft hands touching his and he looked down. Princess Eleanor was holding on to him. "He is trying to frame him. He wants to put it all on the Grand Duke’s name."

Sir Kit nodded as he stroked Princess Eleanor’s hand reassuringly. He smiled as he said in a small voice, "Don’t worry. The documents are false. The Duke has never written anything on records that he had asked the army to attack other Kingdoms. And even if such a letter is produced in the future, it will never be considered valid."

Princess Eleanor swallowed hard as she nodded her head. She did not know why, but she believed Sir Kit’s words. Once he had said something, there was no reason for her to show any hesitation to it.

"Is the young prince hurt?" Doctor Raul asked as he looked at Lady Gisella who shook her head.

"No, but the attack was aimed at his legs. Rumors says that the King and Queen were so affected by this situation that they have prohibited anyone from entering the Royal Palace. Even Duke Felix is staying in the mansion."

"And is Duke Felix hurt?" Sir Kit asked. His eyes glanced over at Nia who was keeping silent as if it has nothing to do with her.

"He took an attack on his shoulders and back. The attack was not deadly but it was still effective. Duke Felix was asked to have complete bed rest until fully recovered." Lady Gisella looked at Nia who was looking at her, but her eyes were clouded over as if she was thinking of something else.

Something was bothering her. She could feel that the situation was somewhat off from what she was expecting. Nia tried to recall what key point she was missing, but her mind could not seem to remember.

It was then that she knew what she had long forgotten. "I think I know what they are trying to do."

Nia got up from her seat as she sat on the floor beside Princess Eleanor. Her hand rested on her knees as she continued, "Princess, remember when we came back to the Royal Palace from the Angevin Kingdom? Prince Arlo wanted to meet you but he could not. He even struggled to come to you on our last day there."

Princess Eleanor nodded her head. She remembered that he had come to her with great difficulty, even though the Royal family did not approve of it. "What about it?"

Nia nodded her head, "I did not think anything of it then, but now I remember. Prince Arlo was suffering from something. He was said to have fallen off a horse when we were still at your maternal grandparent’s house. That incident hurt his legs. Due to the medicines, he was sick and struggled to come and meet you."

"The rumors say that if his legs are hurt again, there is a possibility that the young prince might never be able to walk normally anymore...." Nia’s voice softened into a whisper as she blinked her eyes nervously. "Do you think...."

Princess Eleanor was silent. Although she blamed her uncle’s family, she had never blamed her young cousin who loved her a lot. Prince Arlo was her younger brother who loved her as his own sister. Maybe he loved her more than he loved Macy.

Princess Eleanor looked up at Sir Kit who understood her words.

"Commander Colt. Send the troops and protect the young prince." Sir Kit looked down at Princess Eleanor whose face was full of worry. "Don’t worry, Doctor Raul will find a way to treat his legs. And Lady Gisella will find one bodyguard to keep him safe."

Princess Eleanor’s eyes were teary. She never thought that she had a family, but now looking at the people surrounding her, she felt that even though she had lost one, she was lucky enough to gain another.