Villainess Becomes The Knight

Isabella pov

"If you want to work on the designs, why don't we go to Nick's chamber and find Oliver. You both can work there. While me and Nick will discuss about the training.'' I frowned as they were taking it too lightly. Since this would be the first bracelet and jewels set on my name, I wanted it to be perfect. 

'I still feel that working here, Where all the instruments and jewels are available would be better, Abi '' she looked at me and contemplated for a minute and then nodded.

"Alright. Then I will send Beth and ask brother Nick to bring Oliver here." she only trued when Beth bowed her head and left.

These days, she has changed completely, as if she was not the Abigail I know. I still remember how she had given me stale food to eat as a welcome gift and forced me to swallow it in front of her friends. And from that day she had bullied me continuously. 

So, I have also started complaining and retaliating. Giving her snarky remarks and crying in front of her father to punish her. That was a matter of my survival after all. Though i knew they would never accept me as the daughter of duke. I still wanted to live like a noble and marry in a higher noble family so that I did not need to worry all my life.

But these days.. I was still not sure if she really had a change of heart or she was acting. But if she honestly helped me in restarting my father's business. Then I didn't care about anything else. I would make sure that I would be rich enough by myself to take care of my dowry and future life.

"Bella, Isabella" I blinked as I heard her calling me.

"Ah, yes Abi" I asked , coming out of my thoughts when she looked at me with a frown and then pointed at the adjacent sofa.

"They are already here, Bella, we were calling you since a while.'' Only then did I notice that Nick was sitting in front of me with Oliver standing behind him with an annoyed face. 

Sigh! This man always has an annoyed face! 

"You have called for us?" asked Nick, looking at me. When he noticed that my eyes stilled on Oliver more than necessary.

"Ah, yes. I was thinking that if we both can work on the design together. Then we can prepare jewels today. Since Abi is going to be sworn as knight soon, I wanted her to see the jewels before leaving.`` I replied with a smile but Nick frowned, though I know that he was not angry at me, I still felt sweat forming on my palms whenever he looked angry.

"Leaving? Where is she leaving for? There is still 1 month before the opening of the academy." he asked with a frown, he looked at me and then his eyes started creating holes in Abi who just laughed awkwardly!

'Oh dear! Did she not tell him!'

"Umm, his majesty has called me, Nick. he has requested my father to let me stay in the royal palace as their knight." The moment words left her mouth, Nick gritted his teeth.

"And you are supposed to live there alone? No! It is not safe. I will come with you." he said adamantly and I looked at him in awe. Though everyone thinks that Nick took my side. I know he was just worried that his sister would go the wrong way. That was why he tried to be strict.

If the same mistake would be done by me. He would just let the matter go by saying that 'do not repeat it in future, or be careful' 

"Well, I think this decision is not in my hands. Why did you not go and ask father about it? 'Nick nodded and stood up from his seat.

"Then I am going to talk to father about it. Both of you sleep on time and you." he looked sharply at Oliver, "my eyes are set on you. Listen to them and do not try to act smart ``I didn't even know what he meant by that. But i saw Abi shaking her head.

Once he went out, Abi looked back at me, "so, why don't you both continue. I will not disturb you anymore. But if you need anything you can send someone to call me anytime.'' I nodded as I really wanted to concentrate on work now. So, even she stood up and left.

The boy who was standing there silently came and sat in front of me with a deep breath making me startled.

"Hey. what are you doing?"  he tilted his head as he looked at me with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Sitting. I was tired of standing all day.'' He said it so nonchalantly that I did not know how to reply.

"So, shall we start now?" he asked me when i stayed silent for a while.

I nodded, though I wanted to be alone to work with more concentration, I never thought that it would be awkward to be with him alone in the room. Especially when the man was so confident and nonchalant. He was not behaving like a worker at all.

"Then tell me, why do you need me here?" he asked, tilting his head as he leaned on the sofa further. Suddenly I had a feeling that he was the master and I was the one working for him.

"Well, since the design is yours I wanted to know your opinion when I formed it. So that you can learn how to make jewels too. In future, you have to assist me in the whole process" though i tried my best to sound confident. My words came a little quivering the way he was looking at me intently.

He nodded his head as he stretched, "then you should start, i will sit and observe you."

"..."