The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 164

Princess Eleanor sat on the chair as she looked at Nia who was moving about, serving her meal. Her eyes looked down at the plates as she bit on her lips, feeling irritated.

"Nia, tell me again, why are we eating here?" Princess Eleanor’s eyes looked at her lady in waiting as she waited and anticipated a reply.

"Because Sir Kit had asked the kitchen to deliver the food here." Nia smiled as she moved some of the plates closer to the Princess, "And from what I had heard, the Crown Prince wanted to have a word with you. But Doctor Raul suggested that the Princess needs to rest for the time being."

Princess Eleanor watched as Nia poured the water into the glass that she had placed in front of her with a smile on her face. Princess Eleanor could not help but nod her head in thanks as she took the glass and helped herself to a few sips to moisten her lips. "Well, if everyone seems to be in opposition to me meeting him, then I cannot help it. Anyway, you looked like you had something to say, to me Nia. What is it?"

Princess Eleanor had observed Nia’s gaze that had been fixed on the Crown Prince since morning. She knew her lady in waiting well enough to understand that she wanted to share something with her, and it was something important.

"That..." Nia twiddled her fingers as she bit on her lips nervously. She did not know how to explain the situation to the Princess but Nia knew that she had to say something. "I... just thought of Duke Felix."

"You thought of Duke Felix when you saw the Crown Prince?" Princess Eleanor raised her brows as she folded her hands and placed them on her lap. The plate of food before her was pushed aside as she looked at Nia to understand the situation further. "Was it because Duke Felix said that he would write a letter to the Crown Prince?"

Princess Eleanor observed Nia’s expression. She could tell that her lady in waiting was not missing the Duke, but something must have provoked her interest and Princess Eleanor was eager to know what had happened.

"I actually caught sight of something..." Nia said as she pushed the plate back in front of the Princess, wordlessly requesting her to eat. "It was a badge. I have seen the same ones on the King before."

"A badge that the King and the Crown Prince Richard wore?" Princess Eleanor took a few spoonfuls of food as she saw Nia nodding her head. Princess Eleanor was thinking about what was the significance of it as the Crown Prince wore many badges.

"Duke Felix has a similar badge. Initially, when I saw it, I had asked the Duke about it and he only said that the King had gifted it to him. But now that I think about it, Duke Felix never wore it openly. And after I had pointed it out, he had hardly worn it anymore."

"And what type of badge was it?"

"I cannot explain it in detail, but it has a teardrop shape. It’s a small badge that the King wears." Nia said as she looked at the Princess in anticipation. The surprised expression on Princess Eleanor’s face indicated that she knew about the badge that she was talking about. "The Duke liked to look at the badge, and his eyes were constantly glowing whenever he had it on. But then suddenly he stopped wearing it." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Princess Eleanor nodded her head as she kept silent. Her eyes were sharp as she thought back to the tear-shaped badge that was constantly disturbing her. ’I need to find the connection,’ Princess Eleanor thought as her heart was filled with determination.

"Princess... you should eat." Nia worried as she saw the Princess ignoring her dinner yet again. Princess Eleanor looked at Nia a little absentmindedly before she smiled and started eating. She knew why her lady in waiting was always in panic mode.

Princess Eleanor was silent throughout the dinner as her gaze sharpened at the end. Her thoughts were in a mess as she struggled to understand the situation and come up with a solution. ’Maybe I am thinking too much into this. I need to step back and look at the big picture.’

Princess Eleanor made up her mind as she finished her dinner in a daze.

—--

The room fell into silence. Princess Eleanor was sitting on the bed, her eyes closed as she was trying hard not to overthink but her mind still kept replaying the Crown Prince’s and Nia’s words. It was not hard to connect the dots, but she was still lacking in confirmation.

A sudden knocking sound startled Princess Eleanor and her eyes flew wide open. Her body stiffened as she bit down on her lips and swallowed hard, trying to figure out what that sound was.

’Maybe it is the wind...?’ Princess Eleanor tried to explain the noise she had heard. She tried to control her breathing but soon, another round of knocking came again and Princess Eleanor was certain that it was not the wind. Her eyes looked towards the window and seeing a familiar silhouette, Princess Eleanor felt alive.

She ran towards the window and quickly opened them, allowing the man to enter. Princess Eleanor had a lot of things to say to Sir Kit but before she could, she was pulled into a tight hug. A familiar warmth enveloped her, making her anxious body settle down.

"Sir Kit..." Princess Eleanor tried to speak but her words hit deaf ears. Sir Kit did not respond. It was as if he had not heard anything but his hold on Princess Eleanor tightened. His hands wrapped around her waist as he pulled her a little closer.

"Wait," Sir Kit said in a whisper as he rested his chin on her head, trying to control the uncontrollable beating of his heart. Many emotions had been bugging him throughout the day but Sir Kit managed to keep them restrained.

It was already difficult to meet the princess early as the Crown Prince would have definitely sent someone to ask for the Princess. The only thing good about the situation was that Doctor Raul was a stubborn man who had a clear stand in the situation, ’The Princess cannot exert herself, so she needs to rest.’ At least, the Crown Prince was successfully kept at a distance due to this.

But Sir Kit knew that the problem was only just beginning. After all, the Duke had received a letter stating that some of the other Princesses will be coming to the Beaumont mansion to visit.

Sir Kit took a deep breath as he moved his body away with much struggle. He looked at the Princess who was staring at him with her bright eyes and he blinked at her.

Sir Kit did not say anything else but he held Princess Eleanor’s hand and walked her towards her bed. He made her sit but his eyes stayed locked on hers before he sat beside her.

Sir Kit held Princess Eleanor’s hand as she looked into her eyes. The candles were making her eyes glow with a golden light and soon Sir Kit was at loss for words. He knew that there was no other way to tackle the situation. He had to go at it head on.

"Princess, do you want to become the future Empress?" Sir Kit’s words hit the mark, rendering Princess Eleanor speechless. Her eyes widened in shock as she struggled to maintain her calm facade.

Princess Eleanor’s heart was racing as she tried her best to keep her breathing steady. She continued looking straight into Sir Kit’s eyes and soon she nodded her head. There was no denying that she was thinking of the possibility once Crown Prince Richard had said the words. Even if she did not want to think further, her mind was constantly moving in that direction.

’What if I manage to become the Empress? Can I get my revenge easily?’ The question popped into her mind continuously, but Princess Eleanor also knew that Lady Gisella’s words could not be ignored. She had to marry a person who she hardly liked - much less love. And the Crown Prince was not the one.

’I can use him. But if I want revenge, I will have to kill him at some point in time as well. After all, he was also involved in my parent’s death. Princess Eleanor swallowed hard as she wanted to explain to Sir Kit what she was thinking. She knew that he was the only one who understood her and he was the only one who would not question her choices.

"I want to be the Empress... But I do not want to marry the Crown Prince." Princess Eleanor’s words were filled with determination as she managed to smile, "I know it is impossible. After all, it is God’s will. Once Priest Erasmus receives the prophecy about the chosen one, then everything will change. What if it is not me? I know that just like me, every other Princess wants to be the future Crown Princess too. But....."

Princess Eleanor struggled to speak and her eyes were welling up with tears. However, she took a few deep breaths to compose herself and closed her eyes for a brief second. After gathering her thoughts, she opened her eyes, "What do you think I should do? Should I marry the man whom I want to get revenge on?"

Sir Kit listened to Princess Eleanor and her dilemma as he pulled her closer to him.