Gabriel was about done with his training when he noticed his instructor and the guards around him looking towards a particular direction with puzzled expressions. He downed a bottle of water wondering what was up with them then glanced towards that direction and nearly choked on his water. Was that Abigail?
Abigail was currently towards him with a huge smile on her face while waving at him as if she was afraid he'd think she was waving at someone else, everyone there had to admit she looked adorable. But still, that was the problem. This felt like the scenario of the fox tricking the chicken to dinner at his house with a smile. The thought of being the chicken caused them to shudder.
Gabriel was also very surprised, his sister had never smiled so warmly at him before but just in case he looked around to see if she was waving at someone else so he wouldn't embarrass himself if he replied. Truth be told, she was really waving at him! But the surprise didn't end there as she shouted to him while waving, " Big brother!! I'm here to see you ", she ran towards him with Martha closely behind her.
Everyone around became petrified from shock, Who was this?? Our tyrant young lady? She actually called our prince 'big brother'? This could be one of the legendary world wonders from what they could tell, like a blue moon gracing the night sky. Could the young lady have hit her head when she fell into the water earlier? She was here to see Gabriel as well? They had to check with themselves if they were still in reality. This has never happened before!
The young lord soon snapped out of it as she stood before him with a wide smile and her big bright eyes sparkling, she was so adorable.
" Abigail, what are you doing out of bed? You're still unwell ", he said as he scanned her body for weakness. Above everything, she was still his sister that he cared for very much.
" I'm fine brother, I was bored so I came to see you ", Abigail said happily. She noticed how Gabriel was the only one to ask about her health and well being, every other person she encountered today only knew how to make her pissed and angry. This was true family bond, something she lacked dearly in both lives apparently.
" See me? What nonsense are you spouting? Your supposed to be resting in bed and not walking around so casually, the physician said you had barely survived and bed rest was necessary. Please stop whatever game you're playing and go rest", He pinched the skin between his brows from frustration at his sister's foolishness.
" Brother.... ", she was surprised at first by the sudden question but then she smiled bitterly, "I'm fine really, I just needed the walk. And... I know I've been unreasonable in the past, it was just me acting out for attention", she knew the past Abigail's feelings were more than that but decided to avoid saying such things at this moment, "After this near death experience, I realized how wastefully I've lived. I feel like I had an epiphany of some sorts and I don't want to live so brazenly anymore..."
Gabriel was taken a back by what she said. He thought this was a trick but he knew his sister very well, she would never lie about something and was always straightforward to the point that people called her foolish and oblivious but he knew she didn't like mincing her words or restraining her actions. If she said or wanted something, she'd see through it. He was about to speak but she was already turning towards Martha and taking the basket from her.
" Forget it for now brother, I prepared something for you ", she said then turned towards the guards, " You guys as well ".
The guards were surprised, for them as well? They were nervous and didn't dare goo forward without Gabriel's permission. Also because they loved themselves too much to risk anything with this young lady. Gabriel gave them a nod of approval and now they had no excuse to refuse. Martha set up a picnic area for the siblings with the help of some guards, once they were settled on the grass, Abigail handed Gabriel his food. Martha similarly served the guards seated on their own blankets on the grass nearby by.
"Have a bite brother, before it get cold", She said as she watched him cautiously bring the food to his mouth. As soon as he took a bite, his eyes widened in delight and so did those of the guards around them. It was simply delicious! He decided to take a second bite to confirm but it ended up tasting even better! Did they hire a new cook, this food was absolutely too good.
Abigail noticed his delight and smiled brightly which Gabriel noticed , why was she smiling so much. " Do you like the food I made for you brother? ", Her casual words almost caused everyone to choke, their hands shaking as they stared at the food.
" Y- you made this? ", Gabriel couldn't hold back his surprise at all, the look on his face was unreadable
" Yes I did, you don't like it? ", she asked.
" Its not that it's just that you've never cooked before so I was surprised ", he then looked towards Martha for reassurance but she avoided his gaze. He wondered why he didn't receive a proper warning from her before consuming something of unknown origins.
" It was really cooked by lady Abigail and you need not worry for it is safe and won't cause the young master any harm ", she quickly said to break the tension, relieved sighs echoed through out. They felt like they had really going to die but now that it was cleared up nothing was stopping them from enjoying such a great meal. Gabriel on the other hand became thoughtful, when did she learn how to cook? And why would she have actually gone thought the trouble of preparing him something when she was clearly sick? He decided to leave it at that and thank her for it.
" You're welcome brother ", she earned a smile from him as well, she couldn't say she wasn't impressed by how handsome her brother looked with his Jet black hair and crystal blue eyes. He was only so young but he was already this good looking? She could already see the lines of beauties that would gather around the Manor. "Brother is really too good looking"
Her words really caught him off guard, his face heated up in embarrassment, " W- what are you saying Abigail? You saying such things out of the blue like that really surprised me, but we both you're beauty far surpasses mine"
" You don't need to be so nice to me brother, the truth hurts and I can bear it ", she said thinking her beauty couldn't match up to that of her brother.
" Haha Haha ", Gabriel chuckled, this sister of his was amusing, he decided not to argue further with her since she was so adamant about it. Abigail turned her attention to the training grounds around her and couldn't help but be greatly intrigued by it all, the intense training of the distant guards was really fascinating to watch. Gabriel noticing her interest turned to her a bit after setting his plate down, "Are you perhaps interested in something Abigail?", he asked as he wiped his mouth clean.
"Actually, I am brother", she said while looking back at him. She had been thinking of a way to strengthen her overly weak physique without too much drama and it seems she has found it.
" What is it Abigail? ", he asked her while drinking some water to wash down the food. As long as it was something he could work on he would do it for her.
" ... Could I perhaps learn swordsmanship with brother?? And physical fitness as well ", she asked while clasping her hands together in a form of pleading.
"....", Gabriel.
"....", Martha.
"....", Guards.
Her request was met with pin drop silence, everyone staring incredulously at her. Gabriel on the other hand was wondering what he had gotten himself into.