William’s pov

I continued to look at the distance as their vehicle crossed the distance and left the area. 

“Your highness.”

“I want you to book my night at the brothel with the best girl they had.” I said to the kneeling man and he nodded and left.

I could see the look of disdain in the nobles around me and I gave a sultry look to the ladies with them, who returned a shy smile with a red face. Women never stop to amaze me, behaving like a pious person yet ready to melt with my single gaze, yet I was the one to be blamed. 

I shook my head as I turned only to see my mother coming towards me. Her pathetic state was clearly visible, all the time she was standing like a mannequin doll being with my so-called father while he was busy looking at the competition and holding hands of the empress, his legal wife. If possible I would have taken her and ran away from here when I had seen her crying for the first time. 

But i was just a kid by then and she was madly in love who did not want to listen. Ha! Love!  Just a deception to accept all the misgiving happening with you. I closed my eyes to get rid of the anger that took place every time I saw her but surprisingly instead of the phases of her being bullied, Abigail’s face flashed in front of my eyes. I gave a self deprecating laugh to myself. 

‘Don’t tell me, I am going to walk the same path as my mother. Loving a person who would never love me back. Have I become a masochist like her? I need to hold myself together and stay with that trouble name Abigail.

“William, Josephine has been badly hurt. We should go and see her.” she said and i chuckled, 

“Either she is hurt, alive or dead, what had it to do with me? It is not like she cares if I go to see her or not. Why waste my time over that. I am going out with my friends to the gambling house, did not wait for me, i will be late.” I said and turned without waiting for her reply.

“William, but you are going out every single day. As a crown prince you have some responsibilities.” she demanded and i laughed again,

‘Could there be anything more hilarious than her words!’

“I am crown prince because the emperor did not have any other son. Not because he wants me to be the prince. And if Josephine found a better husband than me,  then there is no doubt that she would be the one who rules. So why waste time over something that is not even certain.” I replied as I looked into her eyes that were filled with unshed tears. 

Guilt engulfed me but my eyes still stayed cold and the mocking smirk still adorned my lips. A single mistake could cost her, her life.

“Do not wait for me, mother. I would not come back before morning.” I said once again as I turned. The same smile, no remorse, no regret even when i tired and climbed the horse.

“They have left behind, your highness.” I heard the voice of the only man I trust and I sighed. I closed my eyes as sadness engulfed me in his arms.

“You have done good. Just a few more years and this act would not be needed anymore.” he said, patting my shoulders and I nodded.

“Josephine had a wound on her ribs but it was not deep enough. That girl had made sure that Josephine did not get any long term injury, the wound was made in a precise manner only to hurt her enough that she accepted defeat” said Theodore again with marvel in his eyes and for a minute the gloominess left me and I felt pride. As if he had praised me. But I hid my eyes even from him. 

Abigail was a secret of my life that I could not let her know about. The foolish girl had already forgotten me anyway. I didn’t know whether to be happy about it or sad, that the only one person who was dear to me was also gone.

“You have made a good decision to hire her. Try to include her in your team of brothels somehow. She could come very handy in the future.” he said and i shook my head. 

“She is not meant to be there. She is a higher noble. I am not even sure if his father would allow her to serve me given my reputation. But make sure she would not serve Gerard no matter what.“ I instructed and the man nodded reluctantly.

“What a waste of talent.” he said, shaking his head. “I am going to the city. My body is aching to drink some blood. I would be back in the morning to cover you up from the brothel. Do not go anywhere else.” said the man whose size was no less than a monster. With his height more than 6’6 and broad wide shoulders and heavy build up. He was famous from the name of giant, his long hairs that were adjusted in a ponytail and his dark eyes on the board square face made him further intimidating not to forget his lust of blood. Even I had tough time believing that he was a human at the end of the day.

“Do not come to their eyes. Stay hidden. I will not get time to leave my brothel anyway.“ I said as we started to part our way.

‘With my size, it is quite difficult to hide or disguise but i would try for you. If not I would kill everyone who would see me. Do not worry, William ” he said as if he was talking about buying things and I just shrugged my shoulders and left for my destination.