Lucas Foden: The Hidden Legacy

Marry Them

Lucas forgot that he was in a hurry to leave. “You knew my father?” He asked, and Vance nodded with a smile.

“We were best of friends, Lucas. Your brother didn’t tell you?”

Lucas shook his head, unable to fight the urge to hear more from the old men.

Vance turned to Lola. “Why didn’t you tell me Lucas Foden was the Divine Healer?” He didn’t look pleased with his daughters, and none of them had any excuse for their omission.”

"We are sorry, Father.” Lara apologized on behalf of his sisters, but their father wasn’t bothered anymore.

“I am sorry for what happened to you, Lucas,” Vance had an emotional look in his eyes, staring with wide eyes.

“That was a long time ago, Mr. Phoenix.” Lucas forced a smile, not certain of which of his ordeals the old man was speaking of.

Just then, the old man made a decision that was about to change the fate of his three daughters.

He cleared his throat, and when it seemed like he was not going to be able to get rid of the clog that gripped him, he was forced to drink some water.

“I have to repay you for what you have done for me, Lucas. Even your father would never forgive me if I let you go without showing my appreciation.”

Lucas took a deep breath. “I don’t think there is anything you can offer me that I don’t already have, Mr. Phoenix. I am sure you know that.”

“True,” The old man nodded with a smile. “But consider this a gift that you cannot refuse. Our families have been bound for ages, and I think that this is the perfect gift that I could give to you in memory of your late father, my good friend.”

Vance looked at his three daughters, and seeing the unreadable expression on his face, they were puzzled.

“My daughters are the most beautiful damsels in this city, Lucas.” He said proudly, and turning to his daughters, they couldn’t help but blush.

“They are twenty-five years of age, Lucas. I think they are ripe for marriage…”

Lara was the first to lose her smile, and then Lana followed before Lola.

They seemed to have an idea of what their father was about to say, but none of them was prepared for it.

Vance cleared his throat. “Marry them, Lucas.” He said, pleading and suggesting at the same time.

Lucas was completely taken aback by the old man’s words, but before he could get to choose to either refuse or agree, the old man continued.

“I know that this is very sudden and too much to take. But I would rather have my daughters be with just a man who I know is worthy than have them get married to lunatics who would treat them like they did not matter. They are the only ones I have.”

Lara gasped, realizing that her father was not joking. “You can’t do this, father!” She turned to Lola, but she didn’t need to try to convince her to speak on their behalf.

Lola was unhappy just like her sisters. “How can you tell us to get married to just one man, Father?! Is this how much you despise us?!”

“You just got better, and the first thing you do is to decide that we marry him!” Lana couldn’t stay quiet.

Vance sighed, eyes showing the strong determination buried deep inside them.

“I don’t know how long I have left.” He sighed in despair, and realizing that getting rid of his sadness was impossible, he continued.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about what could have happened to you if I didn’t survive this strange illness. Lucas Foden is the only man I can trust.”

Lucas had been quiet for so long that the Phoenix sisters were beginning to think that he was part of their father’s plan to marry them up.

Lara faced him with a frown. “Did you know about this, Lucas?”

“This is the first time I am meeting with your father, and you know that,” Lucas said in his defense, but it was hard to believe him.

“He is telling the truth.” Vance interrupted, causing Lara to return her gaze to him.

“Then why are you trying to marry us off to him at once, Father?!” She hurried to her father, and when she saw that the stewards were hearing so much, she sent them away with her eyes.

Lana grabbed her father’s hands and looked him in the eyes. “This is too much, Father. We beg you.”

“Maybe you can think of something else,” Lola added, but the old man’s countenance showed that he had already made up his mind.

Vance sighed heavily, freeing himself from Lana’s grip.

“What do you have to say, Lucas? Marry my beautiful princesses, and I will be the happiest man on earth.”

Lucas huffed. “Do you hate them so much that you are in a hurry to give them away in marriage?”

“I don’t hate them, Lucas.” Vance sighed heavily.

“I am an old man, Lucas. It is a miracle that I am still alive at the age of ninety, struggling with all the sicknesses that have tried to take my life. Their mother is dead, and I am the only one they have.”

He paused for a while, and when he had gotten a grip on himself, he continued.

“I don’t want them to end up with brutes just like my mother did. My father was a beast, he treated my mother like she was his punching bag. She died while trying to protect us.”

The old man almost shed tears, but he managed to suppress them.

Even his daughters were touched just like Lucas, but they were still not prepared to marry just one man.

There was no doubt that Lucas was charming, tall, and the kind of man who would sweep every lady off her feet, but it was so sudden.

Lola felt betrayed that her father who had called her his favorite. “Please, Father…”

“No, Lola…” Vance stopped his daughter before she could speak any further.

His countenance expressed sternness, and his daughters knew that they were wasting their time.

“It is either you marry Lucas, or I will give your inheritance to charity.”

A loud gasp erupted from Vance’s daughters, but that was not enough to change his mind.