Chapter 91
Abby couldn’t help but worry when whatever she tried to do only showed unsatisfactory results.
Not to mention there were only five more days until the ceremony.
Apart from her dress that had been finalized, everything else had been giving her a headache while Micah was still busy with his own things.
She had no one to openly discuss her worries or even troubles as she didn’t feel that close to anyone else but her mate, who couldn’t even find enough time to sleep, let alone eat properly or have a small talk with her.
Even the food arrangements, she thought would be dealt with the other day, posed a new challenge as the desserts and drinks she selected didn’t compliment the main course at all.
The selection of flowers and the theme of decoration were another recipe for her headache, that wouldn’t go away no matter what.
Now, to all of them, she could add this speech, that wouldn’t be finished no matter how hard she tried.
She knew nothing about ruling a kingdom, or considering everyone while thinking about something, so obviously, her words would lack the sincerity Sherianne was aiming for.
Thinking all of this only worsened her headache, as her racing mind kept adding to her discomfort.
So when she found herself in the middle of this back garden, albeit, unintentionally, Abby succumbed to her need to cool her head off as she bee lined to the small bench at the far end of the back yard.
The evening summer air was crisp and refreshing, it prompted her to close her eyes as she enjoyed the sweet fragrance of the flowers carried over by the evening air.
The sun was almost up and there were not many people around, while her maid seemed to have realized she wanted to be alone, she didn’t disturb her as she stood to the side silently.
However, just as she closed her eyes to bask in the serenity which was usually so rare in this palace,
especially now with all the hasty preparations for their crowning ceremony, she heard a voice reach her
ears.
“We meet again,” a man said from her left and she immediately turned around to find it was Ezgar.
But this time he bowed to her respectfully which prompted her to nod in response.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t recognize your highness the last time,” Ezgar said as he stopped about five feet from the bench she was sitting on.
“It’s okay,” Abby said when she remembered Micah saying Ezgar was a good man.
She felt like correcting him that she was yet to be crowned to be worthy of the title ‘your highness‘.
Only she refrained from saying so when she remembered that he was actually Ruby’s brother.
However, his next words surprised her. “And I also want to use this opportunity to apologize for my little sister’s behavior the other day.”
Ezgar sounded so sincere and business–like, Abby felt embarrassed for thinking he would take his own sister’s side in this matter.
After all, she was his beloved younger sister, she could tell from the way his gaze was a blend of love and worry while searching for her the other day.
“It’s okay, moreover it is not your fault that your sister…” Abby trailed off as she couldn’t decide if she should discuss this with Ezgar. No matter what, Ruby was his sister.
On the other hand, Ezgar chuckled when she felt awkward talking bad about his sister.
From the look on her face, she couldn’t tell to what extent he knew about the issue between her and his sister.
“Still, she did something she shouldn’t. She is in no position to try and make things difficult for you,” Ezgar said, leaving her dumbfounded yet again.
He was really made differently from his sister.
Ezgar smiled when she didn’t say anything with her eyes
wide open.
He chose to drop the matter, when he realized it must be awkward for her to talk about his sister with
him.
“Is it okay if I sit with you?” Ezgar asked, trying to change the topic. “This is such a nice spot, it would be a shame just to walk away without indulging in it.”
Abby welcomed his thought of wanting to change the topic, since she knew she wouldn’t be able to force herself to talk openly about the whole ordeal with Ruby, no matter who the other person was.
In fact, she didn’t even talk to Micah about it, even though her mate being a bit too preoccupied with several other things was the main reason for it.
But then, she didn’t think it was an incident huge enough to be brought to Micah’s attention when she could deal with it just fine.
“Yeah, this is a nice place,” Abby said, agreeing with him while moving to one side of the bench and then gesturing for him to take the other side.
“And I really didn’t expect to bump into you so casually like that,” Ezgar said as soon as he sat down.
What he meant was nothing about her was flamboyant enough to make him recognize her as the future queen. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Abby didn’t say anything in response to his words.
So it was Ezgar who spoke again to continue the conversation. “I still didn’t know your name, miss.”
Ezgar felt awkward to sit silently when Abby talked too choosingly, so even though he heard her name from his sister and the others, he still asked her.
And Abby could also tell that he was asking that question only to kill the awkward air that settled over her silence.
So she told her name and that was how their small talk went.
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Him talking or asking little details like how the capital was treating her and as such.
Abby soon found herself comfortable talking to him. The man always had this small yet encouraging smile on his face, as if he was talking to a small child instead of someone who had a serious altercation with his beloved younger sister.
He had a bright personality, and this rubbed off on her as she too smiled from her heart.
Soon their conversation delved into topics about the ceremony and Ezgar could immediately notice the small frown on her face.
“So how are the arrangements for the ceremony going?” Ezgar asked, and saw how Abby’s expression twisted into one of worry.
On the other hand, being reminded about the arrangements that had been the reason for her constant headache for the past ten days, Abby couldn’t help but feel her head throb in protest.
She didn’t know what to say and a sigh escaped her without her realizing it.
“What is bothering you?” Ezgar couldn’t help but ask when he noticed how the smile on her vanished slowly but surely as a frown shadowed her features.
The same exact frown that almost disappeared when he noticed her sitting on this bench earlier.
In fact, that was what prompted him to walk toward her, even though he wanted to apologize to her for not recognizing her and also about his sister.
Only now did he realize the reason for her frown.
So the arrangements for the ceremony were taking a toll on her.
But then it was understandable when it was obvious how important the event was.
On the other hand, Abby didn’t know if she could talk to him about the ceremony or her worries over the difficulties she had been facing while trying to arrange everything on her own.
But then a strong gust of wind made her hair go wild and when she lifted her hand to readjust her hair,
something fell down from her sleeve and landed near Ezgar feet.
It was the papers she stuffed in her sleeve after her lesson with Sherianne.
Ezgar picked up the papers and Abby couldn’t stop him fast enough as he unfolded the papers and read her mediocre speech.
“Is this a draft for your speech for the ceremony?” Ezgar asked her, once he lifted his head from the
papers.
Since it was already obvious, Abby could only resign herself and nod her head.
Judging from her lackluster expression, Ezgar could guess this was one of the things bothering her.
“This is not bad?” Ezgar actually wanted to say it as a statement of encouragement, but it came out as a question.
“Thank you, but I know it’s not up to the mark.” Abby smiled at him.
But it didn’t reach her eyes.
“How about I help you?” Ezgar said when he realized how much it was bothering her.
“Help me?” Abby asked, confused.
“Yes, with the speech, two minds is better than one. Don’t you think so?” Ezgar asked, his signature smile brightening his face immediately. “Moreover, I know a lot about this kingdom and people, I know what would reach their ears, at least, if not their hearts.”
Abby could tell he was sincere with his suggestion when he took effort to sell his pluspoints in herself taking his helping hand about this matter.
And his earnest expression was something she found hard to turn away from, and so she ended up agreeing to take his help.
“I think it’s better we continue this next time, it is already so late,” Ezgar said when he noticed it was already dinner time. “How about the same place and time tomorrow?”
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Ezgar suggested when Abby’s stomach growled following his first sentence.
After deciding upon meeting the next day, Ezgar took his leave.
Abby returned to their room and once again had her dinner all by herself.
Even when it was way past her sleeping time, Micah was still nowhere to be found and this made her
heart hurt a little in sadness.