William pov contd.

“After knowing the true nature of her empress and her behavior towards others, I had the doubt that it was just a story to protect her from the punishment and gain the sympathy of the empire.” That was the day when the peaceful days of the royal palace ended too.

“You are right. But since there was no witness except the knights of her majesty, what she told was proved right.

Do you want to know the truth?” This was the first time I was going to tell the truth to anyone. As it had been hidden deep in the hearts of the royal family.

“I do! But I do not want to pressurize you, your highness. For now, you should go and make the same story and create a lot of witnesses for that.“ I looked at her searching for hesitance or reduction but there was none. But it did not mean that my heart was not feeling any..

“Little bird, if i told everyone what you have said, you would be declared as my lover!” I recused myself as my heart started racing and a fluttering feeling filled my stomach when all she was doing was to save me, not that she had fallen in love with me. Yet it felt so perfect, so sweet that I could not help the goofy smile forming on my lips.

“Well, this is the most feasible answer you can have. I apologize to relate my name with you, but you already have so many lovers, so it should not matter much. Did it?” and it broke my heart. How merciless she was! To give me hopes and then break it so mercilessly! Had I not been strong, I would have already felt the heartbreak!

“They would not believe the story then.” I shrugged my shoulders and a frown formed on her forehead. 

“Why is that so?” she looked at me with confusion while i just smirked.

“As you said, I have many lovers. Why would I be so crazy for one of them? Even if I lost one lover, I couldn’t have another in the next hour.”

Her face turned sore and filled with anger as the words left my mouth. If i had not been imagining much, was she jealous? Or angry because her plan did not work and now she had to think again. I could only pray that it was the first case!

“Then what do you suggest? Are we ready for war?” she asked me to mull over my previous idea! 

“Are we ready for war! Ha! You could never be ready for war! It would kill thousands of innocent people. It would destroy the peace and not to forget that the condition of the border was already worsen!

She sighed and nodded. She must have heard about it with her father too.

“Then we have to make them believe. I do not want my loved ones to be part of war. There must be another way. Let’s just think about it.” she looked at a distance, lost in thoughts while i continued to look at her.

Not even once had she said what she wanted. She was thinking about her family and others all the time. Yet her eyes did not have that selfless and kind feeling. She was the first woman who had such a strong balance between love and hatred. She loves with the same passion as she hates others.

“I have an idea but it does not mean that you have to agree to it. I am just giving you a choice. If you do not like it, we can always find other ways. I mean..” Why was I feeling so nervous? I had practiced it more than a hundred times. And it is not like she had not rejected me before, yet I could not get rid of that jittery feeling.

Others would think I was crazy when they would realize I was thinking about my love life even in the conditions of war, but then again! I could wait! Love and not be delayed further.

“What is it?” she asked as she looked at me with her eyes narrowed making me further nervous that my heart would burst open then and there.

“Well, if you say that you are my lover, no one would take you seriously. But if you said that I am your future husband and we both liked each other so much that we were going to marry, then it would definitely be enough reason to kill anyone.

I mean I killed a countess daughter to save the future empress of the empire. Any sane person would be able to understand your trick and then comment on it. But when it comes to the empress of the empire even the wisest man would not be able to open his mouth carelessly.” she stayed silent, increasing my heartbeat.

Either it was yes or no, say it! I could not bear the silence. This suspense might kill me. Finally the god heard my prayers,

“So, you want me to act as your future wife?” 

“Yes, wait what?” act! How did this word come in between? I want to marry you Abigail, I love you.

“Well it is a good idea. It does not matter whether I would be announced as your lover or your future wife. If it will solve the problem then I am ready.“ I shook my head as she did it to get my point.

“It is not about only announcing little birds, if i told everyone that we are going to marry, they would not believe it that easily. I am afraid that we have to marry in reality. After all, it is a matter of respect for both of our family and your honor too. How could you take it so carelessly? I will not let it be only a rumor.

So, think carefully and reply to me. Are you ready to be my wife, the empress of the Veristia empire?”

“………”