Abigail pov
I rubbed my forehead as Beth told me the whole story. So, Isabella was not pushed this time. I wonder if she would have been pushed or insulted further if Oliver would not have interfered? I could not avoid the fact that he was just trying to help Isabella. Though his steps were too impulsive.
"Let me think about it, go and call Oliver here." Beth wiped her tears and nodded as she left the room.
I sat down and took the hot tea in my hands. Its warmth made me feel better as the bitter taste touched my lips.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
'Should I go and request Sophie? She would surely agree to me after some persuasion but she would definitely ask for a favor in return and Oliver needs to apologize too. If Bella would have slapped the girl, it would not have been a big deal, since Bella was the higher noble than the girl.
But with Oliver it was different. Getting beaten by someone who was lower noble was already insulting, let alone a commoner.' I sighed once again with the thought of my father knowing about the matter.
"My lady" I heard Beth and looked above only to see Oliver standing there nonchalantly.
There was not a single line of worry on his face.
"Are you not afraid at all?" I could not help but ask him as he continued to stand there proudly.
"I am not afraid. Neither i have remorse. What I did was right. They were talking about the innocence of a girl, pointing a finger on the character of a lady they did not even know about. I would not accept this kind of behavior in front of me." he said with gritted teeth and his hands clenched.
"I understand that but she should be the one to slap not you." I sighed at his words, "how did you get admission in the academy anyways?" I asked curiously.
"Every year they chose a few commoners with innate talent to study in the academy too to show their benevolent nature towards the underprivileged too. They run a test in different fields like music, arts, fencing and take a few gems from commoners.`` I nodded at his reply, of course I know about that.
"But what special skill do you have?" I have not seen him doing anything. Even as the side of Nickolas, he did not do much fencing for horse riding.
He just took care of artillery. And in jewels making too, i was the one who made designs and Bella made the jewels. He just helped her a bit, that's it.
"I have a strong memory. I could remember the maps and other detailing once I saw them. So, I help in making maps and I have good knowledge of weaponry too. They say I could be a strong factor in winning the war." he replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"So, would they still let you be in the academy after this issue?" I asked and he nodded.
"If i did not go to the prison then they would not lose me. They need me, not the other way around."
"I must say I have never met anyone who was more narcissistic than you. Even the crown prince can not compete with you in this matter.`` I commented but he just shrugged his shoulders but I could see his prideful face.
"I will talk to Isabella once she wakes up. Only she can do something about this matter. If she tells everyone that the other party was trying to lay a finger on her first. Or if she complains to father that they said that, i am sure father will take strict action against it. But for that he will know about you and then look into your background.`` I warned him to know the facts and his facade cracked.
"I don't think that would be needed. Aunt has already asked me to go to the lady's house and apologize to her personally. I will handle the matter. If it is about lady Isabella. I don't think she wants to take action since she was silent the whole time. So, I did not want to drag her in between." to say that i was surprised by his words would be an understatement. From the first day, I could see he was a confident and prideful creature. Now he was ready to apologize, even when he was right, that was something I could not digest well.
"Even if Isabella is ready to bear it. I am not ready to let the matter go. I will tell father when he comes home, so you better be prepared for it.`` I replied, ending the discussion and he nodded reluctantly and left.
"you may go too, I need some time to think about it." I instructed Beth and she nodded and left too.
How much time had passed when finally Beth came to call me for dinner.
Isabella was there sitting with her mother. But her eyes were down casted and her mother was looking at her with anger.
'Was she blaming her daughter for what happened?' I felt bad for the young girl as I walked in.
My father looked at me with relief when I sat there.
"Abi, how did your exam go?" he asked me as if he was not present there at all.
"It was easy father. I did well." I replied with a smile and he nodded his head in satisfaction.
"Abi, do you know what happened to Bella, why is she too silent?" I could not believe that he asked this in front of her. Even she looked above with surprise.
"I am just a tired father, that's it." she replied and I frowned.
"Bella, we are family, you can tell everything to family." said father, i could see he was trying to put in effort even when the voice was stiff, his words were sincere.
"Father, she was bullied in the academy." I replied when she still stayed silent.