The Royal Contract

But what his son did not realize was how unsuitable she was to be standing beside him. Despite her popularity and success in her chosen field, this woman before him would never be good enough to marry his son.

“You are not only beautiful, but you seem to be using your head as well, Ms. Harlowe.” He commented as he looked around the room, studying her through the things she owned. “And I suggest you keep using the latter more.”

He could see that she had good taste, from the furniture to the paintings hanging on her wall. But still, it was not enough for her to sit beside his son when he took his place as King of this kingdom.

“Let us cut to the chase. I know you are here not because of me.” Eida was not going to stand there and kept listening to his insult.

She understood what he was implying with his words. But she had no plan to stoop as low as him and throw an insult at him too. But she was not playing his games either.

“Then, you must realize why I am here.” He moved further inside the room, not done studying her house. He looked outside her window as if checking the view from his position.

.....

He occasionally glanced in her way before returning his attention outside. Given a choice, he would go to one of his meetings rather than be standing in her presence.

He did not think she deserved a minute longer of his time, but he would indulge her just this once. For the sake of his son, he would act civil to this woman.

“I might, but I do not wish to jump to any conclusion. If you don’t mind, I would like you to state your case and be gone.” She told him, wanting to get rid of him soon.

She had met the King, the Duke, and the other royal family. She never had any issues with royalties or any of them before. But today was different. She believed there was always a first time.

He sported a friendly smile as he faced her, but his tone and words were far from near welcoming. However, she never trusted that he carried good intentions when she entered her door earlier.

“If I must spell it out for you to avoid any confusion, then so be it.” Count Thomas shrugged his shoulders as if she was a nuisance he could not wait to get rid of soon. “I do not know about you, but I love my son. I am only thinking of his best interest. And at the moment, I believe that is not you.”

If that was not loud and clear enough, he might be mistaken when he assumed she was intelligent. But the expression on her face told him that she understood his meaning.

“I have a proposal, and I hope you will accept it.” He continued before she could react to his earlier statement. He went back to the living room and stood near the coffee table.

He pulled a document out of his breast pocket and dropped the folded papers on the top of the table. He even took a pen out from his pocket and placed it above the white paper.

“What is that?” Sharpening her eyes on the file. But somehow, she already knew what was on those papers as she walked closer to the middle of the room.

She could already tell that it did not bear good news. On the contrary, it might be a death sentence for her relationship with his son.

“Something for you if you would agree to my proposal. All you have to do is sign it.” His calm voice floated in the air, but he never felt calm under her presence.

He wanted to squash her to nothing for impeding his plans. He believed she was the only obstacle standing in the way of his son’s impending marriage to Amelia.

He would remain to stand, not wanting to stay longer than necessary in this suffocating room until she perused the papers and signed them.

“What makes you think that I will sign that?” Eida looked at him and pointed at the table, challenging him to state his case.

She still could not believe that this man would come to her home, insult her and now convince her to sign some papers. Although she was curious about the content of those papers, she already knew she would not like the gist of them.

“Because you love him, and I know you want only the best for him.” His mocking tone suggested that he did not believe what he said. But he was still tolerating her presence.

But she was surprised that he would say those words to her. But it made her analyze her feelings for his son. If she did love him, she would find it hard to let him go. But if she was only using him, signing these papers would be a breeze.

She grabbed the papers and opened them. On the first page, she already knew what it was. As she continued to skim the rest of the documents, she understood what he wanted to happen.

“What if I do not wish to sign these papers?” She waved the papers in her hand at him.

She admitted she was still confused because, until now, she was still conflicted about her feelings for his son.

Compared to her past relationships, she had never felt like this before. Only with Lance did she feel protected, safe, and cherished. Did it mean that she had fallen in love with him?

She was not exactly sure since she had no basis for it. She had never experienced falling in love before. At least none that she was aware of in the past.

“Then, you will have to wait for the consequence. But if you sign it, I assure you that you will be greatly rewarded.” The Count told her or was that a warning or a mild threat.

He kept staring at her as his feet tapped gently on the floor. He grew impatient the longer he waited for her to read the rest of the document. He could not wait for him to leave this room and never have to set foot in it again.

Moreover, she almost had a heart attack at the reward he planned to give her. “Wow, this certainly is a lot of money.” She pretended to fan herself, feeling woozy at the figures written in black ink.

If she would think about it, that money could set her for life. She would not need to work for a day in her life. Now she knew what it felt like for those who accepted bribes.

It was not her first time to be in this position. That was not the point. In her line of work, it was ordinary for clients to offer her money. But that amount of money would be hard to resist. It was tempting.

“I can arrange more if that is not enough.” The Count offered, which made her raise her eyebrows higher. “Just name your price, and I will make the necessary arrangement.”

He finally wore a satisfied smile, thinking that she might be taking the bait. He had no qualms about losing some millions if he could get back his son from her clutches.

That was just spare change compared to what his family would gain if the marriage between Lance and Amelia happened and when his son finally sat on the throne.

“I only want to make this clear. If I accept the money, I can never see Lance again. Not on the side, nor become his mistress.” She knew she sounded sarcastic.

She could not have stressed enough what she would be giving up in exchange for the money she would receive from the agreement. It sounded so simple, but it was not.

Not only did it imply that she was only after their money, but she was only using his son. She would laugh at the situation if she only found it funny.

“Of course, that is why I am paying you. So, you will be out of my son’s life for good.” His eyes narrowed at her, not liking her tone and how her face looked at him.

He thought that he already had her in the palm of his hands, but it seemed that it would take more than money to convince her to leave his son alone.

“I see.” Making her voice sound condescending. “Do I have to sign it now?” Not that she planned to sign it, she just wanted to know how desperate the Count was about getting rid of her.

“Or, can I just send it to you after I have included my necessary demands?” She could not help the smile that displayed on her face.

Suddenly, the older man was fuming at her. Not liking the way she was joking around. But she could not help it, looking at the seriousness on his face.

She now realized that the Count would do anything to marry Lance to Amelia. Aside from that, he was also determined to get rid of her.

But what bothered her the most was the extent of his power. He could destroy her and everything she had worked hard for her entire life. Was Lance worth the sacrifice?