After her family name was entangled to the assassination attempt of 2nd Prince Agustus Vesta against the Crown Prince, the Campbelle countdom was stripped of their noble title.

Unable to bear the shame of the once great countdom becoming a laughing stock, Abigail Campbelle, the only Lady of the house Campbelle agreed to marry her childhood friend 3rd Prince Marion Vesta. But the King did not give his approval of the marriage. Rumors that the Royal family did not agree to the marriage spread like a wildfire, adding more shame to the fallen countdom. This disgrace resulted in Abigail not receiving any marriage proposals. The once most famous and sought after lady in the social circle was ignored. The men from other noble families would only offer her to become their lover or mistress, and nothing more to avoid having beef with the Royal family. The proud Abigail could not bear the thought of her body to be ravish by the dirty nobles, and would rather die than to become someone's mistress.

"Please marry me, Milady." The only marriage proposal she received after the fall of their family two years ago.

Tyronne, a common born Knight without a surname, was granted the title of a Baron for his great contribution to the long-standing war against the neighboring kingdom.

He first made a name for himself when he saved Crown Prince Henry Vesta against the assassination attempt by the 2nd Prince. And when he went to the war as a Knight representing Crown Prince Henry, and led the Kingdom's victory, the twenty-two years old young Knight was given vast lands, golds, livestock and a title.

He became Baron Tyronne of Elwindor.

Tyronne could have gained a higher title for his contributions, but the pure blood nobles were against it. He was supposed to be only given a Lord title as proposed by the nobles, but the Crown Prince fought for the Baron title until the end.

Ernest Campbelle, Abigail's father, saw the opportunity to gain the Royal family's favor once again, forced his daughter to accept the marriage.

The then eighteen years old Abigail Campbelle, became Baroness Abigail Elwindor.

Abigail is pampered and spoiled by her husband. Even the bride price he gave her family was enormous. Everything was perfect, except for one thing. During gatherings, Abigail would be ridiculed for marrying a common born Knight. She would hear ladies murmuring that she is shameless and desperate for accepting a commoner as a husband who only got lucky for gaining favor from the Royal family.

She hated her husband for this.

As a result, she would often refuse him in bed. Even so, Tyronne never changed towards her. He even became more understanding on why his wife acted that way.

Tyronne works hard to make the Barony prosper, so that he could give his wife everything she wants. He knows that Abigail grew up pampered and was given everything when she was in the Campbelle countdom. The Barony might not be as mighty as the previous Campbelle household, but for her, he would do his best. He'll make sure that the Barony would be acknowledged as a prosperous territory like the other higher ranking nobles.

And because of his hard work, Elwindor indeed became one of the leading Baronial families in just two years.

But as a result of her refusing him in bed, Abigail and Tyronne weren't able to produce an heir in the two years of their marriage, thus creating another source of ridicule for the Baroness.

"Abby, I have to leave to lead the subjugation of the bandits at the eastern part of the Kingdom tomorrow." He told his wife.

A huge group of bandits have been killing, and robbing unsuspecting merchants and nobles passing the area. The other senior nobles refused to send their sons and Knights to participate in the subjugation and instead pass the responsibility to Tyronne, since he is a direct vassal of the Crown Prince.

But the truth is the senior nobles wanted the Baron to fail and die in the subjugation. Because of his hard work, and creating a name for the Elwindor Barony in just two years, the other nobles felt insulted that their generations of effort was put to shame by a common born Knight.

"For how long?" Abigail asked.

"I'll do my best for it not to take long." He assured her.

He doesn't want to leave her side for a long time.

He hugged his wife from behind. Immediately Abigail wanted to break away. But Tyronne did not let go of her like he usually does if she shows distaste of him showing affection.

Even though he promised her that he will do his best, the battlefield is a place with no assurance. Even a renowned warrior could die in the hands of the enemy the moment he stepped on the warzone.

"Can you allow this lowly servant of yours to touch you tonight?" It's unusual for a man to ask his own wife to fulfill her duties in bed. If a man wants it, he could indulge himself in whatever he wants to do with her even without her permission. But Tyronne had never touched Abigail against her will. They only did the act when they consummate their marriage, and a few times after that. He never asked for it again since it seems his wife doesn't like it when he wants to be intimate with her.

But tonight, he wants to do it no matter what. He will touch her even if she denies him. He wants to impregnate her.

If he leaves and dies on the battlefield, without an heir, Abigail won't be able to secure her position in the Barony. And everything he works hard for would fall in the hands of those who want him dead. And worst, what would become of his beloved wife?

