Chapter 107 - Joining The Academy

Abigail pov.

"So you both want to have a race with me?" asked Josephine, looking down on us from her horse.

"If you are not afraid of losing this time. How is your wound now?" 

"Ha! Since when have you gained enough talent to win from me?"

"Ah, I was talking about the girl who defeated you in the competition." I looked at William through gritted teeth. The man was trying to create a rift between us or what!?

"I did not think it is a good idea.'' I said when they both looked at me with annoyance.

"Who have asked you?"

"Did anyone ask you?" They both spoke simultaneously and I rolled my eyes. Were they both not talking about me!? Now they expect me to not even speak about myself!

"I mean I shall go and look for my father." I replied , trying my best to maintain a smile.

"Leo, go and inform the duke that sir Abigail is practicing with us, so he did not need to worry." 

"Yes, your highness"

'Here goes my last excuse. Darn! Since they want to lose that badly! Let them taste their defeat now.'

"Then I will take a hundred." I announced and William nodded.

"If you win, you can take a hundred forever," said William with a big heart. The hostler brought hundreds and he neighed and bobbed his head as if agreeing with William. 

"But what would she give if she lost?" asked Josephine looking at  William again.,

"I will spend 3 hours with you each day so that you can torture me.'' I spoke cutting both of them in between. And finally they both looked at me with interest.

"I accept it."

"I did not know that you love being tormented, little bird."  said William with an amused smile too.

"You did not know anything about me, your highness" I replied and the smile that was on his face turned stiff. The calmness in his eyes cracked, but his expressions remained the same.

Leo came back on his horse and informed, "your highness, Duke George was in a meeting with his majesty. So, I have informed the side of Duke George."

"Alright, come join us for a race." how fast was the person that he went and informed and then came back to in such a limited time.

As if sensing my gaze, he looked back at me when I gave him a smile.

His face stayed stoic and soon we all climbed our horses and the race started.

"Do not worry about the path. Hundred knows the path well, hundred take better care of the young lady this time.'' William caressed the horse who leaned more towards his touch and then he moved and left.

"Come, let's win this race hundred. So that I can take you home.`` I mumbled as I gave him a kick.

Soon all the horses started galloping and trouting in the air. The fresh breeze playing with the hair as we raced.

After a long while I felt so enthralled as I enjoyed the ride without any worry. I did not have the pressure to win or lose. I felt warmth in my heart as the warm rays of sun continued to fill my heart.

I looked at the other three of them Josephine was giving her best to win, she was putting all her efforts and attention into winning. Leo was just behind her like always, you would feel that he was putting his best efforts too, but his posture was telling his efforts were more in trying to be second then first. As if he was trying his best to control and decrease the speed of his horse. 

'Was he a good rider but was afraid that if he would win, he would have to bear the ire of Josephine?!'

On the other hand William., he was lazily lying on the horse as if he was sleepy and needed rest. Even his eyes were closed. He was putting no effort at all to win or even to ride the horse. It was the horse that was moving on its own with an average speed. He was in the last but it did not look like he cared at all.

If he didn't even want to race, why did he even ask for it!?

I shook my head as I continued to gallop, kicking my horse once again. I moved and this time I was second after Josephine, leaving both men behind when the race finally ended, and Josephine was the one who won.

She jumped from her horse and looked at me with shining eyes. She looked like a child who had been given his favorite candies of the Christmas. 

"So, you are going to spend 3-4 hours of your day with me, daily?" she asked tilting her head, her face had a wicked grin as if she had already started making plans on how to torment me in those three hours. 

"I would definitely do that for next week" I replied , nodding my head when the smile on her face turned stiff.

"I did not remember the time frame was decided as one week, lady Abigail," I could feel how annoyed she was by my reply.

"I know, your highness. But I am the assigned knight of his highness. And in a week we both will leave for the academy. And it is impossible for me to leave the academy daily to come and serve you. If only you had joined the academy too. I would have gladly served you for three hours a day.'' I replied to Trump to make my best apologetic face.

"Is that so? I understand lady Abigail" she replied nodded her head and i sighed, i almost thought that the plan would work and she would accept the invitation to join the academy! See, i was right, she would not listen to me.

"In that case, I will not burden you with travelling. I will join the academy with you." 

"....."