William pov contd.

I hugged her again to feel her warmth. She had no idea how difficult it was to go through her search when the whole palace was on fire.

“Abigail?” I called her again and again as if I wanted to be sure that she was here.

“I am fine. Mother needs me, your highness.” she replied as she looked back at the duchess. Since when had she started calling the duchess, mother. But the love and concern on her face was telling that she had genuine feelings towards the lady. Wasn’t she Abi’s step mother? Then how could she be so close to her? I just nodded as it felt so surreal that she left my arms and reached to her.

She sat and patted her back as the duchess continued to cough..

“Are our staff saved?” was the first question she asked after getting over her fit of cough.

I looked at James and Lucas who nodded their heads in unison.

“We have saved everyone we found around, your highness. But we are not sure if anyone left. We did our best in checking every nook and corner but the palace was too grand to be looked at thoroughly.“ They both bowed their heads and I gritted my teeth. 

It was all because of him!

“I understand, thank you for your timely help, sir Lucas and Sir James. I did not know what would have happened if you would not have been there.” she tried to bow even when she was looking so frail. Her face had turned ashen and her coughing was not in control at all.

“You do not need to thank, your highness. It is our duty and our honor to save lives.“ They both bowed while I shook my head.

“Duchess, I think you should go and have a check up from the physician. Your condition is not looking good.” she shook her head even when she was coughing again. She must have absorbed a lot of smoke

“I need to see that everyone has a safe place and everyone is checked before that, your highness. I apologize for my insolence. I continued to sit while you are standing.” She tried to stand but her legs were still wobbly. I was glad that Abi was storing enough to withstand the smoke and fire. I would have lost my composure if she would have been looking like the duchess.

“There is no need to apologize, Duchess. And do not worry about the staff either. They are my responsibility now and I will make sure that they are treated fairly.” Then I looked at James who nodded.

“He will take you to the royal palace. Duke George is also there and he needed to be informed about the incident. It would be better if you would be present there or there are chances that he may lose his composure.” she looked conflicted but nodded in the end. But then her eyes fell on Abi.

“Then, your highness, Abigail will go with me too.” We both shook our heads in unison as we heard her request.

“Abigail is the member of the house and a knight too. She had to stay to discuss the matter and do the proceedings.” she was about to deny when Abi also added.

“Yes, mother. You have inhaled a lot of smoke. You need rest, but i am fine since i was in the kitchen when the accident happened.“ She looked at both of us with hesitation and stayed silent. 

“Your highness, lady Isabella would be too worried for you too. I will send Kirian to escort her to the palace too.” she finally took a deep breath and nodded.

“I hope you would join us soon.” I finally took a deep breath when she left after hugging Abi.

Her expressions that were soft till now turned cold the moment the duchess left. There was bloodlust in her eyes and her face was devoid of any mischievous, she usually had.

“You already know who did it. Don’t you?” Though I was asking, I knew that she was suspicious of Gerard from the start.

“Didn’t I tell you that the man is vicious enough to kill everyone without even batting an eyelid. I have supported you, your highness in every way. Now it is your turn to show how will you avenge the attempt to murder your future wife.” there was a subtle hint in her words. It would sound like a complaint at first. But she was hinting that I could use the name of the future empress of the empire rather than the daughter of the duke which would multiply the effect of his punishment.

“I would make sure to punish the preparator, so that he would never be able to forget it.” she nodded with a sigh but i have not finished yet.

“Abi, I think you should stay in the palace for the meantime with your whole family. Other places are not safe for you.” i thought that she would be hesitant, but her eyes twinkled at my suggestion.

“Of course, as the future empress I have the complete right to do that.” At that moment I knew that she had an idea in her mind already. 

But whatever she wanted to do, I would support her with my closed eyes. She had already suffered enough, now it was time to retaliate. The fire that was still burning the palace was burning in our hearts too. Though the guards were trying to extinguish it, the damage was already done.

“My house, my family and my patience have been challenged again and again. This time, I would not let the matter go. I promise i will return the favor 10th fold.” I nodded and hugged her from behind. I did not mind that she wanted revenge. But I did not want her to burn herself in that revenge.

“Come, we shall go and collect proofs.” She looked at me as if I was a fool and then laughed coldly. For the first time I felt that she had another side too that was ruthless and cold.

“I already have a plan in my mind. I just need your support for that.” she added and I nodded.

“You have all the powers my name could provide. There is no need to ask.” She blinked at my reply but the smile only widened and for the first time I was glad that I was not the one at the receiving end of her ire.

“Then, please excuse me..” she moved and i let go of her waist. Moving closer to the men who had been laying on dead, she searched his body. We frowned and looked at each other but soon she took out an amulet.

“This is not the seal and emblem of the archduke family.” I replied with a frown, even if we presented it, it would go against us only.

“Of course, I know that. This is his way to protect himself. Even if his plan failed or one of his men got caught after we die, he could prove that he was not involved but the count was! This way not only he would escape his punishment, but his enemies could be blamed.” the way she searched and explained it, it felt that she knew about everything already. In fact, whenever it comes to Gerard, it felt like she knew everything about him. 

No matter how much I tried to avoid this fact, it pierced my heart badly. 

“How do you know about this?” asked Theodore, I could see suspicions in his eyes yet I could not blame him. A person who was associated with the criminal once could only know about his way of doing crimes. 

“I have spent all my life in learning his ways, master Theodore. But that does not mean I am claiming my hands are white. 

For now, I need all your trust and support. You can drag me to your court later.” I could see that Theodore was not ready to let the matter go.

“That is enough. She is the victim here. What is the meaning of questioning her?” I looked at Theodore  who looked back at me with the same intensity. At last he relented and nodded. But I knew he would not let the matter go. He would investigate her discreetly. But I was not afraid of that. I have complete trust over her that was why in spite of her mysterious behavior, I did not investigate her ever.

“So, what is your plan?” I asked, completely ignoring the fools who did not understand the difference between friends and foes.

“We have to find a reliable man and then ask him to act as him.” she points at the dead man and then back at us.

“We need someone to wear these clothes and take the blame of firing the empire and then ready to accept death punishment instead. So that lord Gerard could be saved.”

“………”

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