The Web of Knightspur-Chapter 170

Princess Eleanor walked behind the Crown Prince as they entered the hall where all the other Princesses were seated.

As soon as the Crown Prince entered, all the Princesses got up and bowed to him. However, all of their eyes sharpened when they saw Princess Eleanor walked in behind him.

Princess Vida walked towards Princess Eleanor hurriedly as she held her hand, "Princess Eleanor, I thought you would be well by now." Princess Vida’s eyes were filled with tears as her voice trembled. "How are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?"

Princess Eleanor smiled as she shook her head in a hurry, "No, I am feeling well now. I feel uncomfortable knowing that I am the reason that Princess Vida is being worried."

The other Princesses moved forward as they too all gave their well wishes in a hurry, but their eyes moved towards the Crown Prince from time to time.

"Princess Eleanor, we were all so worried about you."

"How are you feeling now?"

"Who can be so cruel to poison the Princess?"

Princess Eleanor smiled as she replied to everyone patiently. But when she looked to one direction, she saw that Crown Prince Richard was sitting on the couch in a graceful manner as he enjoyed watching the other Princesses harassing her.

Princess Eleanor took a deep breath and said calmly, "Why don’t we sit down and talk."

Everyone nodded as they looked in the direction of the Crown Prince, as though asking for his unspoken permission. No one knew who would be brave enough to go up and sit beside the Crown Prince. Only when one of them sat there, could all of them sit comfortably.

They were all desperately hoping that the Crown Prince would call for one of them. Although they did not mind going there first, there was always that tiny possibility that the move could backfire on themselves.

"Princess, you should go sit." Princess Vida took Princess Eleanor’s hand as she walked towards the couch. She stood in front of Princess Eleanor once she reached the destination. "Sit down and try not to exert your body. You have only recently gotten well."

Princess Vida made Princess Eleanor sit as she turned around and looked at the back. Her face was full of embarrassment as she bit her lips. "I .... Can I sit here..."

The Crown Prince looked at Princess Vida whose face was filled with confusion. The Princess could tell that the Crown Prince was not happy as she bit her lips. "I did not realize that the Crown Prince was here. I will sit somewhere else and will not disturb the Crown Prince."

Princess Vida looked at Princess Eleanor’s side only to see that there was already someone else sitting there. She did not move from her place as she stared at the empty seat when she heard a calm voice speak up. "It’s embarrassing to see the Princess stand. Why don’t you sit here first."

Princess Vida’s eyes shook as she looked at the Crown Prince only to realize that he was smiling at her. Princess Vida sat beside the Crown Prince slowly as if she was afraid to make him uncomfortable. However, deep in her heart, she was delighted that she was the one getting to sit beside the Crown Prince!

"Looks like Princess Vida cares about Princess Eleanor a lot." Crown Prince Richard said with a smile. "I did not know that you both were this close."

"Princess Eleanor and I have suffered together. Maybe because we were both attacked on our way to the Empire, we could now bond over the experience. I was just lucky to not be in great danger, unlike Princess Eleanor who had been poisoned." Princess Vida said in a soft tone. Her eyes blinked as she smiled, "I am just overjoyed to see that Princess Eleanor is now doing well and recovering. I just hope that she could enter the Royal Palace soon."

The Crown Prince nodded his head. His eyes turned sharp with interest as he said, "I never knew that the Cenid Kingdom’s Princess was so caring and gentle."

Crown Prince Richard looked at Princess Vida whose face had turned crimson red. She refused to look him straight in the eyes, but he could feel her body slightly leaning towards him. But what caught his eye was a teardrop badge that was pinned on her gown. It had been placed strategically in the middle as the row of pearls ran through the top as if it was part of the embroidered design.

Crown Prince Richard had thought so too, when he saw it at first. But it was only now, after giving it another closer look, that he saw the sparkle of the badge that he realized that it had looked extremely familiar.

The Crown Prince’s lips curled up as he blinked his eyes. "Princess Vida is very beautiful. Especially the dress. Was it made in the Cenid Kingdom?"

Princess Vida understood what the Crown Prince was implying. Her eyes brightened as she nodded her head eagerly. "My family bought this dress for me, especially because the design was approved by my father. I am so glad that it suits the Crown Prince’s tastes."

