The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 232 - 230

The banquet was a mess as everyone looked at Crown Prince Richard who was struggling to break free from Grand Duke Christopher’s hold.

The Grand Duke did not waste any time as he pushed the Crown Prince away before turning his gaze back to the High Priest. "The High Priest has already confirmed my identity, but I know that the people of the Roulux Empire would have many questions. Maybe they too need some time just like the chosen one to understand the situation. So, I suggest that we do this."

Grand Duke Christopher smiled as he looked at the Emperor. "Let’s have a meeting tomorrow and I would like to show everyone my truth. Let the Princess state the name of the one she wants to marry on the day the chosen one gets the blessing of God."

Priest Erasmus wanted to say that he was not happy with this decision. But looking at the way the Grand Duke was looking at him, he did not have any other choice. He knew he had to agree. Priest Erasmus looked at the Crown Prince who was rubbing his wrist with a lot of hate in his gaze.

’We have a long way to go.’’ Priest Erasmus said as he shook his head to remove all the unwanted thoughts from his mind.

"The day has been long and I know that people would be curious about a lot of things." Priest Erasmus said as he looked at all the nobles. "I would request all of you to rest for today and we will have a meeting tomorrow. Please send one representative from each family."

Although Priest Erasmus said those words, everyone knew that even if no one said anything, they would be there tomorrow. The situation in the Roulux Empire had never been this confusing and this situation was something that they all wanted to see to the end.

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Princess Eleanor was silent as she paced up and down her room. She does not know what to feel. She stopped in her tracks as she walked towards the window. The betrayal she was feeling was too much for her to handle for her to remain calm and unaffected.

"Princess." Lady Gisella was having a headache. She wanted to let the Princess know that what the Grand Duke did was all for her sake. She was expecting an enraged Princess, but Princess Eleanor was silent. It was not a situation Lady Gisella had ever wanted to see.

"Princess, what Lord did was not..."

"Why do you call him Lord?" Princess Eleanor asked as she looked up at the sky where the moon was shining brightly as it stood alone there. There were no stars in the sky today. Princess Eleanor could not help but feel the similarity between them.

Lady Gisella could hear the dullness in Princess Eleanor’s voice. It was clear that Princess Eleanor was angry and yet she could not do anything for her. "Princess, he is the Grand Duke..."

"And you call him Lord?" Princess Eleanor turned around as her eyes looked at Lady Gisella. "Did you always know that he was the first Prince?"

Lady Gisella’s eyes widened. She wanted to say a lot of things. Maybe explain a little and make Princess Eleanor understand the situation a little bit clearer, but she also knew that no matter what she said, the Princess was not in a position to listen to her at all. At least not right now. The betrayal in Princess Eleanor’s eyes was clear.

"You knew that Sir Kit was the Grand Duke from the start..." It was not a question. Princess Eleanor wiped her fingers along her eyes. The soft tears that were about to fall down were rubbed away.

Princess Eleanor could not help but laugh as her eyes narrowed. "Of course, you knew. Everyone else knew it too. But why? Was it fun making my emotions spin around?"

Lady Gisella suddenly felt suffocated. She had never thought that she had to explain this to the Princess, but she could not help but walk towards Princess Eleanor in a hurry as she pulled the Princess into her arms. Soon she could feel the Princess shiver and she knew that the Princess was silently crying her heart out.

Lady Gisella rubbed her hand in small circles over Princess Eleanor’s back as she said in a comforting tone. "Princess, we never wanted to make any fun of you. It was the Lord’s decision that he wanted to cover his face. It did not have anything to do with you. But he indeed took a place as an escort to come with me to the Angevin Kingdom."

Lady Gisella could feel the tears running down Princess Eleanor’s face. The tears were making her clothes damp but she could understand how the Princess was feeling. "You remember how I was always opposed to the thought that you should be together? It wasn’t because I thought that you were not good for him, but because your position was risky. You were someone who could be the Crown Princess and he is a Grand Duke who does not want to take the throne."

Princess Eleanor was silent as she listened quietly. Her emotions were now in control, but the feeling that was making her suffocated was still lingering in the air. Princess Eleanor’s hands that were wrapped around Lady Gisella tightened. Lady Giella could not help but smile silently. She knew that Princess Eleanor was listening to her.

"Princess, I will not tell you anything false. Indeed, the Grand Duke never had any thoughts about taking the throne. But something had changed. I was worried when the Lord said that he had feelings for the Princess. I was a little afraid. My thoughts were blank and my heart was afraid. The man did not have any thoughts about marriage and suddenly said that he wanted to be with you. I was happy but at the same time, a little sad."

Lady Gisella stroked her hand over Princess Eleanor’s thick and wavy hair. Although the Princess’s face was in her arms, she could see that the Princess was now silent. "But I have never seen the Lord so happy before. He is a different person after he met you." Lady Gisella’s tone was soft as she smiled and continued, "Why the Lord did what he did, I am not in any position to say anything about it. But I know that he loves you, Princess. Just because of you, he had decided to take the position he hated the most. He is striving to be the Emperor because you want to become the Empress and get your revenge. If this is not love, I do not know what is." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Lady Gisella took a deep breath as she pulled the Princess away from her as she kept her at arm’s distance. She could see the puffed eyes of Princess Eleanor. It was evident that the Princess had cried her heart out. "I will not tell you not to cry, Princess." Lady Gisella’s eyes narrowed, "That is your right. You are just pouring your emotions out and no one has any right to tell you how to feel and how not to."

Lady Gisella touched Princess Eleanor’s face, "I will not tell you to forgive the Lord, but I can tell you that with all my experience that comes with age, the man loves you. So do not do anything that you would regret. If something is bothering you, talk it out with him."

Princess Eleanor’s eyes shone as she looked at Lady Gisella. She could see the motherly love in Lady Gisella’s eyes as if she was talking to her own daughter.

"Princess, if you have decided to open your heart, then it is your responsibility to take care of it as well. No one else will do that for you. So tell the Lord what is bothering you, why are you feeling hurt and let him explain it all. If you do not feel that his reasoning is true, then make a decision. Even if you want to never see him again, I will be with you on that decision. I will be there and support you even if I have to go against him. So do what makes you happy, Princess."

Lady Gisella smiled as she gently cupped Princess Eleanor’s cheeks, "Your happiness is the most important thing in this world and nothing else matters. So do what makes your heart feel happy. Forgive him or blame him. That is up to you, Princess but just take care of your heart."

Princess Eleanor was silent but she soon nodded her head. She always knew that Lady Gisella was not happy with her. But as time passed, the Lady had turned out to be her biggest support. And now listening to Lady Gisella’s words that were giving her the strength that she needed was making her cry again. The advice that a mother would give coming from Lady Gisella only showed that she cared about her as well.

Princess Eleanor knew that she truly was not alone anymore. She has gained a new family member.

Princess Eleanor nodded her head as she hugged Lady Gisella tightly as she said in a small voice with deep meaning. "I will take care of my heart."