Chapter Three

Father’s words bruised my heart and my soul. It pierced into my heart like a two-edged sword. Did I just hear him right? It did not seem so.

I could not control the tears that fell from my eyes. It fell slowly and softly. I raised my head as I heard the clanking sound of the sword.

“Father!” I called in shock as Father raised the sword like he was going to murder me with it but then, he drove the sword into the floor, right by my side. I sighed in relief although there was still a hint of fear in my heart.

“At this point, be prepared to die…” He paused and combed his hair with his hand as he turned his backk to me. “If you are not ready to fight and destroy your enemies”

I had so many questions. Who were my enemies? Why would I even have enemies at this tender age of mine? Why would I need to train at this tender age? Why would I even have to train at that time of the morning? It was still dawn! But I could not dare to say a word.

“So, I have to start grooming you now” He turned back to me, this time with a blank expression. The frown had disappeared.

"Today, you are only going to learn how to pick up a sword and how to hold it. Afterward, you would watch me fight, I believe that is clear enough?” He looked at me with disgust.

I wish I could do something but I was not the moon goddess. I did not decide to come to be their child, the moon goddess made me! I was heartbroken because who wouldn’t? It was saddening.

“Yes, father” I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes.

“Pick up the sword” He pointed at the sword that was right by my side. I nodded. My hands began to tremble. I could see fear in the eyes of the guards present, I could see the fear in the eyes of the maids. Beta Elvis on the other hand was calm.

“Pick it up and stop acting like a fool!” Father’s hoarse voice disrupted my thought. I closed my eyes and summoned courage and tried to pick up the sword but it was quite heavy hence making it difficult to pick up.

“She is of no use” He rolled his eyes at Beta Elvis.

“She is just a child” Elvis smiled at him. “Give her time. This is just her first time. With time, she will get better, your Highness" He bowed.

Aside from Mother, he seemed to be the only one who could reply to Father without being scared of the outcome.

“You think so?” He smirked as he watched me still struggling with the sword.

“I know. Your Highness, even if it is not so, we have to believe in her and keep our hopes high. We have no choice. We have to start preparing her” Elvis added, again, with a bow.

Father’s face became blank again as he stared at Elvis. He raised his brows as he looked at me and then with an ‘It has to work’ look, he sighed and walked closer to me, slowly teaching me how to raise the sword.

“Now, do it”

“Okay” I tried to stay calm as I did just like he had demonstrated and although it was still heavy, I was able to get it. I could pick the sword and with each try, I was getting better.

A smile settled on my face. I was learning fast. I looked at Father, expecting an encouragement or a satisfied smile at least but there was none and then just with the wind, the smile on my face went away. I wanted him to be proud of me but he did not seem to be.

Elvis smiled at me and looked at him with the ‘I told you’ kind of look. Father simply nodded as he collected the sword from me and walked towards Elvis and some of the guards.

He walked to the center of the training ground and in a twinkle of an eye, he was surrounded by about 7 guards, Elvis inclusive. I watched in awe as I knew what was going to happen. They began to fight with him, all at once.

At that moment, I was so proud of Father as I watched him defeat them one by one till it was just him and Elvis.

Elvis did not seem to be taking it easy with Father as everyone watched them both. Elvis was quite good too. I heard he had been with Father even before I was born. He had trained so much with Father and was almost as good as Father but in the end, Father won. He defeated Elvis.

Even after all the years of training, he was still no match for my father. Father brushed his hands through his hair victoriously and that action alone could have a tingling effect on a woman.

I could see the maids stare at Father with shy smiles plastered on their faces as they looked at each other.

Mother was not there but I was jealous on her behalf. Maybe Father was not nice to me or did not show love to me, but I still loved him and of course, I loved my Mother.

Beautiful was an understatement to describe Father, little wonders the maids were always drooling over him.

I stared back at the maids with anger etched to my face. As soon as they realized I was looking at them and was aware of what they had in mind, the smile on their faces dissipated and of course, they bowed their heads quickly and straightened their face.

I rolled my eyes and turned to stare at Father. He was at a distance as he and Elvis conversed. What could they be talking about? I wondered as I saw Elvis occasionally look at me. What could be wrong?

“Breakfast is set” Mother’s sonorous voice interrupted my thought.

“Mother” I smiled as I turned to look at her behind me. I hurriedly ran to embrace her. “Good morning, Mother.”

“Good morning, my angel” She picked me up and placed me in her arms as she placed a kiss on my forehead. “How was the night?”

