The Royal Contract

Ethan admired the beautiful preparations that his wife had produced in a short time. Laura truly knew how to work her magic.

“I am glad that you were able to visit us.” Ethan showed her guests to the library, where he would initially entertain them as Laura made her final touches on the food preparations.

As they entered his private study, he showed them some of his latest collections that had occupied most of his time lately.

“You know that we would have come sooner for Dani’s birthday, but certain problems did not permit us to leave until now.” Duke Frederick explained to him as they all settled on the long cushion in the middle, surrounded by the old collections of books and artifacts that made up the remaining room.

“I guess I should envy you for that.” Ethan jokingly said. “It is better than to sit around in this house without anything to worry about.” He patted his pants as if removing an invisible lint in its fiber.

He had been bored out of his skull because there was nothing much he had to do each day. As much as he would like to meddle with the company, Alex was doing superbly that the company did not need his expertise anymore.

.....

Then, a server entered the room, bringing them a fresh hot pot of tea and some lemon cakes. The server placed the tray in the center of the table and offered to pour them each a cup.

He would prefer a glass of brandy, but he would not hear the end from his loving and caring wife if he insisted on it. He accepted a cup but already knew he would not enjoy the drink.

“I am afraid I might end up like you soon enough. After all, we are not getting any younger.” Fred responded, shaking his head as if resigning to his fate.

He guessed that his age would not be so different from his guests. But he did wonder where he was leaving his company since Alex was already handling his company.

However, with Alex’s capability, he could surely handle adding his father’s business to his plate. He would not be surprised if both of their company merged again. They had already done it before on a small scale. It would not be so different in a larger arena.

“Soon, our kids would take over our responsibilities, and we would have not much use to them anymore.” Ethan also agreed, taking the cup of tea and placing it on his lips.

But the tea had barely touched his lips when he pulled it out of his face, and the smell alone made him cringe. He knew he would not like it as he pretended to take a sip but quickly placed it down on the table.

“Precisely.” Fred took his tea and drank it with satisfaction, almost gulping half of the content of his cup before letting it go.

He guessed they liked tea where they came from, unlike him, who would prefer coffee and alcohol as his daily beverage. Anyway, he offered them the cakes as he took a piece for himself. At least this was not yet forbidden, and he loved his sweets.

“You kept telling yourselves that you are old but do not include me on that.” Katherine interrupted them, patting her elegantly styled hair and sitting upright, emphasizing that she was still beautiful and looking young despite their age.

“Me, too.” Laura walked inside the room, beautiful as ever.

She was just like Katherine. Laura also never allowed her age to dampen her spirit. She would do everything to look young but was more likely to feel young, not physically but emotionally.

She walked gracefully towards him, then stopped beside him, sitting by his side. Then, her eyes focused on the cup of tea he barely touched, looking at him warningly.

She poured another cup and joined the conversation, drinking her tea just like their guests. But as for him, he preferred to admire the expensive china sets than consume the actual content.

“Speaking of our children taking over. We came here today because we also have something to discuss with you.” The duke spoke up, garnering their attention.

He watched the duke place his tea on the table and then looked up to his wife before continuing. “We know this is a decision that our children should make. But we want to give you a heads up because it will also affect you.”

He stared at his friend, wondering what he was talking about since Alex and Dani had not mentioned anything to him when they had last seen each other.

Or maybe something was happening to the young couple, but recent events had consumed most of his time. He barely noticed what was happening to his family.

“You are aware that Alex is still considered the next heir to take the throne of our kingdom,” Fred stated as if he was beating around the bush.

“Yes,” Ethan answered, but in a way, already guessing what the duke wanted to say. “But Alex had declined that position a long time ago.”

He could tell that the possible purpose of their visit was to convince their son to take on the title and rule their land. If that happened, Alex and his daughter would have to return to their country.

That would mean Alex would have to leave his company. But more than that, Dani would leave their city to live hundreds of miles away from them.

“Until now, he is still the best candidate, and the Council still would like him to sit as our King,” Fred answered him as if that was the only option they had.

But he could not blame the duke. Alex was a true leader who was capable of making things happen. His son-in-law was a man of action and had many traits that would qualify him to lead any company or even a country to greatness.

“But that would mean that they would have to return and live in your country for the duration of his reign if Alex decided to accept it.” Laura now expressed her concern and what was already on his mind.

He did not mind losing Alex from his company. He could manage it again or find someone else to take over. The company could easily survive without both of them.

“If Alex accepts his rightful place, that would be the case.” Katherine was the one to answer this time. “But that would still be up to our children. Whatever they would decide, we would gladly accept.”

“I guess it would be out of our hands.” He knew he could not stop it if that would be their decision.

However, being away from his daughter was a loss that he and his wife never expected. His daughter was everything to him and especially to his wife.

But he knew that they could not keep her forever. He guessed it was time for their daughter to spread her wings and fly away from the nest.