Being alone felt like isolation, and she remembered those days when she was on the run. Running from those men who tried to beat her, rape her and trap her in a marriage.
She wasn't looking for any of that— and she also didn't want to take those brothel days again. Abigail ended up becoming what her mother was— but it was not her death.
Temporarily she was eye candy for men, and then ended up having romantic involvements which led to having sex with them. It was never actual intimacy between them.
Exchanging pleasures for money, and to get by from time to time, she had to do it. However, Abby knew it was not a life she wanted to consistently be around.
So she ran, and ran far, but her past caught her in another town, and soon she became hostile, and defensive. It was as if she had to turn into a man herself. Those thoughts raced through her, which is why whenever she was around a man she immediately brushed them off.
She didn't have her dagger with her, not anymore— she left it at Mr. Lingo's home. Now being vulnerable in a castle filled with strangers, people who eyed her every now and again.
Out of place, and creating their illusions of what she could be. Abigail was stunning, and tremendously breathtaking. Though she knew it not, and never found it flattering to hear.
Perhaps it could simply be because she didn't see herself the way others did. Maybe it could be simply because she found since her childhood and from the beginning that there was nothing for women in such a world.
Abigail had gone towards the food where it was so well organized and placed. Others grabbed some hors d'oeuvres, as Abby would look at it all.
It smelled strange, and not that it was old or molded but she had never smelled those things before. It was all so new to her, and some of it looked weird.
Some of it looked liquidly, others too many legs, then another with too much seasoning. It was all strangely satisfying, as she would slowly grab a wine glass instead.
Slowly taking it up towards her nose, and sniffing the wine. Her orbs closed as she embraced the sweet aroma of it.
" First time here? " A young confident woman would speak as she approached the same table that Abigail was standing by.
Abigail somewhat startled jolted by her presence, as the woman would smile and tilted her head in a bit of a chuckle.
" I — I'm sorry... What? " Abby said, confused, not knowing what the young woman asked.
The young lady, with long red hair, and a stunningly gorgeous attire, looked extremely expensive and elegant. Her long black silk gloves, as she had a small fan with her.
She wore rings on her fingers, and had her bosom pressed firmly up that even women could take notice. Abby certainly did, as she tried to keep eye contact with the woman.
" Hehe— do not worry, men can't get enough either. " She boasted, knowing Abigail eyed her breasts a bit.
Abby immediately rejected the idea.
" No! No! I didn't — I mean I'm not— "
" Yes, I know hon. You do not need to explain, I am only teasing you. " She remarked, as she grabbed a glass of her own from a servant walking past.
Her eyeing Abby's dress somewhat, as she would slowly fold her orbs gently over the other.
" I never seen you around here before, you must be new I presume? "
Abigail would look with a calm expression, though internally she was arching a brow. Wondering why this woman was talking to her. She didn't understand what could be peaking her interest.
" .... Yeah... I am. " Abby would remark.
" Oh? From which town do you come? " The woman asked.
Abigail immediately felt disconnection, as she tapped her wine glass with her fingertips, and looked down. The woman got the hint by it as she motioned with her hand.
" I see... do not wish to discuss, noted. Well— " The young woman would start to say, as she walked towards Abby and locked an arm with her, and started to walk.
Abigail, not knowing what else to do, allowed the woman to do so, as the two walked. Her head turning back a bit to see Mr. Lingo speaking to a group of older men.
She didn't know if she should tell Mr. Lingo where she was going, and it's not like she truly had too. They weren't family and didn't owe him any explanations.
However, for some reason she felt compelled to want too. She simply had flashbacks, about what happened with her father. How, she departed from him without a word.
Next thing she knew, she was being kidnapped by grown men and forced upon. She closed her orbs tightly for a brief second, all while the woman was speaking.
" They will eat you like vultures here. Especially Lisa and her family, right over there. " She explained, motioning with her head.
Abigail opened her orbs to see who she was referring to, as the two continued to slowly walk together.
" There is the duke and his royal queen, from the Bridgeton family. Then you have the Castlons family, who are quite the scandals. The O'lan family, and Mr. Smith— do be wary of him— I heard he loves young women like you and I. "
Abigail looked around at all the families the young lady was mentioning, as Abigail hearing about Smith immediately spoke.
