The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 152
The room was filled with noises as people looked in a particular direction.
No matter what they said or thought, all of the nobles were waiting for the Emperor’s confirmation.
"It is true that we still do not have any prophecy. Should we start taking some steps into determining who might be suitable for a Crown princess’s position?" The secretary said in a low tone. The question was something everyone was struggling to ask and yet they did not have a chance to.
The noble’s feared the Emperor’s reaction once this question was brought up. They knew that the topic of the temple was a critical one. No matter how hard one thinks, the Emperor was never happy when the temple’s decisions were questioned.
Asking if they should conduct some small competition to determine the future Crown Princess was a direct question to the temple’s ability.
"Do you think that is necessary?" The Emperor said as he looked at his secretary with a narrowed gaze, "Maybe the one Princess that is not in the palace should return. Who knows, it will help Priest Erasmus to get the prophecy soon."
The Emperor looked at the Grand Duke who looked disinterested in everything around him. His eyes stayed focused on the piece of paper in front of his eyes as his mind was in deep thoughts.
"What does the Grand Duke think about it?" At the Emperor’s words, Duke Christopher looked up. "When will the Princess from the Angevin Kingdom be able to enter the Royal palace? Is Doctor Raul not able to cure her?"
Duke Christopher knew that the Emperor’s words were provocative. He knew that if he said one wrong thing then everything he had worked so hard for would disappear. Duke Christopher knew that the Emperor was an opportunist and if shown any weak point then he would not hesitate to take it.
"Doctor Raul’s medication is working on Princess Eleanor. She has been showing recovery. If Doctor Raul’s words are to be believed then the Princess will be able to return to the Royal palace within a week."
"A week is too long," The Crown Prince said as he looked at the Grand Duke with a narrowed gaze. "Are you planning to keep the Princess at your mansion for so long?"
"It is not that I have planned it, the doctor is suggesting the same. If the Crown Prince wishes then he can have the word with Doctor Raul." Duke Christopher smiled but his gaze was sharp. He knew that the Crown Prince was planning something.
"The chief healer will be accompanying me in the Beaumont mansion." Crown Prince Richard said as he looked at the people around who’s expressions were stiff. "I hope the Grand Duke does not mind me staying at the Beaumont’s mansion for a few days."
Duke Christopher smiled as he looked at the Crown Prince. He knew that there was something that was bothering the man. Otherwise, he would not have raised such a request.
’So generous of you to ask me for permission,’ Duke Christopher thought, ’As if I have a choice to refuse,’
"The Crown Prince can enter the Beaumont mansion anytime. After all, we are cousins," Duke Christopher said with a smile on his face. He could see Crown Prince Richard’s lips twitching in annoyance.
Duke Christopher knew that the Crown Prince liked to call him his cousin but if the roles were reversed and the Duke decided to say it to the Crown Prince then it was not appreciated. After all, the Grand Duke still had Royal blood running through his veins.
"They should have killed you when you were a child," The Crown prince murmured, making sure that no one listen to it. He smiled at the Grand Duke as he nodded his head in agreement.
"I will be there at your house for breakfast tomorrow morning. I hope I will be able to meet the Princess." The Crown Prince smirked as he observed the Grand Duke, but to his dismay, he could not see any change in the Duke’s expression.
Soon the discussion topic changed as none of the noble factions wanted to see the situation turn ugly. The decision for the Crown princess was paused till the Princess from the Angevin kingdom entered the Royal Palace.
—----
"Commander Colt, did you find something?" Crown Prince Richard said as soon as he entered the room.
They had agreed upon a time when the Commander would come and report the happenings to the Crown Prince. And now was the time.
Crown Prince Richard ran his hand through his hair as he sat on the chair in irritation. "I want to hear some good news. Tell me something that might make me forget the annoying meeting,"
Commander Colt looked at the Crown Prince who was visibly in a bad mood. "Did the Grand Duke ..."
"He called me cousin," The Crown prince’s words cut through as he looked at commander Colt, "Can you believe him? A man like that called me cousin so openly as if it was a natural thing to do that too in front of so many people," Crown prince Richard saw a vase on the table as he took it in his hand and smash it to the grown in rage
The glass was shattered all over but Commander Colt did not flinch. He knew that if the Grand Duke had said the word that the Crown Prince hates the most then it would have been due to some reason.
’Is it because of the letter?’ Commander Colt looked to the side of the table where he could see a stack of letters as always. They were always present there but it was only now that he knew what they were there. These were the letters by the neighboring Kingdom who wanted to form an alliance with the Crown prince. ’I think the Grand Duke got hold of the letter that Duke Felix sent to the Crown Prince.’
Commander Colt moved his eyes elsewhere to voice the suspicion. He knew that the Grand Duke must have received the letter but he also knew that it was after the Crown prince had read it.
"Tell me the news." Crown Prince Richard said as he looked at Commander Colt who was standing at the side like an obedient child.
"The Princess has been well and she is resting in her room. She only goes out to eat in the dining room but recently she has started moving around in the garden," Commander Colt said as he looked at the Crown Prince’s reaction which had brightened.
"She likes the garden?"
"The Princess does not like the flowers as per my observation but I think she likes to walk around. Maybe because Doctor Raul has advised her to start walking slowly." Commander Colt could see the dimmed light in the Crown Prince’s eyes.
"Did she meet the Grand Duke?" Crown Prince Richard got his strength back as he looked at the Commander. He leaned forward as he folded his hand. "Anything unusual?"
Commander Colt knew that this was the time he had to report to the Crown Prince what Princess Eleanor had told him to. He had even recited the same to the Lord who agreed that he could say it to the Prince.
"Well," Commander Colt looked down as he took a deep breath as if he was getting ready for a huge fight. "The Princess did not get a chance to meet the Grand Duke but there was a commotion in the Beaumont mansion. The Princess had lost her way and had entered the Grand Duke’s study. Although once she realized where she was, she came out directly but it made Duke Christopher angry. The Grand Duke has prohibited the princess to move around the mansion without an escort."
"So the Grand Duke is trying to restrict her movement," The Crown prince rubbed his chin as he entered deep thoughts. "Was I mistaken?"
Crown prince Richard felt that the Grand Duke liked Princess Eleanor. If that was not the case, why would he let her enter the Beaumont mansion when he never invites any other lady there? It was a fair observation that made the Crown Prince think that maybe there was a chance to finally find the Grand Duke’s weakness but now that he heard Commander Colt’s words he could not help but think, what if all of his thoughts were wrong? What if he was thinking too deeply and there was really nothing special between the two?
"Prince..." Commander Colt asked in a small voice. He could see that the Crown Prince was in deep thoughts.
"Are you sure that they haven’t met?"
Commander Colt nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, they have not met. I am sure of that."
The Crown Prince was silent. His eyes were sharp as he looked at the man with a smile, "Nothing, I think that my decision to go to the Beaumont mansion was right all along. Let me see it with my own eyes to believe."
