King Lorenz's study.
"Brother, why do you want to get Jessica married to the second prince? Dumbi is strong enough to fight agaist Gousho," General Daiz said.
King Lorenzo looked at his younger brother and shook his head. "As a member of the family of Tait, have you forgotten the oat of our ancestors?" The King was displeased by his brother's suggestion.
"So? Our family has done nothing agaist that oat, yet the spurs family keep making things difficult for us," General Daiz purses his lips as he says this. Over the years, the Spurs have really become unreasonable, even the King can agree with this, but unless the Spurs started a war, the King was unwilling to take the first step.
"We are servants, and it is our duty to obey," king Lorenzo replied. He knew that his younger brother was hot-headed.
"Servants! Brother, do you not even care about the happiness of your daughter? How can you accept something like this?" General Daiz could not believe his ears. His older brother had not been Someone who followed the rules, so he could not understand why he had suddenly become like that.
"What happiness? You sound like the prince is trouble," king Lorenzo acted indifferently. He could see right through his bother's facid of care.
"That's not what I mean. Are you unaware of the fact that your daughter is in love with that boy from the Balthazar family?" General Daiz asked. He knew that his brother cared about his daughter's happiness the most.
"What love? She is young and ignorant. Besides, she has a responsibility that comes before her selfish reasons," king Lorenzo argued.
"Brother!!! General Daiz had not expected this reply from the King. " how can you say this? Back then, you had married Isabella because you were in love with her. Even after she died for so many years, you did not let anyone take her place and be your queen. Yet you will deprive Jessica of such love and happiness; I would never have thought of you to be so selfish," General Daiz looked at his brother with disappointment.
"You can not say that; back then, I did not need to marry out of responsibility. Believe me, if it had come to that, I would have done that for the sake of the people. This has nothing to do with being selfish; it is fate," king Lorenzo replied.
"Hmm, she is your daughter; I have no say in how you choose to deal with her. But, as a father, should you not be willing to sacrifice anything, including your throne, for your daughter's happiness? You just love power more than anything," General Daiz said.
"Is there something else you have to say?" king Lorenzo decided not to argue with his brother. He loved his daughter, and giving up the throne was nothing, but he knew it would not solve the problem. The King also knew that his brother had eyes for the throne; if his daughter did not marry a man wise and cable enough to protect her, given her naive nature, she might not live more than half a year after his death. But, if his brother genuinely loved his daughter, he would not have been afraid. Besides, he knew that the second prince loved his daughter genuinely and was powerful enough to protect her.
General Daiz was offended by his brother's behaviour but did not dare continue arguing with him. "With your permission," he said and walked out of the study.
...
"Father," Benedict looked at the dark face of the man helping her into the carriage.
"How is the princess?" General Daiz asked as he took his seat beside her.
"She is fine, but something is bothering her; I tried my best to find out the problem, but she would not say," Benedict answered.
"Useless, " General Daiz cursed. Ever since the Princess was young, he had ensured that his daughter became her close confidant. This way, she could easily get out all the information.
Benedict bit her lips; seeing her father getting angry, she secretly cursed the Princess in her heart. Although she could have lied about the Princess's situation, she didn't dare.
When Benedict was much younger, she noticed that her father would always ask about the Princess when she got the chance to play with her. At that time, she was young and innocent. Her father even asked to inquire about some information. Anytime she came back with answers, her father would praise her, but if she failed, her father would treat her coldly.
The memory is still as fresh as if it was just the day before when little Benedict turned ten, she went to play with the Princess; as usual, she noticed the Princess was in a good mood, but no matter how she asked, the Princess would not tell her. Afraid that her father would scold her for being useless, she lied to him to save herself the drama. Unfortunately for her, the lies were exposed the next day when the King announced his intentions to train princess Jessica as his successor. If it were only the announcement, she would have been able to save herself, but some palace workers did not know how to control their tongues. They gossiped out the Princess being in a good mood the previous day. Some even speculated that the King must have told her this the day before, which made the little Princess happy.
Back then, her father had punished her by locking her up in her room without food. Whether it was because she lied or for failing to notice and find out why the Princess was in good spirit the previous day is still a puzzle she was yet to solve. Not even her beloved mother pleaded for mercy on her behalf.
She could still remember the hateful words of her father and how hungry she felt back then. If she had been a boy, her father would have whipped her. It was fortunate that she was a girl, and her father would not risk leaving scars on her skin and ruining her chance to get married to a good husband from a repected family.
"Listen, the king is about to marry the princess to the second prince; you must ensure that she rejects this proposal," General Daiz instructed. He knew his bother too well and was sure he would not force his daughter into marriage.
Benedict looked at her father in confusion; 'How am i supposed to ensure this?' she questioned herself. Although she had a lot of questions, she knew the man detested being questioned, so she didn't dare ask any but could only ponder on it over and again. "I will try my best, father," she replied.