" You mean he— "
" Try and take you as one of his tenth wives? Yes, my dear. " The young woman remarked.
" And then you have my lovely family Valveria. Who as you can see my brother, believes he shall find his wife here— let's hope it's Ms. Julia, I heard she is massively wealthy. "
" How— How do you know all of this? " Abigail said as she couldn't help but somewhat chuckle while asking.
The young woman had a bubbly, mature and formal personality that attracted Abigail in a way. It was almost like having a friend, a friend that felt all too familiar.
The young lady would eventually stop them somewhere as she would turn and look at her.
" I have a keen eye for scandals, and an ear for liquid gold refreshments~ I just know what is what, and of course coming from a known family myself, I mustn't be surprised by anything. " She told Abigail.
Abigail would simply nod at her response. The woman looked at Abigail curiously.
" Which has led me to you... " She told Abby.
Abby didn't know rather to be flattered or frightened. She would simply look at the other, waiting to see what else she would say.
" You are... shrouded in mystery... it has piqued my interest in this dull boring little city... not much goes on, and I know you can't imagine— but— I find much more interest in well— adventure... "
" ...Really? ... Hmm— I've taken notice of that. " Abigail finally spoke.
The young lady formed a small grin, and looked up at someone in the balcony and spoke.
" Do keep your eyes peeled... you clearly have eyes upon you. " The woman said as she would start to walk past Abigail and walk away.
Abigail shifting her eyes to look where the other was looking and notice the male she called Mr. Smith. His eyes staring directly at Abigail, as Abigail felt a hard swallow in her throat.
Abby, not knowing what else to do, as she watched as Mr. Smith smirked as he watched her and sipped his drink silently surrounded by friends of his.
Immediately she broke eye contact with the male and turned heel and walked away.
.
.
.
The festival went on, and continued for quite some time, Abby had even went back to check on Mr. Lingo at some point. Though, he had told her to mingle and try to speak with others.
Abigail wasn't up for all of that truthfully, so she decided to wander. Her wandering landed her in a silent room, down the hallway in the castle.
A path that wasn't fully guarded, as she had snuck past one of the guards undetected. If she got caught, she would've tried to say she was looking for the bathroom.
Though, the deeper she went into the castle, she had stumbled upon beautiful drawings, instruments, and paintings. Things, she stared at with intriguing thoughts.
She had never seen such lovely masterpieces, and she continued to slide her delicate hands on items within the castle. Armor that was on a statue, as she saw the scars and chipping of it.
Eventually, she had stopped at the end of the hall, and turned around as she could hear the loudness of the ballroom behind her. Their chattering echoing through the endless hallways.
She didn't even take notice that someone had caught her and was watching her from afar.
Abigail tilting her head and seeing something within a solid see-through glass box. What looked like a relic of some kind it was shimmering, sparkling and looked memorizing.
Her eyes locked on it, as she would start to touch the box out of curiosity. Her mind wandered to what it could potentially be. It wasn't long before the figure got closer to her, and spoke aloud.
" ... It's called The Eye of Oracle in case you were wondering " A young man would tell her, as Abigail turned so quickly around that it wobbled the glass box.
Quickly, Abigail gripped the stand holding it together, as she fumbled with her thoughts, and words.
" I — oh ! By the Gods.. I — shit! — " She would curse aloud, as the young man couldn't help but form a chuckling grin.
Abigail looking up in embarrassment noticed the man and how formal, elegant, and ravishingly attractive he seemed. She was taken aback by his appeal, almost staring at him in silence.
" Umm— I — was just— " She tried to explain, as she didn't know if the young man worked here, or he was also roaming the castle cluelessly and curiously.
He didn't seem to be a guard, so she was lucky for that, but he definitely seemed to be from a very wealthy family. He had multicolored hair— very sharp, narrow but mesmerizing orbs.
A color to which she had never seen before. He had a narrow sharp face, with a gleaming jawline. His structure looked posed and firm, like he clearly was fitted and toned.
His attire was long, and draped far behind him, wearing white and gold. Dangling golden earrings, and a headpiece that covered his forehead attached to his hair.