That night, before he leaves for the subjugation, he torments her in bed with arduous love making. He made sure he gave her lots of his seeds in hopes for an heir. If a child is born between them, even if he dies, Abigail's position as the new head of Elwindor won't be taken by anyone.

"No matter what happens, wait for me here." Are his last words to her before he puts her to sleep.

And when Abigail woke up, he already left to lead the Knights to subjugate the bandits.

»»-----　⚜　-----««

Their exchange of letters became frequent, there were times the Baron would send three letters a week, and Abigail would gladly reply to all of it. Sometimes his replies would fall late if the situation in the east is not good. Until the second month of the subjugation, the letters had stopped coming completely.

During these times, the visit of 3rd Prince Marion Vesta has also become frequent, as he always consoles Abigail.

"What's wrong? You seem to be spacing out a lot lately?" He would always ask. "You can tell me. After all, I am a man you almost got married to." He would add and laugh.

Abigail rolled her eyes.

"The Baron stops sending letters."

"And so? Why would it matter? It's not like you like the Baron anyway."

Abigail gave him an upset look. It's true that she would often complain to Marion on how much she hates her marriage, but after the Baron left, Tyronne has always been on her mind. She misses all the attention he would give her. His gestures of holding her hands, her hair, her face and the way he would call her by the pet name he gave.

She misses his voice. She misses his warmth every morning when she wakes up. She misses how he never skipped every meals with her despite his busy schedule. She misses everything about him. Her heart and mind is solely occupied by Tyronne every single minute.

"Your Highness, I think it would be best that you stop visiting me." She told Marion.

"What? Why?" Marion is obviously against the idea.

"I am a married woman, and my husband is away. It is not proper to be doing this no matter how pure your intentions are. Just go home and mind your own engagement that is coming up next month." Abigail reminded him.

Also there seems to be a small part in her heart telling her to give her marriage with Tyronne a chance. It's been in her thoughts in the past weeks while exchanging letters with him. There are times that she would scold herself for letting others opinion get to her, and make her husband suffer for it.

So she decided that once the subjugation is over, she will do her duties as his wife properly. Once Tyronne comes home, she will give her all for him. Once he is back to her, they will make a family together.

She imagined it happily without thinking that that day would never come. Because a week after, a letter of condolence from the palace came.

The Baron has fallen.

Tyronne Elwindor was brutally killed in battle. One could almost not recognize his body due to the severity of his injuries. His head was decapitated, and limbs were cut off. The Knights have no choice but to burn his body along with the other fallen warriors. Only his Baronial brooch covered in blood reached Abigail.

The Elwindor Barony mourned for a week. Abigail could not believe what happened. She didn't eat anything for days, and has fallen ill. But before she could even recover from all the misery, another vicissitude shook her.

"This child is Tyronne's child!" A woman arrived at the mansion together with Tyronne's aunt claiming that the child she is holding is her husband's child.

Abigail could not say a word.

Everyone who saw and heard the woman's words was as shocked as her.

She could hear loud murmurs coming from the servants, Knights, and the Baron's relatives.

Abigail's body trembled. The child looks exactly like Tyronne. A son on top of that.

"H-How could I be sure that he is my husband's child?" Was the only thing she could say.

"Maribel is Tyronne's past lover. She kept the child a secret for three years because she didn't want to interfere with the relationship of the Baron and Baroness. But now that my nephew is dead, isn't it this child's right to be the Baron's heir as he is his only direct blood relative? How can you deny it if the child looks exactly like the Baron?" Abigail couldn't refute her words. She couldn't believe everything.

Her husband has a past lover, and they have a child together.

'What will happen to me?'

A meeting was held inside the council room. Tyronne's relatives all teamed up against her, and concluded a biased decision.

"Let me go! I am the Baroness of Elwindor!" Abigail protested as she was dragged out of the mansion. "You cannot do this to me!"

"You are just a widow." One of Tyronne's uncle lash out at her.

"M-My things. At least let me pack my things!" She pleaded.

Her wedding ring.

Even only the wedding ring Tyronne gave her, and his letters.

She wants the letters he gave her.

But no one listened to her. Even the Butler couldn't do anything and just pitifully looked at the Baroness while following the Baron's relatives back inside the mansion.

Abigail has been crying outside the gates for hours.

"Abigail!" A familiar voice called her. "Why are you outside?" Marion helped her up.

"Your Highness, what are you doing here?" She dried her tears.

"I went as fast as I could after I heard the Baron's death." He said. "It was hard to travel because of the distance." Marion added.

