Second chance

A soft laughter was heard followed with a beautiful little girl waltzing around “Lia! it’s time to eat!”A sweet voice which belonged to her mother called from the dining area The girl turned around “I’m coming mom “she said and ran to the dining table “Lia how was your rehearsals today?”her father asked taking his seat next to his wife at the table “It was fine dad”she nodded smiling brightly Leonard sighed worrying his wife “what’s the matter Leo?” “the mine had another collapse and we were not able to mine enough raw diamonds the royals asked for.Now they are requesting for refunds,but I have used up half of the money and I don’t know what to do”he calmly explained feeling depressed “Wait, was it the money you used to pay for Lia’s dancing fees at the castle?” “Ye...” “Master,sir Elmond requests to see you” He frowned,his half brother must be here to make a scene for the engagement.He already anticipated for this to happen knowing his greedy nature for money “send him away” “But...” “Just do as you are told”he dismissed the maid “Yes master”the maid bowed and left Lia dropped her spoon and pouted “Lia what’s wrong?”Aleri asked hearing the sound of spoon clattering drawing her attention from the departing maid “Mom I can’t peel the shrimps “her mother chuckled lightly watching her cute appearance while pouting her little round face “Alright,bring it over let me help you” Outside “What?,you said he doesn’t want to see me?”Elmond asked with disbelief etched on his face.he hated his half brother for being better than him,and his mood soured being disgraced even in the eyes of the Servants “Yes sir”Judith nodded her head to his question to affirm “No,it can’t be”he hissed annoyed and force his way in shouting loudly “Leonard! why did you cancel the engagement?”he barked like an angry beast “I wouldn’t allow my daughter to that bastard,i don’t know what you promised the emperor but i disagree “Leonard countered back not even looking up “But it’s for the future of the family”Elmond said calmly regaining his usual composure and quickly putting on his facade Finally lifting his head to face his brother Leonard laughed mockingly seeing right through his pretense”just for money you want to force my 10 year old child to marry a 43 years old man.A man old enough to be her father?”his voice grew stern at the end of his sentence.He had suffered a lot in the hands of this brother and stepmother Aliona.he won’t allow his daughter to suffer in their hands again “It’s to support the family of course,you know the mine can no longer support the family and the royals are demanding for refunds if she marry the emperor’s brother everything will be forgotten.when she turns eighteen she can decide to divorce him,it’s just to buy us time” “I will never agree.....”Aleri shouted hugging Lia with tears sreaming down her face “honey,please don’t allow them to sell our daughter out” Elmond frowns “do you think a woman like you have a say in this matter?” “Am her mother!”Aleri declared desperately “Women has no right”he scoffed at her with disdain dripping from his eyes “That’s enough Elmond!!!”Leonard bellowed at his half brother,his eyes red with anger for trampling on his wife dignity rights on his face.he was no fool and he knew better that if his daughter marries that old scum,there’s no going back or such as getting a divorce “leave” “What?” “I said leave!! or...do you want me to call the guards to show you the way out?”Leo said enunciating each word with low voice Elmond laughed mockingly “you are allowing your wife to control you,you are a shame Leonard,a sham...”Leonard punched him right on the face before he could finish And he fell to the ground with impact of the hit.His spat out blood from his mouth and got up “you will regret this Leonard”he spat out before leaving Leonard turned and hugged he’s sobbing wife and daughter gently stroking Her Back soothing her raging emotions.with teary eyes . “Daddy I don’t want to marry that man” “Don’t don’t worry my angel everything will be all right, don’t cry ok. Now give dad a very big smile”Leonard said trying to cheer her up and she tried to put a smile