Villainess Becomes The Knight

William pov

"Your highness, the queen wants to meet you. My eyes opened when the maid came to ask for permission for her arrival.

"Let her in." I said as I stood up and walked towards the sofa.

Her eyes were wet and filled with worries as she entered. Her footsteps were hurried and she looked at me with an upset face.

"Are you okay, darling?" she asked as she sat beside me and touched my cheek.

"I am perfectly fine, mother. What will happen to me?" I asked , tilting my head and she frowned.

"I heard that you had an accident in the woods when you went hunting." There was confusion in her eyes as she searched my body for injuries or marks of wounds.

I was glad that i did not have any injuries on the areas that could be seen, most of my injuries were on my upper arm, back and thighs.

"I think you have some confusion. Sir Abigail fell from the horse and she had some injuries. I am perfectly fine." I replied with a straight face and her face filled with bewilderment but a wave of relief washed over her face.

"That is good then. I think her majesty must have been confused." she replied with a sigh of relief.

'Ah, so she was shameless enough to boost it that she had injured me perfectly.' a chuckle escaped my lips at her cruelty.

"What happened, dearie?" she asked in confusion and then she smiled, "dear, do you remember how you used to play with Abigail when you were child. She used to come with her mother often and then you both play till dark and sometimes cry when she leaves. Even Jose and Carl used to be jealous of both of you." her eyes were filled with the happy past that was long lost by both of us.

"That was the time when you were an empress. I have lost those happy days, that position the moment you decided to stay even after getting divorce and accepted to be the concubine and let someone else become the empress!" I spat, I did not want to be bitter towards her every time i met her but I could not stop myself whenever I thought about the past.

She bit her lips as she looked at me with her guilt filled eyes, 

"It has been so many years, why could you not just forget that? I am still his wife and we are still part of the royal family." she replied, but i just shook my head.

"You can live with this lie all your life. But I do not want to be part of it. If everything's the same, tell me, where is Carl? Tell me where his mother is? You used to call her sister, don't you feel any remorse?" I asked as she looked at the other side.

"Your father has asked about your marriage with the daughter of the archduke, Lady Sophie, when she will have her coming of age ceremony next month. Or the princess of the east estate Lady Scarlet. She is especially coming to attend the academy so that you both can meet each other and spend time together. You have to decide in a month whom you want to marry. If you want you can marry both too." she announced after a spouse and a little bit sympathy that i have felt for her a minute ago lost then and there.

"I wonder if you are here to see me or to announce your so-called husband's decision. And here I thought that you still care about others. You still care about me.'' My words were accusing but that was all I felt when I looked at her face that was either filled with pain or guilt. There was no other emotion left in her life.

"I understand, your highness. I will make sure to decide on my wife in a month. Do you have any other instructions?" I asked in a formal tone.

"I was thinking if you are free enough to have lunch with me?" she asked in a low voice.

"Is this an instruction or request?" I asked , tilting my head. I knew she deserved my love, but if I told her my reality,  it would automatically reach the ears of my father and then his empress.

I needed to be hidden until I was strong enough to protect everyone I loved.

"It is a request." she replied, fidgeting with her hands.

"Then i apologise i can not fulfil it. I have to go to a brothel, it has been three days since I last went there.`` I replied with a lazy smirk, widening her eyes.

"But this is day time. You can always spend the night there." she said as if trying to coax me and i wondered if that was just to spend time with me or did she really felt that sleeping with other women at night time was fine if you spent day time with your family.

I would rather not touch anyone that is sleeping with some random woman!

"Does it even matter, your grace? You should go and spend time with your husband. Now I am tired and I want to rest." my curt replies made her wet eyes wetter. Yet she never gave up.

No matter what I said or her husband did, she has not even once thought of leaving this palace and starting a new life. I did not know why!? And what should I do to convince her?

"Alright, then I will check the preparations for your departure to the academy. And William, I hope that you will try to improve your relationship with Josephine in the academy. Since you both are going to share the same hut." my steps halted when i heard her reply.

"Why? I am sure we are rich enough to afford separate huts for both of us." I asked as I looked at her. This was another conspiracy. They did not do anything without motive.

"Yes, I know. But Josehpine has personally requested to share the hut with you."

".........."

---------------------------------