The Royal Contract

"Is that what our relationship is all about to you? Are we just together because we are compatible?" He put her palms on both sides of his cheeks, wanting to feel their warmth on his face.

He could not care less anymore if that would scare her and make her run for the hills. He would come running after her if that was the only way to make her understand that what they had was more than that.

After a few seconds of analyzing her statement, he realized that it was not what he wanted to hear from her. Honestly, he found himself wishing that she was in love with him.

"But..." She intended to say something but had no idea what. She could not find the words to express what she desired, at the same time, what she feared most. Afraid that he might not understand or misinterpret what she might say.

"What about marrying for love?" He voiced out when he saw her indecision.

He knew that if his statement earlier did not scare her, this might. Even he was afraid of his words. But he could not lie anymore, not even to himself.

Because he suddenly realized that hurting her was the last thing he wanted to do. Making her happy was the only thing in his mind, and loving her was all his heart shouted at the top of his lungs. 

He was already undeniably and irrevocably in love with her.

"What?" She barely whispered, finding herself unable to say anything more.

She had no response to his question as shock took over her ability to process her thoughts and actions. She was not even sure of what she felt about him anymore. 

"I love you." He finally said it. With their faces only inches apart and their eyes locked together, he finally uttered the words that he had not spoken of to anyone in a long while.

He never thought that he would break his rule for her. But he did not regret it one bit because he believed she was worth breaking all the rules. He would do anything to make her happy.

"I..." She stuttered, incapable of continuing with her sentence. It was as if she was drowning, and she could not breathe. She just continued to stare at him without saying anything.

"You don't have to say it if you are not ready. I did not say it to force you to say it too. I only want to put it out there. Since it is what I truly feel for you." He mumbled on as disappointment interlaced with his voice. He lowered his face, not wanting her to see further the hurt he felt of her rejection.

It was not his intention to proclaim his feelings for her in this manner. He did not even know that he loved her, not until just a few moments ago. But he already said it, and he could not take it back.

At the moment, it was either she accepted his love or rejected it. If it was the latter, all he could probably do was wait for the day she might learn to love him too. 

"Honestly, I am a little bit shocked." She finally found her voice, admitting to him what she truly felt was surprisingly not that hard.

Seeing the despair that crossed over his expression broke her heart. He tried to mask it with a smile, but she still saw it anyway. Now, all she wished to do was wiped that grim look off his face and make him happy.

Who was she kidding, certainly not herself? When did it happen? Who knew, but as of now, her heart was about to explode because of how she felt about him. 

"It was not my intention, and I am sorry if I put you in an awkward situation. But, if it..." He was about to say more, but she rudely interrupted him.

"Stop." She placed a finger on his lips to prevent him from saying anything more. "Would you let me say something first?" With the tip of her fingers, she made him look up to her until they were eye to eye again. "I love you too."

She could keep lying about it, but what was the point when he already declared his feelings for her. He already said he loved her. She was also already in love with him. 

Completely and madly in love with the man in the palm of her hands. The same man, who had his arms wrapped around her and his eyes boring through her soul.

"You do?" He knew he understood her right. But he felt that it might be his mind making him hear what he only wanted to hear. He wanted her to say it one more time, a confirmation that it was not just his imagination.

"I love you." She repeated, enunciating each word, hoping that would finally sink in that big silly brain of his. "Did you finally get it? I am also in love with you." She once again said for good measure.

Instead of answering her this time, he pulled her into a deep passionate kiss. He felt that no words could match his action. His kiss would be the perfect way to seal their love.

When they came up for air, he knew that he was the happiest man in the world. He believed that she felt the same way, judging from the smile displayed on her lips.

"I could not wait to shout to the world how much I love you." He said as he ran his fingers through her hair and entwining them on the strands holding her head in place. "And you are now mine."

He knew that he did not mean to make it sound like she was a possession that he could own. It was more of a right for him to say that they were already one.

"I feel the same way." She admitted, keeping her eyes on him. Suddenly, feeling confident to stake a claim on him.

It was the first time that she felt that she belonged with someone. Not as an object but as an equal, a partner, and someone to share their everything and anything.

He slowly carried her to his room to celebrate their new union. He wanted to savor their moment as a couple who just declared love for one another.

He laid her gently on the bed and covered her body with his. Slowly, he devoured her lips with his, wanting to feel every inch of her as his hands explored her body.

"Make love to me." She moaned in between their kisses, craving to have him, all of him, body, heart, and soul.

"I will." He could never deny her. Her wishes would always be his to obey because that was how much he loved her. 

As they moved together to please their every desire, as they twisted and turned to make their needs satisfied, giving and taking to meet their fill. There was only one thing that went through their mind.

Love was the major binding force that was holding their relationship together. The strength of what they felt now was nothing compared to what they felt before with their other affairs. 

Their relationship was not a mere connection of the flesh but a combination of respect, passion, and love.