Though upon more inspection, he was wearing a necklace that was glowing red, like a jewel. Long heeled white boot heels, and tightly fitted underpants and blossom button shirt.
If she didn't know any better she would've mistaken him for someone in the royal court. Though, she knew nothing of the sort, as Mr. Lingo vaguely explained the royal court to her.
He also didn't explain what His Majesty looked like, so for all she knew, this man was simply a part of another family. She would sigh at him, and dust her dress off.
The male would arch a brow at her.
" So why are you here, if I may ask? " He would question her.
Abigail would give him a distance look, before she would place her hands on her hips. She wasn't afraid of someone from a wealthy family.
In fact, if she was ballsy enough she would directly speak this way to the royal court. Due to not being raised in a proper way, Abigail talked roughly to everyone.
However the biggest difference was that she was somewhat star struck by this man, and also she was compelled to dislike him because he was one.
" .... Uhh... I'm not sure that's any of your business... " She remarked.
His Majesty was taken aback by her words, as he had never ran or spoken to a woman who lacked respect in such a way. He also didn't run into anyone who talked to him in such a manner.
The male couldn't help but form another grin, with a smile as he chuckled at her remark. Questioning her once more.
" .... Is that so? " He asked.
" .... Well, yeah... I would like to think so. " Abigail responded back. Proceeding to walk towards him and trying to get past him.
" ... I mean, you find a lady you do not know and approach her asking her direct questions? I mean— by the Gods I thought you were a guard. "
" .... I could possibly be one... " He retorted.
Abigail couldn't help but slightly smirk while laughing at that remark.
" Oh yeah? Well, judging by what you are wearing, you're not one. Unless you like off duty or something? "
Her remark sounded sarcastic, but also a cautious question, as she had hoped he wasn't one truly.
" ... Hm— Well, I'm not sure that's any of your business.... " He replied back to her, mocking her words against her.
The male would turn heel as his lovely attire dragged behind him as he proceeded to head off. Abigail never realized how much she disliked someone more than now.
He made her look like a fool, now he's turning his back on her like he owed her. She couldn't help but rush towards him, as she walked quickly enough to stop him.
The lights from the other side of the room illuminating both their facial features. Abigail, unable to contain her mouth immediately spoke.
" Hey! — you — don't walk away from me when I'm talking to you. " She demanded.
His Majesty smirked once again, which only caused Abigail to boil on the inside. She didn't know why she cared so much that this male walked away.
Typically she would just continue to mind her business, but for some reason his remark really got her.
" ... For a young lady, who roams around quarters she shouldn't— you have quite the temper on you... " His Majesty would tease.
Abigail, hearing his words, couldn't help but fumble for her thoughts again, he seemed to have stumbled her temporarily before she spoke again.
" .... You're on me about roaming? Tch— look at what you're doing! This isn't your home either, so now who looks stupid.
His Majesty laughed once more, as his soft and loving chuckles vibrated off the castle walls. Abigail hearing his soothing and charming tone, felt a blush come on as faint as it was.
She didn't know what was so damn funny, and why every time she opened her mouth he found amusement in it. She was becoming annoyed.
It wasn't long before she would take notice of his front attire, would look down and see a pendant against his chest. It was the dragon pendant indicating that he indeed must've been on the royal court.
Now it all makes sense, of why he himself would be roaming around as well, and why he was laughing at her. She scuffled and gripped her dress a bit to proceed to turn around and walk away in a huff.
" Tch— Okay— ugh, now it makes sense why you're such a royal pain! You know just because you work for the king doesn't imply you live here! You live off work you royal jerk... " She spoke aloud, mumbling that last part to herself.
His majesty watching as his entertainment walked away, he would quickly follow behind her, as he would smack his lips at her response.
" Haha, alright— wait—forgive me my lady, but you do amuse me, however— how was I going to know you wouldn't look down and notice the pendant? " He would swiftly ask her, as he would grip her arm and make her stop.
Abigail feeling the grip felt a shiver go up her spine and felt herself turn around. For a brief moment she allowed him to hold onto her arm, as in that moment of seconds she didn't mind it.
It was as if her past trauma no longer existed, but soon it began to sink in the horrors, as she would gently tug away his arm with her shoulder. Causing the male to release her.
