KINDNESS

Kingdom of Italy, the Royal Palace of Caserta

1758, thirty years ago the barren Queen Joanna and King Ferdinand IV of Italy were married in Palatine Chapel. Nine months later, they adopted three sons named Louis Ferrante III Duke of Anjou, Tristan Coalius Ferdinand II Duke of Anjou and René Carlos Duke of Anjou as their heirs and successors to the throne of Southern Italy.

Presently in 1788, the royal couple is seated in the grand dining room with their second son, Tristan. Who is commonly known as the Rebellious and Notorious Eligible Crown Prince in Italy. He is a skilled and determined soldier, helping his father in the suppression of the conspiracy of the barons and crack down of mafias’ schemes. He has fought many wars at a young age with his brothers and has returned home as usual without any intentions of marriage. Meanwhile, his eldest brother, Louis and youngest brother, René are representing Italy as ambassadors in Spain and England.

His mother, Queen Joanna is anxious for her sons to bear an heir to carry on the kingdom’s ruling. Setting her wine glass down beside her plated cuisine she gazed at her beloved husband, King Ferdinand IV. Daring him to commence their former conservation about marriage. The birth of a new royal which will guarantee the kingdom’s future. His Majesty, King Ferdinand IV couldn’t avoid his wife’s stubborn plots. He also wished that one of his sons would find a beautiful woman with a truthful mindset to marry at their own pace.

Clearing his throat, interrupting their dinner, with all eyes on him, he started, ‘Tristan, your mother and I have decided to host two balls in your honour. You’ve done a marvelous job in protecting the kingdom’s territory from our enemies and inside criminals. We want you to be happy tomorrow as we celebrate your thirtieth birthday.’

‘Unfortunately, Louis and René are in Spain and England. They won’t be able to celebrate with us but they’ve sent their gifts and well wishes. We were hoping to extend the balls to the kingdom’s citizens inviting all maidens of the land for you to choose a suitable bride as well to produce an heir,’ Queen Joanna smiled.

‘A bride? Mother, we’ve talked about this I have no intentions of getting married. Just because Louis is married to a barren duchess and René is engaged to a Prima Dona doesn’t mean I have to follow in pursuit for the good of the kingdom. I love the adventurous and dangerous action life descends upon me. So cancel the balls because I won’t attend them,’ Tristan answered about to leave when he his mother stood up.

‘Tristan, I won’t cancel either of them, we need an heir to secure the safety of the kingdom’s future. All the maidens of the land and our royal associates from Spain, Austria and England are excited for these balls. You’ve been distant and unhappy ever since you came back from France. All I want is for you to be happy, my darling,’ Queen Joanna replied, her frown softened as she sighed looking at him.

His father sensed her pain and added, ‘Son, your mother and I wish that you’ll find love and joy in life. There are many beautiful maidens in Italy waiting to impress you. Why don’t you stop running and really think for a minute? Ask yourself who will take care of me when I’m old and wary? Your mother has been my greatest miracle and I’ve thank God everyday for that.’

SONG: YOUR MAJESTICS CHOICE

Chorus

It’s your majesties choice.

Can’t deny it son;

Cause it’s all for you.

One ball isn’t enough;

But two will solve the

Kingdom’s future.

Verse 1

Bear us an heir so can I

Sleep soundly like baby.

Your mother won’t change

Her stubborn mind, son.

Darling! Don’t mind your father.

We want you to be happy;

In marriage, of course.

Chorus

It’s your majesties choice.

Can’t deny it son;

Cause it’s all for you.

One ball isn’t enough;

But two will solve the

Kingdom’s future.

Bridge

Just the look on his face;

Screams what the heavens?

Dear ignore your father;

It will be lovely as the dawn:

Rising with gifts and miracles.

I pray to God that you’ll be alright.

My son, my son, listen to us;

Settle down please.

Pre Chorus

It’s your majesties choice.

Is this a no I hear?

Or is it comprise?

With just one change;

You’ll be happy forever, my son.

