Chapter 196 - Claim It!

Abigail pov

The first thing I did in the morning was to run and go to the academy library to get the collected parchments for today. I shuffled all of them only to find one with the name of eastern duke.

I took it with gleaming eyes, here it was filled with the proofs and reports of all his deeds. It even has the statements of the other store owners as to how lord Gerard has paid them a minimal amount for their losses and has turned the facts.

They have complained yet the royal courts did not listen to them. It has a detailed report of how careless the staff of lord Gerard was! Always dealing with matters irresponsibly and being rude with the staff of others. And the whole incident happens due to their carelessness.

Though there was a chance that Gerard would blame his staff for everything and be from all the accused while his staff would be proven guilty. He would still be blamed for his lack of wisdom and maturity to be fooled by the staff up to this limit. 

And the proud Gerard, who was famous for his intelligence and wits, would be mocked by the empire for taking foolish decisions. Only the thought of it gave me so much satisfaction. I really want to kiss the one who has burnt his stores!

Hugging the parchment after reading it again and again, I walked out of the library with dreamy eyes! I could see his end in front of my eyes.

"Abigail! You and the library! By any chance, did you forget your way?" asked Josephine as she walked out of the library too.

"Isn't it a beautiful place to start your day?" I replied with the same smile as I looked at the parchment in my hands again.

"Really? Then why don't you come and spend every morning here giving me company." she asked and I blinked.

"I never knew you had an affinity for reading!" I asked as I saw a thick book in her hands.

"Tsk.. do you think i am a barbarian who only knows how to use her sword?" said the woman who forced me to wield a sword with her  when we met for the first time!

"I am good at everything you can think of! So, do not give me that look, or else you will be punished.'' I closed my eyes and mouth and stood there silently nodding my head.

"Now tell me, why are you here?" she asked again and my hold on the parchment paper tightened.

In the end she was still a cousin of Gerard. Would it be a good idea to show her the parchment. But then again, she would come to know about the rumors once they shattered to talk about it. Isn't it better that I tell her everything personally?

She was looking at me with interest as I struggled. In the end, I sighed and passed her the parchment. She raised a brow and then started reading.

"I wonder how did you know that this news was going to be published today?" she asked, raising a brow at me.

"I heard a few people gossiping about me when i went for a walk in the central garden of university. Apparently, this news is spreading like fire in the academy.`` I replied as I was already prepared for the question.

"Hmmm, but it has nothing to do with me. I am getting late for the classes anyway. Are you coming with me?" she asked, returning the paper and I nodded.

"Your highness, this is your first time as a student, are you nervous?" I asked as I saw her walking leisurely while Leo was holding books for both of them.

"I am the princess, why would I be nervous? Shouldn't others be nervous as they are going to study with me?" she asked with a proud smirk and I learnt about another level of narcissism flowing in the blood of these siblings.

"Lady Abigail, lady Abigail.." i stopped walking further when i saw a boy running towards us with screaming my name.

"Yes, are you looking for me?" I asked as the boy stood in front of me and started talking a few deep breaths to cover the lack of oxygen in his body.

"Yes, I have a letter for you." he replied as he passed me a letter that was black! Surprisingly, I did not remember any noble family having black seal and cover.

"My lady, the sender, has requested you to read the letter in private and send a reply through me urgently." added the boy as he looked at Josephine with a flustered face.

"I think you have earned a new admirer, Abi. i will see you later to get the details." she replied and gave a look to leo who nodded and they both left me there alone.

I opened the letter with a frown at the authoritative tone of the sender.

"My dear Abigail, 

My aide told me that you are using my name carelessly without even an iota of fear. I wonder who gave you the liberty and courage to write a gossip letter addressed by my name. 

But at least, it made me realize my prowess in the capital too. Thanks to that, I have decided to come to the capital and meet you. 

So, shall I give you reward or punishment for being this brave and witty? 

I am giving you a chance to convince me before I hang you. 

Yours lovingly

Eastern duke.

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I gulped as I looked at the chirpy boy who was still waiting for me to write a reply for the letter.

'Fuck! I clearly remember the eastern duke was never seen in my past life. How could he be so petty to come here just by this tiny incident'

"I think there is some misunderstanding." i said with a sweet smile and the boy blinked.

"This letter is not for me. it is for some other Abigail!" I replied, if i never received the letter he could not claim to punish me, right?