William pov contd.


    "Why do I not know that I was killing more than a dozen people daily?" I asked myself in amusement as I saw her talking about me as if she knew me for years.


    Eastern duke was nothing but my facade that I have used to send representatives to other people and then establish a pact with them. My powers have increased enough topete with Gerard, but he still has his father and the empress with him.


    In a year or two I will be strong enough to stand against the emperor, till then I have toy low. But it did not mean that others could use my name freely. I was surprised at how Abi encouraged me to use my name for whatever trap they wereying.


    "Who is there?" I did not notice there was a dry stick under my feet which broke with the sound of a snap under my pressure.


    "The owner of this ce. What are you doing here, little bird? I thought you had some urgent work, ``I asked as I moved towards him.


    "Your highness. I havepleted my work, so I came here for a walk. The weather is pleasant today." she replied with a bright smile on her lips.


    "It is indeed. I am here for a walk too. Shall we take a walk together?" I offered her my hand, which she took hesitantly.


    "By any chance, do you know who eastern duke is?" I asked and her grip on my hand tightened.


    "Did you hear what i was talking about?" she asked me hesitantly and I shook my head.


    "I only heard yourst line, and before I coulde closer and see whom you are talking to, I thought of confirming it from you rather than asking. How do you know eastern duke?" She took a breath of relief listening to my words.


    "I know a few things that the whole empire knows of your highness.'''' She tried to avoid the topic but i pressed again.


    I wanted to know if the eaten duke had any chances to win her heart since I was already rejected too many times.


    "And what are they, little birds?" I pressed her as she started walking.


    "Well, that eastern duke is truly cruel and he is slowly increasing his strength. If he attacked the empire, no one would be able to save it!" she replied and I smiled..


    "Then how did you get the courage to use his name as per your will?" This was something that amused me most.


    "He is so busy in increasing his strength that he would not mind using his name. As dealing with these small matters would be annoying to him. Even if he came to know about it, then he would realize that i am helping him in increasing his terror. He would be grateful to me to help him." her words were so full of narcissism that for a moment even i felt speechless.


    "Little bird, you are too nonchnt about everything. What if he punishes you for making his stance." she just shrugged her shoulders as if she could not believe it at all!


    "Your highness, it iste. I think we should go back." she replied, as she looked at the sky that had started to turn dark.


    "You go ahead! I still have some work to do!" I replied, and she looked at me hesitantly.


    "Then, as a knight, shouldn''t I say and guard you?" she asked and the chuckling sound came from the tree.


    "Did you think we left your highness alone? You can go if you want, we are here." said Lucas in a haughty tone. She looked at him gritting her teeth but nodded and left.


    I was sure she still had some n in her mind. That was why she was trying to hurry!


    Once she had crossed a distance I finally looked at Lucas.


    "Don''t you think it is time that eastern duke starts his terror in the capital?" I asked the man and he frowned.


    "I am very sure that we have decided toy low, your highness." his voice was filled with confusion.


    "But it does not mean that we can not punish a certain person who is using my name freely as if it belongs to her." a mischievous smile formed on my lips and he shook his head.


    "The old man with her was a gossipmonger. I think she is trying to use your name to create rumors against Gerard, she is helping in a way, your highness."


    "I never said that she was misusing my name. But she still has to pay for things that did not belong to her. Write a letter tody Abigail that if she used my name she have to share it with me in the future once my name get published in the parchments.'''' I replied with a smirk while the man who waszing on the tree with one leg dangling in the air fell with a thud sound on the ground.


    "Your highness, are you serious. So, her highness was right about your love for that wild.. I mean Lady Abigail?" though he was asking there was certainty in his voice.


    "That is a far-fetched dream Lucas. None of us is allowed to love or marry. I just wanted to know her reply and maybe she will offer a good deal in exchange. She could be the bridge between us and duke George.'''' I replied but the man shook his head as he continued to apt his clothes.


    "I think you are trying to console more to yourself than to me, your highness. Maybe just maybe the war did not run as gruesome as you are thinking and we all have one happy family after we overthrow the emperor and start a new peaceful empire here!"


    "If only it had been that easy. The empress has a holy image in the empire and so does the archduke. When the war will ensue, the citizens will support them, and I will be seen as a greedy son who killed his own father to get the throne."


    "......"