The Royal Contract

After cruising the ocean and enjoying the view of the shoreline from another perspective, it was time for them to head back to the docks. It had been another shared experience that they could add to their memories together.

"Thanks for bringing me here and for taking a break to spend it with me." She uttered as the soft breeze blew her hair to the side. 

She stood on the railings by the starboard, enjoying the view of the dolphins playing not so far from the boat's location. She had always been fascinated with the earth's natural resources.

She admired how nature painted the world and beautified it with its colors and wonders. The sound the wind, the water, and the birds created in her ears were classical music that could calm all her nerves.

"It is the least I can do to make you relax and enjoy. Besides, I also like having you around." He also moved closer to her. "I also love the view."

"Yeah, it is beautiful out here. It is quite peaceful." She did enjoy every minute of the moment they shared. She could only wish they could freeze time to prolong it a bit longer.

"But I will apologize in advance if the next weeks will be a bit more challenging for us." He spoke near her ears as he stood behind her, with his arms wrapped around her waist.

"I understand. I told you to do what you think will be best for your situation. I will always be here to support you." She reminded him.

She knew that he was about to face a dilemma and was a bit torn by his options. She was glad that he thought to discuss it with her, taking her opinion into account. But at the end of the day, it was still his decision to make.

They stayed in complete silence for a few more minutes, just savoring the feeling of being at sea. It would be a while before they could probably go back into another adventure together.

"What's next on your agenda?" She questioned when they disembarked on the docks.

"Oh. I was thinking of dinner at a local restaurant not far from here." He guided her out of the port and into their waiting car.

After a few minutes of driving, he escorted her to a local bar and restaurant. According to David, it was one of the best that served fresh plates of assorted seafood.

An old, bubbly man in an apron seated them at a table near the waters. "This is our best seat for a lovely couple. I hope you are enjoying your honeymoon." It was indeed located a bit farther from the other patrons, giving them some little privacy.

"Oh, we sure are," Alex answered, humoring the man who appeared to be in authority of the place. Probably one of the chefs or the owner from his posture.

Immediately after the words left his mouth, Dani looked at him with a stunned expression, followed by a jab on the ribs. But he responded to her with a sweet smile and a kiss on her hand.

The man gave them a friendly smile that showed them a missing tooth on the side. "Please choose from our different selections." The man was a clear romantic as he seemed pleased with Alex's little display of affection.

"Ok, just give us a minute," Alex informed the man as he waited for Dani's preference. 

"Why did you not correct him?" She asked when the man was out of earshot. He, on the other hand, continued to choose from the menu.

"Because he seems to be so happy. I did not want to burst his bubbles." He explained as if it was the only right thing to do.

"You think you are so smart, aren't you?" She looked at him funnily and wiggled her fingers, signaling for him to come closer.

When he finally leaned forward to her, she grabbed his face with her two hands and pinched his cheeks, putting some pinkish colors on them.

"What is that for?" He protested as he tapped his cheeks to ease the sting caused by her actions. He was not offended at all. In truth, he found their mini squabbles enjoyable. 

"For being so cute." She smiled at him too sweetly. Then, they both eventually laugh at their silliness.

She believed that she was no match to his charms despite how many times he would make her blood boil. But honestly, she also thought that his weird sense of humor was quite effective in breaking down her barriers.

It somehow loosened her up from her dark and depressing outlook on life. Her gloomy world had lit up because of him. Somehow, he managed to make her looked forward to his amazing surprises.

"Ready to order." The man was back with his seemingly welcoming smile. "If I may suggest, we have a lovely combo, specially designed for happy couples like the two of you. It is a good source of energy to keep the night going." The old, sweet man winked at them and gave them a mischievous smile.

"Well, I guess we'll have that," Dani answered with a laugh, unable to dampen the man's excitement, finding the man adorable. 

"What was that?" Alex was the one to question her this time.

"Ok. You were right." Acknowledging that what Alex did was the right thing to do.

After ordering a combination of different fish and crustacean delicacies, they settled into a comfortable conversation about whatever subject came to mind.

"Ouch," Dani yelped in surprise. The spike of the crab accidentally made a slight cut on her thumb finger when she tried to remove its shell cover. 

"Let me see." He pulled her fingers to check on her injury, but she quickly pulled it away.

"It is nothing, just a tiny cut." She assured him. "I'm not going to die with this." She wiggled her fingers to him when he seemed to doubt her words.

"Ok. Then, let me help you with that." He grabbed the plate of crabs and removed the shell coverings for her, even putting a few delicious, juicy flesh of the crab into her mouth.

"This is so yummy." She uttered in pure delight as they ate with gusto using their hands. Completely not minding the mess they were making.

After a while, they went back to their chit chats and occasional bantering. Then, Dani suddenly found herself asking him some personal stuff.

"So, you are saying that after college, you did not plan to go back home." She was not surprised by this news because she already figured it out before. But the reason behind it still intrigued her. "Why?"

"Because I like it here. I want to build a life here. I enjoyed the freedom that my life here provides." Explaining to her why he chose to stay.

"Back home, my life would be bound with my responsibility to continue the line of succession either as Duke after my father. Or..." He stopped his lips from saying what else was in the tip of his tongue. 

As if, by voicing it out, it would mean he had to accept his fate. But not if he could help it, he would dictate the destiny that he wanted for himself in the future.