“My lady we are here” said the coachman once we entered the palace.

“From now, call me sir Abigail, just like my father.” I told him as I climbed down from the carriage. I could hear the roars and shooting from far away as I walked towards the training ground with Beth following behind me. When I reached the ground. There was not even the space to keep my feet. It was well crowded. Many people were gathered there to watch the sparring match. Here were knights who were trying to cheer their comrades. Young noble girls who were looking at good nights with heart shaped eyes and at last commoners who liked to see the battles of it was a game that they enjoyed.

I slowly made my way towards the back where the other knights were waiting for their turn.

There were areas divided for each team to stay and rest. When I reached the area assigned to us. I was surprised to see Josephine and Leo standing there.

“Your royal highness” I wished as I bowed immediately and she turned, her eyes fell over me. She was visibly surprised but she covered it and then smirked.

“So, she is the one taken place of the injured knight? A novice girl. Would she even be able to stand there and complete the tasks without playing dirty?” she asked my father in a mocking tone.

Father frowned as he looked at me and then at her, “I didn’t know how it reached this conclusion but she would not do that.” his words were filled with confidence and i bit my lip.

Josephine looked at me and then at my father as a smirk formed on her lips, “in that case i want to be her opponent.”

“But you are not part of any knighthood.” said my father in a strong voice not at all afraid that she was the princess.

“Is that so?” With that she walked out giving me a challenging smile.

“She would be the one to fight with you.” my father declared once Josephine left and trust me i knew that already, so i just nodded.

“Abi, did something happen between you and her?” he asked and I shook my head.. Though he didn’t believe it, yet he nodded.

“There are 3 rounds for it. You have to win the horse race. Archery and last fencing. I know you have been good at archery since childhood and you have learnt a bit of fencing from Noah. But I am worried about horse riding. Would you be able to do it?” he asked with a serious expression. I looked at their horse and walked towards it.

I had never seen a horse as beautiful as this one in real life. The horse was a brown reddish horse, which somehow reminded me of Noah. That brought a smile to my face. It had an athletic frame, deep sloping shoulders, powerful muscling over the hips and thighs and long clean legs with pronounced tendons. It seemed to be well bred as it waited there patiently, looking majestic and proud, with its silky mane dancing softly in the breeze.

“Would you let me ride you, my friend?” I asked as I loaned a hand on his neck and patted him.

He neighed looking into my eyes and it was a majestic feeling to climb on it.

My father chuckled as he looked at me. “This is not supposed to be your horse, Abigail. This is the crown prince’s horse. Though I am surprised he let you sit on it. Mostly this is one of the most moody and proud horses.” he said as he moved towards the horse to pat it like me, but the horse lifted his front legs to show resistance, making me surprised.

“I think it will be better if you choose another horse. This one is too stubborn” said my father. I looked at the horse one last time and nodded reluctantly.

But the horse neighed and moved closer to me when I started to leave. As if trying to stop me and requesting to choose it.

“I think you should take the horse, since it likes you so much. I do not like when someone makes my hundred upset.” came the voice and we all turned to see that crown prince was standing there tall and looking at us with amused but lazy eyes.

“My hundreds and my thoughts match darling, you should choose him. He will make sure that you win the race. He is the best horse in the whole empire.” he boosted and my father nodded.

“There is no doubt that a hundred will make sure Abi wins the race. But what if he didn’t let her sit in the end moment”

“Tsk tsk.. My hundred lovers are beautiful girls like her. He would take good care of her. By the way duke, if your daughter won the competition today. I promise I will announce her as a royal knight. And she would serve me directly in the academy.” he announced, making me escalate and my father stunned.

We both turned silent due to different reasons after listening to his words.

He came close to me and took my hand in his. His lips gently kissed my hands and he smiled alluringly.

“I wish you luck, my lady. May you win and be with me for the rest of your life. I mean serve me as my knight.” he said with a mischievous smirk.

I was having a hard time controlling myself from snatching my hand and moving it straight to his cheeks. Cheesy!!

It took him an eternity to leave my hand and then move towards the other knights talking and wishing them luck too.

When he reached at the suitable distance away from us, my father moved towards me and whispered in my ears,

“I want you to lose the race, Abigail” in a very serious tone.

“……..”