Villainess Becomes The Knight

Josephine pov.

I took long deep breaths once Will left. It was so exhausting to act so strongly in front of him when all I wanted was to hug him and then beat him for abandoning me. Did he not remember, he had promised to be with me and protect me forever.

Suddenly my knees felt weak and I leaned on the stall of the stable and closed my eyes. My breathing was still rugged as if I had stayed underwater for a long time.

"Your highness, I think you need rest." said Leo but I did not reply or open my eyes again.

"I did not understand why you keep hurting yourself, Jose '' I heard a whisper and my eyes snapped open. Did Leo just call me Jose!

But when I looked at him, he was standing silently in a corner. His face was blank like always and his eyes were looking at the distance. It did not feel like he was feeling anything but the voice I heard just a while ago was filled with tenderness and concern. 

A self deprecating laugh formed on my lips as I realised that I was pining for love so much that I have started becoming delusional.

"You need rest, your highness" he repeated in a bit soft voice this time. I sighed and nodded when my breath finally turned to normal but my eyes were still red. 

Leo looked at me and then passed me his handkerchief. I looked at him confused when he used his finger to wipe his eyes and my face turned red.

I almost snatched the handkerchief from his hand and wiped my blurred eyes.

"Something must have fallen in my eyes when I leaned on the stable. It is a very dusty place.`` I pointed and he nodded.

"Then we shall go, her highness. It is time for your etiquette classes." he reminded me. I did not want to go and play a noble soft girl who needed to hide her face even for smiling.

"I did not want to go back. I want to go for a ride." I started and he frowned.

"Your highness, her majesty, would not be pleased if you miss the class." There was concern in his voice rather than anger but I just shrugged my shoulders.

"She would not be pleased even if I attended the class. It is impossible to please her anyway. So it is better that I please myself for now.`` With that, I walked towards my favourite horse. 

I heard a deep sigh and then footsteps following me. A smile bloomed on my lips unconsciously when he followed me despite knowing that I was being unreasonable.

We both climbed the horses and I kicked mine to increase its speed. Soon, I was talking with the air as the horse trotted and gaped at its highest speed.

"Your highness, you are going too fast. Slow down a bit!" I heard him but ignored. The strong winds were making me feel alive again. I was so exhausted with all the facade drama that I did not remember when I had taken fresh breaths last time.

"Your highness" her voice turned distant as i kept riding the horse. Just for an hour, I did not want to listen to anyone. 

The smell of fresh flowers and wet soil relaxed me eventually but before I could enjoy further my horse stopped abruptly and I felt a jerk. I almost lost my balance because of this.

It took all my force to maintain my balance. I looked in front of me to see what happened. When I saw Leo with this horse there. He was too far away from me. How did he even reach in front of me? And even if he somehow covered the distance, why did he stand like that?

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked with a glare when I saw a wave of relief washed over his face.

"Do you have any idea what could have happened if I had not stopped you?" he asked as he climbed down from his horse and walked towards me with big footsteps making me bewildered.

"What are you talking about?" I looked around to see if I had crossed boundaries. But no, I was still within the boundaries of the palace. It was the area which is used for hunting. But still there are no wild animals that could hurt me.

"Why don't you come down and have a look? '' This was the first time Leo was talking to me in that tone. He was looking irritating and speaking through gritted teeth.

"Is that a way of talking to your mistress?" I asked in a sharp voice when he tilted his head and looked straight into my eyes. There was something there that made me feel embarrassed and guilty. 

Before I could say anything else he forwarded his hand and held mine, and with a force he pulled me down. 

"Leo, you are crossing your limits" I remarked but he just snorted.

"Then punish me once again when we reach the palace.'' His voice and actions were nonchalant as if we were not talking about his punishment.

When I fell, his arms wrapped around my waist and my hands held his shirt for support. I was in his arms, hugging him so close that even air could not pass. My breaths were mingling to him that for a moment I forgot where we were and who I was! I kept on looking into his golden eyes that were burning with anger yet they were looking so mesmerizing.

He looked at my face that I was sure had tried red and closed his eyes for a second. It gave me a chance to control my emotions too. I balanced myself and left his arms. Standing properly I looked at him, and now his eyes were claimed too.

"Would you tell me now what your problem is?" I asked again when he pointed forward where his horse was. I frowned but then my eyes widened when I looked at what he was trying to show me.

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