“It was awesome. Mother, I can pick a sword now” I smiled as I boldly informed her.

“Really?” She looked at me with a look of satisfaction on her face and a smile on her lips. That was what I had wanted to see from Father. I giggled with excitement but all of a sudden, Father snatched me from Mother and put me down.

“Good morning, my love” Father placed a kiss on Mother’s forehead and then on her lips. I looked at the maids and I was pleased with the dissatisfaction on their faces.

“Good morning!” She giggled and smiled. “Breakfast is set”.

“I will join you soon” Father placed his hands on her waist and they giggled again. It was so beautiful. I wished to have a mate who would love me like Father loves Mother but I do not want a mate who would treat my child the way Father hates me.

“Reign, I would be expecting you” Mother smiled at me and then walked in.

“Yes, mother” I smiled back at her. Again. Father brushed his hair with his hands and walked in quickly. I followed suit and went up into my room. I hurriedly undressed and dashed into the bathroom. Few minutes after, I dashed back inside and got dressed. I could not keep Mother waiting, otherwise, Father would get upset with me.

With a satisfied smile on my face as I stared at the mirror, I walked out of the room flying the staircase. By the time I got to the dining room, Mother had already set the table. Father was already sitting, watching her with love as she served him.

I grabbed a seat in silence and then, Mother smiled as she sighted me. She walked over to serve me too before sitting to eat.

“Mother..” I started. I was beginning to be bored at home. Immediately, she raised her head to look at me and Father did the same. It was funny because he had been avoiding my gaze all along.

“Eat your food. Whatever you want to say can wait till after the meal” Father immediately answered, looking away from me quickly. Mother looked at Father and then at me and she nodded in agreement.

I sighed as I hurriedly consumed my food and waited for her to consume hers.

Father was done with his meal yet he sat by Mother. As soon as Mother was done and picked a glass of water to her mouth, I quickly threw my question at her.

“Mother, would you want me to do anything for you today, or is there any chore for me?”

“No,” Mother smiled. “There is nothing you can do for me today”  

Father smirked and stood up to leave.

“Then can I visit Tonia today? Mother please, do not say no” I pleaded as I watched her facial expression change, and then she smiled again.

“Okay but..”

“No,” Father interrupted. At first, I thought he was talking to someone else but then he turned to look at me. “You are going nowhere and henceforth, you will not play with those wolves anymore. You will spend all day training and going with me anywhere I go”  

“Kelvin..”

Father raised his hands at Mother.

“But Father…” I stood up, struggling to hold back the tears struggling to fall from my eyes.

“Do you want to question my order?” Father’s brow furrowed.

“No” I bowed my head in defeat.

“Yes, Kelvin” Mother stood up in anger.

“Go to your room, Reign” Mother ordered immediately. Each time she said so, it meant she wanted to argue with Father and would not want me to hear a word. I nodded as I walked slowly, trying to hear whatever they had to say.

“You will not do this to my daughter, Kelvin. What has she done wrong to you? You ill treat her and never show her love. Your anniversary day was the umpteenth time she had asked me if she belonged here.

It was the umpteenth time she asked if you were her Father. It was the umpteenth time she asked me why you despised her this much.Why are you treating her this way?” Mother tried to keep her voice low but her anger failed her.

“She is my daughter too” Father fumed.

“But you never treat her like one. Reign is just twelve years of age yet you are already teaching her to be a warrior. She is a female child and not a male for goodness sake"

“Exactly!. She is a female and not a male. Damien is watching us. He knows we had a daughter and not a son. He is constantly waiting for the right time to strike. We have been trying for several years to have another child yet none is forthcoming. She is my only child and I cannot afford to take chances” He crossed his arms.

“ If you should be upset with anyone, it should be me or the moon goddess.’

“You did not choose to have a girl. The moon goddess gave you one.”

“And Reign did not choose to be a girl. Do not involve my daughter in this feud that has lasted from generation to generation "

“She got herself involved when she came as my daughter”

“She did not choose to come”

Father sighed and watched Mother for a while. They had no idea I was close by. I had hidden behind a jar as I wanted to hear what they had to say.

“Fine. If you do not want me to train her to be a warrior, prepare her for marriage then”

“What!”

I held my mouth as I realized I had spoken out but it was too late. Mother and Father had seen me and I could see the anger in their eyes.

I tried to stand up but again, the jar I was hiding behind fell and shattered into pieces.