Chapter 21 - Royal Palace

"By the way, Carl, how did she know your real name?" asked my father once again when he stood up ready to leave the office.

A genius of swordsmanship and Duke George best student when I combined the two, only he came to my mind. I remembered him from the past as he was the past. He was a genius who had no rival when it came to swordsmanship. Unlike Nickolas who is a genius in many respects, he only stood out in fencing. His name was Carl, though I did not remember his family name.

He was the youngest knight ever in the empire who achieved an unprecedented fencing record. Men had their coming-of-age ceremony at 18, and women at 16. He was officiated as a knight at the age of 18 when he came of age.

He could have a bright future in the force under Gerard, but he decided to accompany me and other three knights and that made me indebted to him, but the man that was in front of my eyes now was though the young image of that person his behavior was completely different.

But i still did not lose hopes, i would make sure to find the man of my past in him.

"I do not know, i thought you have said it accidentally or maybe Mathew did." he said nonchalantly but father was still looking disturbed by the fact that i know his real name.

"I am going to the royal palace tomorrow night. Do you want to come with me?"

"What did that palace have to do with an orphan like me? I would rather stay and train here." his words were cold and distant as if he was not talking about himself.

So he was an orphan, that was the reason I did not remember his family name, but the way he said that something was not right there.

I walked down to see all the ladies have already been leaving and have reached their carriage. And I had no desire to run behind them like a fool. My mind was still on the way my father was worried about Carl's name.

I walked to the training ground unconsciously but only then did I remember that I could not train for a week. I sighed as I sat on the bench where knights take rest after working hard when my eye fell on sir Mathews.

Sir Mathews who came running and then sat with me turned and greeted me.

"How are you now, my lady?"

"It is just a normal wound, it will soon be fine, sir Mathew, thank you for asking."

"By the way, I hear you are learning fencing from Noah?"

"Yes, but I'm only a beginner now."

"I see. You must have a lot of hard training."

I smiled slightly at his remarks. I only started it recently, and I would not have told my father to teach me if I had thought it was too tough for me.

I said goodbye to him and turned, but something suddenly came to my mind.

I looked back at him and said, "By the way, Sir Mathew."

"Yes, go ahead."

"Can you tell me about Noah?"

"… "

Sir Mathew didn't reply. Did I make a mistake by asking about his friend? I felt he was estranged from his friend as they competed over who would be a better knight. Discovering I made a mistake, I hurriedly tried to apologize, but Sir Mathew opened his mouth first,

"Well, to be honest with you, he is not a bad guy once you get to know him."

"… If you know, you are not a bad guy. Ah, sir. " he stopped as he saw my father walking back towards the ground and stood up to greet him

I tilted my head, watching him greeting my father. Did he say his friend was not a bad guy when I got to know him? I felt uncomfortable, but I couldn't tell him as I felt both people we were talking about were different.

"What are you doing here?" he asked looking at me, his voice filled with anger but I could see worry in his eyes.

"I was just looking at the knights training father. I will not take part" i assured but he was not at all satisfied with the reply.

"Beth, take Abigail to her room and except reading she would not do any other kind of activity" he ordered in his crisp and sharp voice making Beth shudder as she nodded and bowed her head.

She looked at me with pleading eyes and I sighed and nodded my head, but then suddenly I remembered his conversation with Carl and I turned back.

"But daddy"

"Yes, Abigail"

"You will still fulfill your promise, right?"

He tilted his head as if he was having a hard time remembering what promise I was talking about.

"You will take me to the royal palace with you, right?" I asked , making doe eyes and puffing my cheeks as if I would cry the instant he would deny and he sighed.

"We will go tomorrow. Be ready at 5, we can not be late"

"Yes, daddy. I will, ``I said with a bright smile.

"Now go and rest or I will change my mind" he said in a threatening tone and I nodded and turned instantly only to see Isabella standing there. It was a surprise as I hardly see her on the training ground. What was she doing here?

She walked towards me with a smile, her face was filled with worries

"Sister, we heard that you got injured. mother had asked maids to prepare some hot soup for you. Come let's have some and then take a rest. You should not tire yourself when you are wounded." she said as she held my shoulders.

My brows furrowed as I looked at her change in behaviour but then my eyes fell on the approving gaze of my father and I sighed.

'What a drama!'