The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 236 - 233

Prince Richard smiled as he looked at his Uncle. He was well aware that his mother’s family was the saving grace for now and he had to take it up and utilize them as much as possible. After all, he was one of the leaders of the strongest family.

"Really?" Grand Duke’s lips curled up as he too took the papers and looked through them. It was the same information that he had given Princess Eleanor a few days prior. "I am a cruel and insensitive man who killed the family of the chosen one, huh?"

Grand Duke Christopher’s eyes flashed dangerously as he looked at everyone slowly. There was no anger in his gaze but they were still secretive and sarcastic as if he was waiting for them to make and move and he would finally be able to cut them open and drink their blood.

Everyone swallowed, including Crown Prince Richard’s Uncle. Although his family had gained a lot of strength and power after his sister became the Empress and his nephew became the Crown Prince, he knew that he was still not brave enough to oppose the Grand Duke so openly.

"Isn’t it? It is all written in here." Prince Richard’s Uncle said but soon his lips were sealed as he saw Grand Duke Christopher looking at him alone as if he had identified and targeted a prey.

"Hah..." A small laugh left his lips as Grand Duke Christopher smiled. "And who did the investigation? Prince Richard? The man who never liked me even when he did not know I was his brother?" The ridicule in Grand Duke Christopher’s eyes was evident. He shook his head, as he smiled. "If that is the case then it would be difficult to believe. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?"

Grand Duke Christopher looked to the side. He could see the doubt in the Emperor’s eyes. Anyone who had seen it would be in doubt. There have been situations that made the Emperor doubt Prince Richard, but he could not deny that he also felt that maybe Christopher Beaumont would do something like this.

The Emperor looked at the report thoroughly as he read it. ’If this really is true, then we have to make sure that the Princess doesn’t know anything about it. Maybe she will choose Christopher then.’ The Emperor’s thoughts were scattered all over, ’But she may have developed feelings for Richard and will choose him regardless. In any case, I have to be open and understanding of the situation. How would I not be killed and maintain my powers to the fullest.’

Although the Emperor knew that it was his thoughts, he knew what his offsprings were capable of. Especially Prince Richard who would not back down to get what he wanted. The Emperor admired this quality and yet he was afraid that his own son would someday kill him if he was ever in the way of Richard’s goals. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Do you have any proof that you did not do any of this?" The Emperor asked in a straight tone. He turned around as he looked at the Grand Duke. The meaning was clear, he wanted to confirm if the man was really what he says he is.

"Proof? I do have it." Grand Duke Christopher’s eyes narrowed as he looked to the side to see Prince Richard. "The report itself is proof. Let’s first check the names."

Christopher Beaumont was confident as his lips curled up. His eyes narrowed as he called in the soldier that was standing at the end. "Ask my coachmen to send my knights here."

As soon as the order was given out, Grand Duke Christopher could hear murmurs going around, "Without their weapons, of course." He added as he smiled innocently. Christopher Beaumont was well aware of what it meant to call on the Knights. He was not going to revolt.

"What?" Grand Duke Christopher raised his eyebrows, "You thought that you could just question me and label me as a traitor and I will sit still and let it happen? I also know how to prove my innocence. If you are so uncomfortable, then why don’t you call your bodyguard?"

"Maybe he should." Prince Richard’s uncle said as he looked at the soldier at the far end who understood the unsaid look. He ran out in a hurry and soon Commander Colt came inside as he bowed.

"Stand here, Colt. We might have to use you here. After all, some people do not understand what their original position is and yet are trying to act smartly." Prince Richard’s Uncle said with a smirk but Commander Colt did not move. He stood at the side as he looked at the Crown Prince, waiting for his approval.

Crown Prince Richard was angry at his Uncle, but it was evident that he was doing it all to help him. Prince Richard sighed as he moved his hand, indicating for Commander Colt to come stand behind him.

Commander Colt nodded his head and moved. This face was deprived of any expression as he stood beside the Crown Prince without any emotion like a loyal bodyguard.

Grand Duke Christopher saw it all, but he did not react. Once Commander Colt stood still, he looked over at the Grand Duke as he blinked and narrowed his gaze. To an outsider, it might look like a man giving a warning to someone who threatened his master’s position. But the truth was in fact something else.

Grand Duke Christopher understood the meaning. Everything was under control. He moved his gaze towards the nobles naturally as the room soon fell into silence.

"Are you confident?" The Emperor asked as he looked at Grand Duke Christopher. Initially, he had his doubts. But now things are getting more complicated. The confidence he saw in Christopher Beaumont’s eyes reminded the Emperor of his brother. It was this that made him doubt, but soon he thought about the letter and sighed.

’Sometimes, I forget that my brother and I are quite similar.’ The Emperor thought as he looked down at the papers. He knew the answer that the Grand Duke was about to give and he did not want any confirmation on it. The way the Grand Duke looked was confirmation enough. But would it not mean that Prince Richard had the wrong information and was trying to create a mess of the situation?

The Emperor sat there patiently waiting for the knights to come inside. No one knew who those knights were, but one thing was clear to them all. No matter who it was, all the people in the Beaumont Household were highly talented.

Soon there was a knock on the door and once the permission was granted, the people walked into the hall in a row as they stood before the Emperor and bowed.

The room was silent. There was nothing else that could be done. The evidence was clearly in front of them and everyone realized the people there. They were the same knights whose names were written in the report. Same people who should have been either at the Angevin Kingdom or at the borders, definitely not here at the Roulux Empire’s capital.

"How?" Prince Richard’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Grand Duke Christopher with hate. This group of people never left the borders. Not once have they even crossed it. They were the people guarding sector 13. Was it not the reason why he had decided to use their names? So they were here the entire time? "You planned it?"

A bust of laughter filled the room as Grand Duke Christopher leaned forward at the table with a smirk. "I did all of this? Is Prince Richard sure about that? And what exactly have I done?"

"They should be in sector 13. They are not supposed to come to the Empire until a few months later." Prince Richard said subconsciously. After all, it was written in the documents that Princess Eleanor had given to him. It was clearly mentioned where all the knights were assigned and when there would be a rotation. ’Everything was in place, so why is this happening? Exactly what is going on?’

"And why does Prince Richard know of this?" Grand Duke Christopher asked as he smiled. His eyes were taunting as if he was waiting for the Crown Prince to make a mistake and he would take advantage of it.

"Everyone knows about it." Crown Prince Richard felt a chill but he still maintained his expression, "And even if they don’t, I, as the Crown Prince of the Roulux Empire should know it all."

"So you still doubt me? Do all the nobles think that it would be this easy to travel from the borders to the capital within an hour? You all have seen and heard it yourself when I asked them to call my Knights." Grand Duke Christopher said as he looked at the Emperor and continued, "If not then, we can check the official documents. Does the Royal Palace keep one where they write down all the movements of the Knights to and fro from the borders? Let us see when my knights arrive in the capital before he talks about who is telling lies."

The confidence in Grand Duke’s words made nobles swallow hard. No one knew whom to believe until the Emperor said, "Let’s check the documents."