"Lady Isabella is going to the town to get herself a new dress as the duke will be invited to the palace for dinner." This was news to me.
Why was I not informed that the father was going to the royal palace? It could be a great chance to meet the crown prince, and then find a way to get close to him.
My eyes gleamed as I found a way to start.
"My lady" I looked towards the door as a servant entered.
"My lady, your father has entered the estate, you are called to welcome him with others." announced the maid bowing her head.
I nodded as I stood up and smoothened my dress. Beth came forward and adjusted my hair.
"You are looking lovely my lady." she praised as she made fishtail braid of my hairs and i just smiled.
If it had been past, i would have loved bootlicking, but this time I had other goals to achieve.
I walked towards the main entrance, and saw everyone was already there. They turned to look when they heard the footsteps. Nickolas gave me a bright smile as he forwarded his hand, offering me to stand beside him. My stepmother just looked at me with raised eyebrow, I bowed my head to greet her but she ignored it and then turned her face back to the door. Not that i care, i didn't even remember much about her anyway.
"Are you feeling better?" asked Nickolas, touching my forehead again.
"Yes, thank you, Nick," I replied with a grateful smile and he blinked, looking shocked at me, even Isabella who was treating me as thin air turned to look at me.
"See, I told you, she is behaving strangely. She even hugged me when i woke her up from her sleep." Isabella whispered again in her mothers ear only to get a glare in exchange.
She had to start learning how to whisper. Her voice was always audible even when she tried to hide it from me.
"The duke of Forchestire empire, George Essendson is about to enter the palace" announced the guard and we all stood there in attention.
Soon, a man in his late forties entered the room. His face was strict and cold, completely devoid of emotions, his icy blue eyes were so deserted and frozen that anyone would freeze just by looking at them.
His eyes fell on his family members who were eagerly waiting for him, but instead of smiling at them or hugging them. He just nodded his head as if they were his comrades or staff.
We all bowed our heads to serve him the respect as my eyes welled. I did not want to cry or create a scene but no matter how much I tried, the scene of him pushing me out of the house when mercenaries entered, was not going from my eyes.
And before i knew i was already moving towards him and hugging him as my tears started wetting his uniform.
I felt him stiffening when he instinctively held me in his arms. I felt his warmth from all the walking when he hugged me. I had never felt it before. I buried my face in his chest and rubbed my cheek against him, hearing his heart beating fast.
Ah, how fortunate! When I fully felt his warmth, I could confirm that he was alive with his vivid heartbeats. I hoped that I was not dreaming now.
"Abi"
Suddenly my vision was blurry because he had never called my nickname since he had married the new duchess. For fear I fell, my father carefully embraced me and spoke in a hesitant tone.
"Yes, Daddy."
"A- Abi?"
I was choked with emotions when he stuttered, calling my nickname in embarrassment.
I noticed his concerned eyes and his voice full of anxiety. It was the first time I felt his warmth. Was it because I felt relieved? Tears kept coming down my cheeks, and my father carefully wiped my tears and asked me in a low voice.
"Why? What's the matter with you, Abigail? "
"Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy…"
Suddenly, my father stiffened, at a loss about what to do, breaking out in a cold sweat.
I came to my senses a bit when I saw him. As I took a deep breath and looked around, I saw him standing blankly and all the staff staring at me.
"Are you okay, now?"
"Yes, daddy."
I barely answered with a feeble voice. I was ashamed. How come I cried like a child in front of everyone? I didn't have the nerve to raise my head, so I buried my face in his chest.
"Why did you cry so sadly? Did something bad happen? "
"Oh, that was because…"
My father carefully loosen his grip and then made eye contact with me as he bowed a bit to meet my down casted eyes. I folded my hands together and hesitated at his unusually kind posture.
There was a moment of silence between us.
"What happened, Abigail? Tell me. "
"Ugh?"
"Oh, I'm just happy to see you after a long time."
There was a deadly silence throughout the entrance area. As I carefully looked around, I saw my father with a rather hardened face and all the family looking at me with ridicule. I regretted that I behaved like that in the spur of moment.
Stupid me! I should not have expressed my genuine feelings before them.
Let me get out of here before I get more embarrassed.
I heard someone calling me from behind, but I ran towards the stairs without looking back.
Returning to my room, I tried to calm down my throbbing heart. I felt so ashamed, but I didn't care. I was not sure till when I will have the memories of the warmth he had given me when he was dying.
I wanted to be grateful to him for the sacrifice he had done for me. If this was really going to be forgotten, I could not know when that would be, So, I wanted to do all things I couldn't do even for a short time while I remembered the love and care of everyone.