Tristan saw the honesty and genuineness found in his father’s intrusion and answered, ‘Only on one condition I’ll attend both balls.’

‘What is it?’ Queen Joanna asked seriously.

Tristan smirked, ‘I choose my bride on my own terms.’

‘What?’ Queen Joanna frowned seriously.

King Ferdinand IV held his wife hand, ‘Now dearest, let’s hear these terms before he changes his mind and we won’t have an heir.’

‘Alright, alright then, what are your options, Tristan?’ Queen Joanna questioned.

Tristan leaned back against his chair and sipped his wine before he responded, ‘If she can’t defend herself, cook or be brutally honest and still be a gentle soul I won’t marry her. I supposed a fencing match planned in the English Garden or the Ballroom isn’t too much to ask if I want to test my future wife’s skill.’

Queen Joanna was upset a little by his terms and prayed in thought, ‘God please soften his heart that he may find a bride soon as possible to bear an heir for the kingdom’ and replied, ‘Do you think the women went to war to be a general like you? Most young girls are preparing themselves for marriage to be a wonderful wife and mother to their children.’

‘My love, I don’t see any harm in his decision. A woman who can defend herself in battle can be quite attractive and this certainly remains me of you,’ King Ferdinand IV agreed kissing her cheek.

Her majesty was quite handy with a pistol and sabre.

Queen Joanna glared rolling her eyes before blushing and smiled, ‘You have two days to get a bride at the balls.’

‘Do as you please, son. May God guide you to your bride, Tristan. And may the best maiden win your heart ,’ King Ferdinand IV smiled.

Tristan smirked at his mother and father, ‘I will, thank you father and mother.’

In the countryside of Southern Italy, Tuscany lived a famous doctor, Sir Lucas Christian Williams, the Count of Copertino and Caterina Del Balzo Orsini. His belated Saint Lucian- British wife, Catherine Elizabeth Kind Williams died from breast cancer. She was a former nurse from London stationed in Italy. Before, she became a well known wholesale florist and mother to their only beautiful daughter, Kina Sophia Kind Williams. Williams’ household grieved sorrowfully for twenty years. Her daughter, Kina or ‘Kindness’ would sometimes sit in the old balcony of the attic, the basement kitchen or in the backyard’s forest in her favourite peach tree reminiscing about her childhood memories with her mother and their close friends.

Here she is now, nicknamed Kindness, at twenty-seven years old, managing her stepfamily’s flower shop in the town. After the male customer paid for the packaged roses and left, Kindness made herself a cup of mint tea. Then she sat down in her chair beside the round table with a centre vase of white lilies. Suddenly, watching the passers-by through the windowpane. Her thoughts drifted to forgotten memories of when she was a child again. The mansion was filled with her mother’s favourite flower decors which made it feel like an indoor garden. Exiting the double glass doors into the vast backyard with an animal farm and a variety of flower beds, this led to a forest of peach trees and chirping birds. Lacey Marie Beatrice, her eleven year old British-Spanish best friend and personal maid who worked for her parents with her mother, Elena Bella Beatrice for years ran alongside her as they went through the forest to the huge field up ahead.

‘Kina, I can’t keep covering for you if I’m always with you!’ her best friend yelled.

Twelve year old, Kina laughed, ‘Our mothers are always busy working, Lacey. I doubt they’ll notice we’re missing!’

‘I really hope they don’t or we’ll be planting flowers in the hot sun again,’ Lacey whined.

‘I won’t let that happen beside we’ll have fun today,’ Kina assured.

‘Hope you’re right? How long must we keep running?’ Lacey asked.

‘The field is closer than you think, Lacey. Look over there! The boys are back!’ Kina yelled.

Lacey spotted fourteen boys positioned on the field as they ran out of the forest being confronted by them who played a game of cricket.

‘Who are you girls? And what are you doing in our secret spot?’ one of the boys asked.

