2025-03-21 20:30:35Ruth could only open her eyes after seven days. As expected, she was weak and tired. She could barely recognize or remember anything. The last thing she could remember was a syringe piercing through her skin.
Gradually as she dragged herself out from the bed, everything started making sense. She yelped on taking a look at her body. She was in a different outfit meaning that someone must have seen her nakedness. “Wakie wakie” Redmond called out in a humorous manner leaving Ruth shocked as he was behind her all along. “Don't worry, I didn't see anything that I wasn't meant to see.” He assured with a sly smile having witnessed her reaction earlier. Ruth's face turned red in a flash. She was embarrassed as a frown crept into her face. “How are you feeling?” He asked as he drew closer to her. Ruth raised her eyebrow in confusion, her hands in the air, “I don't know how I am feeling. I don't even know how I meant to feel.” “Ok” Redmond replied and then brought out the Humly flower and placed it right in front of her. Involuntarily, she was already panicking and nearly absconded if not for Redmond's sharp and strong arms. “Let me be! Please. Why are…” “Shhhh” Redmond hushed, holding her firmly, “Be calm and tell me how you feel now.” He instructed with a soothing voice as he gradually loosen his grip on her. Redmond's words must have injected the virtue of courage into her. She stood before her old enemy, the Humly flower. Her body was calmer but her heart was pounding fervently. To her utmost surprise, she stood before her old nemesis and nothing happened. Not convinced of her sudden fate, she grabbed the flower and inhaled directly from its nectar but there she was, calm like still waters. She gaped and moped in disbelief. She was clearly dazed. Her gaze swivelled towards the gentleman before her and in a flash, she reached for the floor, full of appreciation. “No, No. You shouldn't” “How then can I thank you?” She asked, her eyes beaming with thanks and appreciation. There was a pause as both looked into each other's eyes. “Marry me and be mine forever.” Redmond's voice emerged, penetrating through the foggy atmosphere. It caught Ruth off guard. Ruth was speechless, her eyeballs darting from one end to the other. “Who the hell is this heavenly being?” She thought to herself. She was clearly wowed by his kindness and humility. “What? You don't want to marry me? That's…” “No! No! I want to be yours…” Ruth replied in an impulsive manner. She cried as she reached for his arms, “but I don't think I deserve you. Am pregnant with…” “Shhhh..” Redmond hushed gently and then stared into her tearful eyes and said, “I know already but that doesn't make you anything less. If anyone is undeserving, that should be me.” “Here” He went for his pocket and brought out a ring. He went for her hand, “This is the only thing that I got from my mother before she died. I want you to have it, a promise of what is to come.” He gently pushed it into her ring finger. Ruth blushed profusely. This was the first time she was receiving such beautiful treatment from anyone and right here, she was before a man flawless in everything. He was handsome,tall, soft spoken, kind and humble. The sight of him made her tear down the most. Just then, two men emerged, “Gen…” Redmond waved them off, stopping them in their words. They obeyed and waited patiently until he was done. From all indications, Redmond wants to keep his true identity from her at least for the time being. Away from her and before the two strong men, “To what do I owe this unannounced visit?” “You must forgive us si..” Redmond threw a murderous glare on him, causing him to stop instantly. He was clearly uncomfortable with the salutations especially in the presence of Ruth. “Apologies” He apologized. Redmond signalled them to continue. “We have found your family's last heirloom but it is in the possession of the Wade family, one of the Seven keys of Denor city.” The other continued, “The Heirloom is currently believed to be one of the most valued possessions in the whole Denor city and beyond hence in his vane, Logan Wade, the Wade patriarch, has the habit of flaunting this heirloom whenever he is celebrating his birthday.” Redmond body chemistry changed instantly. The furs on his body stood erect while the veins in his body were all conspicuous. The seven families that make up the Seven keys of Denor city have succeeded in taking everything that belonged to his family. The Heirloom happens to be one of them, a sacred possession passed from one Red generation to the other yet Logan Wade has decided to flaunt it in his lewd parties. “Luckily for us, he will be celebrating his birthday in seven days time, right at the family mansion.” “Permit us to go with thirty soldiers and get back the heir…” The passionate soldier stopped instantly on sighting Redmond's palm in the air, waving him off. The soldier gently tilted his head in obeisance. Redmond turned his gaze towards Ruth and then heaved a faux smile as both eyes met each other. His face darkened on returning his gaze towards the two soldiers. “Leo, Denver” he called out “Yes, yes” both answered in unison. “In less than..” he glanced at his watch “ Twelve hours I will officially have a wife and that means I won't be having you guys around. Take all five hundred soldiers back to the Eastern Province. You guys will be called when needed.” His command was met with suffocating silence from the two soldiers. Their faces were gloomy, the once passionate soldiers were now downcasted. It was like an owner about to leave his dogs. Deep inside their hearts, they prayed that his words were instructions rather than command. It was a heart wrenching command from the general to the loyal soldiers but it was going to be. “But…” once again he waved them off. With a stern face, Redmond instructed, “That's a command, soldier.” The two left grudgingly. “Is everything alright? Those gentlemen look sad” Ruth asked in a concerned manner as Redmond approached her. “Oh dear, nothing to worry about.” He put up a facade, discarding her worries. “If that's the case then, I will like to see my Aunt if that's okay with you. She is the one that actually adopted me following my mother's mysterious demise.” She pleaded solemnly, her eyes, cute like that of kittens. Redmond exhaled softly, “Alright, if that's what will make you happy."
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Their voices kept echoing in Arthur's defence. Each voicing their discontent on Ruth's and Redmond's attitude. There appeared like his soldier, ready to do anything for their General.Ruth smiled bitterly as she allowed their voices rain like acid rain on her. She didn't need anyone to tell her that it would have been a different case if she happened to be on the other side of the road. “Wasn't Arthur the one that conveniently laid the terms? Wasn't he the one that called out Redmond to dress and dance like a chicken, earlier?”She couldn't hide her disappointment. They were just useless fools who never ceased on any opportunity to impose their opinions on her just because of their ranks. They would do anything to be in Arthur's good book. They were nothing but a bunch of sycophants.“You should list….” Arthur stopped as Grandpa Bruce waved him off.“A bet is a bet.” Grandpa Bruce’s voice dropped like the hum of a dumbbell. He turned towards Arthur, with a straight face he said, “You
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