Princess Eleanor sat down as she talked with a few Princesses around her. But even if she wanted to avoid it, she could not help but look at Princess Vida who was laughing and smiling as if she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

Princess Eleanor’s eyes narrowed as she listened to her talk. Her eyes subconsciously moved to the dress that Princess Vida was wearing but she did not find anything unusual in it. But when her gaze moved to the middle, it was then that she realized what the Crown Prince had been talking about.

’The same badge!’ Princess Eleanor thought as a sharp light glinted in her eyes. ’So does that mean that not only is the Crown Prince in contact with the Angevin Kingdom but also some other Kingdoms? Does that mean that Princess Vida is also in contact with the Crown Prince?’

’No... She said that her father had given it to her.’ Princess Eleanor remembered her words from earlier. However, the more she looked at the badge, the angrier she became. ’Lady Gisella was right. I should not trust anyone.’

"Your family does have good eyesight." The Crown Prince complimented meaningfully as he looked at Princess Vida who was behaving shyly. But when his eyes met the other Princesses’ eyes, he realized that everyone was looking at him, as if wanting him to compliment them as well. He had been remiss and had given too much attention to Princess Vida.

Crown Prince Richard could not help but look over at Princess Eleanor. He wanted to see how she would handle the situation. He was clear from the start that he was not a person who could be loyal to her alone. And he was clear that their marriage would be beneficial for both of them, but now it was time to see if she could really handle the situation. His wife should at least be able to solve this little complication with ease.

Princess Eleanor fully understood the Crown Prince’s gaze. His eyes contained an unspoken challenge.

"Yes, even I was mesmerized by Princess Vida’s dress. It is really beautiful. Especially the shining diamond brooch in the middle. It looks just like a teardrop. Truly a beautiful piece!" Princess Eleanor said in admiration.

Soon the other Princesses’ comments followed.

"Yes, it is so beautiful. The Princess does have a sharp eye for jewelry."

"I remembered that the Cenid Kingdom had huge gem mines. The Princess is really blessed."

Princess Vida wanted to smile. But even if she tried, her eyes stayed on Princess Eleanor who was looking straight at her. Princess Vida could not tell what she was feeling but she knew that Princess Eleanor’s gaze was filled with many emotions and hidden meaning.

"Princess, do you really like my jewelry?" Princess Vida leaned towards Princess Eleanor as she touched her hand. "We all did not know what we could bring for you. At first, we thought that maybe we could give some medicinal herbs since we had found out you were poisoned. But then, we were afraid that if Doctor Raul did not approve, then it would be a waste of resources. Therefore, if you like, I can ask my father to send over a large diamond for you. We have well skilled craftsmen. I will ask them to make something that is suitable for you." Princess Vida offered generously.

Princess Eleanor smiled but did not refuse. She had a different idea in mind. She wanted to show Princess Vida that others can look innocent and backstab as well. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Princess Vida is really humble. But is it just I, or the diamond on your dress and the badge on the Crown Prince’s shirt are somehow similar? Is it possible that it was also made by the Cenid Kingdom’s top craftsmen?" Princess Eleanor blinked her eyes innocently. She could then feel the stiffness in Princess Vida’s body after hearing her words. There was a small tremble as Princess Vida took her hand back.

"Well, I never knew." Princess Vida nervously looked at the Crown Prince as she hurriedly took her gaze back. "It must be a coincidence."

"Yes," The Crown Prince agreed as he looked over at Princess Eleanor. "It is just a coincidence. But now that you have said it, I remembered hearing that the diamond was indeed brought over from the Cenid Kingdom."

The Crown Prince looked at all the Princesses as he smiled innocently. "That reminds me. I, as the Crown Prince of the Roulux Empire, have not shown my gratitude towards you all that have come here for the selection to marry me. So let me show my gratitude and once we return to the Royal Palace, I will ask the craftsmen to give you all some pieces of jewelry. I hope all the Princesses will like it."

Princess Eleanor smiled and nodded her head just like the other Princesses. But in her heart, she knew that the words that Crown Prince Richard were saying was just something meant to distract them. He wanted to move their focus point away from the badge.