They are only inches away from one another.
His majesty took note of her gesture, which made him squint his orbs down in ponder, as she would open her mouth in reply.
" ... If I knew you worked for the family... " She was beginning to say, as they made eye contact together.
His majesty immediately cut her off, as his orbs looked in hers, as Abigail was once again locked in a trance, hearing his soft, deep and seductive voice reply back.
" I do not work for the family... "
At that moment, Abby wanted to speak but couldn't, as the sound of a bell rang loudly within the castle. His majesty knew what that meant as he looked back at Abigail.
Abby hearing his words now became confused, as she darted her eyes back and forth to look at him. Her thoughts were lost, as the king spoke to her.
" .... Come, before whoever you came with wonders where their lovely lady roamed off too. " His majesty remarked, as he gently took her gloved hand.
Abigail speechless, looked deep into his purple eyes, and got gently pulled along, as the two walked down the hallway together. The two eventually came back to the ballroom, where others were dancing.
The entire ballroom was lit up like a Christmas light— as the chandeliers dazzled and sparkled. His majesty looked at the woman, as he eyed her carefully.
Abby, unable to move, felt frozen in place, as she continued to hold onto his majesty's hand before he released her. The king immediately spoke to her as the two stood there.
" ... I would ask you to dance, my lady, but judging by your gestures I can see you are uncomfortable being in the presence of me. "
" ... I'm not." Abigail found herself swiftly saying.
His majesty immediately took aback by her response, as he saw her shaking her head immediately after her remark.
" I mean— I am— but— Im— "
Just when she was trying to find words, Mr. Smith would notice the two, and make his way towards both of them. Abigail would soon lock eyes quickly with Mr. Smith noticed he was trying to come over.
This made Abigail frightened, as she quickly turned to look back at the king.
" Well, my lady then— " His majesty was going to say as he was about to dismiss her, before Abigail quickly spoke.
" But! — I'd still love to! "
The quick change made His majesty chuckle, as he would gently entwine their fingers, as she felt a warmth in his hands. His complexion is calm and gentle, as he would lead them to the center of the room.
Abigail, never dancing before, felt her heart racing, as His majesty would make them face one another. She would look around at everyone else dancing, as he would gently pull her closer to him.
He smelled divine, as she inhaled his scent, the pull causing her body to escalate higher in heat, as she locked eyes with him.
" ....Breathe.... " He softly and gently told her.
Abigail, listening to him, would calmly breath in and out her nose, as he would speak to her again.
" Place your hand in mind, and this hand on my shoulder, feel our bodies... feel our breaths... " He would softly and charmingly tell her, as Abigail was lost in a trance.
Feeling how close their bodies pressed against one another, as her soft silk gloved hand fell upon his shoulder. Her other hand holds his, as the two begin to dance in the center of the room.
Mr. Lingo was shocked as he watched in silence, and was immediately struck with disbelief. The entire room slowly but surely watched both His majesty and some random woman dance.
Abigail could feel everyone slowly starting to take notice, and His majesty as well, but he couldn't to reassure her.
" I know— but keep your eyes on me... never let them unlock from mines~ " He whispered towards her, as Abigail hearing his lovely words would keep her eyes on him.
Twirling her around, as her long flowing dress, and his long flowing drape would float across the ballroom, as the music softly played for them. Started to become faster, as he moved her quicker, around the room.
Abby felt as though she was flying, as she felt like she was in an enchanting fantasy. It was as if she had no troubles, nothing could harm her with him around.
Her breast against his firm chest, as the two waltz around the room together. The young lady that Abigail had spoken towards watching from afar.
Mahad eventually found His majesty had already arrived inside the ballroom. Becoming surprised, as he was here, and didn't get announced.
Everyone was stunned, as no one knew His majesty had entered the room, until he started to dance. Immediately people bowed in his presence, as Abigail hadn't noticed.
Gradually the music started to slow down, as His majesty did as well, and slowly he bowed Abigail back in a bent as he leaned down towards her. Their faces were extremely close, as Barclays orbs widened.
He had never seen His majesty so lost in a woman's presence and gaze before. Slowly he raised Abigail back up, as Abigail looked deep into his orbs still.
