“Abigail Essendon!!” The loud voice shook me and even William stiffened with the ferocity of the voice. I did not need to see in my father’s eyes to know how infuriated he was!

Before I could move away from his arms, he came closer and pulled me away with so much strength as if he would tear us apart no matter what it needed. His grip on my hands was tight enough to leave marks later but that was not the concern of any of us now. His eyes and the blazing anger in them and the pain William was going through, was tearing my soul.

“Father” he raised his hand high up in the air before I could say anything.

He looked at me with those sharp eyes and I could see anger and disappointment in his eyes. He had one last look at the body that had been shredded into pieces and then at William, who was standing there still, as if he had lost his soul too..

The grip on my hands tightened and  He dragged me away from there without even giving me a chance to explain or without uttering another word.

This was the first time my father had disrespected the crown prince too. Otherwise he had always greeted William with full respect. 

“Father.” I tried to call him but he did not respond. I turned to look at William who was still standing there. His face was drained of all colors. It was looking like he would broke down any moment. I felt a pang in my heart as I saw him breaking down.

“Father, wait.“ I stopped and tried to resist his dragging when we were a bit away from the incident.

“We will talk about it later. We need to go back to the palace for now.” he replied in a strict voice,

If it would have been another day, I would have nodded and followed him. But my heart was feeling too constricted. 

I was feeling guilty for what I had forgotten, as his words and emotions were telling that it was very important for him. As if it was a matter of life and death for him.

“The classes have only started today. I can not come with you father.“ I replied as I stopped and looked back into his eyes.

“Abigail!”

“Yes, father!”

“Are you going against me?” His eyes turned colder and his voice turned sharper as he asked me the question but I shook my head calmly.

“I can never think of going against you. You have given your life for me. And I was sure, you will do it again if needed. I am just telling you that a girl is dead there because of me. So, I can not run away from the situation. In fact, as a father, you should be proud of me that I did not back away from my responsibilities.” He looked at me stunned as if was not expecting this type of reply but then his eyes hardened.

“He was the one who killed the girl. It has nothing to do with you. You did not ask him to kill the girl. Did you? Then how could you be blamed for it? You were having a friendly fencing match when the crown prince turned berserk and killed the girl. You were so shocked that you didn’t even realize what had happened until knight Kirian asked you to help him.

You were not in your senses by seeing all the gore. So when he approached you, you agreed without thinking much. But when you moved to the crown prince, to stop him.

He held you crazy and you were scared so you did not move. As you were afraid that he would attack you too. This is all that happened. So when your father came on the spot, you took shelter and left the place. That is what happened. And if anyone asks you, you will only reply to this. 

Did you get my point?”  to say that i was shocked would be an understatement. My father who has always been responsible and who has always thought about others before himself was asking me to lie and speak manipulated words. 

“Father?” I was exasperated at the lie he was asking me to tell everyone. 

It was visible that William had attacked the girl because she was using poison on her sword to attack me. But he was not even trying to know the root of the matter but forcing me to accuse William and get rid of the responsibilities i had in this matter.

“What is it? What point did you not understand? I am telling you Abigail, only this is what you are supposed to tell everyone.” he repeated with anger this time.

“This is not the truth, father. I know that the crown prince has killed the girl but it was to save me. I should support him, and yet you are asking me to accuse him further?” he sighed as he looked at my stubborn face.

“Abi, he is crown prince. The only heir to the throne. Though you are the daughter of the duke too. If both emperor and archduke went against you then even if i use my whole power, i will only be able to save your life. You will still be stripped from all the posts. You will not even be able to marry a reputative family and have to receive a strong backlash. 

Our empire is not like other empires where a noble has the freedom to kill anyone. 

We work on rules and tyranny is not accepted.” his voice had turned from anger to desperate.

“But father, I have not killed the girl.” was he not overreacting. Why was he looking so tensed as if i would be given death penalty for her death.

“You have an argument from the empress and then the attack of this girl. Don’t you think it is too coincidental?” he asked, shaking his head and I frowned.

“How did you know that..” Only then did I understand what he was trying to say. So, it was a trap because I insulted Gerard and had a small argument with her majesty.

She sent the girl to attack me. If i have been died then she  would have sampled given death penalty to the girl and if i would have killed the girl then i would have been punished. In both cases, she would have lost nothing and gotten rid of me.

But due to the interference of William, the matter became complicated.

“So, now you understand my point. He is the crown prince! His majesty will not punish him. So, let him handle the matter. You will stay in your chamber until the matter is solved.” he added as he held my hand again.

I knew what he was saying was right. But then when I look back at William, all this sounds so selfish, so despicable.

“No!” 

“Abi, this is not the time to argue. After escorting you back, I will come and try my best to support the matter. I know our responsibilities too.” his voice was getting lower and lower and i shook my head.

“I apologize for going against you, but I am not going to leave my responsibility. I am going back.” Without waiting for his reply I turned and walked back towards William.

“Abi! Why can’t you listen to me!?” I could feel the helplessness in his voice. I was sure that the matter would drag me down if she was so serious. But then haven’t I taken the oath to protect the crown prince?

I just could not let him go to save my own life. If he died the history would repeat itself and then we all would die.

I could see master Theodore have walked towards William and so as Kirian. They were whispering to each other but then their eyes fell on me, they all stopped instantly.

William turned to look at me and both tapped his shoulders and left to pick up the body. Master Theodore picked his pieces as if it was garbage and both walked out.

I turned to see if my father was following them, and surely he was.

“Abigail.” I felt hesitant in denying him once again but to my relief, master Theodore and Kirian walked towards him and dragged him out with them.

I felt guilty towards my father for not listening to him but when I looked at the face of William who was looking at me like a small baby who was lonesome and needed strength, my guilt vanished.

“You are back!” he murmured as if he could not believe that i was standing there in reality.

I took steps towards him as I nodded.

“Where would I go? I am always here with you.” I assured him and he shook his head.

“You always leave me and then forget about my existence.”