The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 237 - 234

Soon, piles and piles of pages were brought into the room. Anyone who saw it could clearly understand that the Emperor was not joking when he said that he wanted to see it. He truly wanted to check.

Crown Prince Richard was curious too. Even if the Grand Duke had gotten information about his plan, there was no way that he would call the people to the capital so quickly.

Commander Colt smiled as he looked at the records being scrutinized vigorously. There was a clear indication that the people checking the records were frightened because they had a double-edged sword hanging over their heads.

On one hand, there was Grand Duke Beaumont, while on the other there was Crown Prince Richard. It clearly was a case where no matter which side wins, the situation was going to be bad for those who were checking.

"We found the document." A trembling voice spoke up, making everyone look in that direction. He was clearly frightened as there was sweat beading his forehead and trickling down the sides of his neck and down his back. The man looked down as he tried to double check what he was looking at. "It says that these group of people came down to the Capital three weeks prior." The man reported in a thin voice. However, due to everyone keeping silent to hear things clearly, everyone heard what he said.

Their eyes widened at the report. They still had the report circulated by the Crown Prince in their hands. Although the names of the culprits were the same as those people standing in front of them, the dates do not match the records.

"How can this be possible? This should be a lie. I am sure that they were there when the attack took place." The Crown Prince murmured to himself.

"And how does Prince Richard know that?" Grand Duke Christopher’s words were filled with sarcasm. He had a feeling that the Grand Duke was toying with him. It was an open challenge that did not go unnoticed by anyone who was in attendance.

"I do not know." Crown Prince Richard said with a smile. It was hard to maintain it when his face was pale. He knew that if he said otherwise, things would be more difficult for him and nothing would go the way he wants it to.

Grand Duke Christopher looked at the man behind Prince Richard. There was a slight smile in his eyes as if he wanted to get recognition for his good work. Grand Duke Christopher sighed as he smiled back. It clearly showed his happiness.

Commander Colt knew how hard it was to get recognition from Grand Duke Christopher. He was a man who did not give compliments often. Commander Colt thought that the efforts that he had put in were totally worth it. Tampering with the official records was not that difficult. Especially when you were a trained knight from the Beaumont house.

"But that does not confirm that you are the First Prince." Crown Prince Richard’s voice was full of confidence and challenge. It could be seen that he had controlled his wandering thoughts and came to a clear conclusion of how he wanted to take this further. His words were a clear indication that he was focused now.

"Well, apart from the fact that the Temple has clearly recognised me being the first Prince, I also have a letter signed and stamped by the previous Empress." Grand Duke Christopher smiled as he looked at the man with raised eyebrows. He took the letters out of his pocket and showed them to the Emperor.

The Emperor’s facial expression changed and it did not go unnoticed by the rest. It felt as if the Emperor knew about this letter. Won’t it mean that he knew who the First Prince was prior to everyone else? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Crown Prince Richard was silent. He knew that his father was aware of who his brother was. He had called him into the office and told him as well. He just did not reveal the name of the First Prince. It was not until this moment that it hit him, the Emperor knew about it all along and was just playing along with them.

Crown Prince Richard’s eyes narrowed as he looked to the side with a smirk. If his father was not telling him the full truth, then what was the use of his being cordial with the Emperor. ’Should I kill him?’ The Crown Prince entertained that thought.

He did not know when it had started, but this thought had been coming to him for a long time. He soon shook his head as he saw the Emperor opening the letter with trembling hands. It was not clear what was written in the letter, but he also knew that the Emperor was not going to show it to them. He had to take it and read it out loud.

"I will read it out for everyone." The Crown Prince suggested without waiting for anyone, he took the letter from his father’s hand naturally as if it was not a big deal.

Crown Prince Richard looked at it but it was a small letter with not a lot of words in it.

"To Duke Beaumont,

I do not know how to start this, but at the time this letter reaches you, I might no longer be alive. I do not know whom to trust anymore. If I had any other support, I would have never come to you. Because not only have I lost my home, but also my family. I had to come to the one who I had always looked upon. I know that you are my husband’s brother and you have no obligation to help me, but my child is innocent and so am I. I am ready to take all the blame to save my child who had not done anything wrong. He is sick and weak and needs immediate attention. If I had the money or means, I would have treated it already. But....

I do not want to be a burden to your family, but I could only request you to take care of your nephew. I will never blame you for anything. However, I genuinely hope in my heart of hearts, that my child survives."

The Crown Prince looked at the signature at the bottom that belonged to the previous Empress. It was clearly written by her, but what was so difficult for her?

"This does not prove anything, right?" Crown Prince Richard said. His eyes narrowed as he continued, "The Duchess had a child."

"Yes, she did." Grand Duke Christopher said with a smile. "But who do you think I am? Can you determine it? No." Grand Duke Christopher said, "Isn’t it the job of the temple? The Temple had already confirmed it. And the records from the Beaumont household indicated that the Duchess and the heir died a long time ago. It was only me, the previous Empress’s son, who the Duke had taken care of as his own."

"He should have told the truth long back." Crown Prince Richard scolded.

"And risk my life in the process?" Grand Duke Christopher blinked as he shook his head. "Wasn’t it clear that the previous Empress had gotten caught up in some conspiracy? Won’t it mean that once I am identified as the First Prince, those and people who had gone after my mother would try harder to get me killed as well? The duke was only trying to protect me. He wanted to keep me safe. But he had always told me the truth."

Grand Duke Christopher looked at the Crown Prince with raised eyebrows. "Isn’t it better this way? You can claim all you want that I am not the First Prince, but the Temple has given its verdict. Thus, I am also one who have a claim to the throne. Is it all about the fact that the one claiming the throne should have royal blood and I have it in either case?"

Grand Duke Christopher looked at the people surrounding them as he smiled innocently, "You can consider me as the first Prince or the Grand Duke Beaumont. In either case, no one can deny that I have Royal blood in me and that alone gives me full right to be a candidate to claim the throne."

"But then why claim that you are the First Prince?" One of the nobles asked. They were all curious.

"It is the fastest and the most efficient way. I can regain what is mine." Grand Duke Christopher’s tone was low and he spoke slowly, as if he was trying to make a child understand the situation.

"But even if you have Royal Blood, it doesn’t matter. Princess Eleanor will choose the next Emperor and I know that she would not believe the words of a man who had killed her family. This is not the only evidence. We have also found your family’s badges there. On the day of the Princess’ wedding, there was an attack and they were all wearing your family’s badge. How will you clear your name then?" Crown Prince Richard was confident in his accusation. He knew that even if he could not find the people to link to the attack, he could link the case to the Beaumont house’s name.

"That’s it?" Grand Dyke Christopher shook his head. "The Emperor can explain why the badges with our family name are spread all over. Your Majesty?" The Grand Duke made a sweeping motion with his hand to the Emperor.

The Emperor was silent for a while. It was a truth he had never wanted to get out. He was angry as he looked at Prince Richard. "He is not involved."

The Emperor’s words were full of confidence, making everyone quieten down. But before Prince Richard could say anything, he saw a soldier rushing in as he said breathlessly, "Princess Eleanor had been attacked."