She could tell he was able to read her, like an open book, a book to which she had to immediately close for him.
" You know nothing about me.... " She would finally speak as she felt a tear drop against her cheek.
His majesty, hearing her words, sounded like a broken woman, a woman who needed saving. Someone to turn too, as he would part his lips to speak as they held one another.
" .... Then tell me—how is it... that I can see your soul... even without you speaking .... " He would calmly and quietly tell her back.
Abigail felt a shattered of her soul upon hearing him, as she felt like she could collapse at any moment. The king felt something in himself, the second she felt that way.
Her body went limp for a moment, as her forehead and his would meet together, as he briefly and very silently whispered towards her.
" .... Forgive me... " His orbs shutting close, as his tone of voice sounded like a painful sorrow.
As someone would blow a trumpet loudly, as royal guards around the ballroom would stump their royal lances on the ground repeatedly.
" We honor His Majesty's presence tonight ! As we will now formally and humblely like to announce that His majesty is now present and we all are blessed upon his arrival. Long. May. He. Reign. "
" Long. May. He. Reign. " Everyone repeated, as they bowed before him.
After the ordeal, Abigail slowly found herself able to stand up again, as the two of them slightly removed themselves from each other.
It wasn't until Abigail heard the announcement that her mind started to put it together. Then, when everyone bowed all except the man she was with, she looked back towards him.
Her orbs shot open — almost causing her to faint right then and there by his presence alone.
" Your majesty! " Mahad exclaimed, as he bowed towards him as Abigail was frozen in place watching in disbelief by her dancing with the king.
" .... Mahad... " His majesty remarked back.
Mahad was about to speak, but another gentleman quickly approached the king.
" Uhh, excuse me, your majesty. " A man would remark as he bowed before the king.
His majesty turned towards someone else, as he would nod his head at them. Abigail completely dumbfounded, as she noticed it was Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith smiling and looking over at Abigail before, looking back at the king.
" Mr. Smith, what a pleasure. " His majesty would remark.
" Ah-ha, Oh-no, your majesty, the honor is all mine... "
" Hmm, why yes— yes of course, well—what can I do for you.? " His majesty asked him in a calm tone.
" Well it's just that I — couldn't help but notice you dancing with this very lovely lady, and I hope I'm not interfering when I ask if this beautiful woman is your queen to be? " He would ask him.
Abby shifted her eyes towards the king, hoping he'd lie on her behalf. His majesty seeing her expression, would then look back at Mr. Smith.
" ... No... she is not. "
" Ah— well then, you do not mind if I — steal this beautiful young lady from you, for a dance? " Mr. Smith requested, as he was speaking about Abigail.
Abigail, unable to think at that moment, glanced over at His majesty as he then looked over at Abigail. The king would motion with his hand, as he would step away from Abigail.
Her body felt cold when he did so.
" .... Not at all. She's all yours. " His majesty would remark.
Abby hearing his words felt like knives towards her chest, as she didn't know why. For some reason, she was more upset that he didn't refuse him in allowing them to dance together.
Mr. Smith cheerfully and would extend his hand towards Abigail as he bowed.
" My lady? If I may— " He would speak.
His majesty would slowly proceed to walk off as he spoke towards them both, but mainly towards Abby.
" ..... You two have a lovely time... I'm sure Mr. Smith would love to get to know you.. better than I " His majesty would mock, at her remark about what she had told His majesty while they were finished dancing.
Abigail watched as His majesty walked away, as the crowds started to move out of his way so he could leave the center of the room. Abigail feeling Mr. Smith gently takes her hand, and brings her in for a dance.
Abigail felt a painful sensation as she watched him disappear entirely from her eyes. She couldn't believe she had danced with the king and had spoken with him, and didn't know.
What's worse, he had left her with a man that another woman warned her about. It was possibly the worst thing that could've happened to her.
Abby, feeling Mr. Smith's hands against her felt like snakes wrapping around her. She could feel herself losing breath, as she contemplated in her mind.
All she knew was she was lost, hurt, conflicted, and needed someone to save her. Truthfully, all she could think about was the king, and how she had completely made a fool of herself in front of him.