The Royal Contract

"You did a spectacular job once again, Abby," Laura commented, which Katherine approved, on the gown Dani was wearing as they put the final touches on her veil.

They could not stop staring at the stunning bride that stood in the large full-length mirror before them. She was one of the most beautiful brides in the world as far as they were concerned.

"Thank you. But, this design was inspired by all your inputs, especially the bride." Abby, the designer, replied. "What do you think, Dani." She had to ask her. It was her opinion that counted the most.

In determining the pattern and design of her gowns, she usually used what she had learned about the personality and preferences of the bride.

She did not have a problem with the inspiration since her client was not very hard to work with. She usually had trouble with demanding clients who changed their minds up to the last minute.

"As I told you before, I love it." Dani turned to her designer and hugged her. "Thank you." 

She had to admit that the gown was more than she had ever envisioned. It was a mermaid cut, off-the-shoulder neckline with delicate lace sleeves, made in a pure white silk garment.

She preferred a shorter veil, but Katherine suggested it to be longer. It was too long for her taste, but she had to concede to some of their requests.

"Oh my! You look like a princess." Jacky uttered as soon as she entered the room. "Well, I know you are already a princess. What I meant to say is that you are absolutely gorgeous."

She immediately walked towards her friend and hugged her gently, afraid that she might ruin her dress or makeup. But she was glad to be part of this memorable celebration.

"And you look amazing too." Dani returned the compliment, knowing Jacky also deserved to be praised for all she had done for her.

She noticed how Jacky shined in her blue gown, but there was more to it than what she was wearing. There was a certain glow on her face that made her radiant.

"Thanks to Abby. She creates amazing gowns that make me look amazing." Jacky acknowledged the creativity and hard work of their new friend.

She caught a reflection of herself in the large mirror, standing beside her best friend. They did both look great together. But more than that, she was glad to see Dani happy.

Another soft knock on the door alerted them of another visitor in her room. Then, her father peeked behind the door with an adorable smile.

"Can I borrow my daughter for a few minutes?" He walked straight to his wife, kissing her mildly on the lips.

Of course, he was like all the fathers of the world. He wanted some alone time with his daughter before he walked her down the aisle.

The four women nodded in unison, agreeing to what he said. One by one, they left the two to be on their own, the father and the daughter, for their last hours of her single life.

"Dad, what is this all about?" Dani allowed her father to drape his hand around her shoulder, feeling his kiss on the top of her head. 

"I just want to see my daughter. It has been a while since I have you all to myself." He sat on the edge of the bed and tapped the space beside him, beckoning her to join him.

But instead of following his direction, she decided to sit on his lap. Then, she wrapped her arms around his shoulder, doing something she had not done since she was a teenager.

She laid her head on his shoulders, finding comfort in his arms. She remembered every time she needed him to protect her, she would run into his arms and cry her eyes out. He would cradle her in his warmth until she had calmed down. 

"You are not about to cry, are you?" She asked her father with a baffled look in her eyes.

She could not help but notice the slightly watery eyes of his father as he stared at her face. It was one of the sweetest things she ever saw her father do for her. 

Crying was one emotion she never shared with her father. But to see her father shedding a happy tear on her wedding was a moment she would cherish forever.

"Well, what is a tear when it feels like I am losing my daughter to another man?" Ethan smiled at her daughter's teasing. He was never an emotional man but a man of action. 

He remembered something he used to tell her when he found her in tears. "Crying is good for the soul." Taking her hand, resting them on the top of her heart.

"But there are better ways to deal with a problem without shedding a tear." He guided her fingers, pointing them to her temples. She would stop crying, smile, and find a way to resolve her troubles. 

"You are not losing me, Dad. But you are gaining a son." She knew it was an addition that he ultimately approved of. Alex was able to prove himself to him more than she could count.

She suddenly felt that she had wasted many years hating her father because she did not understand what he was trying to do. She hoped it was not yet too late to make up for the lost times.

"I know that. I am glad that you are marrying Alex. He is a great man." He slightly pushed the loose tendril of her hair away from her face to see her eyes.

He would not say those words if he did not believe them himself. He wanted his daughter to understand that he only did what he did in the past for her.

"I know that too." She mimicked what her father said, grinning a little.

"But," Ethan could see that something was bothering her. It was all over her eyes. "Are you having cold feet?" But he doubted that. 

Nothing could stop his daughter from marrying the man of her dreams. Her relationship with Alex was entirely different from what she had with Nick. He had noticed it earlier on.

"Of course not. No one can prevent me from marrying Alex." She vehemently stated, which was what he just recently thought. "But, I do have some questions about our future." She remembered her conversation with the king.

She stood up and walked towards the window to look at the palace ground. It was a massive lawn and enormous land that went beyond what her eyes could see.

"A piece of advice, my Princess." Her dad followed her and stood behind her, looking at the same view as she was.

He only wanted a more beautiful future for his daughter. It was the only thing he had dreamt of since she was born. He believed that Alex could continue that for him.

"What is it, Dad?" She looked forward to what he had to say. His words had always been the foundation of who she was today. Many of the things she had learned growing up came from the man behind her.

"There is every chance that Alex will lose his way, just like I did. I need you to be like your Mom. She never left my side and guided me back to the right path." He squeezed her shoulder, hoping she understood what he wanted to impart with her.

They fell into silence as both stared in the distance, savoring the final moment of their time alone together.

She appreciated what her father said.. It was a word of wisdom that she would undoubtedly take to heart.