Chapter 81 - Your First Defeat.

No, I would not let history repeat itself! If they could not understand by themselves then I would make them understand.

"I want to accompany you too father, i didn't want to attend a social gathering when we are having a family outing, i am part of this family too"

"I am part of this family too." I said with a grave face and my father looked at me dumbfounded.

He blinked his eyes as if he was trying to make sure that I was really saying what he was hearing! What! What kind of reaction was that?!

"Abigail, I thought Sophie is your best friend and you would choose her above us.," he said, still in a doubtful voice.

I frowned as I looked at him, even in the past I liked her because she hated Isabella. And then we both were higher nobles, nothing more than that.

"What made you think that I would choose a girl over my father? You are my priority dad?" I asked back and he laughed.

His face was beaming as if he had won the whole world. I felt embarrassed for a moment when I looked at his face. Why was he so overreacting?

"Good, then let's do one thing. I will postpone the program to a day after tomorrow so that we all can go together. I will call Nickolas back too on time." he said smiling, and i must say i hardly see this kind of big smile on his face.

I nodded when he picked the dishes by himself, startling the maids and then started adding them to my plate.

"As a knight, you should eat more. Come taste this too." "this is a very nutritional dish" after making one excuse or another, he kept adding food to my plate.

I could see that he was still beaming and I did not know how to react to that so I just nodded and started eating.

At night I fell asleep with a peaceful face. In the end the day was much better than I had expected.

When the morning arrived, I looked at the sky and smiled. Today was going to be a great day. 

"Good morning, my lady"

"Good morning Beth" I wish the lady back who was looking at me with a smiling face.

"These days you seem to be happy, '' she exclaimed and I nodded back. I didn't see any reason not to when things were going fine.

"Preparare bath for me and the beast dress I have. I have to look for the most perfect person there ``I instructed her and she left after bowing her head.

"Beth, are the gifts ready for lady Sophie and her brother?" I asked , though I did not care much, I still have to take care of my father's image.

"Yes, my lady, '' she replied as she rubbed my back. 

"Use the best fragrance you have, Beth" I added as she touched my hair.

I wanted to garner all their attention. I want others to forget Sophie and only look at me. In the past whenever we went out, she would make sure that my dress and hair were a level lower than her so that i did not give her much competition yet the nobles noticed me first due to my beautiful emerald eyes that were shining in the sunlight.

Now that I would give my best, she would not stand a chance against me.

"Not that one, I want to wear an emerald necklace and earrings that match my eyes," I added as she took a ruby set.

She nodded and changed the jewels.

I was wearing a bright red dress with gold embroidery that had lacework in the hem and neckline.

"Anything else my lady,"

I looked at myself in the mirror with a satisfied expression and shook my head.

"No, this is perfect. Arrange the gifts in the carriage. You can share the carriage with me. No need to take the servant;s carriage.`` I replied, her steps halted and she looked at me with confusion.

"Do as i said and do it fast, Beth" i repeated and only then did she come back to her senses and nodded.

I walked out only to see that Noah was already waiting for us. I thought that he would be in casual clothes. A good shirt and pants or maybe an exclusive suit, but he was in his knight uniform.

"This.." I did not know how to refer to his clothes without making him offended.

He smiled and then said, " I am going as your personal knight, my lady." 

"But I thought that.."

" I will attend the party with you? Of course, I will but not as your partner, as your guard. ``Though he was calling himself as my guard, he was not feeling embarrassed at all, while I felt bad for him. But then I nodded my head as I did not have any other choice. 

"Shall we go my lady?" he asked politely, bowing his head and I nodded.

He escorted me to the carriage and then walked towards the horse and climbed on it, soon the carriage started moving and anticipation started building in me.

I did not know I was afraid, excited or just angry remembering the past. The emotions were mixed up and filled my heart with feelings that I was feeling for the first time.

I closed my eyes as I took some deep breaths. To win I had to make sure that I was not afraid of anyone and I had full control over my emotions.

I opened my eyes with new determination as i looked at the gifts in front of me and then at my purse. When i opened it have all the designs i have made a few days ago, it would be my first step to my success.

"Duke Gerard I am coming, not as the daughter of the fellow duke, not as a knight but as your first defeat."