The Royal Contract

He assisted her to a pillow seat on a carpeted covered floor. Numerous pillows in different colors and sizes littered the floor. While candles and flowers, situated around the perimeter of the carpet, brightening the place.

He offered her a soda and the food he wished he had personally prepared. But for now, he settled for someone else's handiwork to satisfy her craving.

"Wow, burgers, fries, hotdogs, and a pizza." Dani was amazed at the food that was laid on the table. 

She did not expect that from her fiance, but he always had a way of surprising her. He took the canned soda and pulled its tin lid. Its spirits soared to the darkened sky, creating a sizzling, bubbly sound that resonated on a silent night.

"Everything you love to eat," Alex explained as he took a slice of pizza and dared her to share it with him.

It had been a lovely evening of no pretensions, no forced smile, and silence from the demanding crowd. Precisely, what the doctor ordered before the big day.

For the first time today, they finally heard each other, their laughter and nothing else. It was refreshing not to listen to what everybody thought of the upcoming wedding. 

They had laid on the pillows, enjoying a delicious meal of junk foods to fulfill their hunger. A meal that did not need to cost a fortune to consume.

"You certainly know how to treat me like a queen." She taunted him as she placed a few pieces of fries on his mouth. "This is for my future king."

She had no other intention but to tease him about using the titles. She referred to ruling her heart and being the king in their home.

But something must have shown on her face for him to look at her funnily. Then, she also was reminded of her dinner with the king. They never had the chance to discuss it earlier since their friends interrupted them earlier.

"Speaking of king, you mentioned earlier that you had seen the king. My Uncle Edward. How was it?" He casually asked as he chewed on the fries in his mouth.

He leaned forward in his position on the pillows to get a better view of her face. He wanted to know everything that happened in that palace. He would find out the intention of his uncle for meeting her.

He was unaware of the meeting, and he was curious about it since she mentioned it earlier. But with all that had happened, he had forgotten to ask again until now.

"He invited me for dinner. He was also quite an entertainer. I can see that charm really runs in your family." But she still wondered where Edward got his. He was nothing like his family.

But the king did take the blame for his son's behavior. He believed he had been an absentee father to his only son. Without a mother to guide him, Edward was lost.

"I hope you are not reconsidering marrying him instead." Alex jokingly said, grinning naughtily at her. 

He did not mind that his uncle decided to interview and get to know his fiance without him. But he could not help but think of what they might have discussed during the meal.

"If you don't marry me by tomorrow, I might consider his offer." She taunted him back.

But she knew he understood that they were just joking around. She could not help herself from going along with his silly games. But in truth, she could not think of marrying anyone else except him.

"Did he challenge you to a game of chess?" He could almost imagine the two in a battle of will.

His uncle was a master in the game. Even he had a hard time beating him when the king was in his element. He could almost guarantee that the king would not pass up the chance to play with her in a game. 

It was his way of measuring his adversary. He used the game to disrupt the attention of his opponents. He would find their weakness when their defenses were down.

He learned valuable information about his opponents by studying how he decided on his moves on the board game. It gave him a slight view of his character in real life.

"Yes, we were able to play two games. I actually enjoyed playing chess with your uncle. I still owe him a rematch." She sipped on her soda, letting the cold drink wash down the greasy food she had already consumed.

Although, she knew that the king was sizing her up. She did not mind since she was also doing the same. Joining a family was like auditioning for the role in a play.

She could either contribute to the betterment of the program or ruin the entire show. But no matter what, she would have to play her part if she chose to stay.

"So, that was it. You never talked about any other matters." He could not help but snoop for more details. 

He doubted that the king would discuss royal family issues with her since she was not technically a family yet. But he could sense that his uncle wanted something else from her.

"Actually, there is one more thing he did discuss with me." She could remember it too well. It was something she did not foresee coming. 

Although the rumors did reach her ears. She did not put much thought into it since her fiance never once considered it. But now that the issue was opened, she also had to think about it.

"What was it?" He asked anxiously, but somehow he already had an idea of what she might reveal to him.

It was a topic that he had been putting aside, away from any conversation, because it was the last thing he wanted to include in his future.

"He wanted you to be his heir. To be the king of this nation." She paused as if voicing it out would make it real. "Then, I should be ready to be your queen." She added, uncertain of how to react to the news.

The king was convinced that Alex was the rightful heir to follow his footstep.. In addition, she would be perfect, to stand beside him, to rule by his side as the second in command.