The Royal Contract

When Evan confessed that he was marrying Amelia, numerous questions crossed his mind. But did he want to ask them? Did he even need them answered? No.

Lance remembered asking about Amelia, “How is she?” but avoided mentioning anything about the woman who broke his heart. There was no point. At least, that was what he kept telling himself.

“She is fantastic. I don’t know what she saw in me, but I am glad she accepted to marry me.” Evan said, seemingly very happy about his situation.

If he was in his condition and marrying the woman he loved, he might feel the same way. He would be on cloud nine and shouting at the top of his lungs. He was happy for his friend, Evan, and his childhood friend, Amelia.

“I hope that you will never hurt her. She is like a sister to me.” Lance reminded his friend. He might have married her if he did not feel that way about her long-time friend.

“I love her, man. I don’t think I could ever hurt her.” Not again after what he did before. “I swear.” He added.

.....

“Then, if you are here to ask for my blessing, you have it. If you need help with Amelia’s father. I am sure I can put on a good word for you.” Lance knew that Amelia’s father might not be as approachable to an outsider. But he believed that he would like Evan once he got to know him.

“Thanks. I will surely need all the help I can get. I want to make Amelia happy.” Evan said as they toasted for his upcoming wedding as well.

“Tell Amelia, I am also happy for her,” Lance said, missing his friend who he had not seen for a long time.

“She wanted to see you but was afraid you might still be furious at her,” Evan told him, making him feel like an ass from how he had acted the last time he talked to her. “I think you were a little hard on her.”

His friend was right. He had cast his childhood friend aside because he felt betrayed that she seemed to side with Eida. He had forgotten the years of friendship they shared and the things she did for him.

But he had the right to be mad back then. But he believed it was time to bury the hatchet and return their friendship to what it was before. He missed his friend and would like to see her.

“Are you dead set on getting married?” Evan had asked him as he looked around the place as if he did not want anybody eavesdropping on their conversation.

Everybody seemed to be minding themselves. A few were already drunk in the bar, while a few were still flirting on the side. The ladies who offered them drinks earlier seemed to have moved on to another pair.

David was still out of sight, probably still on his phone somewhere quiet. That one was devoted to his girlfriend. Then, Alex was still conversing at the other table, most likely discussing business ventures.

“It is my obligation. I have to if I will be King.” Lance answered as if that was the only logical explanation for his decision.

He could not help but stare at his friend, wondering if he had something else to say, like talking about Eida, but was he willing to talk about her after what she had done?

“What if Eida...” But he did not let him finish. He knew the answer to that question.

“No. We will never talk about that woman again.” He had already made his peace with his ancestors. He had vowed to do his best to serve their people. That included forgetting about her and marrying Camille.

“But, don’t you want to...” Evan continued, still internally debating if he should divulge the secret about Eida and their child.

“Evan, I know you are just trying to be a good friend. But I only want to forget her. That part of my life is over. Now, I need to move on.” Lance stopped his friend from saying more.

Then, any talk about her ceased to exist. Their other friends came back and continued to have a good time. He could tell that he was drunk, but he did not care.

He just found himself back in his room, lying on his bed. How he got home, he had no idea. But if he had to guess, it might be his bodyguards who were always around wherever he went.

“Hey, anybody there?” He asked, but there was only silence. His friends might have left and returned home to their lives. Now, what about him?

He closed his eyes, wishing the alcohol in his body would claim his consciousness, but he remained wide awake. His thoughts ran wild as his friend reminded him of the woman he had every desire to forget.

This night was about his marriage to someone else and his coronation. But instead, here he was reminiscing the past. He did not want to talk about her or think about her.

“Why now?” He placed a pillow over his face, shielding his eyes from seeing her face. But his eyes were not the problem. It was his memories as they flashed across his mind.

All his investigators led him nowhere when they searched for Eida and followed Amelia. When he questioned Amelia, she denied knowing where her friend was. Now, he wondered if Evan knew where Eida was.

But would that make a difference? Did he still want to see her?

“No. I don’t.” He angrily hissed as he threw the pillow on the other side of the wall. Then, he swiped the blanket away from his body and slid out of his bed.

He was surprised to realize that it was already morning. And yet he hardly slept a wink. What was wrong with him? He gazed at the bright light outside the clear glass window of his room.

He could not even recall the exact time he reached his place, but he could clearly remember her face. It was insane when all he wanted to do was forget everything about her.

“Sir, do you want your breakfast now?” His assistant was already waiting for him outside his room. He could tell it was time to return to work, observing the light coming outside.

But was he up to performing his task today? Or would he prefer to do something else that would expel himself of anything that would remind him of her?

“No. Cancel all my meetings today.” Lance stopped on his track and closed his eyes for a few seconds before sighing. “I am taking the day off.” He told his assistant as he returned to his room.

He noticed that his assistant was surprised by his announcement. He had never left a day off from work since he had recovered and returned to his obligation.

But he knew today would not matter. He was too distracted to concentrate on anything. He had to find a way to clear his mind of all thoughts of her, one way or another.

Quickly, he took a long hot shower, giving up on getting any sleep. He could still smell the liquor in his breath, but a few cups of coffee should cure him.

Then, he put on his casual clothes, not bothering with a coat and tie. He had no plans of going to the office. He had other matters he wanted to do today.

“Sir, I am sorry to disturb you, but your father was on the list of your appointments. Should I also reschedule him for tomorrow?” His assistant asked him when he exited his room and asked for his keys.

“Cancel all.” He repeated, not particularly interested to see his father. He would deal with his wrath tomorrow at their meeting. Today, he wanted nothing to do with him and the crown.

He grabbed his keys and proceeded outside, where his car was already waiting for him, just like every morning. But unlike before, his bodyguards were ready to follow him around wherever he planned to go.

As the future King, his safety would always be an issue. So, he could not get rid of them even if he wished. Therefore, he just had to learn to live with them always in his tail.

“Don’t call me unless it is an extreme emergency.” He ordered his assistant, not wanting his father, forcing him to divulge his whereabouts.

“Yes, Sir.” His assistant answered, knowing that he had to follow his future King. Besides, he had his bodyguards to keep him safe.

“Good.” Then, he closed his door and revved up his engine. Then, he pressed a number on his phone before speeding away on the long driveway towards the massive gates.

“Where are you?” He asked on the speaker phone as soon as a woman answered his call.

“Home. Why?” She answered, her voice appearing surprised to hear his voice.

“I am coming over.” He commanded on the line before cutting it short. He did not even wait for her to answer as he drove toward her house.

He could still feel the alcohol in his system, but he knew sleeping would not give him peace. Drinking would also be futile. So, what else could he do? He wondered if this woman could help him. He was running out of options.

He needed something that would stop the ghost of her from haunting him. Like what? Therapy or exorcism?