If she didn't, he would have to use less pleasant methods to convince her .
After much contemplation he decided to agree to Earl Ferdinand's terms. He felt like he was betraying his own daughter, but it was for her own good and that of the family as well.
It was better than having their only home burnt down to ashes and still be married to Kyler, whether they agreed to that as a family or not.
Hilton wrote to Earl Ferdinand accepting his marriage proposal. Ferdinand was elated to receive Hilton's answer and termed it prudent in the letter he had sent to Hilton.
Earl Ferdinand spared no expense at ensuring his son married the love of his life. Hilton Kent received expensive gifts from Ferdinand. Beautiful gowns, jewelry and perfume for the bride to be, robes for Denzel and himself and additional pretty dresses for Isabella and Alvilda.
Being a noble wedding; many guests were expected to attend and so Earl Ferdinand hired the Solitude Square park grounds for the event located in the heart of Xantropolis, the capital of Ailton.
And now, his procrastination had caught up with him. He had frequently postponed telling Gianna about the marriage as he feared her reaction.
As he now lied on his bed, he knew he was only delaying the inevitable. He watched his wife Alvilda snoring softly. She was sound asleep; completely undisturbed by the fact that he was marrying his only daughter to a stranger . But why would she care? Gianna wasn't her daughter.
Hilton scratched his head nervously. Soon his daughter would be gone, gone forever,his firstborn; the very first proof of his fatherhood. He sighed heavily, letting his head drop on the mattress. A single tear rolled down his cheek; the drop carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions.
Why did he have to make such hard decisions?
What would Gianna think of him?
*******
In the morning, Hilton squinted his bloodshot eyes open. His head throbbed in pain . He had hardly slept last night. Yet he had to wake up and face his challenges. He dragged his exhausted body out of bed. It was raining heavily accompanied by lightning and thunder. The day wouldn't certainly end well.
He found Gianna in the living room playing with her cat. He wondered if she would take it with her when she would leave. But he knew he had to force her into the marriage and so she wouldn't even remember such things as pets.
She was wearing a pretty red dress and her cheeks and lips were painted. She looked up at him as he entered.
"Good morning father." She smiled. That smile! It was his weakness and further added to his guilt as a father who had failed in his role.
"How does my princess fare today?" He tried his best to maintain a calm tone but he could hear the shakiness in his own voice.
Gianna observed him keenly. Her father seemed very tired and his bloodshot eyes, he looked like he hadn't slept a wink last night.
"I am well father thank you for asking ."
"Going somewhere already?" He asked.