Abigail pov contd.

“I want to talk to you, privately.” Everyone’s eyes were set on me as if I had asked for stars or the moon. The man in question nodded and we walked to a meeting room.

“If you want to know about the death of the knight, then the matter is solved.” He did not even sit on the chair when we entered the room and his position was telling that he did not even want to sit.

“I am not worried about that, sir James. I know you all are qualified enough to protect his highness and solve this minor problem.” he nodded but then his eyes narrowed at me as if asking then why have i asked for a private meeting.

“Then, i shall take my leave, my lady.” I shook my head at his attempt to escape.. I was not behind his blood. But the man was wise enough to take my hint and understood what I wanted.

“I am going to be the wife of his highness, Prince William. And you all are serving him diligently since long. I want to know have i been accepted as his wife and partner by all of you or not.” The question was tricky and he knew what I was asking yet he feigned ignorance.

“I am sure his majesty will accept you soon, and you will have a better life at the royal palace. We are always there at your service my lady.“ He did not accept that I am part of them, yet he promised that he would serve me.

“I understand. I want you to pass a message to his highness that I would still wait for the acceptance of my father. If he did not agree, then I would return all the gifts.“ He was surprised to hear my statement as his eyes widened a bit, yet he bowed and left.

I think I would not be welcome even by his men in the palace.

I sat there silently for a while in my thoughts when I heard the footsteps again.

“Would you care to explain what is happening?” I could see the anger and disappointment in her eyes as she looked at me. I took a deep breath and smiled.

“Shall we discuss this over breakfast, mother.” She was surprised to hear my calm and sweet voice as I called her amiably yet she nodded and looked at the maids that had followed her.

“I will have it in the garden.” They bowed and left us alone when she continued to look at me.

“You should be happy that you are going to be the mother of the empress.” her face cracked as i joked but she did not say a word. As if she was telling me that she would not fall for my trick and let the matter rest until I tell her the complete story.

“Shall we?” I stood and signalled her and she nodded and followed me to the garden.

We both sat on the table as the maids served us breakfast. I took the cup of tea in my hands but she did not initiate the breakfast or conversation. She only continued to look at me, silently telling me that she was still waiting for her reply.

“In the academy, a girl was jealous and challenged me to a fight. Well, that is a normal occurrence since knights often challenge each other to learn better. But then she used poison on her sword to kill me there.

His highness somehow knew about the matter and to save me, he killed the girl. He then professed that he loved me and wanted to marry me. The girl became jealous and wanted to kill me to get the love of his highness for herself. 

He proposed me right there and i accepted his love since i have the same affections for him.” She was silent the whole time as I continued to tell her the whole story in detail. But even when I stopped, she did not say a word.

“Are you not happy about this marriage?” I had thought that she would be over the moon when she would come to know about it since it would make her the mother of the empress.

Her position would rise in the society and no other nobles would be able to stand against her. But she stayed silent as if she had been suffering grievances. It made me annoyed, if noth others I was hoping she would be happy like isabella. At last, I was the one who broke the silence and she sighed.

“Though it sounds great to marry higher nobles and get a strong position in the empire, if you would ask me it is not worth it.” I blinked as I was not expecting to get this answer. Was she not the one who has become the duchess from baroness. She even asks Isabella to behave like a proper lady and get recognized by the society too! 

Was she still against me!? I tilted my head as thousands of thoughts crossed my mind.

“Do not give too much pressure to your little mind. I have been both a baroness and a duchess. So, if you would ask me, I was happier as a baroness as I lived life the way I wanted. We have a small family, away from the scrutinizing gaze of the nobles.

Since the day I have been the duchess, nobles have kept a strong eye on me and I have received a lot of scorn. Not to forget how I was welcomed here. Do you think her majesty and his majesty will welcome you with open arms?

Though we are at the higher position and your father is the loyal ally of his majesty. Her majesty wanted her niece, Lady Sophie, as the future empress. She will make your life miserable so that you would give up and there is a chance that you would be demoted as the concubine, just like the mother of his highness. If that happens, I am sure that the future empress will also be a part of your bleak future.

Not to forget that his highness has many lovers. He spent most of his time in the brothels. What if his affections for you died over time? It has only been a few months that he is head over heels to you but how sincere is he?

Wasn’t he in love with someone else a few months ago? And has he even stopped going to the brothel after falling in love with you? The man who will not give you enough love, respect and care would not support you when you suffer grievances!

  Then how will you survive in the palace alone? You think I am trying to demotivate you. But I am only presenting the scenarios. If you ask me for advice, I will definitely deny it. 

And I am sure your father would not be happy too.” i have never thought that not even once she would think of power when it comes to marrying us.

“Then, what did you think about the marriage of Isabella?” I could not help but ask and deep lines formed on her forehead.

“She is still young but when the time comes. I would be happy to marry her off as long as the man loves her enough. I am happy even if she married a baron or viscount.“ I couldn’t help but look at her in a new light. Why in the past have I always felt that she wanted power and money? That was why she married father.

Come to think of it, I always thought like that because she pressured Isabella to be recognized and she never shared a room with father.

“Mother, then why do you pressurize Bella to be recognised?” she sighed when she heard the question and looked at the distance.

“I do not want the nobles to lay a finger on your father that he has not given equal chance to the daughter of baroness or to stain his respect by our unsophisticated behavior.” a lump formed in my throat when i heard this.

So, all this time, she was only trying to keep up the respect of father in the society so that others would not laugh at the father who had chosen a wife and daughter that did not live up to the position. Was that what she meant when she said that it was suffocating to be a higher noble!

Come to think of it, she was rather alone in this big mansion. Though father married her. He had never given her the rights of a wife, and she did not even ask for them. That made me wonder who among both did not want to take the first step.

Wouldn’t it be better if they live as a couple rather than father and mother ?

“Mother, why don’t you share a room with father?”

“……”