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Abigail pov

"Nick, did father know about it?" That was the silliest question I could have asked. But everyone came to ask me, scold me or share my happiness but I have not seen my father since he left with master Theodore and Kirian in the morning.

I told my heart that it was because he was busy handling the matter, but somewhere, my heart was not ready to believe it.

I closed my eyes to calm my jittering nerves. I love my father a lot but sometimes he turns into a stubborn man when it comes to me. I did not know why he was so protective of me.

"The whole empire knows about it, Abi. It was announced by the crown prince himself. He had told the world that you are going to marry as soon as you celebrate your coming of age ceremony. He personally admitted that he loved you for a long time but  he has hidden his love because of the same reason. But when he saw you in that condition, he could not get hold of his emotions anymore.. 

He had even claimed that the countess daughter have used lethal poison on the sword to kill you because she was jealous of you.\'\' Then he stopped and sighed and I turned my face from the window, towards him.

"I have known the girl for a long time. We have been training together since a long time. In fact, she was the knight who got injured during the competitions and you were asked to take her place. I think that  must have been one of the reasons too. But I still could not believe that she forgot the honor of knights and tried to do something this disgraceful." his hands were clenched into a fist and his eyes were looking infuriated and I sighed.

"Let\'s not think about it. Is my father angry?" He looked at me and slowly his expressions softened.

"Everyone knows about the leisure activities of the crown prince. So, it is not easy to accept that our precious Abi was going to marry him. Not only you have to face the politics in the palace. You will have to bear and handle his lovers too. 

It is going to be an exhausting life, Abi. in fact, no one knows how serious his affections were. What if he falls in love with another girl sometime after. Then?" I bit my lips as I did not have any reply to his questions. We were not in love from the start, so falling out of love was not even a question. But what if he really found his true love later.

In the past he died before getting married. So I was not sure if he would meet the girl he loved later or not!

I heard him sigh as he looked at my worried face, "you can always deny, Abi. Father will personally talk about it with his majesty. I am sure he would not pressurize you to marry his highness since he is not getting any benefit from this marriage.

Our family is already in blood oath with the royal family. We are serving him from generations. So, there is no need to bind the family in a marriage alliance.`` I nodded as I knew the emperor wanted Scarlet to marry William.

And the way she came personally to tell me to survive this condition. It only meant that the royal family was going to create troubles for me.

"I have decided already, brother. I am going to marry the crown prince." his eyes looked disappointed yet he nodded, i could see the reluctance and understand it. But I can not explain to him that I did not desire for love anyway.

"My lord we have arrived." The carriage finally stopped and we walked towards the palace which was engulfed in the darkness of night.

Beth came and bowed to me and so did a few other servants.

"It is very late. Go and rest, we will talk about it later." I nodded and walked towards my room followed by Beth.

"My lady, shall I bring your dinner?" she asked me as we reached the room.

"Yes, please." i was exhausted and hungry with all the recent events. She bowed and left the room while I changed my clothes and sat on the chair looking out of the window.

\'Would I really be married to William after my coming of age ceremony!\' 

"My lady." Beth entered and served the dinner which i ate silently. After that I walked towards my closet and took out a small bag filled with gold coins.

"I do not need your service tomorrow. I want you to leave for the town now and pass this letter and this bag to your son." She took it and bowed as she left.

  After finishing my dinner, I went to bed, hoping the next day would be better.

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I frowned and hid my face beneath the pillow to get rid of the noises. The palace was large enough that even a pasty was organized in the ballroom or central garden. Its sound will not reach the chambers. Then I wondered what was happening to make the palace this noisy.

"With a frown, I left the bed and walked out of my chamber towards the stairs. Only to see a horde of knights and servants there. Everyone had a gift in their hands and my eyes widened.

"What is happening here?" asked mother as she walked out of her room. Though she was dressed decently, I could see the dark eyes and tired face. It was still dawn and yet the servants had filled the palace. It means they have started the journey at midnight.

"My lady" they all bowed and then spoke, "we are here to deliver the coming of age gifts to the future wife of his highness.\'\' To say that she was shocked would be an understatement. This was the first time I have seen her standing tongue tied there.

"Wh-who?" she asked, though i was sure i was the only one who was going to have her coming of age ceremony in a few days.

"The future bride of his highness, my lady, lady Abigail Essendson." replied James, only then did my eyes notice him.

Even when they told her my name, she stood there stunned as she could not believe them at all.

"Where shall we keep these gifts, my lady?" they asked again only then did she blink and look at them again.

"There must be some confusion. Abigail is not even an adult yet and we have not fixed her marriage with anyone." she replied in an unsure voice and the knights looked at each other unsure of what to reply.

"My lady, we are not in a position to reply to your question. We are only here to follow the instructions. If you are kind enough to receive the gifts on behalf of lady Abigail, we will be very grateful to you." this was the first time i have seen James talking so respectfully otherwise, he had always snorted and looked at me with disdain.

"But I need to discuss it with my husband before accepting it." accepting the gifts would mean that she had accepted the marriage proposal. The way she was fidgeting, I was sure she was scared to do this on her own accord.

"Do you wish us to stay here for a few days, my lady. I am sure the duke would not be able to return to the palace before the matter was solved.`` He was looking so sure that I wondered what had happened there to engage everyone. I was dying to know. 

I bit my lips as I walked towards the stairs. I was sure my father would be further disappointed with my decision.

Hearing the sound of my footsteps, they all looked towards the stairs and bowed again.

"My lady, we were here to meet you only." yet he did not even call for me once. I was sure he just wanted to dump the gifts and leave before even looking at my face, yet I smiled amiably on his lie.

"Sir James, i was not expecting to meet you early in the morning too." I replied when my mother looked at me with confusion.

"I have been asked to deliver the gifts of your coming of age ceremony, my lady." with that he signalled the servants to come closer to me with all the gifts in their hands.

"Thank you. I am honored to be served by you. You can leave the gifts here only." they all bowed as they laid gits on the table and then stood up, ready to leave.

"Then we will ask for leave, my lady." I nodded as they all stood up when I added. "Can I have a word with you sir James." When he turned to look at me as if waiting to hear me, I frowned and added, "privately!"