‘I’m Kina; this is my best friend, Lacey. We’ve found this place a couple of days ago. We’ve noticed you’ve always come here to play. So we were wondering if you don’t mind having us play with you for awhile.’

‘Play with us?’ another questioned surprisingly.

‘Cricket is for boys only, girls. Why don’t you run along and have a tea party with your dolls,’ added a different boy.

‘What did you just say?’ Kina frowned feeling offended by his insult.

Lacey held Kina’s shoulders back, ‘Let’s go, Kind, we can’t start a war with two against fourteen.’

‘Oh sure we can,’ Kina whispered beside her simpering.

‘I don’t like where you’re going with this,’ Lacey added.

‘You’ll thank me later,’ Kina smirked.

‘Or maybe not,’ Lacey said worriedly.

‘Okay then who wants to play this stupid game anyway,’ Kina said.

‘Not any girl! Cause boys are better than girls,’ one of the boys joked laughing as the others joined in.

Lacey clenched her fists and Kina knew they had upset her, ‘Whatever you have in mind, Kina, make sure they’ll regret it because I’m all in.’

‘I knew you would see the light, follow me,’ Kina answered running into the forest to her favourite peach tree.

‘Where are we? This tree is gigantic,’ Lacey responded admiring the fruit tree.

‘I come here whenever I’m bore. It’s my favourite spot in the entire forest. Father planted this peach tree when he was a young boy with his grandmother and it grew big,’ Kina explained crawling into the hollow space in the trunk.

‘You didn’t think to bring a lamp?’ Lacey asked.

With the sound of a match an oil lamp lit up the hollow tree trunk.

‘I’m always prepared, Lacey,’ Kina smiled.

It was beautifully decorated with flowers, antiques and three paintings of her small family. There was a ladder on the side on the trunk’s wall leading up to an opened hole which led to a thick and strong tree branch. She would usually sit on and sing drawing all the white doves in the tree. Kina pulled out two sacks of dried thick mud balls. She handed one bag to Lacey.

‘What’s in this sack? Rocks?’ Lacey questioned looking inside.

‘Mud balls,’ Kina smirked.

‘Mud balls? You were preparing for war in the Viking Lands?’ Lacey joked.

Kina shrugged giggling, ‘I have no idea where that is but these will come in handy for our little scheme’ and grabbed the five inches wide rubber.

‘What are you going to do with that? Make a slingshot?’ Lacey asked.

‘You’ve read my mind, Lacey. Let’s hurry before the boys leave,’ Kina smiled.

‘I knew it, okay,’ Lacey answered.

She and Lacey ran quickly to the front entrance of the forest revealing the field. They chose two firm trees and tied the ends of the five inches wide rubber.

‘They won’t know what hit them. Ready Lacey?’ Kina smiled.

‘Yep, it’s strong as an ox, Kina,’ Lacey smirked.

‘Lacey hand me three mud balls,’ Kina ordered.

Lacey gave it to her and watched as she placed all three against the rubber’s centre and smiled, ‘This is going to hurt,’ looking at the boys who stood a far distance.

‘Oh yes it will, Lacey. Fire!!!’ Kina yelled releasing the mud balls as they ambushed the boys.

With Lacey at her side handing ammunition: mud balls which were like cannonballs at full speed. They couldn’t stop themselves from enjoying the high pitch screams coming from the boys who ran off the field like little girls who saw a ghost.

‘The future men of Italy,’ Kina joked.

‘They’re really are handsome, aren’t they?’ Lacey quipped laughing.

‘Not when you have mud balls attacking your butt,’ Kina smiled brightly, chuckling.

‘Uh huh,’ Lacey replied smirking.

‘Come on, let’s go before our mothers realise we’re gone,’ Kina reminded.

‘Yes, I would hate to be in the hot sun today,’ Lacey complained.

‘We could ask your mother to make us ice cream,’ Kina explained.

Lacey smiled, ‘Music to my stomach’ and laughed.

‘Race you,’ Kina laughed as she ran ahead of her.

‘That’s not fair, Kind!’ Lacey yelled running after her heading back to the house.

