Tobin paced around the large living room confused on how to go about the proposal befor him. His hands were sweating and his legs could hardly carry him.
The people of Ozir have been challenged by another kingdom into a deadly magical competition and the people have rushed down to him to see what he would say about the challenge.
The people of Ozir have never been known to refuse any challenge as it has always been their desired to be known as the strongest kingdom with magic.
"I think it is time for me to come clean. I cannot risk my life knowing fully well I have no powers of my own. But then who would even believe my story and not call me a coward instead? " Tobin asked himself as he looked around in confusion to the faces of people waiting for his reply. The people have never seen Lord Harold ponder about any challenge. It has always been a straight yes from him
From the corners of his eyes he could noticed Naomi taking calculated steps towards him. She was his betrothed and he knew what she was coming to do.
She was coming to persuade him to take the challenge for the sake of the people.
Suddenly he noticed the once calm crowd was agitated. They started chanting some words he could not understand. Even Naomi who was coming to persuade started retracing her step as he looked at her eyes, fear was very visible.
They were no violent and advancing towards him. It was either he represents them or he would die.
Tobin turned to run away but he discovered his legs could no longer carry him.It felt like someone was using magic to hold him down He tried to scream for help but nothing came out from his mouth. Then he decided to scream the truth maybe it will come out.
"I am not Harold!!!! He shouted out of desperation to save his life.
Tobin woke up to discover he has been dreaming. But the sweat was still very much on him. Infact he was drench in his own sweat. His hands were still trembling as he tried fk steady himself. He looked around him to discover he was not in his room and was shocked.
He looked across his bed to discover Naomi was sleeping soundly close to him. He began to wonder how come he was in her room. Why did he pass the night in her room.
He tries to remember the event of the past night but could not remember them clearly. The events in the dream ce rushing back to him. The moment he remembered why the people wanted to harm him he also remembered why he was in her room.
He had come there that night to apologize about the way he treated her in the living room. He had knocked severally but got no response. He could hear some faint sound inside so he was sure she was inside hence he decided to enter the room. That was when he met Naomi sitting on the floor with bottles of wine around her. He looked closely to see that she had already finished one bottle and was going half way another one. He could see tears in her eyes. She was crying and drinking away in sorrow and it moved his heart greatly.
she raised her head, looked at him and laughed wickedly.
"Why have you come? Did you come to mock me or tell me how useless I am to you? She asked with bitterness in her voice.
Tobin was moved by those words. He knew he should not have been so harsh on her but that was the only one way. Befor he could give her a reply she continue
"I was overjoyed when you came back a different man. You treated me different for once and I felt you have changed for the better but how wrong I was. Grace even warned me not to get too excited but I trusted in the fact that you cannot just change for the fun of it. Oh how foolish I was to think Lorf Harold would change over night. What is worse your father wants me to convince you or else he would take a drastic action against me. Some hours ago I faced persecution because they thought i was manipulating you now they want me to manipulate you. I will not wish for even my enemy to be in this situation " She lamented as she took another gulp down her throat, tears rolling down freely.
Tobin moved to face clear all the bottles around hee befor taking a space on the floor close to her.
"I am very sorry for putting you in this position. I am sorry for using those words on you but this is the truth about me. I am not Harold and I cannot take part in this contest because I have no magic to start with " Tobin explained to her as he held on to her tightly only to discover the person he was talking to was barely awake.