Abigail pov

“I heard what happened in the training area. And the reasons behind it too!” the cold voice of Josephine sounded so distant that it hurts me. Even with all the sarcasm between us, we have come closer. I have started seeing her as the friend I have always needed.

But now her eyes were filled with anger and the feeling of betrayal, I had never given her.

“I can explain it.” she raised her hand up in the air, before i could even say anything. She shook her head in refusal and turned to leave when I called her again.

“Josephine!”

  Her steps halted but she did not turn back to look at me. I have never thought that her reactions would be this extreme.

“Does it matter so much to you? I thought we were friends.“ I never thought that my voice would be cracked when I would talk to her. But she did not feel so. All she saw was the betrayal that was never there in the first place.

“I have thought so too. But how could i forget that the word friends did not exist for the nobles. If you have always wanted to be the empress, you could have at least told me.” I shook my head at her illusion. Could she not see the facts!

“It is not true.” I looked around to be sure that none was listening and when I was sure I walked closer to her. Thank goodness, she did not walk away to increase the distance. 

“It is all an act to save both of us.” she chuckled at my reply and shook her head. As if cold water was poured all over my body. Her frozen eyes stunned me.

“Do you think he would have taken that step in the first place if he was not in love with you? And for you to go to this extent to save him and you say that you do not live here? Either you take me as a fool or you are trying to fool yourself.” Her words resonate in my mind as she left the room. While I stood there alone stunned and bewildered.

The question never crossed my mind until she pointed it out. Even if William had skills, he was trying to hide them. Then why did he take the risk to kill the girl even after knowing that it would bring all his plans into jeopardy? And what were his plans? What else was he hiding?

“Is that true?” I heard another cold voice behind me. I sighed as I realized I have to give explanations to many now. And maybe lose a few of them too. It was much more than I had bargained for.

“I thought you were using me as your cover because you did not want any relationship with the crown prince. Now what had changed that you are not only in a relationship with him but also marrying him.” The blunt and cold words were like a sharp piece of glass, piercing deep into my skin.

“Why? Are you going to abandon me too after knowing the truth!?” I asked back, avoiding all the questions he asked me, I could see his eyes turning colder. Wasn’t he busy due to some affairs on the boundary? Why was he here now? To mock me or question me or to really know the truth!

“That was not the answer I asked? And did you even care? When have you ever been truthful in our relationship? If there is any to begin with!” he spat as he looked at me with those cold eyes.

“Noah, you have to..”

“Trust you!? Right! This is the only line you say whenever I have tried to ask you anything. Abigail Essendson, trust works from both sides!” I bit my lips as I knew he was right. I have been hiding the truth since the start but it was not because I did not trust him. It was because he would not believe me even if I told him. But if he was so sarcastic about it, then better tell him and let him call me crazy.

“You want to know the truth? Alright, come with me.” I held his hand and dragged him out of the room. We had only taken a few steps when I saw Bella struggling to come in.

There was a larger crowd than before and when they looked at me, their eyes gleamed as if they had met their prey. They ran towards me and though knights tried to stop them, they outnumbered knights and broke free from their grip.

“What are you waiting for? Go back in!” Noah pushed me back towards the door as he moved to escort Bella in.

I nodded and walked back. My heart was still beating fast in my ribcage. Though I expected that the girls would be heartbroken, I never thought that everyone would go crazy to the limit of following me.

I heard footsteps only to see Isabella and Noah walking in.

“What were they trying to do?” I asked Noah and he looked at me with a complicated gaze.

“Many of them are gossip mongers. They want to know about the fairytale. They call it sensational information that the prince is in love with his knight and he killed a noble to save her. Now they are going to marry. It is no less than the dream of every girl.

Since they could not pester crown prince, they will follow you to know more about it.” I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. What kind of nonsense was all this! It felt like a scandal celebrities make in the 21st century.

“It is better that you stay here only for a few days. You are not allowed to take classes anyway!” All I could do was nod when he instructed me so harshly.

“So you are actually going to be the future empress?”