Chapter 178 - [Bonus ] Something In Return.

Abigail pov.

The rain has been pouring since morning. And there was no sign of stopping it. It felt like it would only calm down when the whole empire would be drowned in it. 

"The horses will not be able to move in this weather, my lady." said the coachman as he looked at me apologetically but I nodded in understanding.

"Shall we go tomorrow?" asked Isabella as she looked at me and then at her luggage which was just behind her. 

"I do not know what impression it would leave on the masters. If a large number of students did not attend then it will be fine, otherwise we will be the odd one.`` I replied as the pitter patter sound increased.

She sighed as she sat on the chair and held her chin with both hands.

"If you do not mind, I can take both of you to the academy." We both turned to see Oliver walking towards us with a small bag in his hands. 

"And how will you do that?" commented Bella in irritation.

"I know how to ride the carriage and I am good with horses. They mostly listen to me." he replied in a prideful voice completely avoiding the sarcasm in Isabella's voice.

"Narcissist" she muttered under her breath and I looked at the horses again.

"Are you sure you would be able to handle. I do not want any accident to happen because of impulsive decisions.'' I did not know why, but I was feeling that something bad was going to happen today. Or was I just gloomy because of the rain!?

"I am sure, my lady. You would not have any problem but if you are not sure then you do not need to come with me. I will see you in the academy later." he replied, bowing his head a bit as he walked towards the servants carriage.

"Wait!" I looked at Isabella who nodded her head with a sigh.

He turned to look at us and raised a brow.

"We both are coming with you." I said as I pulled Isabella on her feet." 

"Mother will be angry and so will father." she muttered with a frown.

"Then we do not need to tell them. Father is gone to the academy early in the morning and Nick and Noah are gone with him. Since only both of us are left, he would not know if we did not tell them.`` I replied with a smirk and she shook her head.

"Now go and bid goodbye to your mother. Do not tell her that coachman has denied, okay?`` I reminded her again and she pursed her lips and nodded.

"I do not know that you are versed in riding. What else are you good at?" I asked in a casual tone as I walked towards Oliver. 

"I have learnt all the life skills of my lady in order to survive alone." he replied curtly. 

'Ha! Why would a commoner need to know about weaponry and riding horses and carriage for survival. Shouldn't he know farming, or small business then!'

"I have done many odd jobs, like smelting iron, riding local carriages, and fighting with bullies. I even know how to cook, wash clothes and other chores." he replied when I said nothing.

His reasons were perfect and I believed it too, but after the letter of apology he had received from the nobles, I was not sure anymore. After all, it was the first time that a higher noble has apologised to a commoner.

"I apologize for being late." came the hurried reply of Bella who was standing there with two small gifts in her hands.

"Here, mother has given two gifts for good luck." she passed me one gift and kept another in her luggage making me chuckle.

"You should have put more effort." I said as I walked towards the carriage with an umbrella in my hands.

The gift has a small broch in it. Should I not know that only she was the one who was interested in giving jewels as gifts!

"In my defense, I did not have time and I did not know the tradition." she muttered, making me chuckle. Our relationship has taken a complete turn of events but her mother still has not accepted me, she has just started avoiding me instead of nitpicking like before. Well! At least there was peace!

We both walked into the carriage and sat down with a shiver. Even after using umbrellas we were still a bit cold!

"Have you brought the letter of apology with you?" I asked her and she nodded.

"Though I still think complaining about them would be better than facing them myself. What will I gain by showing the letter of apology in the calls." she asked and I sighed.

"Your teachers can warn them only since most of them were higher nobles. You have to stand against them yourself. Let the other spectators know that they have apologized to you. And then look straight into their eyes, and make sure that they know you can not be commented upon anymore." she looked out avoiding me and I sighed.

"Do you want me to come and deal with them? I can but I can not be with you all the time.`` I replied and she shook her head.

"I will find a way to manage them. By the way, I heard that you are going to share the hut with both royal siblings. You will enjoy the royal treatment of the staff." she replied, faking her jealousy.

"I am a staff too, but if you want. I can request that you live with me too." i teased but her face bloomed,

"Really, you can do so?" her happiness was overflowing that i did not have the heart to deny.

"Thanks, Abi. I really did not want to live alone in a hut.'' She hugged me tightly, and said that she did not notice the helplessness in my eyes.

'I am sure that the crown prince will ask for something in return, that greedy pervert!'