Chapter 75 - House Arrested

Abigail pov

I did not know what they both said to each other. But they both were behaving better. Nickolas, who had always treated me like a little kid, had started treating me like an adult. He did not follow me everywhere. And let me make my decisions.

While Noah who trying to torture me from past few days have stopped that. Now he did not ask me to clean his family or cook for him anymore. Except for taking care of his weapons and horses, I did not do anything further.

I stretched my body after running twenty laps. Sir Seymour was already waiting for me when I reached there, but except him there were Nicholas and Noah too.

I knew that Noah had told me that he would come when I would be taking training but what was Nicholas also doing there?! They both were always around no matter where I went.

As if understanding my thought, sir Seymour smiled. "When they both came to know that I was teaching you a new way to wield a sword they requested me to teach them too. Since they were sincere in their request I could not deny them. So they will practice with you too." 

I smiled at the kind man who did not understand they both were here with ulterior motives. As he was looking genuinely pleased with the fact, many wanted to learn his art of wielding a sword, I did not tell him the truth and let him believe his statement. 

We all started to practice together. And soon I forgot about the two men who were creating a nuisance in my life. I have always wanted to be stronger.

"That's right, sir Abigail. You are doing much better." I heard sir Seymour praising me after today's lesson. Then he looked at the other two men. 

"You both should pay more attention next time." he replied as I finally stretched my body.

"I would see you tomorrow, practice more when you get time." said sir Seymour as he patted my shoulder and then left.

I looked at both of them and then informed them, "I am going to have lunch, I will see you later." Without waiting for their reply, I left the training ground.

When I reached my chamber I saw a letter on the table that I could recognise even in my nightmares.

The same blue envelope with a silver border, and a small silver rose in the middle. This is the official seal of the archduke of the empire, Wiltshire family. I took a deep breath to control my raging heart as I walked towards the table and picked up the letter.

I almost tore the envelopes as I took the letter out. It was a tea party invitation, as Sophie had told me when she was here last time, she had organised a tea party to celebrate her brother's success in the business. 

Gerard had recently started a cloth business and within a few months, he had opened its four branches in different parts of the empire. It was getting more and more successful because almost all noble ladies went there to get their new dresses. 

The more success he gets the more I feel humiliated. My eyes sparked with malicious glint as I realised that it was time to take the first step towards ruining him. Since he had already started the business, it was my time to follow him up and show him what was the way of doing business in reality.

I sat down on the table forgetting that I was here for lunch. Though my drawing was not that good, I still remember the latest fashion and the change in it. 

Nobles were always keen on their clothes and jewellery that was what differentiate them from commoners. Since the start there was a fashion of wearing heavy jewellery so Gerard's new dresses that were completely light yet elegant became an instant hit instantly. 

But what if there is a new type of jewellery that was more elegant and sexy yet lighter in weight and gave nobles a delicate look. But since it would be soft jewellery heavy dresses needed to be worn with it or the overall persona of the person turned weak.

I smiled as I designed some heart, rose, and peacock shaped jewellery in sets with matching earrings and rings. I made a few simple chain bracelets too, which would have pearls, diamonds, emeralds and rubies in the centre. Each and every design had gone instant hit in the past but they were launched by the family of archduke too later when he had changed the styling of clothes to heavy ones. 

He had done that so that he would always stay in demand. But now I would use each of it to make his designed clothes out of date.

I smiled in satisfaction looking at the finishing designs. Then I stood up and walked towards my closet. I took out a carved box which had all the jewels I have and another box that had all the jewels of my mother. Though I felt embarrassed to sell them, I did not have any other choice. 

No one should know that I was the one who was competing against them. For that I need allies, the one whom I could trust.

"Beth"

"Yes, my lady"

"Prepare the carriage, i need to go out" i told her as i put both boxes in the bag safely and picked a dress to change my cloth.

"Umm, my lady, where do you want to go?" she asked me instead of going out and following my order which she had never done in the past.

"Why, what happened?" I asked as I knew she was not the one to disobey.

"My lady, his highness has instructed that he would be informed first if you go out and then sir Noah or Lord Nicklas, one of them would accompany you for the journey." she replied bowing her head and only then did i remember i was house arrested.