Obed's mind was already swirling with too many thoughts, so he didn't immediately respond to Micah's statement. The whole situation was just too confusing.
First, he'd overheard Princess and her brother Peter discussing their father's murder. Then, he'd discovered his own sister, Jane, dead inside her apartment. And now, he was learning that Taylor, Dara's personal guard, had killed her. But something didn't add up. Why would Dara order him to kill Jane? And if it comes that Dara wasn't the one then it meant Tailor did it in Mara's order. And why exactly are they now chasing after Obed, accusing him of killing their father. Seems like Mara is a very cunning lady. It was all so tangled and messy.
It was believable that Mara was trying to frame Dara, knowing she was the one who had ordered Jane's death, he might not be sure if he was the one that ordered Jane but if she could kill her father and frame Dara of it then Jane's case shouldn't be any different. Because why would Dara even try to her? And how exactly was Jane involved in all this that she had to die for it? There were too many unanswered questions. Obed needed to dig deeper, to uncover the truth. Something was fishy, and he had a feeling it was just the tip of the iceberg.
"Hey! Did you hear what I said?" Micah asked, snapping Obed out of his thoughts.
"I did," Obed said, turning to face him. "And I don't care. It's better if you just go to bed. This whole thing is dangerous, and it could get us killed. Please, go to bed. And mind what you say to people if you want to continue living" Obed forced a smile, trying to hide his growing anxiety. He then turned and walked back to his apartment, slamming the door behind him. He locked it, and climbed into bed, hoping to find some answers in his sleep.
Obed tossed and turned all night, unable to find sleep. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one more unsettling than the last. He desperately wanted to understand what was happening within the palace walls, what dark secrets were being hidden. He knew he wasn't safe, not anymore. But even in the face of danger, Obed remained steadfast in his resolve. He would get justice for his sister, no matter the cost. He just needed to know where to start. Taylor of course has so many questions to answer and he will when the time comes.
               • Next Morning •
 
The city was sweltering, filled with cries and whispers that echoed throughout the streets. There was no sign of Dara, and it seemed he had anticipated the chaos, hiding away. Whether he was still alive remained uncertain.
"My princess, we have searched the entire town, but there is no sign of Dara. I believe he must have left the city by now," Taylor reported to the princess that morning. She had instructed him to update her after their night-long search, so she would know their next steps.
"Out of town? I know Dara well; he would never abandon his rightful place. He is still hiding somewhere. If you haven't found him, we need to search every house! Don’t trust the townspeople; some may still support him. The people of the Genesis Kingdom can be unpredictable. Start searching everyone’s homes! Just because you haven't found him doesn't mean he has ran away" the princess commanded, her voice firm. Taylor nodded and left immediately to carry out her orders.
Following her instructions, Taylor accompanied by a group of soldiers stormed through the streets, searching house after house. Even when confronted by parents trying to protect their homes, the soldiers pushed past them, determined to find Dara. They ransacked the houses, leaving chaos in their wake.
As a result, the city descended into turmoil. Both the nobility and the common folk were on edge, for something significant was at stake.
             
              • Obed In His Room •
Obed woke up to a morning that promised nothing good. The chaos surrounding Dara's alleged involvement in his father's murder loomed over the city like a dark cloud. It was clear to him that the accusations were likely a lie. Dara had been named the crowned prince by his father, despite not being the rightful heir. He was loved and respected, so why would he even consider killing his father? Obed couldn't shake the feeling that there might be some truth hidden within the lies, but he was determined to uncover it because it's obviously still connected to his sister's death, you can't discover one alone without the other following.
Deciding to stay in his room for a while longer, Obed tried to gather his thoughts. Eventually, he mustered the courage to step outside and see what was happening. As he opened the door, he nearly collided with Ruth.
"Hey... I'm very sorry about that. Good morning, Obed," she said quickly, managing to avoid a mishap.
Obed felt a surge of frustration at the sight of her. Why did she always have to come around so early? He had made it clear that he wanted space, yet here she was again.
"I'm sorry, Ruth, but what exactly do you want? Why can't you just let me be? I thought I told you to keep away from me," he said, his irritation evident as he watched her smile fade.
Obed's mind was racing, and he needed to focus on the chaos outside, not on the complications of his personal life. He believed he don't really have time for this love triangle, he doesn't like her, then she has to accept that and let him be instead of distracting her.
"Obed, I don't know what to say. Am I not beautiful enough? Why do you despise me so much? What have I done? I haven't wronged you, I swear. You can tell me. I love..." Ruth's voice trailed off, her words cut short by Obed's sharp response.
"I know exactly what you're saying, and I don't love you back. Don't you get it? You're beautiful, yes, but love isn't something you can force. It comes naturally, with affection. I don't feel anything for you. I'm sorry. I'm sure there are plenty of guys out there who would be happy to be with you. You should look their way, not try to force yourself on someone. Thank you," Obed said, his anger evident. He wanted to walk away, to escape the uncomfortable situation, but Ruth stopped him.
"Wait!" she said, her hand reaching out to grab his. The look on his face made her instantly regret her action. She quickly released his hand, filled with remorse for irritating him further.
"I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I came to ask what you'd like for breakfast, and also, if you have any dirty clothes, I can wash them down by the river..." Her words were interrupted once again.
"I'll eat whatever you make for breakfast. And thank you, I don't have any dirty clothes. You've done well. You can please go and continue your duties. I can see you have lots of work to do..." Obed's words trailed off as he looked down from the second floor and saw Selah returning to the market, ready to resume her work.
"Umm... I think we're done here, Ruth. Goodbye!" Obed said, turning and running off. Ruth watched him go, a wave of disappointment washing over her. She knew it was Selah who had caused him to flee, but she also understood that he didn't want her. It was disheartening to fall for someone who didn't love you back. She didn't know how to shake the feeling, the love she felt for him was so strong.
Maybe, she thought, if she kept trying, he might eventually come to like her, maybe even love her. Maybe she could be the one who truly loved him, the one who could make him happy.
With a heavy heart, Ruth turned away from Obed's retreating figure. She went to collect the princess's clothes, ready to head to the river to wash them. The princess had also assigned guards to accompany her, to ensure her safety amidst the chaos that had gripped the city.
 
            • Selah At The Market •
The news and rumors that had spread the previous night had left a palpable chill over the market. It was unusually quiet, with only a handful of vendors braving the day. Those who had returned seemed to possess hearts of steel, Sarah's family being one of them.
As Sarah and her family arrived, setting up their fruit shop, Obed burst in, his face etched with a mixture of urgency and anxiety.
"Hey... I was wondering..." he began, but before he could finish his sentence, Selah tossed a brightly colored apron at him. It was clear she expected him to help out again, and he should get to work immediately.
"Oh, come on! Yesterday was incredibly stressful. I haven't even recovered," he said, a playful smile dancing on his lips. Despite his protests, he was already putting the apron over his waist, accepting his fate with a happy smile, as long as it's Selah, he's happy to help out.