Abigail pov


    I looked at the closed door one more time and sighed. It has been hours since I was sitting and waiting here. Yet there was no sign of theming back. I would have sneaked in and checked if it was possible. The guards were standing on both sides of the door and there were knights too.


    The room was guarded like the throne of the emperor. Even Noah did not return. He might have no idea where to look for us.


    I stood up to check the books on the shelf when I finally heard the door opening. I turned to see that Theodore and William wereing out of the room.


    "Let''s go, little bird. You can read bookster." said William as he walked straight to the door. I nodded and followed him only to see him brooding.


    "What was the emergency, your highness?" I asked, as he was looking tense.


    "We got a letter from the northern duke." my steps halted when i heard his name. Haven''t it been only a few hours when the man has sent the letter to me.


    "You know this whole academy was working on the donation given by the emperor in the past. But for the past three years it has been taken by the northern duke. Now he owns the whole academy." I shook my head, as this was beyond my imagination.


    The academy was not a short ce, but it was vast enough to cover two or three towns. And to own itpletely by one person. How strong would he be?


    "So, does he want to run the academy now?" I asked, and he chuckled.


    "If this would have been the case, there would not have been any emergency. He is a strong person, if he runs the academy, it will only improve.`` I nodded, of course, William was not closer to his father. So, he would not feel any remorse, if someone else rules in the territory of his father.


    "Then what is the emergency?" I asked again, when he shook his head. His expressions turn graver and I have a foreboding in my mind.


    "Though he has not mentioned the name, he wanted to meet a girl and pursue her in the academy. For that he has asked for permission.. Or shall I say he has instructed us to let them meet and spend time whenever they want.`` I frowned as I knew I was the girl but I did not find any kind of emergency in it.


    "So, the problem is?" I asked again and he finally turned to look at me.


    "He said that the girl did not like him. It means that we have to force the girl to meet him or else he will close the academy. As we know there are only nobles in the academy, so forcing a girl to meet him would not be that easy. Especially when he has such a bad reputation." he sighed as he added, "he should learn a few tricks from me." and I rolled my eyes.


    "You mean he should be a casanova too." my tone was sweet but my words were sarcastic. But it did not feel like he minded as he was chuckling.


    "Isn''t it better than being called a brutal man?" he asked, raising a brow, but he was looking sure that he was right there.


    "Well, being brutal is fine, as long as the person is loyal!" though, i should have stayed silent, i did not like the way he was badmouthing the northern duke.


    "So, it meant that if you would have been the girl, you would have agreed to meet him and give him a chance to pursue you?" His words caught me off guard. And my heart started racing.


    ''Did he know that I was the girl, that was why he started the whole conversation. So, I agreed and then he could force meter! He already has power over me as my master.''


    "What happened, little bird? Were you not saying that he is a better choice than me?" he titled his head as he walked closer to me.


    "Will you go and meet him if you would have been the girl, giving him a fair chance to show you what he really is? Or would you choose my proposal of being the empress and rule the empire? After all, I am ready to be your ve all my life.`` I could feel his breath caressing my face and our lips moving closer, his eyes having turned one shade darker as he looked at me with so much intensity.


    ''How did the situation turn out like this. Why do I need to choose between both of them?''


    "You know, little bird." my eyes turned to him again when he called me again. Why was his voice sounding so different, so seductive.. "I still miss the kiss we shared in the woods. I wonder if it was just a spur of a moment or did you feel anything at all?" His words caressed my cheeks as he moved closer to my lips.


    "If there is any confusion, shall I kiss you again to let you confirm your feelings about me?" he asked and before I could respond his hands wrapped on my waist and he lifted me off the floor. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist as he moved towards the wall.


    Trapping me between the wall and him, his hands continued to hold my waist tightly, wrapping more and covering my back, he looked intensely in my eyes.


    Suddenly everything turned darker, and blur i could not see or hear anything but him.


    His touch leaves tingles down my skin. Soon, my breathing became rugged. What was he waiting for! Why was he not moving. Except looking intensely into my eyes he was doing nothing!


    "Shall I kiss you, little bird?" he asked after what felt like ages.


    I should have denied, right? But I think his charms were too strong to do that!


    And before I could further think, I saw myself nodding.