Unfortunately, Lacey’s mother, Elena was tacking clothes on the line; when she spotted them sneaking out of the forest.

‘And where have you girls been?’ She asked with a raise of an eyebrow as she picked up the basket of dried colourful bed sheets.

‘Mother?’ Lacey started.

‘Aunt Elena?’ Kina commented. ‘We can explain.’

‘We were just playing the three musketeers, mother,’ Lacey lied.

‘I don’t need any explanations from you, musketeers. Go grab the brushes and paint the chicken coup white as your punishment,’ Elena responded.

‘Yes, Ma,’ Kina and Lacey answered.

The girls found themselves in the presence of the old chicken coup painting it white.

‘The Three Musketeers, huh?’ Kina questioned laughing.

‘It was a great attempt, though,’ Lacey shrugged painting the fence wall.

‘You couldn’t think of anything else,’ Kina replied.

‘Not really,’ Lacey smiled. ‘On guard!’ stroking her paint brush like a sabre while Kina defended herself blocking her attacks.

‘You have to do better than that Lacey,’ Kina smirked, swiftly, she brushed over her overalls with white paint.

Lacey was surprised and then she splashed paint against her dress, ‘Ha ha!’

‘Ooh, I’m going to get you,’ Kina said about to retaliate with the bucket of paint in her hand. Her father, Sir Lucas and Elena approached them seriously with devastating news concerning her mother who recently grown ill from the breast cancer. ‘Father? Aunt Elena? What’s the matter? Is something wrong with mother?’

Sir Lucas’ gaze soften at his only daughter and nodded, ‘Dearest…’

Before he could even finish his sentence her eyes were watery.

‘Your mother has pass on, my darling,’ he continued.

Kina felt her heart collapsed with agony against this tragedy, ‘No!’ she ran passed them into the house as they called on her.

‘Kina! Wait!’ Sir Lucas yelled chasing her while Elena and Lacey followed running up the staircase onto the second floor quickly.

When they arrived at his wife’s bedroom; the door was already opened. The three of them found Kina holding her mother’s cold hand kneeling as she leaned on her bedside weeping greatly. Her father stood stiffened at the sight of his beloved jewels were being torn apart. He gulped and went in snooping down at his daughter’s side embracing her as she cried against his shoulder.

‘My dear, look at me,’ Sir Lucas said gently.

Kina pulled back with teary eyes as he wiped her tears as she sniffled.

‘Your mother is in the kingdom of heaven, darling. She will always be watching over us in here,’ Sir Lucas spoke pointing at her heart. ‘We mustn’t forget her words. Do you remember them?’

‘Little kindness, little kindness, be strong and kind, little kindness, little kindness just be you. The pureness and bravery found in your love and forgiveness will change hearts. She ended it with: Miracles will appear from God’s little kindness,’ Kina recited.

‘Yes, promise me, my love, you will remember these words forever as a memory of her,’ Sir Lucas smiled.

‘I promise father I will,’ Kina blinked the tears away and hugged her father.

Years went by she remembered her father’s sudden transformation. He was depressed and unhappy. Sir Lucas was ill with high blood pressure and diabetes. Kina found out about his health issues from Dr Taranto. Her father kept a strong face. He buried himself in work at the hospital attending to all patients. On vacations or short breaks, he pretended to be fine spending much with her and taught her the art of fencing, trained her in military combat and armory. Despite being strict at times, they bonded quite well, until Sir Lucas met the French beauty, Mrs Helena Smith. An abused gold-digging widower with two lovely daughters named Pearl Lara Smith and Cassandra Anne Smith. He fell madly in love with her and decided to marry her.

It was Sunday evening. After an intense fencing lesson, Elena and Lacey set up the table for dinner before joining them. Her father, Sir Lucas stood off his chair getting the ladies’ attention including his daughter who saw him smile brightly for the first time ever since her mother died.

‘What is it, father? Is there something you would like to say?’ Kina asked.