He couldn't come earlier since he was visiting the family of his soon to be fiance who is residing at the west part of the Kingdom.

Hearing Marion say that the Baron is dead, she couldn't contain her tears again.

She cried in pain.

Tyronne loved her greatly, and she disregarded him. He died not knowing that she misses him and that she might also already love him.

"Abigail!" Marion yelps and immediately catches the Baroness.

She collapsed.

Marion brought her back to the Campbelle estate, but when Ernest Campbelle heard that her daughter was chased out of the Barony, he rejected and disowned her right away.

The Prince had no choice but to bring Abigail to an inn, and called for a doctor to check on her.

"I'm fine." Abigail told Marion when she woke up.

"Madam, your body is so weak. You should take good care of it, especially now that you are with child." The doctor told her.

"W-What?" She nearly dropped the glass of water she's holding.

"You're a month pregnant Baroness." The doctor informed her.

"Congratulations, Abigail!" Marion congratulated her.

Abigail reached out to her stomach, trying to feel the life inside of her.

She started crying again. Why now that her husband is dead? Tyronne would have been very happy knowing this.

"H-Hey! Don't cry. I heard it's not good for pregnant women to cry." The Prince reminded her.

Abigail tried to swallow her sobs. Marion is right. She should do her best to protect her unborn child. Her husband just died, securing her position in the Barony for their child is the most important thing to do right now.

"I have to go back to the mansion." She told him.

"How about going back tomorrow? Just rest for now." Marion suggested.

She still looks pale.

"No. I have to go back today." She really wants to go back. She's been worried that Tyronne's relatives might have thrown his letters hidden in her room.

Now that she is pregnant, those letters are the only memory of her husband that she could show to their child.

Prince Marion was left with no choice. He has to go back to the palace today as well, and leaving Abigail in the Barony where she lives would be better than leaving her in this inn.

After resting for a couple more hours, the two went back to the Elwindor estate.

"And you think we'll believe that that child is the Baron's child?" Tyronne's aunt pointed at Abigail's stomach.

"What?" Abigail was shocked. "How dare you!" She lashes out to her angrily.

"You've been spending a lot of time with someone else more than your own husband." Another relative utter while giving Marion a look.

"How dare you accuse a Prince of something like that!" Marion couldn't believe what that man just said.

It's true that he had visited Abigail in the Barony, but they stayed where everyone could see. It's always in the estate's garden where they would drink tea and chit chat for hours. Since when did tea make someone pregnant?

Also, all their meetings are allowed by the Baron himself.

Prince Marion couldn't believe that they accused him, who is getting married to someone soon, of making another woman pregnant.

After a long argument, they still did not let Abigail in, and still imposed their claims that the child she is carrying isn't the Baron's child. They also argue that she's just making her pregnancy up, so that she could keep her title as the Baroness.

"I-I'm sorry, Baroness." The Butler told her and handed Abigail a small pouch in secret.

She opened it, and her wedding ring is inside, also the Baron's letters for her. Three more jewels that the Baron gave her are inside the pouch.

"I was trying to put all your jewelry in there, but the Baron's relatives suddenly entered your room and confiscated everything." The Butler explained in a whisper.

"It's okay. Thank you. Thank you so much." This is more than enough for her right now.

"Please take good care of yourself Baroness, and of the little Elwindor heir." Butler's eyes rested on her stomach, and he smiled.

"Thank you, Ramon."

"Abigail, I will tell my brother, the Crown Prince, about this. How about you go back to the inn where we stayed earlier and rest?" He suggested.

Abigail agreed.

She's exhausted about everything that has happened. Her husband's death, a love child has appeared, her title that is being forcefully taken from her, and now she's pregnant.

»»-----　⚜　-----««

Months had passed and Abigail heard nothing from Marion or the Crown Prince.

She heard that Marion is already married and has moved to the west with his wife. Abigail wanted to travel to the capital to see the Crown Prince whom her late husband serves, but she couldn't travel for days especially now that she is seven months pregnant and having a hard time to move around. Also with limited money that she has, by selling some of the jewelry the Butler secretly smuggled out of the Barony for her, going to the capital where everything is expensive would be difficult. The other thing that worries her is she isn't sure if the Crown Prince would meet her without Marion's help, she is after all a woman from a family who was involved in the assassination attempt against him.

