Blackmail was aggravating in normal circumstances but far worse when it came from a long time friend.
One morning Hilton had woken up to find an owl cooing sorrowfully on a tree in his garden. The bird was believed to be a harbinger of bad news.
What more bad news could be on the way apart from marrying his daughter to someone he hardly knew?
So far, that was the saddest and heartbreaking news he had ever received; even more heartbreaking than when her mother had left him to marry another man.
To his astonishment, oil had been poured round his house, as he walked around his compound he came across a letter.
We've run out of time; I need your answer soonest possible lest you wake up in flames next time.
Hilton tore the letter into pieces. He didn't want any of his family to see it and ignite fear.
Earl Ferdinand!
Did that bastard really expect an answer from him? He had already captured Gianna and drew blood to intimidate him. His marriage proposal was a request in name but a demand in truth.
While he was having breakfast alone with Gianna, he decided to broach the subject lightly and know his daughter's thoughts on getting married.
"Have you ever thought of... getting married dear?" He started his voice thick and unsteady.
Gianna bolted the piece of pancake without fully chewing it as she put her teacup down with such force that it nearly broke.
"Why do you ask that seemingly out of nowhere?" She had always been frank with him.
"Ahem..." Hilton coughed dryly. What was he supposed to say now?
"It's... it's just that most girls your age are already married. I want you to have a good man; one who's capable of taking care of you like the princess you're." He feigned a smile. From the look in her mesmerizing green eyes, he knew she wasn't the least convinced.
Gianna observed the features of her father's face keenly. His eyes were worn out and red, probably due to lack of a good night's sleep for days. Coming to think of it, he was definitely hiding something from her, he had been quite aloof lately which was very unlike him.
"So you want me to get married soon?" She seemed confused.
If only!
If only she knew that that wasn't his wish, he knew his daughter was a beautiful and smart young woman. He had been willing to let her follow her dreams until she found love and maybe raise a family. But it now seemed like his family wasn't destined to marry for love.
It had started with him. His one true love had left him and married another man. That had been a stab in his heart that would maybe never heal completely.
His father had gotten him a wife; Alvilda, hoping she would heal the wound Gianna's mother had inflicted on his son's young heart. But Alvilda didn't understand him like Tiana did.
"Are you okay father?" Gianna's eyes were now darkened with worry.
"Huh?"
Oh, she had asked him a question.
"Yes." He finally answered.
"But why now father, you've never cared about that?"
She needed answers. Unfortunately answers he couldn't provide. At least for now.
"Gianna I... I...We'll talk later." And with that he took his leave.
Hilton was troubled. He couldn't afford to lose his house. The place they had known as their home for nearly two decades now. Earl Ferdinand wasn't giving him an option; he was ordering him to hand over his daughter to his son. But he loved her so much as her only parent present.She was the reason he woke up everyday to attend to various sick people to ensure she led a comfortable life. She was fun having around, a first learner, a cherished companion to both her father and grandmother. Although she was mischievous at times but she wasn't as annoying as her brother nor did she wreak as much havoc as he did. He was lazy and unruly. At this point, Hilton wished Denzel was a girl, he would have handed him to Kyler with lesser pain compared to how dreadfully painful it would be to let go of Gianna. But he knew better than to settle for wishful thinking. He scoffed at his own absurd thinking.
He believed life became fulfilling only when one stops being overly expectant and start accepting reality.
Maybe all wasn't lost as it seemed. He just had to convince Gianna. Kyler would soon become an Earl, that would make her a countess, Ferdinand had assured him that Kyler had never been married before. What could be better?
He was the most powerful suitor in Ailton she could ever lawfully marry. Even if she ever dreamt of marrying a prince or even a king; that would be unlawful in her kingdom. It would only remain to be a dream.
Male Ailtonian royals were only allowed to marry royal women or at least women of noble descent. And neither was she royal nor noble.
This was surely the best opportunity for her. As a countess, she wouldn't have to work to earn a living. From his experience, he knew being a healer could be difficult especially when some rich folk delayed payment after receiving services. He just hoped she would eventually fall in love with him, but that meant denying her the freedom to choose a suitor. The difficult part was convincing her to accept the marriage. But she had to accept it. If she didn't, he would have to use less pleasant methods to convince her.