The Royal Contract

Dani was happy to see that their parents were getting along very well, just like she felt so at ease with his husband’s parents. She knew that Alex also felt the same with her parents.

“I don’t know.” He turned around to look at her as she helped him clean up the kitchen.

After putting everything in the washer, he pulled her towards him and kissed her gently on the lips. “As always, you were great with my family.” He told her, still keeping her close to his body, pinning her against the marble kitchen counter.

He let his fingers trace a line on her face, removing the tendrils that block her beautiful eyes. His eyes searched hers, probably hoping she could help him make a better decision.

“Your folks are not hard to love. They are no different from mine.” Dani genuinely felt that when she was in the company of her in-laws. They were a sweet loving couple, just like her parents.

He suddenly pulled her towards the living room, pulling her down on his lap as they sat on the couch. He cradled her body in his, feeling his warmth seeping through her body.

.....

She would love to do this in the garden on the rooftop. But the chilliness of the wind at night prevented them from hanging out there. They would have to wait for spring and summer again to enjoy a night under the moonlight.

“What is wrong?” She whispered, sensing the burden that was weighing heavily on her husband.

She might not be looking directly into his eyes, but she could feel how he expelled his breath on her shoulders. His heartbeat was faster than usual, and his hold on her was different. As if he never wanted to let her go.

“I am thinking of what Dad said.” He finally admitted that he released another heavy breath. “I think I have changed my mind about becoming King.” Finally, confiding in her.

She was slightly surprised by this new revelation, but she was not shocked by his confession. Maybe she had sensed it before. But she might just be waiting for him to tell her.

“Do you want to take the throne?” She had to ask him the question, eventually turning around to face him, wanting to see his eyes.

She knew that his answer would affect her life too. She never thought much of becoming Queen because he had always been adamant about his decision. But now that he was having doubts, maybe it was time that she also considered her options.

His fingers again played with the tendrils of her hair that kept swaying on her face as she moved. He decided to hold on to it a few seconds longer, staring at it before pushing it behind her ears.

“I am thinking about it.” She could see that he wanted to be honest with her. He might be afraid to tell her what he had in mind, but he would still say it anyway.

“But you have not made a decision yet.” She concluded for him, seeing the conflict swirling in his eyes. She only wished she could say something that might help, but she knew he had to decide on this, not her.

“After talking to the Council and many of our people, my view about the crown suddenly changed. Then, when I met with my uncle, he made me realize that I made a mistake.” He told her as he unconsciously held her hand in his.

“I immaturely judge the King and his role in the Kingdom. My blind ambition to create another world for myself, not ruled by our laws, failed me to understand what the Kingdom was all about and its importance.

It was not just power and greed. Maybe to some ambitious men who wished those things, but for those who truly desired to serve, it was for the good of everyone.” He continued as if he was in a trance, telling her everything on his mind.

“After our marriage, my eyes opened to this new truth. I started to see myself as someone who could lead our people to greatness. And not because of my selfish reason to be King but because of my desire to help and serve.”

She was fascinated at the passion her husband was showing about his change of heart. She knew he was speaking not using his logical thinking but most of it coming from his heart.

His husband had already proven so much that he had no reason to do more at a young age. She believed if he wanted to be King, it was only to give back to the people. To serve those who had continued to honor, respect, and love their law and tradition.

“Whatever you decide, remember that we are in this together.” She told him, ready to stand by his side in whatever he would choose to do for their future.

In her case, she realized too that serving did not need to be limited to one single entity. But she could also do it in many ways, based on what she had seen with the project she was raising currently.

“Pinch me now, so I will know that I am not in the presence of an angel.” His smile teased her, together with how he pushed her down on the living room sofa. “Because I do not wish to cheat on my wife when I kiss this angel before me.”

His hands crawled on her side as he laid down over her. Then his fingers tickled her, making her squirm and squeak, giggling uncontrollably with his naughty actions.

“Stop it.” She managed to cry out as her laughter floated with the air around them as she struggled under his arms.

“I guess you are no angel. Then you must be my wife.” He uttered playfully, but this time, claiming her lips, effectively shutting her cries of protest and laughter.

Slowly her arms snaked around his shoulders, loving the way his husband lightened the mood around them. She could still feel the heavy burden still weighed on his shoulders, but he had no plans of burdening her with it.

But she still planned to stay by his side, no matter what. When she agreed to marry him, she had also sworn to stay with him for better or worse.