Abigail pov

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

Though I have heard the same question from hundreds of people since this morning. Bella was the first to have stars twinkling in her eyes when she asked that! She was looking at me with a blissful face as if it was her who was going to be the empress!

I just nodded unconsciously when she giggled and clapped.

“That is wonderful news! I am so happy for you.” I wanted to ask her why? Why was she not infuriated that  I had hidden my affair from her as others blamed me too.

I wanted to know how she could be so contended when I have taken the place of the empress, not hers! But I stayed silent. I wanted to enjoy the little warmth I was receiving in the midst of the storm.

“Oh my, Abi soon you will be married and leave the house. How would I manage without you?” I smiled at her use of exaggerated words. I could see she was acting dramatically to cheer me up..

Finally the warm sunny day arrived after a lot of drizzle and hailstorm.

“I am here with you always, and I am not going to marry anytime soon. There is still a lot of struggle left in my life.“ I sighed as I replied and she puffed up her cheeks.

“But which fairytale did not have a struggle. I would have gone crazy if Sophie would have been chosen to be the empress.

Now that you are going to marry the crown porcine. I want to go and see her face.” We both looked at each other and blinked and then started laughing together. We had to hold our stomach in the end and collapsed on the sofa.

“I can see that you both are very delighted with the decision.” came the curt voice of the man, i thought I had left a long time ago.

“Do you expect me to cry over the martyr?” I asked in the same voice and his eyes narrowed on my face.

“We need to talk about it.” he added and I nodded back.

“I will meet you in the words after twilight.” he shook his head and I frowned.

“You are going to stay here until the procedures are done! There is a death involved, Abigail. I will wait for the right time then.” With that he turned and left and I sighed.

“Do not think too much about it. Since you can not attend the classes, why don’t you go home? You can prepare for your coming of age ceremony.” she replied and I nodded. 

“Yes it is better than staying here all the time.” she giggled and I raised a brow.

“Then you can plan another show of our jewels in your marriage. I will do my best work there and…“ I felt bad for her enthusiasm for a marriage that is only for words. Yet I did not have the heart to break her dreams, so I nodded every time as she continued to plan for it.

“You will be a wonderful ruler, Abi. I will try to be your lady in waiting to serve you.” she added in the end, making my chuckle, yet my eyes turned teary.

We both continued to talk till late as I did not see anyone else the whole day. When the night was growing dark, the door finally opened and Nickolas came in.

It has been weeks since I last saw him.

He ran towards me and engulfed me in his arms.

It surprised me as he mostly stayed calm and collected, yet now he was on the verge of crying.

“I never thought that you would decide to marry at such a young age. Abi, you are not even an adult yet!” He complained and I chuckled.

“I am not getting married anytime soon and even if i would have been an adult, you would still have complained!” he sighed as he finally let me go from the warm hug.

“Of course I would have, you would always stay a kid for me. Not to forget that you are actually a kid right now. And out of everyone, crown prince? Was that the reason that you wanted to serve him or did it happen after you started serving him?” There was a sore look on his face as if he had lost his favorite toy which made me chuckle. 

“I do not know how it happened either. I think we both were too dense to realize that we loved each other until this accident happened.“ I lied as I did not have any better excuse or reason but he nodded, accepting it easily, and here I was thinking that I would need to convince him more.

“I agree, you are too dense when it comes to the feelings of others. If not told, you will never realize that you love someone. I knew from the start that you loved him the way you took care of him.” added Bella, while Noah sighed. His face was telling Bella that he agreed.

If only I could tell them why I was taking care of William and that we have nothing called love in between.

But then the words of Josephine rang in my ears. 

“Why would he kill the girl if he did not love you!?” and I felt a knot forming in my stomach. There was something that was hurting me, but I don’t know why.

“We will discuss other things at home. I came here to take you back. You do not have any classes so father has asked you to stay at home for your peace and security.“ I nodded and hugged Bella who would still stay here as I left without saying another word to anyone else.

When we walked to the door, Scarlet was standing there. I felt a bit guilty towards her yet she smiled enchantedly.

“I hope you will survive this, Abi!”

“…………..”