The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 247 - 244

[Trigger warning. You have been warned]

"But it is now." A gentle voice was heard from the side as a group of knights walked towards them.

King Felix’s eyes widened as he looked at Nia who was staring at him. There were no emotions in her eyes as she shook her head in objection to King Felix’s statement.

"Prince Arlo has been put under the direct care of the First Prince of the Roulux Empire and his safety is assigned to the best of the knights under His Grace. No one can ever think of harming him now." Nia informed King Felix without any inflection in her voice. However, a small and mocking smile played on her face but there was also a trace of uneasiness in them. "Especially you, who had tried everything possible to poison and kill him."

"You...!!" King Felix blurted out, but before he could continue, the sharp sword aimed at his neck had swiftly flashed across his neck, slicing effortlessly through skin and muscle. Bright red blood splashed and stained the front of King Felix’s clothes, before dripping to the ground. Letting out a piercing scream, King Felix slapped both his hands across the wound at his neck, trying to staunch the flow of blood even as his brain registered an increase of pain that he was experiencing.

"Sister." Prince Arlo ignored the man that was supposed to be his brother-in-law, as he walked towards Queen Macy who had also screamed in fear when she saw her beloved husband had been wounded. As he neared her trembling frame, he spoke in a small but clear tone, "He is the one who tried to kill me. It was my luck that I was able to survive. But father and mother were not counted to be among the lucky ones."

"No...!!" Queen Macy denied what she was hearing, shaking her head in shock. She was happy to see that her brother was alive, but she could not accept him throwing doubts and accusations at her husband. More so now when Felix had been wounded and bleeding. How could she just listen to all this nonsense?

"Are you still in denial? The man had tried to kill me. Multiple times! Are you sure that he will not kill you when you’ve outlived your usefulness? Do you really think you’re all that important to him? Do you need to experience it personally before you believe it?" Prince Arlo asked rather aggressively as his eyes were expecting her to say something. His emotions were chaotic and yet his sister was still looking longingly at the man who was speaking about murdering him.

"I will never do it." King Felix denied the accusations, eyes pleading as he looked at Queen Macy. His voice was soft, gentle and coaxing, evident that he wanted her to believe in him, "You know I love you the most, Macy. How can I sit around and see you get hurt?"

"What a joke!" Nia barked out in laughter as her eyes turned red. The emotions that she was trying so hard to control could not help but bubble forth to the surface, "I thought you loved me. Didn’t we exchange letters for years under Princess Eleanor’s name?"

"You did what?!" Queen Macy interjected loudly. She did not understand what Nia was saying but whatever it was, she was confident that her lover would not be in love with a mere lady-in-waiting. How was it even possible? "You must be trying to protect Princess Eleanor."

"Am I? Do I have any reason to lie to you?" Nia’s lips curled up dramatically. She knew that not everyone would believe her words. It was not possible but she had expectations. She hoped that if not all then at least, Princess Macy could see the man’s true side. "Princess M... no, I should call you Queen Macy now. Of all people, you, most especially, need to understand the truth. The man... your husband had played me! He wanted to show Princess Eleanor that he loved me."

Nia’s voice trembled as she said those words. She was filled with emotions that had no outlet for escape. She did not want to show this weak side of hers to others. However, Nia was just too angry to the point that tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes.

"Felix made me believe that he loved me. It was a well thought out plan. And I, being the foolish person that I was, fell for it, hook line and sinker. I was clueless to his true intentions the entire time. He dug all the information he needed from me and used it. Shamelessly. He took advantage of everything and even plotted and killed Prince Edwin, the King and Queen! A man who can even kill his childhood best friend can do anything!"

Nia had spat out those words as though they were something foul and disgusting that had polluted her mouth. She then felt a strong arm wrapping around her. Looking to her side, she saw Doctor Raul standing tall beside her, silently giving her the strength and support she needed at this moment. His quiet and comforting gesture warmed her heart and imparted the courage for her to go on. Nia swallowed hard as she blinked back the tears in her eyes. "He poisoned your brother and sent people to kill him. He plotted and viciously killed your own father and mother. And yet you still foolishly trust him? Do you truly need him to show his true self before you believe what we’re telling you?"

"He will never do such a thing! Never!" Queen Macy said with confidence in her tone that she did not feel in her heart. However, she could not digest the fact that Felix would even pretend to love such a person. "We both had talked about it. You do not have to pretend in front of me. I know that he loves only me." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Nia shook her head. She knew what Queen Macy was going through. She had gone through the same denial phase. It made her realise that no matter what, Queen Macy will never believe that her lover was a cruel man no matter what anyone said unless she experienced it herself. After all, seeing is believing.

"But I am telling you, sister. Will you not believe me?" Prince Arlo was also struggling. He did not want to lose his sister but he had long known that no matter how hard he tried to show Macy her husband’s true self, she would never believe him. She was blinded by love and no matter what the truth was, she would not listen to anything bad that was said against her lover.

"No! Arlo, you are mistaken. You have to trust your sister. I know that they have planted a lot of useless thoughts in your mind, but you have to believe me. Felix would never harm you." Queen Macy said in a trembling tone, still trying to persuade her brother. Perhaps internally, she was even trying to persuade herself.

"Sister, I think I have to come to a conclusion." Prince Arlo’s voice was small as he looked down at the ground. "From the day that I was crowned as the Crown Prince, I was taught that sometimes in life, I have to make some difficult choices. I have to leave my own selfishness behind and think about the greater good. And I think that your husband is not suitable to rule the Kingdom. The people need a king who cares for them and their wellbeing. They don’t need a person who would murder and kill just so he could fulfil his own greedy ambitions."

"What are you planning to do?" Queen Macy asked worriedly, her voice shrill as she narrowed her eyes. "He is your brother-in-law!"