"Of course" Abigail planted a smile. She knew his words were too good to be true from the start.
"What is it?" She braced herself
"Two of my trusted guards will follow you."
Abigail gave Rebecca a side eye In agreement.
"Fine-" Rebecca nodded while her eyes leapt at Abigail, who gave her the same look.
"Good" Xavier rubbed his hands together with a grin on his face as he pointed his hand to the carriage parked outside the gate.
"Get one of the carriages prepared. Derick, Alucard, make sure to always be with the princess and don't lose sight of her" Xavier ordered and as he spoke the last sentence, his eyes darken like he was unto Abigail's sketchy plans, but even at that, Abigail pretended to pay no attention.
It was well obvious this was a set-up by Carol, but at the same time, their plan was negotiable. Abigail only had one shot in this, so she had to take this opportunity to leave the castle, even though the process was quite shallow.
Rebecca and Abigail entered the carriage with the guards sitting behind them keeping their eyes sternly at them like prey.
"Where are you heading to Your Highness" The Coachmen questions.
"Let's head to my Palace. We can talk privately there" Rebecca whispers to Abigail who nods her head agreeing.
"Take me to Norternvale"
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"Your Majesty" Benjamin enters the dinning room holding a tray of tea as he approaches Carol who looked rather departed. His eyes lost light as he stared at his plate of food while holding a fork on his right, and a spoon on his left.
After what happened with Abigail a while ago, Carol has been rather lost in thought. He knew he went too far when he uttered those words out and it was too late to swallow those cruel words back.
"Tsh," he scowled at himself reminding himself of the words he had said. Each sentence replaying in his head like a music box.
"Are you feeling better now your Majesty?" Benjamin snapped him out of his thoughts but judging by the repeated sigh he uplifted for the 10th time, it was obvious he was nearly close from fine.
Carol lifted his head up staring far from the dinning table. At the other side of the table was empty as always. This was the first time in so long he had ever felt so lonely or ever thought of loneliness. Aspired by the fact that he's been alone in the castle, the empty chair was too depressing without someone sitting at the other side.
The more he stared at the empty space, the more he imagined Abigail sitting at the other side, glaring at him impatiently. Even the way she looked at him made him chuckle inconveniently. Her presence was chocking, but if anything, Carol would rather spend his night with Abigail than a room filled with 1000's of maids at his service.
"Benjamin" Carol calls.
"Yes your Majesty?" Benjamin answered
"Is the Queen still in her room?" he uttered, his voice fading by word as he looked down at the table almost like he was embarrassed.
"I am not sure Your Ma-" Before Benjamin could even finish, Carol jolted off his chair and approaches the door leaving Benjamin and the servants in confusion. He starts to leave the premises making his turn directly at where Abigail's room is.
As he approaches her door, he lets out another deep breathe before knocking lightly.
"My Queen-" He lets out a sweet and nervous voice but gets no response just as he expected.
"Can we talk?" He knocks again but no response.
"I came here to apologize for what I said earlier. I know it was foolish and selfish of me-" He continues and pauses for a moment seeing if he'd let him in but once again, no response.
"My Queen?" He uttered for the last time as he knocks on the door. To his surprise, the door slowly creeks open.
Nervously entering her room, the first thing that caught his eye were the unpacked boxes kept at the corner of the room. All of the Queen's things were there but the only thing absent was the Queen herself.
'Where did she go?' He thought.
"She's away" An irritated voice uttered behind him.
Carol turned to the familiar voice which he found Xavier crossing his arms while balancing his back on the walls.
"Why didn't you tell me she's gone?" Carol growled at Xavier who just replied with a chuckle but this made Carol more and more irritated and furious.
"Why are you getting upset? The last time I checked, you never got mad whenever your mistress leave the castle, what makes this one so special?" Xavier raised an eyebrow expecting his feedback.
"That's none of your business" He snapped in a pissed tone. Noticing his frustration, Xavier raised his hands up feeling violated by his sudden rage. He's always known that Carol has an anger problem but not to a high extent. In fact, this was the max side of him he's ever came across.
"Easy there Tiger" Xavier snarled.
"She just went out for some fresh air. It seemed like you nearly chocked her in the castle walls" Xavier explained but surely enough, Carol wasn't listening.
"Where is she?" Carol persuaded, aiming straight to the real question he was mostly concerned about.
"She's with the Duchess" Xavier replies.
"Who?"
"Duchess Rebecca" Xavier stated.
The minute Xavier spoke, Carol eyes grew wide.
"WHAT?!" He gazed at Xavier with a mix of fear and disbelief.
"Did you just say-"
"Rebecca?"