Sir Lucas nodded grinning, ‘My darling, Elena and Lacey. I’ve decided to marry again. I’ve fallen in love with the most wonderful and enchanting woman I’ve ever met. I never thought I would find happiness again at this age. Kina, you’ll have a loving step mother named Helena and two step sisters called Pearl and Cassandra.’

With mouths dropped opened, Kina glanced at her best friend and her mother pretending to be overjoyed before their input cause some damage.

‘That’s marvelous father! Love has no boundaries you know. I’m sure mother will be happy as well. When do we get to meet them?’ Kina smiled.

‘Tonight, they’ll be living with us from now. Helena and I will be getting married tomorrow afternoon we’ve already invited all our friends. Our wedding will be a grand one, sweetheart,’ Sir Lucas blushed elaborating with cheerful arms’ gestures in the air surprising them.

‘We’re so happy for you, Sir Lucas,’ Elena faked smile.

Lacey was too speechless she just nodded and forced out, ‘Uh yes,’ looking at her best friend who obviously played along.

Kina wasn’t thrilled honestly; her heart’s instincts didn’t trust the situation’s outcome. After dinner Lacey pulled Kina into the balcony.

‘Has your father gone mad, Kind?’ She asked.

‘Lacey I can’t stop my father from wanting to be loved and happy,’ Kina leaned against the railing.

‘Why don’t we give your step mother and step sisters the boot? And forget about your father’s happiness for awhile,’ Lacey suggested.

Kina loved the sound of that idea but for her father’s sake she held back her mischievous plans and replied, ‘I don’t think we can. Didn’t you see his face lit up like a Christmas tree when spoke of Helena and her daughters.’

‘You’re too kind you know that, Kina,’ Lacey said wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

‘Too some extent though,’ Kina equipped laughing as her best friend smiled while she thought, ‘I hope we’ll stay like this forever as long as my step mother and my step sisters don’t bend the rules.’

Minutes later, the door opened revealing a French madam, Mrs Helena Smith in the finest dark purple, navy blue silk and lace gown. She was followed by her daughters, Pearl and Cassandra dressed in their signature red and green dresses.

‘Hello, my love, did you wait long for us?’ Helena spoke kissing Sir Lucas’s lips.

Her father favoured her kiss and smiled, ‘Most certainly I’ve been counting the seconds to be with you.’

‘Lucas, your words do charm a lady,’ Helena blushed smiling entering inside as he took her bags with the aid of Elena and Lacey.

‘Did we miss dinner?’ Pearl intervened walking into the living room and spotted a massive painting of a beautiful black woman with Sir Lucas who has a little girl on his lap. They all looked happy. ‘They must be Sir Lucas’ only daughter and belated wife.’

Her mother glared at her, ‘Where are you manners, Pearl?’

‘We just got here at least control your appetite,’ Cassandra replied.

Pearl shrugged with a pouty frown and answered, ‘I can’t help it I’m famished.’

‘Lacey why don’t you fix a plate for Pearl, your mother and I will take these beautiful ladies to their rooms,’ Sir Lucas suggested.

Kina walked in plastering on a fake heartwarming grin and beamed, ‘Hello! How are you? Father has said so much lovely things about you all. It’s pleasure to finally meet you step mother, Helena, you’re beautiful and the same goes for my pretty step sisters.’

Fluttery gave them a warm welcome but the raw beauty, cheerfulness and bold personality found in his daughter was outstanding. It shocked Helena and her daughters.

‘He has? Then the pleasure is all mine, Kina, my newest daughter,’ Helena answered.

Cassandra smiled, ‘Nice to meet you as well, sister. I’m Cassandra.’

‘I’m Pearl by the way. You’re magnificent as your mother,’ Pearl pointed out gazing at the painting again.

Sir Lucas laughed, ‘She is, isn’t she?’ and then faced Helena whose stern face changed into a graceful smile.

