Villainess Becomes The Knight

Abigail pov

I did not know what went over me, but when I saw him so vulnerable I felt bad for him. Who would have thought that a crown prince who would have so many lovers would be so alone in reality.

The way he hugged me, I could feel his loneliness. Who would have thought that this kind of man needed more hugs and assurance. He was not looking at me as the womanizer I knew since long, but a kid who needed help and assurance. I patted his back for a while until he calmed down.

"We need to keep moving." I reminded him and he finally nodded and left my arms.

"We are not that far away. We will be in the palace soon." he replied with confidence and I nodded.

"I thought that the woods were too deep." it suddenly felt easy, i thought that it would take a lot of time and effort after being lost there.

"Well, the whole woods were there for hunting to show the nobles. But that was a way to evacuate the royal family too when needed. It was made at the time of war when there was a chance of seizing the palace. So no matter how deep the person is in the woods there is always a way to come back to the palace. The problem is the woods are too dense.

So, it is not easy to find the tunnels. But I am surprised that you know the way to the palace in those deep forests too. Have you ever been there?" he asked and then shook his head.

"It is impossible for you to be there without the permission of the royal family." he added, replying to his question by himself.

"As I have said before, I learnt about the way when I was riding a hundred." I claimed again and he rolled his eyes but did not ask further.

"You are keeping too many secrets, it is not good to keep so many secrets little bird." he said after some contemplation as if he was trying his best to not offend me but at the same time gauge a reply from me.

"So as you, your highness." I replied back with the same nonchalance. But deep down I even wanted to know what he was hiding.

The more I came closer to him, the more I felt like he was not as useless as he was.

"Well, then let us do one thing. Why don't we reveal a secret to each other. I will ask one question. If you replied honestly, I would reply to one of your questions too." he said earnestly and I bit my lips.

'Could i trust him enough to tell him my secrets, those that i have not told even to my family or Noah!'

"Come on, little bird. We have to work as a team. And I feel that we have the same enemy. If we work as a team, we will be able to attack better." he replied when I did not reply and I sighed. He was right, since it was about his life, he had the right to know. But the question was. Would he even believe the nonsense I would tell him?!

I took a deep breath and accepted his offer. I will be truthful to him, believing or not was his concern in the end.

"Alright, I am ready but I hope that you will fulfil your promise and reply honestly to me." I pointed and he nodded.

"You have my word. So, tell me why do you want to be a knight?" he asked, though he was still looking at the front. I could still feel his gaze on me from the sidelines.

"So that I can protect you. If you would be safe only then would the whole empire and its citizens be safe.`` I replied, honestly. I became a knight so that I could keep him safe and he could ascend the throne. My family would live a longer life then.

"I never knew you were so devoted to the empire." he taunted, it was visible that he did not believe me.

"Saving you is the single motto of my life, your highness." I added with a sincere tone and his steps halted again.

"Then better keep yourself safe, little bird." he said with a slight annoyance and I frowned.

"What is the connection between both of them?" I asked with a frown.

"Tsk tsk.. How will you protect me if you will not be safe by yourself?" he asked with a disdained voice.

'This man was certainly suffering from menopause!!' his mood swings were worse than women.

"Alright, it is my turn to ask a question now." I said, completely ignoring his criticism.

He nodded his head, "go ahead."

"Tell me if you are so good at fencing and shooting. Why do you not perform well in the contest and in the academy? The way you followed me in the woods, even your trained knights were not able to do so. Following a mad horse that was running wildly is not a simple deed. Yet. you never won even a single horse race or competition ever!"  i asked exasperated, i wanted to know that so badly but he just chuckled making me frown.

"Well, i did not know we can mix so many question together and call it one question.'' I pursed my lips when he said that. They all were interconnected, yet he behaved like so.

"Why are you hiding your skills, your highness?" I asked simply, thinking it would give only a general answer. It was better than having none.

"Well, as the future emperor, I did not want my enemies to know about my prowess. I want to keep that in the dark until I am strong enough to face all of them at once and get rid of them." he replied with a sigh.

"But did not showing your strength will bring you more ally and you will be able to get rid of your enemies early?" I asked, confused, he was only increasing his enemies by being a weakling.

"This is another question, little bird. And it is my turn now." he replied, completely ignoring my annoyance.

"Alright, you ask first." I said , taking a deep breath. So that i would not kick him to take out my anger.

"Hmm, tell me, why do you hate lord Gerard so much?" I knew this was coming, this was the only question in the mind of Noah and him every time. But this time I have a reply.

"His sister often took my benefit and used me as cannon fodder in the past. Now that I know the truth, I did not like his family much. But things turned otherwise when his father started forcing my father to marry him. I did not want a forced political marriage." I replied with anger in my voice. So that the reason looks valid enough.

This time not only his steps halted but he turned to look at me.

"I thought you already had a lover?" His words filled me with anxiety that I felt guilty for a second. Well that was not part of the question of the deal where I was obliged to tell him the truth, right?

"I have, but he is just a group leader right now. I can not tell my father unless he reaches the post of a commandant at least. Or else he would deny.`` I said, in a pitiful voice so that he did not press further.

"Hmm, I will see what I can do in it." he said in a low voice, as if he was upset or disappointed.

'Did he also feel that a noble should not fall in love with a commoner! Sigh! I could not blame him, that was how society works right now.'

"Hmm, so tell me now, would not being strong give you more allies and hiding your power will make more enemies. You are basically making more than half of your empire as your enemy." if only he would not have so many enemies, things would turn so easy for both of us!

"Well, there are some enemies that are hidden. They are silent because they did not take me as their opponent. This way I get the chance to find more proof against them by hiding in the dark. If I come into light, they will be aware and then.. I may not be able to target them and i will be the target instead.'' His words were cryptic. 

"But who could go against the crown prince. You have the maximum power in the empire?" I asked with a frown when he chuckled.

"There are still 3 people who have more power than me, little bird. Sometimes we did not need to find enemies outside of the palace. Being a prince is walking on pins and needles. I sometimes wish that I would have been a common man, living a simple life with a loving family."