I opened my eyes with a strong headache. But my brows furrowed further when I looked around. It was not my room, my palace.

“So, sweetheart, you are finally awake” my eyes snapped to the direction in the flash of a lighting.

There he was leaning on the door, hands folded in front of his chest and looking at me with a tilted head.

His eyes were once again roaming on the body, which still felt unnerving.

“I apologise for worrying you, your royal highness. But i am fine now. Where is my father and sister?” I asked , standing up hastily.

I could not believe my father took no objection to being here.

“Oh, that.. Your sister is watching a show in my personal theatre, with other nobles. Your father is called for an inspection of knights of the palace. So he would not be able to return before sunset. So as a gentleman, I took the responsibility of taking care of you, sweetheart. How are you feeling now?” he asked as he walked in. taking a seat on the sofa, he kept his both legs on the table one on another and leaned on the sofa further. Tapping his fingers on the armrest, he looked at me with the same sultry eyes.

“Oh, Abi..”

“Abigail.. My name is Abigail Essendon”

“Hahaha, you are a funny sweetheart. So, Abigail, tell me what happened to you there?” he asked and took a yawn.

If he was feeling that bored with the discussion why are we even having it in the first place.

“I don’t know you royal highness, i must be tired or shocked or maybe afraid.” I said trying to sound weak and he nodded.

“Hmmm, is that so?”

“Yes, your highness.” I replied , bowing my head, ready to leave the moment he would nod his head.

“Well, you did not seem to be shocked when you were telling girls that it was better that they die if they did not want to move or calling me a dumb person that can never use his mind” he repeated with a chuckle as if he was amused at the memory of the accident.

“I was on the adrenal rush, your royal highness. I did not realise what I was saying. I apologise for my insolence. I promise it would not be happened again”

“That was good.. Come sit here, we need to talk”

I wanted to deny it but I could see guards standing everywhere, I could not go out without his permission and maybe it was my chance to get some benefits too. With that thought, I felt more comfortable walking towards him.

I sat on the other side of the sofa instead of the place where he pointed, and he chuckled again.

“So, Abigail.. How do you know that chandelier is going to fall and how did you show the courage to save everyone yet you fainted in the end?”” he asked the same question again. Did he doubt that I was the one who planned it? Was he foolish to think that a 15 year old girl could do that! Ha! Sick!

“I just noticed it and as i said i did everything in my panic state. But when i realised what i did and how much dangerous the situation was i turned unconscious.” I said with a soft voice as if I was still traumatized by the event.

“Oh, so that’s what it is. Still you have rescued the future emperor of the empire. I grant you a wish. You can ask anything you desire.” he said as if he had full control over the rights of treasure and other resources but that was my chance, it came more easily than i had thought.

“Your royal highness, i am taking the training to be a knight under my father. And soon I have to join the knight course in the academy. But many think that i am not worth it. If you would take me as your personal knight then no one would ever be able to speculate me. So i request you to accept me as the one who would protect you in the academy.” i requested and his eyes gleamed as if he was happier than me.

‘Why!!!’

“So, you want me to ask for you to serve me when I stay in the academy after these vacations. But you will be in the first year and i will be in the last year, pretty lady” he said but his eyes were already sparkling.

“I can assure you, that i still would be able to serve you, your royal highness. If I fail in my task to protect you, you can always dismiss me. There is nothing to lose in it “I tried to convince him as he chuckled and shook his head.

“Except my life, pretty lady. Mind telling me Abi, if you failed to protect me, hw will i be alive to dismiss you, huh?” he asked, making me tongue tied.

It was not like he would only have one knight. There were a whole convoy of knights serving him in the academy yet he was trying to be cocky.

“Then why did you ask me to choose, your royal highness when you are not ready to accept this simple request.” i said standing up, i would try to find another way like convincing his father or my father! Sigh! Now I have to take a long run for this simple task.

“Oh, my, such a feisty girl! Have i ever denied you anything Abigail”