Abigail had tried all means to seize the Barony from her husband's relatives, but failed. The thick-faced leeches even spread rumors that the child she is carrying is not her husband's child but of a lover that she slept with while the Baron is on the subjugation, which causes an outrage to the people of the Barony who are loyal to Tyronne. This is obviously untrue, because the only man who had ever touched her is Tyronne. She might have hated her marriage, but not once did she ever think of cheating on him.

Abigail begged her father to let her stay in his estate since it is a property Tyronne has given Ernest Campbelle as a gift. But her father refused and sent her away because of the rumors surrounding her. He made it clear that she is no longer his daughter.

With the money she had, selling the last of the jewelry, Abigail purchased a small land with a tiny house already built in it.

And after a few months, she gives birth to a healthy baby boy. The child looks exactly like Tyronne. His few thin hairs are the same color as her husband, and his brown eyes are the same hue as Tyronne. She cried hard the moment she saw her baby's eyes for the first time. It's as if looking straight to Tyronne's beautiful brown eyes.

For her child's safety against the new ruler of the Barony, Abigail kept her child hidden. She had long given up the rights to the territory, as it is impossible that the greedy people residing at the mansion would give it back, especially now that they had proclaimed the child from Tyronne's past lover as the heir apparent, and his mother as the legal guardian making her, Maribel, the acting head of Elwindor.

Heir apparent. The title is supposed to be for her son. If only she wasn't stupid, and had a child with Tyronne earlier, even if his love child shows up, her son's position will not be shaken and be taken by anyone.

But now, it's too late for regrets.

Abigail named her son Ivailo, an alias used by Tyronne on secret missions during his Knight days.

»»-----　⚜　-----««

Two years had passed and Abigail was able to survive working on a farm. It seems the owner of the land doesn't know what the former Baroness of Elwindor looks like, sometimes she would insult the former Baroness and would call her a whore without knowing that it is Abigail who is standing beside her, feeding the livestock. Abigail would keep her mouth shut and swallow all the insults just so she could keep her job, as it is the only one that let her bring Ivailo while working. She also wears a long cowl to hide her golden hair, since it's a color of nobility.

Every night, Abigail would cry on how hard her life had become. She would console herself by reading the letters her husband gave her. She probably already read it a thousand times. Sometimes she would read it loud so that Ivailo could hear it too. And if the sadness is too much to bear, she would look at her wedding ring she kept hidden away. It's the only one left among the jewelry she had. No matter how hard her life had become, she couldn't bring herself to sell it.

Abigail is sick, it's the third time this month that she has fallen ill. But instead of staying home, she needed to work.

"Someone is looking for you." The overseer called her.

Confused, she got out of the barn and the overseer pointed at the man not far from them.

"Your Highness!" She ran towards him, and couldn't believe her eyes.

"Abigail!" The 3rd Prince, whom she hadn't seen for years hugged her.

Immediately Abigail breaks away.

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?" She looked around, inspecting if there were eyes directed on them. She had enough rumors about her having different men just so she could raise her son. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?" She asked, not knowing what to feel or expect anymore.

"I'm sorry, Abigail. I wanted to go back as soon as possible, but my brother sent me away immediately to marry after I opened up your request to see him." Marion explained.

"What? What do you mean?" She's confused.

"The Crown Prince was upset that the Baron had failed him, and that the Nobles are maligning my brother for it."

"But it wasn't my husband's fault!" She fumed.

"I know. But the higher Nobles wanted to be in the Crown Prince's favor, and they are all slandering your late husband's name." Abigail's hands clenched into fist hearing the Prince's words.

If not for Ivailo, she would curse the Crown Prince and all the Nobles of the Kingdom for insulting Tyronne, even if it cost her her head.

"I-It doesn't matter anymore." She had to put her anger aside. "You must leave now, Your Highness." Abigail turned her back.

"Abigail, wait. Let's talk." He held her hands.

Marion looked at her callus palms. The once soft and smooth hands are now rough and dry.

"You don't look good." He noticed it the moment he saw her. And when he held her hands, they were hot. "Are you sick?" The Prince put his palm on her forehead, and she's burning.

"I'm fine. Just go." Hearing what Marion said earlier made her completely lose all hope.

The Crown Prince is her only chance. And if he abandoned Tyronne, who else is there to help them?

"Listen to me first. I can help you. You and your child."

"What do you mean?"

"Marry me, Abigail. If you do, you'll be able to live comfortably again. Not like this. Look at you."

"Marry you? What are you talking about?" She almost asked if Marion had lost his mind.

"I am widowed now." He bit his lips.

"What?" Her eyes furrowed.

"My wife is dead. She died giving birth to our stillborn child." He let out a sigh.

