The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 231 - 229

Princess Eleanor’s eyes were wide in shock. She did not know what to feel but the first emotion that hit her was betrayal.

Princess Eleanor knew that maybe she was thinking too deeply about it, but she could not help herself. Even if the man had his own reasons why he had done this, he should not have hidden his true identity from her. Why would he do that and from the very start?

Crown Prince Richard was enraged as his eyes narrowed while staring at the other man. He did not waste any time as he took a step forward and snatched Princess Eleanor’s hand away from his.

The rapid movement made Princess Eleanor snap back to reality. She was on an emotional roller coaster right now, but she also knew that it was not the right time or place to express herself.

Princess Eleanor bit down on her lips as she closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. She took a deliberate step back as she pulled her hand away from the Crown Prince’s grip. Princess Eleanor’s other hand rubbed at the skin around her wrist as she looked warily at the man who was not wearing any mask today.

Princess Eleanor curtsied as she said, "I pay my respect to the Grand Duke. It is an honor to meet the Duke for the first time."

Grand Duke Christopher’s eyes bore into Princess Eleanor’s bent head. She was not looking at him and it felt like she was creating a little distance between them. It was a fear that Grand Duke Christopher felt strongly.

He gave a bow to Princess Eleanor, making everyone gasp at the sight. "It is my honor, Princess. I hope to get to know you more since I missed the chance when you were still staying at the Beaumont mansion."

Princess Eleanor was silent as she looked up at the Grand Duke. Her eyes were teary as she tried hard to reestablish a right emotional state. Princess Eleanor felt like if she were to speak anymore, she might just break down and cry.

Lady Gisella who understood her current agitated state, came forward as the Princess’ lady-in-waiting. She could feel everyone staring at her but she did not care. She was someone who had held a high position in the social world. She could feel the burning gaze of the High Priest as she looked up at him as she stood beside Princess Eleanor’s side. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"The High Priest should clarify something here before asking the Princess to choose." Lady Gisella blinked her eyes before continuing. "As the chosen one, Princess Eleanor should have a chance to consider and not be forced yet when she was just announced as being chosen."

Lady Gisella looked at Princess Eleanor who was trembling subconsciously. It was then when Princess Eleanor realized that it was Lady Gisella. "The High Priest should also know how important this is. We need to keep the chosen one’s mind at peace. After all, it concerns the future of the Empire."

"Lady Gisella!" The Crown Prince’s words were loud. His eyes looked at the Lady with wide eyes. "What are you doing?"

"The Crown Prince knows that all the nobles are here. And now that the Grand Duke has spoken the words that he too has Royal Blood, we cannot let the nobles question the decision as predetermined. Everyone should feel that this is a fair fight."

Crown Prince Richard looked around and realized that all the nobles were looking at him and Grand Duke. As if they wanted to know who will be the one chosen. As if they were comparing the both of them.

The Crown Prince had a lot to say but soon his hands formed a fist. "I think it makes a lot of sense." A voice said, making Crown Prince Richard look at him. "After all, I have many more things to say."

Everyone’s attention was moved towards the Grand Duke as they even forgot that Princess Eleanor was there.

"There is a chance that people might have misunderstood something." Grand Duke Christopher said as he gave a slight look at Lady Gisella who was taking Princess Eleanor away.

Princess Eleanor was silent as she stood at the back where no one was looking at her. Many things suddenly made sense but many more did not make any sense. Princess Eleanor looked at the man who was standing in the front confidently.

"Cousin, this is not the time to talk." Crown Prince Richard said as he blinked. His tone was not gentle as if he wanted everyone to know what his thoughts were. "You had long told me you are not interested in sitting on the throne. So why now? Is this some preplanned scheme? We’re you trying to lie to me?"

The Crown Prince’s words were loud enough for everyone to hear. None of them said a word as all the eyes were now focused on the Grand Duke. He was the center of the chaos. The man whose decision will determine the course of future events.

Grand Duke Christopher knew that everyone was looking at him and wanted to hear him say especially the one who sat on the podium. Once he made sure that no one was looking at him with any ill intentions, the Grand Duke turned back and made a brief contact with Princess Eleanor in passing. It was as if he was looking at all the nobles present there but not looking at them.

"Everyone who is standing here knows that I had no greed for the throne. Not because I did not want to be a King, but because I had no motivation to do so. Was I lazy?" Grand Duke Christopher shrugged his shoulders as he continued. "Who knows, maybe I was. But I was not looking forward to it. I was not determined to get it even though I had Royal Blood. But now some things have changed. I as a person have changed."

Grand Duke Christopher looked at Princess Eleanor as he smiled. "I have someone to protect. I want to make that person’s dream my own and strive to make it a reality. And for that, I want something that I never wanted." Grand Duke Christopher moved his gaze towards the throne.

The Emperor was silent as he looked down at him. Even though he did not say anything, there was a smile on his face making it look like the man was really proud of the Grand Duke.

Grand Duke Christopher laughed. There were many things he wanted to say, but when he saw the Empress’s pale face he knew that he had come a long way. His gaze narrowed as he took a step forward. "I stand here not just as a Grand Duke of the Roulux Empire, but as the man who was always in the rumors of the nobles. The man who was thought to be dead and the man who was many times seen at the borders. I stand here as the one who had never been given the rightful position and yet never once complained."

Grand Duke Christopher looked at the High Priest as his lips curled up, "I stand here as the first Prince of the Roulux Empire. The deserving Crown Prince.’’

There was silence in the room. No one said a word as their eyes widened in shock. Was what they heard the truth? Was the man they feared as the Grand Duke the first Prince all these time? But how was it even possible? They have all known that the Crown Prince had died long ago. They have also seen little Christopher Beaumont in the arms of his mother. And now the man who stood there had told them that whatever they were thinking was wrong. That the truth was something else.

"DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?" Crown Prince Richard bellowed and could not control his rage. He marched towards the man he hated the most and grabbed his collar. His eyes were burning red as he wanted to kill Christopher Beaumont with his own hands.

Princess Eleanor who was numb at this point was full of concern. Her eyes were burning with an unknown thought as she bit her lips and swallowed hard. She took a step forward subconsciously as she wanted to free the man she loved. But soon her hand was held by a tight force. It was then that Princess Eleanor knew that Lady Gisella was still holding onto her.

"It is their fight, Princess." Lady Gisella whispered into her ears as she said, looking at her Lord. "The Lord is not weak. Let him fight his battles like how he allowed you fight your own."

Princess Eleanor’s eyes shook in fear as she swallowed hard. She soon realized how true Lady Gisella’s words were. The man had never stopped her, but let her be who she was. He really let her fight her own battles.

Princess Eleanor looked back at the two but the situation soon changed. Grand Duke Christopher smiled as he held the Crown Prince’s wrist before twisting it around with force. Soon a loud scream filled the hall, making everyone shiver in fear.

"AAAHHHH!!!!"

The hall turned silent as everyone’s breath hitched.