The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 223 - 221

Crown Prince Richard walked into the Grand Hall where the ball was to be held.

He could see the decorations being put in place as everything looked stunning and sparkling.

"Is everything ready?" Crown Prince Richard asked the High Priest who was busy assessing the work.

"Yes." Priest Erasmus nodded his head as he smiled innocently. His eyes showed his happiness as if it was the most important thing in the world.

Crown Prince Richard looked at the man as he smiled. "It looks perfect!" He said in a small tone but it did not go unnoticed by the High Priest. Crown Prince Richard knew that it was the first time Priest Erasmus had received a prophecy untouched by the royal family. Otherwise, all the prophecies regarding the new Emperor were always manipulated by the crown and the temple together. It was a good and a bad thing.

"It has to be." Priest Erasmus said as his lips curled up. "We will be finally getting the chosen one. The one who will bring prosperity and happiness to the whole Empire." There was unmistakable satisfaction as he spoke.

Crown Prince Richard nodded but his eyes did not show the happiness Priest Erasmus was looking for. The High Priest knew what was going on. The Crown Prince was happy to get a wife but at the same time, he was unhappy as the power did not lay in his hands anymore. Maybe he was even angry that things were getting more out of control with the arrival of the first prince.

"But something is bothering me." Priest Erasmus said. He knew that he could not say it all clearly but it was also understandable that he would not sit quietly and see other nobles harass the future Empress. "I heard that one of the Princesses was rude to Princess Eleanor yesterday. The House of Gio also showed their disapproval of her. This is clearly not a good sign."

Crown Prince Richard nodded his head as he took a deep breath. He knew that Priest Erasmus would not let this matter go, but who would have thought that they would be so openly and bluntly attacking Princess Eleanor.

"I did not know that the High Priest had heard the news in the palace as well?" Crown Prince Richard replied offhandedly to brush the topic aside, but he could see that the High Priest was being serious about this matter.

"I represent the temple. And a High Priest who as the messenger of God had always helped the Roulux Empire to select a perfect Emperor should know how the situation is in the Empire at all times, and that includes the Royal Palace as well. After all, God sees and hears everything. I hope the Prince agrees to that."

Crown Prince Richard nodded his head. His fingers formed a fist behind him, but he maintained his calm outwardly. Many people were watching him and observing his actions. He knew that he could not act on impulse anymore.

"I will look into it. The High Priest can rest assured, the Princess will not suffer anymore."

Priest Erasmus laughed as though he had heard a good joke. "As you will save her. A man who had personally pushed her into the suffering itself. Someone who had even taken her motive away from her." Priest Erasmus’ voice was low. No one else could hear what they were talking about. To an outsider, it only looked like the High Priest and the Crown prince were discussing serious matters.

"Do you think the Princess will never find out what you did?" Priest Erasmus asked as he looked straight into the Crown Prince’s eyes. He could see the anger and resentment churning in them. "Some things can not be completely hidden. Someday, she will find out that the person who had made her suffer so much is you. Because you wanted her to come here, you ended up killing her family."

"Then what about you?" Crown Prince Richard asked. His smirk was challenging as if he was enjoying the situation. But the nerves bulging out on his neck told a different story. "I think the High Priest is forgetting that you are equally involved in this. You shouldn’t talk bad about the people with whom you share a boat."

"I am trying to correct..." Priest Erasmus tried to explain but was quickly cut off by the Crown Prince.

"By doing what? Searching for the first Prince? Or did you just make one out of the blue and claim him to be one?" Crown Price Richard shook his head as if he had heard something funny. "Really, I cannot believe that something like this is happening. But let me be very clear regarding some things. If I go down, the High Priest should also be ready to follow along." His voice was pitched low and threatening.

Crown Prince Richard looked at Priest Erasmus one last time as he strode out of the room. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

The High Priest had many things to say but he kept his mouth shut as a complicated look was on his face. Only he knew that he had been caught long back and that too by a fire breathing dragon. The only way to show regret for his crime was to go along with the man.

’I am not doing anything wrong.’ Priest Erasmus thought to himself as he looked at the hall that was currently filled with decorations. ’No matter who Princess Eleanor chooses, it will definitely be of Royal Blood.’

—---

"Commander Colt sure did not show his face a lot?" Crown Prince Richard said as he sat on the chair in a rage. Talking with the High Priest made him realise something serious. He needed to keep people in check. After all, it was evident that the High Priest did not stand on his side.

"It is not that, Prince." Commander Colt bowed his head as he took a deep breath and explained. "I had caught an infection. Something similar to what Princess Eleanor’s lady-in-waiting had. I only feared that the Crown Prince would be infected by it, so I have kept my distance."

Crown Prince Richard looked at Commander Colt as if assessing his face carefully. But the Crown Prince could clearly see that no matter how he observed, Commander Colt did not look well. Commander Colt’s face was pale and his nose and eyes were red as if he had not slept for a few days. "Did you find anything suspicious?"

Commander Colt shook his head. He was aware of Crown Prince Richard’s gaze on him. He knew that travel of such a significant distance by horse within such a short duration was tiring enough. Especially when they did not stop to eat or had proper sleep. Maybe that was the reason he was not afraid that the Crown Prince was observing him.

"To be honest, The Grand Duke was not in the mansion at all. He did not meet the Princess nor did their path cross." Commander Colt reported. "The study room was always closed as well. Even after Princess Eleanor took some documents from there to send it to Your Highness, no one suspected a thing."

"You always kept an eye on her?" Crown Prince Richard asked. He was happy that he had the document in hand that he really wanted.

’I cannot find and handle the first Prince, but I can remove my biggest competition. Grand Duke Beaumont, you would never be able to show your face in high society again once I’m done with you!’ Crown Prince Richard thought as his lips curled up.

"I was assigned as an escort. I had to protect the Princess of the Angevin Kingdom and keep an eye on her too." Commander Colt said. "I was following the Crown Prince’s order."

"Yes, you were." Crown Prince Richard finally agreed with a smile. It looks like Commander Colt knew his place. He knew who his master was and how to follow everything his master had ordered him to do.

’Only if the High Priest could understand the importance of following the order.’ Crown Prince Richard sighed as he shook his head.

"Get ready. We have a great day ahead." Crown Prince Richard’s lips curled up when he thought about what he was about to do today. "I will get rid of the Grand Duke completely in the ball today. In front of all the nobles and every faction, he will be deemed as a traitor and sentenced to death." The happiness in the Crown Prince’s eyes was evident. "Even the people who support him will not be able to help the Grand Duke."

"But the High Priest...." Commander Colt wanted to say something, but seeing the maddened eyes of the Crown Prince, he swallowed back his words and only blinked his eyes. "It was a mistake. Please forgive me for interrupting, Your Highness."

Listening to Commander Colt’s sincere apology as he humbled himself before him, the Crown Prince smiled in satisfaction. "I know what you are worried about. But don’t be. Before the High Priest announces who is the chosen one, Duke Beaumont will no longer be a part of this Empire."

Commander Colt nodded his head but his gaze had turned dark. He knew what was about to happen and he could sense the urgency too. All he knew was that he needed to inform his Lord about the new information he had just learned.

Crown Prince Richard smiled as he leaned back into the chair. His eyes looked to the ceiling as he thought to himself. ’I have to take care of House Gio too. I cannot have people questioning the chosen Princess. It will take some effort, but I know that it will not be that hard. All I care about is pushing the Grand Duke away from being able to claim the throne, and everything else will fall into place.’