Chapter 3

Richard had lost his appetite as soon as Roseline left 

He stood up from the dining and went into his room to stay, knowing Hapitha would clear the table.  He was devastated. 

He knew his daughter would harbour so many hurtful thoughts about him. He knew she might probably hate him and wish he was never her father. 

Well, also wished he was never her father. He wished he didn't have a child so the child wouldn't have to suffer such Ill fate. He didn't want this for his daughter, but since it already happened, he had no option but to fulfill his responsibilities by protecting her. And to protect her, he had to keep her away from the world, so what happened to her mother wouldn't happen to her as well. So what killed her mother wouldn't kill her as well. 

Oh! He couldn't afford losing her as well. Never. 

There was a hard knock on his door, one that sounded desperate and he lifted his face from his palm to have a look. 

"Hapitha!" He called and she opened the door. 

Her expression was troubled. Soemthing was definitely wrong 

"Richard..." She called wearily. "you have...some visitors". 

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Richard stormed into the visitor's room and found the familiar faces staring his direction. What?? People from the Gada Kingdom? King Lincoln's sister?

What in the name of the creators?

His eyes expressed all the surprise he felt, but he didn't let them falter his steps as he marched dauntlessly towards them. 

They were all standing, including the princess, and finally, he was standing in front of them. 

"People from the Gada Kingdom" there was a grunt at the end of his voice. A smart person would know he was having a spiteful feeling seeing them there. 

"To what do I owe this pleasure!"

Princess Martha looked around, not looking for anything in particular. 

The healer would be here, right?

Of course. Sally had gathered enough information already and confirmed the healer was alive and staying with her father. 

"Greetings, sire" she lowered her head a little in obeisance.

"Firstly, I want to apologise for coming into your house without an apology, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't extremely important to me". 

This got Richard more interested. Extremely important?

"Hmm" he hummed. "I think I'm eager to hear it, princess. Because I still can't imagine why the sister of King Lincoln would travel all the way here, just to see a merchant like me".

Martha scoffed and turned to the guards behind her. 

"Excuse us" her calm voice carried so much superiority and the guards bowed and left. 

Then, she was left all alone in the room with Sally and the merchant. 

"I don't know you, sire" she began. "And I'm sure you've never met me before. But today, I'd be needing your help. Not just any help, but a help that'd be saving an entire Kingdom - the Kingdom of Gada". 

Richard's brows knitted. 

Now, he was finding this more interesting. He ran a quick thought. 

"Don't you think you should have a seat, princess? I have some really good wine" he offered. 

"Oh! Please, that isn't necessary - at least, not for now". 

She paused and sighed. 

"It's about my brother - the King" she continued. "He was hit with a poisonous arrow and is currently down and at the brink of death. 

"We've tried all we could - brought the best physicians to work on him, but none of them could save him. The poison is so deadly and rare and so is the solution. I'm afraid, we might lose him". 

Richard listened attentively. He was so attentive more than he had ever been in a long time, not even when he was discussing with those voices in his head. 

"I only have one last hope, sire" Martha continued, her voice sounding more rueful now. "And that is your daughter". 

There was a this in Richard's heart 

"Please sire, I need her to come with me so she can heal my brother". 

Richard stared intently at her. 

"My daughter?" He scoffed. 

"Y...Yes. I'm aware she's the daughter of Clarissa who was also a healer. So, apprantly, she should have the gifts of...."

"That's nonsense!" Richard suddenly said, damning his respect. 

"Can you even hear yourself, princess? You want me to release my daughter to you? 

"Since you know so much about the healers, then I'm pretty sure you should know what happens when they heal someone". He said. 

"Of course, I do. But, I don't have an option here...."

"Well, I do. And as far as I'm concerned, I'm not giving my daughter out to you - never!"

There was a pause. 

"Nam your price - anything at all. Gold? Diamonds? Land? A Royal position? Just name it - anything at all! And I swear with my life, I'll do it... please!" She was desperate. 

"I don't want your riches, princess! I don't want anything from any member of the Gada family!" His voice roared, striking a silence.

Then, he breathed in. 

"I'm not giving my daughter out to you. And that's my final decision. Sorry about your brother, but I also can't risk my daughter's. I hope you find another solution".

"And don't even think of attacking me and trying to steal her away because that wouldn't work out, princess Martha. My men outside these walls can easily wipe your guards and it'd be just you and I. And trust me, you wouldn't want to miss your brother's funeral"  

Martha fisted her hands besides. She was filled with rage; anger she couldn't control. 

Her eyes felt watery, but no. She couldn't bring herself to melt in front of this man. 

She shut him a hard glare, turned around and left.