[Abigail's POV]
It was already night time and I was taking a hot bath after a long day. What happened earlier was not something to joke about, especially since both of our lives were at stake.
Good thing there were no people around when that conflict occurred. Otherwise, a possibility of killing those innocent is high.
But...
It won't take long when the real battle happens. Tomorrow's the special event and I'm certain that it won't be peaceful during the ceremony. The worst part here is that, the enemies were now inside but we couldn't locate them, There was someone, powerful enough to hide their identities from the authorities that even I couldn't get my hands on it easily.
Not to mention that... Duke Alphonse, my father talked to me after I got back. We discussed some matters that needed to be attended.
"What are you doing here?" I uttered as my hand played with the water, not even glancing at that person who entered the room secretly and without any permission.
"Am I not allowed to see My Lady?" He spoke and walked slowly towards the bathtub where I just stayed silent. Good thing the bubbles were covering the water underneath.
"I'm not in the mood for your jokes, Edward" I sighed as I started massaging my temples.
"Just because My brother is with you all day long, you'll just push me away like that?" A hint of anger in his voice as he spoke.
Why do I have to deal with this now?
"I sent you a letter this evening and yet you didn't even bother reading it" He spoke again and sat on the edge of the tub while I just ignored him.
"I'm sorry, I just... I just had a lot in my mind right now" I took a deep breath and gently eased myself into the bathtub, slowly lowering my body in it where the water had reached above my shoulder.
I felt my wound sting a little but I didn't mind it, besides, the water in this tub contains herbal essence. It'll help the wound from healing faster.
"After what happened earlier, it's understandable for you to overthink the situation" I heard Edward sigh as he then stood up and kissed me in the forehead before facing the opposite side of where I was.
"I wanted to tell you something and... You won't be happy about it" He stopped and took a deep breath, still facing in the opposite direction.
There's a hint of sadness in his voice as he said those words.
"Father... had signed the contract. Mara and I-"
"I know..." I cut him off as I slowly got up off the tub and grabbed my robe, covering my body with it before leaving.
"You... Knew?" His eyes widened in disbelief as he turned around and faced me.
"It was expected, Edward... Whether you like it or not, the two of you are destined to be with each other" I exclaimed and walked towards him, looking straight into his eyes.
"Why are you-"
"That's why... I wanted to end things here" I spoke and faced him completely, not letting my emotions fall into thee "I wanted our relationship to stop here, there's no point in fighting" I even added, not letting him finish his own sentence.
I expected him to understand yet his next action shocked me.
His breath hitched as he then grabbed me by the shoulder and harshly then pinned me into the wall.
"Is it because of Philip?! Is it because you love him more than you love me now?"
I hissed when I felt his grip getting tighter as I held into his arm, hoping to calm him a little. At this moment, I don't want to fight him, I don't want to hurt him.
"N-no... Philip has nothing to do with this, Edward, please"
Realizing his action, he quickly let go of me then walked backwards a little as he clenched his own hair before facing me.
I can see the anger from him rising, He was mad. He was furious yet at the same time, he was petrified.
"No... you can't, if this is about both of our political marriages, m-maybe I can... No, I will find a way about it" He spoke and held both of my arms but this time, he was gentle.
He tried to assure me that there's another way, that there must be something to solve this matter yet...
It will cause great chaos between the two families. And I don't want to put his name in vain.
I didn't want to, I don't want to let go of what we had but the circumstances aren't the same anymore. I don't want him to suffer the consequences just because of choosing me.
"Don't you understand, Edward?" I tried to keep my composure and pushed him away
"I am doing what's best for you, you should know very well that Mara is a Varquez, once you married her then you'll be granted a place on the throne... but if you still insist on fighting what we had, there's a chance that you'll be losing that position you had as a prince and the chance to become an emperor, there's even a possibility that my title will be taken away from me and will be banned from this kingdom once our secret is out. Then we'll both suffer!" I added while clenching my hand.
"Abigail... please, don't throw me away like this" He begged and clung into me, wrapping his arms around my body tightly however I refrained myself from hugging him back.
I tried to keep my composure but my body didn't communicate.
