Legacy.

Chapter five - I still love you.

  Later that day...

John:

I feel like Martina never is going to forgive me for lying to her about her mother, and who she is. When Athena and I got a divorce, it was forced and not our decision. But because of Athena's father and his enemy, Athena's father, the king said it would be best for all of us if Martina and I moved away. Athena and I didn't want to get divorced, and we loved each other. We had already been through what felt like hell. But, we had to put our daughter first and put our feelings away. So, we got a divorce and made a contract. The king insisted that both Athena and I had to sign it. The agreement said that Martina and I would move to my home town, and never look back. It also said that I couldn't tell Martina the truth about Martina's mother and that she's a princess. The contract stated that Athena couldn't see her daughter ever again and that she had to stay in Mljet and marry another king in the hope of saving their kingdom from her father's enemy, the Reeds.

The king wasn't sure what the Reed family would do, but he knew they would go after Martina, and he wanted to protect Martina. A few days later, Martina and I said our goodbyes and left Mljet, and we never came back. I lied to Martina her whole life, but one thing I didn't lie about was how much I love her. Martina is my world, and I would have done anything to keep her safe. When Martina and I left Mljet, I was heartbroken, and I wasn't sure how to raise Martina all alone. I thought I couldn't do it, and I was ready to give up. We moved into my parents, and they helped me with Martina. If I had done as the contract had said, I couldn't tell anyone the truth, but I couldn't lie for my parents. I told them the truth after six months. They deserved to know the truth. They had helped Martina and me so much, and I'm not sure what would had happened if they didn't have had helped us.

Shella called me two months and told me about Athena and her father's death, and I was heartbroken. At the time, I already had a drinking problem, but it became much worse after I got the news. I changed a lot, and I wouldn't have blamed Martina for leaving me if she had. God, I would have left. Shella said she would come on a visit because we had something to discuss, but she wouldn't tell me what over the phone. For two months, I have been nervous and waiting for Shella to knock on the door. I didn't tell Martina anything because I know she has been struggling her whole life with many things. My guilt for lying became bigger and bigger, and finally, Martina found out of some of the truth, but now she won't even look at me. I don't regret protecting Martina, but I regret hurting her because I know that the only person she ever trusted was me, and now I betrayed her. But, maybe there was one person who could help me to make Martina changing her mind about being a princess, because without Martina keeping her title, Mljet will die. With help from Shella and the royal family in Mljet, we got a guy to be Martina's bodyguard when she started to go out and travel. He was a man who Martina let into her life, and I think she trusted him partly.

That's the reason why I called him, he's the prince of France, and he had to go back three years ago, but I know he cared deeply for Martina. It knocked on the door, I wasn't sure who it was, but it could only be him. I wasn't expecting anyone else unless Athena is a ghost and want to kick my ass for failing as a father.