"I-I'm sorry to hear that." Abigail gasped.

"Accept my offer. I'm doing this as your friend. I failed to help you regarding my brother. At Least let me help you by doing this."

Abigail shook her head.

"Abigail, think about your child. Do you think you can raise a child properly living like this?"

"Our life is hard, yes, but I don't intend to marry ever again."

"Don't say that. You are young. Even if it's not me, I'm sure you can find a husband that is-"

"Your Highness-" She cut him off. "I don't intend to marry again." She repeated firmly, and snatched her hands away from him.

"Abigail, don't be silly and think about your child's future. If you want, I can help you find a Noble that will-"

"Your Highness-" She cut him off for the second time. "Even if I crawl on dirt for the rest of my life, I will never get married again. In this life, I will only belong to one man, and that's my husband."

"That husband is dead!" He reminded her.

"But my love for him is not!" She refuted. "Please leave." She added and walked away.

"You do not love him! We both know that! You're only guilty because of the way you treated him!" Marion yelled as she walked further away.

Abigail quit her job.

She sold their house and moved away. Prince Marion appeared before her a couple more times to persuade her, and it worries Abigail that the Prince will attract the attention of those people she's been trying to avoid. So at dawn they moved out, and headed to another city.

They were able to survive when Abigail landed a job as a maid to a lower noble house.

And years went by like that.

In 1356, twenty-three years had passed, a plague swept throughout the Kingdom. Abigail didn't get the disease, but after being exposed to her masters who all got ill, her body deteriorated. Doctors said it's just fatigue due to overwork, but her body didn't recover after a long rest. It's like all the hardships for the past twenty-five years caught up to her.

Her son, Ivailo, has also become a Knight. He was Knighted when he was twenty, and serves the noble family her mother works for. Life has been a little better for them when Ivailo became a Knight, as he earns more than enough for the two of them to survive. But when the plague hit the Kingdom, he was away due to a subjugation. Abigail was against it, that he leaves to join a dangerous mission, since it's also on a subjugation that they lost Tyronne, but Ivailo is as brave and determined as his father. The subjugation will earn him enough money to make Abigail quit her job, buy their own house, and live a much more comfortable life. Ivailo has been interested in becoming a Knight since he was a kid, because Abigail told him that his father is one of them, and he wanted to be like him. So when the opportunity arises, he joins the order of Knights who work for the lord his mother serves.

Abigail was left alone to tend for herself as she recovers. But after being ill for weeks, she only got worse. She's bedridden and at the end of her life.

Not once, even on deathbed, did she ever think that her past would also catch up to her.

The door to her room opened, and her eyes landed on a woman's red shoes coming closer to her. Her eyes lifted up and she saw a familiar face.

The woman laughed hard and loud when she saw her. Abigail couldn't hear her incoherent words, because her body trembled in fear. But she was relieved that Ivailo was away.

Abigail's tears ran down her cheeks while listening to the woman in front of her.

And the last thing she saw was the pillow lowering on her face, as she slowly lost consciousness and struggled, gasping for air.
.

.

.

.

.

Thud!

"Oh my god, Milady!" She heard a loud scream.

Abigail opened her eyes and her whole body hurts.

"Are you alright, Milady?" A maid helped her get up.

Milady?

Abigail is confused. She looked around the familiar room, and her eyes widened. Even the maid helping her up shocked her.

"You must be dreaming, Milady. It's the first time that you fall off the wide bed." The maid said giggling.

"Tina." Abigail uttered.

"Yes, Milady?"

"Am I dead?" She asked.

"W-What?!" Tina was surprised. "What are you talking about, Milady? A-Are you hurt somewhere? Did the fall hurt your head?" Tina panicked, and seated Abigail in front of the dresser.

Her eyes widened when she saw her reflection. Abigail touched her face. Her dark circles are gone. Her tired pale face is full of life. Her cheeks are red, and her skin is fair. She looked down at her hands, and it's soft and smooth. All the calluses from years of work are gone.

"T-Tina, how old Am I?" She asked.

Tina let out a giggle again. "You're sixteen, Milady." She answered despite being confused.

"Sixteen?!"

"Yes, Milady." Tina confirmed, and got the brush to fix Abigail's disheveled hair.

Abigail reached out to her face once more and disbelief was written all over her face.

How come she's sixteen again?

______

Feel ko lang talaga mag-English pag prologue. *Proceeds to wipe blood running down my nose*

Hope you support my new story.

Start: 07-27-22
End: On-going

VOTE. COMMENT. RL.
are highly appreciated.