A tear slowly rolled down into my eyes but instead of hugging him back, I gently pushed him away again.
I don't want to see him like this, I didn't want us to end up like this yet I'm afraid of taking any risk anymore. If we don't end what we have, we will face bigger consequences in the future, whether we like it or not.
They can call me a coward all they want but, I couldn't bear to see him getting hurt just because of me.
"I love you, Edward, I always have. I wanted our love to bloom but... we are not destined for each other. We should bring our relationship to an end, it's not worth the struggle. I.... Can't see a future when I'm with you" I exclaimed as I felt my heartbeat dropped. The moment I said those words, I knew, I broke him more than it broke me.
It hurted him more than it hurt me.
"I am sorry but I'm doing this for both of us, I don't want you to lose what you have just because of me and I am the same. I don't want to disappoint Duke Alphonse and I wanted to protect you" I uttered as I slowly reached for his hand.
It doesn't matter to me if we don't end up together, what matters to me is that I can stay by your side not as your spouse but your knight along the way and ensure your safety. Not just our Prince, but our future Emperor
I held into his hand tightly and slowly caressed it but stopped when he slowly removed mine from his.
"You've changed" He clenched his fist as he spoke, averting his gaze away from me.
"You speak as if you were my mother" He uttered and took a deep breath "I thought you'd be different but... I was wrong" He added and started walking towards the door where he entered. Not even looking back.
If only he knew, how much I wanted to hug him, to assure him and to come with him but I couldn't.
This is for the best... not just for me but for the both of us.
"My lady, If you need me... don't hesitate, I am always ready to accept you back" And with that, he just left. Closing the door in the room, just like closing the last chapter of our book.
I felt my knees weaken as I let myself fall into the cold floor. My heart momentarily paused, overwhelmed by the intense pain I was feeling in my Heart.
This time... I didn't hold back and let my tears fall.
I was devastated.
"I'm sorry" I murmured.
If only fate... would bring us back together then I wouldn't miss the chance.
But right now, I wanted to protect him... Once the Varquez knows about our relationship, they won't hesitate to bring us down. And I don't want that to happen.
I won't regret my choices If I want to ensure Edwards well-being, I know I should end things with him.
I knew what the Varquez are capable of... After my encounter with Lady Mara earlier, my realization hit me...
I saw through Mara's eyes when she spoke about their engagement earlier. She is desperate for the throne. The throne of the Empress. And she'll do anything to grab it, even though it means killing her enemies.
Because that's what Varquez's are, they are like wild beasts that no hunters could polish.
I am a Princess, but that's not enough to hunt them down. They have the eunuch and the Empress to protect them. My authority isn't yet enough.
I took a deep breath and sighed, leaning into the wooden wall as thousands of memories came running back. Thousands of thoughts I need to answer.
Yet....
I was too tired to confront things now... At least, I can give my body the rest it needs after a long day.
I took a deep breath and stood up slowly.
Walking towards the exit of the room where my servants were waiting for me to finish.
Edward came in unnoticed so he must've gone out without getting caught by anyone.
Except....
"Are you okay, Princess?" Lara, one of my servants asked worriedly when she noticed my pale skin and my weakened state.
She held my arm and guided me towards my room while I stayed silent and let her pull me.
"I will get your clothes ready" She spoke and let me sit on the edge of my bed gently then grabbed some clothes I could wear at night.
"Thank you, but you can go out now" I uttered and sighed before standing up again and faced her.
As soon as I ordered her to leave, she then bowed her head and left the room without having a second thought.
"Princess, your father would like to speak with you" My butler informed me from outside, good thing I was done wearing my clothes as I then ordered to let him in.
"Father..." I greeted and bowed my head a little before facing Duke Alphonse.
"Did you do what I asked you to do?" Was the first thing he asked before sitting on the nearest chair.
"Yes, I... I already..." I stopped for a moment as I clenched my fist and looked away from him.
"I did what you asked, I ended things with him..." I uttered, trying my best not to let my voice break in front of him.
"Then please take a rest" He spoke and stood up then tapped my shoulder lightly.
"I am proud of you, my daughter"
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