chapter five( Frustrating night)

Finding it impossible to sleep Nicholina kept tossing on the bed her anxiety kicking in and the heavy veil kept adding to her discomfort. She couldn't bring herself to sleep knowing that tomorrow was her marriage ceremony. She wish it all to be a dream that she could wake up and everything would come back to normal. Where she would be that cheerful princess that everyone admired but to her dismay this wasn't a dream and was very real. Sighing Nicholina stood up from her be,if sleep wasn't coming then so be it she wasn't going to force herself to sleep. Taking off the heavy veil she tossed it onto the bed and left a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding,she didn't care about tradition and custom marrying king Rheaphel was already a bad luck and she care less if removing the veil would cause her a misfortune.

Taking a cloak Nicholina covered herself with the cloak to prevent the cold from affecting her, getting out of her chambers she headed for the royal garden, she knew she was breaking rules but who cares anyways she was frustrated and the only thing she needed right now was a quiet and serene place to clear her mind and accept her fates. She walked silently into the garden and sat on a bench that overlooks the east part of the garden lost in thoughts. She wasn't supposed to be here but she couldn't help it.she wouldn't be seeing this place again and she wondered if the ruthless king would even have a garden in his castle. You know heartless people don't like beautiful blooming things. Lost in thoughts she didn't hear the footsteps that was coming towards her until she felt a presence towering over her. Her heart skipped a thousand times realizing that she had been seen even though she wasn't supposed to be out. Swallowing hard she shakily turned her head to face whoever was towering over her silently altering a prayer the presence shouldn't be her father. But to her dismay it was her father who was looking at her with disapproval written on his face.

Looking at her father, Nicholina swallowed hard as she looked at her father's facial expression,she opened her mouth to speak yet nothing came out,not knowing what to do she lowered her head not being able to look at her father's forest green eyes. Richard walked quietly to sit next to his daughter ,he too wasn't able to sleep with the war knocking at their door and Nicholina's marriage to king Rheaphel he was frustrated."could fate be a little less cruel" Richard murmured to himself not wanting his daughter to see him troubled. After breaking the news to Nicholina he hasn't really had a chance or let just say he wasn't having the courage to speak to his daughter he felt his failure as a father to her and anytime he looked at her he felt guilt and his failure as a father. " You aren't asleep yet?" Richard asked his daughter, he knew he was supposed to be scolding her now for breaking traditions but did that really matter now? Wasn't she already having a bad luck already to care about more? "Hmmm" Nicholina replied still uncertain to have a conversation now. "I too is having difficulties sleeping, perhaps the up coming war and your marriage is keeping me disturbed "Richard inquired. "I know I failed you as a father,I was supposed to protect you and hand you over to the man who loves and cherishes you but I failed you,I failed you as a father and am deeply sorry " Richard apologised knowing too well his apology would do nothing. " No father you never failed me you did what was supposed to be done and am glad you did. As a king the kingdom comes first and you did that father,so please you never failed me,even if I were just a mere citizen of this kingdom your sacrifice would save me ,you are a great father and a great king, and I will forever love you " Nicholina spoke to her father. Richard held his daughter and gave her a hug if he never said he was proud of his daughter then he is now"am proud of you,Daddy is proud of you Nicholina" Richard whispered while stroking her hair.

After the conversation with her father Nicholina felt some how light in her chest,the heavy feeling that occupied her chest now felt light, she walked into her chambers and the sleep that refused to come suddenly came,enveloping her into a sweet soothing darkness.