‘Why thank you, come along now, Lacey and I have prepared some treats for you. I hope you’ll love the cookies and tea we’ve made,’ Kina said treading down the hall to the dining room; where they saw all the freshly baked goods and meals covered the table. ‘Bon appetite, ladies,’ she commented.

Pearl awed taking a seat at the table, ‘This is heaven’ and dug in.

‘Pearl remember less is better, darling,’ Helena warned.

Cassandra laughed at her upset expression as she muttered, ‘Yes mother.’

‘You shouldn’t have done this,’ Helena responded humbly.

Sir Lucas wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her to his side, ‘No, my dear, we wanted too, we wanted to make you and my step daughters feel welcome.’

‘I hope we’ve impress you?’ Kina questioned smirking.

Pearl smiled, ‘Most certainly’ eating a cookie before drinking a cup of cinnamon and peach tea as she thought loud, ‘These are delicious.’

‘Of course you would say something,’ Cassandra quipped.

Pearl frowned at her throwing her a dirty look, ‘Oh shut up, Cass’ and continued enjoying herself.

‘Please excuse my daughters’ behaviours. They don’t usually act like this,’ Helena apologised.

Kina thought, ‘I doubt it,’ finding for step sisters amusing.

Sir Lucas kissed his soon to be wife’s cheek and replied, ‘Don’t worry about it, my darling. All flaws aren’t forbidden in this house. It’s what makes us unique. Remember, my love we are family now.’

‘You’re too good to me, Lucas, I love you,’ Helena smiled locking his lips with hers while Kina cringed inside.

Her father smiled through their kiss and mumbled, ‘I love you too, Helena’ and pulled away looking at Kina and his step daughters, ‘And you three as well. Come here, let me embrace my new family.’

Her step sisters raced into his opened arm and he gestured her to join in, ‘There’s still more room for you, my sunshine.’

‘I know father,’ Kina hugged him as well alongside her step sisters and step mother.

Sir Lucas smiled, ‘This is what I’ve long for, my darlings. After so many years of grief I never thought I did be marrying a beautiful kind woman with two sweetest daughters who will become my daughter’s sisters. It’s a miraculous dream come true I must say.’

‘Certainly is, father,’ Cassandra and Pearl answered.

Kina remained quiet with a smile and thought, ‘This is a nightmare than a dream, father,’ releasing herself and yawned sleepily.

‘You must very be tired, my dear. Why don’t go and rest?’ Helena suggested.

‘I’ll show your step mother and sisters to their bedrooms,’ Sir Lucas smiled.

Kina nodded politely, ‘Hope you’ll love them, father spent a lot of time decorating it making sure it’s perfect for you.’

‘I’m sure it will be, thank you, my love,’ Helena kissed his lips smiling before facing her.

Kina wanted to vomit at the sight of her step mother making out with her father and replied, ‘Well then, goodnight, everyone.’

‘Goodnight, sister,’ Pearl and Cassandra smiled.

Helena smirked, ‘Goodnight, my daughter.’

Kina smiled as her father bid goodnight and then she left heading to her bedroom she shared with Lacey. She sat down on the king size mattress covered in mint pink sheets when she thought, ‘I don’t trust that woman one bit. For father’s sake I’m going to have to be strong and kind and, not lose my temper easily.’ Leaning back sinking into the lavender scented bedcover she remembered her mother’s words and exhaled the worry away.

SONG: LITTLE KINDNESS

Chorus

Little Kindness,

Little Kindness,

Be strong and kind.

Little Kindness,

Little Kindness;

Just be you.

Verse 1

Lace your shoes.

Dry the clothes.

Put it on the line.

Look at the sky above and smile.

Run inside don’t snatch;

The cookie on your way out.

Come and help me;

Water these flowers

To give to everyone.

Chorus

Little Kindness,

Little Kindness,

Be strong and kin.

Little Kindness,

Little Kindness;

Just be you.

Verse 2

They’ll bring joy to the meek.

Humble the hearts;

Of those who don’t love.

Little Kindness, Little Kindness;

Share your joy with the world.

