giving him two cents!

"So, what did you want to talk to me?" asked Nick as he stood under the shade of a tree with me.

In the end the nights were so busy staring at us that they did not move at all. So, I held Noah's hands and took him there. The man was so stunned that he did not say anything until we reached here.

"I wanted my part of the bet" I said and he tilted his head.

"What is there to ask for which you need privacy?" he asked as narrowed his eyes on me and I rolled my eyes in writing.

"Why, are you afraid that I will take your chastity away?" I asked as I took a step towards her boldly.

And oh my i laughed so hard when he took several steps back with that red face, holding the collar of his shirt tightly.

"This is not funny" he remarked,

"I beg to differ. Anyways i want you to act for me as my reward" i said finally controlling my laughter.

"What kind of act?"

"I want you to behave as my lover in front of the crown prince." I said and his face hardened. I know my demand was a bit strange but there was a clear sign of hatred in his eyes.

"What, are you trying to break your promise now?" I challenged him but he did not respond.

"So you want to back off Carl?" I asked again for further pressurising.

He finally blinked and looked at me as if searching for something.

"I will support you if you are honest with me. Why do you need to act in front of the crown prince?" his sound was much more mature than before.

"Well, as you know many are not taking me seriously as an aspiring knight. So I want to serve the crown prince to gain some reputation. But at the same time I did not want to come under his scrutinizing gaze. So I want you to act as my lover.`` I explained the same way as I had done to the crown prince.

"So you want me to be your shield while you serve him?"

"Yes, that's it"

"But why do you need to serve him? Do you not trust my training or do you not trust your father? He is the commandant of the first order of knights. He is capable enough to make you a successful knight." he said with a doubtful voice and once again i am amazed by his wits. Could he not be a fool a few times!?

"I did not want to take support from my father or else I would never gain enough respect, but serving gallantly and protecting the future emperor is different." I added and he rubbed his chin.

"Do you not know the incidents of the current emperor or the rumours about the crown prince. Do you think a shield would be enough to keep you safe?" he asked almost mockingly.

"No, I know a shield would not have been enough, but we are not talking about any shield here. We are talking about you, Carl. I trust you. I trust my life and my honour if it is in your hands. I am sure you would never let anything happen to me." i told him truthfully, though he did mock me but he had taught me and helped me enough times to build that trust.

His eyes widened and his mouth turned agape but he was looking touched too.

He coughed and then blinked. "Alright, since you have won the game, I will make sure to fulfill my side of the promise" he said so rightfully but I could see his red ears.

Who would have thought that such a strong man would be so embarrassed with these simple words!

"I am going now." he said with anger as he noticed my eyes were on his ears and literally ran away.

"Pfftttt" I laughed again and shook my head.

"Abi, what are you doing here?" I heard and turned back to see Nickolas walking towards me.

His eyes were on the back of Noah.

"Abi, why do I feel you are taking too much interest in Noah?"

"Because I like him, brother. At least, he did not let others bully me." I said it was a bit more angry to me than I expected it to be.

He looked at me surprised and then pursed his lips.

"Abi, are you still angry with me?" he asked with a pleading face and I shook my head.

"You don't even know what you are doing wrong brother. Do you? And I did not have time to raise a kid. I just hope you learn the respect of women before you get married or else you will be more disappointed in yourself.`` I didn't want to do that, but I was tired of his partial behavior.

I sighed and looked at his silent face.

"Nickolas, assume there is a step brother and not step sister and he blames you for everything. Would you be able to behave amiable just because you wanted to keep the family together?

I do not want a reply now, but think about it. Father is kind but he stayed with us too less to know about the whole matter but you are here all the time. Why was I always wrong and they are always right? It has been my home since the start, why can I not be angry when others enter and take it from me?" I said and then without waiting for his reply left from there, leaving the stunned man behind.