And, blessings from heaven

Will dance like miracles are won.

Just be brave and polite to everyone.

Bridge

Love yourself with kindness;

And share it with everyone.

Little Kindness you are the

Sweetest dream to me, my love.

You are the greatest gift of all.

Chorus

After a beautiful wedding in the outdoor garden, Monday afternoon, her step mother became Mrs Helena Williams. Her step sisters’ surnames changed as well. Guests were merry enjoying all sorts of cuisines and wines while being entertained by the live orchestra. Kina watched her father danced with Helena and her daughters. She started feeling a bit distant. She didn’t like sharing her family with anyone. Lacey joined her table sipping champagne. Her best friend sensed something was off in her mood today.

‘I know you don’t like it, Kina. Why don’t you stop pretending? Tell your father this is not what you want for his life and yours,’ she said. Lacey always saw right through their problems. A special gift she says God gave her.

Kina shook her head, ‘It’s not that simple, Lacey. He takes everything to heart so seriously. I don’t want to break his happiness.’

‘Sacrificing yours is more important than his? Shouldn’t you both consider balancing your happiness to make this family’s teamwork a success?’ Lacey stated.

Kina hummed in thought loud, ‘We should be. I’ll talk to him about it, Lacey.’

‘That’s the strong-hearted Kina I know,’ Lacey smiled embracing her.

Her father approached her, ‘May I have this dance, my lady?’

‘Of course, father,’ Kina smiled walking on the dance floor and waltz with him.

‘Kina, promise me, you’ll stay strong and kind to your step mother and sisters. They’re the only family along with Elena and Lacey we have now. Appreciate them, okay,’ Sir Lucas said.

‘I promise father,’ Kina smiled but deep inside she wasn’t sure about it.

The merriment of the wedding died out as Sir Lucas was called in for work.

‘Do you have to leave father?’ Kina asked worriedly.

‘I promise I’ll back soon, tomorrow is our fencing rematch,’ Sir Lucas smiled kissing her cheek.

Kina grinned, ‘I bet I’ll win you this time’ and he laughed.

‘Of course you won’t,’ Sir Lucas smiled kissing Helena and her step sisters. ‘Love you, I’ll see you later, my darlings.’

‘Come back soon father,’ Kina muttered as they watched him leaved in the carriage for work at the main hospital.

At the hospital, ten-thirty, Sir Lucas was changing into his uniform until he started feeling dizzy. He held onto the shelf to steadied himself, ‘What’s happening to me?’ He thought when his best friend, Alfonso Argon walked in.

‘Lucas?’ He questioned surprisingly and came to his aid. ‘Are you alright?’

Sir Lucas shook his head, ‘Not really, Alfonso, help me sit down.’

Alfonso helped him sit down on the chair. He felt him burning up with a fever.

‘You’re ill? You can’t perform the brain tumor surgery in this state, Lucas,’ His best friend said.

Sir Lucas assured, ‘Alfonso, I’ll be fine after I rest a little’ and sighed being irritated with a massive headache.

‘Okay then, do you want me to get you a glass of water?’ Alfonso asked.

Sir Lucas smiled, ‘No, my friend. I don’t think I have long to live.’ Somehow he knew death was knocking at his door. He pointed at the shelf with his things, ‘Alfonso, I have written a will please give it to my daughter, Kina.’

‘Lucas? Why didn’t tell us earlier? We could have found you a cure or get medication for your condition,’ Alfonso responded worriedly looking at his best friend.

Sir Lucas shook his head and answered, ‘Thank you for good intentions, Alfonso but I think it is a bit too late for that. I trust you to deliver my will to Kina, promise me, my friend and brother you will give it to her for me.’

‘You have my word, my friend,’ Alfonso promised.

Sir Lucas exhaled and stood up, ‘Let’s begin the surgery and save this patient’s life.’

‘You sure you can handle this, Lucas?’ Alfonso asked still concerned.

Sir Lucas nodded with a smile, ‘Yes, let’s hurry.’